Journals of the Senate
57 Elizabeth II, A.D. 2008, Canada
Journals of the Senate
2nd Session, 39th Parliament
Issue 49
Thursday, April 10, 2008
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, Campbell, Chaput, Cochrane, Comeau, Cools, Corbin, Cordy, Cowan, Dawson, Day, De Bané, Di Nino, Downe, Eggleton, Eyton, Fairbairn, Fortier, Fox, Fraser, Goldstein, Gustafson, Harb, Hervieux-Payette, Hubley, Johnson, Joyal, Kenny, Keon, Kinsella, Lapointe, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Lovelace Nicholas, Mahovlich, McCoy, Meighen, Mercer, Milne, Mitchell, Moore, Munson, Murray, Nancy Ruth, Nolin, Pépin, Phalen, Prud'homme, Ringuette, Rivest, Robichaud, Rompkey, Segal, Sibbeston, Smith, Spivak, Stollery, Stratton, Tardif, Trenholme Counsell, Watt, Zimmer
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
Adams, Andreychuk, Angus, Bacon, Baker, Banks, Biron, Brown, Bryden, Callbeck, Campbell, *Carstairs, Chaput, Cochrane, Comeau, Cools, Corbin, Cordy, Cowan, Dawson, Day, De Bané, Di Nino, Downe, Eggleton, Eyton, Fairbairn, Fortier, Fox, Fraser, *Furey, Goldstein, Gustafson, Harb, Hervieux-Payette, Hubley, Johnson, Joyal, Kenny, Keon, Kinsella, Lapointe, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Lovelace Nicholas, Mahovlich, McCoy, Meighen, Mercer, Milne, Mitchell, Moore, Munson, Murray, Nancy Ruth, Nolin, *Oliver, Pépin, Phalen, Prud'homme, Ringuette, Rivest, Robichaud, Rompkey, Segal, Sibbeston, Smith, Spivak, Stollery, Stratton, Tardif, 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:
Official Visit Report of a Canadian Parliamentary Delegation to the XVth Canada-Mexico Inter-Parliamentary Meeting, held in Mazatlán, Mexico, from February 17 to 19, 2008.—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-528S.
The Honourable Senator Comeau tabled the following:
Government Response, dated April 9, 2008, to the second report of the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations (Report No. 80 — Incorporation by Reference), tabled in the Senate on December 12, 2007.—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-529S.
Presentation of Reports from Standing or Special Committees
The Honourable Senator Banks, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources, presented its seventh report (Bill C-298, An Act to add perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and its salts to the Virtual Elimination List under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, without amendment).
The Honourable Senator Banks moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day, 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 Di Nino, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, presented its fifth report (budget—study on foreign relations in general).
(The report is printed as appendix "A'' at pages 780-787 (available in print format PDF).)
The Honourable Senator Di Nino moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Nolin, 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 Special Senate Committee on Aging, presented its fourth report (budget—study on aging—power to travel).
(The report is printed as appendix "B'' at pages 788-804 (available in print format PDF).)
The Honourable Senator Keon moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Andreychuk, that the report be placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration two days hence.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Stratton presented the following:
Thursday, April 10, 2008
The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has the honour to present its
FIFTH REPORT
Your Committee recommends that the following funds be released for fiscal year 2008-2009.
Aboriginal Peoples (Legislation)
Professional and Other Services $ 10,500 Transport and Communications 1,000 All Other Expenditures 1,000 TOTAL $ 12,500
Agriculture and Forestry (Legislation)
Professional and Other Services $ 2,250 Transportation and Communications 1,000 All Other Expenditures 1,000 TOTAL $ 4,250
Foreign Affairs and International Trade (Legislation)
Professional and Other Services $ 6,000 Transportation and Communications — All Other Expenditures 1,000 TOTAL $ 7,000
Human Rights (Legislation)
Professional and Other Services $ 7,500 Transportation and Communications 1,000 All Other Expenditures 1,000 TOTAL $ 9,500
Legal and Constitutional Affairs (Legislation)
Professional and Other Services $ 46,250 Transportation and Communications 21,070 All Other Expenditures 4,000 TOTAL $ 71,320
(includes funds for participation at conferences)
Library of Parliament (Joint Committee)
Professional and Other Services $ 2,143 Transportation and Communications — All Other Expenditures — TOTAL $ 2,143
Rules, Procedure and the Rights of Parliaments (Legislation)
Professional and Other Services $ 11,250 Transportation and Communications — All Other Expenditures — TOTAL $ 11,250
Scrutiny of Regulations (Joint Committee)
Professional and Other Services $ 1,200 Transportation and Communications 5,250 All Other Expenditures 2,640 TOTAL $ 9,090
Transport and Communications (Legislation)
Professional and Other Services $ 10,000 Transportation and Communications 8,000 All Other Expenditures 2,000 TOTAL $ 20,000
(includes funds for participation at conferences)
Respectfully submitted,
TERRY STRATTON
Deputy Chair
The Honourable Senator Stratton 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.
MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
A message was brought from the House of Commons to return Bill S-203, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (cruelty to animals),
And to acquaint the Senate that the Commons has passed this bill, without amendment.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
Inquiries
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Reports of Committees
Consideration of the twelfth report of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance (The Human Resource Management Issues in the Public Service), presented in the Senate on April 8, 2008.
The Honourable Senator Day moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Banks, that the report be adopted.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Stratton moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gustafson, 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 and 3 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Ordered, That the sixth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources be corrected on page 36 of the English version, by replacing the word "Dupont'' by the words "the 3M Corporation''.
OTHER BUSINESS
Senate Public Bills
Orders No. 1 to 6 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Second reading of Bill S-231, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (oath of citizenship).
The Honourable Senator Segal moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Meighen, that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Nolin, 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 13 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 Tkachuk, seconded by the Honourable Senator Johnson, for the second reading of Bill C-343, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (motor vehicle theft).
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 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.
Orders No. 5 and 6 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Reports of Committees
Orders No. 1 to 7 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Other
Orders No. 8 (inquiry), 78 (motion) and 10 (inquiry) were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Andreychuk, seconded by the Honourable Senator Di Nino:
That the Senate refer to the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament the issue of developing a systematic process for the application of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms as it applies to the Senate of Canada.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Cools moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator McCoy, 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 Di Nino, seconded by the Honourable Senator Nolin:
That the seventh report of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade entitled Overcoming 40 Years Of Failure: A New Road Map For Sub-Saharan Africa, tabled in the Senate on February 15, 2007, during the First Session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament, be placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting of the Senate.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Cools moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator McCoy, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 4, 13, 12, 9, 3, 7 (inquiries), 11 (motion), 11 (inquiry), 6, 88, 68, 3 and 69 (motions) were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Segal, seconded by the Honourable Senator Tkachuk:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology be authorized to examine and report on the implementation of a guaranteed annual income system, including the negative income tax model, as a qualitative improvement in income security, with a view to reducing the number of Canadians now living under the poverty line;
That the Committee consider the best possible design of a negative income tax that would:
(a) ensure that existing income security expenditures at the federal, provincial and municipal levels remain at the same level;
(b) create strong incentives for the able-bodied to work and earn a decent living;
(c) provide for coordination of federal and provincial income security through federal—provincial agreements; 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 90 days after the tabling of the final report.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Johnson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cochrane, 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 (motion) was called and postponed until the next sitting.
MOTIONS
The Honourable Senator Rompkey, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Fraser:
That, notwithstanding the Order of the Senate adopted on Wednesday, November 21, 2007, the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans 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, be empowered to extend the date of presenting its final report from June 27, 2008 to December 19, 2008; and
That the Committee retain until February 12, 2009 all powers necessary to publicize its findings.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Banks moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day:
That the papers and evidence received and taken on the subject of Bill S-205, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (clean drinking water), during the First Session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament, Bill S-42, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (clean drinking water), during the First Session of the Thirty-eighth Parliament and Bill S-18, An Act to Amend the Food and Drugs Act (clean drinking water), during the First Session of the Thirty-seventh Parliament be referred to the Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources for the purpose of its consideration of Bill S-206, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (clean drinking water).
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 Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Di Nino:
That when the Senate adjourns today, it do stand adjourned until Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at 2 p.m.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
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 3:36 p.m. the Senate was continued until Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at 2 p.m.)
Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 85(4)
Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples
The name of the Honourable Senator Watt substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Peterson (April 9).
The name of the Honourable Senator Peterson substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Watt (April 10).
Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence
The name of the Honourable Senator Kenny substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Downe (April 9).
Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry
The name of the Honourable Senator Hubley substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Callbeck (April 9).
The name of the Honourable Senator Callbeck substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Hubley (April 10).
Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology
The names of the Honourable Senators Milne and Cook substituted for those of the Honourable Senators Cook and Milne (April 10).
Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
The name of the Honourable Senator Grafstein substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Milne (April 10).
Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce
The name of the Honourable Senator Dawson substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Banks (April 10).