Journals of the Senate
4 Charles III , A.D. 2025, Canada
1st Session, 45th Parliament
Issue 25 (Unrevised)
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
2 p.m.
The Honourable RAYMONDE GAGNÉ, Speaker
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
AdlerAl ZaibakArnoldArnotAudetteBattersBernardBlackBoehmBonifaceBoudreauBoyerBrazeauBussonCardozoCarignanClementCormierCoyleCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDhillonDowneDuncanForestFrancisFridhandlerGagnéGerbaGignacGreenwoodHarderHayHébertHousakosInceKaretak-LindellKingstonKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldManningMartinMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenPoirierProsperPupatelloQuinnRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeniorSimonsSmithSorensenSuretteTannasVaroneVernerWells (Alberta)Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteWilsonWooYouanceYussuff
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
AdlerAl ZaibakArnoldArnot*AtaullahjanAudetteBattersBernardBlackBoehmBonifaceBoudreauBoyerBrazeau*BureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCormierCoyleCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDhillonDowneDuncanForestFrancisFridhandlerGagnéGerbaGignacGreenwoodHarderHayHébert*HenkelHousakosInceKaretak-LindellKingstonKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldManningMartinMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenPoirierProsperPupatelloQuinn*RavaliaRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeniorSimonsSmithSorensenSuretteTannasVaroneVernerWells (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
Tabling of Documents
The Honourable the Speaker tabled the following:
The 2025 Fall Reports of the Auditor General of Canada to the Parliament of Canada, pursuant to the Auditor General Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-17, sbs. 7(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-582.
The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson tabled the following:
Report of the Leaders’ Debates Commission entitled Debates – Democratic exercises serving the voting public: A report on the Leaders’ Debates Commission 2025 federal election experience.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-583.
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 the Honourable Jill McKnight, P.C., M.P., Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, will take place on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 2:00 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.
Other Business
Senate Public Bills – Third Reading
Third reading of Bill S-211, An Act respecting a national framework on sports betting advertising.
The Honourable Senator Deacon (Ontario) moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Loffreda, 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
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Brazeau, seconded by the Honourable Senator Sorensen, for the second reading of Bill S-203, An Act to prohibit the promotion of alcoholic beverages.
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.
Order No. 2 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Pate, seconded by the Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne, for the second reading of Bill S-205, An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Al ZaibakArnoldAudetteBernardBlackBoehmBonifaceBoudreauBoyerBussonCardozoClementCoyleCuznerDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)DeanDhillonFrancisGerbaGignacGreenwoodHayHébertInceKaretak-LindellKingstonKlyneMacAdamMcBeanMcCallumMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoodieMuggliOslerOudarPatePetitclercProsperQuinnRinguetteRobinsonRossSeniorSimonsSuretteWells (Alberta)WhiteWilsonYouanceYussuff—53
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
AdlerArnotBattersCarignanDalphondDowneHarderHousakosLoffredaMacDonaldManningMartinMcNairPattersonPoirierSaint-GermainSmithTannasVaroneVernerWells (Newfoundland and Labrador)—21
ABSTENTIONS
The Honourable Senators
DuncanForestLaBoucane-BensonPettenPupatello—5
Accordingly, Bill S-205 was read a second time.
The Honourable Senator Pate moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator MacAdam, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Second reading of Bill S-226, An Act respecting Jury Duty Appreciation Week.
The Honourable Senator Moncion moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator McNair, that the bill be read for the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Poirier, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Galvez, seconded by the Honourable Senator Pate, for the second reading of Bill S-229, An Act to amend the National Capital Act (Gatineau Park).
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. 20, 21 and 22 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Second reading of Bill S-233, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (assault against persons who provide health services and first responders).
The Honourable Senator Housakos moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador), that the bill be read for the second time.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The bill was then read for the second time.
The Honourable Senator Housakos moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin, 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.
Orders No. 24, 25, 26 and 27 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Reports of Committees – Other
Consideration of the twentieth report (interim) of the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples, entitled Missing Records, Missing Children, deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on July 25, 2024, during the First Session of the Forty-fourth Parliament.
The Honourable Senator Audette moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Francis:
That the twentieth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples, entitled Missing Records, Missing Children, deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on July 25, 2024, during the First Session of the Forty-fourth Parliament, and placed on the Orders of the Day in the current session pursuant to the order of October 7, 2025, be adopted and that, pursuant to rule 12-23(1), the Senate request a complete and detailed response from the government, with the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations being identified as minister responsible for responding to the report, in consultation with the Minister of Indigenous Services.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Consideration of the twenty-first report (interim) of the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples, entitled Respected and Protected: Towards the establishment of an Indigenous human rights framework, deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on December 12, 2024, during the First Session of the Forty-fourth Parliament.
The Honourable Senator Audette moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C.:
That the twenty-first report of the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples, entitled Respected and Protected: Towards the establishment of an Indigenous human rights framework, deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on December 12, 2024, during the First Session of the Forty-fourth Parliament, and placed on the Orders of the Day in the current session pursuant to the order of October 7, 2025, be adopted and that, pursuant to rule 12-23(1), the Senate request a complete and detailed response from the government, with the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada being identified as minister responsible for responding to the report, in consultation with the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and the Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Order No. 4 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Motions
Orders No. 3 and 5 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Woo, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dean:
That, in light of findings and orders from the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court on the situation in Gaza, the Senate call on the Government to examine the risk to Canada and Canadians of complicity in violations of international humanitarian law, including war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, and to report on its findings within three months of the adoption of this motion.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Patterson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Tannas, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Inquiries
Orders No. 1, 3 and 5 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
MOTIONS
The Honourable Senator Martin moved, for the Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Manning:
That the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance be authorized to examine and report on federal programs and initiatives to support the creation of housing, including, but not limited to, the:
(a) launch of the Build Canada Homes agency and how it will coordinate its operations with those of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation in the delivery of affordable housing programs;
(b) conversion of federal lands into opportunities for housing development;
(c) off-site construction;
(d) role of municipalities; and
(e) development of affordable housing;
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; and
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.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
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 5:14 p.m., the Senate was continued until tomorrow at 2 p.m.)
DOCUMENTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO RULE 14-1(7)
Interim Order No. 4 Respecting the Summerside Compulsory Pilotage Area, pursuant to the Pilotage Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-14, sbs. 52.2(8).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-577.
Interim Order No. 5 Respecting the Placentia Bay Compulsory Pilotage Area, pursuant to the Pilotage Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-14, sbs. 52.2(8).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-578.
Annual Report of the Specific Claims Tribunal for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Specific Claims Tribunal Act, S.C. 2008, c. 22, s. 40.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-579.
Report of the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act, S.C. 2000, c. 17, sbs. 71(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-580.
Service Fees Report of the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Service Fees Act, S.C. 2017, c. 20, s. 451 “20(1)”.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-581.
Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5
Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry
The Honourable Senator Oudar replaced the Honourable Senator Sorensen (October 20, 2025).
Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy
The Honourable Senator Ringuette replaced the Honourable Senator Mohamed (October 10, 2025).
Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources
The Honourable Senator Clement replaced the Honourable Senator Galvez (October 21, 2025).
Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans
The Honourable Senator Greenwood replaced the Honourable Senator Ravalia (October 20, 2025).
Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade
The Honourable Senator Kutcher replaced the Honourable Senator Ravalia (October 20, 2025).
The Honourable Senator Ravalia replaced the Honourable Senator McNair (October 20, 2025).
The Honourable Senator McNair replaced the Honourable Senator Ravalia (October 20, 2025).
The Honourable Senator Boniface replaced the Honourable Senator Dean (October 10, 2025).
Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights
The Honourable Senator Arnot was added to the membership (October 20, 2025).
Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples
The Honourable Senator McNair replaced the Honourable Senator Sorensen (October 21, 2025).
The Honourable Senator Coyle replaced the Honourable Senator Boniface (October 21, 2025).
The Honourable Senator Boniface replaced the Honourable Senator McNair (October 10, 2025).
Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
The Honourable Senator Mohamed replaced the Honourable Senator Moodie (October 20, 2025).
Standing Senate Committee on National Finance
The Honourable Senator Dalphond was added to the membership (October 10, 2025).
The Honourable Senator Loffreda was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (October 10, 2025).
Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs
The Honourable Senator Anderson was added to the membership (October 16, 2025).
Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications
The Honourable Senator Hay replaced the Honourable Senator Cardozo (October 21, 2025).
The Honourable Senator Cardozo replaced the Honourable Senator Hay (October 20, 2025).
The Honourable Senator Osler replaced the Honourable Senator Aucoin (October 17, 2025).