The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AdlerAl ZaibakAndersonArnoldArnotAtaullahjanAucoinBattersBernardBoehmBonifaceBoudreauBoyerBrazeauBussonCardozoCarignanClementCormierCoyleCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Ontario)DeanDhillonDowneDuncanForestFrancisFridhandlerGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGreenwoodHayHébertHenkelHousakosInceKaretak-LindellKingstonLaBoucane-BensonLewisMacAdamMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenPoirierProsperPupatelloRavaliaRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeniorSimonsSmithSorensenSuretteTannasVaroneVernerWallinWells (Alberta)WhiteWilsonYouanceYussuff

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

AdlerAl ZaibakAndersonArnoldArnotAtaullahjanAucoinBattersBernardBoehmBonifaceBoudreauBoyerBrazeauBussonCardozoCarignanClementCormierCoyleCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Ontario)DeanDhillonDowneDuncanForestFrancisFridhandlerGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGreenwoodHayHébertHenkelHousakosInceKaretak-LindellKingstonLaBoucane-BensonLewisMacAdamMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenPoirierProsperPupatelloRavaliaRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeniorSimonsSmithSorensenSuretteTannasVaroneVernerWallinWells (Alberta)WhiteWilsonYouanceYussuff

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 Galvez introduced Bill S-238, An Act to enact the Climate-Aligned Finance Act and to make related amendments to other Acts.

The bill was read the first time.

The Honourable Senator Galvez moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator McPhedran, 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 Gignac tabled the following:

Report of the Canada-China Legislative Association, Co-Chairs’ Annual Visit to China, Beijing and Guangzhou, China, from March 17 to 21, 2025.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-631.

Question Period

The Senate proceeded to Question Period.

Orders of the Day

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

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

Senate Public Bills – Second Reading

Orders No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Wallin, seconded by the Honourable Senator Quinn, for the second reading of Bill S-231, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying).

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. 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Reports of Committees – Other

Order No. 4 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

Motions

Orders No. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 13 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Inquiries

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

MOTIONS

The Honourable Senator Yussuff moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Kingston:

That the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs be authorized to examine and report on defence procurement in the context of Canada’s commitment to increase defence spending;

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 June 18, 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

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

That the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages be authorized to examine and report on the strengthening of federal institutions’ arts, culture and heritage responsibilities in official language minority communities and in Canada more broadly;

That the committee specifically examine issues relating to:

(a)the training and professional development of human resources, including the development of digital skills;

(b)support for artistic, cultural and heritage infrastructure, including digital capabilities;

(c)the alignment of domestic and international initiatives to support cultural sovereignty, protect the diversity of cultural expression and ensure the online discoverability of cultural content produced by and for official language minority communities; and

(d)the implementation of the legislative and regulatory provisions that apply to federal institutions with regard to:

i)providing services of equal quality in both official languages;

ii)enhancing the vitality of official language minority communities;

iii)promoting the presence of strong institutions serving those communities;

iv)fostering the full recognition of both official languages in Canadian society; and

v)protecting and promoting French; and

That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than March 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.

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 2:50 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)

Report of the National Advisory Council on Poverty for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Poverty Reduction Act, S.C. 2019, c. 29, s. 315 “12”.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-622.

Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Progress Report for 2024-25 of the Department of Employment and Social Development, pursuant to the Federal Sustainable Development Act, S.C. 2008, c. 33, sbs. 12(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-623.

Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Progress Report for 2024-25 of the Canadian Accessibility Standards Development Organization, pursuant to the Federal Sustainable Development Act, S.C. 2008, c. 33, sbs. 11(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-624.

Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Progress Report for 2024-25 of the Canada Employment Insurance Commission, pursuant to the Federal Sustainable Development Act, S.C. 2008, c. 33, sbs. 11(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-625.

Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Progress Report for 2024-25 of the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, pursuant to the Federal Sustainable Development Act, S.C. 2008, c. 33, sbs. 11(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-626.

Report on the activities of the Courts Administration Service for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Courts Administration Service Act, S.C. 2002, c. 8, sbs. 12(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-627.

Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Progress Report for 2024-25 of the Department of Western Economic Diversification, pursuant to the Federal Sustainable Development Act, S.C. 2008, c. 33, sbs. 12(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-628.

Report of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission on the operation of the National Do Not Call List for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Telecommunications Act, S.C. 1993, c. 38, sbs. 41.6(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-629.

Report of the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, entitled Planned Capital Spending under Canada’s Defence Policy: 2025 Update, pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-1, sbs. 79.2(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-630.

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans

The Honourable Senator Boudreau replaced the Honourable Senator Pate (October 29, 2025).

Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade

The Honourable Senator McNair replaced the Honourable Senator Deacon (Ontario) (October 28, 2025).

The Honourable Senator Deacon (Ontario) replaced the Honourable Senator Boniface (October 28, 2025).

Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights

The Honourable Senator Arnot was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (October 29, 2025).

Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs

The Honourable Senator Martin replaced the Honourable Senator Housakos (October 29, 2025).

Standing Senate Committee on National Finance

The Honourable Senator Boudreau replaced the Honourable Senator Kingston (October 29, 2025).

Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs

The Honourable Senator McNair replaced the Honourable Senator Boniface (October 28, 2025).

Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications

The Honourable Senator Oudar replaced the Honourable Senator Mohamed (October 28, 2025).