Journals of the Senate
61 Elizabeth II, A.D. 2012, Canada
Journals of the Senate
1st Session, 41st Parliament
Issue 119
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
2:00 p.m.
The Honourable Donald H. Oliver, Speaker pro tempore
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
Andreychuk, Baker, Bellemare, Boisvenu, Brown, Buth, Callbeck, Carignan, Champagne, Chaput, Charette-Poulin, Comeau, Cools, Cordy, Cowan, Dagenais, Dawson, Day, De Bané, Demers, Downe, Doyle, Eaton, Eggleton, Enverga, Finley, Fortin-Duplessis, Fraser, Frum, Greene, Hervieux-Payette, Johnson, Joyal, Kenny, Lang, LeBreton, Lovelace Nicholas, MacDonald, Mahovlich, Maltais, Manning, Marshall, Martin, Massicotte, McInnis, McIntyre, Mercer, Meredith, Mitchell, Mockler, Moore, Munson, Nancy Ruth, Neufeld, Ngo, Nolin, Ogilvie, Oliver, Patterson, Plett, Poirier, Raine, Ringuette, Rivard, Rivest, Robichaud, Runciman, Segal, Seth, Sibbeston, Smith (Cobourg), Smith (Saurel), Stewart Olsen, Stratton, Unger, Verner, Wallace, Wallin, Watt, White
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
Andreychuk, *Ataullahjan, Baker, Bellemare, Boisvenu, *Brazeau, Brown, Buth, Callbeck, Carignan, Champagne, Chaput, Charette-Poulin, Comeau, Cools, Cordy, Cowan, Dagenais, Dawson, Day, De Bané, Demers, Downe, Doyle, Eaton, Eggleton, Enverga, Finley, Fortin-Duplessis, Fraser, Frum, Greene, *Harb, Hervieux-Payette, *Jaffer, Johnson, Joyal, Kenny, *Kinsella, Lang, LeBreton, Lovelace Nicholas, MacDonald, Mahovlich, Maltais, Manning, Marshall, Martin, Massicotte, McInnis, McIntyre, Mercer, Meredith, Mitchell, Mockler, Moore, Munson, Nancy Ruth, Neufeld, Ngo, Nolin, Ogilvie, Oliver, Patterson, Plett, Poirier, Raine, Ringuette, Rivard, Rivest, Robichaud, Runciman, Segal, *Seidman, Seth, Sibbeston, Smith (Cobourg), Smith (Saurel), Stewart Olsen, Stratton, *Tardif, Unger, Verner, Wallace, Wallin, Watt, 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.
The Clerk at the Table informed the Senate that the Honourable the Speaker was unavoidably absent, whereupon the Honourable Senator Oliver, Speaker pro tempore, took the Chair, pursuant to rule 2-4(2).
PRAYERS
SENATORS' STATEMENTS
Some Honourable Senators made statements.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
Bills — Third Reading
Third reading of Bill S-10, An Act to implement the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
The Honourable Senator Fortin-Duplessis moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Nolin, that the bill be read the third time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Fraser, for the Honourable Senator Hubley, 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.
Bills — Second Reading
Second reading of Bill C-36, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (elder abuse).
The Honourable Senator Dagenais moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator MacDonald, that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Fraser, for the Honourable Senator Jaffer, 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.
Order No. 2 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Second reading of Bill S-13, An Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act.
The Honourable Senator MacDonald moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Segal, that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Fraser 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.
Motions
The Honourable Senator Carignan moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Nolin:
That the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance be authorized to examine and report upon the expenditures set out in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013, with the exception of Parliament Vote 10 b.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Carignan moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Marshall:
That the Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament be authorized to examine and report upon the expenditures set out in Parliament Vote 10 b of the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013; and
That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that House accordingly.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Inquiries
Order No. 3 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
OTHER BUSINESS
Commons Public Bills — Third Reading
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Senate Public Bills — Second Reading
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Harb, seconded by the Honourable Senator Poy, for the second reading of Bill S-210, An Act to amend the Fisheries Act (commercial seal fishing).
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Fraser moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Mahovlich, 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 S-214, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (protection of children).
The Honourable Senator Hervieux-Payette, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Robichaud, P.C., that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 4 and 5 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Commons Public Bills — Second Reading
Orders No. 1 to 5 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Finley, seconded by the Honourable Senator Frum, for the second reading of Bill C-304, An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act (protecting freedom).
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Nolin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Nancy Ruth, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Order No. 7 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Reports of Committees—Other
Orders No. 1 to 5 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Motions
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Segal, seconded by the Honourable Senator Demers:
That, at the end of Question Period and Delayed Answers on the sitting following the adoption of this motion, the Senate resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole in order to receive senior management and officials of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to explain their decision to cut funding to Radio Canada International services by 80%, particularly in view of the importance of
(a) Radio Canada International as the voice of Canada around the world; and
(b) short wave radio in oppressed regions worldwide that are denied access to the Internet.
After debate,
In amendment, the Honourable Senator Champagne, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Comeau, that the motion be amended to read as follows:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications be authorized to receive senior management and officials of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to explain their decision to cut funding to Radio Canada International services by 80%, particularly in view of the importance of:
(a) Radio Canada International as the voice of Canada around the world; and
(b) short wave radio in oppressed regions worldwide that are denied access to the Internet; and
That the committee report to the Senate no later than June 30, 2013.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Fraser moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Munson, that further debate on the motion in amendment be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 75 and 83 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Inquiries
Orders No. 45, 59, 35, 9, 58, 50, 22 and 40 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Orders No. 51 and 54 were called and, pursuant to rule 4-15(2), dropped from the Order Paper.
Orders No. 48, 46, 30, 3, 19 and 44 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Callbeck, calling the attention of the Senate to the need to adequately support new mothers and fathers by eliminating the Employment Insurance two-week waiting period for maternity and parental benefits.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Fraser moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Munson, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Robichaud, P.C., calling the attention of the Senate to the issue of poverty in Canada—an issue that is always current and continues to have devastating effects.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Nolin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Nancy Ruth, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
REPORTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO RULE 14-1(7):
Report of the Canadian Dairy Commission, together with the Auditor General's Report, for the year ended July 31, 2012, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/41-1365.
Report on the five-year review of the Agricultural Marketing Programs Act, pursuant to the Act, S.C. 1997, c. 20, sbs. 42(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/41-1366.
Corporate Business Plan for 2012-2013 of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, pursuant to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act, S.C. 1997, c. 6, s. 22.—Sessional Paper No. 1/41-1367.
Summaries of the Corporate Plan for the period 2012-2013 to 2016-2017 and of the Operating and Capital Budgets of the Canadian Dairy Commission for the dairy year ending July 31, 2013, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/41-1368.
Report of Canada Revenue Agency, together with the Auditor General's Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, pursuant to the Canada Revenue Agency Act, S.C. 1999, c. 17, sbs. 88(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/41-1369.
Report of the administration of the Firearms Act for the year 2011, pursuant to the Act, S.C. 1995, c. 39, sbs. 93(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/41-1370.
Audit Report for the Office of the Auditor General for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, pursuant to the Auditor General Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-17, sbs. 21(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/41-1371.
Report of the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, pursuant to the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act, S.C. 2000, c. 17, sbs. 71(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/41-1372.
ADJOURNMENT
The Honourable Senator Carignan moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Marshall:
That the Senate do now adjourn.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
(Accordingly, at 4:59 p.m. the Senate was continued until tomorrow at 1:30 p.m.)
Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5
Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples
The Honourable Senator Wallace replaced the Honourable Senator Ataullahjan (November 20, 2012).
The Honourable Senator Munson replaced the Honourable Senator Campbell (November 19, 2012).
Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce
The Honourable Senator Maltais replaced the Honourable Senator Poirier (November 8, 2012).
The Honourable Senator Poirier replaced the Honourable Senator Maltais (November 8, 2012).
Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade
The Honourable Senator Mahovlich replaced the Honourable Senator Hubley (November 13, 2012).
The Honourable Senator Robichaud, P.C., replaced the Honourable Senator Chaput (November 13, 2012).
The Honourable Senator De Bané, P.C., replaced the Honourable Senator Campbell (November 13, 2012).
The Honourable Senator Nolin replaced the Honourable Senator Rivard (November 8, 2012).
Standing Senate Committee on National Finance
The Honourable Senator Mockler replaced the Honourable Senator Gerstein (November 20, 2012).
Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament
The Honourable Senator Martin replaced the Honourable Senator Carignan (November 16, 2012).
Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology
The Honourable Senator Enverga replaced the Honourable Senator McInnis (November 15, 2012).
The Honourable Senator Seth replaced the Honourable Senator Demers (November 8, 2012).
Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications
The Honourable Senator Robichaud, P.C., replaced the Honourable Senator Zimmer (November 20, 2012).
The Honourable Senator Rivard replaced the Honourable Senator Housakos (November 20, 2012).