Journals of the Senate
56 Elizabeth II, A.D. 2007, Canada
Journals of the Senate
2nd Session, 39th Parliament
Issue 3
Thursday, October 18, 2007
2:00 p.m.
The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
Adams, Andreychuk, Angus, Bacon, Baker, Biron, Brown, Callbeck, Carstairs, Champagne, Cochrane, Cook, Cools, Corbin, Cowan, Dawson, De Bané, Di Nino, Downe, Eggleton, Eyton, Fairbairn, Fitzpatrick, Fox, Fraser, Furey, Goldstein, Grafstein, Gustafson, Harb, Hervieux-Payette, Hubley, Johnson, Joyal, Kenny, Keon, Kinsella, Lapointe, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Lovelace Nicholas, Mahovlich, McCoy, Merchant, Milne, Mitchell, Moore, Munson, Murray, Nancy Ruth, Nolin, Pépin, Peterson, Phalen, Poy, Prud'homme, Ringuette, Rivest, Robichaud, Rompkey, St. Germain, Sibbeston, Smith, Spivak, Tardif, Tkachuk, Trenholme Counsell, Watt
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
Adams, Andreychuk, Angus, Bacon, Baker, Biron, Brown, Callbeck, Carstairs, Champagne, Cochrane, *Comeau, Cook, Cools, Corbin, Cowan, Dawson, De Bané, Di Nino, Downe, Eggleton, Eyton, Fairbairn, Fitzpatrick, *Fortier, Fox, Fraser, Furey, Goldstein, Grafstein, Gustafson, Harb, Hervieux-Payette, Hubley, Johnson, Joyal, Kenny, Keon, Kinsella, Lapointe, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Lovelace Nicholas, Mahovlich, McCoy, Merchant, Milne, Mitchell, Moore, Munson, Murray, Nancy Ruth, Nolin, Pépin, Peterson, Phalen, Poy, Prud'homme, Ringuette, Rivest, Robichaud, Rompkey, St. Germain, Sibbeston, Smith, Spivak, Tardif, Tkachuk, Trenholme Counsell, Watt
PRAYERS
SENATORS' STATEMENTS
Some Honourable Senators made statements.
DAILY ROUTINE OF BUSINESS
Tabling of Documents
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk tabled the following:
Public Accounts of Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, Volume I—Summary Report and Financial Statements, Volume II—Details of Expenses and Revenues, Volume III—Additional Information and Analyses, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 64(1). —Sessional Paper No. 2/39-59.
Introduction and First Reading of Government Bills
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk presented a Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Canada-United States Tax Convention Act, 1984.
The bill was read the first time.
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Brown, 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.
Introduction and First Reading of Senate Public Bills
The Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C., presented a Bill S-212, An Act to amend the Parliamentary Employment and Staff Relations Act.
The bill was read the first time.
The Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Robichaud, P.C., 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.
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Milne tabled the following:
Letter dated September 7, 2007, addressed to the Honourable Ralph Ferguson, P.C., from the Minister of Public Safety, concerning regulation of food imports (English text).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-60S.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
Motions
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Comeau, seconded by the Honourable Senator Brown:
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,
The Honourable Senator Tardif moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Fraser, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Nancy Ruth:
That, for the remainder of the current session,
(a) when the Senate sits on a Wednesday or a Thursday, it shall sit at 1:30 p.m. notwithstanding rule 5(1)(a);
(b) when the Senate sits on a Wednesday, it stand adjourned at 4 p.m., unless it has been suspended for the purpose of taking a deferred vote or has earlier adjourned; and
(c) where a vote is deferred until 5:30 p.m. on a Wednesday, the Speaker shall interrupt the proceedings, immediately prior to any adjournment but no later than 4 p.m., to suspend the sitting until 5:30 p.m. for the taking of the deferred vote, and that committees be authorized to meet during the period that the sitting is suspended.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
MOTIONS
The Honourable Senator Carstairs, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Fairbairn, P.C.:
That a Special Committee of the Senate be appointed to examine and report upon the implications of an aging society in Canada;
That, pursuant to rule 85(1)(b), the committee be comprised of seven members, to be nominated by the Committee of Selection and that three members constitute a quorum;
That the Committee examine the issue of aging in our society in relation to, but not limited to:
promoting active living and well being;
housing and transportation needs;
financial security and retirement;
abuse and neglect;
health promotion and prevention; and
health care needs, including chronic diseases, medication use, mental health, palliative care, home care and care giving;
That the Committee review public programs and services for seniors, the gaps that exist in meeting the needs of seniors, and the implications for future service delivery as the population ages;
That the Committee review strategies on aging implemented in other countries;
That the Committee review Canada's role and obligations in light of the 2002 Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing;
That the Committee consider the appropriate role of the federal government in helping Canadians age well;
That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers and records, to examine witnesses, to report from time to time and to print such papers and evidence from day to day as may be ordered by the Committee;
That the Committee be authorized to permit coverage by electronic media of its public proceedings with the least possible disruption of its hearings;
That, pursuant to rule 95(3)(a), the Committee be authorized to meet during periods that the Senate stands adjourned for a period exceeding one week;
That the papers and evidence received and taken and work accomplished by the Committee on this subject during the First Session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament be referred to the Committee; and
That the Committee submit its final report no later than June 30, 2008, and that the Committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings until 90 days after the tabling of the final report.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Keon, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
With leave,
The Senate reverted to Government Notices of Motions.
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Eyton:
That when the Senate adjourns today, it do stand adjourned until Tuesday, October 23, 2007, at 2 p.m.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
REPORTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO RULE 28(2):
Report of the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, together with the Auditor General's Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, pursuant to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-13, sbs. 26(2).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-7.
Reports of the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety 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. 2/39-8.
Report of Marine Atlantic Inc., together with the Auditor General's Report, for the period of January 1, 2007 to March 31, 2007, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-9.
Report of the Pacific Pilotage Authority for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, pursuant to the Alternative Fuels Act, S.C. 1995, c. 20, s. 8.—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-10.
Reports of the Ship-source Oil Pollution Fund for the period of September 21, 2006 to 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. 2/ 39-11.
Amendments to the 2007 Capital Budget Summary of the Royal Canadian Mint, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-12.
Report of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, together with the Auditor General's Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-13.
Report of the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions, together with the Auditor General's Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, pursuant to the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 18 (3rd Supp.), Part I, s. 40.—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-14.
Reports of the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions 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. 2/39-15.
Reports of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation 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. 2/39- 16.
Reports of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada 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. 2/39- 17.
Reports of the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada 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. 2/39-18.
Reports of Canada Development Investment Corporation 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. 2/39- 19.
Reports of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 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. 2/39- 20.
Federal-Provincial Implementation Agreement with the province of Nova Scotia, pursuant to the Farm Income Protection Act, S.C. 1991, c. 22, sbs. 6(1).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-21.
Report of the Canadian Dairy Commission for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, pursuant to the Alternative Fuels Act, S.C. 1995, c. 20, s. 8.—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-22.
Report of the Pension Appeals 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. 2/39-23.
Statutes of the Northwest Territories for June 2007, pursuant to the Northwest Territories Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. N-27, sbs. 21(1). —Sessional Paper No. 2/39-24.
Report of the First Nations Lands Advisory Board for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, pursuant to the section 41.2 of the Framework Agreement on First Nations Land Management, as ratified by the First Nations Land Management Act, S.C. 1999, c. 24.—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-25.
Reports of the Gwich'in 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. 2/39-26.
Report of the President of the Treasury Board for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, pursuant to the Alternative Fuels Act, S.C. 1995, c. 20, s. 8.—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-27.
Reports of the Canada School of Public Service 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. 2/39-28.
Report of the Canada Council for the Arts, together with the Auditor General's Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, pursuant to the Canada Council Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-2, sbs. 21(2).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-29.
Report of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, together with the Auditor General's Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, pursuant to the Broadcasting Act, S.C. 1991, c.11, sbs. 71(1).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-30.
Report of Telefilm Canada, together with the Auditor General's Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, pursuant to the Telefilm Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-16, sbs. 23(2).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-31.
Report of the National Film Board of Canada, together with the Auditor General's Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, pursuant to the National Film Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. N-8, sbs. 20(2).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-32.
Report of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, together with the Auditors' Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, pursuant to the Canadian Race Relations Foundation Act, S.C. 1991, c. 8, sbs. 26(3).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-33.
Report of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation, together with the Auditor General's Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-34.
Report of the National Gallery of Canada and its affiliate the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography, together with the Auditor General's Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-35.
Report of the Canadian Museum of Nature, together with the Auditor General's Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-36.
Report of the Canada Science and Technology Museum Corporation, together with the Auditor General's Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-37.
Reports of the National Film 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. 2/39-38.
Reports of the Canadian Museum of Nature 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. 2/39-39.
Reports of the National Gallery of Canada 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. 2/39-40.
Reports of the National Battlefields Commission 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. 2/39-41.
Reports of the Canada Science and Technology Museum Corporation 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. 2/39-42.
Reports of the Public Service Labour Relations 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. 2/39- 43.
Reports of the Public Service Commission of Canada 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. 2/39- 44.
Reports of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) 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. 2/39-45.
Reports of Telefilm Canada 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. 2/39-46.
Reports of Status of Women Canada 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. 2/39-47.
Reports of the Canada Council for the Arts 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. 2/39-48.
Reports of the Department of Canadian Heritage 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. 2/39-49.
Reports of Library and Archives Canada 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. 2/39-50.
Reports of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation 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. 2/39- 51.
Reports of the Public Service Staffing Tribunal 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. 2/39-52.
Report on the applications for ministerial review (miscarriages of justice) for the year 2007, pursuant to the Criminal Code, S.C. 2002, c. 13, s. 71.—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-53.
Report on the state of Canada's forests for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, pursuant to the Department of Natural Resources Act, S. C. 1994, c. 41, sbs. 7(2).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-54.
Report of the Atomic Energy of Canada Limited for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, pursuant to the Alternative Fuels Act, S.C. 1995, c. 20, s. 8.—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-55.
Report of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, together with the Auditor General's Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, pursuant to the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, S.C. 1997, c. 9, s. 72.—Sessional Paper No. 2/ 39-56.
Reports of the National Energy 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. 2/39-57.
Reports of the Northern Pipeline Agency for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, pursuant to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-1 and P-21, sbs. 72(2).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-58.
ADJOURNMENT
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Eyton:
That the Senate do now adjourn.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
(Accordingly, at 3:28 p.m. the Senate was continued until Tuesday, October 23, 2007 at 2:00 p.m.)