Journals of the Senate
56 Elizabeth II, A.D. 2007, Canada
Journals of the Senate
1st Session, 39th Parliament
Issue 97
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
2:00 p.m.
The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
Adams, Andreychuk, Angus, Atkins, Banks, Biron, Bryden, Callbeck, Carstairs, Chaput, Cochrane, Comeau, Cook, Cools, Corbin, Cordy, Dallaire, Day, De Bané, Di Nino, Downe, Dyck, Fairbairn, Fraser, Furey, Gill, Goldstein, Grafstein, Harb, Hays, Hervieux-Payette, Hubley, Jaffer, Joyal, Kenny, Keon, Kinsella, Lapointe, Lavigne, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Mahovlich, Massicotte, McCoy, Meighen, Mercer, Milne, Mitchell, Moore, Munson, Murray, Nancy Ruth, Nolin, Oliver, Pépin, Phalen, Poulin (Charette), Poy, Prud'homme, Ringuette, Rivest, Robichaud, Rompkey, St. Germain, Sibbeston, Spivak, Stollery, Tardif, Tkachuk, Watt
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
Adams, Andreychuk, Angus, Atkins, *Bacon, Banks, Biron, Bryden, Callbeck, Carstairs, Chaput, Cochrane, Comeau, Cook, Cools, Corbin, Cordy, Dallaire, *Dawson, Day, De Bané, Di Nino, Downe, Dyck, *Eyton, Fairbairn, *Fortier, *Fox, Fraser, Furey, Gill, Goldstein, Grafstein, Harb, Hays, Hervieux-Payette, Hubley, Jaffer, Joyal, Kenny, Keon, Kinsella, Lapointe, Lavigne, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Mahovlich, Massicotte, McCoy, Meighen, Mercer, *Merchant, Milne, Mitchell, Moore, Munson, Murray, Nancy Ruth, Nolin, Oliver, Pépin, Phalen, Poulin (Charette), Poy, Prud'homme, Ringuette, Rivest, Robichaud, Rompkey, St. Germain, Sibbeston, Spivak, Stollery, Tardif, Tkachuk, 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 2006-2007, pursuant to the Official Languages Act, R.S.C. 1985 (4th Supp.), c. 31, s. 66.—Sessional Paper No. 1/39-826.
Pursuant to rule 28(3.1), the Honourable Senator Comeau informed the Senate that Sessional Paper No. 1/39-757 (Department of Foreign Affairs User Fee Proposal relating to the International Youth Program), deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on April 17, 2007, is deemed referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
Introduction and First Reading of Government Bills
A message was brought from the House of Commons with a Bill C-40, An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act, the Excise Act, 2001 and the Air Travellers Security Charge Act and to make related amendments to other Acts, to which it desires the concurrence of the Senate.
The bill was read the first time.
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Angus, that the bill be placed on the Orders of the Day for a second reading two days hence.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
ANSWERS TO WRITTEN QUESTIONS
Pursuant to rule 25(2), the Honourable Senator Comeau tabled the following:
Reply to Question No. 22, dated January 30, 2007, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Spivak, respecting National Parks containing Private Property.—Sessional Paper No. 1/39- 827S.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
Bills
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Tkachuk, seconded by the Honourable Senator Meighen, for the third reading of Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conditional sentence of imprisonment).
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Carstairs, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Mahovlich, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Order No. 2 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator St. Germain, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Segal, for the second reading of Bill S-6, An Act to amend the First Nations Land Management Act.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The bill was then read the second time.
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Oliver, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Inquiries
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Motions
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Reports of Committees
Orders No. 1 to 3 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
OTHER BUSINESS
Senate Public Bills
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Milne, seconded by the Honourable Senator Fraser, for the second reading of Bill S-223, An Act to amend the Access to Information Act.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Robichaud, P.C., for the Honourable Senator Day, moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dallaire, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 3 to 6 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Phalen, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day, for the second reading of Bill S-222, An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and to enact certain other measures, in order to provide assistance and protection to victims of human trafficking.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Nancy Ruth, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Order No. 8 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Commons Public Bills
Third reading of Bill C-252, An Act to amend the Divorce Act (access for spouse who is terminally ill or in critical condition).
The Honourable Senator Di Nino moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Nolin, that the bill be read the third time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Tardif, for the Honourable Senator Trenholme Counsell, moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Milne, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 2 to 4 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Reports of Committees
Orders No. 1 to 14 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Other
Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Banks calling the attention of the Senate to the failure of the Government of Canada to carry out its constitutional duty to appoint qualified persons to the Senate.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Munson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Mercer, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 12, 14 (inquiries), 150 (motion), 3, 31 (inquiries), 166 (motion), 25 (inquiry), 167 (motion), 20 (inquiry), 92, 140 (motions) and 23 (inquiry) were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Fraser calling the attention of the Senate to the government response to the second report of the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications entitled: Final Report on the Canadian News Media.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Tardif moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Fraser, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Ordered, That Order No. 3 (inquiry) be again called.
Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Dallaire calling the attention of the Senate to the situation in the Darfur region of Sudan and the importance of Canada's commitment to the people of this war-torn country.
After debate,
Further debate on the inquiry was adjourned until the next sitting in the name of the Honourable Senator Andreychuk.
Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Trenholme Counsell calling the attention of the Senate to concerns regarding the Agreements in Principle signed by the Government of Canada and the Provincial governments between April 29, 2005, and November 25, 2005, entitled Moving Forward on Early Learning and Child Care, as well as the funding agreements with Ontario, Manitoba and Québec, and the Agreements in Principle prepared for the Yukon, the North West Territories and Nunavut.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Mercer moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Munson, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 8 (inquiry), 119 (motion), 6, 21, 19, 11, 27 and 28 (inquiries) were called and postponed until the next sitting.
INQUIRIES
The Honourable Senator Spivak called the attention of the Senate to the hidden costs and benefits of an expanded ethanol and biodiesel program in Canada.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Di Nino moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Oliver, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Oliver called the attention of the Senate to employment equity in the Senate of Canada.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Di Nino moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Andreychuk, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.
A Senator drew the attention of the Honourable the Speaker to the possible lack of quorum.
At 7:20 p.m., pursuant to rule 9(3), the Speaker adjourned the Senate, without the question being put, until 1:30 p.m. tomorrow.
REPORTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO RULE 28(2):
Report of the Great Lakes Pilotage Authority, together with the Auditor General's Report, for the year 2006, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1). —Sessional Paper No. 1/39-819.
Report of the Pacific Pilotage Authority, together with the Auditor General's Report, for the year 2006, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1). —Sessional Paper No. 1/39-820.
Report on the administration of the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act, together with the Auditor General's Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, pursuant to the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-17, ss. 57 and 72.—Sessional Paper No. 1/39-821.
Copies of Orders in Council P.C. 2007-448, P.C. 2007-537 and P.C. 2007-584, concerning federal-provincial agreements with Quebec (under the Cost of Production Benefit), British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario, pursuant to the Farm Income Protection Act, S.C. 1991, c. 22, sbs. 12(7).—Sessional Paper No. 1/39-822.
Report of Marine Atlantic Inc., together with the Auditor General's Report, for the year 2006, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/39-823.
Reports of the Sahtu Land and Water Board for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, pursuant to the Access to Information Act and to the Privacy Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-1 and P-21, sbs. 72(2). —Sessional Paper No. 1/39-824.
Reports of the Yukon Surface Rights Board for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, pursuant to the Access to Information Act and to the Privacy Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-1 and P-21, sbs. 72(2). —Sessional Paper No. 1/39-825.
Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 85(4)
Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
The names of the Honourable Senators Jaffer and Bryden substituted for those of the Honourable Senators Cowan and Zimmer (May 10).
The name of the Honourable Senator Watt substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Milne (May 14).
Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources
The name of the Honourable Senator Sibbeston substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Cowan (May 10).
Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples
The name of the Honourable Senator Milne substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Peterson (May 14).
The name of the Honourable Senator Peterson substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Milne (May 15).
Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications
The name of the Honourable Senator Fox substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Phalen (May 15).