Order Paper and Notice Paper
The Senate of Canada
Order Paper and Notice Paper
Issue 9
Thursday, December 4, 2008
1:30 p.m.
The Order Paper and Notice Paper is a document that guides the deliberations of the Senate and lists items of business currently before it. These items are listed in several different categories and in a priority according to an arrangement adopted by the Senate as stipulated in the rules. The majority of these items constitute the Orders of the Day which are called following the daily Routine of Business. These items are themselves divided into two principal categories - government business and other business. Within each of these two categories are items for bills, motions, inquiries and reports of committees.
The Notice Paper contains the text of motions and inquiries not yet called for debate.
The Order Paper and Notice Paper is prepared every day in advance of the actual sitting.
Daily Routine of Business
1. Senators' Statements.2. Tabling of Documents.
3. Presentation of Reports from Standing or Special Committees.
4. Government Notices of Motions.
5. Introduction and First Reading of Government Bills.
6. Introduction and First Reading of Senate Public Bills.
7. First Reading of Commons Public Bills.
8. Reading of Petitions for Private Bills.
9. Introduction and First Reading of Private Bills.
10. Tabling of Reports from Inter-Parliamentary Delegations.
11. Notices of Motions.
12. Notices of Inquiries.
13. Presentation of Petitions.
14. Question Period.
15. Delayed Answers.
16. Orders of the Day.
17. Inquiries.
18. Motions.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
Bills
No. 1.
December 2, 2008-Second reading of Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Customs Act.
Inquiries
No. 1.
By the Honourable Senator Comeau:
December 2, 2008-That he will call the attention of the Senate to the economic and fiscal update, tabled in the House of Commons on November 27, 2008, by the Minister of Finance, the Honourable James M. Flaherty, P.C., M.P., and in the Senate on December 2, 2008.
No. 2.
By the Honourable Senator Comeau:
December 2, 2008-That he will call the attention of the Senate to the Government's plan to reduce the paper burden on small business, eliminate duplicate or overlapping obligations, and continue to provide an economic environment that creates jobs for Canadians.
No. 3.
By the Honourable Senator Comeau:
December 2, 2008-That he will call the attention of the Senate to the Government's record in helping New Canadians and our plan to reduce the immigration processing backlog, and ensure that our immigration system responds to the economic needs of Canada.
No. 4.
By the Honourable Senator Comeau:
December 2, 2008-That he will call the attention of the Senate to the Government's record of standing up for farmers and providing marketing choice to Western grain producers, and our continued support for farm families.
No. 5.
By the Honourable Senator Comeau:
December 2, 2008-That he will call the attention of the Senate to the Government's strong commitment to protect the sovereignty, and promote the economic development of Canada's Arctic and Northern regions.
No. 6.
By the Honourable Senator Comeau:
December 2, 2008-That he will call the attention of the Senate to the Government's commitment to celebrate Canadian history and identity, and develop a stronger sense of national citizenship.
No. 7.
By the Honourable Senator Comeau:
December 2, 2008-That he will call the attention of the Senate to the Government's record of getting tough on crime, and our plan to bring in new laws against biker gangs and organized crime, and reform the Criminal Code to make sure that criminals remain behind bars.
No. 8.
By the Honourable Senator Comeau:
December 2, 2008-That he will call the attention of the Senate to the Government's record of helping working families through initiatives such as the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB), the Working Income Tax Benefit, and the Disability Tax Credit, and our plan to improve the UCCB.
No. 9.
By the Honourable Senator Comeau:
December 2, 2008-That he will call the attention of the Senate to the Government's commitment to implementing a strong consumer protection plan by modernizing Canada's outdated competition laws, restricting unfair text message charges, and protecting against Internet spam.
No. 10.
By the Honourable Senator Comeau:
December 2, 2008-That he will call the attention of the Senate to the Government's record of assisting Canada's hard-working students, and our commitment to streamlining and modernizing the Canada Student Loan Program.
No. 11.
By the Honourable Senator Comeau:
December 2, 2008-That he will call the attention of the Senate to the large, sustainable and permanent stimulus that the Government has provided to the Canadian economy over the course of the past two years.
Motions
No. 1.
November 25, 2008-Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Meighen, seconded by the Honourable Senator Champagne, P.C.:
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.
No. 2.
December 2, 2008-Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Comeau, seconded by the Honourable Senator Brown:
That the expenditures set out in Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009, be referred to a Committee of the Whole for examination on Wednesday, December 3, 2008, with the Senate resolving itself into said Committee at the conclusion of Question Period;
That television cameras be authorized in the Senate Chamber to broadcast the proceedings of the Committee of the Whole, with the least possible disruption of the proceedings; and that photographers be authorized in the Senate Chamber to photograph proceedings, with the least possible disruption of the proceedings; and
That, notwithstanding the Order adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, November 25, 2008, when the Senate sits on Wednesday, December 3, 2008, it continue its proceedings beyond 4 p.m. and follow the normal adjournment procedure according to Rule 6(1); and
That Rule 13(1) be suspended on Wednesday, December 3, 2008.
Reports of Committees
Nil
OTHER BUSINESS
Rule 27(3) states:
Unless previously ordered, any item under "Other Business'', "Inquiries'' and "Motions'' that has not been proceeded with during fifteen sittings shall be dropped from the Order Paper.
Consequently, the number appearing in parenthesis indicates the number of sittings since the item was last proceeded with.
Senate Public Bills
No. 1.
November 27, 2008-Second reading of Bill S-215, An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (vacancies).-(Honourable Senator Moore)
No. 2.
November 27, 2008-Second reading of Bill S-216, An Act to amend the Federal Sustainable Development Act and the Auditor General Act (Involvement of Parliament).-(Honourable Senator Banks)
No. 3.
November 27, 2008-Second reading of Bill S-217, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (carbon offset tax credit). -(Honourable Senator Mitchell)
No. 4. (one)
November 26, 2008-Second reading of Bill S-214, An Act to amend the Parliamentary Employment and Staff Relations Act. -(Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C.)
No. 5. (two)
November 26, 2008-Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Grafstein, seconded by the Honourable Senator Fairbairn, P.C., for the second reading of Bill S-208, An Act to regulate securities and to provide for a single securities commission for Canada.-(Honourable Senator Meighen)
No. 6. (three)
November 25, 2008-Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Goldstein, seconded by the Honourable Senator Lovelace Nicholas, for the second reading of Bill S-201, An Act to amend the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (student loans).-(Honourable Senator Tkachuk)
No. 7. (three)
November 25, 2008-Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Goldstein, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cordy, for the second reading of Bill S-202, An Act respecting commercial electronic messages.-(Honourable Senator Comeau)
No. 8. (three)
November 25, 2008-Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Grafstein, seconded by the Honourable Senator Fairbairn, P.C., for the second reading of Bill S-204, An Act to amend the Library and Archives of Canada Act (National Portrait Gallery).-(Honourable Senator Segal)
No. 9. (three)
November 25, 2008-Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Banks, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moore, for the second reading of Bill S-212, An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (Property qualifications of Senators). -(Honourable Senator Tkachuk)
No. 10. (three)
November 25, 2008-Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Munson, seconded by the Honourable Senator Hubley, for the second reading of Bill S-213, An Act respecting World Autism Awareness Day.-(Honourable Senator Keon)
No. 11. (four)
November 20, 2008-Second reading of Bill S-203, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (foreign postings). -(Honourable Senator Carstairs, P.C.)
No. 12. (four)
November 20, 2008-Second reading of Bill S-205, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (suicide bombings).-(Honourable Senator Grafstein)
No. 13. (four)
November 20, 2008-Second reading of Bill S-206, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (clean drinking water). -(Honourable Senator Grafstein)
No. 14. (four)
November 20, 2008-Second reading of Bill S-207, An Act to require the Minister of the Environment to establish, in co-operation with the provinces, an agency with the power to identify and protect Canada's watersheds that will constitute sources of drinking water in the future.-(Honourable Senator Grafstein)
No. 15. (four)
November 20, 2008-Second reading of Bill S-209, An Act to amend the Business Development Bank of Canada Act (municipal infrastructure bonds) and to make a consequential amendment to another Act.-(Honourable Senator Grafstein)
No. 16. (four)
November 20, 2008-Second reading of Bill S-210, An Act respecting a National Philanthropy Day.-(Honourable Senator Grafstein)
No. 17. (four)
November 20, 2008-Second reading of Bill S-211, An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. -(Honourable Senator Banks)
Commons Public Bills
Nil
Private Bills
Nil
Reports of Committees
Nil
Other
No. 1. (inquiry)
December 2, 2008-Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Comeau calling the attention of the Senate to the 250th anniversary of representative government in Canada. -(Honourable Senator Oliver)
No. 9. (motion)
December 2, 2008-Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Ringuette, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce be authorized to examine and report on the credit and debit card systems in Canada and their relative rates and fees, in particular for businesses and consumers; and
That the Committee report to the Senate 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.-(Honourable Senator Di Nino)
No. 13. (motion)
December 2, 2008-Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Tardif, seconded by the Honourable Senator Fraser:
That a Special Committee of the Senate be appointed to examine and report upon the expenditures set out in Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009;
That, notwithstanding rule 85(1)(b), the Committee be comprised of twelve members, namely the Honourable Senators Biron, Callbeck, Chaput, Day, De Bané, P.C., Eggleton, P.C., Mitchell, Ringuette, and four additional members to be named by the Leader of the Government in the Senate following the process set out in Rule 85(5);
That four members constitute a quorum;
That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers and records; to examine witnesses; and to print such papers and evidence from day to day as may be ordered by the Committee;
That the Committee be authorized to permit coverage by electronic media of its public proceedings with the least possible disruption of its hearings;
That the Committee have power to sit when the Senate is sitting, and that the application of Rule 95(4) be suspended in relation thereto; and
That, pursuant to Rule 95(3)(a), the Committee be authorized to meet during any adjournment of the Senate that exceeds one week.-(Honourable Senator Stratton)
No. 14. (motion)
December 2, 2008-Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Tardif, seconded by the Honourable Senator Rompkey, P.C.:
That it be an order of the Senate to the Committee of Selection that it meet on the first day the Senate sits after the adoption of this motion and that it then present its report nominating the Senators to serve on the several select committees, except the Committee on Conflict of Interest for Senators, no later than the second day the Senate sits following the adoption of this motion. -(Honourable Senator Tkachuk)
No. 2. (three) (motion)
November 25, 2008-Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Banks, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moore:
That,
Whereas, in the 1st Session of the 40th Parliament, a bill has been introduced in the Senate to amend the Constitution of Canada by repealing the provision that requires that a person, in order to qualify for appointment to the Senate and to maintain their place in the Senate after being appointed, own land with a net worth of at least four thousand dollars within the province for which he or she is appointed;
Whereas a related provision of the Constitution makes reference, in respect of the province of Quebec, to the real property qualification that is proposed to be repealed;
Whereas, in respect of a Senator who represents Quebec, the real property qualification must be had in the electoral division for which the Senator is appointed or the Senator must be resident in that division;
Whereas the division of Quebec into 24 electoral divisions, corresponding to the 24 seats in the former Legislative Council of Quebec, reflects the historic boundaries of Lower Canada and no longer reflects the full territorial limits of the province of Quebec;
And whereas section 43 of the Constitution Act, 1982 provides that an amendment to the Constitution of Canada may be made by proclamation issued by the Governor General under the Great Seal of Canada where so authorized by resolutions of the Senate and House of Commons and of the legislative assembly of each province to which the amendment applies;
Now, therefore, the Senate resolves that an amendment to the Constitution of Canada be authorized to be made by proclamation issued by Her Excellency the Governor General under the Great Seal of Canada in accordance with the schedule hereto.
SCHEDULE
AMENDMENT TO THE
CONSTITUTION OF CANADA1. Section 22 of the Constitution Act, 1867 is amended by striking out the second paragraph of that section, beginning with "In the Case of Quebec'' and ending with "the Consolidated Statutes of Canada.''.
2. (1) Paragraph (5) of section 23 of the Act is replaced by the following:
(5) He shall be resident in the Province for which he is appointed.
(2) Paragraph (6) of section 23 of the Act is repealed.
Citation
3. This Amendment may be cited as the Constitution Amendment, [year of proclamation] (Quebec: electoral divisions and real property qualifications of Senators). -(Honourable Senator Tkachuk)
NOTICE PAPER
INQUIRIES
No. 2.
By the Honourable Senator Hubley:
November 27, 2008-That she will call the attention of the Senate to the Treaty on Cluster Munitions.
For Friday, December 5, 2008:
No. 3.
By the Honourable Senator Cowan:
December 3, 2008-That he will call the attention of the Senate to the regrettable state of politics in Canada, where Canadians are becoming increasingly embarrassed that they have a Prime Minister who is afraid to seek the confidence of the elected House of Parliament, because he knows that the members of that House have no confidence in him or his inept government.
No. 4.
By the Honourable Senator Tardif:
December 3, 2008-That she will call the attention of the Senate to the regrettable state of politics in Canada, where Canadians are becoming increasingly concerned that they have a Prime Minister who refuses to honour longstanding parliamentary traditions by not recognizing the role of members of the other place, who were democratically elected by Canadians in every region of the country, to hold the government to account and bring forward the best government for all Canadians.
No. 5.
By the Honourable Senator Cordy:
December 3, 2008-That she will call the attention of the Senate to the regrettable state of politics in Canada, where Canadians are dismayed that the Prime Minister is damaging Canada's international reputation by insulting so many of our NATO allies who have long and honourable traditions of coalition governments.
No. 6.
By the Honourable Senator Fraser:
December 3, 2008-That she will call the attention of the Senate to the regrettable state of politics in Canada, where Canadians are distressed by the fact that the current government displays consistent contempt for the fundamental rights of Canadians.
No. 7.
By the Honourable Senator Mitchell:
December 3, 2008-That he will call the attention of the Senate to the regrettable state of politics in Canada, where Canadians are frightened by the recent economic statement by the current government, which will put the country into deficit for the first time in over 10 years, after many years of balanced budgets and responsible economic actions by the two governments that preceded it.
No. 8.
By the Honourable Senator Banks:
December 3, 2008-That he will call the attention of the Senate to the regrettable state of politics in Canada, where Canadians are becoming increasingly concerned that they might have a Prime Minister whose words they cannot trust or believe.
MOTIONS
No. 4. (four)
By the Honourable Senator Grafstein:
November 20, 2008-That the Senate endorse the following Resolution, adopted by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly at its 17th Annual Session, held at Astana, Kazakhstan, from June 29 to July 3, 2008:
RESOLUTION ON A MEDITERRANEAN
FREE TRADE AREA
1. Reiterating the fundamental importance of the economic and environmental aspects of the OSCE concept of security,
2. Recognizing that without economic growth there can be no peace or stability,
3. Recalling the importance that the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly accords to the development of international trade, as underlined by the Assembly's fifth economic conference on the theme of Strengthening Stability and Co- operation through International Trade, which was held in Andorra, in May 2007,
4. Maintaining that creating a free trade area will, inter alia, contribute significantly to the efforts to achieve peace,
5. Recalling that the European Union itself was made possible by the establishment of free-trade areas, first the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951 and then the European Economic Community in 1957,
6. Recalling the Helsinki Final Act of 1975, in which OSCE participating States expressed their intention "to encourage with the non-participating Mediterranean States the development of mutually beneficial co-operation in the various fields of economic activity'' and to "contribute to a diversified development of the economies of the non-participating Mediterranean countries'',
7. Recalling the Helsinki Final Act, in which OSCE participating States recognized "the importance of bilateral and multilateral intergovernmental and other agreements for the long-term development of trade'' and undertook "to reduce or progressively eliminate all kinds of obstacles to the development of trade'',
8. Celebrating the decision made at the OSCE Summit in Budapest in 1994 to create a Contact Group with Mediterranean Partners for Cooperation,
9. Expressing support for the Barcelona Declaration of 1995 regarding the establishment of a free trade area between the members of the European Union and all Mediterranean states by 2010,
10. Saluting the American Middle East Free Trade Area Initiative (MEFTA) launched in 2003,
11. Concerned by the slow pace of economic development in the Middle East, especially in the agriculture sector and the knowledge-based economy, where two-thirds of the population is under the age of 35,
12. Considering the obstacles to economic growth posed by agricultural trade and tariff barriers, as discussed at the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly meeting in Rhodes in 2004,
13. Considering the lack of direct foreign investment in Middle Eastern Arab countries and the concentration of such investment in a small number of these countries,
14. Noting that despite the efforts made in the Middle East to stimulate free trade, economic growth in Mediterranean countries is markedly stronger in the Israel-Europe-North America axis than among countries in the region, and
15. Encouraged by the increased literacy rate and the increased participation of women in the domestic economies of countries in the Mediterranean basin,
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly:
16. Recommends the creation of a Mediterranean Economic Commission whose objective would be to quickly reduce trade barriers and facilitate the transition to a knowledge-based economy in countries in the region;
17. Recommends the creation of a Mediterranean Agricultural Marketing Board whose objective would be to create jobs in the agriculture sector for young people in the region;
18. Invites OSCE participating countries and partner states for co-operation to intensify their efforts under the Barcelona Process and to more fully benefit from the MEFTA Initiative in order to expedite the establishment of a free-trade area among all Mediterranean countries.
No. 5. (four)
By the Honourable Senator Grafstein:
November 20, 2008-That the Senate endorse the following Resolution, adopted by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly at its 17th Annual Session, held at Astana, Kazakhstan, from June 29 to July 3, 2008:
RESOLUTION ON EXPANDING TRADE
BETWEEN NORTH AMERICA AND EUROPE
1. Reaffirming the importance of trade for economic growth, political stability and international peace,
2. Recalling the fundamental importance of the economic and environmental dimension in the OSCE's comprehensive approach to security,
3. Considering that expanded free trade between North American and European markets will benefit all OSCE participating States politically as well as economically,
4. Recalling the commitments made by the participating States at the Maastricht Ministerial Council in December 2003 regarding the liberalization of trade and the elimination of barriers limiting market access,
5. Recalling the recommendations of the 2006 OSCE Best Practice Guide for a Positive Business and Investment Climate, published by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, which advocate stronger international trade policies and conditions favourable to the circulation of international capital,
6. Concurring with the conclusions of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities that free trade agreements and the reduction of tariffs are vital to a strong trade policy,
7. Recalling the importance that the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly accords to the development of international trade as underlined by the Assembly's Fifth Economic Conference on the theme of "Strengthening Stability and Co-operation through International Trade'' held in Andorra in May 2007,
8. Recalling the deep historical and cultural ties between the peoples and states of North America and Europe which shaped their common values, on which the OSCE is based, and which are reinforced by the strength of their economic links,
9. Recognizing the considerable impact that the economies of North America and Europe have on international trade,
10. Considering the increasingly interdependent nature of the economic links between North America and Europe,
11. Noting the scope and depth of trade between North America and Europe which benefits public accounts and the private sector in addition to generating opportunities for employment,
12. Welcoming recently signed agreements that promote greater and freer trade between a limited number of markets in North America and Europe, such as the January 2008 Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the European Free Trade Association,
13. Acknowledging the appeal of the emerging markets in Asia and South America, whose growth will generate new levels of competition and economic efficiencies for trade between North America and Europe,
14. Concerned with the persistence of trade barriers in the economic relations between North America and Europe which limit opportunities for greater economic growth and human development,
15. Concerned with the state of the Doha Round of negotiations at the World Trade Organization which is affecting inter-regional trade negotiations such as the Canada-European Union Trade and Investment Enhancement Agreement suspended since 2006,
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly:
16. Resolves that seminars and conferences to raise awareness of the opportunities and shared benefits of trade liberalization should be considered;
17. Calls on the parliaments of the OSCE participating States to vigorously support and accelerate all multilateral, inter-institutional and bilateral initiatives that promote the liberalization of trade between North America and Europe, including the harmonization of standards and the elimination of regulatory barriers;
18. Calls on the parliaments of the OSCE participating States to sustain the political will of their governments as members of existing economic agreements, including the North American Free Trade Agreement, the European Union, the European Free Trade Association and the Central European Free Trade Agreement, to develop transatlantic partnership agreements that expand and liberalise trade between and among them;
19. Recommends that current and future initiatives that target expanded trade between the economies of North America and Europe consider greater involvement where appropriate of regional and subregional governments and groupings;
20. Recommends that current and future initiatives that target expanded trade between the economies of North America and Europe reflect the principles and standards of the OSCE, particularly human rights, environmental protection, sustainable development and economic and social rights, including workers' rights, as agreed to in the 1990 Document of the Bonn Conference on Economic Co-operation in Europe, the 1990 Document of the Copenhagen Meeting of the Conference on the Human Dimension of the CSCE and the 1990 Charter of Paris for a New Europe.
No. 6. (four)
By the Honourable Senator Grafstein:
November 20, 2008-That the Senate endorse the following Resolution, adopted by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly at its 17th Annual Session, held at Astana, Kazakhstan, from June 29 to July 3, 2008:
RESOLUTION ON WATER MANAGEMENT
IN THE OSCE AREA
1. Reiterating the fundamental importance of the environmental aspects of the OSCE concept of security,
2. Recognizing the link between natural resource problems and disputes or conflicts within and between states,
3. Noting the opportunities presented by resource management initiatives that address common environmental problems, including local ownership and sub-regional programmes and co-operation amongst governments, and which promote peace-building processes,
4. Recalling the OSCE's role in encouraging sustainable environmental policies that promote peace and stability, specifically the 1975 Helsinki Final Act, the 1990 Concluding Document of the CSCE Conference on Economic Co- operation in Europe (Bonn Document), the 1999 Charter for European Security adopted at the Istanbul Summit, the 2003 OSCE Strategy Document for the Economic and Environmental Dimension (Maastricht Strategy), other OSCE relevant documents and decisions regarding environmental issues, and the outcome of all previous Economic and Environmental Fora, which have established a basis for the OSCE's work in the area of environment and security,
5. Recognizing that water is of vital importance to human life and that it is an element of the human right to life and dignity,
6. Noting the severity of water management issues and the scarcity of water resources faced by many states in the OSCE region, affected in particular by unregulated social and economic activities, including urban development, industry, and agriculture,
7. Concerned by the impact of poor water management systems on human health, the environment, the sustainability of biodiversity and aquatic and land-based eco-systems, affecting political and socio-economic development,
8. Concerned by the more than 100 million people in the pan-European region who continue to lack access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation,
9. Concerned by those areas and people in the North American region of the OSCE space without access to safe drinking water and sanitation,
10. Concerned by the potential for water management issues to escalate if options to address and reverse the problem are not duly considered and implemented,
11. Recognizing the importance of good environmental governance and responsible water management for the governments of participating States,
12. Applauding the work of the Preparatory Seminar for the Tenth OSCE Economic Forum which took place in 2001 in Belgrade and which focused on water resource management and the promotion of regional environmental co-operation in South-Eastern Europe,
13. Applauding the work of the 15th OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum and its preparatory meetings, "Key challenges to ensure environmental security and sustainable development in the OSCE area: Water Management,'' held in Zaragoza, Spain,
14. Applauding the OSCE's Madrid Declaration on Environment and Security adopted at the 2007 Ministerial Council which draws attention to water management as an environmental risk which may have a substantial impact on security in the OSCE region and which might be more effectively addressed within the framework of multilateral co-operation,
15. Expressing support for the efforts made to date by several participating States of the OSCE to deal with the problem, including the workshop on water management organized by the OSCE Centre in Almaty in May 2007 for experts from Central Asia and the Caucasus,
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly:
16. Calls on the OSCE participating States to undertake sound water management to support sustainable environmental policies;
17. Recommends that the OSCE participating States pursue and apply the measures necessary to implement the 2007 Madrid Declaration on Environment and Security;
18. Recommends that such water management and oversight activities include national, regional and local co- operative initiatives that share best practices and provide support and assistance amongst each other;
19. Recommends that the OSCE participating States adopt the multiple barrier approach to drinking water protection, with particular attention to water tables, in their national, regional and local regulations to ensure that people living throughout the OSCE space have access to safe drinking water;
20. Recommends that the OSCE participating States consider developing more effective national, sub-national and local results-based, action-oriented and differentiated approaches to sound water management policies;
21. Encourages the OSCE participating States to continue their work with other regional and international institutions and organizations with respect to water management solutions, providing for the establishment of supranational arbitral commissions with decision-making powers delegated by the States.
No. 7. (four)
By the Honourable Senator Grafstein:
November 20, 2008-That the Senate endorse the following Resolution, adopted by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly at its 17th Annual Session, held at Astana, Kazakhstan, from June 29 to July 3, 2008:
RESOLUTION ON COMBATING
ANTI-SEMITISM, ESPECIALLY
ITS MANIFESTATIONS IN THE MEDIA
AND IN ACADEMIA
1. Recalling the Parliamentary Assembly's leadership in increasing the focus and attention of the participating States since the 2002 Annual Session in Berlin on issues related to manifestations of anti-Semitism,
2. Reaffirming 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'',
3. Referring to the commitments made by the participating States in the previous OSCE conferences in Vienna (2003), Berlin (2004), Brussels (2004) and Cordoba (2005) regarding legal, political and educational efforts to fight anti-Semitism,
4. Welcoming all efforts of the parliaments of the OSCE participating States on combating anti-Semitism, especially the All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry on anti-Semitism in the United Kingdom,
5. Noting with satisfaction all initiatives of the civil society organizations which are active in the field of combating anti-Semitism,
6. Acknowledging that incidents of anti-Semitism occur throughout the OSCE region and are not unique to any one country, which necessitates unwavering steadfastness by all participating States to erase this black mark on human history,
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly:
7. Appreciates the ongoing work undertaken by the OSCE and ODIHR through its Programme on Tolerance and Non-discrimination and supports the continued organisation of expert meetings on anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance aimed at enhancing the implementation of relevant OSCE commitments;
8. Appreciates the initiative by Mr John Mann MP (United Kingdom) to create a world-wide Inter-Parliamentary Coalition for Combating Anti-Semitism and encourages the parliaments of the OSCE participating States to support this initiative;
9. Urges participating States to present written reports on their activities to combat anti-Semitism and other forms of discrimination at the 2009 Annual Session;
10. Reminds participating States to improve methods of monitoring and to report anti-Semitic incidents and other hate crimes to the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in a timely manner;
11. Recognizes the importance of the ODIHR tools in improving the effectiveness of States' response to anti- Semitism, such as teaching materials on anti-Semitism, the OSCE/ODIHR Law Enforcement Officers Programme (LEOP), which helps police forces within participating States better to identify and combat incitement to anti-Semitism and other hate crimes, and civil society capacity-building to combat anti-Semitism and hate crimes, including through the development of networks and coalitions with Muslim, Roma, African descendent and other communities combating intolerance; and recommends that other States make use of these tools;
12. Expresses appreciation of the commitment by 10 countries - Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, the Russian Federation, Slovakia, Spain and Ukraine - in co-developing with ODIHR and the Anne Frank House teaching materials on the history of Jews and anti-Semitism in Europe, and encourages all other OSCE participating States to adopt these teaching materials in their respective national languages and put them into practice;
13. Encourages participating States to adopt the guide for educators entitled Addressing Anti-Semitism - WHY and HOW, developed by ODIHR in co-operation with Yad Vashem, in their respective national languages and put them into practice;
14. Urges governments to create and employ curricula that go beyond Holocaust education in dealing with Jewish life, history and culture;
15. Condemns continued incidents of anti-Semitic stereotypes appearing in the media, including news reports, news commentaries, as well as published commentaries by readers;
16. Condemns the use of double standards in media coverage of Israel and its role in the Middle East conflict;
17. Calls upon the media to have discussions on the impact of language and imagery on Judaism, anti-Zionism and Israel and its consequences on the interaction between communities in the OSCE participating States;
18. Deplores the continued dissemination of anti-Semitic content via the Internet, including through websites, blogs and email;
19. Urges participating States to increase their efforts to counter the spread of anti-Semitic content, including its dissemination through the Internet, within the framework of their respective national legislation;
20. Urges editors to refrain from publishing anti-Semitic material and to develop a self-regulated code of ethics for dealing with anti-Semitism in media;
21. Calls upon participating States to prevent the distribution of television programmes and other media which promote anti-Semitic views and incite anti-Semitic crimes, including, but not limited to, satellite broadcasting;
22. Reminds participating States of measures to combat the dissemination of racist and anti-Semitic material via the Internet suggested at the 2004 OSCE Meeting on the Relationship between Racist, Xenophobic and Anti-Semitic Propaganda on the Internet and Hate Crimes, that include calls to:
- pursue complementary parallel strategies,
- train investigators and prosecutors on how to address bias-motivated crimes on the Internet,
- support the establishment of programmes to educate children about bias-motivated expression they may encounter on the Internet,
- promote industry codes of conduct,
- gather data on the full extent of the distribution of anti-Semitic hate messages on the Internet;
23. Deplores the continued intellectualization of anti-Semitism in academic spheres, particularly through publications and public events at universities;
24. Suggests the preparation of standards and guidelines on academic responsibility to ensure the protection of Jewish and other minority students from harassment, discrimination and abuse in the academic environment;
25. Urges all participants of the upcoming Durban Review Conference in Geneva to make sure that pressing issues of racism around the world will be properly assessed and that the conference will not be misused as a platform for promoting anti-Semitism;
26. Suggests that the delegations of the OSCE participating States hold a meeting on the eve of the Durban Review Conference to discuss and evaluate the Durban Review process.
No. 3. (four)
By the Honourable Senator Carstairs, P.C.:
November 20, 2008-That a Special Committee of the Senate be appointed to examine and report upon the implications of an aging society in Canada;
That, notwithstanding rule 85(1)(b), the Committee be comprised of seven members, namely the Honourable Senators Carstairs, P.C., Chaput, Cools, Cordy, Keon, Mercer, and Stratton, and that three members constitute a quorum;
That the Committee examine the issue of aging in our society in relation to, but not limited to:
promoting active living and well being;
housing and transportation needs;
financial security and retirement;
abuse and neglect;
health promotion and prevention; and
health care needs, including chronic diseases, medication use, mental health, palliative care, home care and caregiving;
That the Committee review public programs and services for seniors, the gaps that exist in meeting the needs of seniors, and the implications for future service delivery as the population ages;
That the Committee review strategies on aging implemented in other countries;
That the Committee review Canada's role and obligations in light of the 2002 Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing;
That the Committee consider the appropriate role of the federal government in helping Canadians age well;
That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers and records; to examine witnesses; to report from time to time and to print such papers and evidence from day to day as may be ordered by the Committee;
That the Committee be authorized to permit coverage by electronic media of its public proceedings with the least possible disruption of its hearings;
That, pursuant to rule 95(3)(a), the Committee be authorized to meet during periods that the Senate stands adjourned for a period exceeding one week;
That the papers and evidence received and taken and work accomplished by the Committee on this subject during the First Session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament and the Second Session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament be referred to the Committee; and
That the Committee submit its final report 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.
No. 8. (three)
By the Honourable Senator Segal:
November 25, 2008-That the Senate approve in principle the installation of equipment necessary to the broadcast quality audio-visual recording of its proceedings and other approved events in the Senate Chamber and in no fewer than four rooms ordinarily used for meetings by committees of the Senate;
That for the purposes set out in the following paragraph, public proceedings of the Senate and of its Committees be recorded by this equipment, subject to policies, practices and guidelines approved from time to time by the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration ("the Committee'');
That selected and edited proceedings categorized according to subjects of interest be prepared and made available for use by any television broadcaster or distributor of audio-visual programmes, subject to the terms specified in any current or future agreements between the Senate and that broadcaster or distributor;
That such selected proceedings also be made available on demand to the public on the Parliamentary Internet;
That the Senate engage by contract a producer who shall, subject only to the direction of that Committee, make the determination of the programme content of the selected, edited and categorized proceedings of the Senate and of its committees;
That equipment and personnel necessary for the expert selection, editing, preparation and categorization of broadcast-quality proceedings be secured for these purposes; and
That the Committee be instructed to take measures necessary to the implementation of this motion.
No. 10. (three)
By the Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C.:
November 25, 2008-That, at 3 o'clock p.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2009, the Senate resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole in order to hear from Phil Fontaine, National Chief Assembly of First Nations; Patrick Brazeau, National Chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples; Mary Simon, President of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami; and Clem Chartier, President of the Metis National Council, for the purpose of reporting on progress made on commitments endorsed by parliamentarians of both Chambers during the year following the Government's apology to former students of Indian Residential Schools.
No. 11. (three)
By the Honourable Senator Segal:
November 25, 2008-That,
WHEREAS the Canadian public has never been consulted on the structure of its government (Crown, Senate and House of Commons)
AND WHEREAS there has never been a clear and precise expression by the Canadian public on the legitimacy of the Upper House since the constitutional agreement establishing its existence
AND WHEREAS a clear and concise opinion might be obtained by putting the question directly to the electors by means of a referendum
THAT the Senate urge the Governor in Council to obtain by means of a referendum, pursuant to section 3 of the Referendum Act, the opinion of the electors of Canada on whether the Senate should be abolished; and
THAT a message be sent to the House of Commons requesting that House to unite with the Senate for the above purpose.
No. 12. (one)
By the Honourable Senator Tardif:
November 26, 2008-That a Special Committee of the Senate be appointed to examine and report upon the expenditures set out in Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009;
That, notwithstanding rule 85(1)(b), the Committee be comprised of twelve members, namely the Honourable Senators Biron, Callbeck, Chaput, Cowan, Day, De Bané, P.C., Di Nino, Eggleton, P.C., Murray, P.C., Nancy Ruth, Ringuette, and Stratton;
That four members constitute a quorum;
That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers and records; to examine witnesses; and to print such papers and evidence from day to day as may be ordered by the Committee;
That the Committee be authorized to permit coverage by electronic media of its public proceedings with the least possible disruption of its hearings;
That the Committee have power to sit when the Senate is sitting, and that the application of Rule 95(4) be suspended in relation thereto; and
That, pursuant to Rule 95(3)(a), the Committee be authorized to meet during any adjournment of the Senate that exceeds one week.
No. 15. (one)
By the Honourable Senator Callbeck:
November 27, 2008-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, debt levels and challenges faced specifically by Aboriginal students;
(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 June 30, 2010, and that the Committee retain until December 31, 2010, all powers necessary to publicize its findings.
No. 16.
By the Honourable Senator Andreychuk:
December 3, 2008-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.
QUESTIONS
No. 1.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
November 19, 2008-With respect to the new Veterans Charter, Veterans Affairs Canada began granting a tax-free, lump sum Disability Award and a tax-free, lump sum Death Benefit in 2005:
A. Could the Government of Canada provide the following information from January 2005 to July 2008:
i. How many veterans have received a lump sum Disability Award?
ii. How many families have received a lump sum Death Benefit?
iii. How many problem cases associated with a lump sum Disability Award or Death Benefit have been forwarded to the Deputy Minister or Minister of Veterans Affairs' attention?
iv. How many recipients of the lump-sum Disability Award or the Death Benefit filed a complaint with the department about either benefit?
v. After receiving a lump-sum payment, how many recipients or their dependants have requested additional funds?
B. Could the Government of Canada advise whether follow-up assessments are conducted by the department with recipients and their families after they receive a lump sum payment?
C. Could the Government of Canada advise if Veterans Affairs Canada has reviewed or evaluated the lump sum Disability Award and Death Benefit programs?
i. If so, what findings or conclusions have been made?
No. 2.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
November 19, 2008- With regard to the Guaranteed Income Supplement:
Low-income seniors who need and qualify for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) are not receiving the benefit because of flaws in the delivery of the program.
In 2004, the federal government identified that more than 147,000 Canadians were eligible for the GIS, but were not receiving the benefit. In my home province of Prince Edward Island, as many as 425 seniors were identified as eligible non-recipients.
1. How many Canadians does the Government of Canada estimate were eligible to receive the GIS in 2006 and 2007?
2. How many Canadians received the GIS in 2006 and 2007?
3. How many Canadians were identified as GIS eligible non-recipients for the years 2006 and 2007, by province and territory?
4. How many times has the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada waived the requirement for a GIS application as permitted under section 11(4) of the Old Age Security Act since May 2007, and has the waiver been used for new GIS recipients or for individuals who previously received the benefit?
5. How is Human Resources and Skills Development Canada applying sections 33.02 and 33.03 of the Old Age Security Act which allow for the sharing of information within HRSDC, and with other federal institutions, to reach GIS eligible non-recipients?
No. 3.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
November 19, 2008-With regard to Public Appointments:
In the Conservative Party's 2008 Election Platform, Prime Minister Harper stated on Page 25:
"We will work to ensure that appointees to federal agencies, boards, commissions and Crown corporation reflect the diversity of Canada in language, gender, region, age and ethnicity.''
Could the Government of Canada provide statistics on all recipients of public appointments to federal agencies, boards, commissions and Crown corporations since 2006, specifically the age of appointees, and the region of Canada they reside?
No. 4.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
November 19, 2008-With Respect to Burma:
Under the military junta, Burma has achieved one of the worst human rights records in the world. Over three decades of military dictatorship has led to widespread suppression of democratic ideals such as freedom of speech, association and assembly. Could the Government of Canada provide all emails, correspondences, briefing notes, or assessments regarding its position on the following:
A. What measures is the Government of Canada taking to ensure Canadian corporations end all commercial ties with Burma?
B. What measures is the Government of Canada taking to ensure that no additional commercial contracts form between Canadian companies and Burma?
C. What domestic steps is the Government of Canada pursuing to guarantee those Canadian corporations financially benefiting from economic activity in Burma are restricted from securing any contracts from the Government of Canada?
D. What steps is the Government of Canada taking to assure the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board does not maintain any direct or indirect holdings in companies conducting business with Burma?
E. What bilateral and multilateral efforts is the Government of Canada using to persuade Burma's military junta to relinquish power?
F. What diplomatic action is occurring between the Government of Canada and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, China, and India to pressure Burma's military junta to end violence against the people of Burma?
G. What methods is the Government of Canada employing to pressure Burma's military junta to release Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the National League for Democracy party?
No. 5.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
November 19, 2008-In 1997, the North American Free Trade Agreement Technical Working Group (TWG) on Pesticides was established to serve as a focal point for addressing pesticide related issues. The TWG's primary objective is to facilitate cost effective pesticide regulation and trade among Canada, Mexico, and the United States through harmonization.
A. Could the Government of Canada provide all statistics, documents, briefing notes, or assessments from January 2004 to September 2008 on the following:
i. How many cases exist where Canadian pesticide standards have been lowered in order to harmonize regulations with the United States?
ii. How many cases exist where Canadian pesticide standards have been increased in order to harmonize regulations with the United States?
iii. How many products were affected from lowering Canadian pesticide standards in order to harmonize pesticide regulations with the United States?
iv. How many products were affected from increasing Canadian pesticide standards in order to harmonize pesticide regulations with the United States?
v. What are the standards Canadian officials use to determine whether or not to lower pesticide standards?
vi. What percentage of Canadian pesticide residue levels are stricter than American standards?
vii. What percentage of products in Canada are found to exceed legal residue limits?
No. 6.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
November 19, 2008-Over $230 million has been invested in the Canada Summer and Winter Games since inception. From track and field complexes to ski hills, soccer pitches to swimming pools, a legacy of sports facilities have been built up in 19 medium-sized communities across Canada.
A. Could the Government of Canada provide all statistics, documents, briefing notes, or assessments regarding the Canada Games Financial Framework including:
i. the procedural guidelines for inflationary adjustments; and
ii. a description of acceptable "essential operating'' costs?
B. Could the Government of Canada provide the total amount actually spent on the 2005 Canada Summer Games in Regina?
C. Could the Government of Canada provide all statistics, documents, briefing notes, or assessments regarding its financial commitment to the 2009 Canada Summer Games in Prince Edward Island including:
i. the present financial contribution; and
ii. the total proposed financial contribution?
No. 7.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
November 19, 2008-With respect to government decentralization:
A. Could the Government of Canada provide a copy of any reports and/or briefing notes that have been prepared since December 2003 for the Prime Minister or any other minister regarding proposals to relocate government departments (or parts thereof), agencies and Crown corporations from the National Capital area to the regions of Canada?
B. Could the Government of Canada provide reports and/or briefing notes prepared by any government department since December 2003 assessing which government departments (or parts thereof), agencies or Crown corporations could be relocated from the National Capital area to the regions of Canada?
No. 8.
By the Honourable Senator Callbeck:
November 26, 2008-1. What were the total net assets of the Canada Pension Plan fund at the end of the most recent fiscal year? What portion of these assets was in the form of cash?
2. What was the total amount of benefits paid out during the most recent fiscal year?
3. Would you provide the latest actuarial assessment of the Canada Pension Plan fund with respect to its capacity to meet anticipated demand for benefits?
(a) When was this assessment performed?
(b) When is the next assessment planned?
4. In the past 5 years, have officials at Canada Pension Plan, Finance Canada, Treasury Board Secretariat or Human Resources and Social Development Canada performed any assessment or estimate of the cost of making changes to the limitation on benefits paid retroactive from the date of application?
(a) If so, would you provide the resulting assessments and/or estimates?
(b) If so, would you provide any evaluation that was made about the impact of each option on the actuarial soundness of the Plan?
5. Has any assessment or estimate been made of the cost of matching the Quebec Pension Plan's policy of making retroactive payments for up to 60 months?
(a) If so, would you provide the resulting assessments and/or estimates?
(b) If so, would you provide any evaluation that was made about the impact of each option on the actuarial soundness of the Plan?
6. Has any assessment or estimate been made of the cost of removing the limit altogether, and allowing applicants to receive payment for all retroactive benefits?
(a) If so, would you provide the resulting assessments and/or estimates?
(b) If so, would you provide any evaluation that was made about the impact of each option on the actuarial soundness of the Plan?
Please note that I wish to receive a response within 45 days of tabling these questions.