Journals of the Senate
2 Charles III , A.D. 2024, Canada
1st Session, 44th Parliament
Issue 191 (Unrevised)
Thursday, April 11, 2024
2 p.m.
The Honourable RAYMONDE GAGNÉ, Speaker
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
Al ZaibakAucoinAudetteBattersBellemareBernardBlackBoehmBonifaceBoyerBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCordyCoyleCuznerDagenaisDalphondDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DowneDuncanFrancisGagnéGalvezGignacGoldGreeneGreenwoodHarderHousakosJafferKlyneLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMassicotteMcBeanMcNairMégieMiville-DechêneMocklerMoncionMoodieOhOmidvarOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenPlettPoirierProsperQuinnRavaliaRichardsRinguetteRossSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSmithSorensenVaroneVernerWallinWellsWhiteWooYussuff
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
Al ZaibakAucoinAudetteBattersBellemareBernardBlackBoehmBonifaceBoyerBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCordyCoyleCuznerDagenaisDalphondDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DowneDuncanFrancisGagnéGalvez*GerbaGignacGoldGreeneGreenwoodHarderHousakosJafferKlyneLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMassicotteMcBeanMcNairMégieMiville-DechêneMocklerMoncionMoodieOhOmidvarOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenPlettPoirierProsperQuinnRavaliaRichardsRinguetteRossSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSmithSorensenVaroneVernerWallinWellsWhiteWooYussuff
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
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Plett:
That, notwithstanding any provision of the Rules or usual practice, for today’s sitting, the duration for Senators’ Statements be 70 minutes, to be used for the purpose of paying tribute to our colleague the Honourable Senator Mockler, who will retire from the Senate on April 14, 2024, not including the time for his response.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Senators’ Statements
Tributes
Tribute was paid to the Honourable Senator Mockler, who will retire from the Senate on April 14, 2024.
ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS
Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees
The Honourable Senator Seidman, Chair of the Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators, presented the second report of the committee (Budget—consideration of matters relating to the Ethics and Conflict of Interest Code for Senators—power to hire staff and to travel).
(The report is printed as Appendix A at pages 2586-2593 (available in print format PDF).)
(The HTML version of the report is available on the committee website.)
The Honourable Senator Seidman moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin, 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.
The Honourable Senator Francis, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples, presented the committee’s seventeenth report (Bill S-16, An Act respecting the recognition of the Haida Nation and the Council of the Haida Nation, without amendment).
The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., 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.
The Honourable Senator Housakos, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications, presented the seventh report of the committee (Budget—study of the impacts of climate change on critical infrastructure in the transportation and communications sectors —power to travel).
(The report is printed as Appendix B at pages 2594-2601 (available in print format PDF).)
(The HTML version of the report is available on the committee website.)
The Honourable Senator Housakos moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin, 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.
Question Period
The Senate proceeded to Question Period.
Delayed Answers
The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson tabled the following:
Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on March 31, 2022, by the Honourable Senator Boisvenu, concerning the North Atlantic Treaty Organization — National Defence.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-2719S.
Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on March 31, 2022, by the Honourable Senator Boisvenu, concerning the North Atlantic Treaty Organization — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-2720S.
Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on June 9, 2022, by the Honourable Senator Martin, concerning affordable military housing.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-2721S.
Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on November 22, 2022, by the Honourable Senator Plett, concerning the operational capability of the Armed Forces.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-2722S.
Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on December 15, 2022, by the Honourable Senator Gerba, concerning the development of soccer in Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-2723S.
Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on March 9, 2023, by the Honourable Senator McPhedran, concerning Sport Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-2724S.
Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on March 21, 2023, by the Honourable Senator Marshall, concerning defence policy review.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-2725S.
Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on May 10, 2023, by the Honourable Senator Klyne, concerning support for Indigenous children.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-2726S.
Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on December 15, 2023, by the Honourable Senator Plett, concerning the procurement process.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-2727S.
Orders of the Day
Government Business
Bills – Second Reading
Orders No. 1 were 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
Orders No. 1 and 132 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moncion:
That, when the Senate next adjourns after the adoption of this motion, it do stand adjourned until Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at 2 p.m.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
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
Orders No. 1, 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 – Reports of Committees
Orders No. 1 and 2 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Senate Public Bills – Second Reading
Orders No. 1 and 2 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator McCallum, seconded by the Honourable Senator Mégie, for the second reading of Bill S-218, An Act to amend the Department for Women and Gender Equality Act.
Ordered: That further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting, in the name of the Honourable Senator Martin.
Orders No. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Boniface, seconded by the Honourable Senator Hartling, for the second reading of Bill S-232, An Act respecting the development of a national strategy for the decriminalization of illegal substances, to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The bill was then read the second time.
The Honourable Senator Boniface moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Petitclerc, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 10 and 11 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Housakos, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin, for the second reading of Bill S-247, An Act to amend the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law).
Ordered: That further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting, in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos.
Orders No. 13 and 14 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Loffreda, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moncion, for the second reading of Bill S-259, An Act to designate the month of March as Hellenic Heritage Month.
Ordered: That further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting, in the name of the Honourable Senator Martin.
Orders No. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Tannas, seconded by the Honourable Senator Verner, P.C., for the second reading of Bill S-268, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Indian Act.
After debate,
Further debate on the motion was adjourned until the next sitting, in the name of the Honourable Senator Martin.
Orders No. 25, 26 and 27 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Quinn, seconded by the Honourable Senator Verner, P.C., for the second reading of Bill S-273, An Act to declare the Chignecto Isthmus Dykeland System and related works to be for the general advantage of Canada.
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.
Order No. 29 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Bellemare, seconded by the Honourable Senator Klyne, for the second reading of Bill S-275, An Act to amend the Bank of Canada Act (mandate, monetary policy governance and accountability).
After debate,
Further debate on the motion was adjourned until the next sitting, in the name of the Honourable Senator Martin.
Orders No. 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Moodie, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boehm, for the second reading of Bill S-282, An Act respecting a national strategy for children and youth in Canada.
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.
Order No. 38 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Commons Public Bills – Second Reading
Orders No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Gerba, seconded by the Honourable Senator Klyne, for the second reading of Bill C-282, An Act to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act (supply management).
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.
Order No. 9 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Martin, seconded by the Honourable Senator Marshall, for the second reading of Bill C-288, An Act to amend the Telecommunications Act (transparent and accurate broadband services information).
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 Transport and Communications.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 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
Orders No. 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 19, 30 and 68 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Bellemare, seconded by the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C.:
That a Special Senate Committee on Human Capital and the Labour Market be appointed until the end of the current session, to which may be referred matters relating to human capital, labour markets, and employment generally;
That the committee be composed of nine members, to be nominated by the Committee of Selection, and that four members constitute a quorum; and
That the committee be empowered to inquire into and report on such matters as may be referred to it by the Senate; to send for persons, papers and records; to hear witnesses and to publish such papers and evidence from day to day as may be ordered by the committee.
Ordered: That further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting, in the name of the Honourable Senator Martin.
Orders No. 82, 96, 107, 113, 139, 147 and 172 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Inquiries
Orders No. 1, 3 and 4 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., calling the attention of the Senate to the role and mandate of the RCMP, the skills and capabilities required for it to fulfill its role and mandate, and how it should be organized and resourced in the 21st century.
Ordered: That further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting, in the name of the Honourable Senator Busson.
Orders No. 8 and 10 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
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.
Debate concluded.
Orders No. 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19 and 20 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
ADJOURNMENT
The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Duncan:
That the Senate do now adjourn.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
(Accordingly, at 6:38 p.m., the Senate was continued until Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at 2 p.m.)
DOCUMENTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO RULE 14-1(7)
Agreement for RCMP policing services (First Nations Community Policing Service) for the province of New Brunswick, pursuant to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. R-10, sbs. 20(5).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-2715.
Agreement for RCMP policing services (First Nations Community Policing Service) for the province of British Columbia, pursuant to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. R-10, sbs. 20(5).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-2716.
Summary of the Corporate Plans for 2023-24 to 2027-28 of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-2717.
Summaries of the Corporate Plan and Budgets for 2024-28 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. 1/44-2718.
Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5
Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy
The Honourable Senator MacAdam replaced the Honourable Senator Petten (April 11, 2024).
Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources
The Honourable Senator Anderson replaced the Honourable Senator Cardozo (April 11, 2024).
Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade
The Honourable Senator Gerba replaced the Honourable Senator Cardozo (April 11, 2024).
The Honourable Senator Cardozo replaced the Honourable Senator Gerba (April 10, 2024).
Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples
The Honourable Senator Hartling replaced the Honourable Senator McNair (April 11, 2024).
Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
The Honourable Senator McBean replaced the Honourable Senator Cotter (April 10, 2024).
Standing Senate Committee on National Finance
The Honourable Senator Forest replaced the Honourable Senator Moncion (April 11, 2024).
Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology
The Honourable Senator Pate replaced the Honourable Senator Kingston (April 10, 2024).