Journals of the Senate
70 Elizabeth II , A.D. 2021, Canada
1st Session, 44th Parliament
Issue 8 (Unrevised)
Tuesday, December 7, 2021
2 p.m.
The Honourable GEORGE J. FUREY, Speaker
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
AndersonArnotAtaullahjanAudetteBattersBellemareBernardBlackBoehmBoisvenuBonifaceBoveyBoyerBrazeauBussonCampbellCarignanChristmasClementCordyCormierCotterCoyleDagenaisDalphondDaskoDawsonDeacon (Nova Scotia)DeanDowneDuncanDupuisForestFrancisFureyGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGoldGreeneGriffinHarderHartlingHousakosJafferKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLankinLoffredaLovelace NicholasMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMarwahMassicotteMcCallumMcPhedranMégieMercerMiville-DechêneMocklerMoncionMoodieNgoOhOmidvarPatePattersonPetitclercPoirierQuinnRavaliaRichardsRinguetteSaint-GermainSimonsSmithSorensenTannasVernerWallinWellsWetstonWhiteWooYussuff
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
AndersonArnotAtaullahjanAudetteBattersBellemareBernardBlackBoehmBoisvenuBonifaceBoveyBoyerBrazeauBussonCampbellCarignanChristmasClementCordyCormierCotterCoyleDagenaisDalphondDaskoDawsonDeacon (Nova Scotia)DeanDowneDuncanDupuisForestFrancisFureyGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGoldGreeneGriffinHarderHartlingHousakosJafferKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLankinLoffredaLovelace NicholasMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMarwahMassicotteMcCallumMcPhedranMégieMercerMiville-DechêneMocklerMoncionMoodieNgoOhOmidvarPatePattersonPetitclercPoirierQuinnRavaliaRichardsRinguetteSaint-GermainSimonsSmithSorensenTannasVernerWallinWellsWetstonWhiteWooYussuff
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
Honourable senators, yesterday was the deadline for senators who wished to be candidates for the position of Speaker pro tempore to communicate that fact to the Clerk of the Senate. The Honourable Senator Bovey and the Honourable Senator Ringuette advised him that they wished to stand as candidates. As announced on December 1, we will now hear from the candidates for a maximum of three minutes each. I will call on them in alphabetical order.
Pursuant to the process announced by the Speaker on December 1, 2021, the Senate heard from the two candidates for the position of Speaker pro tempore for a maximum of three minutes each.
Senators’ Statements
Some Honourable Senators made statements.
ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS
Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees
The Honourable Senator Marwah, Chair of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration, tabled the first report of the committee, entitled Financial Statements of the Senate of Canada for the year ended March 31, 2021.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-16S.
The Honourable Senator Jaffer tabled the following (Sessional Paper No. 1/44-17S):
Tuesday, December 7, 2021
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs has the honour to table its
FIRST REPORT
Your committee, which was authorized by the Senate to incur expenses for the purpose of its examination and consideration of such matters as were referred to it, tables, pursuant to rule 12-26(2), the following report on expenses incurred for that purpose during the Second Session of the Forty-third Parliament:
| 1. | General Expenses | $ | 3,402.55 |
| 2. | Witness Expenses | 554.60 | |
| TOTAL | $ | 3,957.15 |
During the session, your committee held 21 meetings (75 hours 13 minutes), heard 204 witnesses and submitted seven reports in relation to its work. Your committee examined eight bills, the subject matter of two bills, conducted one general study and received a total of 11 orders of reference.
Respectfully submitted,
MOBINA S.B. JAFFER
Chair
Introduction and First Reading of Senate Public Bills
The Honourable Senator Boniface introduced Bill S-232, 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.
The bill was read the first time.
The Honourable Senator Boniface moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boehm, 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 Dawson tabled the following:
Report of the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie, Parliamentary Conference on the Sahel, New York, New York, United States, from November 14 to 15, 2019.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-18.
Report of the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie, Parliamentary Seminar on Parliamentary Oversight and Public Policy Evaluation, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, from November 14 to 15, 2019.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-19.
Question Period
The Senate proceeded to Question Period.
Orders of the Day
Government Business
Bills – Second Reading
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Bellemare, for the second reading of Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act and to make consequential and related amendments to other Acts.
Debate.
Ordered: That the bill be read a second and a third time now.
Accordingly, the bill was then read the second and 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, to which it desires its concurrence.
Second reading of Bill S-3, An Act to amend the Judges Act.
The Honourable Senator Dalphond moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cordy, that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Housakos, 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-4, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy).
The Honourable Senator Cormier moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne, that the bill be read the second time.
Debate.
Ordered: That the bill be read a second and a third time now.
Accordingly, the bill was then read the second and 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.
Motions
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
The Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gagné:
That, notwithstanding any provision of the Rules or usual practice:
1.the Senate invite any minister of the Crown who is not a member of the Senate to attend the Senate at least once every second week that the Senate sits, during Question Period at a time and on a date to be determined by the Government Representative in the Senate, after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition and the leaders and facilitators of all recognized parties and recognized parliamentary groups, and take part in proceedings by responding to questions relating to their ministerial responsibilities, subject to the rules and orders then in force, including those relating to hybrid sittings, if the Senate is then holding such sittings, except that neither senators when asking questions nor the minister when answering need stand;
2.the Government Representative in the Senate, in consultation with the Leader of the Opposition, and the leaders and facilitators of all recognized parties and recognized parliamentary groups, determine the minister to appear during such Question Period;
3.at the beginning of Orders of the Day, the Government Representative in the Senate or the Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate inform the Senate, as soon as possible in advance, of the time and date for Question Period with a minister, and the designated minister, but no later than the sitting day that would precede the day on which the minister would appear;
4.senators only have up to one minute to ask a question, and ministers have up to one minute and thirty seconds to respond, with this process continuing until the time for Question Period expires; and
5.the Question Period last a maximum of 60 minutes.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Other Business
Senate Public Bills – Second Reading
Orders No. 1 and 2 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Housakos, seconded by the Honourable Senator Smith, for the second reading of Bill S-203, An Act respecting a federal framework on autism spectrum disorder.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Duncan moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Coyle, 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, 5 and 6 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Second reading of Bill S-207, An Act to change the name of the electoral district of Châteauguay—Lacolle.
The Honourable Senator Dalphond moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cordy, that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Smith, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 8 and 9 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne, seconded by the Honourable Senator McCallum, for the second reading of Bill S-210, An Act to restrict young persons' online access to sexually explicit material.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Wells, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 11 and 12 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Jaffer, seconded by the Honourable Senator Forest, for the second reading of Bill S-213, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (independence of the judiciary).
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Smith, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 14, 15 and 16 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Second reading of Bill S-217, An Act respecting the repurposing of certain seized, frozen or sequestrated assets.
The Honourable Senator Omidvar moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Audette, that the bill be read the second time.
Debate.
Pursuant to rule 3-3(1) and the order adopted by the Senate on November 25, 2021, 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 Omidvar, seconded by the Honourable Senator Audette, for the second reading of Bill S-217, An Act respecting the repurposing of certain seized, frozen or sequestrated assets.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Duncan moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Saint-Germain, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Second reading of Bill S-223, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs).
The Honourable Senator Ataullahjan moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Marshall, that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Duncan moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Ravalia, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Second reading of Bill S-230, An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act.
The Honourable Senator Pate moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Griffin, that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Duncan moved, for the Honourable Senator Jaffer, 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.
Order No. 31 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Reports of Committees – Other
Consideration of the second report (interim) of the Committee of Selection, entitled Duration of membership on committees, presented in the Senate on December 2, 2021.
The Honourable Senator MacDonald moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Smith, that the report be adopted.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Woo moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Ravalia, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Consideration of the third report (interim) of the Committee of Selection, entitled Committee Meeting Schedule, presented in the Senate on December 2, 2021.
The Honourable Senator MacDonald moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Smith, that the report be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Motions
Order No. 6 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Galvez, seconded by the Honourable Senator Forest:
That the Senate of Canada recognize that:
(a)climate change is an urgent crisis that requires an immediate and ambitious response;
(b)human activity is unequivocally warming the atmosphere, ocean and land at an unprecedented pace, and is provoking weather and climate extremes in every region across the globe, including in the Arctic, which is warming at more than twice the global rate;
(c)failure to address climate change is resulting in catastrophic consequences especially for Canadian youth, Indigenous Peoples and future generations; and
(d)climate change is negatively impacting the health and safety of Canadians, and the financial stability of Canada;
That the Senate declare that Canada is in a national climate emergency which requires that Canada uphold its international commitments with respect to climate change and increase its climate action in line with the Paris Agreement’s objective of holding global warming well below two degrees Celsius and pursuing efforts to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius; and
That the Senate commit to action on mitigation and adaptation in response to the climate emergency and that it consider this urgency for action while undertaking its parliamentary business.
Debate.
ADJOURNMENT
The Honourable Senator Gagné moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson:
That the Senate do now adjourn.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
(Accordingly, at 8:57 p.m., the Senate was continued until tomorrow at 2 p.m.)
Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5
Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
The Honourable Senator Dasko replaced the Honourable Senator Forest (December 7, 2021).
The Honourable Senator Saint-Germain replaced the Honourable Senator Ringuette (December 3, 2021).
The Honourable Senator Seidman replaced the Honourable Senator Housakos (December 3, 2021).
The Honourable Senator Plett replaced the Honourable Senator Martin (December 3, 2021).
The Honourable Senator Ringuette replaced the Honourable Senator Saint-Germain (December 2, 2021).
Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology
The Honourable Senator Plett replaced the Honourable Senator Boisvenu (December 7, 2021).
The Honourable Senator Boisvenu replaced the Honourable Senator Plett (December 7, 2021).
Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications
The Honourable Senator Omidvar was added to the membership (December 3, 2021).
The Honourable Senator Wetston was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (December 3, 2021).