The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

Al ZaibakArnotAtaullahjanAucoinAudetteBattersBellemareBernardBlackBoehmBonifaceBoyerBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCordyCormierCoyleCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)DeanDowneDuncanForestFrancisGagnéGerbaGignacGoldGreeneGreenwoodHarderHartlingHousakosKingstonKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMarshallMartinMassicotteMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneMocklerMoncionMoodieOhOmidvarOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenPlettPoirierRavaliaRichardsRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeidmanSeniorSimonsSmithSorensenTannasVaroneVernerWallinWellsWhiteWooYussuff

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

Al ZaibakArnotAtaullahjanAucoinAudetteBattersBellemareBernardBlackBoehmBonifaceBoyerBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCordyCormierCoyleCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)DeanDowneDuncanForestFrancisGagnéGerbaGignacGoldGreeneGreenwoodHarderHartlingHousakosKingstonKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdam*MacDonaldMarshallMartinMassicotteMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneMocklerMoncionMoodieOhOmidvarOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenPlettPoirierRavaliaRichardsRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeidmanSeniorSimonsSmithSorensenTannasVaroneVernerWallinWellsWhiteWooYussuff

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 Bellemare, Chair of the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament, tabled the sixth report (interim) of the committee, entitled Summary of Evidence: Committee Structure and Mandates.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-2583S.

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

Tabling of Petitions

The Honourable Senator Mégie tabled the following petition:

Of residents of Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador expressing their support of Bill S-280, An Act respecting a national framework on sickle cell disease.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-2584S.

Question Period

The Senate proceeded to Question Period.

Orders of the Day

Government Business

Motions

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

That, notwithstanding rule 5-5(b), if the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade reports on Bill C-57, An Act to implement the 2023 Free Trade Agreement between Canada and Ukraine, without amendment on Thursday, February 29, 2024, the bill be placed on Orders of the Day for third reading later that day, provided that if the committee reports the bill without amendment on that day after the point where the Senate would normally have dealt with the bill at third reading, it either be taken into consideration at third reading forthwith or, if the report is presented while another item is under consideration, it be placed on the Orders of the Day for third reading after the end of proceedings for the day on the item under consideration at the time of presentation; and

That the committee’s report on the bill may be presented after the end of Routine Proceedings that day without leave being required.

After debate,

In amendment, the Honourable Senator Plett moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin:

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

1.by deleting the words “, notwithstanding rule 5-5(b),”; and

2.by replacing all words after the words “the bill be placed on the Orders of the Day” by the words “for third reading at the next sitting of the Senate.”.

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

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

Bills – Third Reading

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson, for the third reading of Bill C-62, An Act to amend An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying), No. 2.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Poirier, 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 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 3:28 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)

Copy of Regulations Amending the Canada Small Business Financing Regulations, pursuant to the Canada Small Business Financing Act, S.C. 1998, c. 36, sbs. 14(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-2582.

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry

The Honourable Senator Cardozo replaced the Honourable Senator Klyne (February 28, 2024).

Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy

The Honourable Senator Duncan replaced the Honourable Senator Ringuette (February 28, 2024).

Standing Senate Committee on National Finance

The Honourable Senator Clement replaced the Honourable Senator Galvez (February 28, 2024).

Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications

The Honourable Senator Klyne replaced the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C. (February 28, 2024).