The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AdlerAl ZaibakAndersonArnoldArnotAtaullahjanAucoinAudetteBattersBernardBlackBoehmBonifaceBoudreauBoyerBussonCardozoCarignanClementCormierCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)DeanDowneDuncanForestFrancisGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacHarderHayHébertHenkelHousakosInceKaretak-LindellKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLewisMacAdamMacDonaldMartinMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPettenProsperPupatelloQuinnRavaliaRichardsRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeniorSimonsSmithSuretteTannasVaroneVernerWallinWells (Alberta)WhiteWilsonWooYussuff

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

AdlerAl ZaibakAndersonArnoldArnotAtaullahjanAucoinAudetteBattersBernardBlackBoehmBonifaceBoudreauBoyer*BureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCormierCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)DeanDowneDuncanForestFrancisGagnéGalvezGerbaGignac*GreenwoodHarderHayHébertHenkelHousakosInceKaretak-LindellKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLewisMacAdamMacDonaldMartinMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPettenProsperPupatelloQuinnRavaliaRichardsRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeniorSimonsSmithSuretteTannasVaroneVernerWallinWells (Alberta)*Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteWilsonWoo*YouanceYussuff

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

Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees

The Honourable Senator Arnot, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, presented the committee’s first report (Bill S-228, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (sterilization procedures), without amendment).

The Honourable Senator Boyer moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boehm, 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.

o o o

The Honourable Senator Gignac, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy, presented the committee’s first report (Bill S-1001, An Act to authorize Gore Mutual Insurance Company to apply to be continued as a body corporate under the laws of the Province of Quebec, without amendment).

The Honourable Senator Clement moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Forest, 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.

Introduction and First Reading of Senate Public Bills

The Honourable Senator Ataullahjan introduced Bill S-235, An Act respecting the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking.

The bill was read the first time.

The Honourable Senator Ataullahjan moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin, 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.

Tabling of Reports from Interparliamentary Delegations

The Honourable Senator Ataullahjan tabled the following:

Report of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Annual Parliamentary Hearing at the United Nations: Putting an End to Conflicts: Prescriptions for a Peaceful Future, New York, New York, United States of America, February 8 and 9, 2024.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-310.

Report of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, 148th IPU Assembly and Related Meetings, Geneva, Switzerland, from March 23 to 27, 2024.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-311.

Report of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Parliamentary Forum at the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, New York, New York, United States of America, July 16, 2024.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-312.

Report of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Tenth IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians, Yerevan, Armenia, from September 12 to 14, 2024.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-313.

Report of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Expert Consultation: Parliamentary Engagement in Digital Policy, Geneva, Switzerland, October 18, 2024.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-314.

Report of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Parliamentary Meeting on the Occasion of the Second Meeting of the Preparatory Committee for the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, Geneva, Switzerland, October 18, 2024.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-315.

Report of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, 149th IPU Assembly and Related Meetings, Geneva, Switzerland, from October 13 to 17, 2024.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-316.

Report of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Annual Parliamentary Hearing at the United Nations: Scaling up action for the Sustainable Development Goals: Finance, Institutions, and Politics, New York, New York, United States of America, from February 13 to 14, 2025.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-317.

Report of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Parliamentary Meeting on the Occasion of the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, New York, New York, United States of America, March 11, 2025.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-318.

Report of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU Global Conference of Women Parliamentarians, Mexico City, Mexico, from March 13 to 16, 2025.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-319.

Report of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, 150th IPU Assembly and Related Meetings, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from April 5 to 9, 2025.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-320.

Notices of Motions

With leave of the Senate,

The Honourable Senator Gignac moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Quinn:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy, in accordance with rule 12-7(10), be authorized to study matters relating to banking, commerce and the economy generally; and

That the committee submit its final report no later than December 31, 2026, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings until 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

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

o o o

With leave of the Senate,

The Honourable Senator Boehm moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Ravalia:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, in accordance with rule 12-7(6), be authorized to examine and report on such issues as may arise from time to time relating to foreign relations and international trade generally; and

That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than December 31, 2027.

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

Orders of the Day

Government Business

Bills – Reports of Committees

Orders No. 1 and 2 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Motions

Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

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

That, when the Senate next adjourns after the adoption of this motion, it do stand adjourned until Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 2 p.m.

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

Other Business

Senate Public Bills – Second Reading

Orders No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Kutcher, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boehm, for the second reading of Bill S-210, An Act respecting Ukrainian Heritage 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 Kutcher moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dasko, 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.

o o o

Orders No. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Second reading of Bill S-234, An Act respecting a national framework for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

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

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Ataullahjan 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.

Motions

Orders No. 3 and 5 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Inquiries

Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

MOTIONS

The Honourable Senator Senior moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Arnot:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights be authorized to examine and report on aging out of foster care;

That the papers and evidence received and taken and work accomplished by the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights during the First Session of the Forty-fourth Parliament as part of its study of such issues as may arise from time to time related to human rights generally be referred to the committee;

That the committee be permitted, notwithstanding usual practices, to deposit its reports on this study with the Clerk of the Senate if the Senate is not then sitting, and that the reports be deemed to have been tabled in the Senate; and

That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than December 31, 2026, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

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

o o o

The Honourable Senator Senior moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Surette:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights be authorized to examine and report on antisemitism in Canada;

That the papers and evidence received and taken and work accomplished by the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights during the First Session of the Forty-fourth Parliament as part of its study of such issues as may arise from time to time related to human rights generally be referred to the committee;

That the committee be permitted, notwithstanding usual practices, to deposit its reports on this study with the Clerk of the Senate if the Senate is not then sitting, and that the reports be deemed to have been tabled in the Senate; and

That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than December 31, 2026, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

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

o o o

The Honourable Senator Senior moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Ravalia:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights, in accordance with rule 12-7(16), be authorized to examine and report on such issues as may arise from time to time relating to human rights in general;

That the committee be permitted, notwithstanding usual practices, to deposit its reports on this study with the Clerk of the Senate if the Senate is not then sitting, and that the reports be deemed to have been tabled in the Senate; and

That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than October 15, 2029, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

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

o o o

The Honourable Senator Surette moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boudreau:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages, in accordance with rule 12-7(5), be authorized to examine and report on such issues as may arise from time to time relating to official languages generally; and

That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than October 15, 2029, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

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

o o o

The Honourable Senator Surette moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Karetak-Lindell:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages be authorized to examine and report on minority-language health services, including matters related to the following:

(a) the inclusion of language clauses in federal health transfers;

(b)population aging, including the ability to obtain health care, long-term care and home care in one’s own language, which encompasses linguistic resources to support caregivers, the quality of life of seniors and disease prevention;

(c) access to minority-language health services for vulnerable communities;

(d) the shortage of health professionals in public and private facilities serving official language minority communities and the language skills of health care personnel in these facilities;

(e) the needs of francophone post-secondary institutions outside Quebec and anglophone post-secondary institutions in Quebec respecting recruitment, training and support for future graduates in health-related fields;

(f) telemedicine and the use of new technologies in the health sector, including the associated language challenges; and

(g) the needs for research, evidence and solutions to foster access to health care in the language of one’s choice;

That the papers and evidence received and taken and work accomplished by the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages on this subject during the First Session of the Forty-fourth Parliament be referred to the committee; and

That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than March 31, 2026, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

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

o o o

The Honourable Senator Verner, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Prosper:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources, in accordance with rule 12-7(14), be authorized to examine and report on such issues as may arise from time to time relating to energy, the environment, natural resources and climate change; and

That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than October 15, 2029, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

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

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Ordered: That the sitting be suspended to reassemble at the call of the chair, with a five-minute bell.

(Accordingly, at 2:58 p.m., the sitting was suspended.)

At 3:30 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Question Period

Pursuant to the order adopted on June 4, 2025, the Senate proceeded to Question Period.

The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, P.C., M.P., Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, entered the Senate and took part in Question Period.

ADJOURNMENT

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

That the Senate do now adjourn.

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

(Accordingly, at 4:34 p.m., the Senate was continued until Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 2 p.m.)

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

Report on the Employment Equity Act (Labour) for the year 2024, pursuant to the Act, S.C. 1995, c. 44, s. 20.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-306.

Report of the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board on the administration of Part I (Staff Relations) of the Parliamentary Employment and Staff Relations Act for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, pursuant to the Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 33 (2nd Supp.), s. 84.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-307.

Report of the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board on the administration of Part III of the Parliamentary Employment and Staff Relations Act and Part II of the Canada Labour Code for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, pursuant to the Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 33 (2nd Supp.), s. 88.7.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-308.

Report of the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, entitled Economic and Fiscal Outlook – September 2025, pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-1, sbs. 79.2(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-309.

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy

The Honourable Senator Deacon (Nova Scotia) was added to the membership (September 25, 2025).

The Honourable Senator Pupatello was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (September 25, 2025).

Standing Senate Committee on National Finance

The Honourable Senator Pupatello was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (September 25, 2025).

Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages

The Honourable Senator Ince was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (September 25, 2025).

Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament

The Honourable Senator Tannas was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (September 25, 2025).

Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology

The Honourable Senator Burey replaced the Honourable Senator Ross (September 25, 2025).

The Honourable Senator Ross replaced the Honourable Senator Burey (September 24, 2025).