The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

Al ZaibakAucoinAudetteBattersBellemareBernardBlackBoehmBonifaceBoyerBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCordyCotterCoyleCuznerDagenaisDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuncanFrancisGagnéGalvezGignacGoldGreeneGreenwoodHarderHousakosKingstonKlyneLaBoucane-BensonLankinLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMassicotteMcBeanMcNairMégieMiville-DechêneMocklerMoncionMoodieOhOmidvarOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenPlettPoirierProsperQuinnRavaliaRichardsRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSmithSorensenTannasVaroneVernerWallinWellsWhiteWooYussuff

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

Al ZaibakAucoinAudetteBattersBellemareBernardBlackBoehmBonifaceBoyerBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCordyCotterCoyleCuznerDagenaisDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuncanFrancisGagnéGalvezGignacGoldGreeneGreenwoodHarderHousakosKingstonKlyneLaBoucane-BensonLankinLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMassicotteMcBeanMcNairMégieMiville-DechêneMocklerMoncionMoodieOhOmidvarOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenPlettPoirierProsperQuinnRavaliaRichardsRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSmithSorensenTannasVaroneVernerWallinWellsWhiteWooYussuff

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

With leave of the Senate,

The Honourable the Speaker tabled the following:

Companion to the Rules of the Senate of Canada, Third Edition, 2024.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-2712S.

o o o

The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson tabled the following:

Charter Statement prepared by the Minister of Justice in relation to Bill S-17, An Act to correct certain anomalies, inconsistencies, out-dated terminology and errors and to deal with other matters of a non-controversial and uncomplicated nature in the Statutes and Regulations of Canada and to repeal certain provisions that have expired, lapsed or otherwise ceased to have effect, pursuant to the Department of Justice Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. J-2, sbs. 4.2(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-2713.

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

Orders No. 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Motions

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

That the following Address be presented to Her Excellency the Governor General of Canada:

To Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary May Simon, Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order of Canada, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Military Merit, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY:

We, Her Majesty’s most loyal and dutiful subjects, the Senate of Canada in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Excellency for the gracious Speech which Your Excellency has addressed to both Houses of Parliament.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Plett moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., 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

Order No. 132 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

Inquiries

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

Other Business

Bills – Messages from the House of Commons

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

Senate Public Bills – Third Reading

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

o o o

Third reading of Bill S-252, An Act respecting Jury Duty Appreciation Week.

The Honourable Senator Moncion moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Sorensen, that the bill be read for a third time.

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.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Downe, seconded by the Honourable Senator Quinn, for the third reading of Bill S-258, An Act to amend the Canada Revenue Agency Act (reporting on unpaid income tax).

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.

Commons Public Bills – Third Reading

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

Senate Public Bills – Reports of Committees

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

o o o

Consideration of the twenty-second report of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs (Bill S-231, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Criminal Records Act, the National Defence Act and the DNA Identification Act, with amendments), presented in the Senate on December 12, 2023.

The Honourable Senator Cotter moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Woo, that the report be adopted.

After debate,

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

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

Senate 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 Carignan, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Housakos, for the second reading of Bill S-220, An Act to amend the Languages Skills Act (Governor General).

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

o o o

Orders No. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

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Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Mégie, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cotter, for the second reading of Bill S-280, An Act respecting a national framework on sickle cell disease.

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.

o o o

Orders No. 36, 37 and 38 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Commons Public Bills – Second Reading

Orders No. 1 and 2 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

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Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Boehm, seconded by the Honourable Senator Galvez, for the second reading of Bill C-248, An Act to amend the Canada National Parks Act (Ojibway National Urban Park of Canada).

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.

o o o

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

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Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator MacDonald, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boisvenu, for the second reading of Bill C-280, An Act to amend the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (deemed trust — perishable fruits and vegetables).

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Clement moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Petitclerc, 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. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Reports of Committees – Other

Orders No. 31, 33, 40, 56, 62 and 63 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Motions

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

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Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Housakos, seconded by the Honourable Senator Smith:

That the Standing Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade be authorized to examine and report on the situation in Lebanon and determine whether Canada should appoint a special envoy, when and if the committee is formed; and

That the committee submit its final report no later than February 28, 2022.

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

o o o

Orders No. 6, 7, 11, 12, 19, 30, 68, 77, 82, 96, 107, 113, 139 and 147 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

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Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Francis, seconded by the Honourable Senator Klyne:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples be authorized to examine and report on the federal specific claims policy and process including, but not limited to:

(a)the research and development of specific claims;

(b)the settlement of specific claims including compensation and availability of mediation;

That the committee report to the Senate no later than October 30, 2025;

That the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report; and

That the committee be permitted, notwithstanding usual practices, to deposit reports on this study with the Clerk of the Senate 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

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Francis, seconded by the Honourable Senator Klyne:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples be authorized to examine and report on the provisions and operation of the Indigenous Languages Act (S.C. 2019, c. 23) pursuant to Section 49.1 of said Act;

That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than December 31, 2025;

That the committee be permitted, notwithstanding usual practices, to deposit reports on this study with the Clerk of the Senate if the Senate is not then sitting, and that the reports be deemed to have been tabled in the Senate; and

That the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

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

o o o

Order No. 172 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

Inquiries

Orders No. 1, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 10 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

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Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Woo, calling the attention of the Senate to the one hundredth anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Act, the contributions that Chinese Canadians have made to our country, and the need to combat contemporary forms of exclusion and discrimination faced by Canadians of Asian descent.

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

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

o o o

Orders No. 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19 and 20 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

MOTIONS

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

That, notwithstanding the order of the Senate adopted on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, the date for the final report of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance in relation to its study on matters relating to federal estimates generally and other financial matters, as described in rule 12-7(7), be extended from April 14, 2024, to December 31, 2025.

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

ADJOURNMENT

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 5:47 p.m., the Senate was continued until tomorrow at 2 p.m.)

DECLARATIONS OF PRIVATE INTERESTS

Pursuant to rule 15-7(1) and subsection 12(1) of the Ethics and Conflict of Interest Code for Senators, declarations of private interest were made as follows:

The Honourable Senator Anderson, respecting Bill S-212, An Act to amend the Criminal Records Act, to make consequential amendments to other Acts and to repeal a regulation, by written declaration.

The Honourable Senator Anderson, respecting Bill S-266, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Sex Offender Information Registration Act, by written declaration.

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

Report on the state of Canada’s forests for the year 2023, pursuant to the Department of Natural Resources Act, S.C. 1994, c. 41, sbs. 7(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-2705.

Report on the operation of sections 83.031 to 83.0391 of the Criminal Code for the year 2023, pursuant to the Criminal Code, S.C. 2023, c. 14, s. 83.0392 (1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-2706.

Reports on the administration of the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act, together with the Auditor General’s Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, pursuant to the Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-17, ss. 57, 59.7 and 72.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-2707.

Report of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal for the year 2023, pursuant to the Canadian Human Rights Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. H-6, sbs. 61(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-2708.

Report of the Canadian Human Rights Commission for the year 2023, pursuant to the Canadian Human Rights Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. H-6, sbs. 61(4) and to the Employment Equity Act, S.C. 1995, c. 44, s. 32.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-2709.

Report on the administration of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Account, together with the Auditor General’s Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, pursuant to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. R-11, s. 31.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-2710.

Report of the Canadian Judicial Council on the seminars on matters related to sexual assault law and social context for the year 2023, pursuant to the Judges Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. J-1, sbs. 62.1(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-2711.

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights

The Honourable Senator Hartling replaced the Honourable Senator Simons (April 9, 2024).

The Honourable Senator Arnot replaced the Honourable Senator Petten (April 9, 2024).

The Honourable Senator Jaffer replaced the Honourable Senator Clement (April 8, 2024).

The Honourable Senator Simons replaced the Honourable Senator Hartling (April 8, 2024).

The Honourable Senator Clement replaced the Honourable Senator Jaffer (April 8, 2024).

The Honourable Senator Petten replaced the Honourable Senator Arnot (April 8, 2024).

Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples

The Honourable Senator McNair replaced the Honourable Senator Hartling (April 3, 2024).

Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs

The Honourable Senator Sorensen replaced the Honourable Senator Pate (April 4, 2024).

Standing Senate Committee on National Finance

The Honourable Senator Moncion replaced the Honourable Senator Forest (April 8, 2024).

Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs

The Honourable Senator Kutcher replaced the Honourable Senator Loffreda (April 9, 2024).

The Honourable Senator Loffreda replaced the Honourable Senator Kutcher (April 4, 2024).

Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament

The Honourable Senator Yussuff replaced the Honourable Senator Kutcher (April 4, 2024).