Journals of the Senate
58 Elizabeth II, A.D. 2009, Canada
Journals of the Senate
2nd Session, 40th Parliament
Issue 46
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
2:00 p.m.
The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
Adams, Angus, Atkins, Bacon, Baker, Banks, Brazeau, Brown, Bryden, Callbeck, Campbell, Carstairs, Champagne, Chaput, Charette-Poulin, Cochrane, Comeau, Cools, Corbin, Cordy, Cowan, Dawson, Day, De Bané, Di Nino, Dickson, Downe, Duffy, Dyck, Eaton, Eggleton, Fairbairn, Fortin-Duplessis, Fox, Fraser, Furey, Gerstein, Greene, Harb, Hervieux-Payette, Housakos, Hubley, Jaffer, Johnson, Joyal, Kenny, Keon, Kinsella, Lang, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Lovelace Nicholas, MacDonald, Mahovlich, Manning, Martin, Massicotte, McCoy, Meighen, Mercer, Merchant, Milne, Mitchell, Moore, Munson, Murray, Nancy Ruth, Neufeld, Nolin, Oliver, Pépin, Peterson, Pitfield, Prud'homme, Raine, Ringuette, Rivard, Rivest, Robichaud, Rompkey, Smith, Spivak, St. Germain, Stollery, Stratton, Tardif, Tkachuk, Wallace, Wallin, Watt, Zimmer
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
Adams, *Andreychuk, Angus, Atkins, Bacon, Baker, Banks, Brazeau, Brown, Bryden, Callbeck, Campbell, Carstairs, Champagne, Chaput, Charette-Poulin, Cochrane, Comeau, *Cook, Cools, Corbin, Cordy, Cowan, Dawson, Day, De Bané, Di Nino, Dickson, Downe, Duffy, Dyck, Eaton, Eggleton, Fairbairn, Fortin-Duplessis, Fox, Fraser, Furey, Gerstein, *Grafstein, Greene, Harb, Hervieux-Payette, Housakos, Hubley, Jaffer, Johnson, Joyal, Kenny, Keon, Kinsella, Lang, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Lovelace Nicholas, MacDonald, Mahovlich, Manning, Martin, Massicotte, McCoy, Meighen, Mercer, Merchant, Milne, Mitchell, Moore, Munson, Murray, Nancy Ruth, Neufeld, Nolin, Oliver, Pépin, Peterson, Pitfield, Prud'homme, Raine, Ringuette, Rivard, Rivest, Robichaud, Rompkey, 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 Corporal Martin Dubé, whose tragic death occurred this past Sunday while serving his country in Afghanistan.
SENATORS' STATEMENTS
Some Honourable Senators made statements.
Pursuant to rule 43(7), the Honourable Senator Wallin gave notice that she would raise a question of privilege concerning the meeting of the Senate National Security and Defence Committee on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 4 p.m.
DAILY ROUTINE OF BUSINESS
Tabling of Documents
The Honourable the Speaker tabled the following:
Referendum Regulation proposed by the Chief Electoral Officer, pursuant to the Referendum Act, S.C. 1992, c. 30, sbs. 7(6).—Sessional Paper No. 2/40-480.
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The Honourable Senator Comeau tabled the following:
Report of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Public Complaints Commission for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, pursuant to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. R-10, s. 45.34.—Sessional Paper No. 2/40- 481.
The Maa-nulth First Nations Final Agreement and related Appendices, the Maa-nulth First Nations Tax Treatment Agreement and the Maa-nulth First Nations Harvest Agreement.—Sessional Paper No. 2/40-482.
Presentation of Reports from Standing or Special Committees
The Honourable Senator Furey, Chair of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration, presented its eighth report entitled: Senate Policy on the Prevention and Resolution of Harassment in the Workplace (2009).
(The report is printed as appendix "A'' at pages 984-1016 (available in print format PDF))
The Honourable Senator Furey moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day, that the report be placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
° ° °
The Honourable Senator Carstairs, P.C., Joint Chair of the Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament, presented its third report entitled: Report on the Operations of the Parliamentary Budget Officer within the Library of Parliament.
(The report is printed as appendix "B'' at pages 1017-1089 (available in print format PDF))
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Carstairs, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Stollery, that the report be placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration later this day.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Introduction and First Reading of Government Bills
A message was brought from the House of Commons with a Bill C-6, An Act respecting the safety of consumer products, to which it desires the concurrence of the Senate.
The bill was read the first time.
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Tkachuk, that the bill be placed on the Orders of the Day for a second reading two days hence.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
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A message was brought from the House of Commons with a Bill C-41, An Act to give effect to the Maanulth First Nations Final Agreement and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, 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 Duffy, 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.
Notices of Motions
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Di Nino moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Greene:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade have the power to sit at 3 p.m. today, Tuesday, June 16, 2009, 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.
° ° °
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Rompkey, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Ringuette:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans have the power to sit at 5 p.m. today, Tuesday, June 16, 2009, 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.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
Bills
Third reading of Bill C-18, An Act to amend the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Act, to validate certain calculations and to amend other Acts.
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Duffy, that the bill be read the third time.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The bill was then read the third time and passed.
Ordered, That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that House that the Senate has passed this bill, without amendment.
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Third reading of Bill C-16, An Act to amend certain Acts that relate to the environment and to enact provisions respecting the enforcement of certain Acts that relate to the environment.
The Honourable Senator Neufeld moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin, that the bill be read the third time.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The bill was then read the third time and passed.
Ordered, That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that House that the Senate has passed this bill, without amendment.
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Third reading of Bill C-29, An Act to increase the availability of agricultural loans and to repeal the Farm Improvement Loans Act.
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Keon, 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 a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that House that the Senate has passed this bill, without amendment.
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Second reading of Bill C-25, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (limiting credit for time spent in pre-sentencing custody).
The Honourable Senator Wallace moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Keon, that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The bill was then read the second time.
The Honourable Senator Wallace moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Keon, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Ordered, That committees of the Senate scheduled to meet today be authorized to sit even though the Senate may then be sitting, and that rule 95(4) be suspended in relation thereto.
With leave,
The Senate reverted to Presentation of Reports from Standing or Special Committees.
The Honourable Senator Day, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance, presented its ninth report (Supplementary Estimates (A), 2009-2010).
(The report is printed as appendix "C'' at pages 1090-1129 (available in print format PDF))
The Honourable Senator Day moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moore, that the report be placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
° ° °
The Honourable Senator Di Nino presented the following:
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade has the honour to present its
TENTH REPORT
Your committee, to which was referred Bill C-24, An Act to implement the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the Republic of Peru, the Agreement on the Environment between Canada and the Republic of Peru and the Agreement on Labour Cooperation between Canada and the Republic of Peru, has, in obedience to the order of reference of Tuesday, June 9, 2009 examined the said Bill and now reports the same without amendment but with observations, which are appended to this report.
Respectfully submitted,
CONSIGLIO DI NINO
Chair
Observations to the Tenth Report of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade
In reviewing Bill C-24, the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade is concerned that the bill, and the agreement that it enacts, puts Canadians in a number of sectors at a competitive disadvantage with other countries, specifically the United States of America.
The committee recommends that the Minister of International Trade undertake a review of the Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement, The Agreement on the Environment and The Agreement on Labour Cooperation five years following its implementation to evaluate the trade implications for Canadian exporters, and, if necessary, put forward a plan for undertaking further bilateral negotiations with the Republic of Peru to enhance the agreement.
At a minimum, in all future free trade agreements, Canada should seek to obtain a provision as that found in Appendix I, section 2 (d)(ii) of the Tariff Schedule for Peru in the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement. That section allows the United States to automatically obtain any beneficial agricultural-related provision negotiated by Peru and other countries in the future. The Canada-Peru agreement does not include such a clause; therefore Canada will fail to benefit from future trade measures adopted by Peru that will otherwise benefit other countries.
Given the importance of trade for the prosperity of Canadians, it is also recommended that the Government of Canada ensure that our best negotiators, either inside or outside of the federal government, represent Canada in trade proceedings to obtain stronger and more effective trade agreements.
It is the view of this committee that trade priorities should be excluded from Canada's decisions regarding disbursing foreign aid.
The Honourable Senator Di Nino moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Oliver, 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.
MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
A message was brought from the House of Commons with a Bill C-26, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (auto theft and trafficking in property obtained by crime), to which it desires the concurrence of the Senate.
The bill was read the first time.
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Meighen, that the bill be placed on the Orders of the Day for a second reading two days hence.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
Bills
Second reading of Bill C-15, An Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts.
The Honourable Senator Wallace moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Duffy, that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Tardif 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. 6 to 8 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Reports of Committees
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
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Consideration of the eighth report (second interim) of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance (2009- 2010 Estimates), presented in the Senate on June 11, 2009.
The Honourable Senator Day moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gerstein, that the report be adopted.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.
OTHER BUSINESS
Senate Public Bills
Orders No. 1 to 3 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
° ° °
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Dawson, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cook, for the second reading of Bill S-236, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (election expenses).
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Gerstein moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Wallin, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
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Orders No. 5 to 18 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
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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 Nolin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Wallin, 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. 12 be again called.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Goldstein, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cordy, for the second reading of Bill S-232, An Act to amend the Patent Act (drugs for international humanitarian purposes) and to make a consequential amendment to another Act.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.
The bill was then read the second time, on division.
The Honourable Senator Carstairs, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Chaput, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
° ° °
Order No. 20 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
° ° °
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Watt, seconded by the Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., for the second reading of Bill S-227, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act and the Excise Tax Act (tax relief for Nunavik).
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Bacon, Baker, Banks, Callbeck, Campbell, Carstairs, Chaput, Cools, Corbin, Cordy, Cowan, Dawson, Day, De Bané, Downe, Dyck, Eggleton, Fairbairn, Fox, Fraser, Furey, Hervieux-Payette, Joyal, Kenny, Losier-Cool, Mahovlich, Massicotte, Mercer, Moore, Munson, Pépin, Ringuette, Robichaud, Rompkey, Smith, Tardif, Watt, Zimmer—38
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Brazeau, Champagne, Cochrane, Comeau, Di Nino, Dickson, Duffy, Eaton, Fortin-Duplessis, Gerstein, Greene, Housakos, Johnson, Keon, Lang, LeBreton, MacDonald, Manning, Martin, Meighen, Nancy Ruth, Nolin, Oliver, Prud'homme, Raine, Rivard, St. Germain , Stratton, Tkachuk, Wallace, Wallin—31
ABSTENTIONS
The Honourable Senators
Nil
Accordingly, Bill S-227 was then read the second time.
The Honourable Senator Watt moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Smith, P.C., that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
° ° °
Second reading of Bill S-233, An Act to amend the State Immunity Act and the Criminal Code (deterring terrorism by providing a civil right of action against perpetrators and sponsors of terrorism).
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Stratton, that the bill be read the second time.
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.
° ° °
Resuming debate on the motion by the Honourable Senator Murray, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Atkins, for the second reading of Bill S-202, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (repeal of fixed election dates).
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Comeau, for the Honourable Senator Brown, 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. 24 and 25 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Reports of Committees
Resuming debate on the consideration of the third report of the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages, entitled: Francophone Arts and Culture: Living Life to its Fullest in Minority Settings, tabled in the Senate on June 4, 2009.
The Honourable Senator Chaput moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Corbin:
That the third report of the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages entitled Francophone Arts and Culture: Living Life to its Fullest in Minority Settings, tabled in the Senate on June 4, 2009, be adopted and that, pursuant to rule 131(2), the Senate request a complete and detailed response from the government, with the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages being identified as minister responsible for responding to the report.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
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Orders No. 2 to 4 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
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Consideration of the fifth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, entitled: Crisis in the Lobster Fishery, tabled in the Senate on June 9, 2009.
The Honourable Senator Rompkey, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Munson:
That the fifth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans entitled Crisis in the Lobster Fishery, tabled in the Senate on June 9, 2009, be adopted and that, pursuant to rule 131(2), the Senate request a complete and detailed response from the government, with the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development being identified as minister responsible for responding to the report.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Comeau, for 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.
° ° °
Resuming debate on the motion by the Honourable Senator Cook, seconded by the Honourable Senator Hubley, for the adoption of the seventh report of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration (amendments to the Senate Administrative Rules), presented in the Senate on May 28, 2009.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
° ° °
Consideration of the fourth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, entitled: Nunavut Marine Fisheries: Quotas and Harbours, tabled in the Senate on June 4, 2009.
The Honourable Senator Rompkey, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Watt:
That the fourth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans entitled Nunavut Marine Fisheries: Quotas and Harbours, tabled in the Senate on June 4, 2009, be adopted and that, pursuant to rule 131(2), the Senate request a complete and detailed response from the government, with the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans being identified as minister responsible for responding to the report.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Cochrane moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Champagne, P.C., that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
° ° °
Consideration of the eighth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (budget—release of additional funds (study on China, India and Russia)—power to hire staff and to travel), presented in the Senate on June 2, 2009.
The Honourable Senator Di Nino moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Oliver, that the report be adopted.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
° ° °
Orders No. 9 and 10 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
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Consideration of the fifth report of the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament (amendments to the Rules of the Senate—Conflict of Interest Code for Senators), presented in the Senate on May 27, 2009.
The Honourable Senator Oliver moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cochrane, that the report be adopted.
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.
° ° °
Order No. 12 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
° ° °
Consideration of the fourth report of the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament (question of privilege regarding a Government of Canada website), presented in the Senate on May 13, 2009.
The Honourable Senator Oliver moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dickson, that the report be adopted.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Tardif moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Fraser, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
° ° °
Orders No. 14 to 16 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
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Consideration of the sixth report of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance, entitled: The Budget Implementation Act, 2009, tabled in the Senate on June 11, 2009.
The Honourable Senator Day moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Banks, that the report be adopted.
Debate.
QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE
Pursuant to rule 43(8), the Senate proceeded to the consideration of the question of privilege of the Honourable Senator Wallin concerning the meeting of the Senate National Security and Defence Committee on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 4 p.m.
After debate,
The Speaker reserved his decision.
Reports of Committees
The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Day, seconded by the Honourable Senator Banks, for the adoption of the sixth report of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance, entitled: The Budget Implementation Act, 2009, tabled in the Senate on June 11, 2009.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Duffy, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
° ° °
Consideration of the ninth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources entitled: Report Addressing Bill C-10, Navigable Waters Protection Act, tabled in the Senate on June 11, 2009.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Mitchell moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Peterson, that further debate on the consideration of the report be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
° ° °
Order No. 19 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
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Consideration of the fourth report of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence (budget—release of additional funds (study on the national security policy)) presented in the Senate on June 11, 2009.
The Honourable Senator Wallin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gerstein, that the report be adopted.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Comeau 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.
° ° °
Consideration of the third report of the Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament, entitled: Report on the Operations of the Parliamentary Budget Officer within the Library of Parliament, presented in the Senate earlier this day.
The Honourable Senator Carstairs, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Mahovlich, that the report be adopted.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Other
Orders No. 13, 68 (motions), 2, 1, 12 (inquiries), 67, 42, 46 (motions), 6 (inquiry) and 10 (motion) were called and postponed until the next sitting.
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Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Carstairs, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Hubley:
That,
Whereas the spouses of members of the foreign service and members of the armed services also serve Canada when they accompany their family member to foreign postings; and
Whereas if they are outside the country for more than 2 years these spouses become ineligible to collect benefits for which they paid premiums while employed in Canada; and
Whereas upon return to Canada they should be eligible for benefits while they seek employment;
Therefore the Senate of Canada urges the government to introduce legislation to change the eligibility requirement from 2 years to 5 years for spouses of foreign service officers and spouses of members of the armed services who live outside the country and who meet all the other eligibility requirements; and
That a message be sent to the House of Commons requesting that House to unite with the Senate for the above purpose.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
° ° °
Orders No. 8, 9 (motions), 10 (inquiry), 7, 25 (motions), 17 (inquiry), 12 (motion), 19 (inquiry), 28, 44 (motions), 13, 15 (inquiries), 49, 57 and 51 (motions) were called and postponed until the next sitting.
MOTIONS
The Honourable Senator Kenny moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moore:
That the Rules of the Senate be amended:
(1) In rule 86(1)(r), by deleting the words ", including veterans affairs''; and
(2) By adding, after rule 86(1)(t), the following:
"(u) The Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, composed of twelve members, four of whom shall constitute a quorum, to which may be referred, as the Senate may decide, bills, messages, petitions, inquiries, papers and other matters relating to veterans affairs generally.''
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Kenny moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moore, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
° ° °
The Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Ringuette:
That the Senate Standing Committee on National Finance be authorized to examine the state of the pension system in Canada in view of evidence that approximately five million Canadians may not have enough savings for retirement purposes;
In particular, the Committee shall be authorized to examine:
(a) Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement;
(b) Canada Pension Plan/Quebec Pension Plan;
(c) Private Savings — includes employer-sponsored pension plans, Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs), and other investments and savings;
That the study be national in scope, and include proposed solutions, with an emphasis on collaborative strategies involving federal and provincial governments; and
That the committee submit its final report no later than November 30, 2009, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings until 180 days after the tabling of the final report.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Di Nino moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Oliver, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
° ° °
The Honourable Senator Oliver moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Greene:
That notwithstanding the Order of the Senate adopted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009, the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament which was authorized to examine and report on the Senate committee system as established under rule 86, taking into consideration the size, mandate, and quorum of each committee; the total number of committees; and available human and financial resources, be empowered to extend the date of presenting its final report from June 30, 2009 to October 30, 2009.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
REPORTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO RULE 28(2):
Report on the administration and enforcement of the Motor Vehicle Fuel Consumption Standards Act for the year 2008, pursuant to the Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. M-9, s. 38.—Sessional Paper No. 2/40-471.
Reports of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, 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. 2/40- 472.
Summary of the amendments to the Corporate Plan and the Operating and Capital Budgets for 2009-2010 to 2013- 2014 of the Business Development Bank of Canada, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 2/40-473.
Reports of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, 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. 2/40- 474.
Summary of the Corporate Plan for 2009-2013 of the Canadian Tourism Commission, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 2/40-475.
Proposed regulation amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (Technical Amendments) and Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement, pursuant to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, S.C. 2001, c. 27, sbs. 5(2).—Sessional Paper No. 2/40-476.
Reports of the Parc Downsview Park Inc. for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, 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. 2/40-477.
Report on the administration and enforcement of the Energy Efficiency Act for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, pursuant to the Act, S.C. 1992, c. 36, s. 36.—Sessional Paper No. 2/40-478.
Report of the Canada Foundation for Sustainable Development Technology (including supplements I and II), together with the Auditors' Report, for the year 2008, pursuant to the Canada Foundation for Sustainable Development Technology Act, S.C. 2001, c. 23, sbs. 30(3).—Sessional Paper No. 2/40-479.
ADJOURNMENT
The Honourable Senator Comeau, moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Di Nino:
That the Senate do now adjourn.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
(Accordingly, at 10:24 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 Aboriginal Peoples
The Honourable Senator Martin replaced the Honourable Senator Lang (June 16, 2009).
The Honourable Senator Fairbairn, P.C., replaced the Honourable Senator Sibbeston (June 15, 2009).
Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry
The Honourable Senator Fairbairn, P.C., replaced the Honourable Senator Carstairs, P.C. (June 11, 2009).
Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources
The Honourable Senator Milne replaced the Honourable Senator Callbeck (June 11, 2009).
Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade
The Honourable Senator Lang replaced the Honourable Senator Wallin (June 16, 2009).
The Honourable Senator Oliver replaced the Honourable Senator Segal (June 16, 2009).
Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
The Honourable Senator Dawson replaced the Honourable Senator Fox, P.C. (June 11, 2009).
Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
The Honourable Senator Angus replaced the Honourable Senator Raine (June 12, 2009).
Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament
The Honourable Senator Lapointe replaced the Honourable Senator Munson (June 11, 2009).
The Honourable Senator Jaffer replaced the Honourable Senator Mercer (June 11, 2009).
Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages
The Honourable Senator Mockler replaced the Honourable Senator Duffy (June 16, 2009).
The Honourable Senator Robichaud, P.C., was added to the membership of the committee (June 15, 2009).
The Honourable Senator Duffy replaced the Honourable Senator Mockler (June 12, 2009).
Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications
The Honourable Senator Eyton replaced the Honourable Senator Stratton (June 16, 2009).
The Honourable Senator Stratton replaced the Honourable Senator Eyton (June 15, 2009).