The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AdlerAl ZaibakAndersonArnoldArnotAtaullahjanAucoinAudetteBattersBlackBonifaceBoudreauBoyerBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCormierCoyleCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDhillonDowneDuncanForestFrancisFridhandlerGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGoldHarderHayHébertHenkelHousakosKingstonKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLewisLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMassicotteMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPettenProsperPupatelloRavaliaRichardsRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeidmanSeniorSimonsSmithSuretteTannasVaroneVernerWallinWhiteWilsonWooYouanceYussuff

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

AdlerAl ZaibakAndersonArnoldArnotAtaullahjanAucoinAudetteBattersBlackBonifaceBoudreauBoyerBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCormierCoyleCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDhillonDowneDuncanForestFrancisFridhandlerGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGoldHarderHayHébertHenkelHousakosKingstonKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLewisLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMassicotteMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPettenProsperPupatelloRavaliaRichardsRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeidmanSeniorSimonsSmithSuretteTannasVaroneVernerWallinWhiteWilsonWooYouanceYussuff

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:

Charter Statement prepared by the Minister of Justice in relation to Bill C-4, An Act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians and another measure, pursuant to the Department of Justice Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. J-2, sbs. 4.2(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-111.

Charter Statement prepared by the Minister of Justice in relation to Bill C-5, An Act to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act, pursuant to the Department of Justice Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. J-2, sbs. 4.2(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-112.

Introduction and First Reading of Senate Public Bills

The Honourable Senator Wallin introduced Bill S-231, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying).

The bill was read the first time.

The Honourable Senator Wallin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Verner, P.C., that the bill be placed on the Orders of the Day for a second reading two days hence.

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

o o o

The Honourable Senator McPhedran introduced Bill S-232, An Act respecting non-disclosure agreements.

The bill was read the first time.

The Honourable Senator McPhedran moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Brazeau, that the bill be placed on the Orders of the Day for a second reading two days hence.

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

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 Petten:

That, notwithstanding any provision of the Rules, usual practice or previous order:

1.when the Senate sits on June 16, June 17 and June 18, 2025, it resolve itself into Committees of the Whole at the start of each sitting to consider the subject matter of Bill C-5, An Act to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act, introduced in the House of Commons on June 6, 2025, in advance of that bill coming before the Senate;

2.each Committee of the Whole last a maximum of four hours, provided that the committee may suspend its meeting as it considers appropriate, with any such suspensions not being counted as part of the total time the committee may sit;

3.on June 16, 2025, the Committee of the Whole receive:

(a)the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P., Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, for a maximum of 65 minutes, who may make introductory remarks of a maximum of 5 minutes, with her appearance focused on Part 1 of the bill, and who may be accompanied by at most three officials; and

(b)such other witnesses as may be determined according to the process established in this order;

4.on June 17, 2025, the Committee of the Whole receive:

(a)the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, P.C., M.P., President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy, and the Honourable Rebecca Alty, P.C., M.P., Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, for a maximum of 130 minutes, who may make introductory remarks of a maximum of 5 minutes each, with their appearance focused on Part 2 of the bill, with each minister accompanied by at most three officials; and

(b)such other witnesses as may be determined according to the process established in this order;

5.on June 18, 2025, the Committee of the Whole receive such witnesses as may be determined according to the process established in this order;

6.the majority of deputy leaders or deputy facilitators be authorized to invite witnesses on behalf of the Committees of the Whole, subject to the terms of this order;

7.if, during any of these Committees of the Whole, a senator does not use the entire period of 10 minutes for debate provided under rule 12-31(3)(d), including the responses of the witnesses, that senator may yield the balance of time to another senator;

8.the provisions of rule 3-3(1) and any provision of the Rules or previous order relating to the ordinary time of adjournment be suspended while these Committees of the Whole are meeting;

9.if a standing vote was deferred to a time that would occur during the meeting of any of these Committees of the Whole, that vote be further deferred so that the bells only begin once the committee has completed its work;

10.for greater certainty, witnesses at any of these Committees of the Whole appear in person;

11.if the Senate receives a message from the House of Commons with Bill C-5, that bill be placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at second reading later that day, as the first item of Government Business if received before that point in the sitting, or, if received after that point in the sitting, as the next item of business, and, in either case, the sitting not adjourn that day before the Senate has begun proceedings on the bill at second reading;

12.except as provided in point 14, once debate on second reading of the bill begins, that debate not be adjourned, with the Senate not adjourning until consideration of the bill at that stage is complete and continuing beyond the ordinary time of adjournment, if required, and with any standing vote requested in relation to any motion relating to second reading of the bill not being deferred;

13.except as provided in points 14 and 15, if the bill is adopted at second reading, it be placed on the Orders of the Day for third reading at the next sitting of the Senate;

14.except as provided in point 15, at the end of debate at second reading, the Government Liaison be authorized to defer the standing vote on the main motion, if one is requested, to the next sitting of the Senate, at the start of the Orders of the Day, in which case, if the bill is still before the Senate after the vote, it be placed on the Orders of the Day for third reading later that same sitting;

15.during the sitting of June 27, 2025, if the bill is still on the Orders of the Day, for either that sitting or a future sitting:

(a)the sitting continue until proceedings on the bill are completed;

(b)proceedings on any item related to the bill not be adjourned;

(c)if the bill is only adopted at second reading that day, it be taken into consideration at third reading forthwith; and

(d)if the Senate has not concluded all proceedings on the bill by 5:15 p.m., the Speaker interrupt any proceedings then before the Senate in order to put all questions necessary to dispose of the bill at third reading without further debate, provided that:

(i)if the bill has not yet been moved for either second or third reading at that time, a senator be recognized solely to move second or third reading, as appropriate;

(ii)if the bill is on the Orders of the Day for a future sitting, it be brought forward at that time so that all questions can be put;

(iii)if any vote relating to the bill had been deferred so that it would normally take place after the time provided for the interruption of proceedings, that vote be brought forward to 5:30 p.m. on June 27, 2025, after a 15-minute bell, with the bells to begin ringing at 5:15 p.m.; and

(iv)if the Speaker interrupts proceedings then before the Senate pursuant to this subpoint in order to put all questions necessary to dispose of the bill without further debate, no further debate or amendment be permitted at any stage, and, if a standing vote is requested, the vote not be deferred and the bells ring once, and for only 15 minutes, without being rung again for subsequent votes necessary to dispose of the bill;

16.if the Senate does not sit on June 27, 2025, any provision in this order referring to that date be read as if referring to the next day thereafter that the Senate does sit;

17.for greater certainty, and except as otherwise provided, if at the time this order provides that something is to happen in relation to the bill, the bells are either ringing for another vote, such a vote is underway, or that time would conflict with the time specified for an event in a message from the Crown, the time provided for in this order be understood as if it were at the end of that other vote or the event;

18.no motion to refer the bill to committee be received; and

19.if this order is adopted after the time at which the Speaker would otherwise be required to interrupt proceedings on June 27, 2025, provisions that would have taken effect at that time be read as if that time were the time that falls immediately after the adoption of this order.

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

o o o

The Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Petten:

That, notwithstanding any provision of the Rules, usual practice or previous order:

1.at 7 p.m. on June 17, 2025, the Senate resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole on the subject matter of Bill C-4, An Act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians and another measure, introduced in the House of Commons on June 5, 2025, in advance of the said bill coming before the Senate;

2.the Committee of the Whole receive the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, P.C., M.P., Minister of Finance and National Revenue, accompanied by at most three officials;

3.the committee rise no later than 95 minutes after it begins;

4.the minister’s introductory remarks be limited to a maximum of five minutes;

5.if, during the Committee of the Whole, a senator does not use the entire period of 10 minutes for debate provided under rule 12-31(3)(d), including the responses of the witnesses, that senator may yield the balance of time to another senator;

6.the provisions of rule 3-3(1) and any provision of the Rules or previous order relating to the ordinary time of adjournment be suspended until the Committee of the Whole has completed meeting that day;

7.if a standing vote was deferred to a time that would occur during the meeting of the Committee of the Whole, that vote be further deferred so that the bells only begin once the committee has completed its work; and

8.for greater certainty, all witnesses appear in person.

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

Bills – Second Reading

Order No. 1 was 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 His Majesty the King:

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

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY:

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

After debate,

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

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

That Julie Wellington be appointed Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel of the Senate, effective July 17, 2025.

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

o o o

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

That, when the Senate next adjourns after the adoption of this motion, it do stand adjourned until Monday, June 16, 2025, at 2 p.m.

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

Other Business

Senate Public Bills – Second Reading

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Mégie, seconded by the Honourable Senator Petitclerc, for the second reading of Bill S-201, An Act respecting a national framework on sickle cell disease.

After debate,

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

The bill was then read for the second time.

The Honourable Senator Mégie moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator McNair, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, if and when the committee is formed.

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

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Brazeau, seconded by the Honourable Senator Sorensen, for the second reading of Bill S-202, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (warning label on alcoholic beverages).

After debate,

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

The bill was then read for the second time.

The Honourable Senator Brazeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Pate, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, if and when the committee is formed.

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

o o o

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

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne, seconded by the Honourable Senator Pate, for the second reading of Bill S-209, An Act to restrict young persons’ online access to pornographic material.

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

The bill was then read for the second time.

The Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boudreau, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, if and when the committee is formed.

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

o o o

Order No. 10 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Deacon (Ontario), seconded by the Honourable Senator Senior, for the second reading of Bill S-211, An Act respecting a national framework on sports betting advertising.

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

The bill was then read for the second time.

The Honourable Senator Kingston moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boudreau, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications, if and when the committee is formed.

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

o o o

Orders No. 12, 13 and 14 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Gerba, seconded by the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., for the second reading of Bill S-215, An Act respecting National Immigration Month.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Martin moved, for the Honourable Senator Ataullahjan, 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

Orders No. 16 and 17 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Wilson, for the second reading of Bill S-218, An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1982 (notwithstanding clause).

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

Orders No. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Second reading of Bill S-229, An Act to amend the National Capital Act (Gatineau Park).

The Honourable Senator Galvez moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Pate, that the bill be read for 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

Second reading of Bill S-230, An Act respecting the development of a national strategy for soil health protection, conservation and enhancement.

The Honourable Senator Black moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Downe, that the bill be read for 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.

Commons Public Bills – Second Reading

Second reading of Bill C-202, An Act to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act (supply management).

The Honourable Senator Dalphond moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gerba, that the bill be read for the second time.

After debate,

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

The bill was then read for the second time.

The Honourable Senator Dalphond moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gerba, 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.

Motions

Order No. 3 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

ADJOURNMENT

With leave of the Senate,

The Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., 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 5:18 p.m., the Senate was continued until Monday, June 16, 2025, at 2 p.m.)

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

Report on Commercial Vehicle Safety in Canada, pursuant to the Motor Vehicle Transport Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 29 (3rd Supp.), sbs. 25(1) and s. 26.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-103.

Report of VIA Rail Canada Inc., together with the Auditor General’s Report, for the year ended December 31, 2024, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-104.

Report of the Laurentian Pilotage Authority, together with the Auditor General’s Report, for the year ended December 31, 2024, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-105.

Report of the Pacific Pilotage Authority, together with the Auditor General’s Report, for the year ended December 31, 2024, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-106.

Report of the Great Lakes Pilotage Authority, together with the Auditor General’s Report, for the year ended December 31, 2024, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-107.

Report of the Atlantic Pilotage Authority, together with the Auditor General’s Report, for the year ended December 31, 2024, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-108.

Interim Order No. 3 Respecting the Discharge of Sewage and the Release of Greywater by Cruise Ships in Canadian Waters, pursuant to the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, S.C. 2001, c. 26, sbs. 10.1(7).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-109.

Copy of the Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Extremist Settler Violence) Regulations (P.C. 2025-504), pursuant to the Special Economic Measures Act, S.C. 1992, c. 17, sbs. 7(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-110.

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration

The Honourable Senator Tannas was added to the membership (June 11, 2025).

The Honourable Senator Smith was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (June 11, 2025).

Standing Senate Committee on National Finance

The Honourable Senator Gignac was added to the membership (June 11, 2025).

The Honourable Senator Smith was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (June 11, 2025).