The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AndersonAtaullahjanBattersBellemareBernardBlack (Alberta)Black (Ontario)BoehmBoisvenuBonifaceBoveyBoyerBrazeauBussonCampbellCarignanChristmasCordyCormierCotterCoyleDagenaisDalphondDaskoDawsonDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuncanDupuisForestForest-NiesingFrancisFrumFureyGagnéGalvezGoldGreeneGriffinHarderHartlingHousakosJafferKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaLovelace NicholasMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMarwahMassicotteMcCallumMcPhedranMégieMercerMiville-DechêneMocklerMoncionMoodieMunsonNgoOhOmidvarPatePattersonPetitclercPlettRavaliaRichardsRinguetteSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSmithStewart OlsenTannasVernerWallinWellsWetstonWhiteWoo

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

AndersonAtaullahjanBattersBellemareBernardBlack (Alberta)Black (Ontario)BoehmBoisvenuBonifaceBoveyBoyerBrazeauBussonCampbellCarignanChristmasCordyCormierCotterCoyleDagenaisDalphondDaskoDawsonDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuncanDupuisForestForest-NiesingFrancisFrumFureyGagnéGalvezGoldGreeneGriffinHarderHartlingHousakosJafferKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaLovelace NicholasMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMarwahMassicotteMcCallumMcPhedranMégieMercerMiville-DechêneMocklerMoncionMoodieMunsonNgoOhOmidvarPatePattersonPetitclercPlettRavaliaRichardsRinguetteSaint-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

SPEAKER'S STATEMENT

Honorable senators, last week, we learned that the remains of 215 Indigenous children had been discovered on the grounds of a former residential school in Kamloops, British Columbia.

This shocking discovery is a grim reminder of the deeply disturbing legacy of Canada’s residential school system, and of the importance of reconciliation with our Indigenous peoples.

On behalf of all senators, I express our shock, and our hopes and prayers for peace for these children, their families, and all those who have had their lives tragically affected by residential schools.

I invite all honourable senators to rise for a minute of silence in their memory.

o o o

The Senate observed a minute of silence following the tragic discovery of the remains of 215 children at a former residential school in Kamloops, British Columbia.

Senators’ Statements

Some Honourable Senators made statements.

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

Tabling of Documents

The Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., tabled the following:

Certificate of nomination and biographical notes, for the reappointment of Daniel Therrien as Privacy Commissioner.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-869.

Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees

The Honourable Senator Wells, Chair of the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight, presented the fourth report (interim) of the committee, entitled Intersessional Authority.

(The report is printed as an appendix at pages 582-588 (available in print format PDF).)

(The HTML version of the report is available on the committee website.)

The Honourable Senator Wells moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin, 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.

o o o

The Honourable Senator Christmas, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples, tabled the second report of the committee (Subject matter of Bill C-30, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 19, 2021 and other measures).—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-870S.

(Pursuant to the order adopted May 4, 2021, the report was deemed referred to the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance and placed on Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting.)

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 subsection 53(1) of the Privacy Act, Chapter P-21, R.S.C. 1985, the Senate approve the reappointment of Mr. Daniel Therrien as Privacy Commissioner, for a term of one year.

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

o o o

With leave of the Senate,

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

That, notwithstanding any provisions of the Rules, usual practice or previous order, when the Senate sits on Thursday, June 3, 2021:

1.the Senate resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole at the start of Orders of the Day to consider the subject matter of Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Bills of Exchange Act, the Interpretation Act and the Canada Labour Code (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation), with any proceedings then before the Senate being interrupted until the end of Committee of the Whole, which shall last a maximum of 95 minutes;

2.the Committee of the Whole on the subject matter of Bill C-5 receive the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, P.C., M.P., Minister of Canadian Heritage, accompanied by at most four officials;

3.the witness’s introductory remarks last a maximum total of five minutes; and

4.if a senator does not use the entire period of 10 minutes for debate provided under rule 12-32(3)(d), including the responses of the witnesses, that senator may yield the balance of time to another senator.

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 Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Bills of Exchange Act, the Interpretation Act and the Canada Labour Code (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation), to which it desires the concurrence of the Senate.

The bill was read the first time.

With leave of the Senate,

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

Question Period

The Senate proceeded to Question Period.

Orders of the Day

MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

A message was brought from the House of Commons to return Bill S-3, An Act to amend the Offshore Health and Safety Act,

And to acquaint the Senate that the Commons has passed this bill, without amendment.

Government Business

Bills – Third Reading

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., for the third reading of Bill S-4, An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act and to make consequential and related amendments to other Acts.

After debate,

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

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.

Bills – Second Reading

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

Reports of Committees – Other

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

Motions

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

Inquiries

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

Other Business

Senate Public Bills – Second Reading

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

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator McPhedran, seconded by the Honourable Senator Loffreda, for the second reading of Bill S-209, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and the Regulation Adapting the Canada Elections Act for the Purposes of a Referendum (voting age).

After debate,

In amendment, the Honourable Senator Wells moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Plett:

That the motion be amended by deleting all the words after the word “That” and substituting the following therefor:

“Bill S-209, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and the Regulation Adapting the Canada Elections Act for the Purposes of a Referendum (voting age), be not now read a second time because a proposal which so fundamentally impacts the conduct of elections in this country, specifically the qualifications of electors, should more properly be introduced first in the elected chamber, namely the House of Commons.”

After debate,

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

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

o o o

Orders No. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Boniface, seconded by the Honourable Senator Woo, for the second reading of Bill S-229, An Act respecting the development of a national strategy for the decriminalization of illegal substances, to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., 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

Second reading of Bill S-230, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (granting citizenship to certain Canadians).

The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., 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 Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Omidvar, 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.

o o o

Order No. 20 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Second reading of Bill S-232, An Act to amend the Governor General’s Act (retiring annuity and other benefits).

The Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin, that the bill be read the second time.

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. 22 and 23 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Motions

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

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Housakos, seconded by the Honourable Senator Smith:

That the Senate of Canada call upon the Government of Canada to impose sanctions, pursuant to the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law), against Chinese officials in relation to the human rights abuses and systematic persecution of Uighur Muslims in China.

Debate.

---

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

The sitting resumed.

Motions

The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Housakos, seconded by the Honourable Senator Smith:

That the Senate of Canada call upon the Government of Canada to impose sanctions, pursuant to the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law), against Chinese officials in relation to the human rights abuses and systematic persecution of Uighur Muslims in China.

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. 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 Boyer, seconded by the Honourable Senator Woo:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights be authorized to examine and report on the forced and coerced sterilization of persons in Canada, particularly related to Indigenous women, when and if the committee is formed; and

That the committee submit its final report on this study to the Senate no later than December 30, 2021.

With leave of the Senate and pursuant to rule 5-10(1), the motion was withdrawn.

o o o

Orders No. 31, 33 and 39 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator McCallum, seconded by the Honourable Senator McPhedran:

That the Senate of Canada call on the federal government to adopt anti-racism as the sixth pillar of the Canada Health Act, prohibiting discrimination based on race and affording everyone the equal right to the protection and benefit of the law.

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

Order No. 43 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Cormier, seconded by the Honourable Senator Woo:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages be authorized to study and to report on the application of the Official Languages Act and of the regulations and directives made under it, within those institutions subject to the Act;

That the committee also be authorized to study the reports and documents published by the Minister of Canadian Heritage, the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, the President of the Treasury Board and the Commissioner of Official Languages, and any other subject concerning official languages;

That the documents received, evidence heard and business accomplished on this subject 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 17, 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.

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 Woo, 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 Seidman, 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. 57 was withdrawn pursuant to rule 5-10(2).

o o o

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

That, in light of a recent Nanos poll demonstrating strong support amongst Canadians to provide a way for temporary foreign workers to remain in Canada, the Senate call on the Government of Canada to create pathways to citizenship or permanent residency for essential temporary migrant workers across all sectors; and

That the Senate call on the Government of Canada to table a status report on this issue within 100 days of the adoption of this order.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Black (Ontario) 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

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

That the Senate of Canada:

(a)acknowledge that racism, in all its forms, was a cornerstone upon which the residential school system was created;

(b)acknowledge that racism, discrimination and abuse were rampant within the residential school system;

(c)acknowledge that the residential school system, created for the malevolent purpose of assimilation, has had profound and continuing negative impacts on Indigenous lives, cultures and languages; and

(d)apologize unreservedly for Canada’s role in the establishment of the residential school system, as well as its resulting adverse impacts, the effects of which are still seen and felt by countless Indigenous peoples and communities today.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Francis moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dalphond, 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

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

That, in relation to Senator Leila M. de Lima, an incumbent senator of the Republic of the Philippines, who was arrested and has been arbitrarily detained since February 24, 2017, on politically motivated illegal drug trading charges filed against her by the Duterte government, and who continues to be detained without bail, despite the lack of any material evidence presented by the Philippine government prosecutors, the Senate:

(a)condemn the Philippine government’s unjust and arbitrary detention of Senator Leila M. de Lima;

(b)urge the Philippine government to immediately release Senator de Lima, drop all charges against her, remove restrictions on her personal and work conditions and allow her to fully discharge her legislative mandate;

(c)call on the government of Canada to invoke sanctions pursuant to the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law) against all Philippine government officials complicit in the jailing of Senator de Lima;

(d)call on the Philippine government to recognize the primacy of human rights and the rule of law, as well as the importance of human rights defenders and their work and allow them to operate freely without fear of reprisal; and

(e)urge other parliamentarians and governments globally to likewise pressure the Duterte government to protect, promote and uphold human rights and the rule of law as essential pillars of a free and functioning democratic society in the Philippines.

Debate.

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 of the Chief of Defence Staff on the National Sex Offender Registry for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, pursuant to the National Defence Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. N-5, sbs. 227.171.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-851.

Summaries of the Corporate Plan for 2021-22 to 2025-26 and of the Operating and Capital Budgets for 2021-22 of the Standards Council of Canada, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-852.

Summary of the Corporate Plan for 2021-25 of Export Development Canada, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-853.

Summaries of the Corporate Plan for 2021-22 to 2025-26 and of the Operating and Capital Budgets and Borrowing Plan 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. 2/43-854.

Report on the operation of the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act for the year ended December 31, 2020, pursuant to the Act, S.C. 2010, c. 4, s. 15.1.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-855.

Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Interim Report of the Canada Border Services Agency for 2020 to 2021, pursuant to the Federal Sustainable Development Act, S.C. 2008, c. 33, sbs. 11(1).—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-856.

Summary of the Corporate Plan for 2020-21 to 2024-25 of Marine Atlantic Inc., pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-857.

Summaries of the Corporate Plan for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26 and of the Operating and Capital Budgets and Borrowing Plan of Farm Credit Canada, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-858.

Summaries of the Amended Corporate Plan for the period 2020-21 to 2024-25 and of the Operating and Capital Budgets and Borrowing Plan of Farm Credit Canada, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-859.

Interim Order No. 29 Respecting Certain Requirements for Civil Aviation Due to COVID-19, pursuant to the Aeronautics Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-2, sbs. 6.41(5) and (6).—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-860.

Report on Transportation in Canada entitled Transportation in Canada 2020: Overview Report and Statistical Addendum, pursuant to the Canada Transportation Act, S.C. 1996, c. 10, sbs. 52(1).—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-861.

Annual reports 2020 on the administration of the Export and Import Permits Act and on exports of military goods, pursuant to the Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. E-19, s. 27.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-862.

Summaries of the Corporate Plan for 2021-22 to 2025-26 and of the Operating and Capital Budgets and Borrowing Plan for 2021-22 of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-863.

Summaries of the Corporate Plan for the periods 2019-20 to 2023-24, 2020-21 to 2024-25 and 2021-22 to 2025-26 of the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-864.

Report on the National Housing Strategy for the year 2020, pursuant to the National Housing Strategy Act, S.C. 2019, c. 29, s. 313 “18(2)”.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-865.

Annual report 2020-21 of the Commissioner of Official Languages, pursuant to the Official Languages Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 31 (4th supp.), s. 66.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-866.

WRITTEN REPLIES TO ORAL QUESTIONS AND TO WRITTEN QUESTIONS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO THE ORDERS ADOPTED OCTOBER 27 AND DECEMBER 17, 2020

Reply to Question No. 8, dated September 23, 2020, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding the Private Sector Investment Champions Speaker’s Program.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-867S.

Reply to Question No. 139, dated March 16, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding the Indigenous Community Business Fund.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-868S.

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples

The Honourable Senator Pate replaced the Honourable Senator Cotter (May 28, 2021).

The Honourable Senator Cotter replaced the Honourable Senator Pate (May 28, 2021).

Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce

The Honourable Senator Dagenais was added to the membership (May 28, 2021).

Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages

The Honourable Senator Saint-Germain was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (June 1, 2021).

The Honourable Senator Jaffer was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (May 28, 2021).

The Honourable Senator Saint-Germain was added to the membership (May 28, 2021).

Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications

The Honourable Senator Forest-Niesing replaced the Honourable Senator Keating (June 1, 2021).