The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

Al ZaibakAndersonArnotAtaullahjanAudetteBattersBlackBoehmBonifaceBoudreauBoyerBureyBussonCardozoClementCormierCoyleCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDhillonDowneDuncanForestFrancisFridhandlerGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGoldGreenwoodHarderHayHébertHenkelHousakosInceKingstonKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMcNairMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePetitclercPettenPoirierProsperPupatelloQuinnRavaliaRichardsRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeidmanSeniorSimonsSmithSorensenSuretteTannasVaroneVernerWallinWells (Alberta)Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteWilsonWooYussuff

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

Al ZaibakAndersonArnotAtaullahjan*AucoinAudetteBattersBlackBoehmBonifaceBoudreauBoyerBureyBussonCardozoClementCormierCoyleCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDhillonDowneDuncanForestFrancisFridhandlerGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGoldGreenwoodHarderHayHébertHenkelHousakosInceKingstonKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMcNairMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPate*PattersonPetitclercPettenPoirierProsperPupatelloQuinnRavaliaRichardsRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeidmanSeniorSimonsSmithSorensenSuretteTannasVaroneVernerWallinWells (Alberta)Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteWilsonWooYussuff

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

The Honourable the Speaker informed the Senate that a communication had been received from the Secretary to the Governor General.

The communication was then read by the Honourable the Speaker as follows:

RIDEAU HALL

May 23, 2025

Madam Speaker:

I am commanded to inform you that the Right Honourable Richard Wagner, Chief Justice of Canada, in his capacity as Deputy of the Governor General, will proceed to the Chamber of the Senate to open the First Session of the Forty-Fifth Parliament of Canada at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, the 26^th day of May, 2025.

Yours sincerely,

The Honourable

The Speaker of the Senate

Ottawa

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The Senate observed a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the attack at the Lapu-Lapu Day Festival in Vancouver on April 26, 2025.

---

The sitting of the Senate was suspended to await the arrival of the Right Honourable Deputy of Her Excellency the Governor General.

After awhile, the Right Honourable Richard Wagner, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, in his capacity as Deputy of Her Excellency the Governor General, arrived and was seated at the foot of the throne.

The Honourable the Speaker commanded the Usher of the Black Rod to proceed to the House of Commons and acquaint that House that:

“It is the desire of the Right Honourable Deputy of Her Excellency the Governor General that they attend him immediately in the Senate Chamber.”

The House of Commons being come,

The Honourable the Speaker of the Senate said:

“Honourable Members of the Senate:
Members of the House of Commons:

I have it in command to let you know that His Majesty the King does not see fit to declare the causes of his summoning the present Parliament of Canada, until a Speaker of the House of Commons shall have been chosen, according to law; but tomorrow, Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 10:15 a.m., His Majesty the King will declare the causes of his calling this Parliament.”

The Commons withdrew.

The Right Honourable the Deputy of Her Excellency the Governor General was pleased to retire.

The sitting resumed.

The Honourable the Speaker informed the Senate that a communication had been received from the Canadian Secretary to His Majesty the King.

The communication was then read by the Honourable the Speaker as follows:

Canadian Secretary to the King

May 26, 2025

Madam Speaker:

I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty the King will arrive at the Senate of Canada Building at 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, the 27th day of May, 2025.

When it has been indicated that all is in readiness, His Majesty the King will proceed to the Chamber of the Senate to formally open the First Session of the Forty-Fifth Parliament of Canada.

Yours sincerely,

The Honourable

The Speaker of the Senate

Ottawa

INTRODUCTION OF SENATORS

The Honourable the Speaker informed the Senate that the Clerk of the Senate had received certificates from the Registrar General of Canada showing that:

Allister Wilbert Surette,

Baltej Singh Dhillon,

Martine Hébert,

Danièle Henkel,

Duncan Renwick Wilson,

Katherine Anne Hay,

Robert Anthony Ince, and

Sandra Pupatello,

respectively, had been summoned to the Senate.

The Honourable the Speaker informed the Senate that there were senators without waiting to be introduced.

The Honourable Senator Surette was introduced between the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., and the Honourable Senator Cormier, and having presented His Majesty’s Writ of Summons it was read by one of the clerks at the table as follows:

Mary May Simon

(G.S.)

Charles the Third, by the Grace of God King of Canada and His other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth.

TO

Our Trusty and Well-beloved,

of Halifax, in the Province of Nova Scotia,

GREETING:

KNOW YOU, that as well for the especial trust and confidence We have manifested in you, as for the purpose of obtaining your advice and assistance in all weighty and arduous affairs which may the State and Defence of Canada concern, We have thought fit to summon you to the Senate of Canada.

AND WE do command you, that all difficulties and excuses whatsoever laying aside, you be and appear for the purposes aforesaid, in the Senate of Canada at all times whensoever and wheresoever Our Parliament may be in Canada convoked and holden, and this you are in no wise to omit.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent and the Great Seal of Canada to be hereunto affixed.

WITNESS:

Our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Mary May Simon, Chancellor and Principal Companion of Our Order of Canada, Chancellor and Commander of Our Order of Military Merit, Chancellor and Commander of Our Order of Merit of the Police Forces, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.

AT OUR GOVERNMENT HOUSE, in Our City of Ottawa, this nineteenth day of December in the year of Our Lord two thousand and twenty-four and in the third year of Our Reign.

BY COMMAND,

Registrar General of Canada

The Honourable Senator Surette came to the table and took and subscribed the oath prescribed by law, which was administered by the Clerk of the Senate, the Commissioner appointed for that purpose, and took his seat as a member of the Senate.

o o o

The Honourable Senator Dhillon was introduced between the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., and the Honourable Senator Busson, and having presented His Majesty’s Writ of Summons it was read by one of the clerks at the table as follows:

Mary May Simon

(G.S.)

Charles the Third, by the Grace of God King of Canada and His other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth.

TO

Our Trusty and Well-beloved,

of the City of Surrey, in the Province of British Columbia,

GREETING:

KNOW YOU, that as well for the especial trust and confidence We have manifested in you, as for the purpose of obtaining your advice and assistance in all weighty and arduous affairs which may the State and Defence of Canada concern, We have thought fit to summon you to the Senate of Canada.

AND WE do command you, that all difficulties and excuses whatsoever laying aside, you be and appear for the purposes aforesaid, in the Senate of Canada at all times whensoever and wheresoever Our Parliament may be in Canada convoked and holden, and this you are in no wise to omit.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent and the Great Seal of Canada to be hereunto affixed.

WITNESS:

Our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Mary May Simon, Chancellor and Principal Companion of Our Order of Canada, Chancellor and Commander of Our Order of Military Merit, Chancellor and Commander of Our Order of Merit of the Police Forces, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.

AT OUR GOVERNMENT HOUSE, in Our City of Ottawa, this seventh day of February in the year of Our Lord two thousand and twenty-five and in the third year of Our Reign.

BY COMMAND,

Registrar General of Canada

The Honourable Senator Dhillon came to the table and took and subscribed the oath prescribed by law, which was administered by the Clerk of the Senate, the Commissioner appointed for that purpose, and took his seat as a member of the Senate.

o o o

The Honourable Senator Hébert was introduced between the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., and the Honourable Senator Oudar, and having presented His Majesty’s Writ of Summons it was read by one of the clerks at the table as follows:

Mary May Simon

(G.S.)

Charles the Third, by the Grace of God King of Canada and His other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth.

TO

Our Trusty and Well-beloved,

of the City of Montréal, in the Province of Quebec,

GREETING:

KNOW YOU, that as well for the especial trust and confidence We have manifested in you, as for the purpose of obtaining your advice and assistance in all weighty and arduous affairs which may the State and Defence of Canada concern, We have thought fit to summon you to the Senate of Canada and We do appoint you for the Division of Victoria in Our Province of Quebec.

AND WE do command you, that all difficulties and excuses whatsoever laying aside, you be and appear for the purposes aforesaid, in the Senate of Canada at all times whensoever and wheresoever Our Parliament may be in Canada convoked and holden, and this you are in no wise to omit.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent and the Great Seal of Canada to be hereunto affixed.

WITNESS:

Our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Mary May Simon, Chancellor and Principal Companion of Our Order of Canada, Chancellor and Commander of Our Order of Military Merit, Chancellor and Commander of Our Order of Merit of the Police Forces, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.

AT OUR GOVERNMENT HOUSE, in Our City of Ottawa, this seventh day of February in the year of Our Lord two thousand and twenty-five and in the third year of Our Reign.

BY COMMAND,

Registrar General of Canada

The Honourable Senator Hébert came to the table and took and subscribed the oath prescribed by law, which was administered by the Clerk of the Senate, the Commissioner appointed for that purpose, and took her seat as a member of the Senate.

o o o

The Honourable Senator Henkel was introduced between the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., and the Honourable Senator Gerba, and having presented His Majesty’s Writ of Summons it was read by one of the clerks at the table as follows:

Mary May Simon

(G.S.)

Charles the Third, by the Grace of God King of Canada and His other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth.

TO

Our Trusty and Well-beloved,

of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, in the Province of Quebec,

GREETING:

KNOW YOU, that as well for the especial trust and confidence We have manifested in you, as for the purpose of obtaining your advice and assistance in all weighty and arduous affairs which may the State and Defence of Canada concern, We have thought fit to summon you to the Senate of Canada and We do appoint you for the division of Alma in Our Province of Quebec.

AND WE do command you, that all difficulties and excuses whatsoever laying aside, you be and appear for the purposes aforesaid, in the Senate of Canada at all times whensoever and wheresoever Our Parliament may be in Canada convoked and holden, and this you are in no wise to omit.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent and the Great Seal of Canada to be hereunto affixed.

WITNESS:

Our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Mary May Simon, Chancellor and Principal Companion of Our Order of Canada, Chancellor and Commander of Our Order of Military Merit, Chancellor and Commander of Our Order of Merit of the Police Forces, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.

AT OUR GOVERNMENT HOUSE, in Our City of Ottawa, this fourteenth day of February in the year of Our Lord two thousand and twenty-five and in the third year of Our Reign.

BY COMMAND,

Registrar General of Canada

The Honourable Senator Henkel came to the table and took and subscribed the oath prescribed by law, which was administered by the Clerk of the Senate, the Commissioner appointed for that purpose, and took her seat as a member of the Senate.

o o o

The Honourable Senator Wilson was introduced between the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., and the Honourable Senator White, and having presented His Majesty’s Writ of Summons it was read by one of the clerks at the table as follows:

Mary May Simon

(G.S.)

Charles the Third, by the Grace of God King of Canada and His other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth.

TO

Our Trusty and Well-beloved,

of the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia,

GREETING:

KNOW YOU, that as well for the especial trust and confidence We have manifested in you, as for the purpose of obtaining your advice and assistance in all weighty and arduous affairs which may the State and Defence of Canada concern, We have thought fit to summon you to the Senate of Canada.

AND WE do command you, that all difficulties and excuses whatsoever laying aside, you be and appear for the purposes aforesaid, in the Senate of Canada at all times whensoever and wheresoever Our Parliament may be in Canada convoked and holden, and this you are in no wise to omit.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent and the Great Seal of Canada to be hereunto affixed.

WITNESS:

Our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Mary May Simon, Chancellor and Principal Companion of Our Order of Canada, Chancellor and Commander of Our Order of Military Merit, Chancellor and Commander of Our Order of Merit of the Police Forces, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.

AT OUR GOVERNMENT HOUSE, in Our City of Ottawa, this twenty-eighth day of February in the year of Our Lord two thousand and twenty-five and in the third year of Our Reign.

BY COMMAND,

Registrar General of Canada

The Honourable Senator Wilson came to the table and took and subscribed the oath prescribed by law, which was administered by the Clerk of the Senate, the Commissioner appointed for that purpose, and took his seat as a member of the Senate.

o o o

The Honourable Senator Hay was introduced between the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., and the Honourable Senator Kutcher, and having presented His Majesty’s Writ of Summons it was read by one of the clerks at the table as follows:

Mary May Simon

(G.S.)

Charles the Third, by the Grace of God King of Canada and His other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth.

TO

Our Trusty and Well-beloved,

of the City of Mississauga, in the Province of Ontario,

GREETING:

KNOW YOU, that as well for the especial trust and confidence We have manifested in you, as for the purpose of obtaining your advice and assistance in all weighty and arduous affairs which may the State and Defence of Canada concern, We have thought fit to summon you to the Senate of Canada.

AND WE do command you, that all difficulties and excuses whatsoever laying aside, you be and appear for the purposes aforesaid, in the Senate of Canada at all times whensoever and wheresoever Our Parliament may be in Canada convoked and holden, and this you are in no wise to omit.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent and the Great Seal of Canada to be hereunto affixed.

WITNESS:

Our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Mary May Simon, Chancellor and Principal Companion of Our Order of Canada, Chancellor and Commander of Our Order of Military Merit, Chancellor and Commander of Our Order of Merit of the Police Forces, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.

AT OUR GOVERNMENT HOUSE, in Our City of Ottawa, this seventh day of March in the year of Our Lord two thousand and twenty-five and in the third year of Our Reign.

BY COMMAND,

Registrar General of Canada

The Honourable Senator Hay came to the table and took and subscribed the oath prescribed by law, which was administered by the Clerk of the Senate, the Commissioner appointed for that purpose, and took her seat as a member of the Senate.

o o o

The Honourable Senator Ince was introduced between the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., and the Honourable Senator Prosper, and having presented His Majesty’s Writ of Summons it was read by one of the clerks at the table as follows:

Mary May Simon

(G.S.)

Charles the Third, by the Grace of God King of Canada and His other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth.

TO

Our Trusty and Well-beloved,

of Dartmouth, in the Province of Nova Scotia,

GREETING:

KNOW YOU, that as well for the especial trust and confidence We have manifested in you, as for the purpose of obtaining your advice and assistance in all weighty and arduous affairs which may the State and Defence of Canada concern, We have thought fit to summon you to the Senate of Canada.

AND WE do command you, that all difficulties and excuses whatsoever laying aside, you be and appear for the purposes aforesaid, in the Senate of Canada at all times whensoever and wheresoever Our Parliament may be in Canada convoked and holden, and this you are in no wise to omit.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent and the Great Seal of Canada to be hereunto affixed.

WITNESS:

Our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Mary May Simon, Chancellor and Principal Companion of Our Order of Canada, Chancellor and Commander of Our Order of Military Merit, Chancellor and Commander of Our Order of Merit of the Police Forces, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.

AT OUR GOVERNMENT HOUSE, in Our City of Ottawa, this seventh day of March in the year of Our Lord two thousand and twenty-five and in the third year of Our Reign.

BY COMMAND,

Registrar General of Canada

The Honourable Senator Ince came to the table and took and subscribed the oath prescribed by law, which was administered by the Clerk of the Senate, the Commissioner appointed for that purpose, and took his seat as a member of the Senate.

o o o

The Honourable Senator Pupatello was introduced between the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., and the Honourable Senator Gignac, and having presented His Majesty’s Writ of Summons it was read by one of the clerks at the table as follows:

Mary May Simon

(G.S.)

Charles the Third, by the Grace of God King of Canada and His other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth.

TO

Our Trusty and Well-beloved,

of the City of Windsor, in the Province of Ontario,

GREETING:

KNOW YOU, that as well for the especial trust and confidence We have manifested in you, as for the purpose of obtaining your advice and assistance in all weighty and arduous affairs which may the State and Defence of Canada concern, We have thought fit to summon you to the Senate of Canada.

AND WE do command you, that all difficulties and excuses whatsoever laying aside, you be and appear for the purposes aforesaid, in the Senate of Canada at all times whensoever and wheresoever Our Parliament may be in Canada convoked and holden, and this you are in no wise to omit.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent and the Great Seal of Canada to be hereunto affixed.

WITNESS:

Our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Mary May Simon, Chancellor and Principal Companion of Our Order of Canada, Chancellor and Commander of Our Order of Military Merit, Chancellor and Commander of Our Order of Merit of the Police Forces, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.

AT OUR GOVERNMENT HOUSE, in Our City of Ottawa, this seventh day of March in the year of Our Lord two thousand and twenty-five and in the third year of Our Reign.

BY COMMAND,

Registrar General of Canada

The Honourable Senator Pupatello came to the table and took and subscribed the oath prescribed by law, which was administered by the Clerk of the Senate, the Commissioner appointed for that purpose, and took her seat as a member of the Senate.

o o o

The Honourable the Speaker informed the Senate that the honourable senators introduced today had made and subscribed the Declaration of Qualification required of them by the Constitution Act, 1867, in the presence of the Clerk of the Senate, the Commissioner appointed to receive and witness same.

ADJOURNMENT

The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Petten:

That the Senate do now adjourn.

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

(Accordingly, at 10:05 a.m., the Senate was continued until tomorrow at 10 a.m.)