Journals of the Senate
56 Elizabeth II, A.D. 2007, Canada
Journals of the Senate
2nd Session, 39th Parliament
Issue 14
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
1:30 p.m.
The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
Adams, Andreychuk, Angus, Bacon, Baker, Banks, Biron, Brown, Bryden, Callbeck, Carney, Carstairs, Champagne, Chaput, Cochrane, Comeau, Cook, Cools, Corbin, Cordy, Cowan, Dallaire, Dawson, Day, De Bané, Di Nino, Downe, Dyck, Eggleton, Fitzpatrick, Fortier, Fox, Fraser, Furey, Grafstein, Gustafson, Harb, Hervieux-Payette, Jaffer, Johnson, Joyal, Keon, Kinsella, Lapointe, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Lovelace Nicholas, Mahovlich, Massicotte, Meighen, Merchant, Mitchell, Moore, Munson, Murray, Nancy Ruth, Oliver, Pépin, Peterson, Phalen, Poy, Ringuette, Rivest, Robichaud, Rompkey, 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, Cochrane, Comeau, Cook, Cools, Corbin, Cordy, Cowan, Dallaire, Dawson, Day, De Bané, Di Nino, Downe, Dyck, Eggleton, Fitzpatrick, Fortier, Fox, Fraser, Furey, *Goldstein, Grafstein, Gustafson, Harb, Hervieux-Payette, Jaffer, Johnson, Joyal, Keon, Kinsella, Lapointe, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Lovelace Nicholas, Mahovlich, Massicotte, Meighen, Merchant, Mitchell, Moore, Munson, Murray, Nancy Ruth, *Nolin, Oliver, Pépin, Peterson, Phalen, Poy, Ringuette, Rivest, Robichaud, Rompkey, 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
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Kinsella tabled the following:
Report of the Senate parliamentary delegation, led by the Speaker of the Senate, which traveled to Poland, Slovakia and Austria, from June 25 to July 4, 2007.—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-249S.
Report of the Senate parliamentary delegation, led by the Speaker of the Senate, which traveled to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and to the Republic of Ireland, from May 18 to 26, 2007.—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-250S.
Presentation of Reports from Standing or Special Committees
The Honourable Senator Carstairs, P.C., tabled the following (Sessional Paper No. 2/39-251S):
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
The Special Senate Committee on Aging 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 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 special study on aging:
Professional and Other Services $ 28,699 Transportation and Communications 10,322 All Other Expenditures 36 Witness Expenses 16,129 Total $ 55,186
During the session under consideration, your Committee considered one (1) order of reference, held fifteen (15) meetings, heard from eighty (80) witnesses and submitted three (3) reports in relation to its work.
Respectfully submitted,
SHARON CARSTAIRS
Chair
The Honourable Senator Furey tabled the following (Sessional Paper No. 2/39-252S):
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has the honour to table its
FIRST REPORT
Your Committee reports, pursuant to Rule 104, that the expenses incurred by the Committee during the First Session of the Thirty-Ninth Parliament are as follows:
Professional and Other Services $ 6,363 Transportation and Communications — All Other Expenditures — Total $ 6,363
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE J. FUREY
Chair
Introduction and First Reading of Government Bills
A message was brought from the House of Commons with a Bill C-15, An Act respecting the exploitation of the Donkin coal block and employment in or in connection with the operation of a mine that is wholly or partly at the Donkin coal block, and to make a consequential amendment to the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act, 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 Johnson, 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.
Tabling of Reports from Inter-Parliamentary Delegations
The Honourable Senator Champagne, P.C., tabled the following:
Report of the Canadian Section of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) respecting its participation at the APF Bureau meeting and at the XXXIII Session of the APF, held in Libreville, Gabon, from July 2 to 6, 2007.—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-253.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
Bills
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Angus, seconded by the Honourable Senator Brown, for the third reading of Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Canada- United States Tax Convention Act, 1984.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The bill was then read the third time and passed.
Ordered, That the Clerk do go down to the House of Commons and acquaint that House that the Senate has passed this bill, to which it desires its concurrence.
Order No. 2 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Oliver, seconded by the Honourable Senator Di Nino, for the second reading of Bill C-13, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (criminal procedure, language of the accused, sentencing and other amendments).
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The bill was then read the second time.
The Honourable Senator Oliver moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Di Nino, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Order No. 4 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
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 Cowan, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
OTHER BUSINESS
Senate Public Bills
Orders No. 1 to 6 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Second reading of Bill S-218, 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.
The Honourable Senator Phalen moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day, that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Di Nino, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 8 to 18 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Second reading of Bill S-220, An Act respecting a National Blood Donor Week.
The Honourable Senator Cochrane moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Keon, that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Tardif, for the Honourable Senator Munson, moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cowan, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Commons Public Bills
Orders No. 1 to 4 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Reports of Committees
Orders No. 1 and 2 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Other
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 question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 3, 1 (inquiries), 10, 6, 4, 3 and 5 (motions) were called and postponed until the next sitting.
MOTIONS
The Honourable Senator Tardif moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cowan:
That, the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans be authorized to examine and report on issues relating to the federal government's current and evolving policy framework for managing Canada's fisheries and oceans;
That the papers and evidence received and taken and the work accomplished by the Committee on the subject 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 Friday, June 27, 2008.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Tardif moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cowan:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans 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 Tardif moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cook:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans 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 Eggleton, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Adams:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology 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 Eggleton, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C.:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology 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 Peterson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Chaput:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples 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 Peterson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Tardif:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples be authorized to examine and report on the federal government's constitutional, treaty, political and legal responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples and on other matters generally relating to the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada; 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 Peterson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Mahovlich:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples 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 Andreychuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Meighen:
That Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights 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 Andreychuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Di Nino:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights 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 Andreychuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Tkachuk:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights be authorized to examine and 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;
That the papers and evidence received and taken on the subject and the work accomplished during the Thirty- seventh Parliament, the Thirty-eighth Parliament and 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 Andreychuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cochrane:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights be authorized to monitor the implementation of recommendations contained in the Committee's report entitled Children: The Silenced Citizens: Effective Implementation of Canada's International Obligations with Respect to the Rights of Children, tabled in the Senate on April 25, 2007;
That the papers and evidence received and taken on the subject and the work accomplished during the Thirty-eighth Parliament and 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 Andreychuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Tkachuk:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights be authorized 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;
That the papers and evidence received and taken on the subject and the work accomplished during the Thirty- seventh Parliament, the Thirty-eighth Parliament and 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 Andreychuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Di Nino:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights be authorized to invite the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development to appear with his officials before the Committee for the purpose of updating the members of the Committee on actions taken concerning the recommendations contained in the Committee's report entitled A Hard Bed to lie in: Matrimonial Real Property on Reserve, tabled in the Senate November 4, 2003;
That the papers and evidence received and taken on the subject and the work accomplished during the Thirty- seventh Parliament, the Thirty-eighth Parliament and the First session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament be referred to the Committee; and
That the Committee continue to monitor developments on the subject and submit a final report to the Senate no later than December 31, 2008.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Chaput moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Trenholme Counsell:
That the Standing Committee on Official Languages 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 Chaput moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Tardif:
That the Standing Committee on Official Languages 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.
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 3:52 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 Banking, Trade and Commerce
The name of the Honourable Senator Moore added to the membership (November 20).
Standing Senate Committee on National Finance
The name of the Honourable Senator Moore removed from the membership (November 20).
Special Senate Committee on the Anti-terrorism
The name of the Honourable Senator Johnson substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Segal (November 21).