The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AndersonArnotAudetteBattersBellemareBernardBlackBoehmBoisvenuBonifaceBoveyBoyerBrazeauBussonCampbellCarignanChristmasClementCordyCormierCotterCoyleDagenaisDalphondDaskoDawsonDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuncanDupuisForestFrancisFureyGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGoldGreeneHarderHartlingHousakosKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLankinLoffredaMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMarwahMassicotteMcCallumMcPhedranMégieMercerMiville-DechêneMocklerMoncionMoodieOhOmidvarPatePattersonPetitclercPlettPoirierQuinnRavaliaRichardsRinguetteSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSmithSorensenTannasWallinWellsWetstonWoo

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

AndersonArnotAudetteBattersBellemareBernardBlackBoehmBoisvenuBonifaceBoveyBoyerBrazeauBussonCampbellCarignanChristmasClementCordyCormierCotterCoyleDagenaisDalphondDaskoDawsonDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuncanDupuisForestFrancisFureyGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGoldGreeneHarderHartlingHousakosKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLankinLoffredaMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMarwahMassicotteMcCallumMcPhedranMégieMercerMiville-DechêneMocklerMoncionMoodieOhOmidvarPatePattersonPetitclercPlettPoirierQuinnRavaliaRichardsRinguetteSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSmithSorensenTannasWallinWellsWetstonWoo

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:

Reports of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development to the House of Commons (Spring 2022), pursuant to the Auditor General Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-17, sbs. 23(5).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-714.

Orders of the Day

Government Business

Motions

The Honourable Senator Gagné moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson:

That, notwithstanding any provision of the Rules, previous order or usual practice, and without affecting progress in relation to Bill S-6, An Act respecting regulatory modernization:

1.the following committees be separately authorized to examine the subject matter of the following elements contained in Bill S-6:

(a)the Standing Senate Committee on Banking Trade and Commerce: those elements contained in Part 1;

(b)the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources: those elements contained in Parts 2 and 3;

(c)the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry: those elements contained in Parts 4, 5 and 6;

(d)the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans: those elements contained in Part 7;

(e)the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology: those elements contained in Part 8;

(f)the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade: those elements contained in Part 9; and

(g)the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications: those elements contained in Part 10;

2.each of the committees that are authorized to examine the subject matter of particular elements of Bill S-6 submit its final report to the Senate no later than May 30, 2022, and be authorized to deposit its report with the Clerk of the Senate if the Senate is not then sitting; and

3.the committee to which Bill S-6 may be referred, if it is adopted at second reading, be authorized to take into consideration these reports during its study of the bill.

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.

Question Period

Pursuant to the order adopted on December 7, 2021, the Senate proceeded to Question Period.

The Honourable Karina Gould, P.C., M.P., Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, took part in Question Period.

Orders of the Day

Government Business

Motions

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson:

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

To Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary May Simon, 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 LaBoucane-Benson, 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

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

Reports of Committees – Other

Order No. 4 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

Inquiries

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

ADJOURNMENT

At 3:51 p.m., pursuant to the orders adopted by the Senate on November 25, 2021, and March 31, 2022, the Senate adjourned until 2 p.m., tomorrow.

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

Annual Report concerning section 38.17 of the Canada Evidence Act covering the period from July 15, 2020 to July 14, 2021, pursuant to the Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-5, s. 38.17.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-694.

Report of the Governor of the Bank of Canada and Statement of Accounts, together with the Auditors’ Report, for the year ended December 31, 2021, pursuant to the Bank of Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. B-2, sbs. 30(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-695.

WRITTEN REPLIES TO ORAL QUESTIONS AND TO WRITTEN QUESTIONS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO THE ORDERS ADOPTED NOVEMBER 25, 2021, AND MARCH 31, 2022

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on December 9, 2021, by the Honourable Senator Wallin, concerning medical assistance in dying.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-696S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on December 9, 2021, by the Honourable Senator Housakos, concerning the Conference of the Parties.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-697S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on March 2, 2022, by the Honourable Senator Boisvenu, concerning the Ombudsman of Victims of Crime.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-698S.

Reply to Question No. 8, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding the Government of Canada’s approval of the sale of Retirement Concepts to Anbang Insurance Group.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-699S.

Reply to Question No. 12, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding bilateral relations with Armenia.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-700S.

Reply to Question No. 15, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding the citizenship requirement for Canadian Armed Forces personnel — Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-701S.

Reply to Question No. 15, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding the citizenship requirement for Canadian Armed Forces personnel — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-702S.

Reply to Question No. 18, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding complaints of conflict of interest at CBC/Radio-Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-703S.

Reply to Question No. 35, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding deportations.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-704S.

Reply to Question No. 54, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding immigrations removals.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-705S.

Reply to Question No. 61, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding Library and Archives Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-706S.

Reply to Question No. 73, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding the National Research Council — Global Affairs Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-707S.

Reply to Question No. 73, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding the National Research Council — Innovation, Science and and Economic Development Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-708S.

Reply to Question No. 104, dated November 25, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Downe, regarding tax evasion.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-709S.

Reply to Question No. 106, dated November 25, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Downe, regarding Canadian Forces veterans who are eligible for priority employment appointments in the federal public service — Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-710S.

Reply to Question No. 106, dated November 25, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Downe, regarding Canadian Forces veterans who are eligible for priority employment appointments in the federal public service — Privy Council Office.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-711S.

Reply to Question No. 112, dated December 14, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding the smuggling of illegal firearms — Department of Justice.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-712S.

Reply to Question No. 112, dated December 14, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding the smuggling of illegal firearms — Public Safety Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-713S.

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Special Joint Committee on the Declaration of Emergency

The Honourable Senator White replaced the Honourable Senator Campbell (April 27, 2022).

Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology

The Honourable Senator Gerba replaced the Honourable Senator Bernard (April 27, 2022).

Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications

The Honourable Senator Busson replaced the Honourable Senator Dasko (April 27, 2022).

The Honourable Senator Forest replaced the Honourable Senator Galvez (April 27, 2022).