The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

Al ZaibakAndersonArnotAtaullahjanAucoinAudetteBattersBellemareBernardBlackBoehmBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCordyCormierCoyleCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)DeanDowneDuncanForestFrancisGagnéGerbaGignacGoldGreenwoodHarderHartlingHousakosKingstonKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMartinMassicotteMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneMocklerMoncionMoodieOhOmidvarOslerPatePattersonPetitclercPettenPlettPoirierRichardsRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeidmanSeniorSimonsSmithSorensenVaroneVernerWallinWellsWhiteWooYussuff

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

Al ZaibakAndersonArnotAtaullahjanAucoinAudetteBattersBellemareBernardBlackBoehmBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCordyCormier*CotterCoyleCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)DeanDowneDuncanForestFrancisGagnéGerbaGignacGoldGreenwoodHarderHartlingHousakosKingstonKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdam*MacDonaldMartinMassicotteMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneMocklerMoncionMoodieOhOmidvarOslerPatePattersonPetitclercPettenPlettPoirierRichardsRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeidmanSeniorSimonsSmithSorensenVaroneVernerWallinWellsWhiteWooYussuff

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.

Question Period

The Senate proceeded to Question Period.

Orders of the Day

Government Business

Bills – Second Reading

Second reading of Bill C-62, An Act to amend An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying), No. 2.

The Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson, that the bill be read the second time.

After debate,

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

The bill was then read the second 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 third reading at the next sitting.

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

Motions

The Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., 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, 2024, with the exception of Library of Parliament Vote 1c;

That, for the purpose of this study, the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance have the power to meet, even though the Senate may then be sitting or adjourned, with rules 12-18(1) and 12-18(2) being suspended in relation thereto;

That the Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament be authorized to examine and report upon the expenditures set out in Library of Parliament Vote 1c of the Supplementary Estimates (C) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024; and

That, in relation to the expenditures set out in Library of Parliament Vote 1c, a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that house accordingly.

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

ADJOURNMENT

With leave of the Senate,

The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson 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 9:07 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)

List of Commissions issued for the year 2023, pursuant to the Public Officers Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-31, s. 4.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-2566.

Report of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board for the year ended December 31, 2022, pursuant to the Patent Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-4, sbs. 89(4) and 100(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-2567.

Proposed Regulations Amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, pursuant to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, S.C. 2001, c. 27, sbs. 5(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-2568.

Report on the administration and operation of the Canada Health Act for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, pursuant to the Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-6, s. 23.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-2569.

Report of the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer entitled Supplementary Estimates (C) 2023-24, pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-1, sbs. 79.2(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-2570.

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade

The Honourable Senator McNair replaced the Honourable Senator Deacon (Ontario) (February 23, 2024).

Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration

The Honourable Senator Tannas replaced the Honourable Senator Quinn (February 26, 2024).

Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs

The Honourable Senator McNair replaced the Honourable Senator Deacon (Ontario) (February 23, 2024).