The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AdlerAl ZaibakAndersonArnoldArnotAucoinAudetteBattersBlackBoehmBoudreauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCormierCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)DeanDhillonDowneDuncanForestFrancisGagnéGalvezGerbaGreenwoodHarderHayHébertHousakosInceKingstonKlyneLaBoucane-BensonLewisLoffredaMacAdamManningMarshallMartinMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenPoirierProsperPupatelloQuinnRavaliaRinguetteRobinsonRossSeniorSimonsSmithTannasVernerWells (Alberta)Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteWilsonWooYouance

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

AdlerAl ZaibakAndersonArnoldArnotAucoinAudetteBattersBlackBoehmBoudreauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCormierCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)*Deacon (Ontario)DeanDhillonDowneDuncanForestFrancisGagnéGalvezGerbaGreenwoodHarderHayHébertHousakosInceKingstonKlyneLaBoucane-BensonLewisLoffredaMacAdam*MacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenPoirierProsperPupatelloQuinnRavaliaRinguetteRobinsonRoss*Saint-GermainSeniorSimonsSmithTannasVernerWells (Alberta)Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteWilsonWooYouance

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

Government Notices of Motions

With leave of the Senate,

The Honourable Senator Moreau, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Housakos:

That, notwithstanding any provision of the Rules, previous order or usual practice, at noon on Thursday, December 11, 2025:

1.the Honourable Senator Saint-Germain replace the Honourable Senator Loffreda as a member of the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight;

2.the Honourable Senator Loffreda replace the Honourable Senator Moncion as a member of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration, subsequently subject to the provisions of rule 12-5 and the order of June 18, 2025, concerning the duration of membership on committees; and

3.the Honourable Senator Loffreda be chair of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration until the committee’s first meeting in 2026.

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

o o o

With leave of the Senate,

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

That order number 6 under the rubric Reports of Committees — Other, under Other Business, be brought forward and called at the end of Government Business today;

That, notwithstanding the order adopted by the Senate on June 4, 2025, today’s sitting continue beyond 4 p.m., if needed, until the earlier of the end of proceedings today on the second report of the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight or the time provided for in the Rules; and

That committees of the Senate scheduled to meet today be authorized to meet after 4 p.m., even though the Senate may then be sitting, with rule 12-18(1) being suspended in relation thereto.

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

o o o

With leave of the Senate,

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

That, notwithstanding rule 3-1(1), when the Senate next adjourns after the adoption of this motion, it do stand adjourned until Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.; and

That committees scheduled to meet on that day be authorized to meet, even though the Senate may then be sitting, with rule 12-18(1) being suspended in relation thereto.

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

Introduction and First Reading of Senate Public Bills

The Honourable Senator Martin introduced Bill S-244, An Act respecting National Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma Awareness Day.

The bill was read the first time.

The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Marshall, 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

Government Business

Bills – Second Reading

Second reading of Bill C-17, An Act for granting to His Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026.

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

After debate,

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

The bill was then read for the second time.

With leave of the Senate,

The Honourable Senator Pupatello moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson, that the bill be read for the third time.

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

The bill was then read for the third time and passed.

Ordered, That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that House that the Senate has passed this bill, without amendment.

o o o

Second reading of Bill S-4, An Act to amend the Energy Efficiency Act.

The Honourable Senator Wilson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gerba, 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.

Reports of Committees – Other

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

Motions

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

Inquiries

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

Other Business

Reports of Committees – Other

Consideration of the second report (interim) of the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight, entitled Annual Report of the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight: Activities and Observations for Fiscal Year 2024-2025, tabled in the Senate on November 6, 2025.

Debate concluded.

ADJOURNMENT

At 4:42 p.m., pursuant to the order adopted by the Senate earlier today, the Senate adjourned until 1 p.m., tomorrow.

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

Report of the Public Service Commission for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Public Service Employment Act, S.C. 2003, c. 22, ss. 12 “23(2)” and 13.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-818.

Official Languages (Advancement of Equality of Status and Use of English and French) Regulations, pursuant to the Official Languages Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 31 (4th supp.), sbs. 85(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-819.

Report of the Treasury Board on official languages in federal institutions for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, pursuant to the Official Languages Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 31 (4th Supp.), s. 48.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-820.

Progress Report of the Building a Green Prairie Economy Act, pursuant to the Act, S.C. 2022, c. 21, s. 5.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-821.

Case Report of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of findings in the matter of an investigation into a disclosure of wrongdoing (Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21), pursuant to the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act, S.C. 2005, c. 46, sbs. 38(3.3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-822.

2024 Annual Report on the RCMP’s Use of the Law Enforcement Justification Provisions, pursuant to the Criminal Code, R.S.C., 1985, c. C-46, ss. 25.1 to 25.4.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-823.

Proposed Regulations Amending Regulations Made Under the Firearms Act, pursuant to the Act, S.C. 1995, c. 39, sbs. 118(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-824.

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy

The Honourable Senator Surette replaced the Honourable Senator McBean (December 10, 2025).

Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans

The Honourable Senator Greenwood replaced the Honourable Senator Dhillon (December 10, 2025).