Journals of the Senate
61 Elizabeth II, A.D. 2012, Canada
Journals of the Senate
1st Session, 41st Parliament
Issue 72
Thursday, April 26, 2012
1:30 p.m.
The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
Andreychuk, Angus, Ataullahjan, Baker, Boisvenu, Brazeau, Buth, Callbeck, Campbell, Chaput, Charette-Poulin, Cochrane, Comeau, Cools, Cordy, Cowan, Dagenais, Dallaire, Dawson, Day, De Bané, Demers, Di Nino, Downe, Doyle, Eaton, Eggleton, Fairbairn, Fortin-Duplessis, Frum, Furey, Gerstein, Greene, Harb, Hervieux-Payette, Hubley, Joyal, Kenny, Kinsella, Lang, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Lovelace Nicholas, MacDonald, Mahovlich, Maltais, Marshall, Martin, Massicotte, McCoy, Mercer, Merchant, Meredith, Mockler, Moore, Munson, Nancy Ruth, Neufeld, Nolin, Ogilvie, Oliver, Patterson, Peterson, Plett, Poirier, Raine, Ringuette, Rivard, Rivest, Robichaud, Runciman, Seidman, Seth, Sibbeston, Smith (Cobourg), Smith (Saurel), St. Germain, Stewart Olsen, Stratton, Tardif, Unger, Verner, Wallace, Wallin, White, Zimmer
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
Andreychuk, Angus, Ataullahjan, Baker, Boisvenu, Brazeau, Buth, Callbeck, Campbell, Chaput, Charette-Poulin, Cochrane, Comeau, Cools, Cordy, Cowan, Dagenais, Dallaire, Dawson, Day, De Bané, Demers, Di Nino, Downe, Doyle, Eaton, Eggleton, Fairbairn, Fortin-Duplessis, Frum, Furey, Gerstein, Greene, Harb, Hervieux-Payette, Hubley, Joyal, Kenny, Kinsella, Lang, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Lovelace Nicholas, MacDonald, Mahovlich, Maltais, Marshall, Martin, Massicotte, McCoy, Mercer, Merchant, Meredith, *Mitchell, Mockler, Moore, Munson, Nancy Ruth, Neufeld, Nolin, Ogilvie, Oliver, Patterson, Peterson, Plett, Poirier, Raine, Ringuette, Rivard, Rivest, Robichaud, Runciman, Seidman, Seth, Sibbeston, Smith (Cobourg), Smith (Saurel), St. Germain, Stewart Olsen, Stratton, Tardif, Unger, Verner, Wallace, Wallin, White, 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
SENATORS' STATEMENTS
Some Honourable Senators made statements.
DAILY ROUTINE OF BUSINESS
Tabling of Documents
The Honourable Senator Comeau tabled the following:
Copy of a letter from the Auditor General of Canada to the Leader to the Government in the Senate, dated April 20, 2012, regarding an assessment, conducted by the Canada School of the Public Service, of the Auditor General's capacity to learn a second official language.—Sessional Paper No. 1/41-830S.
Presentation of Reports from Standing or Special Committees
The Honourable Senator St. Germain, P.C., Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples, presented its fifth report (budget—study on the evolving legal and political recognition of the collective identity and rights of Métis in Canada—power to hire staff and to travel).
(The report is printed as an appendix at pages 1196-1207.)
The Honourable Senator St. Germain, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Verner, P.C., 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 Runciman, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, presented its eleventh report (Bill S-1003, An Act to authorize Industrial Alliance Pacific Insurance and Financial Services Inc. to apply to be continued as a body corporate under the laws of Quebec, without amendment).
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Rivard, 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.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
Bills
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Inquiries
Order No. 3 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
OTHER BUSINESS
Senate Public Bills
Orders No. 1 and 2 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
° ° °
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Runciman, seconded by the Honourable Senator Eaton, for the second reading of Bill S-209, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (prize fights).
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The bill was then read the second time.
The Honourable Senator Runciman moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Poirier, 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.
° ° °
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Cordy, seconded by the Honourable Senator Peterson, for the second reading of Bill S-204, An Act to establish a national strategy for chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI).
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The bill was then read the second time.
The Honourable Senator Cordy moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Peterson, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Commons Public Bills
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Mercer, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day, for the second reading of Bill C-278, An Act respecting a day to increase public awareness about epilepsy.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The bill was then read the second time.
The Honourable Senator Mercer moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
° ° °
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Runciman, seconded by the Honourable Senator Di Nino, for the second reading of Bill C-290, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (sports betting).
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Doyle moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Buth, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
° ° °
Second reading of Bill C-288, An Act respecting the National Flag of Canada.
The Honourable Senator Wallin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin, that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Tardif moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Munson, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Reports of Committees
Orders No. 1 to 5 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Other
Orders No. 39 and 40 (inquiries) were called and postponed until the next sitting.
° ° °
Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Meighen, calling the attention of the Senate to the economic benefits of recreational Atlantic salmon fishing in Canada.
After debate,
Further debate on the inquiry was adjourned until the next sitting in the name of the Honourable Senator Moore.
° ° °
Orders No. 25 (inquiry), 61 (motion), 3 (inquiry), 19 (motion), 32, 38, 33, 29, 11, 19, 26, 30, 18, 22, 9 and 34 (inquiries) were called and postponed until the next sitting.
° ° °
Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Greene, calling the attention of the Senate to the modernization of the practices and procedures of the Senate Chamber with a focus on private members bills.
After debate,
Further debate on the inquiry was adjourned until the next sitting in the name of the Honourable Senator Carignan.
° ° °
Order No. 23 (inquiry) was called and postponed until the next sitting.
INQUIRIES
The Honourable Senator Robichaud, P.C., called the attention of the Senate to the importance of food banks to families and the working poor.
After debate,
Further debate on the inquiry was adjourned until the next sitting in the name of the Honourable Senator Robichaud, P.C.
° ° °
The Honourable Senator Dallaire called the attention of the Senate to Canada's continued lack of commitment to the prevention and elimination of mass atrocity crimes, and further calling on the Senate to follow the recommendation of the United Nations Secretary General in making 2012 the year of prevention of mass atrocity crimes.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Dallaire moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moore, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
MOTIONS
The Honourable Senator Raine moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Wallin:
That the Senate of Canada urge the Government of Canada to encourage local governments from coast to coast to coast to collaborate in choosing one day annually to make their health, recreational sports, and fitness facilities available to citizens at a reduced or complimentary rate, with the goals of promoting the use of those facilities and improving the overall health and well-being of Canadians for the reasons that:
(a) although Canada's mountains, oceans, lakes, forests, and parks offer abundant opportunities for physical activities outdoors, an equally effective alternative opportunity to take part in physical activities is offered by indoor health, recreational sports, and fitness facilities;
(b) despite its capacity to be a healthy and fit nation, Canada is experiencing a decline in participation rates in physical activities, with this decline having a direct consequence to health and fitness;
(c) local governments operate many public facilities that promote health and fitness, and those facilities could be better utilized by their citizenry;
(d) there is a growing concern in Canada over the rise in chronic diseases, which are attributable, in part, to inactivity and in turn can cause other impediments to achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle;
(e) health and fitness should be promoted and encouraged by all levels of government, to Canadians of all ages and abilities; and
(f) we aspire to increase participation by Canadians in activities that promote health, recreational sports, and fitness
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Munson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Ringuette, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
—————
With leave,
The Senate reverted to Government Notices of Motions.
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Di Nino:
That when the Senate adjourns today, it do stand adjourned until Tuesday, May 1, 2012, at 2 p.m.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
DECLARATIONS OF PRIVATE INTERESTS
Pursuant to subsection 12(1) of the Conflict of Interest Code for Senators, a declaration of private interests was made as follows:
—By oral declaration, on April 26, 2012, in the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, the Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C. (Bill S-1003).
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 4:43 p.m. the Senate was continued until Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at 2 p.m.)
_________
Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 85(4)
Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples
The Honourable Senator Brazeau replaced the Honourable Senator White (April 26, 2012).
The Honourable Senator White replaced the Honourable Senator Brazeau (April 25, 2012).
The Honourable Senator Meredith replaced the Honourable Senator White (April 25, 2012).
Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry
The Honourable Senator Nolin replaced the Honourable Senator Duffy (April 26, 2012).
Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce
The Honourable Senator Stewart Olsen replaced the Honourable Senator Buth (April 26, 2012).
The Honourable Senator Patterson replaced the Honourable Senator Stratton (April 26, 2012).
The Honourable Senator Stratton replaced the Honourable Senator Tkachuk (April 25, 2012).
The Honourable Senator Buth replaced the Honourable Senator Stewart Olsen (April 25, 2012).
Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade
The Honourable Senator Finley replaced the Honourable Senator Rivard (April 25, 2012).
The Honourable Senator Rivard replaced the Honourable Senator Finley (April 25, 2012).
Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
The Honourable Senator Seth replaced the Honourable Senator Di Nino (April 26, 2012).
The Honourable Senator Tardif replaced the Honourable Senator Munson (April 25, 2012).
Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
The Honourable Senator Dawson replaced the Honourable Senator Fraser (April 26, 2012).
The Honourable Senator Unger replaced the Honourable Senator Martin (April 25, 2012).
Standing Senate Committee on National Finance
The Honourable Senator Peterson replaced the Honourable Senator Chaput (April 25, 2012).
Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations
The Honourable Senator Dagenais replaced the Honourable Senator Housakos (April 25, 2012).