Journals of the Senate
67 Elizabeth II , A.D. 2018, Canada
1st Session, 42nd Parliament
Issue 192 (Revised)
Thursday, March 29, 2018
1:30 p.m.
The Honourable GEORGE J. FUREY, Speaker
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
AndreychukBattersBellemareBeyakBlack (Alberta)Black (Ontario)BoisvenuBonifaceBoveyBoyerBrazeauCampbellCarignanCoolsCormierCoyleDagenaisDayDeacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuffyDupuisEatonEggletonFureyGagnéGalvezGoldGreeneGriffinHarderHousakosJafferJoyalLankinLovelace NicholasMacDonaldMaltaisManningMarshallMartinMarwahMassicotteMcCallumMcCoyMcIntyreMcPhedranMégieMitchellMocklerMoncionMunsonNgoOhOmidvarPattersonPetitclercPlettPoirierPratteRaineRichardsRinguetteSaint-GermainSeidmanSinclairSmithStewart OlsenTannasTkachukVernerWallinWellsWetstonWhiteWoo
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
Andreychuk*AtaullahjanBattersBellemare*BernardBeyakBlack (Alberta)Black (Ontario)BoisvenuBonifaceBoveyBoyerBrazeauCampbellCarignanCools*CordyCormierCoyleDagenais*DawsonDayDeacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuffyDupuisEatonEggletonFureyGagnéGalvezGoldGreeneGriffinHarder*HartlingHousakosJafferJoyalLankinLovelace NicholasMacDonaldMaltaisManningMarshallMartinMarwahMassicotteMcCallumMcCoyMcIntyreMcPhedranMégieMitchellMocklerMoncionMunsonNgoOhOmidvar*PatePattersonPetitclercPlettPoirierPratteRaineRichardsRinguetteSaint-GermainSeidmanSinclairSmithStewart OlsenTannasTkachukVernerWallinWellsWetstonWhiteWoo
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.
ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS
Tabling of Documents
The Honourable the Speaker tabled the following:
Report of the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, entitled Status Report on Phase 1 of the New Infrastructure Plan, pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-1, sbs. 79.2(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1926.
Report from the Office of the Auditor General of Canada entitled Perspectives on Climate Change Action in Canada: A Collaborative Report from Auditors General, pursuant to the Auditor General Act, R.S. 1985, c. A-17, sbs. 7(5).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1927.
The Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., tabled the following:
Charter Statement prepared by the Minister of Justice in relation to Bill C-71, An Act to amend certain Acts and Regulations in relation to firearms.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1928.
Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees
The Honourable Senator Mockler, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance, presented the twenty-seventh report of the committee (Budget—study on federal estimates and on government finance generally—power to hire staff and to travel).
(The report is printed as Appendix A at pages 3152-3159 (available in print format PDF).)
(The HTML version of the report is available on the committee website.)
The Honourable Senator Mockler moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator MacDonald, 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 Manning, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, presented the tenth report of the committee (Budget—study on Maritime Search and Rescue activities, including current challenges and opportunities—power to hire staff and to travel).
(The report is printed as Appendix B at pages 3160-3169 (available in print format PDF).)
(The HTML version of the report is available on the committee website.)
The Honourable Senator Manning moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Wells, 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 Cormier, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages, presented the eighth report of the committee (Budget—study on Canadians’ views about modernizing the Official Languages Act—power to hire staff and to travel).
(The report is printed as Appendix C at pages 3170-3178 (available in print format PDF).)
(The HTML version of the report is available on the committee website.)
The Honourable Senator Cormier moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moncion, 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 Brazeau presented the ninth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights (Budget—study on the issues relating to the human rights of prisoners in the correctional system—power to travel).
(The report is printed as Appendix D at pages 3179-3186 (available in print format PDF).)
(The HTML version of the report is available on the committee website.)
The Honourable Senator Brazeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Wallin, 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.
Tabling of Reports from Interparliamentary Delegations
The Honourable Senator Day tabled the following:
Report of the Canadian Delegation of the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association respecting its participation at the 2017 Spring Session held in Tbilisi, Georgia, from May 26 to 29, 2017.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1929.
Question Period
The Senate proceeded to Question Period.
Delayed Answers
Pursuant to rule 4-10(2), the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., tabled the following:
Reply to Question No. 75, dated February 7, 2018, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Smith, respecting workplace drug use and drug testing policies (reply by Employment and Social Development Canada).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1930S.
Reply to Question No. 75, dated February 7, 2018, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Smith, respecting workplace drug use and drug testing policies (reply by Transport Canada).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1931S.
Orders of the Day
Bills – Messages from the House of Commons
A message was brought from the House of Commons to return Bill S-232, An Act respecting Canadian Jewish Heritage Month,
And to acquaint the Senate that the Commons has passed this bill, without amendment.
Government Business
Bills – Third Reading
Third reading of Bill C-72, An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018.
The Honourable Senator Bellemare moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., that the bill be read for a third time.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.
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.
Third reading of Bill C-73, An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019.
The Honourable Senator Bellemare moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., that the bill be read for a third time.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.
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.
Bills – Reports of Committees
Consideration of the tenth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications (Bill C-49, An Act to amend the Canada Transportation Act and other Acts respecting transportation and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts, with amendments and observations), presented in the Senate on March 28, 2018.
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator MacDonald, that the report be adopted.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Mitchell moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gagné, that the bill, as amended, be read for a third time.
After debate,
In amendment, the Honourable Senator MacDonald moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Mockler:
That Bill C-49 be not now read a third time, but that it be further amended in clause 61, on page 43, by adding the following after line 28:
“(1.1) The prescribed recording instruments referred to in paragraph (1)(a) that are used to record the interior of the railway equipment shall not be capable of making a visual recording by any means.”.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
AndreychukBeyakBoisvenuCampbellDagenaisDowneGriffinHousakosLankinLovelace NicholasMacDonaldMaltaisManningMarshallMartinMocklerMoncionMunsonNgoPattersonPoirierRaineRichardsSmithTkachukWellsWetston—27
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
BattersBellemareBlack (Ontario)BonifaceBoveyBoyerBrazeauCarignanCoyleDayDeacon (Ontario)DeanDupuisEatonGagnéGoldHarderMarwahMcCallumMcPhedranMégieMitchellOhOmidvarPetitclercPlettPratteRinguetteSaint-GermainSeidmanSinclairStewart OlsenWallinWoo—34
ABSTENTIONS
The Honourable Senators
CormierWhite—2
The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Mitchell, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gagné, for the third reading of Bill C-49, An Act to amend the Canada Transportation Act and other Acts respecting transportation and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts, as amended.
After debate,
In amendment, the Honourable Senator Patterson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Stewart Olsen:
That Bill C-49 be not now read a third time, but that it be further amended in clause 19, on page 15,
(a)by replacing lines 5 to 11 with the following:
“or denial of boarding is within the carrier’s control, including in situations of mechanical malfunctions that are within the carrier’s control,”; and
(b)by replacing lines 14 and 15 with the following:
“cellation or denial of boarding is established by the carrier to be due to situations outside its control, such as natural phe-”.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
AndreychukBattersBeyakBoisvenuDagenaisEatonHousakosMacDonaldMaltaisMarshallMcIntyreMocklerNgoOhPattersonPlettPoirierRaineStewart OlsenTkachukWhite—21
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
BellemareBonifaceBoveyBoyerBrazeauCampbellCormierCoyleDayDeacon (Ontario)DupuisGagnéGoldHarderMarwahMcCallumMégieMitchellMoncionMunsonOmidvarPetitclercPratteRichardsRinguetteSaint-GermainWallinWellsWetstonWoo—30
ABSTENTIONS
The Honourable Senators
MartinMcPhedranSeidmanSmith—4
The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Mitchell, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gagné, for the third reading of Bill C-49, An Act to amend the Canada Transportation Act and other Acts respecting transportation and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts, as amended.
Debate.
ROYAL ASSENT
At 4:34 p.m., the Honourable the Speaker informed the Senate that the following communication had been received:
RIDEAU HALL
March 29, 2018
Mr. Speaker:
I have the honour to inform you that the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, signified royal assent by written declaration to the bills listed in the Schedule to this letter on the 29th day of March, 2018, at 3:57 p.m.
Yours sincerely,
Assunta Di Lorenzo
Secretary to the Governor General
The Honourable
The Speaker of the Senate
Ottawa
Schedule
Bills Assented To
Thursday, March 29, 2018
An Act to give effect to the Agreement on Cree Nation Governance between the Crees of Eeyou Istchee and the Government of Canada, to amend the Cree-Naskapi (of Quebec) Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts (Bill C-70, Chapter 4, 2018)
An Act respecting Canadian Jewish Heritage Month (Bill S-232, Chapter 5, 2018)
An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018 (Bill C-72, Chapter 6, 2018)
An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019 (Bill C-73, Chapter 7, 2018)
Bills – Third Reading
The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Mitchell, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gagné, for the third reading of Bill C-49, An Act to amend the Canada Transportation Act and other Acts respecting transportation and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts, as amended.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.
The bill, as amended, 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 with certain amendments, to which it desires its concurrence.
Bills – Second Reading
Orders No. 1 to 3 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Motions
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
The Honourable Senator Bellemare moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day:
That, in order to allow the Senate to receive a Minister of the Crown during Question Period as authorized by the Senate on December 10, 2015, and notwithstanding rule 4-7, when the Senate sits on Tuesday, April 17, 2018, Question Period shall begin at 3:30 p.m., with any proceedings then before the Senate being interrupted until the end of Question Period, which shall last a maximum of 40 minutes;
That, if a standing vote would conflict with the holding of Question Period at 3:30 p.m. on that day, the vote be postponed until immediately after the conclusion of Question Period;
That, if the bells are ringing for a vote at 3:30 p.m. on that day, they be interrupted for Question Period at that time, and resume thereafter for the balance of any time remaining; and
That, if the Senate concludes its business before 3:30 p.m. on that day, the sitting be suspended until that time for the purpose of holding Question Period.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Bellemare moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Ringuette:
That, when the Senate next adjourns after the adoption of this motion, it do stand adjourned until Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at 2 p.m.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Inquiries
Order No. 3 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Other Business
Senate Public Bills – Third Reading
Orders No. 1 and 2 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Ordered, That the Senate proceed to the Notice Paper.
MOTIONS
The Honourable Senator MacDonald moved, for the Honourable Senator Galvez, seconded by the Honourable Senator Mockler:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources be permitted, notwithstanding usual practices, to deposit with the Clerk of the Senate, no later than April 6, 2018, an interim report relating to its study on the transition to a low carbon economy, if the Senate is not then sitting, and that the report be deemed to have been tabled in the Chamber.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Dagenais moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Poirier:
That, notwithstanding the orders of the Senate adopted on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, Tuesday, June 20, 2017 and Thursday, October 26, 2017, the date for the final report of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence in relation to its study of issues related to creating a defined, professional and consistent system for veterans as they leave the Canadian Armed Forces be extended from March 31, 2018 to June 30, 2018.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Maltais moved, for the Honourable Senator Griffin, seconded by the Honourable Senator Wells:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry have the power to meet on Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at 5 p.m., even though the Senate may then be sitting, and that rule 12-18(1) be suspended in relation thereto.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
INQUIRIES
The Honourable Senator Poirier called the attention of the Senate to the ongoing challenges faced by seasonal workers in New Brunswick.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Ringuette moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
ADJOURNMENT
The Honourable Senator Bellemare moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day:
That the Senate do now adjourn.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
(Accordingly, at 5:02 p.m., the Senate was continued until Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at 2 p.m.)
DOCUMENTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO RULE 14-1(7)
Summary of the Corporate Plan for 2017-18 to 2021-22 of Marine Atlantic Inc., pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1925.
Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5
Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry
The Honourable Senator Woo replaced the Honourable Senator McCallum (March 29, 2018).
Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce
The Honourable Senator Marshall replaced the Honourable Senator Tkachuk (March 29, 2018).
Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans
The Honourable Senator Christmas replaced the Honourable Senator Deacon (March 29, 2018).
Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade
The Honourable Senator Ataullahjan replaced the Honourable Senator Patterson (March 29, 2018).
The Honourable Senator Bovey replaced the Honourable Senator Cormier (March 29, 2018).
Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
The Honourable Senator Dawson replaced the Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C. (March 29, 2018).
The Honourable Senator Plett replaced the Honourable Senator Housakos (March 29, 2018).
Committee of Selection
The Honourable Senator Tannas replaced the Honourable Senator Tkachuk (March 29, 2018).
Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology
The Honourable Senator Bernard replaced the Honourable Senator Galvez (March 29, 2018).
The Honourable Senator Galvez replaced the Honourable Senator Deacon (March 29, 2018).
The Honourable Senator Doyle replaced the Honourable Senator White (March 29, 2018).