56 Elizabeth II, A.D. 2007, Canada

Journals of the Senate

2nd Session, 39th Parliament

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Issue 13

Tuesday, November 20, 2007
2:00 p.m.

The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker

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The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

Adams, Andreychuk, Angus, Bacon, Baker, Banks, Biron, Brown, Bryden, Callbeck, Carney, Champagne, Chaput, Charette-Poulin, Cochrane, Comeau, Cook, Cools, Corbin, Cordy, Cowan, Dallaire, Dawson, Day, De Bané, Di Nino, Downe, Dyck, Eggleton, Eyton, Fitzpatrick, Fraser, Furey, Grafstein, Gustafson, Harb, Hervieux-Payette, Jaffer, Johnson, Joyal, Kenny, Keon, Kinsella, Lapointe, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Mahovlich, Massicotte, Meighen, Merchant, Mitchell, Moore, Munson, Murray, Nancy Ruth, Oliver, Pépin, Peterson, Phalen, Ringuette, Robichaud, Rompkey, St. Germain, Segal, Smith, Spivak, Stollery, Stratton, Tardif, Tkachuk, Trenholme Counsell, Watt, Zimmer

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

Adams, Andreychuk, Angus, Bacon, Baker, Banks, Biron, Brown, Bryden, Callbeck, Carney, *Carstairs, Champagne, Chaput, Charette-Poulin, Cochrane, Comeau, Cook, Cools, Corbin, Cordy, Cowan, Dallaire, Dawson, Day, De Bané, Di Nino, Downe, Dyck, Eggleton, Eyton, Fitzpatrick, *Fortier, Fraser, Furey, *Goldstein, Grafstein, Gustafson, Harb, Hervieux-Payette, Jaffer, Johnson, Joyal, Kenny, Keon, Kinsella, Lapointe, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Mahovlich, Massicotte, Meighen, Merchant, Mitchell, Moore, Munson, Murray, Nancy Ruth, *Nolin, Oliver, Pépin, Peterson, Phalen, Ringuette, Robichaud, Rompkey, St. Germain, Segal, Smith, Spivak, Stollery, Stratton, Tardif, Tkachuk, Trenholme Counsell, Watt, Zimmer

PRAYERS

The Senate observed a minute of silence to the memory of Corporal Nicolas Raymond Beauchamp and Private Michel Jr. Lévesque whose tragic deaths occurred this past weekend while serving their country in Afghanistan.

SENATORS' STATEMENTS

Some Honourable Senators made statements.

DAILY ROUTINE OF BUSINESS

Tabling of Documents

The Honourable Senator Comeau tabled the following:

Letter by the Leader of the Government in the Senate to the editor of The Guardian newspaper entitled: Government is investing in seniors, dated November 7, 2007.—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-242S.

The Honourable the Speaker tabled the following:

Annual Report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, pursuant to the Privacy Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-21, sbs. 72(2).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-243.

With leave of the Senate,

The Honourable Senator Callbeck tabled the following:

Letter by the Honourable Senator Callbeck to the editor of The Guardian newspaper entitled: I will continue to fight for seniors, dated November 9, 2007 (English text).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-244S.

Presentation of Reports from Standing or Special Committees

The Honourable Senator Chaput tabled the following (Sessional Paper No. 2/39-245S):

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages has the honour to table its

FIRST REPORT

Your Committee, which was authorised by the Senate to incur expenses for the purpose of its examination and consideration of such legislation and other matters as were referred to it, reports, pursuant to Rule 104, that the expenses incurred by the Committee during the First Session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament are as follow:

1. With respect to its special study on the operation of the Official Languages Act:

Professional and other services	$ 16,606
Transportation and Communications	40,111
Other expenditures	1,544
Witness expenses	7,227
Total	$ 65,488

2. With respect to its special study on the Francophone Culture in Canada:

Professional and other services	$ 327
Transportation and Communications	—
Other expenditures	—
Witness expenses	2,403
Total	$ 2,730

During the session in question, the Committee received 3 orders of reference, held 32 meetings, and received evidence from 116 witnesses. In total, the Committee produced 9 reports.

Respectfully submitted,

MARIA CHAPUT

Chair

The Honourable Senator Rompkey, P.C., tabled the following (Sessional Paper No. 2/39-246S):

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

The Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans has the honour to table its

FIRST REPORT

Your committee, which was authorized by the Senate to incur expenses for the purpose of its examination and consideration of such legislation and other matters as were referred to it, reports, pursuant to Rule 104, that the expenses incurred by the committee during the First Session of the Thirty-Ninth Parliament are as follows:

1.With respect to its study of the federal government's new and evolving policy framework for managing Canada's fisheries and oceans:

Professional and Other Services	$ 13,379
Transport and Communications	67,541
Other Expenditures	660
Witness Expenses	8,324
Total	$ 89,904

Your committee received two orders of reference, held 26 meetings, and received evidence from 70 witnesses over a period of approximately 47 hours. One bill was referred to the committee however no expenses were incurred. In total, your committee produced 8 reports.

Your committee presented two interim reports during the session with respect to its special study of the federal government's new and evolving policy framework for managing Canada's fisheries and oceans.

Respectfully submitted,

WILLIAM ROMPKEY

Chair

The Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C. tabled the following (Sessional Paper No. 2/39-247S):

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology has the honour to table its

FIRST REPORT

Your committee, which was authorised by the Senate to incur expenses for the purpose of its examination and consideration of such legislation and other matters as were referred to it, reports, pursuant to Rule 104, that the expenses incurred by the committee during the First Session of the Thirty-Ninth Parliament are as follows:

1. With respect to its examination and consideration of legislation:

Professional and Other Services	$ 5,547
Transport and Communications	—
Other Expenditures	—
Witness Expenses	19,227
Total	$ 24,774

2. With respect to a special study on mental health and mental illness:

Professional and Other Services	$ 1,311
Transport and Communications	10,924
Other Expenditures	23,786
Witness Expenses	6,578
Total	$ 42,599

3. With respect to a special study on funding for the treatment of autism:

Professional and Other Services	$ 3,115
Transport and Communications	—
Other Expenditures	—
Witness Expenses	25,833
Total	$ 28,948

4. With respect to a special study on Cities on current social issues pertaining to Canada's largest cities:

Professional and Other Services	$ 368
Transport and Communications	—
Other Expenditures	—
Witness Expenses	—
Total	$ 368

5. With respect to a special study by the Subcommittee on Cities on current social issues pertaining to Canada's largest cities:

Professional and Other Services	$ 3,393
Transport and Communications	16,988
Other Expenditures	—
Witness Expenses	10,553
Total	$ 30,934

6. With respect to a special study on social determinants of health:

Professional and Other Services	$ 1,745
Transport and Communications	—
Other Expenditures	—
Witness Expenses	3,749
Total	$ 5,494

7. With respect to a special study by the Subcommittee on Population Health on social determinants of health:

Professional and Other Services	$ 20,632
Transport and Communications	21,343
Other Expenditures	79
Witness Expenses	26,560
Total	$ 68,614

8. With respect to a special study on the future of literacy programs in Canada:

Professional and Other Services	$ —
Transport and Communications	—
Other Expenditures	—
Witness Expenses	954
Total	$ 954

9. With respect to a special study on the state of early learning and child care in Canada:

Professional and Other Services	$ 622
Transport and Communications	—
Other Expenditures	—
Witness Expenses	5,223
Total	$ 5,845

Your committee received 15 orders of reference, held 59 meetings, and received evidence from 231 witnesses over a period of approximately 93.3 hours. Eight bills were referred to the committee.

In total, your committee produced 20 reports.

Your committee presented its final report on mental health in May 2006: "Out of the Shadows at Last''.

Your committee presented its final report on funding for the treatment of autism in March 2007: "PAY NOW OR PAY LATER — Autism Families In Crisis''.

Your committee examined the proposed Regulations under Section 8 of the Assisted Human Reproduction Act and recommended that the Minister make adjustments to the proposed Regulations to address three concerns.

Your committee created a Subcommittee on Cities to examine and report on current social issues pertaining to Canada's largest cities.

Your committee created a Subcommittee on Population Health to examine and report on the impact of the multiple factors and conditions that contribute to the health of Canada's population.

Respectfully submitted,

ART EGGLETON

Chair

The Honourable Senator Andreychuk tabled the following (Sessional Paper No. 2/39-248S):

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights has the honour to table its

FIRST REPORT

Your Committee, which was authorized by the Senate to incur expenses for the purpose of its examination and consideration of such legislation and other matters as were referred to it, reports, pursuant to Rule 104 of the Rules, that the expenses incurred by the Committee during the First Session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament are as follows:

1. With respect to its study on Canada's international obligations in regards to the rights and freedoms of children:

Transportation & Communications	$ 79,414
Professional and Other Services	34,418
All other expenditures	2,698
Witness Expenses	7,651
Total	$ 124,181

2. With respect to its study to invite the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs concerning the recommendations contained in the Committee's report entitled A Hard Bed to lie in: Matrimonial Real Property on Reserve:

Professional and Other Services	$ 308
Witness Expenses	3,484
Total	$ 3,792

3. With respect to its study to monitor issues relating to human rights and, inter alia, to review the machinery of government dealing with Canada's international and national human rights obligations:

Transportation & Communications	$ 71,586
Professional and Other Services	1,418
Witness Expenses	2,890
Total	$ 75,894

4. With respect to its study to examine cases of alleged discrimination in the hiring and promotion practices of the Federal Public Service and to study the extent to which targets to achieve employment equity for minority groups are being met:

Professional and Other Services	$ 239
Total	$ 239

5. With respect to its studies of legislation:

Professional and Other Services	$ 1,467
Witness Expenses	1,709
Total	$ 3,176

During the session under consideration, your Committee considered five orders of reference, held 36 meetings, and received evidence from 148 witnesses over some 71.4 hours. Your Committee submitted nineteen reports relating to its work.

Respectfully submitted,

A. RAYNELL ANDREYCHUK

Chair

The Honourable Senator Keon, Chair of the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament, presented its second report (amendments to the Rules of the Senate—reinstatement of bills from the previous session of the same Parliament).

(The report is printed as appendix "A''.)

The Honourable Senator Keon moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Meighen, 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 Keon, Chair of the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament, presented its third report (amendments to the Rules of the Senate—questions of privilege and points of order).

(The report is printed as appendix "B''.)

The Honourable Senator Keon moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Segal, 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.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS

Bills

Third reading of Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Canada- United States Tax Convention Act, 1984.

The Honourable Senator Angus moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Brown, that the bill be read the third time.

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.

Orders No. 2 to 4 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Motions

Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

OTHER BUSINESS

Senate Public Bills

Orders No. 1 and 2 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Second reading of Bill S-219, An Act to amend the Public Service Employment Act (elimination of bureaucratic patronage and establishment of national area of selection).

The Honourable Senator Ringuette moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Smith, P.C., that the bill be read the second time.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Stratton moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Tkachuk, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

Order No. 4 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Carney, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Nolin, for the second reading of Bill S-215, An Act to protect heritage lighthouses.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Oliver, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

Orders No. 6 to 19 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Commons Public Bills

Orders No. 1 to 4 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Reports of Committees

Consideration of the First Report of the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations (permanent order of reference and expenses re rule 104), presented in the Senate on November 15, 2007.

The Honourable Senator Eyton moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Meighen, that the report be adopted.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

Other

Orders No. 3, 1 (inquiries), 10, 6 and 4 (motions) were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Spivak, seconded by the Honourable Senator Segal:

That the Senate urge the Government of Canada to update the 1989 Phosphorus Concentration Regulations to prevent the growth of toxic algae in Canada's lakes, rivers and streams.

The Honourable Senator Tardif moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cowan, that the debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

Orders No. 3 and 5 (motions) were called and postponed until the next sitting.

MOTIONS

The Honourable Senator Kenny moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Banks:

That the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence be authorized to permit coverage by electronic media of its public proceedings with the least possible disruption of its hearings.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Kenny moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Banks:

That the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence have power to engage the services of such counsel and technical, clerical and other personnel as may be necessary for the purpose of its examination and consideration of such bills, subject matters of bills and estimates as are referred to it.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Kenny moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Banks:

That the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence be authorized to examine and report on the national security policy of Canada. In particular, the committee shall be authorized to examine:

(a) the capability of the Department of National Defence to defend and protect the interests, people and territory of Canada and its ability to respond to and prevent a national emergency or attack, and the capability of the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness to carry out its mandate;

(b) the working relationships between the various agencies involved in intelligence gathering, and how they collect, coordinate, analyze and disseminate information and how these functions might be enhanced;

(c) the mechanisms to review the performance and activities of the various agencies involved in intelligence gathering; and

(d) the security of our borders and critical infrastructure;

That the papers and evidence received and taken and work accomplished by the committee on this subject since the beginning of the First session of the Thirty-seventh Parliament be referred to the committee; and

That the committee report to the Senate no later than March 31, 2009 and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings until 90 days after the tabling of the final report.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Kenny moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Banks:

That the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence be authorized to undertake a study on:

(a) the services and benefits provided to members of the Canadian Forces, veterans of war and peacekeeping missions and members of their families in recognition of their services to Canada;

(b) the commemorative activities undertaken by the Department of Veterans Affairs to keep alive for all Canadians the memory of the veterans achievements and sacrifices; and

(c) the implementation of the recently enacted Veterans Charter;

That the committee report to the Senate from time to time, no later than March 31, 2009.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Angus moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Brown:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce have power to engage services of such counsel and technical, clerical, and other personnel as may be necessary for the purpose of its examination and consideration of such bills, subject-matters of bills and estimates as are referred to it.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Angus moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Brown:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce be authorized to examine and report on issues dealing with interprovincial barriers to trade in Canada, in particular:

• the economic and trade barriers that exist between provinces in Canada;

• the extent to which such interprovincial barriers are limiting the growth and profitability of the affected sectors of the economy as well as the ability of businesses in affected provinces, jointly and with relevant U.S. states, to form the economic regions that will enhance prosperity; and

• measures that could be taken by the federal and provincial governments to facilitate the reduction or the elimination of such interprovincial trade barriers in order to enhance trade, develop a national economy, and strengthen Canada's economic union; and

That the papers and evidence received and taken on the subject during the First session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament and any other relevant Parliamentary papers and evidence on the said subject be referred to the Committee; and

That the Committee submit its final report no later than December 31, 2008, and that the Committee retain until March 31, 2009 all powers necessary to publicize its findings.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Angus moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Johnson:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce be authorized to permit coverage by electronic media of its public proceedings with the least possible disruption of its hearings.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Angus moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Johnson:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce be authorized to examine and report upon the present state of the domestic and international financial system; and

That the papers and evidence received and taken on the subject during the First session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament and any other relevant Parliamentary papers and evidence on the said subject be referred to the Committee; and

That the Committee submit its final report no later than December 31, 2008, and that the Committee retain until March 31, 2009 all powers necessary to publicize its findings.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Fraser moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cowan:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs have power to engage services of such counsel and technical, clerical, and other personnel as may be necessary for the purpose of its examination and consideration of such bills, subject-matters of bills and estimates as are referred to it.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Fraser moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Tardif:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs be authorized to permit coverage by electronic media of its public proceedings with the least possible disruption of its hearings.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Fraser moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C.:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs be authorized to examine and report on the implications of including, in legislation, non-derogation clauses relating to existing Aboriginal and treaty rights of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada under s.35 of the Constitution Act, 1982;

That the papers and evidence received and taken on the subject and the work accomplished during the Second Session of the Thirty-seventh Parliament, the First Session of the Thirty-eighth Parliament and the First Session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament be referred to the committee; and

That the committee present its report to the Senate no later than December 20, 2007.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Adams:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology be authorized to examine the state of early learning and child care in Canada in view of the OECD report Starting Strong II, released on September 21-22, 2006 and rating Canada last among 14 countries on spending on early learning and child care programs, which stated ". . . national and provincial policy for the early education and care of young children in Canada is still in its initial stages and coverage is low compared to other OECD countries;''

That the Committee study and report on the OECD challenge that ". . . significant energies and funding will need to be invested in the field to create a universal system in tune with the needs of a full employment economy, with gender equity and with new understandings of how young children develop and learn.''; and

That the papers and evidence received and taken and work accomplished by the Committee on this subject since the beginning of the First Session of the Thirty-Ninth Parliament be referred to the Committee.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Watt:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology be authorized to examine and report on the impact of the multiple factors and conditions that contribute to the health of Canada's population — known collectively as the social determinants of health — including the effects of these determinants on the disparities and inequities in health outcomes that continue to be experienced by identifiable groups or categories of people within the Canadian population;

That the Committee examine government policies, programs and practices that regulate or influence the impact of the social determinants of health on health outcomes across the different segments of the Canadian population, and that the Committee investigate ways in which governments could better coordinate their activities in order to improve these health outcomes, whether these activities involve the different levels of government or various departments and agencies within a single level of government;

That the Committee be authorized to study international examples of population health initiatives undertaken either by individual countries, or by multilateral international bodies such as (but not limited to) the World Health Organization;

That the papers and evidence received and taken and work accomplished by the Committee on this subject since the beginning of 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, 2009, and that the Committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings until 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Adams:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology be authorized to examine and report on current social issues pertaining to Canada's largest cities. In particular, the Committee shall be authorized to examine:

(a) poverty

(b) housing and homelessness

(c) social infrastructure

(d) social cohesion

(e) immigrant settlement

(f) crime

(g) transportation

(h) the role of the largest cities in Canada's economic development

That the study be national in scope, with a focus on the largest urban community in each of the provinces;

That the study report propose solutions, with an emphasis on collaborative strategies involving, federal, provincial and municipal governments;

That the papers and evidence received and taken and work accomplished by the Committee on this subject since the beginning of 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, 2009, and that the Committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings until 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Gustafson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Tkachuk:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry be authorized to examine and report on the present state and the future of agriculture and forestry in Canada;

That the papers and evidence received and taken on the subject and the work accomplished during the First Session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament be referred to the Committee; and

That the Committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than December 31, 2008.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Gustafson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Eyton:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry be authorized to examine and report on rural poverty in Canada. In particular, the Committee shall be authorized to:

(a) examine the dimension and depth of rural poverty in Canada;

(b) conduct an assessment of Canada's comparative standing in this area, relative to other OECD countries;

(c) examine the key drivers of reduced opportunity for rural Canadians;

(d) provide recommendations for measures mitigating rural poverty and reduced opportunity for rural Canadians; and

That the papers and evidence received and taken on the subject and the work accomplished during the First Session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament be referred to the Committee;

That the Committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than June 30, 2008; and

That the Committee retain until September 30, 2008 all powers necessary to publicize its findings.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Gustafson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Oliver:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry have power to engage the services of such counsel and technical, clerical, and other personnel as may be necessary for the purpose of its examination and consideration of such bills, subject-matters of bills and estimates as are referred to it.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Gustafson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Eyton:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry be authorized to permit coverage by electronic media of its public proceedings with the least possible disruption of its hearings.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Di Nino moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Andreychuk:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade be empowered to permit coverage by electronic media of its public proceedings with the least possible disruption of its hearings.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Di Nino moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Andreychuk:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade have power to engage the services of such counsel and technical, clerical, and other personnel as may be necessary for the purpose of its examination and consideration of such bills, subject-matters of bills and estimates as are referred to it.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

With leave of the Senate,

The Honourable Senator Chaput moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Merchant:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages be authorized to study and to report from time to time on the application of the Official Languages Act and of the regulations and directives made under it, within those institutions subject to the Act;

That the Committee be authorized to study the reports and papers produced by the Minister of Official Languages, the President of the Treasury Board, the Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Commissioner of Official Languages as well as any other material concerning official languages;

That papers and evidence received and taken during the First Session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament be referred to the Committee; and

That the Committee report from time to time to the Senate but no later than December 31, 2008, and that the Committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings until March 31, 2009.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

REPORTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO RULE 28(2):

Report on the administration and enforcement of the fish habitat protection and pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, pursuant to the Fisheries Act, S.C. 1991, c. 1, s. 11.1.—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-240.

Report of the Judge Advocate General to the Minister of National Defence on the administration of military justice in the Canadian Forces for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, pursuant to the National Defence Act, S.C. 1998, c. 35, s. 2. —Sessional Paper No. 2/39-241.

ADJOURNMENT

The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Oliver:

That the Senate do now adjourn.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

(Accordingly, at 4:12 p.m. the Senate was continued until 1:30 p.m. tomorrow.)

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Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 85(4)

Special Senate Committee on Aging

The name of the Honourable Senator Stratton substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Johnson (November 15).

Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament

The name of the Honourable Senator Cools substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Grafstein (November 15).

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