Journals of the Senate
3 Charles III , A.D. 2025, Canada
1st Session, 45th Parliament
Issue 13 (Unrevised)
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
2 p.m.
The Honourable RAYMONDE GAGNÉ, Speaker
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
AdlerAl ZaibakArnoldArnotAtaullahjanAucoinAudetteBattersBlackBoehmBoudreauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCormierCoyleCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDhillonDowneDuncanForestFrancisFridhandlerGagnéGalvezGerbaGoldGreenwoodHarderHayHébertHenkelHousakosKaretak-LindellKingstonKlyneLaBoucane-BensonLewisLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMassicotteMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenPoirierProsperPupatelloQuinnRavaliaRichardsRinguetteRobinsonSaint-GermainSeidmanSeniorSimonsSmithSorensenSuretteTannasVaroneVernerWallinWells (Alberta)Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteWilsonWooYouanceYussuff
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
AdlerAl ZaibakArnoldArnotAtaullahjanAucoinAudetteBattersBlackBoehmBoudreauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCormierCoyleCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDhillonDowneDuncanForestFrancisFridhandlerGagnéGalvezGerbaGoldGreenwoodHarderHayHébertHenkelHousakosKaretak-LindellKingstonKlyneLaBoucane-BensonLewisLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMassicotteMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenPoirierProsperPupatelloQuinnRavaliaRichardsRinguetteRobinsonSaint-GermainSeidmanSeniorSimonsSmithSorensenSuretteTannasVaroneVernerWallinWells (Alberta)Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteWilsonWooYouanceYussuff
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
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
At 2:04 p.m., pursuant to the order adopted on June 12, 2025, the Senate was suspended during pleasure and resolved into a Committee of the Whole 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, the Honourable Senator Cormier in the Chair.
—In the Committee—
Pursuant to the order adopted on June 12, 2025, Geoff Wood, Senior Vice-President, Policy, Canadian Trucking Alliance, Lak Shoan, Director, Policy, Canadian Trucking Alliance, Goldy Hyder, President and Chief Executive Officer, Business Council of Canada, Michael Gullo, Vice President, Policy, Business Council of Canada, Sean Strickland, Executive Director, Canada’s Building Trades Unions, and Nathan Carr, Public Affairs Manager, Canada’s Building Trades Unions, were escorted to seats in the Senate Chamber.
Debate.
At 3:19 p.m., the committee was suspended.
At 3:25 p.m., the committee resumed.
Pursuant to the order adopted on June 12, 2025, Anna Johnston, Staff Lawyer, West Coast Environmental Law, Daniel-Robert Gooch, President and Chief Executive Officer, Association of Canadian Port Authorities, and Chief Shelly Moore-Frappier, Temagami First Nation, were escorted to seats in the Senate Chamber.
Debate.
At 4:40 p.m., the committee was suspended.
At 4:47 p.m., the committee resumed.
Pursuant to the order adopted on June 12, 2025, the Honourable Lisa Raitt, former federal cabinet minister and Co-Chair, Coalition for a Better Future, and the Honourable Brian Gallant, former premier of New Brunswick, were escorted to seats in the Senate Chamber.
Debate.
It was agreed that the chair report to the Senate that the witnesses have been heard.
The sitting of the Senate resumed.
The Chair of the Committee stated that the Committee had examined 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 and had directed him to report it has heard from the witnesses.
Senators’ Statements
Some Honourable Senators made statements.
ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS
Introduction and First Reading of Government Bills
A message was brought from the House of Commons with Bill C-6, An Act for granting to His Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, to which it desires the concurrence of the Senate.
The bill was read the first time.
The Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Petten, 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.
A message was brought from the House of Commons with Bill C-7, An Act for granting to His Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, to which it desires the concurrence of the Senate.
The bill was read the first time.
The Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Petten, 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.
Orders of the Day
Government Business
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 Gold, P.C., moved, for the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson, 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.
Other Business
Senate 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 Moodie, seconded by the Honourable Senator Coyle, for the second reading of Bill S-212, An Act respecting a national strategy for children and youth in Canada.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The bill was then read for the second time.
The Honourable Senator Moodie moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Clement, 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.
Orders No. 9 and 10 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
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 question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The bill was then read for the second time.
The Honourable Senator Gerba moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator White, 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.
With leave,
The Senate reverted to Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees.
The Honourable Senator MacDonald presented the following:
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
The Committee of Selection has the honour to present its
FIRST REPORT
Pursuant to rule 12-2(1) of the Rules of the Senate and the order of the Senate of May 27, 2025, your committee submits below a list of senators nominated by it to serve on committees and makes recommendations on the duration of membership on committees.
Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples
Independent Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Boniface, Greenwood, Karetak-Lindell, Pate and Sorensen
Conservative Party of Canada
The Honourable Senator McCallum
Canadian Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Prosper and Tannas
Progressive Senate Group
The Honourable Senators Audette, Francis and White
Non-affiliated
The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson (seat designated by the Independent Senators Group) and the Honourable Senator McPhedran (seat designated by the Conservative Party of Canada)
Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry
Independent Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Greenwood, McBean, McNair, Miville-Dechêne, Petitclerc and Sorensen
Conservative Party of Canada
The Honourable Senators Martin and Richards
Canadian Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Black, Burey and Robinson
Progressive Senate Group
The Honourable Senators Francis and Muggli
Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight
Independent Senators Group
The Honourable Senator Loffreda
Conservative Party of Canada
The Honourable Senator Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)
Canadian Senators Group
The Honourable Senator Deacon (Nova Scotia)
Progressive Senate Group
The Honourable Senator Klyne
Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy
Independent Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Loffreda, Massicotte, McBean, Ringuette, Varone and Yussuff
Conservative Party of Canada
The Honourable Senators Marshall and Martin
Canadian Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Gignac, Pupatello and Wallin
Progressive Senate Group
The Honourable Senators Fridhandler and Henkel
Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources
Independent Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Arnot, Duncan, Galvez, Kingston, Kutcher and Youance
Conservative Party of Canada
The Honourable Senators McCallum and Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)
Canadian Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Aucoin, Lewis and Verner, P.C.
Progressive Senate Group
The Honourable Senators Anderson and Fridhandler
Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans
Independent Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Boudreau, Busson, Dhillon, Ravalia and Surette
Conservative Party of Canada
The Honourable Senators Manning and Poirier
Canadian Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Deacon (Nova Scotia) and Osler
Progressive Senate Group
The Honourable Senators Cuzner, Francis and Gerba
Non-affiliated
The Honourable Senator Petten (seat designated by the Independent Senators Group)
Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Independent Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Boehm, Coyle, Deacon (Ontario), Hébert, Ravalia and Woo
Conservative Party of Canada
The Honourable Senators Ataullahjan and MacDonald
Canadian Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Adler and Al Zaibak
Progressive Senate Group
The Honourable Senators Gerba, Harder, P.C., and Wilson
Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights
Independent Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Clement, Coyle, Karetak-Lindell and Senior
Conservative Party of Canada
The Honourable Senator Batters
Canadian Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Osler and Ross
Progressive Senate Group
The Honourable Senators Bernard and Wells (Alberta)
Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
Independent Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Boehm, Boyer, Forest, MacAdam, Moncion, Moodie and Oudar
Conservative Party of Canada
The Honourable Senators Carignan, P.C., and Smith
Canadian Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Osler, Quinn and Tannas
Progressive Senate Group
The Honourable Senators Audette, Francis and Henkel
Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
Independent Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Arnot, Clement, Dhillon, Oudar, Pate, Saint-Germain and Simons
Conservative Party of Canada
The Honourable Senators Batters and Housakos
Canadian Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Prosper and Tannas
Progressive Senate Group
The Honourable Senators Moreau and Wells (Alberta)
Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament
Independent Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Coyle and Ravalia
Conservative Party of Canada
The Honourable Senator Housakos
Canadian Senators Group
The Honourable Senator Tannas
Progressive Senate Group
The Honourable Senator Cuzner
Standing Senate Committee on National Finance
Independent Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Forest, Galvez, Hébert, Kingston, MacAdam and Varone
Conservative Party of Canada
The Honourable Senators Carignan, P.C., and Marshall
Canadian Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Gignac, Pupatello and Ross
Progressive Senate Group
The Honourable Senators Cardozo and Moreau
Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs
Independent Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Dasko, Deacon (Ontario), Duncan, Kutcher, McNair and Yussuff
Conservative Party of Canada
The Honourable Senators Carignan, P.C., and Richards
Canadian Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Al Zaibak and Ince
Progressive Senate Group
The Honourable Senators Anderson, Cardozo and Francis
Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages
Independent Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Cormier, Mégie, Moncion and Surette
Conservative Party of Canada
The Honourable Senator Poirier
Canadian Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Ince and Patterson
Progressive Senate Group
The Honourable Senators Audette and Gerba
Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament
Independent Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Busson, Mégie, Petitclerc, Ringuette, Saint-Germain, Surette and Yussuff
Conservative Party of Canada
The Honourable Senators Batters and Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)
Canadian Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Burey, Downe and Tannas
Progressive Senate Group
The Honourable Senators Dalphond, Wells (Alberta) and White
Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations
Independent Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Dean and Woo
Conservative Party of Canada
The Honourable Senator Martin
Canadian Senators Group
The Honourable Senator Patterson
Progressive Senate Group
The Honourable Senator White
Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology
Independent Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Arnold, Boudreau, Mégie, Moodie, Petitclerc and Senior
Canadian Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Burey and Osler
Progressive Senate Group
The Honourable Senators Bernard, Hay and Muggli
Non-Affiliated
The Honourable Senators Brazeau and McPhedran (seats designated by the Conservative Party of Canada)
Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications
Independent Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Arnold, Cormier, Dasko, Dean, Miville-Dechêne and Simons
Conservative Party of Canada
The Honourable Senators Manning and Smith
Canadian Senators Group
The Honourable Senators Lewis, Quinn and Wallin
Progressive Senate Group
The Honourable Senators Hay and Wilson
Your committee also considered the duration of committee membership. Although dissenting opinions were expressed, your committee agreed to recommend that, for the remainder of the session, and notwithstanding any provision of the Rules, usual practice or previous order:
1.Except in the case of the Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators and the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight:
(a)a non-affiliated senator may, by written notice to the Clerk, place themselves under the authority of the leader or facilitator of a recognized party or recognized parliamentary group, for the purposes of making membership changes in relation to the membership of one or more committees, including the joint committees, following the process established in rule 12-5 of the Rules of the Senate;
(b)except as provided in sub-paragraph c), if a senator ceases to be a member of a particular recognized party or recognized parliamentary group for any reason, they simultaneously cease to be a member of any committee of which they were then a member, with the resulting vacancy to be filled by the leader or facilitator of the party or group to which the senator had belonged, following the processes established in rule 12-5;
(c)if a senator ceases to be a member of a recognized party or recognized parliamentary group because that party or group ceases to exist, they remain a member of any committee of which they were a member, subject to the provisions of sub-paragraph d), but cease to be chair or deputy chair of any committee on which they held such a position, and cease to be a member of any Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of which they were a member; and
(d)if a non-affiliated senator becomes a member of a recognized party or recognized parliamentary group, they thereby cease to be a member of any committee of which they were then a member, with the resulting vacancy to be filled either:
(i)by the leader or facilitator of the party or group to which the non-affiliated senator’s seat had originally belonged, as provided in sub-paragraph a), or
(ii)by order of the Senate or the adoption by the Senate of a report of the Committee of Selection; and
2.Any changes to the membership of a committee pursuant to paragraph 1 of this report be recorded in the Journals of the Senate.
Respectfully submitted,
MICHAEL L. MACDONALD
Chair
The Honourable Senator MacDonald moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Smith, 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.
Orders of the Day
Other Business
Senate Public Bills – Second Reading
Second reading of Bill S-216, An Act to declare the Chignecto Isthmus Dykeland System and related works to be for the general advantage of Canada.
The Honourable Senator Quinn moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Osler, that the bill be read for the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Smith, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 13, 14, 15 and 16 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Ataullahjan, seconded by the Honourable Senator Batters, for the second reading of Bill S-221, An Act to provide for the recognition of the Canada jay as the national bird of Canada.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator MacDonald moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Order No. 18 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Second reading of Bill S-223, An Act to amend the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act.
The Honourable Senator McCallum moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin, that the bill be read for the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Patterson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Osler, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 20, 21 and 22 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Al Zaibak, seconded by the Honourable Senator Aucoin, for the second reading of Bill S-227, An Act respecting Arab Heritage Month.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador) 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.
Orders No. 24, 25, 26 and 27 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Motions
Order No. 3 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Inquiries
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
MOTIONS
The Honourable Senator Tannas moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Patterson:
That, notwithstanding any provision of the Rules or previous order, the Honourable Senator Ross take the place of the Honourable Senator Smith as one of the members of the Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
ADJOURNMENT
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 8:41 p.m., the Senate was continued until tomorrow at 1:30 p.m.)
DOCUMENTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO RULE 14-1(7)
Summary of the Corporate Business Plan for 2025-26 to 2027-28 of the Canada Revenue Agency, pursuant to the Canada Revenue Agency Act, S.C. 1999, c. 17, sbs. 49(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-174.
Report on the administration of the Species at Risk Act for the year 2023, pursuant to the Act, S.C. 2002, c. 29, s. 126.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-175.
Report of the Canada Pension Plan, together with the Auditor General’s Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, pursuant to the Canada Pension Plan Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-8, sbs. 117(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-176.
Summary of the Corporate Plan for 2025-26 of the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada, pursuant to the Physical Activity and Sport Act, S.C. 2003, c. 2, sbs. 32(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-177.
Report of the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, entitled Reducing the lowest federal personal income tax rate to 14%, pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-1, sbs. 79.2(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-178.
Report of the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, entitled 2024–25 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. 1/45-179.
Report of the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act, S.C. 2005, c. 46, sbs. 38(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-180.
Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5
Standing Senate Committee on National Finance
The Honourable Senator Duncan replaced the Honourable Senator MacAdam (June 18, 2025).
Committee of Selection
The Honourable Senator Ross replaced the Honourable Senator Tannas (June 18, 2025).
The Honourable Senator Tannas replaced the Honourable Senator Ross (June 18, 2025).