The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AndersonArnotAtaullahjanBattersBellemareBlackBoehmBoisvenuBonifaceBoveyBrazeauBussonCampbellCarignanClementCordyCormierCotterCoyleDagenaisDalphondDaskoDawsonDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuncanForestFrancisFureyGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGoldGreeneHarderHousakosJafferKlyneKutcherLankinLoffredaMacDonaldManningMarshallMarwahMassicotteMcPhedranMégieMercerMiville-DechêneMocklerMoncionMoodieOhOmidvarPatePetitclercPlettQuinnRavaliaRinguetteSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSmithSorensenTannasVernerWallinWellsWetstonWhiteWooYussuff

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

AndersonArnotAtaullahjanBattersBellemareBlackBoehmBoisvenuBonifaceBoveyBrazeauBussonCampbellCarignanClementCordyCormierCotterCoyleDagenaisDalphondDaskoDawsonDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuncanForestFrancisFureyGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGoldGreeneHarderHousakosJafferKlyneKutcherLankinLoffredaMacDonaldManningMarshallMarwahMassicotteMcPhedranMégieMercerMiville-DechêneMocklerMoncionMoodieOhOmidvarPatePetitclercPlettQuinnRavaliaRinguetteSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSmithSorensenTannasVernerWallinWellsWetstonWhiteWooYussuff

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

With leave of the Senate,

The Honourable Senator Saint-Germain moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dean:

That, notwithstanding any provision of the Rules or previous order, for today’s sitting, the duration for Senators’ Statements be 45 minutes, to be used for the purpose of paying tribute to our late colleague the Honourable Josée Forest-Niesing, who passed away on November 20, 2021.

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

Senators’ Statements

Tributes

Tribute was paid to the memory of the Honourable Senator Forest-Niesing, whose death occurred on November 20, 2021.

o o o

The Senate observed a minute of silence in memory of the Honourable Josée Forest-Niesing.

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

Introduction and First Reading of Senate Public Bills

The Honourable Senator Bellemare introduced Bill S-244, An Act to amend the Department of Employment and Social Development Act and the Employment Insurance Act (Employment Insurance Council).

The bill was read the first time.

The Honourable Senator Bellemare moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Anderson, 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.

Question Period

The Senate proceeded to Question Period.

Orders of the Day

Government Business

Bills – Second Reading

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

Reports of Committees – Other

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

Motions

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

o o o

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

That, notwithstanding any provision of the Rules, previous order or usual practice:

1.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-19, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 7, 2022 and other measures, introduced in the House of Commons on April 28, 2022, in advance of the said bill coming before the Senate;

2.in addition, the following committees be separately authorized to examine the subject matter of the following elements contained in Bill C-19:

(a)the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples: those elements contained in Divisions 2 and 3 of Part 5;

(b)the Standing Senate Committee on Banking Trade and Commerce: those elements contained in Divisions 5, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17 and 30 of Part 5;

(c)the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade: those elements contained in Divisions 9, 18 and 31 of Part 5;

(d)the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs: those elements contained in Divisions 1, 21 and 22 of Part 5;

(e)the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defense: those elements contained in Divisions 19 and 20 of Part 5; and

(f)the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology: those elements contained in Divisions 23, 24, 26, 27, 29 and 32 of Part 5; and

3.each of the committees listed in point two that are authorized to examine the subject matter of particular elements of Bill C-19 submit its final report to the Senate no later than June 10, 2022, and be authorized to deposit its report with the Clerk of the Senate if the Senate is not then sitting;

4.the aforementioned committees be authorized to meet for the purposes of their studies of the subject matter of all or particular elements of Bill C-19, even though the Senate may then be sitting or adjourned, with the application of rules 12-18(1) and 12-18(2) being suspended in relation thereto; and

5.the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance be authorized to take any reports tabled under point three into consideration during its study of the subject matter of all of Bill C-19.

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

o o o

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

That, notwithstanding the order adopted on March 31, 2022, the deadline for the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying to submit its final report on its review, including a statement of any recommended changes, be extended to October 17, 2022, provided that the committee submit an interim report on mental illness as a sole underlying condition no later than June 23, 2022; and

That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that House accordingly.

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

Orders No. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Senate Public Bills – Reports of Committees

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

Senate Public Bills – Second Reading

Orders No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Reports of Committees – Other

Orders No. 8 and 9 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Motions

Orders No. 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 19, 30, 50, 52, 55 and 57 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Inquiries

Orders No. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

MOTIONS

With leave of the Senate,

The Honourable Senator Wallin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Verner, P.C.:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce be authorized to meet on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at 6:30 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.

---

At 3:40 p.m., pursuant to rule 9-10(7), the sitting was suspended until 5:15 p.m.

The sitting resumed.

DEFERRED VOTES

At 5:30 p.m., pursuant to rule 9-10(2), the Senate proceeded to the taking of the deferred standing vote on the motion in amendment of the the Honourable Senator Plett, to government Motion No. 35 of the the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson.

The question being put on the motion in amendment of the Honourable Senator Plett, seconded by the Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C.:

That the motion be not now adopted, but that it be amended:

1. by replacing the words “June 30, 2022” by the words “May 9, 2022”; and

2.by adding the following after the word “objective” at the end of the motion:

“; and

That, before introducing any motion on the extension or resumption of hybrid sittings of the Senate, the Leader of the Government in the Senate must:

1.table in the Senate:

(a)all opinions and guidelines from public health officials from the federal government regarding in-person meetings in the federal public service;

(b)all opinions and guidelines from public health officials from the Ontario and Québec governments regarding in-person meetings;

(c)a letter from the Clerk of the Senate outlining how the Senate sitting in person only would contravene any opinion or guideline mentioned in points (a) and (b); and

(d)a plan for a transition back to in-person sittings of the Senate as soon as practicable in accordance with the commitment made by the Senate on March 31, 2022; and

2.consult in an open and constructive manner with the leaders and facilitators of all recognized parties and parliamentary groups”.

The motion in amendment was negatived on the following vote:

YEAS

The Honourable Senators

AtaullahjanBattersBoisvenuCarignanHousakosMacDonaldMarshallMocklerOhPlettQuinnSeidmanSmithWells—14

NAYS

The Honourable Senators

AndersonArnotBellemareBlackBoehmBonifaceBoveyBrazeauBussonCampbellClementCordyCormierCotterCoyleDagenaisDalphondDaskoDawsonDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDuncanForestFrancisGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGoldGreeneHarderKlyneKutcherLankinLoffredaMarwahMassicotteMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneMoncionMoodieOmidvarPatePetitclercRavaliaRinguetteSaint-GermainSimonsSorensenTannasVernerWallinWhiteWoo—56

ABSTENTIONS

The Honourable Senators

Nil

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

That, notwithstanding any provisions of the Rules, previous order or usual practice, the provisions of the order of November 25, 2021, concerning hybrid sittings of the Senate and committees, and other matters, extended on March 31, 2022, have effect until the end of the day on June 30, 2022, subject to the following adjustments:

1.subparagraph 7(a) to (e) of the order of November 25, 2021, be replaced by the following:

“(a)when the Senate sits on a Monday, the sitting:

(i)start at 2 p.m.; and

(ii)adjourn at the earlier of the end of Government Business or midnight;

(b)when the Senate sits on a Tuesday, the sitting:

(i)start at 2 p.m.; and

(ii)adjourn at the later of the end of Government Business or 6 p.m.;

(c)when the Senate sits on a Wednesday, the sitting:

(i)start at 2 p.m.; and

(ii)adjourn at the earlier of the end of Government Business or 4 p.m.;

(d)when the Senate sits on a Thursday, the sitting:

(i)start at 2 p.m.; and

(ii)adjourn at the earlier of the end of business for the day or midnight; and

(e)when the Senate sits on a Friday, the sitting:

(i)start at 9 a.m.; and

(ii)adjourn at the earlier of the end of Government Business or 4 p.m.;” and

2.the provisions of paragraphs 12 and 13 of the order of November 25, 2021, cease to have effect, so that the evening suspension be as provided for in rule 3-3(1), including on Mondays, and, consequently, if the Rules require that something take place at 8 p.m., it take place at the time provided for in the Rules; and

That the Senate recognize the need to work towards a return to a schedule of committee meetings reflecting Ottawa-based operations, and call upon the Committee of Selection to continue to work with the leaders and facilitators of all recognized parties and recognized parliamentary groups to advance this objective.

After debate,

In amendment, the Honourable Senator Saint-Germain moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dean:

That the motion be not now adopted, but that it be amended by replacing the proposed new subparagraphs 7(b)(ii) and 7(d)(ii), contained in paragraph 1 of the motion, with the following:

“(ii)adjourn at the later of the end of Government Business or 6 p.m., but, unless otherwise provided for in this order, at the latest by midnight;”.

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

The Senate resumed debate on the motion, as amended, of the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson:

That, notwithstanding any provisions of the Rules, previous order or usual practice, the provisions of the order of November 25, 2021, concerning hybrid sittings of the Senate and committees, and other matters, extended on March 31, 2022, have effect until the end of the day on June 30, 2022, subject to the following adjustments:

1.subparagraph 7(a) to (e) of the order of November 25, 2021, be replaced by the following:

“(a)when the Senate sits on a Monday, the sitting:

(i)start at 2 p.m.; and

(ii)adjourn at the earlier of the end of Government Business or midnight;

(b)when the Senate sits on a Tuesday, the sitting:

(i)start at 2 p.m.; and

(ii)adjourn at the later of the end of Government Business or 6 p.m., but, unless otherwise provided for in this order, at the latest by midnight;

(c)when the Senate sits on a Wednesday, the sitting:

(i)start at 2 p.m.; and

(ii)adjourn at the earlier of the end of Government Business or 4 p.m.;

(d)when the Senate sits on a Thursday, the sitting:

(i)start at 2 p.m.; and

(ii)adjourn at the later of the end of Government Business or 6 p.m., but, unless otherwise provided for in this order, at the latest by midnight; and

(e)when the Senate sits on a Friday, the sitting:

(i)start at 9 a.m.; and

(ii)adjourn at the earlier of the end of Government Business or 4 p.m.;” and

2.the provisions of paragraphs 12 and 13 of the order of November 25, 2021, cease to have effect, so that the evening suspension be as provided for in rule 3-3(1), including on Mondays, and, consequently, if the Rules require that something take place at 8 p.m., it take place at the time provided for in the Rules; and

That the Senate recognize the need to work towards a return to a schedule of committee meetings reflecting Ottawa-based operations, and call upon the Committee of Selection to continue to work with the leaders and facilitators of all recognized parties and recognized parliamentary groups to advance this objective.

The Honourable Senator Housakos moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator MacDonald, that further debate on the motion, as amended, be adjourned until the next sitting.

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

MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

A message was brought from the House of Commons with Bill C-8, An Act to implement certain provisions of the economic and fiscal update tabled in Parliament on December 14, 2021 and other measures, to which it desires the concurrence of the Senate.

The bill was read the first time.

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

ADJOURNMENT

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

That the Senate do now adjourn.

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

(Accordingly, at 5:42 p.m., the Senate was continued until tomorrow at 2 p.m.)

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

Report of Chicken Farmers of Canada, together with the Auditors’ Report, for the year ended December 31, 2021, pursuant to the Farm Products Agencies Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-4, s. 30.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-721.

Amendment to the Agreement for RCMP policing services (First Nations Community Policing Service) for the province of Manitoba, pursuant to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. R-10, sbs. 20(5).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-722.

Amendment to the Agreement for RCMP policing services (First Nations Community Policing Service) for the province of Alberta, pursuant to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. R-10, sbs. 20(5).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-723.

Amendment to the Agreement for RCMP policing services (First Nations Community Policing Service) for the province of Prince Edward Island, pursuant to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. R-10, sbs. 20(5).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-724.

Summaries of the Corporate Plan for 2022-26 and of the Capital Budget for 2022 of the Royal Canadian Mint, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-725.

Report of the Military Police Complaints Commission of Canada for the year 2021, pursuant to the National Defence Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. N-5, s. 250.17.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-726.

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament

The Honourable Senator Audette was added to the membership (May 4, 2022).

The Honourable Senator Clement was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (May 4, 2022).

Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications

The Honourable Senator Clement was added to the membership (May 4, 2022).

The Honourable Senator Omidvar was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (May 4, 2022).

The Honourable Senator Omidvar replaced the Honourable Senator Galvez (May 4, 2022).