Journals of the Senate
55 Elizabeth II, A.D. 2006, Canada
Journals of the Senate
1st Session, 39th Parliament
Issue 11
Tuesday, May 9, 2006
2:00 p.m.
The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
Adams, Angus, Atkins, Austin, Bacon, Baker, Banks, Bryden, Callbeck, Champagne, Cochrane, Comeau, Cook, Cools, Corbin, Cordy, Cowan, Dallaire, Dawson, Day, De Bané, Di Nino, Eggleton, Eyton, Fitzpatrick, Forrestall, Fortier, Fox, Fraser, Gill, Goldstein, Grafstein, Hays, Hervieux-Payette, Hubley, Jaffer, Joyal, Keon, Kinsella, Kirby, Lapointe, Lavigne, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Lovelace Nicholas, Massicotte, McCoy, Meighen, Mercer, Milne, Mitchell, Moore, Munson, Murray, Nancy Ruth, Nolin, Pépin, Peterson, Phalen, Plamondon, Poulin (Charette), Poy, Prud'homme, Ringuette, Rivest, Robichaud, Rompkey, St. Germain, Segal, Sibbeston, Smith, Spivak, Stollery, Stratton, Tardif, Tkachuk, Watt, Zimmer
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
Adams, *Andreychuk, Angus, Atkins, Austin, Bacon, Baker, Banks, Bryden, Callbeck, *Carstairs, Champagne, Cochrane, Comeau, Cook, Cools, Corbin, Cordy, Cowan, Dallaire, Dawson, Day, De Bané, Di Nino, Eggleton, Eyton, Fitzpatrick, Forrestall, Fortier, Fox, Fraser, Gill, Goldstein, Grafstein, *Harb, Hays, Hervieux-Payette, Hubley, Jaffer, Joyal, Keon, Kinsella, Kirby, Lapointe, Lavigne, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Lovelace Nicholas, Massicotte, McCoy, Meighen, Mercer, Milne, Mitchell, Moore, Munson, Murray, Nancy Ruth, Nolin, *Oliver, Pépin, Peterson, Phalen, Plamondon, Poulin (Charette), Poy, Prud'homme, Ringuette, Rivest, Robichaud, Rompkey, St. Germain, Segal, Sibbeston, Smith, Spivak, Stollery, Stratton, Tardif, Tkachuk, *Trenholme Counsell, Watt, Zimmer
PRAYERS
SENATORS' STATEMENTS
Some Honourable Senators made statements.
DAILY ROUTINE OF BUSINESS
Tabling of Documents
The Honourable the Speaker tabled the following:
Annual Report of the Commissioner of Official Languages 2005-2006, pursuant to the Official Languages Act, R.C.S. 1985 (4th Supp.), c. 31, s. 66.—Sessional Paper No. 1/39-133.
Presentation of Reports from Standing or Special Committees
The Honourable Senator Kirby, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, informed the Senate that, pursuant to the Order adopted on April 25, 2006, he had deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on May 8, 2006, its Second Report entitled: Out of the Shadows at Last.—Sessional Paper No. 1/39- 134S.
The Honourable Senator Kirby moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Pépin, that the Report be placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Day, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance, presented its Second Report (first interim) (2006-2007 Estimates).
(The report is printed as an appendix at pages 120-129.)
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Champagne, P.C., that the Report be placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration later this day.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Smith, P.C., tabled the following (Sessional Paper No. 1/39-135S):
Tuesday, May 9, 2006
The Special Senate Committee on the Anti-terrorism Act has the honour to table its
FIRST REPORT
Your Committee, which was authorized by the Senate to incur expenses for the purpose of undertaking a comprehensive review of the provisions and operation of the Anti-terrorism Act, (S.C. 2001, c. 41), reports, pursuant to Rule 104, that the expenses incurred by the Committee during the First Session of the Thirty-Eighth Parliament are as follows:
Professional and Other Services: $ 9,864.52 Transport and Communications: 90,632.88 Other Expenditures: — Witness Expenses: 19,743.37 TOTAL: $ 120,240.77
During the session your Committee held 47 meetings, during which it received evidence from 189 witnesses. A total of more than 90 hours was spent in meetings. As part of its review of the Anti-terrorism Act, your Committee conducted fact-finding work in Washington, D.C. and London, United Kingdom.
Respectfully submitted,
DAVID P. SMITH
Chair
ORDERS OF THE DAY
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
Reports of Committees
Consideration of the Second Report (first interim) of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance (2006- 2007 Estimates), presented in the Senate earlier this day.
The Honourable Senator Day moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moore, that the Report be adopted.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Bills
Third reading of Bill C-4, An Act to amend An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and the Income Tax Act.
The Honourable Senator Di Nino moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Segal, that the bill be read the third time.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The bill was then read the third time and passed.
Ordered, That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that House that the Senate has passed this bill, without amendment.
Second reading of Bill C-8, An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the public service of Canada for the financial year ending March 31, 2007.
The Honourable Senator Cools moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Eyton, that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The bill was then read the second time.
The Honourable Senator Cools moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cochrane, that the bill be placed on the Orders of the Day for a third reading at the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Order No. 2 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Motions
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Champagne, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Segal:
That the following Address be presented to Her Excellency the Governor General of Canada:
To Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order of Canada, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Military Merit, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY:
We, Her Majesty's most loyal and dutiful subjects, the Senate of Canada in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Excellency for the gracious Speech which Your Excellency has addressed to both Houses of Parliament.
After debate,
In amendment, the Honourable Senator Hays moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Fraser, that the motion be amended by deleting the period at the end and adding the following:
"and, while this House acknowledges the broader agenda mentioned en passant in the Speech, it particularly looks forward to early and meaningful action on such promises as those respecting Aboriginal Canadians, new immigrants, greater security for seniors, improvements in the environment, and increased supports for farm families; and, given the strong economic and fiscal situation which the Government inherited, this House sees no reason for tax increases, or a decrease in anticipated early learning and child care spaces in Canada.''.
Debate.
Pursuant to rule 13(1), the Speaker left the Chair to resume the same at 8 p.m.
The sitting resumed.
Motions
The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Champagne, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Segal:
That the following Address be presented to Her Excellency the Governor General of Canada:
To Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order of Canada, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Military Merit, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY:
We, Her Majesty's most loyal and dutiful subjects, the Senate of Canada in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Excellency for the gracious Speech which Your Excellency has addressed to both Houses of Parliament.
And on the motion in amendment of the Honourable Senator Hays, seconded by the Honourable Senator Fraser, that the motion be amended by deleting the period at the end and adding the following:
"and, while this House acknowledges the broader agenda mentioned en passant in the Speech, it particularly looks forward to early and meaningful action on such promises as those respecting Aboriginal Canadians, new immigrants, greater security for seniors, improvements in the environment, and increased supports for farm families; and, given the strong economic and fiscal situation which the Government inherited, this House sees no reason for tax increases, or a decrease in anticipated early learning and child care spaces in Canada.''.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion in amendment, it was adopted.
The question was then put on the motion, as amended, of the Honourable Senator Champagne, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Segal:
That the following Address be presented to Her Excellency the Governor General of Canada:
To Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order of Canada, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Military Merit, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY:
We, Her Majesty's most loyal and dutiful subjects, the Senate of Canada in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Excellency for the gracious Speech which Your Excellency has addressed to both Houses of Parliament and, while this House acknowledges the broader agenda mentioned en passant in the Speech, it particularly looks forward to early and meaningful action on such promises as those respecting Aboriginal Canadians, new immigrants, greater security for seniors, improvements in the environment, and increased supports for farm families; and, given the strong economic and fiscal situation which the Government inherited, this House sees no reason for tax increases, or a decrease in anticipated early learning and child care spaces in Canada.
The motion, as amended, was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Stratton:
That the Address, as amended, be engrossed and presented to Her Excellency the Governor General by the Honourable the Speaker.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
OTHER BUSINESS
Senate Public Bills
Orders No. 1 to 9 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Second reading of Bill S-204, An Act respecting a National Philanthropy Day.
The Honourable Senator Grafstein moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C., that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Champagne, P.C. moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Forrestall, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 11 to 13 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Other
Orders No. 3 (inquiry), 53, 3, 10 and 7 (motions) were called and postponed until the next sitting.
MOTIONS
The Honourable Senator St. Germain, P.C. moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Segal:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples, in accordance with rule 86(1)(q) of the Senate, be authorized to examine and report on the involvement of Aboriginal communities and businesses in economic development activities in Canada. In particular, the Committee shall be authorized to investigate elements that enable Aboriginal communities and businesses to succeed and obstacles to their achievement in all areas of the economy, including but not limited to: large-scale industrial developments such as pipelines; non-renewable resource developments in oil, gas and mining; renewable resource development; tourism; business services; and other related matters;
That the papers and evidence received and taken during the First Session of the Thirty-Eight Parliament be referred to the Committee;
That the Committee report to the Senate from time to time, but no later than June 30, 2007 and that the Committee retain until September 1, 2007, all powers necessary to publicize its findings.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Segal moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Di Nino:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs be authorized to examine and report on the development and security challenges facing Africa; the response of the international community to enhance that continent's development and political stability; Canadian foreign policy as it relates to Africa; and other related matters;
That the papers and evidence received and taken during the First Session of the Thirty-eighth Parliament be referred to the committee;
That the Committee shall present its final report no later than October 31, 2006, and that the Committee shall retain all powers necessary to publicize the findings of the Committee as set forth in its final report until November 30, 2006.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Segal moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Di Nino:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, in accordance with Rule 86(1)(h), be authorized to examine such issues as may arise from time to time relating to Foreign relations generally; and
That the committee report to the Senate no later that March 31, 2008.
After debate,
With leave of the Senate and pursuant to rule 30, the motion was modified to read as follows:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, in accordance with Rule 86(1)(h), be authorized to examine such issues as may arise from time to time relating to Foreign relations generally; and
That the committee report to the Senate no later that March 31, 2007.
The question being put on the motion, as modified, it was adopted.
DECLARATIONS OF PRIVATE INTERESTS
Pursuant to subsection 14.(1) of the Conflict of Interest Code for Senators, a declaration of private interest was made as follows:
—By written declaration, May 9, 2006, the Honourable Senator Di Nino (Bill S-211).
ADJOURNMENT
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Stratton:
That the Senate do now adjourn.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
(Accordingly, at 9:32 p.m. the Senate was continued until 1:30 p.m. tomorrow)
Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 85(4)
Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
The name of the Honourable Senator Furey removed from the membership (May 4).
The names of the Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Nolin and Oliver substituted for those of the Honourable Senators Di Nino, Cochrane and Angus (May 5).
The name of the Honourable Senator Zimmer added to the membership (May 9).
Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament
The name of the Honourable Senator Carstairs removed from the membership (May 4).
Special Senate Committee on the Anti-terrorism Act
The name of the Honourable Senator Munson substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Fairbairn (May 8).
The names of the Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Fairbairn and Fraser substituted for those of the Honourable Senators Stratton, Munson and Zimmer (May 9).
Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
The name of the Honourable Senator Prud'homme substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Keon (May 8).
Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence
The name of the Honourable Senator Campbell substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Zimmer (May 9).
Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples
The name of the Honourable Senator Zimmer removed from the membership (May 9).