The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

ArnotAtaullahjanAudetteBattersBernardBlackBoehmBoisvenuBonifaceBoyerBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCordyCormierCotterCoyleDagenaisDalphondDaskoDeacon (Ontario)DeanDuncanDupuisFrancisGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGoldGreeneGreenwoodHarderHartlingHousakosJafferKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMarwahMassicotteMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneMoncionMoodieOhOmidvarOslerPatePatterson (Nunavut)Patterson (Ontario)PetitclercPettenPlettQuinnRavaliaRichardsRinguetteSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSmithVernerWallinWooYussuff

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

ArnotAtaullahjanAudetteBattersBernardBlackBoehmBoisvenuBonifaceBoyerBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCordyCormierCotterCoyleDagenaisDalphondDaskoDeacon (Ontario)Dean*DowneDuncanDupuis*ForestFrancisGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGoldGreeneGreenwoodHarderHartlingHousakosJafferKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMarwahMassicotteMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneMoncionMoodieOhOmidvarOslerPatePatterson (Nunavut)Patterson (Ontario)PetitclercPettenPlettQuinnRavaliaRichardsRinguetteSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSmithVernerWallin*WellsWooYussuff

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

Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees

The Honourable Senator Omidvar, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, informed the Senate that, pursuant to the orders adopted by the Senate on April 28, 2022, and May 18, 2023, the committee deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on June 8, 2023, its fifteenth report entitled Doing What Works: Rethinking the Federal Framework for Suicide Prevention.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1798S.

The Honourable Senator Omidvar moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Petitclerc, 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 Omidvar presented the following:

Thursday, June 8, 2023

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology has the honour to present its

SIXTEENTH REPORT

Your committee, to which was referred Bill C-242, An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (temporary resident visas for parents and grandparents), has, in obedience to the order of reference of Wednesday, 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,

Observations to the sixteenth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology (Bill C-242)

Your committee recommends that extensive consultation and research be carried out in conjunction with provincial and territorial partners, regulators, and health sector experts before approving any foreign insurance providers.

Your committee heard that there was currently no system of tracking how many temporary visa holders under the parent and grandparent super visa program allow their insurance coverage to lapse, incur healthcare costs or who stay in Canada beyond the authorized stay. Your committee therefore recommends that the Government of Canada consider facilitating the collection of this data.

The Honourable Senator Oh 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.

Introduction and First Reading of Government Bills

The Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., introduced Bill S-13, An Act to amend the Interpretation Act and to make related amendments to other Acts.

The bill was read the first time.

The Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson, 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.

First Reading of Commons Public Bills

A message was brought from the House of Commons with Bill C-281, An Act to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act, the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law), the Broadcasting Act and the Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act, to which it desires the concurrence of the Senate.

The bill was read the first time.

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

Notices of Motions

With leave of the Senate,

The Honourable Senator Klyne moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dalphond:

That, notwithstanding any provision of the Rules, previous order or usual practice, if 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), is adopted at second reading:

1.it stand referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs;

2.both the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry and the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources be authorized to examine and report on the subject matter of the bill; and

3.the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs be authorized to take into account any public documents and public evidence received by either of the committees authorized to study the subject matter of the bill, as well as any report from either of those committees to the Senate on the subject matter of the bill, during its consideration of the bill.

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 – Messages from the House of Commons

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

That, in relation to Bill S-5, An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, to make related amendments to the Food and Drugs Act and to repeal the Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Virtual Elimination Act, the Senate agree to the amendments made by the House of Commons; and

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

After debate,

The question was put on the motion.

Pursuant to rule 9-10(2), a standing vote was deferred until 5:30 p.m. at the next sitting, with the bells to sound at 5:15 p.m. for fifteen minutes.

Bills – Second Reading

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Yussuff, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boehm, for the second reading of Bill C-21, An Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments (firearms).

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Marshall, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.

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

Reports of Committees – Other

Orders No. 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

A message was brought from the House of Commons with Bill C-47, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 28, 2023, 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 LaBoucane-Benson, 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.

Orders of the Day

Government Business

Reports of Committees – Other

Orders No. 14, 15, 16 and 17 were 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 LaBoucane-Benson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C.:

That, when the Senate next adjourns after the adoption of this motion, it do stand adjourned until Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at 2 p.m.

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

Inquiries

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

Other Business

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 and 9 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Seidman, for the second reading of Bill S-234, An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (final disposal of plastic waste).

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, for the Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Plett, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources.

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

o o o

Orders No. 11 and 12 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

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

The bill was then read the second time.

(Pursuant to the order adopted earlier this day, the bill was deemed referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, and both the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry and the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources were authorized to examine and report on the subject matter of the bill.)

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Galvez, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gignac, for the second reading of Bill S-243, An Act to enact the Climate-Aligned Finance Act and to make 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 second time.

The Honourable Senator Galvez moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy.

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

o o o

Orders No. 15 and 16 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Wallin, seconded by the Honourable Senator Tannas, for the second reading of Bill S-248, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying).

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

The bill was then read the second time.

The Honourable Senator Wallin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Smith, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.

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

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Kutcher, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boehm, for the second reading of Bill S-251, An Act to repeal section 43 of the Criminal Code (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s call to action number 6).

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Plett moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin, 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. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Commons 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 Martin, seconded by the Honourable Senator Marshall, for the second reading of Bill C-241, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (deduction of travel expenses for tradespersons).

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 Seidman, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance.

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

o o o

Orders No. 5 and 6 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Private Bills – Second Reading

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Clement, seconded by the Honourable Senator Duncan, for the second reading of Bill S-1001, An Act to amalgamate The Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of Ottawa and The Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation for the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall, in Ontario, Canada.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Plett, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.

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

Reports of Committees – Other

Orders No. 31, 33 and 40 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Motions

Orders No. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 19, 30, 77, 82, 96, 113 and 119 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Inquiries

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

o o o

Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Plett, calling the attention of the Senate to the impact on Canada’s public finances of the NDP-Liberal agreement entitled Delivering for Canadians Now, A Supply and Confidence Agreement.

Ordered: That further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting, in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett.

o o o

Orders No. 10, 11, 13 and 15 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

MOTIONS

The Honourable Senator Ataullahjan moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights be permitted, notwithstanding usual practices, to deposit with the Clerk of the Senate, no later than September 30, 2023, interim reports on issues relating to human rights generally, if the Senate is not then sitting, and that the reports be deemed to have been tabled in the Senate.

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

o o o

Order No. 128 was withdrawn pursuant to rule 5-10(2).

ADJOURNMENT

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

That the Senate do now adjourn.

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

(Accordingly, at 5:56 p.m., the Senate was continued until Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at 2 p.m.)

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

Fifteenth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, entitled Doing What Works: Rethinking the Federal Framework for Suicide Prevention, deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on June 8, 2023, pursuant to the orders adopted by the Senate on April 28, 2022 and May 18, 2023.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1798S.

Sixteenth Annual Report of the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023, pursuant to the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act, S.C. 2005, c. 46, sbs. 38(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1799.

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources

The Honourable Senator Anderson replaced the Honourable Senator Gerba (June 8, 2023).

The Honourable Senator Batters replaced the Honourable Senator Plett (June 7, 2023).