Journals of the Senate
57 Elizabeth II, A.D. 2008, Canada
Journals of the Senate
2nd Session, 39th Parliament
Issue 53
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
2:00 p.m.
The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
Adams, Andreychuk, Angus, Bacon, Banks, Biron, Brown, Bryden, Callbeck, Campbell, Carstairs, Champagne, Chaput, Cochrane, Comeau, Cook, Cools, Corbin, Cowan, Dallaire, Dawson, Day, De Bané, Di Nino, Downe, Dyck, Eggleton, Fairbairn, Fortier, Fraser, Furey, Gill, Goldstein, Gustafson, Hervieux-Payette, Hubley, Jaffer, Johnson, Joyal, Kenny, Keon, Kinsella, Lapointe, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Mahovlich, McCoy, Meighen, Mercer, Merchant, Milne, Mitchell, Moore, Munson, Murray, Nancy Ruth, Oliver, Pépin, Peterson, Phalen, Poy, Prud'homme, Ringuette, Rivest, Robichaud, Rompkey, St. Germain, Segal, Sibbeston, Smith, Stollery, Stratton, Tkachuk, Trenholme Counsell, Watt, Zimmer
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
Adams, Andreychuk, Angus, Bacon, Banks, Biron, Brown, Bryden, Callbeck, Campbell, Carstairs, Champagne, Chaput, Cochrane, Comeau, Cook, Cools, Corbin, Cowan, Dallaire, Dawson, Day, De Bané, Di Nino, Downe, Dyck, Eggleton, Fairbairn, Fortier, Fraser, Furey, Gill, Goldstein, Gustafson, Hervieux-Payette, Hubley, Jaffer, Johnson, Joyal, Kenny, Keon, Kinsella, Lapointe, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Mahovlich, McCoy, Meighen, Mercer, Merchant, Milne, Mitchell, Moore, Munson, Murray, Nancy Ruth, Oliver, Pépin, Peterson, Phalen, Poy, Prud'homme, Ringuette, Rivest, Robichaud, Rompkey, St. Germain, Segal, Sibbeston, Smith, Stollery, Stratton, Tkachuk, Trenholme Counsell, Watt, Zimmer
PRAYERS
SENATORS' STATEMENTS
Some Honourable Senators made statements.
DAILY ROUTINE OF BUSINESS
Presentation of Reports from Standing or Special Committees
The Honourable Senator St. Germain, P.C., Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples, presented its fourth report (Bill C-292, An Act to implement the Kelowna Accord, without amendment).
The Honourable Senator St. Germain, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cochrane, 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.
Notices of Motions
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Banks moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources have the power to sit at 5:30 p.m., today, Tuesday, April 29, 2008, even though the Senate may then be sitting, and that rule 95(4) be suspended in relation thereto.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
ANSWERS TO WRITTEN QUESTIONS
Pursuant to rule 25(2), the Honourable Senator Comeau, tabled the following:
Reply to Question No. 31, dated March 12, 2008, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Callbeck, respecting a National Pharmaceuticals Strategy.—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-565S.
SPEAKER'S RULING
On April 15, 2008, Senator Corbin rose on a point of order, concerned that a speech by Senator Cools contained inappropriate comments about a Speaker's ruling of December 11, 2007. Senator Cools' speech dealt with a motion by Senator Di Nino proposing that a committee report from last session be considered in this session.
I have had the opportunity to review the debates of April 15. Senator Cools made clear that she disapproves of Senator Di Nino's reinstatement motion. She stated that the Senate "cannot vote on Senator Di Nino's motion'' and that various perceived difficulties are "sufficient to disable or cripple Senator Di Nino's motion entirely.''
In her speech, Senator Cools spoke about the December 2007 ruling. This juxtaposition of reference to a Speaker's ruling with criticisms of the reinstatement motion may have left the impression that the speech was actually a reflection on or criticism of the ruling, as Senator Corbin feared.
Citation 168(1) of Beauchesne's sixth edition notes that "The actions of the Speaker cannot be criticized incidentally in debate or upon any form of proceeding except by way of a substantive motion.'' Similarly, pages 262-263 of Marleau and Montpetit state that "Once the Speaker has ruled, the matter is no longer open to debate or discussion,'' although, in the Senate, almost all decisions of the Speaker can be appealed when rendered. It would be helpful, therefore, for Honourable Senators to consider these citations when engaged in debate. During discussion of the point of order Senator Cools did indeed make clear that no such criticism of the December 2007 ruling was intended.
Honourable Senators, as I have already noted, Senator Cools voiced unease about the reinstatement motion. Such concerns, particularly from a Senator with such interest in procedure, inevitably raise questions about the orderly conduct of business. I feel obliged, therefore, to make some comments on this matter.
The December 2007 ruling dealt with a proposal by Senator Stollery to have a report from last session simply adopted, without being placed on the Orders of the Day first. The motion was ruled out of order, but various approaches to achieve its objective were identified. These approaches were not mere obiter dicta; they were essential for clarity and balance. Rejecting Senator Stollery's motion without outlining means to achieve the goal of dealing directly with business from a past session might have left the false impression that the objective is itself unachievable.
The ruling therefore confirmed that business from a previous session can be revived by a clear decision to that effect in a new session, at least in the same Parliament. Practice in Canada and in the United Kingdom confirms that this is procedurally acceptable. Having been the subject of an unchallenged ruling, this matter is res judicata. That is to say, the issue is settled.
A major preoccupation of Senator Cools was that Senator Di Nino's reinstatement motion does not follow each nuance of Beauchesne's citation 890. Authorities from other Chambers, although helpful, do not bind the Senate in every detail. They are interpreted in the context of our rules and practices. This is reflected in rule 1(1), which states that in unprovided cases the customs and usages of either House may be followed, mutatis mutandis, that is to say with alterations required by Senate practice and common sense.
At its core, citation 890 reflects the fact that a clear and deliberate decision is needed to revive business from a previous session of the same Parliament. Senator Di Nino's motion allows the Senate to make such a clear decision.
A Senator who opposes simply reviving the report can speak and vote against the reinstatement motion. A Senator who thinks that the report should be considered at a date other than the next sitting can move an amendment. Both aspects of the issue can be fully debated. Following citation 890 to the letter would also be acceptable, but is not obligatory. With that approach, however, the decision as to when to deal with the report would probably be by means of a non-debatable procedural motion moved immediately after an affirmative decision on the motion to deal with the report.
In conclusion, to return to Senator Corbin's specific point of order, Senator Cools stated that she did not intend her remarks to be an indirect point of order or comment on the ruling of December 2007, so that matter is settled. As I already noted, however, Senator Corbin's concerns are important, and I invite all Honourable Senators to show care in how they frame remarks.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
Bills
Consideration of the Message from the House of Commons concerning Bill C-13, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (criminal procedure, language of the accused, sentencing and other amendments).
The Honourable Senator Oliver moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Tkachuk:
That the Senate do not insist on its amendments 1 and 3 to Bill C-13, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (criminal procedure, language of the accused, sentencing and other amendments), to which the House of Commons has disagreed; and
That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that House accordingly.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Fraser moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator De Bané, P.C., that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Order No. 2 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Inquiries
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Reports of Committees
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Day, seconded by the Honourable Senator Banks, for the adoption 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 question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Day, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moore, for the adoption of the ninth report of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance, entitled: The Financial Security for Seniors: Entitlements and Retroactivity Provisions under the Canada Pension Plan, presented in the Senate on March 11, 2008.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
OTHER BUSINESS
Senate Public Bills
Third reading of Bill S-204, An Act respecting a National Philanthropy Day.
The Honourable Senator Fraser moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Milne, that the bill be read the third time.
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.
Third 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), as amended.
The Honourable Senator Ringuette moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cowan, that the bill be read the third time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Comeau, for the Honourable Senator Stratton, 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. 4 to 12 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Banks, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day, for the second reading of Bill S-229, An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (Property qualifications of Senators).
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Brown, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Order No. 14 was 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 Moore, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day, for the second reading of Bill C-253, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (deductibility of RESP contributions).
A point of order was raised with respect to the acceptability of the bill.
After debate,
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Di Nino, that further debate on the Point of Order be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Reports of Committees
Orders No. 1 and 2 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Consideration of the ninth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights (budget—study on human rights obligations), presented in the Senate on April 17, 2008.
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Keon, that the report be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Consideration of the tenth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights (budget—study on the federal public service—power to travel), presented in the Senate on April 17, 2008.
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Johnson, that the report be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Consideration of the sixth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (budget—study on China, India and Russia—power to travel), presented in the Senate on April 17, 2008.
The Honourable Senator Di Nino moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Andreychuk, that the report be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 6 to 12 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Other
Orders No. 79 (motion), 8 (inquiry) and 78 (motion) were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Oliver, calling the attention of the Senate to the progress that has been made on the implementation of the Federal Accountability Act, highlighting the status of key measures of the Act and underscoring the importance of this Act to improving responsibility and accountability in our government.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Banks moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Callbeck, that further debate on the inquiry 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 and 68 (motions) were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Grafstein, seconded by the Honourable Senator Losier- Cool:
That the following Resolution on Combating Anti-Semitism and Other Forms of Intolerance, which was adopted at the 16th Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, in which Canada participated in Kyiv, Ukraine on July 9, 2007, be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights for consideration and that the Committee table its final report no later than March 31, 2008:
RESOLUTION ON COMBATING ANTI-SEMITISM, RACISM, XENOPHOBIA AND
OTHER FORMS
OF INTOLERANCE, INCLUDING AGAINST MUSLIMS AND ROMA
1. Recalling the Parliamentary Assembly's leadership in raising the focus and attention of the participating States since the 2002 Annual Session in Berlin on issues related to intolerance, discrimination, and hate crimes, including particular concern over manifestations of anti-Semitism, racism, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance,
2. Celebrating the richness of ethnic, cultural, racial, and religious diversity within the 56 OSCE participating States,
3. Emphasizing the need to ensure implementation of existing OSCE commitments on combating anti-Semitism, racism, xenophobia, and other forms of intolerance and discrimination, including against Christians, Muslims, and members of other religions, as well as against Roma,
4. Recalling other international commitments of the OSCE participating States, and urging immediate ratification and full implementation of the Convention on Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the Convention on the Non-Applicability of Statutory Limitations to War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity, and the Rome Statute,
5. Reminding participating States that hate crimes and discrimination are motivated not only by race, ethnicity, sex, and religion or belief, but also by political opinion, national or social origin, language, birth or other status,
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly:
6. Welcomes the convening of the June 2007 OSCE High Level Conference on Combating Discrimination and Promoting Mutual Respect and Understanding, in Bucharest, Romania as a follow-up to the 2005 Cordoba Conference on Anti-Semitism and Other Forms of Intolerance;
7. Appreciates the ongoing work undertaken by the OSCE and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (the OSCE/ODIHR) through its Programme on Tolerance and Non-discrimination, as well as its efforts to improve the situation of Roma and Sinti through its Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues, and supports the continued organization of expert meetings on anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance aimed at enhancing the implementation of relevant OSCE commitments;
8. Recognizes the importance of the OSCE/ODIHR Law Enforcement Officers Programme (LEOP) in helping police forces within the participating States better to identify and combat hate crimes, and recommends that other participating States make use of it;
9. Reiterates its full support for the political-level work undertaken by the three Personal Representatives of the Chair-in-Office and endorses the continuance of their efforts under their existing and distinct mandates;
10. Reminds participating States of the Holocaust, its impact, and the continued acts of anti-Semitism occurring throughout the 56-nation OSCE region that are not unique to any one country and necessitate unwavering steadfastness by all participating States to erase the black mark on human history;
11. Calls upon participating States to recall that atrocities within the OSCE region motivated by race, national origin, sex, religion or belief, disability or sexual orientation have contributed to the negative perceptions and treatment of persons in the region;
12. Further recalls the resolutions on anti-Semitism adopted unanimously by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly at its Annual Sessions in Berlin in 2002, Rotterdam in 2003, Edinburgh in 2004, Washington in 2005 and Brussels in 2006;
13. Reaffirms especially the 2002 Porto Ministerial Decision condemning "anti-Semitic incidents in the OSCE area, recognizing the role that the existence of anti-Semitism has played throughout history as a major threat to freedom'';
14. Recalls the agreement of the participating States, adopted in Cracow in 1991, to preserve and protect those monuments and sites of remembrance, including most notably extermination camps, and the related archives, which are themselves testimonials to tragic experiences in their common past;
15. Commends the 11 member states of the International Tracing Service for approving the immediate transfer of scanned Holocaust archives to receiving institutions and encourages all participating States to cooperate in opening, copying, and disseminating archival material from the Holocaust;
16. Commemorates the bicentennial of the 1807 Abolition of the Slave Trade Act which banned the slave trade in the British Empire, allowed for the search and seizure of ships suspected of transporting enslaved people, and provided compensation for the freedom of slaves;
17. Agrees that the transatlantic slave trade was a crime against humanity and urges participating states to develop educational tools, programmes, and activities to teach current and future generations about its significance
18. Acknowledges the horrible legacy that centuries of racism, slavery, colonialism discrimination, exploitation, violence, and extreme oppression have continued to have on the promulgation of stereotypes, prejudice, and hatred directed towards persons of African descent;
19. Reminds parliamentarians and participating States that Roma constitute the largest ethnic minority in the European Union and have suffered from slavery, genocide, mass expulsions and imprisonment, forced assimilations, and numerous other discriminatory practices in the OSCE region;
20. Reminds participating States of the role these histories and other events have played in the institutionalization of practices that limit members of minority groups from having equal access to and participation in state-sponsored institutions, resulting in gross disparities in health, wealth, education, housing, political participation, and access to legal redress through the courts:
21. Underscores the sentiments of earlier resolutions regarding the continuing threat that anti- Semitism and other forms of intolerance pose to the underlying fundamental human rights and democratic values that serve as the underpinnings for security in the OSCE region;
22. Therefore urges participating States to increase efforts to work with their diverse communities to develop and implement practices to provide members of minority groups with equal access to and opportunities within social, political, legal, and economic spheres;
23. Notes the growing prevalence of anti-Semitism, racism, xenophobia, and other forms of intolerance being displayed within popular culture, including the Internet, computer games, and sports;
24. Deplores the growing prevalence of anti-Semitic materials and symbols of racist, xenophobic and anti-Semitic organizations in some OSCE participating States;
25. Reminds participating States of the 2004 OSCE meeting on the Relationship between Racist, Xenophobic and Anti-Semitic Propaganda on the Internet and Hate Crimes and suggested measures to combat the dissemination of racist and anti-Semitic material via the Internet as well as in printed or otherwise mediatized form that could be utilized throughout the OSCE region;
26. Deplores the continuing intellectualization of anti-Semitism, racism and other forms of intolerance in academic spheres, particularly through publications and public events at universities;
27. Condemns the association of politicians and political parties with discriminatory platforms, and reaffirms that such actions violate human rights standards;
28. Notes the legislative efforts, public awareness campaigns, and other initiatives of some participating States to recognize the historical injustices of the transatlantic slave trade, study the enslavement of Roma, and commemorate the Holocaust;
29. Urges other states to take similar steps in recognizing the impact of past injustices on current day practices and beliefs as a means of providing a platform to address anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance;
30. Suggests guidelines on academic responsibility to ensure the protection of Jewish and other minority students from harassment, discrimination, and abuse in the academic environment;
31. Urges participating States to implement the commitments following the original 2003 Vienna Conferences on Anti-Semitism and on Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination and subsequent conferences that include calls to:
a. provide the proper legal framework and authority to combat anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance;
b. collect, analyse, publish, and promote hate crimes data;
c. protect religious facilities and communitarian institutions, including Jewish sites of worship;
d. promote national guidelines on educational work to promote tolerance and combat anti-Semitism, including Holocaust education;
e. train law enforcement officers and military personnel to interact with diverse communities and address hate crimes, including community policing efforts;
f. appoint ombudspersons or special commissioners with the necessary resources to adequately monitor and address anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance;
g. work with civil society to develop and implement tolerance initiatives;
32. Urges parliamentarians and the participating States to report their initiatives to combat anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance and publicly recognize the benefits of diversity at the 2008 Annual Session;
33. Commends all parliamentary efforts on combating all forms of intolerance, especially the British All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry into Anti-Semitism and its final report;
34. Emphasizes the key role of politicians and political parties in combating intolerance by raising awareness of the value of diversity as a source of mutual enrichment of societies, and calls attention to the importance of integration with respect for diversity as a key element in promoting mutual respect and understanding;
35. Calls upon OSCE PA delegates to encourage regular debates on the subjects of anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance in their national parliaments, following the example of the All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry into Anti- Semitism;
36. Calls upon journalists to develop a self-regulated code of ethics for addressing anti-Semitism, racism, discrimination against Muslims, and other forms of intolerance within the media;
37. Expresses its concern at all attempts to target Israeli institutions and individuals for boycotts, divestments and sanctions;
38. Urges implementation of the Resolution on Roma Education unanimously adopted at the OSCE PA 2002 Berlin Annual Session to "eradicate practices that segregate Roma in schooling'' and provide equal access to education that includes intercultural education;
39. Calls upon parliamentarians and other elected officials to publicly speak out against discrimination, violence and other manifestations of intolerance against Roma, Sinti, Jews, and other ethnic or religious groups;
40. Urges the participating States to ensure the timely provision of resources and technical support and the establishment of an administrative support structure to assist the three Personal Representatives of the Chair-in- Office in their work to promote greater tolerance and combat racism, xenophobia and discrimination;
41. Encourages the three Personal Representatives of the Chair-in-Office to address the Assembly's Winter Meetings and Annual Sessions on their work to promote greater tolerance and combat racism, xenophobia, and discrimination throughout the OSCE region;
42. Recognizes the unique contribution that the Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation could make to OSCE efforts to promote greater tolerance and combat anti-Semitism, racism, xenophobia and discrimination, including by supporting the ongoing work of the three Personal Representatives of the Chair-in-Office;
43. Reminds participating States that respect for freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief should assist in combating all forms of intolerance with the ultimate goal of building positive relationships among all people, furthering social justice, and attaining world peace;
44. Reminds participating States that, historically, violations of freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief have, through direct or indirect means, led to war, human suffering, and divisions between and among nations and peoples;
45. Condemns the rising violence in the OSCE region against persons believed to be Muslim and welcomes the conference to be held in Cordoba in October 2007 on combating discrimination against Muslims;
46. Calls upon parliamentarians and the participating States to ensure and facilitate the freedom of the individual to profess and practice any religion or belief, alone or in community with others, through transparent and non- discriminatory laws, regulations, practices and policies, and to remove any registration or recognition policies that discriminate against any religious community and hinder its ability to operate freely and equally with other faiths;
47. Encourages an increased focus by participating States on the greater role teenagers and young adults can play in combating anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance and urges participating States to collect data and report on hate crimes committed by persons under the age of 24 and to promote tolerance initiatives through education, workforce training, youth organizations, sports clubs, and other organized activities;
48. Reminds participating States that this year marks the 59th Anniversary of the United Nations Human Rights Commission's adoption of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, which has served as the inspiration for numerous international treaties and declarations on tolerance issues;
49. Calls upon participating States to reaffirm and implement the sentiments expressed in the 2000 Bucharest Declaration and in this resolution as a testament to their commitment to "respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion'', as enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act;
50. Expresses deep concern at the glorification of the Nazi movement, including the erection of monuments and memorials and the holding of public demonstrations glorifying the Nazi past, the Nazi movement and neo- Nazism;
51. Also stresses that such practices fuel contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and contribute to the spread and multiplication of various extremist political parties, movements and groups, including neo-Nazis and skinhead groups;
52. Emphasizes the need to take the necessary measures to put an end to the practices described above, and calls upon participating States to take more effective measures to combat these phenomena and the extremist movements, which pose a real threat to democratic values.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Di Nino 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.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Grafstein, seconded by the Honourable Senator Callbeck:
That the Senate urge the Government to establish a National Portrait Gallery in the National Capital Region without delay.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Fraser, 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.
Orders No. 76 and 85 (motions) were called and postponed until the next sitting.
MOTIONS
The Honourable Senator Callbeck moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology be authorized to examine and report on the accessibility of post-secondary education in Canada, including but not limited to:
(a) analysis of the current barriers in post-secondary education, such as geography, family income levels, means of financing for students and debt levels;
(b) evaluation of the current mechanisms for students to fund post-secondary education, such as Canada Student Loans Program, Canada Student Grants Program, Canada Access Grants, funding for Aboriginal students, Canada Learning Bonds, and Registered Education Savings Plans;
(c) examination of the current federal/provincial transfer mechanism for post-secondary education;
(d) evaluation of the potential establishment of a dedicated transfer for post-secondary education; and
(e) any other matters related to the study; and
That the Committee submit its final report no later than December 31, 2009, and that the Committee retain until June 30, 2010, all powers necessary to publicize its findings.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Keon 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.
Ordered, That Order No. 1 under ORDERS OF THE DAY, GOVERNMENT BUSINESS, Inquiries, be again called.
Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Comeau, calling the attention of the Senate to the budget entitled, Responsible Leadership, tabled in the House of Commons on February 26, 2008, by the Minister of Finance, the Honourable James M. Flaherty, P.C., M.P., and in the Senate on February 27, 2008.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Fraser moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cowan, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.
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 VIA Rail Canada Inc., together with the Auditors' Report, for the year ended December 31, 2007, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1). —Sessional Paper No. 2/39-548.
Report of the National Energy Board for the year ended December 31, 2007, pursuant to the National Energy Board Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. N-7, s. 133.—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-549.
Report of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization, together with the Auditors' Report, for the year ended December 31, 2007, pursuant to the Nuclear Fuel Waste Act, S.C. 2002, c. 23, sbs. 19(1).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39- 550.
Report of the Military Police Complaints Commission for the year 2007, pursuant to the National Defence Act, S.C. 1998, c. 35, s. 82.—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-551.
Report of the Canadian Forces Grievance Board for the year 2007, pursuant to the National Defence Act, S.C. 1998, c. 35, s. 7. —Sessional Paper No. 2/39-552.
Report of Export Development Canada, together with the Auditor General's Report, for the year ended December 31, 2007, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39- 553.
Summaries of the Corporate Plan and Borrowing Plan for 2008-2009 to 2012-2013 and of the Operating and Capital Budgets for 2008-2009 of the Canadian Commercial Corporation, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-554.
Report of the Canada Post Corporation, together with the Auditors' Report, for the year 2007, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-555.
Report of the Royal Canadian Mint, together with the Auditor General's Report, for the year 2007, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-556.
Report of the Laurentian Pilotage Authority, together with the Auditor General's Report, for the year 2007, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1). —Sessional Paper No. 2/39-557.
Reports of Canada Development Investment Corporation for the year ended December 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- 558.
Reports of Canada Eldor Inc. for the year ended December 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. 2/39-559.
Reports of Canada Hibernia Holding Corporation for the year ended December 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. 2/39-560.
Report of the Canadian Tourism Commission, together with the Auditor General's Report, for the year ended December 31, 2007, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-561.
Report of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, together with the Auditors' Report, for the year ended December 31, 2007, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-562.
Report on Northern oil and gas for the year ended December 31, 2007, pursuant to the Canada Petroleum Resources Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 36 (2nd Supp.), s. 109.—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-563.
Actuarial Report (including the certificate of assets) on the Pension Plan for the Members of Parliament for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, pursuant to the Public Pensions Reporting Act, R.S.C. 1985, c.13 (2nd Supp.), sbs. 9(1).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-564.
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 4:45 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 Legal and Constitutional Affairs
The name of the Honourable Senator Milne substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Moore (April 17).
Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce
The name of the Honourable Senator Eyton substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Johnson (April 17).
The name of the Honourable Senator Moore substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Banks (April 18).
Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights
The name of the Honourable Senator Di Nino substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Kinsella (April 24).
The names of the Honourable Senators Trenholme Counsell and Goldstein substituted for those of the Honourable Senators Munson and Lovelace Nicholas (April 28).
The names of the Honourable Senators Munson and Lovelace Nicholas substituted for those of the Honourable Senators Trenholme Counsell and Goldstein (April 29).
Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources
The name of the Honourable Senator Meighen substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Nolin (April 25).
Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade
The name of the Honourable Senator Oliver substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Nolin (April 25).
Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages
The name of the Honourable Senator Ringuette substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Tardif (April 28).
The name of the Honourable Senator Tardif substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Ringuette (April 29).
Standing Senate Committee on National Finance
The name of the Honourable Senator Oliver substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Stratton (April 28).
Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence
The name of the Honourable Senator Comeau substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Meighen (April 28).
The name of the Honourable Senator Meighen substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Comeau (April 29).