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2 Charles III , A.D. 2024, Canada

1st Session, 44th Parliament

Issue 214 (Unrevised)

Tuesday, June 18, 2024
2 p.m.

The Honourable RAYMONDE GAGNÉ, Speaker

The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AndersonArnotAtaullahjanAucoinBattersBellemareBernardBlackBoehmBonifaceBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCordyCormierCotterCoyleCuznerDagenaisDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuncanForestFrancisGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGoldGreeneHarderHartlingHousakosJafferKingstonKlyneLaBoucane-BensonLankinLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMassicotteMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneMoncionMoodieOmidvarOslerOudarPatePattersonPettenPlettPoirierQuinnRavaliaRichardsRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSmithSorensenTannasVaroneVernerWallinWellsWhiteWooYussuff

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

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

The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson tabled the following:

Government response to the sixth report of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs, entitled Arctic Security Under Threat: Urgent needs in a changing geopolitical and environmental landscape, deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on June 28, 2023.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3134S.

(Pursuant to rule 12-23(4), the report and the response were deemed referred to the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs.)

Tabling of Reports from Interparliamentary Delegations

The Honourable Senator Gerba tabled the following:

Report of the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association, Bilateral Mission to the Republic of Cameroon, Yaoundé, Cameroon, from November 13 to 17, 2023.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3135.

Report of the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association, Observation Mission on the Margins of the African Union Summit in Ethiopia and Bilateral Mission to the United Republic of Tanzania, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Dar Es Salam, Dodoma and Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania, from February 17 to 23, 2024.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3136.

Notices of Motions

With leave of the Senate,

The Honourable Senator Massicotte moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Jaffer:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources be authorized to meet on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at 6:30 p.m., even though the Senate may then be sitting, and that rule 12-18(1) be suspended in relation thereto.

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

Question Period

The Senate proceeded to Question Period.

Delayed Answers

Pursuant to rule 4-9(7), the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson tabled the following:

Response to Question No. 39, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding government advertising on Facebook and Instagram — Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, including the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency, Canadian Grain Commission and Farm Products Council of Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3137S.

Response to Question No. 39, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding government advertising on Facebook and Instagram — National Defence, Communications Security Establishment, Military Grievances External Review Committee, Military Police Complaints Commission and National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces Ombudsman.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3144S.

Response to Question No. 39, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding government advertising on Facebook and Instagram — Environment and Climate Change Canada, Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and Parks Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3145S.

Response to Question No. 39, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding government advertising on Facebook and Instagram — Employment and Social Development Canada, Accessibility Standards Canada and Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3146S.

Response to Question No. 39, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding government advertising on Facebook and Instagram — Department of Finance Canada and Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3149S.

Response to Question No. 39, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding government advertising on Facebook and Instagram — Health Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Patented Medicine Prices Review Board.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3151S.

Response to Question No. 39, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding government advertising on Facebook and Instagram — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3154S.

Response to Question No. 39, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding government advertising on Facebook and Instagram — Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, including special operating agencies, Copyright Board of Canada, Canadian Space Agency, National Research Council Canada, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and Statistics Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3155S.

Response to Question No. 39, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding government advertising on Facebook and Instagram — Department of Justice, Canadian Human Rights Commission and Administrative Tribunals Support Service of Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3156S.

Response to Question No. 39, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding government advertising on Facebook and Instagram — Natural Resources Canada, Canada Energy Regulator, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and Northern Pipeline Agency.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3157S.

Response to Question No. 39, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding government advertising on Facebook and Instagram — Canadian Heritage, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, Library and Archives Canada, National Battlefields Commission and National Film Board of Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3159S.

Response to Question No. 39, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding government advertising on Facebook and Instagram — Public Safety Canada, Canada Border Services Agency, Canadian Security Intelligence Service, Correctional Service of Canada, Parole Board of Canada and Royal Canadian Mounted Police.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3163S.

Response to Question No. 39, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding government advertising on Facebook and Instagram — Public Service Commission of Canada and Transportation Safety Board of Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3169S.

Orders of the Day

Government Business

Bills – Reports of Committees

Consideration of the twenty-fourth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs (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, with amendments), presented in the Senate on June 13, 2024.

The Honourable Senator Jaffer moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Massicotte, that the report be adopted.

After debate,

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

The Honourable Senator Cotter moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Woo, that the bill, as amended, 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.

Bills – Third Reading

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Moncion, seconded by the Honourable Senator McBean, for the third reading of Bill C-59, An Act to implement certain provisions of the fall economic statement tabled in Parliament on November 21, 2023 and certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 28, 2023.

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.

With leave,

The Senate reverted to Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees.

The Honourable Senator Dagenais presented the following:

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

The Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs has the honour to present its

TENTH REPORT

Your committee, to which was referred Bill C-70, An Act respecting countering foreign interference, has, in obedience to the order of reference of Monday, June 17, 2024, examined the said bill and now reports the same without amendment but with certain observations, which are appended to this report.

Respectfully submitted,

JEAN-GUY DAGENAIS

Deputy Chair

Observations to the Tenth Report of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs (Bill C-70)

As part of a pre-study of Bill C-70, your committee held three meetings from June 10, 2024 to June 13, 2024, and heard from 35 witnesses representing 26 organizations — or appearing as individuals — on the subject matter of Bill C-70.

Your committee recognizes that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) does not have sufficient resources to address the additional burden on criminal investigation and enforcement that this bill would create. The Government of Canada must ensure that the quantity and quality of national policing resources is adequate for a rapid and comprehensive response by the RCMP to an ever-changing threat environment.

Your committee heard that Canadian universities are concerned that their partnerships with foreign universities that might be publicly funded could be put at risk by the proposed Foreign Influence Transparency Registry, and that it could put a chilling effect on international collaboration and exchange in the academic community. It is crucial that the Government of Canada appoint a Foreign Influence Transparency Commissioner as soon as possible, and that upon their appointment the Commissioner engage in constructive, mutually beneficial dialogue with universities, including by communicating proactively with them, so they understand — and are aware of — their obligations under the proposed registry.

Your committee recognizes that concerns have been raised about potential unintended impacts on diaspora communities and on individual rights, including freedom of expression and freedom of association.

Given the importance of the subject matter of Bill C-70, the committee is of the opinion that it would have benefitted from additional time to study this legislation.

The Honourable Senator Dean moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Hartling, 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.

Government Business

Bills – Second Reading

Second reading of Bill C-20, An Act establishing the Public Complaints and Review Commission and amending certain Acts and statutory instruments.

The Honourable Senator Omidvar moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator McNair, that the bill be read the second 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 Pate, seconded by the Honourable Senator McBean, for the second reading of Bill C-64, An Act respecting pharmacare.

Debate.

DEFERRED VOTES

At 5:30 p.m., pursuant to rule 9-10(2), the Senate proceeded to the taking of the deferred standing vote on the motion of the Honourable Senator Yussuff, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boehm, for the third reading of Bill C-50, An Act respecting accountability, transparency and engagement to support the creation of sustainable jobs for workers and economic growth in a net-zero economy.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted on the following vote:

YEAS

The Honourable Senators

AndersonArnotAucoinBellemareBernardBoehmBonifaceBureyBussonCardozoClementCordyCormierCotterCoyleCuznerDagenaisDalphondDeacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuncanForestFrancisGalvezGerbaGoldHarderHartlingJafferKingstonKlyneLaBoucane-BensonLankinLoffredaMacAdamMassicotteMcBeanMcNairMcPhedranMégieMoncionMoodieOmidvarOslerOudarPatePettenQuinnRossSaint-GermainSorensenVaroneWhiteWooYussuff—56

NAYS

The Honourable Senators

AtaullahjanBattersBlackCarignanHousakosMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMcCallumMiville-DechênePattersonPlettPoirierRavaliaRichardsSeidmanSimonsSmithTannasVernerWallinWells—23

ABSTENTIONS

The Honourable Senators

Deacon (Nova Scotia)Gignac—2

Accordingly, Bill C-50 was read a third time and passed.

Ordered, That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that House that the Senate has passed this bill without amendment.

Government Business

Bills – Second Reading

The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Pate, seconded by the Honourable Senator McBean, for the second reading of Bill C-64, An Act respecting pharmacare.

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 Pate moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cormier, 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.

Ordered : That Order No. 2, under ORDERS OF THE DAY, GOVERNMENT BUSINESS, Bills — Third Reading, be again called.

After debate,

The question was put on the motion.

Pursuant to the order adopted by the Senate on September 21, 2002, a standing vote was deferred until 4:15 p.m. at the next sitting, with the bells to sound at 4 p.m. for fifteen minutes.

Bills – Second Reading

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

Reports of Committees – Other

Orders No. 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26 and 27 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Motions

Orders No. 1, 132, 167 and 172 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

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

That, notwithstanding any provision of the Rules, previous order or usual practice, and without affecting provisions of the order of June 5, 2024, relating to proceedings on Bill C-69, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 16, 2024:

1.if the Senate receives the bill and adopts it at second reading, it stand referred to the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance;

2.the committee be authorized to meet for the purposes of its consideration of Bill C-69, even though the Senate may then be sitting, with rule 12-18(1) being suspended in relation thereto;

3.the committee be authorized to report the bill at any time the Senate is sitting, except during Question Period;

4.if the committee reports the bill without amendment, the bill be placed on the Orders of the Day for third reading later that sitting, provided that if the report is presented after the point where the Senate would normally have dealt with the bill at third reading, the bill either be taken into consideration at third reading forthwith, or, if another item is under consideration at the time the report is presented, the bill be placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at third reading as the next item of business; and

5.if the committee reports the bill with amendment or with a recommendation that the Senate not proceed further with the bill:

(a)the report be placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration later that sitting, provided that if the report is presented after the point where the Senate would normally have dealt with the report, it either be taken into consideration forthwith, or, if another item is under consideration at the time the report is presented, it be placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration as the next item of business; and

(b)once the Senate decides on the report, the bill, if still before the Senate, be taken into consideration at third reading forthwith.

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

Inquiries

Orders No. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Other Business

Ordered, That Order No. 3 under OTHER BUSINESS, Senate Public Bills — Third Reading, motion No. 213 standing in the name of the Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne on the Notice Paper, and Order No. 71 under OTHER BUSINESS, Reports of Committees — Other be brought forward.

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Bellemare, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dalphond, for the third reading of Bill S-244, An Act to amend the Department of Employment and Social Development Act and the Employment Insurance Act (Employment Insurance Council), as amended.

After debate,

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

The bill, as amended, was then read the third time.

Ordered, That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that House that the Senate has passed this bill, to which it desires its concurrence.

o o o

The Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gignac:

That the Senate:

(a)condemn the death sentence of Iranian musician and vocal critic of the Iranian regime, Toomaj Salehi;

(b)urge the Government of Canada to impose targeted sanctions on the 31 judges, prosecutors, and investigators of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Courts included on the “TOOMAJ” list, who are responsible for sham trials, torture, and the inhumane treatment of Iranian protesters and political dissidents;

(c)condemn gender apartheid, violations of civil liberties, killings, intimidation, and acts of violence initiated by the Islamic Republic against the people of Iran; and

(d)reiterate its unconditional support for Iranians advocating for human rights and democracy as part of the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement.

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

o o o

Consideration of the twelfth report (interim) of the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight, entitled Implementation of the risk-based audit plan, presented in the Senate on June 17, 2024.

The Honourable Senator Klyne moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Bellemare, that the report be adopted.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Saint-Germain moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Woo, 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 7:43 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)

Report on the administration of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, pursuant to the Act, S.C. 1999, c. 33, sbs. 342(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3128.

Report of Operations under the International River Improvements Act for the year 2023, pursuant to the Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. I-20, s. 51.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3129.

Report of the Treasury Board on official languages in federal institutions for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, pursuant to the Official Languages Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 31 (4th Supp.), s. 48.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3130.

Report of the Second Legislative Review of the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act, pursuant to the Act, S.C. 1997, c. 13, sbs. 60.1(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3131.

Report of the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer entitled 2023–24 Report on the Activities of the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-1, sbs. 79.2(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3132.

Annual Report of the Information Commissioner of Canada for the period ended March 31, 2024, pursuant to the Access to Information Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-1, s. 38.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3133.

Journals of the Senate

2 Charles III , A.D. 2024, Canada

1st Session, 44th Parliament

Issue 214 (Unrevised)

Tuesday, June 18, 20242 p.m.

The Honourable RAYMONDE GAGNÉ, Speaker

PRAYERS

Senators’ Statements

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

Tabling of Documents

Tabling of Reports from Interparliamentary Delegations

Notices of Motions

Question Period

Delayed Answers

Orders of the Day

Government Business

Bills – Reports of Committees

Bills – Third Reading

Government Business

Bills – Second Reading

DEFERRED VOTES

Government Business

Bills – Second Reading

Bills – Second Reading

Reports of Committees – Other

Motions

Inquiries

Other Business

ADJOURNMENT

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

Tuesday, June 18, 2024
2 p.m.