Journals of the Senate
1 Charles III , A.D. 2023, Canada
1st Session, 44th Parliament
Issue 103 (Unrevised)
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
2 p.m.
The Honourable GEORGE J. FUREY, Speaker
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
AndersonArnotAtaullahjanBattersBellemareBernardBlackBoehmBoisvenuBonifaceBoveyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCormierCotterCoyleDagenaisDalphondDeacon (Nova Scotia)DeanDowneDuncanDupuisForestFrancisFureyGagnéGalvezGignacGoldGreeneGreenwoodHarderHousakosKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMarwahMassicotteMcCallumMcPhedranMoncionOhPatterson (Nunavut)PetitclercPlettPoirierRavaliaRichardsRinguetteSeidmanSmithSorensenTannasVernerWallinWellsWooYussuff
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
AndersonArnotAtaullahjanBattersBellemareBernardBlackBoehmBoisvenuBonifaceBoveyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCormierCotterCoyleDagenaisDalphondDeacon (Nova Scotia)DeanDowneDuncanDupuisForestFrancisFureyGagnéGalvez*GerbaGignacGoldGreeneGreenwoodHarderHousakosKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMarwahMassicotteMcCallumMcPhedran*Mégie*Miville-DechêneMoncionOh*OslerPatterson (Nunavut)PetitclercPlettPoirierRavaliaRichardsRinguetteSeidmanSmithSorensenTannasVernerWallinWellsWooYussuff
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 Senator Gold, P.C., tabled the following:
2020-21 Annual Report of the Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1590.
Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees
The Honourable Senator Wallin presented the following:
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
The Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy has the honour to present its
SIXTH REPORT
Your committee, to which was referred Bill C-228, An Act to amend the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act and the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985, has, in obedience to the order of reference of December 14, 2022, examined the said bill and now reports the same without amendment but with certain observations, which are appended to this report.
Respectfully submitted,
PAMELA WALLIN
Chair
Observations to the Sixth Report of the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy (Bill C-228)
Your committee heard concerns that multi-employer pension plans could become liable for any pension deficits upon the insolvency of an employer. However, your committee was convinced by a breadth of testimony that supported the position of the Bill C-228 sponsor, Marilyn Gladu, M.P., that these types of pension plans fall outside the scope of the bill and that only employers who are legally responsible to backstop a pension plan fund are liable to provide due payment to their employees upon bankruptcy.
Your committee also observes that multi-employer pension plans offer many advantages to both employers and employees and suggests that allowing federally regulated employers to establish such pension plans may be beneficial.
Lastly, your committee observes that there have been instances where agreements have been reached between companies, unions or employee groups and pensioners for settlement with respect to pension plan deficits outside the normal insolvency proceedings and that this path could be pursued to achieve a fair settlement as intended by this legislation.
The Honourable Senator Wells moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Batters, 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.
Question Period
Pursuant to the order adopted on December 7, 2021, the Senate proceeded to Question Period.
The Honourable Joyce Murray, P.C., M.P., Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and Canadian Coast Guard, entered the Senate and took part in Question Period.
Orders of the Day
Government Business
Bills – Second Reading
Second reading of Bill C-39, An Act to amend An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying).
The Honourable Senator Kutcher moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boehm, that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.
The bill was then read the second time.
The Honourable Senator Kutcher moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boehm, 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.
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Bellemare, for the second reading of Bill C-18, An Act respecting online communications platforms that make news content available to persons in Canada.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Clement moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Duncan, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Cotter, seconded by the Honourable Senator Woo, for the second reading of Bill C-22, An Act to reduce poverty and to support the financial security of persons with disabilities by establishing the Canada disability benefit and making a consequential amendment to the Income Tax Act.
Debate.
Ordered, That the sitting be suspended, to resume at the later of 8 p.m., after a 15-minute bell, or the call of the chair, after a 5-minute bell.
(Accordingly, at 5:28 p.m., the sitting was suspended.)
At 8 p.m., the sitting resumed.
Bills – Second Reading
The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Cotter, seconded by the Honourable Senator Woo, for the second reading of Bill C-22, An Act to reduce poverty and to support the financial security of persons with disabilities by establishing the Canada disability benefit and making a consequential amendment to the Income Tax Act.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator McPhedran moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator MacDonald, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Order No. 4 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Reports of Committees – Other
Orders No. 7 and 9 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Motions
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
The Honourable Senator Gagné moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson:
That the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance be authorized to examine and report upon the expenditures set out in the Supplementary Estimates (C) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023; and
That, for the purpose of this study, the committee have the power to meet, even though the Senate may then be sitting or adjourned, and that rules 12-18(1) and 12-18(2) be suspended in relation thereto.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Gagné moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson:
That the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance be authorized to examine and report upon the expenditures set out in the Main Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024; and
That, for the purpose of this study, the committee have the power to meet, even though the Senate may then be sitting or adjourned, and that rules 12-18(1) and 12-18(2) be suspended in relation thereto.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Inquiries
Orders No. 3 and 4 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Other Business
Senate Public Bills – Third Reading
Third reading of Bill S-205, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to another Act (interim release and domestic violence recognizance orders), as amended.
The Honourable Senator Boisvenu moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Seidman, that the bill, as amended, be read for a third time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Clement moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Duncan, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 2 and 3 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Commons Public Bills – Third Reading
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 and 14 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Klyne, seconded by the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., for the second reading of Bill S-241, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (great apes, elephants and certain other animals).
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.
Orders No. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Commons Public Bills – Second Reading
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Reports of Committees – Other
Orders No. 27, 28, 30 and 31 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Consideration of the fifth report (interim) of the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy, entitled The State of the Canadian Economy and Inflation, tabled in the Senate on February 15, 2023.
The Honourable Senator Wallin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Smith:
That the fifth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy, tabled in the Senate on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, be adopted and that, pursuant to rule 12-24(1), the Senate request a complete and detailed response from the government, with the Minister of Finance being identified as minister responsible for responding to the report.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Clement moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Duncan, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
ADJOURNMENT
With leave of the Senate,
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 9:44 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)
Government response, dated February 23, 2023, to the sixth report (interim) of the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples, entitled Not Enough: All Words and No Action on MMIWG, tabled in the Senate on June 22, 2022.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1579S.
(Pursuant to rule 12-24(4), the report and the response were deemed referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples.)
Government response, dated February 23, 2023, to the seventh report (interim) of the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples, entitled Make it Stop! Ending the remaining discrimination in Indian registration, tabled in the Senate on June 27, 2022.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1580S.
(Pursuant to rule 12-24(4), the report and the response were deemed referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples.)
Government response, dated February 23, 2023, to the fourth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, entitled Peace on the Water (Advancing the Full Implementation of Mi’kmaq, Wolastoqiyik and Peskotomuhkati Rights-Based Fisheries), tabled in the Senate on July 12, 2022.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1581S.
(Pursuant to rule 12-24(4), the report and the response were deemed referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans.)
Government response, dated March 3, 2023, to the fourth report (interim) of the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights, entitled The Scars we Carry: Forced and Coerced Sterilization of Persons in Canada — Part II, tabled in the Senate on July 14, 2022.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1582S.
(Pursuant to rule 12-24(4), the report and the response were deemed referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights.)
Revised Summaries of the Corporate Plan for 2022-26 and Budgets of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1568.
Copy of the Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Haiti) Regulations (P.C. 2023-139), pursuant to the Special Economic Measures Act, S.C. 1992, c. 17, sbs. 7(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1569.
Copy of Order in Council P.C. 2023-75 concerning minimizing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in Canada, pursuant to the Quarantine Act, S.C. 2005, c. 20, sbs. 61(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1570.
Amendment to the Agreement for RCMP policing services (First Nations Community Policing Service) for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, pursuant to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. R-10, sbs. 20(5).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1571.
Amendment to the Agreement for RCMP policing services (First Nations Community Policing Service) for the Government of Yukon, pursuant to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. R-10, sbs. 20(5).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1572.
Report of the administration of the Firearms Act for the year 2021, pursuant to the Act, S.C. 1995, c. 39, sbs. 93(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1573.
Report of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency respecting the disclosure of information under the Security of Canada Information Disclosure Act for the year ended December 31, 2021, pursuant to the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Act, S.C. 2019, c. 13, s. 2 “39(2)”.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1574.
List of Commissions issued for the year 2022, pursuant to the Public Officers Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-31, s. 4.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1575.
Report on the administration and operation of the Canada Health Act for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, pursuant to the Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-6, s. 23.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1576.
Document entitled “Report of the Public Inquiry into the 2022 Public Order Emergency”, pursuant to the Emergencies Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 22 (4th supp.), sbs. 63(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1577.
Report of the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer entitled Supplementary Estimates (C) 2022-23, pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-1, sbs. 79.2(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1578.
Report of the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer entitled The Government’s Expenditure Plan and Main Estimates for 2023-24, pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-1, sbs. 79.2(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1583.
Report of the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer entitled Economic and Fiscal Outlook – March 2023, pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-1, sbs. 79.2(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1584.
Report of the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer entitled Costing the Express Entry Immigration Process, pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-1, sbs. 79.2(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1585.
Interim Order No. 78 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. 1/44-1586.
Copy of the Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations (P.C. 2023-176), pursuant to the Special Economic Measures Act, S.C. 1992, c. 17, sbs. 7(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1587.
Copy of the Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations (P.C. 2023-177), pursuant to the Special Economic Measures Act, S.C. 1992, c. 17, sbs. 7(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1588.
Copy of the Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations (P.C. 2023-178), pursuant to the Special Economic Measures Act, S.C. 1992, c. 17, sbs. 7(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1589.
Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5
Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry
The Honourable Senator Smith replaced the Honourable Senator Burey (March 6, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Tannas was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (February 21, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Burey was added to the membership (February 21, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Duncan replaced the Honourable Senator Deacon (Nova Scotia) (February 16, 2023).
Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy
The Honourable Senator Plett replaced the Honourable Senator Wells (March 1, 2023).
Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade
The Honourable Senator Sorensen replaced the Honourable Senator Coyle (March 7, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Marwah replaced the Honourable Senator Woo (March 7, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Busson replaced the Honourable Senator Deacon (Ontario) (March 7, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Cardozo replaced the Honourable Senator Gerba (March 2, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Woo replaced the Honourable Senator Marwah (February 16, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Ravalia replaced the Honourable Senator Simons (February 16, 2023).
Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights
The Honourable Senator Gerba replaced the Honourable Senator Cardozo (March 7, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Omidvar replaced the Honourable Senator Duncan (March 7, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Cardozo replaced the Honourable Senator Gerba (March 2, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Duncan replaced the Honourable Senator Omidvar (February 28, 2023).
Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples
The Honourable Senator Boniface replaced the Honourable Senator Sorensen (March 7, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Hartling replaced the Honourable Senator Duncan (March 7, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Duncan replaced the Honourable Senator Hartling (March 6, 2023).
Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
The Honourable Senator Forest replaced the Honourable Senator Deacon (Ontario) (February 16, 2023).
Standing Senate Committee on National Finance
The Honourable Senator Moncion replaced the Honourable Senator Pate (March 7, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Duncan replaced the Honourable Senator Yussuff (February 16, 2023).
Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages
The Honourable Senator Mégie replaced the Honourable Senator Loffreda (March 7, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Loffreda replaced the Honourable Senator Mégie (March 6, 2023).
Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament
The Honourable Senator Saint-Germain replaced the Honourable Senator Dean (March 7, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Dean replaced the Honourable Senator Saint-Germain (March 3, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Kutcher replaced the Honourable Senator Omidvar (March 1, 2023).
Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations
The Honourable Senator Greene was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (March 7, 2023).
Committee of Selection
The Honourable Senator Clement was added to the membership (March 2, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Duncan was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (March 2, 2023).
Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology
The Honourable Senator Greenwood replaced the Honourable Senator Moodie (March 7, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Cormier replaced the Honourable Senator Dasko (March 7, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Patterson (Nunavut) replaced the Honourable Senator Osler (March 2, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Duncan replaced the Honourable Senator Lankin, P.C. (March 1, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Verner, P.C., replaced the Honourable Senator Burey (March 1, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Burey was added to the membership (February 21, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Verner, P.C., was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (February 21, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Lankin, P.C., replaced the Honourable Senator Mégie (February 16, 2023).
Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications
The Honourable Senator Richards replaced the Honourable Senator Wallin (March 7, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Patterson (Nunavut) replaced the Honourable Senator Quinn (March 6, 2023).