The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AndersonAtaullahjanBattersBellemareBernardBlack (Alberta)Black (Ontario)BoehmBoisvenuBonifaceBoveyBrazeauBussonCampbellCarignanChristmasCordyCormierCotterCoyleDagenaisDalphondDaskoDawsonDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuffyDuncanDupuisForestForest-NiesingFrancisFrumFureyGagnéGalvezGoldGreeneGriffinHarderHartlingHousakosJafferKeatingKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLankinLoffredaLovelace NicholasMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMarwahMassicotteMcCallumMcPhedranMégieMercerMiville-DechêneMocklerMoncionMoodieMunsonNgoOhOmidvarPatePattersonPetitclercPlettPoirierRavaliaRichardsRinguetteSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSmithStewart OlsenTannasVernerWallinWellsWetstonWhiteWoo

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

AndersonAtaullahjanBattersBellemareBernardBlack (Alberta)Black (Ontario)BoehmBoisvenuBonifaceBoveyBrazeauBussonCampbellCarignanChristmasCordyCormierCotterCoyleDagenaisDalphondDaskoDawsonDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuffyDuncanDupuisForestForest-NiesingFrancisFrumFureyGagnéGalvezGoldGreeneGriffinHarderHartlingHousakosJafferKeatingKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLankinLoffredaLovelace NicholasMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMarwahMassicotteMcCallumMcPhedranMégieMercerMiville-DechêneMocklerMoncionMoodieMunsonNgoOhOmidvarPatePattersonPetitclercPlettPoirierRavaliaRichardsRinguetteSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSmithStewart OlsenTannasVernerWallinWellsWetstonWhiteWoo

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

Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees

The Honourable Senator Forest, Deputy Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance, presented the committee’s fourth report (Bill C-14, An Act to implement certain provisions of the economic statement tabled in Parliament on November 30, 2020 and other measures, without amendment).

The Honourable Senator Lankin, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Forest, that the bill be placed on the Orders of the Day for third reading at the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

Government Notices of Motions

With leave of the Senate,

The Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gagné:

That, in accordance with rule 10-11(1), the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance be authorized to examine the subject matter of all of Bill C-30, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 19, 2021 and other measures, introduced in the House of Commons on April 30, 2021, in advance of the said bill coming before the Senate;

That the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance be authorized to meet for the purposes of its study of the subject matter of Bill C-30, even though the Senate may then be sitting, with the application of rule 12-18(1) being suspended in relation thereto;

That, subject to available capacity, the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance be authorized, for the purposes of its study of the subject matter of Bill C-30, to meet outside its assigned time slots during periods that it is authorized to sit; and

That, in addition, and notwithstanding any normal practice:

1.The following committees be separately authorized to examine the subject matter of the following elements contained in Bill C-30 in advance of it coming before the Senate:

(a)the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples: those elements contained in Divisions 10 and 31 of Part 4;

(b)the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce: those elements contained in Divisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9 of Part 4;

(c)the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade: those elements contained in Divisions 6 and 20 of Part 4;

(d)the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs: those elements contained in Divisions 26, 27 and 37 of Part 4; and

(e)the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology: those elements contained in Divisions 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36 of Part 4;

2.That each of the committees listed in point one that are authorized to examine the subject matter of particular elements of Bill C-30 submit its final report to the Senate no later than June 7, 2021;

3.That, subject to point four, as the reports from the various committees authorized to examine the subject matter of particular elements of Bill C-30 are tabled in the Senate, they be placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting;

4.That each of the committees authorized to examine the subject matter of particular elements of Bill C-30 be authorized to deposit its report with the Clerk of the Senate if the Senate is not then sitting, with the reports thus deposited being placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting following the one on which the depositing is recorded in the Journals of the Senate; and

5.That the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance be simultaneously authorized to take any reports tabled under points three or four into consideration during its study of the subject matter of all of Bill C-30.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

Introduction and First Reading of Senate Public Bills

The Honourable Senator Ringuette introduced Bill S-233, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (criminal interest rate).

The bill was read the first time.

The Honourable Senator Ringuette moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Woo, 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.

Tabling of Reports from Interparliamentary Delegations

The Honourable Senator Galvez tabled the following:

Report of the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas, 12th Gathering of ParlAmericas Gender Equality Network, Virtual Sessions, September 23 and October 2, 2020.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-798.

Question Period

The Senate proceeded to Question Period.

Orders of the Day

Government Business

Bills – Third Reading

Third reading of Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Judges Act and the Criminal Code.

The Honourable Senator Dalphond moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gagné, that the bill be read for a third time.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Seidman, 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

Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

Reports of Committees – Other

Order No. 3 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

Motions

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Gagné, seconded by the Honourable Senator Petitclerc:

That the following Address be presented to Her Excellency the Governor General of Canada:

To Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order of Canada, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Military Merit, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY:

We, Her Majesty’s most loyal and dutiful subjects, the Senate of Canada in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Excellency for the gracious Speech which Your Excellency has addressed to both Houses of Parliament.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Gagné moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Woo, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

Inquiries

Orders No. 1 and 2 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Other Business

Senate Public Bills – Third Reading

Ordered: That order no. 1 be considered called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Third reading of Bill S-205, An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate).

The Honourable Senator Bovey moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Woo, that the bill be read for a third time.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Ataullahjan moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Plett, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

o o o

Third reading of Bill S-223, An Act respecting Kindness Week.

The Honourable Senator Munson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Woo, that the bill be read for a third time.

After debate,

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The bill was then read the third time.

Ordered, That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that House that the Senate has passed this bill, to which it desires its concurrence.

Senate Public Bills – Second Reading

Orders No. 1, 2, 3 and 4 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Pate, seconded by the Honourable Senator Galvez, for the second reading of Bill S-208, An Act to amend the Criminal Records Act, to make consequential amendments to other Acts and to repeal a regulation.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Duncan moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Woo, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

o o o

Orders No. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Second reading of Bill S-217, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code (successive contracts for services).

The Honourable Senator Dalphond moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Munson, that the bill be read the second time.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Plett, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

o o o

Orders No. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Second reading of Bill S-231, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to another Act (interim release and domestic violence recognizance orders).

The Honourable Senator Boisvenu moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Seidman, that the bill be read the second time.

Debate.

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Pursuant to rule 3-3(1) and the orders adopted by the Senate on October 27, 2020, and December 17, 2020, the Speaker left the Chair to resume the same at 7 p.m.

The sitting resumed.

Senate Public Bills – Second Reading

The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Boisvenu, seconded by the Honourable Senator Seidman, for the second reading of Bill S-231, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to another Act (interim release and domestic violence recognizance orders).

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At 7:03 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 7:19 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Senate Public Bills – Second Reading

Order No. 27 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

Commons Public Bills – Second Reading

Second reading of Bill C-218, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (sports betting).

The Honourable Senator Wells moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Seidman, that the bill be read the second time.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator White moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Woo, 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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Ordered: That the order be again called for resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Boisvenu, seconded by the Honourable Senator Seidman, for the second reading of Bill S-231, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to another Act (interim release and domestic violence recognizance orders).

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Duncan moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Woo, 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 – Other

Consideration of the second report (interim) of the Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators, entitled Consideration of matters relating to the Ethics and Conflict of Interest Code for Senators, presented in the Senate on April 20, 2021.

The Honourable Senator Seidman moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Wells, that the report be adopted.

After debate,

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

Motions

Orders No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17 and 18 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Deacon (Ontario), for the Honourable Senator Lankin, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Pate:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, when and if it is formed, be authorized to examine and report on the future of workers in order to evaluate:

(a)how data and information on the gig economy in Canada is being collected and potential gaps in knowledge;

(b)the effectiveness of current labour protections for people who work through digital platforms and temporary foreign workers programs;

(c)the negative impacts of precarious work and the gig economy on benefits, pensions and other government services relating to employment; and

(d)the accessibility of retraining and skills development programs for workers;

That, in conducting this evaluation, the committee pay particular attention to the negative effects of precarious employment being disproportionately felt by workers of colour, new immigrant and Indigenous workers; and

That the committee submit its final report on this study to the Senate no later than September 30, 2022.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Seidman, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

o o o

Orders No. 29, 31, 33, 39, 40, 41, 43 and 49 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Inquiries

Orders No. 1 and 2 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Seidman, calling the attention of the Senate to weaknesses within Canada’s long-term care system, which have been exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Duncan moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cordy, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

o o o

Orders No. 7 and 9 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Omidvar, calling the attention of the Senate to the link between Canada’s past, present and future prosperity and its deep connection to immigration.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Plett, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

o o o

Order No. 12 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

MOTIONS

Order No. 50 was withdrawn pursuant to rule 5-10(2).

o o o

The Honourable Senator Wells moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Plett:

That, for the remainder of the current parliamentary session, the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight have the power to meet 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.

o o o

The Honourable Senator Wells moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Plett:

That the papers and documents received or produced by the Audit Subcommittee of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration from the First Session of the Forty-second Parliament and the First and Second Sessions of the Forty-third Parliament, be referred to the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

o o o

The Honourable Senator Wetston moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Woo:

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 committee submit its final report no later than September 30, 2022, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings until 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

o o o

The Honourable Senator Patterson moved, for the Honourable Senator Christmas, seconded by the Honourable Senator Plett:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples be authorized to examine and report on the federal government’s constitutional, treaty, political and legal responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples and any other subject concerning Aboriginal Peoples;

That the documents received, evidence heard and business accomplished by the committee since the beginning of the First Session of the Forty-second Parliament be referred to the committee; and

That the committee submit its final report no later than December 31, 2021, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

ADJOURNMENT

At 9 p.m., pursuant to the orders adopted by the Senate on October 27, 2020, and December 17, 2020, the Senate adjourned until 2 p.m., tomorrow.

DOCUMENTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO RULE 14-1(7)

Report on Northern Oil and Gas for the year ended December 31, 2020, pursuant to the Canada Petroleum Resources Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 36 (2nd Supp.), s. 109.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-791.

Proposed Regulations Amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (Transfer of Certain Inadmissibility Grounds to the Minister’s Delegate), pursuant to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, S.C. 2001, c. 27, sbs. 5(2).—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-792.

Report on the activities of the Intelligence Commissioner for the year ended December 31, 2020, pursuant to the Intelligence Commissioner Act, S.C. 2019, c. 13, s. 50 “22(3)”.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-793.

Report on the administration of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, pursuant to the Act, S.C. 1999, c. 33, sbs. 342(1).—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-794.

Report of the Canada Post Corporation, together with the Auditors’ Report, for the year ended December 31, 2020, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-795.

Report of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, together with the Auditors’ Report, for the year ended December 31, 2020, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-796.

Interim Order No. 2 Respecting Clinical Trials for Medical Devices and Drugs relating to COVID-19, pursuant to the Food and Drugs Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-27, sbs. 30.1(6) and (7).—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-797.

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples

The Honourable Senator Anderson replaced the Honourable Senator Lovelace Nicholas (May 4, 2021).

The Honourable Senator Lankin, P.C., was added to the membership (May 3, 2021).

Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources

The Honourable Senator Anderson replaced the Honourable Senator Cordy (May 3, 2021).

Standing Senate Committee on National Finance

The Honourable Senator Dagenais replaced the Honourable Senator Downe (May 3, 2021).