Journals of the Senate

The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AdlerAl ZaibakArnoldArnotAtaullahjanAucoinAudetteBattersBlackBoehmBoudreauBureyCardozoCarignanClementCormierCoyleCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDhillonDowneDuncanForestFridhandlerGagnéGerbaGignacHarderHayHenkelHousakosInceKaretak-LindellKingstonKlyneLaBoucane-BensonLewisLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldManningMartinMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenProsperPupatelloQuinnRavaliaRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSimonsSmithSorensenSuretteTannasVaroneVernerWallinWells (Alberta)Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WilsonWooYouanceYussuff

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

AdlerAl ZaibakArnoldArnotAtaullahjanAucoinAudetteBattersBlackBoehmBoudreauBureyCardozoCarignanClementCormierCoyleCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDhillonDowneDuncanForestFridhandlerGagnéGerbaGignacHarderHayHenkelHousakosInceKaretak-LindellKingstonKlyneLaBoucane-BensonLewisLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldManningMartinMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenProsperPupatelloQuinnRavaliaRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSimonsSmithSorensenSuretteTannasVaroneVernerWallinWells (Alberta)Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WilsonWooYouanceYussuff

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

Government response, dated March 26, 2026, to the eighth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, entitled Sealing the Future: A Call to Action, deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on May 23, 2024, during the First Session of the Forty-fourth Parliament.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-958S.

(Pursuant to rule 12-23(4), the report and the response were deemed referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans.)

Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees

The Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance, tabled the seventh report of the committee, entitled Build Canada Homes: Proposals for Success and Accountability.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-959S.

The Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin, that the report be placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting.

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

Introduction and First Reading of Government Bills

A message was brought from the House of Commons with Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (hate propaganda, hate crime and access to religious or cultural places), to which it desires the concurrence of the Senate.

The bill was read the first time.

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

MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

A message was brought from the House of Commons in the following words:

Thursday, March 26, 2026

EXTRACT, —

That a message be sent to the Senate to acquaint Their Honours that, in relation to Bill C-12, An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada’s borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures, the House:

proposes that amendment 2 made by the Senate be amended by replacing the text of paragraph 75.1(3)(c) with the following: “the proportion of refugee protection claimants referred to in paragraph (b) who exited and re-entered Canada after the day of entry referred to in paragraph 101(1)(b.1) of that Act;”;

agrees with amendment 3 made by the Senate; and

respectfully disagrees with amendment 1 because the amendment would remove Canadian citizens and permanent residents from the clear and transparent information-sharing framework established by Part 5 of the bill, because information-sharing relating to these individuals already occurs under existing statutory authorities and would continue to occur in their absence from the framework established by Bill C-12, as the purpose of Part 5 is to replace the current patchwork of authorities with a single coherent regime that establishes consistent partners, clearly defined purposes, and modern privacy safeguards, and furthermore, because excluding Canadian citizens and permanent residents from these provisions would perpetuate existing inefficiencies, undermine modernization initiatives within the immigration system, and reduce the transparency and accountability that Bill C-12 intends to strengthen.

ATTEST

The Honourable Senator Moreau, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson, that the message be placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration later this day.

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

Government Business

Bills – Third Reading

Third reading of Bill C-15, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2025.

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

After debate,

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted on the following vote:

YEAS

The Honourable Senators

AdlerAl ZaibakArnoldArnotAucoinBlackBoehmBoudreauBureyCardozoClementCormierCoyleDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuncanForestGerbaGignacHarderHenkelKaretak-LindellKingstonKlyneLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMcBeanMcNairMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenProsperPupatelloQuinnRavaliaRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSimonsSuretteVernerWells (Alberta)WilsonWooYouanceYussuff—60

NAYS

The Honourable Senators

AtaullahjanBattersCarignanHousakosMacDonaldMartinMcCallumMcPhedranSmithWells (Newfoundland and Labrador)—10

ABSTENTIONS

The Honourable Senators

Nil

Accordingly, Bill C-15 was 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.

Bills – Messages from the House of Commons

Consideration of the message from the House of Commons concerning Bill C-12:

Thursday, March 26, 2026

EXTRACT, —

That a message be sent to the Senate to acquaint Their Honours that, in relation to Bill C-12, An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada’s borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures, the House:

proposes that amendment 2 made by the Senate be amended by replacing the text of paragraph 75.1(3)(c) with the following: “the proportion of refugee protection claimants referred to in paragraph (b) who exited and re-entered Canada after the day of entry referred to in paragraph 101(1)(b.1) of that Act;”;

agrees with amendment 3 made by the Senate; and

respectfully disagrees with amendment 1 because the amendment would remove Canadian citizens and permanent residents from the clear and transparent information-sharing framework established by Part 5 of the bill, because information-sharing relating to these individuals already occurs under existing statutory authorities and would continue to occur in their absence from the framework established by Bill C-12, as the purpose of Part 5 is to replace the current patchwork of authorities with a single coherent regime that establishes consistent partners, clearly defined purposes, and modern privacy safeguards, and furthermore, because excluding Canadian citizens and permanent residents from these provisions would perpetuate existing inefficiencies, undermine modernization initiatives within the immigration system, and reduce the transparency and accountability that Bill C-12 intends to strengthen.

ATTEST

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

That, in relation to Bill C-12, An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada’s borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures, the Senate:

(a)agree to the amendment made by the House of Commons to its amendment 2; and

(b)do not insist on its amendment 1 to which the House of Commons has disagreed; and

That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that house accordingly.

After debate,

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

MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

A message was brought from the House of Commons with Bill C-8, An Act respecting cyber security, amending the Telecommunications Act and making consequential amendments to other Acts, to which it desires the concurrence of the Senate.

The bill was read the first time.

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

Government Business

Bills – Third Reading

Third reading of Bill C-23, 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 LaBoucane-Benson, that the bill be read for the third time.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted on the following vote:

YEAS

The Honourable Senators

AdlerAl ZaibakArnoldArnotAucoinBlackBoehmBoudreauBureyCardozoClementCormierCoyleDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuncanForestGerbaGignacHarderHenkelKaretak-LindellKingstonKlyneLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMcBeanMcNairMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenProsperPupatelloQuinnRavaliaRinguetteSaint-GermainSimonsSuretteVernerWells (Alberta)WilsonWooYouanceYussuff—59

NAYS

The Honourable Senators

AtaullahjanBattersCarignanHousakosMacDonaldMartinMcCallumSmithWells (Newfoundland and Labrador)—9

ABSTENTIONS

The Honourable Senators

Nil

Accordingly, Bill C-23 was 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

Third reading of Bill C-24, An Act for granting to His Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027.

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

After debate,

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted on the following vote:

YEAS

The Honourable Senators

AdlerArnoldArnotAucoinBlackBoehmBoudreauCardozoClementCormierCoyleDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DowneDuncanForestGerbaGignacHarderHenkelKaretak-LindellKingstonKlyneLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMcBeanMcNairMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMoncionMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePetitclercPettenPupatelloQuinnRavaliaRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSuretteVernerWells (Alberta)WilsonYouanceYussuff—51

NAYS

The Honourable Senators

AtaullahjanBattersCarignanHousakosMacDonaldMartinMcCallumSmithWells (Newfoundland and Labrador)—9

ABSTENTIONS

The Honourable Senators

Nil

Accordingly, Bill C-24 was 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.

Bills – Second Reading

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Kingston, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moncion, for the second reading of Bill S-5, An Act respecting the interoperability of health information technology and to prohibit data blocking by health information technology vendors.

Debate.

---

Pursuant to rule 3-3(1), the Speaker left the Chair to resume the same at 8 p.m.

The sitting resumed.

WRITTEN DECLARATION OF ROYAL ASSENT

At 8 p.m., the Honourable the Speaker informed the Senate that the following communication had been received:

RIDEAU HALL

March 26, 2026

Madam Speaker,

I have the honour to inform you that the Right Honourable Mary May Simon, Governor General of Canada, signified royal assent by written declaration to the bills listed in the Schedule to this letter on the 26^th day of March, 2026, at 6:50 p.m.

Yours sincerely,

The Honourable

The Speaker of the Senate

Ottawa

Schedule

Bills Assented To

Thursday, March 26, 2026

An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2025 (Bill C-15, Chapter 3, 2026)

An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada’s borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures (Bill C-12, Chapter 4, 2026)

An Act for granting to His Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026 (Bill C-23, Chapter 5, 2026)

An Act for granting to His Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027 (Bill C-24, Chapter 6, 2026)

Orders of the Day

Government Business

Bills – Second Reading

The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Kingston, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moncion, for the second reading of Bill S-5, An Act respecting the interoperability of health information technology and to prohibit data blocking by health information technology vendors.

After debate,

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

The bill was then read for the second time.

The Honourable Senator Kingston moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Arnot, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology.

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

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Petten, seconded by the Honourable Senator Duncan, for the second reading of Bill C-13, An Act to implement the Protocol on the Accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

After debate,

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

The bill was then read for the second time.

The Honourable Senator Petten moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Pupatello, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

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

Motions

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

That, notwithstanding any provision of the Rules, usual practice or previous order:

1.at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the Senate resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole on the subject of artificial intelligence;

2.the Committee of the Whole receive the Honourable Evan Solomon, P.C., M.P., Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, accompanied by at most two officials;

3.the committee rise no later than 75 minutes after it begins;

4.the minister’s introductory remarks be limited to a maximum of five minutes;

5.if a senator does not use the entire period of 10 minutes for debate provided under rule 12-31(3)(d), including the responses of the witnesses, that senator may yield the balance of time to another senator;

6.if the bells are ringing for a vote at the time the committee is to meet, they be interrupted for the Committee of the Whole at that time, and resume once the committee has completed its work for the balance of any time remaining;

7.if a standing vote was deferred to a time that would occur during the meeting of the Committee of the Whole, that vote be further deferred so that the bells only begin once the committee has completed its work; and

8.for greater certainty, all witnesses appear in person.

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 Duncan:

That, when the Senate next adjourns after the adoption of this motion, it do stand adjourned until Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 2 p.m.

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

Bills – Second Reading

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

Reports of Committees – Other

Orders No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 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

Senate Public Bills – Third Reading

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

o o o

Third reading of Bill S-230, An Act respecting the development of a national strategy for soil health protection, conservation and enhancement, as amended.

The Honourable Senator Black moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Osler, that the bill, as amended, be read for the third time.

After debate,

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

The bill, as amended, 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 – Reports of Committees

Consideration of the sixth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs (Bill S-205, An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, with amendments), presented in the Senate on March 24, 2026.

The Honourable Senator Arnot moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Clement, that the report be adopted.

After debate,

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

Consideration of the fifth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs (Bill S-209, An Act to restrict young persons’ online access to pornographic material, with amendments and observations), presented in the Senate on March 24, 2026.

The Honourable Senator Arnot moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moncion, that the report be adopted.

After debate,

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

The Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., that the bill, as amended, 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.

Senate Public Bills – Second Reading

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

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Dasko, seconded by the Honourable Senator Forest, for the second reading of Bill S-213, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (demographic information).

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

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Dasko, seconded by the Honourable Senator Simons, for the second reading of Bill S-214, An Act to amend the Special Economic Measures Act (disposal of foreign state assets).

After debate,

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

The bill was then read for the second time.

The Honourable Senator Dasko moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Ravalia, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

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

o o o

Orders No. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 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).

The Honourable Senator Housakos moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Ataullahjan, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.

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

o o o

Orders No. 13, 14, 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 Henkel, seconded by the Honourable Senator Francis, for the second reading of Bill S-243, An Act to establish a national framework for women’s health in Canada.

After debate,

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

The bill was then read for the second time.

The Honourable Senator Henkel moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Muggli, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology.

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

o o o

Orders No. 20 and 21 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Reports of Committees – Other

Orders No. 4, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 19 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Ordered: That the fifth report of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance, entitled Omnibus Budget Bills: A growing problem, tabled in the Senate on March 24, 2026, be replaced with a corrected version.

o o o

Orders No. 21 and 22 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Motions

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

Inquiries

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

o o o

Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Martin, calling the attention of the Senate to the career of the Honourable Judith Seidman.

After debate,

Debate concluded.

ADJOURNMENT

With leave of the Senate,

The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson 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 10:36 p.m., the Senate was continued until Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 2 p.m.)

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade

The Honourable Senator Youance replaced the Honourable Senator Hébert (March 25, 2026).

Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs

The Honourable Senator Dalphond replaced the Honourable Senator Saint-Germain (March 25, 2026).

Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament

The Honourable Senator Busson replaced the Honourable Senator Deacon (Ontario) (March 25, 2026).

Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications

The Honourable Senator Wilson replaced the Honourable Senator Cardozo (March 26, 2026).