Journals of the Senate
56 Elizabeth II, A.D. 2007, Canada
Journals of the Senate
2nd Session, 39th Parliament
Issue 21
Thursday, December 6, 2007
1:30 p.m.
The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
Adams, Angus, Bacon, Baker, Banks, Biron, Brown, Bryden, Callbeck, Campbell, Chaput, Charette-Poulin, Comeau, Cook, Cools, Corbin, Cordy, Cowan, Dawson, Day, De Bané, Di Nino, Downe, Dyck, Eyton, Fairbairn, Fortier, Fox, Fraser, Furey, Goldstein, Gustafson, Harb, Hays, Hervieux-Payette, Jaffer, Johnson, Joyal, Keon, Kinsella, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Lovelace Nicholas, Mahovlich, McCoy, Meighen, Milne, Mitchell, Moore, Munson, Murray, Nancy Ruth, Oliver, Phalen, Poy, Ringuette, Robichaud, Rompkey, St. Germain, Segal, Sibbeston, Stollery, Tardif, Tkachuk, Trenholme Counsell, Watt, Zimmer
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
Adams, Angus, Bacon, Baker, Banks, Biron, Brown, Bryden, Callbeck, Campbell, *Carstairs, Chaput, Charette-Poulin, Comeau, Cook, Cools, Corbin, Cordy, Cowan, Dawson, Day, De Bané, Di Nino, Downe, Dyck, Eyton, Fairbairn, Fortier, Fox, Fraser, Furey, Goldstein, Gustafson, Harb, Hays, Hervieux-Payette, Jaffer, Johnson, Joyal, Keon, Kinsella, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Lovelace Nicholas, Mahovlich, McCoy, Meighen, Milne, Mitchell, Moore, Munson, Murray, Nancy Ruth, Oliver, Phalen, Poy, Ringuette, Robichaud, Rompkey, St. Germain, Segal, Sibbeston, Stollery, Tardif, Tkachuk, Trenholme Counsell, Watt, Zimmer
PRAYERS
SENATORS' STATEMENTS
Some Honourable Senators made statements.
The Senate observed a minute of silence in memory of the eighteenth anniversary of the École polytechnique tragedy in Montreal.
DAILY ROUTINE OF BUSINESS
Presentation of Reports from Standing or Special Committees
The Honourable Senator Furey presented the following:
Thursday, December 6, 2007
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has the honour to present its
SECOND REPORT
Your Committee recommends that the following funds be released for fiscal year 2007-2008.
Aboriginal Peoples (Legislation)
Professional and Other Services $ 5,700 Transportation and Communications 1,000 All Other Expenditures 1,000 Total $ 7,700
Agriculture and Forestry (Legislation)
Professional and Other Services $ 2,250 Transportation and Communications 1,000 All Other Expenditures 1,000 Total $ 4,250
Banking, Trade and Commerce (Legislation)
Professional and Other Services $ 34,000 Transportation and Communications — All Other Expenditures 8,000 Total $ 42,000
Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources (Legislation)
Professional and Other Services $ 8,000 Transportation and Communications 500 All Other Expenditures 1,500 Total $ 10,000
Foreign Affairs (Legislation)
Professional and Other Services $ 6,000 Transportation and Communications 750 All Other Expenditures 1,000 Total $ 7,750
Human Rights (Legislation)
Professional and Other Services $ 2,500 Transportation and Communications 1,000 All Other Expenditures 1,000 Total $ 4,500
Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Professional and Other Services $ 5,000 Transportation and Communications — All Other Expenditures — Total $ 5,000
National Finance (Legislation)
Professional and Other Services $ 44,000 Transportation and Communications 12,980 All Other Expenditures 1,000 Total $ 57,980
(includes funds for participation at conferences)
Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament
Professional and Other Services $ 9 750 Transportation and Communications — All Other Expenditures — Total $ 9,750
Scrutiny of Regulations (Joint Committee)
Professional and Other Services $ 1,200 Transportation and Communications 1,650 All Other Expenditures 2,640 Total $ 5,490
Transport and Communications (Legislation)
Professional and Other Services $ 10,000 Transportation and Communications 8,000 All Other Expenditures 2,000 Total $ 20,000
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE J. FUREY
Chair
The Honourable Senator Furey moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Phalen, 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 St. Germain, P.C., Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples, presented its second report (budget—study on other matters generally relating to the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada—power to hire staff and to travel).
(The report is printed as appendix "A'' at pages 247-253 (available in print format PDF).)
The Honourable Senator St. Germain, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Fortier, P.C., 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 Fairbairn, P.C., Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, presented its second report (budget—study on rural poverty in Canada—power to hire staff and to travel).
(The report is printed as appendix "B'' at pages 254-261 (available in print format PDF).)
The Honourable Senator Fairbairn, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Bryden, 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 Fairbairn, P.C., Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, presented its third report (budget—study on the present state and the future of agriculture and forestry in Canada—power to hire staff).
(The report is printed as appendix "C'' at pages 262-266 (available in print format PDF).)
The Honourable Senator Fairbairn, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Banks, 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 Angus, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce, presented its third report (budget—study on interprovincial barriers to trade— power to hire staff and to travel).
(The report is printed as appendix "D'' at pages 267-278 (available in print format PDF).)
The Honourable Senator Angus, moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Eyton, 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 Angus, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce, presented its fourth report (budget—study on domestic and international financial system—power to hire staff and to travel).
(The report is printed as appendix "E'' at pages 279-286 (available in print format PDF).)
The Honourable Senator Angus moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Tkachuk, 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 Banks, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources, presented its second report (budget—study on emerging issues related to its mandate—power to hire staff).
(The report is printed as appendix "F'' at pages 287-294 (available in print format PDF).)
The Honourable Senator Banks moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day, 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 Di Nino, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, presented its second report (budget—study to examine such issues that may arise from time to time relating to foreign relations generally—power to hire staff).
(The report is printed as appendix "G'' at pages 295-300 (available in print format PDF).)
The Honourable Senator Di Nino moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Oliver, 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 Fraser, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, presented its third (Bill S-207, An Act to repeal legislation that has not come into force within ten years of receiving royal assent, without amendment).
The Honourable Senator Banks moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Callbeck, 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.
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk, Deputy Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence, presented its second report (budget—study on the national security policy of Canada—power to hire staff and to travel).
(The report is printed as appendix "H'' at pages 301-314 (available in print format PDF).)
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk, for the Honourable Senator Kenny, moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Angus, 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, for the Honourable Senator Kenny, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence, presented its third report (budget—study on Veterans Affairs—power to hire staff and to travel).
(The report is printed as appendix "I'' at pages 315-324 (available in print format PDF).)
The Honourable Senator Day moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moore, 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 fourth report (budget—study on Aboriginal languages—power to travel).
(The report is printed as appendix "J'' at pages 325-329 (available in print format PDF).)
The Honourable Senator Keon moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator St. Germain, P.C., 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, Deputy Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, presented its third report (budget—study on population health—power to hire staff and to travel).
(The report is printed as appendix "K'' at pages 330-337 (available in print format PDF).)
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Keon moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Tkachuk, 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 Keon, Deputy Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, presented its fourth report (budget—study on cities—power to hire staff).
(The report is printed as appendix "L'' at pages 338-343 (available in print format PDF).)
The Honourable Senator Keon moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gustafson, 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 Bacon, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications, presented its second report (budget—study on the examination of containerized freight traffic handled by Canada's ports—power to hire staff and to travel).
(The report is printed as appendix "M'' at pages 344-351 (available in print format PDF).)
The Honourable Senator Bacon moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Robichaud, P.C., 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
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Reports of Committees
Consideration of the second report of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance (Supplementary Estimates (A) 2007-2008), presented in the Senate on November 28, 2007.
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.
OTHER BUSINESS
Senate Public Bills
Orders No. 1 to 4 were 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 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 Tkachuk, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 6 to 13 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Lapointe, seconded by the Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C., for the second reading of Bill S-213, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (lottery schemes).
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The bill was then read the second time.
The Honourable Senator Tardif moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Fraser, 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.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Segal, seconded by the Honourable Senator Champagne, P.C., for the second reading of Bill S-202, An Act to amend certain Acts to provide job protection for members of the reserve force.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Goldstein moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Zimmer, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Grafstein, seconded by the Honourable Senator Callbeck, for the second reading of Bill S-210, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (suicide bombings).
After debate,
Further debate on the motion was adjourned until the next sitting in the name of the Honourable Senator Andreychuk.
Orders No. 17 to 19 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Commons Public Bills
Orders No. 1 to 3 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Goldstein, seconded by the Honourable Senator Campbell, for the second reading of Bill C-280, An Act to Amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (coming into force of sections 110, 111 and 171).
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.
Orders No. 5 to 7 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Reports of Committees
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Consideration of the first report of the Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament (mandate of the committee and quorum), presented in the Senate on December 4, 2007.
The Honourable Senator Trenholme Counsell moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Zimmer, that the report be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Order No. 3 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Consideration of the third report of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology (budget—study on population health—power to hire staff and to travel), presented in the Senate earlier this day.
The Honourable Senator Keon moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Tkachuk, that the report be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Other
Orders No. 3, 11, 69 (motions), 4 (inquiry), 5 (motion), 6 (inquiry), 64, 6, 65 (motions), 3 and 1 (inquiries) were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Sibbeston, seconded by the Honourable Senator Adams:
That the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration be authorized to examine and report on changes to Senate policies necessary to incorporate into both the 64-point travel system for individual Senators and into committee travel budgets the costs of purchasing carbon offsets that meet the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and also meet internationally recognized standards and certification processes;
That the Committee also evaluate, as a further means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the possibility of expanding the use of teleconferencing and other technological systems to reduce the need for witness travel to Ottawa; and
That the Committee present its final report to the Senate no later than December 12, 2007.
After debate,
In amendment, the Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Oliver, that the motion be amended by replacing the words "December 12, 2007'', by the words "December 11, 2008''.
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 Sibbeston, seconded by the Honourable Senator Adams:
That the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration be authorized to examine and report on changes to Senate policies necessary to incorporate into both the 64-point travel system for individual Senators and into committee travel budgets the costs of purchasing carbon offsets that meet the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and also meet internationally recognized standards and certification processes;
That the Committee also evaluate, as a further means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the possibility of expanding the use of teleconferencing and other technological systems to reduce the need for witness travel to Ottawa; and
That the Committee present its final report to the Senate no later than December 11, 2008.
The motion, as amended, was adopted.
Order No. 4 (motion) was called and postponed until the next sitting.
With leave,
The Senate reverted to Government Notices of Motions.
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Oliver:
That when the Senate adjourns today, it do stand adjourned until Tuesday, December 11, 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):
Summaries of the Corporate Plan for the period 2007-2008 to 2011-2012 and of the Capital and Operating Budgets for 2007-2008 of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-274.
Summary of the Amendment to the Corporate Plan for 2007-2008 to 2011-2012 of the Parc Downsview Park Inc., pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-275.
Copies of the Rules amending the Federal Courts Rules (Case Management), made by the rules committee of the Federal Court of Appeal and the Federal Court (SOR/JUS-608761), dated September 27, 2007, pursuant to the Federal Courts Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-7, sbs. 46(5).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-276.
ADJOURNMENT
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Di Nino:
That the Senate do now adjourn.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
(Accordingly, at 4:20 p.m. the Senate was continued until Tuesday, December 11, 2007, at 2 p.m.)
Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 85(4)
Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
The name of the Honourable Senator Chaput substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Merchant (December 5).
Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce
The name of the Honourable Senator Poulin substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Fitzpatrick (December 6).
Standing Senate Committee on National Finance
The name of the Honourable Senator Mitchell removed from the membership (December 6).
Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages
The name of the Honourable Senator Ringuette substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Losier-Cool (December 6).