The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AdlerAl ZaibakAndersonArnoldArnotAtaullahjanAudetteBattersBernardBlackBoehmBonifaceBoyerBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCormierCoyleDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)DeanDhillonDowneDuncanForestFrancisGerbaGignacGreenwoodHarderHayHébertHenkelHousakosInceKaretak-LindellKingstonKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacDonaldManningMartinMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenProsperPupatelloQuinnRavaliaRichardsRinguetteRossSaint-GermainSeniorSimonsSmithSorensenSuretteTannasVaroneVernerWallinWells (Alberta)Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteWilsonWooYouanceYussuff

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

AdlerAl ZaibakAndersonArnoldArnotAtaullahjanAudetteBattersBernardBlackBoehmBonifaceBoyerBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCormierCoyleDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)DeanDhillonDowneDuncanForestFrancis*GagnéGerbaGignacGreenwoodHarderHayHébertHenkelHousakosInceKaretak-LindellKingstonKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacDonaldManningMartinMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenProsperPupatelloQuinnRavaliaRichardsRinguetteRossSaint-GermainSeniorSimonsSmithSorensenSuretteTannasVaroneVernerWallinWells (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

Senators’ Statements

Some Honourable Senators made statements.

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

Introduction and First Reading of Senate Public Bills

The Honourable Senator Forest introduced Bill S-237, An Act respecting a Cities and Municipalities Day.

The bill was read the first time.

The Honourable Senator Forest moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Ringuette, 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

Pursuant to the order adopted June 4, 2025, the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson informed the Senate that Question Period with the Honourable Stephanie McLean, M.P., Secretary of State (Seniors), will take place on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 2:45 p.m.

Government Business

Reports of Committees – Other

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 Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 2 p.m.

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

Other Business

Senate Public Bills – Third Reading

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Boyer, seconded by the Honourable Senator Sorensen, for the third reading of Bill S-228, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (sterilization procedures).

After debate,

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

The bill was then read for 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.

Private Bills – Third Reading

Third reading of 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.

The Honourable Senator Loffreda moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Arnot, that the bill be read for the third time.

After debate,

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

The bill was then read for 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.

Senate Public Bills – Second Reading

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

o o o

Second reading of Bill S-207, An Act to amend the Criminal Records Act, to make consequential amendments to other Acts and to repeal a regulation.

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

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Batters, 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. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Second reading of Bill S-222, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and the Regulation Adapting the Canada Elections Act for the Purposes of a Referendum.

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

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Clement moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Petitclerc, 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. 15, 16, 17 and 18 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

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.

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

The bill was then read for the second time.

The Honourable Senator Al Zaibak moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Ince, 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

Order No. 20 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Black, seconded by the Honourable Senator Downe, for the second reading of Bill S-230, An Act respecting the development of a national strategy for soil health protection, conservation and enhancement.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Batters, 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. 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

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 Moodie moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Loffreda:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, in accordance with rule 12-7(11), be authorized to examine and report on such issues as may arise from time to time relating to social affairs, science and technology generally;

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 on this study 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 Arnot moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Coyle:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, in accordance with rule 12-7(9), be authorized to examine and report on such issues as may arise from time to time relating to legal and constitutional matters generally; and

That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than October 10, 2027.

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

o o o

The Honourable Senator Moodie moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Petitclerc:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology be authorized to examine and report on matters related to the impact of artificial intelligence in Canada, highlighting issues including:

(a)data governance and sovereignty;

(b)ethics, privacy and safety; and

(c)the risks, benefits and social impact;

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 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 Martin moved, for the Honourable Senator Manning, seconded by the Honourable Senator Batters:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans be authorized, in accordance with rule 12-7(13), to examine and report on issues relating to the federal government’s current and evolving policy framework for managing Canada’s fisheries and oceans, including maritime safety; and

That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than December 31, 2027, 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 Yussuff moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Surette:

That the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs, in accordance with rule 12-7(17), be authorized to examine and report on such issues as may arise from time to time relating to national security and defence generally, including veterans’ affairs; and

That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than October 10, 2027, 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.

INQUIRIES

The Honourable Senator Cardozo called the attention of the Senate to the future of Canadian news media and its long-term funding model, including that of CBC/Radio Canada.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Francis moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Muggli, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.

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

ADJOURNMENT

The Honourable Senator Petten moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Duncan:

That the Senate do now adjourn.

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

(Accordingly, at 5:31 p.m., the Senate was continued until Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 2 p.m.)

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

Report on the applications for ministerial review (miscarriages of justice) for the year 2025, pursuant to the Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46, s. 696.5.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-339.

Reports of the Canadian Accessibility Standards Development Organization for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Access to Information Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-1, sbs. 94(2) and to the Privacy Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-21, sbs. 72(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-340.

Reports of the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Access to Information Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-1, sbs. 94(2) and to the Privacy Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-21, sbs. 72(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-341.

Reports of the Department of Employment and Social Development for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Access to Information Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-1, sbs. 94(2) and to the Privacy Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-21, sbs. 72(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-342.

Report of the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, entitled House Price Assessment – Update, pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-1, sbs. 79.2(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-343.

Reports of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Access to Information Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-1, sbs. 94(2) and to the Privacy Act, R.S.C. 1985, P-21, sbs. 72(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-344.

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources

The Honourable Senator Galvez replaced the Honourable Senator Pate (October 1, 2025).

Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans

The Honourable Senator Petten was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (October 2, 2025).

Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration

The Honourable Senator MacAdam replaced the Honourable Senator Saint-Germain (October 2, 2025).

The Honourable Senator Audette replaced the Honourable Senator Wells (Alberta) (October 2, 2025).

Standing Senate Committee on National Finance

The Honourable Senator MacAdam replaced the Honourable Senator Oudar (October 2, 2025).

The Honourable Senator Galvez replaced the Honourable Senator Dalphond (October 2, 2025).

Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology

The Honourable Senator Youance replaced the Honourable Senator Boudreau (October 2, 2025).

The Honourable Senator Boudreau replaced the Honourable Senator Surette (October 2, 2025).