Journals of the Senate
58 Elizabeth II, A.D. 2009, Canada
Journals of the Senate
2nd Session, 40th Parliament
Issue 15
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
1:30 p.m.
The Honourable Rose-Marie Losier-Cool, Speaker pro tempore
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
Andreychuk, Angus, Atkins, Bacon, Baker, Banks, Brazeau, Brown, Callbeck, Champagne, Chaput, Charette-Poulin, Cochrane, Comeau, Cook, Corbin, Cordy, Cowan, Dawson, Day, De Bané, Di Nino, Dickson, Downe, Duffy, Dyck, Eaton, Eggleton, Eyton, Fairbairn, Fortin-Duplessis, Fox, Fraser, Furey, Gerstein, Goldstein, Grafstein, Greene, Harb, Hervieux-Payette, Housakos, Hubley, Johnson, Joyal, Kenny, Keon, Lang, Lapointe, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Lovelace Nicholas, MacDonald, Mahovlich, Manning, Martin, Massicotte, McCoy, Meighen, Mercer, Merchant, Milne, Mitchell, Mockler, Moore, Munson, Murray, Nancy Ruth, Neufeld, Nolin, Oliver, Pépin, Peterson, Poy, Prud'homme, Raine, Ringuette, Rivest, Robichaud, Rompkey, Segal, Sibbeston, Smith, Spivak, St. Germain, Stollery, Stratton, Tardif, Tkachuk, Wallace, Wallin, Watt, Zimmer
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
Andreychuk, Angus, Atkins, Bacon, Baker, Banks, Brazeau, Brown, Callbeck, Champagne, Chaput, Charette-Poulin, Cochrane, Comeau, Cook, Corbin, Cordy, Cowan, Dawson, Day, De Bané, Di Nino, Dickson, Downe, Duffy, Dyck, Eaton, Eggleton, Eyton, Fairbairn, Fortin-Duplessis, Fox, Fraser, Furey, Gerstein, Goldstein, Grafstein, Greene, Harb, Hervieux-Payette, Housakos, Hubley, *Jaffer, Johnson, Joyal, Kenny, Keon, Lang, Lapointe, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Lovelace Nicholas, MacDonald, Mahovlich, Manning, Martin, Massicotte, McCoy, Meighen, Mercer, Merchant, Milne, Mitchell, Mockler, Moore, Munson, Murray, Nancy Ruth, Neufeld, Nolin, Oliver, Pépin, Peterson, Poy, Prud'homme, Raine, Ringuette, Rivest, Robichaud, Rompkey, Segal, Sibbeston, Smith, Spivak, St. Germain, Stollery, Stratton, Tardif, Tkachuk, Wallace, Wallin, Watt, Zimmer
The first list records senators present in the Senate Chamber during the course of the sitting.
An asterisk in the second list indicates a senator who, while not present during the sitting, was in attendance to business, as defined in subsections 8(2) and (3) of the Senators Attendance Policy.
PRAYERS
The Senate observed a minute of silence in memory of Warrant Officer Dennis Raymond Brown, Corporal Danny Olivier Fortin and Corporal Kenneth Chad O'Quinn, whose tragic deaths occurred yesterday while serving their country in Afghanistan.
SENATORS' STATEMENTS
Some Honourable Senators made statements.
DAILY ROUTINE OF BUSINESS
Presentation of Reports from Standing or Special Committees
The Honourable Senator Rompkey, P.C., tabled the following (Sessional Paper No. 2/40-186S):
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
The Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans has the honour to table its
FIRST REPORT
Your committee, which was authorized by the Senate to incur expenses for the purpose of its examination and consideration of such legislation and other matters as were referred to it, reports, pursuant to Rule 104(2), that the expenses incurred by the committee during the Second Session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament are as follows:
With respect to its special study of the federal government's current and evolving policy framework for managing Canada's fisheries and oceans:
Professional and Other Services $ 136,371 Transport and Communications 77,004 Other Expenditures 5,113 Witness Expenses 3,869 TOTAL $ 222,357
In addition to the expenses for its special study as set out above, your committee also incurred general postal charges in the amount of $21.
During this study, your committee held 23 meetings and heard 66 testimonies over a total of 45.6 hours. Your committee met with 32 people over 18.2 hours of fact-finding visits in the Arctic. In addition to hearings in Ottawa, your committee travelled to Nunavut and conducted fact-finding work in Iqaluit, Nanisivik, Resolute, Pond Inlet, Qikiqtarjuaq and Pangnirtung, and held public hearings in Iqaluit and Pangnirtung. These sessions and the hearings were interpreted in Inuktitut, English and French. In total, your committee produced 4 reports.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM ROMPKEY
Chair
ORDERS OF THE DAY
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
Inquiries
Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Comeau calling the attention of the Senate to the budget entitled Canada's Economic Action Plan, tabled in the House of Commons on January 27, 2009 by the Minister of Finance, the Honourable James M. Flaherty, P.C., M.P., and in the Senate on January 28, 2009.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Stratton, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Motions
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
° ° °
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Stratton:
That, on Wednesday, March 4, 2009, at the end of the Orders of the Day, Inquiries, and Motions, but no later than 4 p.m., the sitting be suspended to reassemble at the call of the Chair, with a fifteen minute bell;
That, when the sitting resumes, it be either for the purpose of adjournment or to receive a message from the House of Commons with Bill C-10, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on January 27, 2009 and related fiscal measures;
That, after dealing with any such message from the House of Commons, the Senate stand adjourned;
That the order adopted by the Senate on February 10, 2009, respecting automatic adjournment at 4 p.m. be suspended on Wednesday, March 4, 2009; and
That committees scheduled to meet on that day be authorized to sit after 4 p.m., and the application of Rule 95(4) be suspended in relation thereto.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
OTHER BUSINESS
Senate Public Bills
Orders No. 1 to 3 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
° ° °
Second reading of Bill S-227, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act and the Excise Tax Act (tax relief for Nunavik).
The Honourable Senator Watt moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Stratton, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
° ° °
Orders No. 5 to 11 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
° ° °
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-203, An Act to amend the Business Development Bank of Canada Act (municipal infrastructure bonds) and to make a consequential amendment to another Act.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Comeau 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.
° ° °
Order No. 13 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
° ° °
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Grafstein, seconded by the Honourable Senator Pépin, for the second reading of Bill S-201, An Act to amend the Library and Archives of Canada Act (National Portrait Gallery).
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Stratton, 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 Spivak, seconded by the Honourable Senator Wallace, for the second reading of Bill S-204, An Act to amend the National Capital Act (establishment and protection of Gatineau Park).
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Stratton, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
° ° °
Orders No. 16 to 18 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
° ° °
Second reading of Bill S-208, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (clean drinking water).
The Honourable Senator Grafstein moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C., that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Cochrane 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. 20 to 25 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Reports of Committees
Orders No. 1 and 2 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Other
Orders No. 6, 5 (motions), 7 (inquiry), 12 (motion), 4, 2, 1 (inquiries), 10 and 4 (motions) were called and postponed until the next sitting.
MOTIONS
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Meighen:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights be authorized to examine issues of discrimination in the hiring and promotion practices of the Federal Public Service, to study the extent to which targets to achieve employment equity are being met, and to examine labour market outcomes for minority groups in the private sector;
That the papers and evidence received and taken and work accomplished by the committee on this subject since the beginning of the First session of the Thirty-eighth Parliament be referred to the committee; and
That the Committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than March 31, 2010.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
° ° °
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Comeau:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights be authorized to examine and monitor issues relating to human rights and, inter alia, to review the machinery of government dealing with Canada's international and national human rights obligations;
That the papers and evidence received and taken and work accomplished by the committee on this subject since the beginning of the First Session of the Thirty-seventh Parliament be referred to the committee; and
That the Committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than March 31, 2010.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
° ° °
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Comeau:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights be authorized to monitor the implementation of recommendations contained in the Committee's report entitled Children: The Silenced Citizens: Effective Implementation of Canada's International Obligations with Respect to the Rights of Children, tabled in the Senate on April 25, 2007;
That the papers and evidence received and taken and work accomplished by the committee on this subject since the beginning of the First Session of the Thirty-eighth Parliament be referred to the committee; and
That the Committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than March 31, 2010.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
° ° °
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Stratton:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights be authorized to invite the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development to appear with his officials before the Committee for the purpose of updating the members of the Committee on actions taken concerning the recommendations contained in the Committee's report entitled A Hard Bed to lie in: Matrimonial Real Property on Reserve, tabled in the Senate November 4, 2003;
That the papers and evidence received and taken and work accomplished by the committee on this subject since the beginning of the Second Session of the Thirty-seventh Parliament be referred to the committee; and
That the Committee continue to monitor developments on the subject and submit a final report to the Senate no later than March 31, 2010.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
° ° °
The Honourable Senator Banks moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day:
That the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence be authorized to examine and report on the national security policy of Canada. In particular, the committee shall be authorized to examine:
(a) the capability of National Defence to defend and protect the interests, people and territory of Canada and its ability to respond to and prevent a national emergency or attack, and the capability of Public Safety Canada to carry out its mandate;
(b) the working relationships between the various agencies involved in intelligence gathering, and how they collect, coordinate, analyze and disseminate information and how these functions might be enhanced;
(c) the mechanisms to review the performance and activities of the various agencies involved in intelligence gathering; and
(d) the security of our borders and critical infrastructure.
That the papers and evidence received and taken and work accomplished by the committee on this subject since the beginning of the First Session of the Thirty-seventh Parliament be referred to the committee; and
That the committee report to the Senate no later than June 15, 2010 and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings until 90 days after the tabling of the final report.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Stratton, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Ordered, That Motion No. 26 standing in the name of the Honourable Senator Meighen on the Notice Paper be again called.
The Honourable Senator Meighen moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Stratton:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce be authorized to examine and report upon the present state of the domestic and international financial system; and
That the papers and evidence received and taken and work accomplished by the Committee on this subject since the beginning of the First Session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament be referred to the Committee; and
That the Committee submit its final report no later than December 31 2010, and that the Committee retain until March 31, 2011 all powers necessary to publicize its findings.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 3:56 p.m., pursuant to the order adopted by the Senate earlier this day, the sitting was suspended to the call of the Chair.
At 6:25 p.m. the sitting resumed.
MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
A message was brought from the House of Commons with a Bill C-10, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on January 27, 2009 and related fiscal measures, to which it desires the concurrence of the Senate.
The bill was read the first time.
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator LeBreton, P.C., that the bill be placed on the Orders of the Day for a second reading at 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):
Summary of the Corporate Plan for 2009-2013 of Export Development Canada, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 2/40-185.
ADJOURNMENT
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator LeBreton, P.C.:
That the Senate do now adjourn.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
(Accordingly, at 6:28 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 Fisheries and Oceans
The Honourable Senator Adams replaced the Honourable Senator Peterson (March 4, 2009).
Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament
The Honourable Senator Carstairs, P.C., replaced the Honourable Senator Peterson (March 4, 2009).
The Honourable Senator Peterson replaced the Honourable Senator Carstairs, P.C. (March 3, 2009).
Standing Senate Committee on National Finance
The Honourable Senator Meighen replaced the Honourable Senator Di Nino (March 4, 2009).
The Honourable Senator Banks replaced the Honourable Senator Mitchell (March 3, 2009).
Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence
The Honourable Senator Nolin replaced the Honourable Senator Meighen (March 4, 2009).