Journals of the Senate

The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AdlerAl ZaibakAndersonArnoldArnotAtaullahjanAucoinBattersBernardBlackBoehmBoudreauBoyerBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCormierCoyleCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Ontario)DeanDhillonDowneDuncanForestFrancisFridhandlerGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGreenwoodHarderHayHébertHenkelHousakosInceKaretak-LindellKingstonKlyneLaBoucane-BensonLewisLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldManningMartinMcBeanMcNairMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenPoirierProsperPupatelloQuinnRavaliaRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeniorSimonsSorensenSuretteWallinWells (Alberta)Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteWilsonWooYouanceYussuff

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

AdlerAl ZaibakAndersonArnoldArnotAtaullahjanAucoinBattersBernardBlackBoehmBoudreauBoyerBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCormierCoyleCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Ontario)DeanDhillonDowneDuncanForestFrancisFridhandlerGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGreenwoodHarderHayHébertHenkelHousakosInceKaretak-LindellKingstonKlyneLaBoucane-BensonLewisLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldManningMartinMcBeanMcNairMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenPoirierProsperPupatelloQuinnRavaliaRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeniorSimonsSorensenSuretteWallinWells (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

Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees

The Honourable Senator Arnot presented the following:

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs has the honour to present its

SEVENTH REPORT

Your committee, to which was referred Bill C-14, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act and the National Defence Act (bail and sentencing), has, in obedience to the order of reference of March 12, 2026, examined the said bill and now reports the same with the following amendments:

1.Clause 23, pages 8 and 11:

(a)On page 8,

(i)replace line 8 with the following:

“day on which the release order is made unless the judge, justice or court is satisfied that no other suitable surety is available and that doing so is in the interests of justice.

(2.12) If a judge, justice or court names a person described in subsection (2.11) as a surety, the judge, justice or court shall include in the record a statement of the reasons for doing so.”; and

(b)on page 11,

(i)add the following after line 22:

“(12) Section 515 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (13.1):

(13.2) If the issue of the application of section 493.2 to the accused is not raised by the accused or any other party, the justice shall inquire on the record of proceedings whether that section applies to the accused.”.

2.Clause 58.1, page 29:

(a)Replace line 22 with the following:

“recidivism by accused at large on release orders, rates of detention in custody before trial and”; and

(b) add the following after line 27:

“(3) In preparing the report, the Minister must

(a) consult individuals and organizations with specific expertise in data collection in the criminal justice system; and

(b) to the greatest extent feasible, coordinate the collection of data with Statistics Canada.”.

3.Clause 84, page 39:

(a)Replace line 25 with the following:

“30th day after royal assent

84 (1) Sections 2 to 55, 59 to 70, 73, 74 and 79 to 81 come into”; and

(b)add the following after line 27:

“Order in council

(2) Sections 71 and 72 come into force on a day to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council.”.

Respectfully submitted,

Observations to the Seventh Report of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs (Bill C-14)

The majority of committee members support the following observations:

Recognizing Current Challenges

The committee recognizes the seriousness of repeat violent offending, intimate partner violence, human trafficking, organized crime, violence against children and offences against first responders.

The committee calls for stronger, immediate action to address violence against women and to support victims and survivors of intimate partner violence.

The committee also recognizes that Canada’s bail and remand systems are already under serious strain and that reforms that could increase the use of detention must be carefully monitored.

Addressing the Overrepresentation of Marginalized Groups

The committee is concerned that Bill C-14 may disproportionately affect those most marginalized and most at risk of violence, exploitation and recruitment, including Indigenous Peoples, Black Canadians, survivors of violence against women, youth, people with disabilities, individuals experiencing poverty and homelessness, individuals experiencing mental health or substance-use needs, and residents of northern and remote communities.

The committee urges the Government of Canada to provide a specific timeline for addressing the overrepresentation of certain groups in the criminal justice system, both as accused persons and as victims. This should include urgently fulfilling the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 30, which required eliminating the overrepresentation of Indigenous Peoples in custody by the end of 2025.

Robust, Standardized and Transparent Data

The committee is concerned that Parliament is being asked to enact significant bail and sentencing reforms without comprehensive, standardized national data to support key assumptions underlying Bill C-14, namely that harsher bail and sentencing measures will improve public safety. The committee has reported in the past about the need for more data to substantiate bail policy, including changes to reverse onus provisions. Evidence from Statistics Canada confirmed that nationally consistent bail data do not currently exist, limiting the ability to assess patterns of offending, the use and effectiveness of bail conditions, and the distinction between new substantive offences and technical breaches.

A broad spectrum of witnesses agreed that improved data collection and transparency are essential to well-founded criminal justice policy, particularly to understand impacts on Indigenous Peoples, Black Canadians, survivors of violence against women, youth, people with disabilities, individuals experiencing poverty and homelessness, individuals experiencing mental health or substance-use needs, and residents of northern and remote communities.

The committee therefore urges the Government of Canada to work with the provinces and territories to collect disaggregated data sufficient to evaluate whether Bill C-14 achieves its public-safety objectives without exacerbating systemic inequities. In particular, the committee urges the Government of Canada to work with the provinces and territories to develop standardized bail and remand data as a matter of urgency.

The committee urges that future criminal justice legislation be accompanied, at the time of introduction, by robust, publicly available empirical data and analysis provided by the Government of Canada, including offence-specific data, equity-impact analysis and implementation-cost analysis.

Effective Information Sharing

Testimony also highlighted the need to improve and modernize national information-sharing infrastructure, including police information systems. Witnesses emphasized that timely and accurate access to information is essential for police to enforce bail conditions and respond to breaches. Accordingly, to support the objectives of Bill C-14, the committee encourages federal, provincial, and territorial governments to make investments to:

•strengthen and modernize police information systems, including the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC);

•deploy a broadband network dedicated to public safety;

•ensure 5G (or newer) technology coverage; and

• establish standardized national training for those working within the criminal justice system.

The committee further notes that a more integrated national approach to bail information would also support the development of a stronger evidence base to assess what is working, identify remaining gaps, and inform future policy and legislative improvements.

Organized Crime

The committee recommends that the Government of Canada develop a national strategy to combat organized crime. This strategy should include coordination among police services, prosecuting authorities, and intelligence agencies to ensure consistent application of the provisions of Bill C-14 across the country.

Post-Event Review Where Young Person Identified

The committee heard testimony concerning the provision of Bill C-14 that would permit the release of a young person’s name in exigent circumstances without prior judicial authorization, where there is an imminent risk to public safety. Several witnesses and submissions to the committee noted the potentially lasting impact such disclosure could have on a young person’s life, particularly with respect to rehabilitation and reintegration. At the same time, other witnesses suggested that post-event review could serve as an appropriate safeguard.

Accordingly, the committee recommends that the Government of Canada consider establishing a post-event or independent review mechanism — through the courts or existing independent police oversight bodies — to help ensure that this authority is exercised appropriately and proportionately. A post-event review mechanism would help ensure that lessons learned are not lost and would allow best practices to be identified, refined, and shared among police agencies across Canada, contributing to a more consistent and informed national approach.

Upstream and Preventative Measures

The committee urges the Government of Canada to act swiftly to make the upstream investments to improve community safety referenced by the Minister of Justice as forthcoming, including investments in affordable housing, income, mental health and addiction supports, and young people who may be at risk, in a way that meaningfully reaches those most marginalized. As the minister stated and as empirical evidence demonstrates, upstream investments are the most effective way to make long-term progress in ending violent crime and supporting community safety.

Resources to Support Implementation

The committee urges the federal, provincial, and territorial governments to support the implementation of Bill C-14 through resources for courts, Crown prosecutors, legal aid, victim services, bail supervision, and community-based justice programs.

Annual Reporting

The committee proposes annual reporting on the effects of Bill C-14. In general, this would constitute the annual report required under clause 58.1 of the bill. In addition, annual reporting should highlight the impact of the new provisions on the overrepresentation of Indigenous Peoples and racialized individuals. The report should be accompanied by corrective measures necessary to mitigate any negative impacts of the provisions.

Comprehensive Criminal Code Reform

The committee has reported in the past about how the Criminal Code has been amended in a piecemeal manner for many decades and has become cumbersome, sometimes repetitive or inconsistent, and is in need of comprehensive reform (see, for instance, the committee’s 2017 report Delaying Justice is Denying Justice at pages 41 to 43).

The committee notes the potential for the Law Commission of Canada to undertake a comprehensive review, which should include a study of all provisions in the Code that pertain to violence against women, in particular intimate partner violence, as well as a review of applicable sanctions in cases involving violence against women and the underlying values of such sanctions.

The Honourable Senator Arnot moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Coyle, 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-11, An Act to amend the National Defence Act and other Acts, to which it desires the concurrence of the Senate.

The bill was read the first time.

With leave of the Senate,

The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Petten, that the bill be placed on the Orders of the Day for a second reading at the next sitting.

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

Introduction and First Reading of Senate Public Bills

The Honourable Senator Senior introduced Bill S-248, An Act respecting Caribbean Heritage Month.

The bill was read the first time.

The Honourable Senator Senior moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Deacon (Ontario), 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.

First Reading of Commons Public Bills

A message was brought from the House of Commons with Bill C-230, An Act to amend the Financial Administration Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts (debt forgiveness registry), to which it desires the concurrence of the Senate.

The bill was read the first time.

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

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 Sean Fraser, P.C., M.P., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, will take place on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 3 p.m.

Government Business

Bills – Third Reading

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

After debate,

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

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.

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

Orders No. 1 and 2 were 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-214, An Act to amend the Special Economic Measures Act (disposal of foreign state assets).

The Honourable Senator Dasko moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dalphond, 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

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

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Pate, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moncion, for the 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.

Ordered: That further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting, in the name of the Honourable Senator Martin.

o o o

Orders No. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Ataullahjan, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin, for the second reading of Bill S-235, An Act respecting the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking.

After debate,

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

The bill was then read for the second time.

The Honourable Senator Ataullahjan moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights.

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

o o o

Orders No. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Commons Public Bills – Second Reading

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

Reports of Committees – Other

Orders No. 9, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 23, 24 and 26 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Consideration of the second report (interim) of the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages, entitled Proposed Official Languages Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations, tabled in the Senate on May 7, 2026.

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

That the second report of the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages, entitled Proposed Official Languages Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations, tabled in the Senate on May 7, 2026, be adopted and that, pursuant to rule 12-23(1), the Senate request a complete and detailed response from the government, with the Minister responsible for Official Languages being identified as minister responsible for responding to the report.

After debate,

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

o o o

Order No. 29 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

Motions

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

o o o

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.

The Honourable Senator Manning moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin, 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 and 2 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Cardozo, calling 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 Moncion moved, for the Honourable Senator Kingston, seconded by the Honourable Senator Duncan, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.

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

o o o

Orders No. 5, 8 and 11 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Loffreda, calling the attention of the Senate to the vital role that immigrants have played — and continue to play — in shaping Canada’s economic growth, cultural richness and social fabric.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Moncion moved, for the Honourable Senator Kingston, seconded by the Honourable Senator Clement, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.

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

o o o

Orders No. 13 and 16 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

MOTIONS

The Honourable Senator Manning moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin:

That, notwithstanding rule 12-15(2), the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans be empowered to hold in camera meetings for the purpose of hearing witnesses and gathering specialized or sensitive information in relation to its study on the commercial fisheries licensing regime on Canada’s Pacific Coast.

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

INQUIRIES

The Honourable Senator Martin called the attention of the Senate to the milestone seventy-fifth anniversary of the Korean War years, from June 25, 1950, until the signing of the armistice agreement of July 27, 1953, the critical peacekeeping years that followed, and the profound legacy of Canadians who served in the “Land of the Morning Calm” that endures to this day.

The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Ataullahjan, 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 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 4:29 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)

Report on the review of sections 33 to 51 of the Rouge National Urban Park Act, pursuant to the Act, S.C. 2015, c. 10, sbs. 52(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1077.

Report of the review of the provisions and operation of the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act, pursuant to the Act, S.C. 1997, c. 13, sbs. 60.1(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1078.

Report of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, entitled Federal financial support for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-1, sbs. 79.2(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1079.

Copy of the Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations (P.C. 2026-428), pursuant to the Special Economic Measures Act, S.C. 1992, c. 17, sbs. 7(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1080.

Report of the Military Grievances External Review Committee for the year 2025, pursuant to the National Defence Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. N-5, sbs. 29.28(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1081.

Report of the Military Police Complaints Commission for the year 2025, pursuant to the National Defence Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. N-5, s. 250.17.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1082.

Interim Order to Prevent Certain Persons from Boarding Flights to Canada Due to Hantavirus, pursuant to the Aeronautics Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-2, sbs. 6.41(5) and (6).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1083.

Interim Order for the Protection of the Southern Resident Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) in the Waters of Southern British Columbia, 2026, pursuant to the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, S.C. 2001, c. 26, sbs. 10.1(7).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1084.

Interim Order No. 5 Respecting the Sheet Harbour Compulsory Pilotage Area, pursuant to the Pilotage Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-14, sbs. 52.2(8).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1085.

Interim Order No. 4 Respecting Area 2 of the Pacific Pilotage Authority Region, pursuant to the Pilotage Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-14, sbs. 52.2(8).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1086.

Interim Order No. 5 Respecting the Belledune Compulsory Pilotage Area, pursuant to the Pilotage Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-14, sbs. 52.2(8).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1087.

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy

The Honourable Senator Dalphond replaced the Honourable Senator Saint-Germain (May 26, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Galvez replaced the Honourable Senator Yussuff (May 22, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Ince replaced the Honourable Senator Deacon (Nova Scotia) (May 20, 2026).

Special Joint Committee on the Exercise of Powers Under the Building Canada Act

The Honourable Senator Hébert replaced the Honourable Senator Varone (May 26, 2026).

The Honourable Senator MacDonald replaced the Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C. (May 11, 2026).

Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans

The Honourable Senator Osler replaced the Honourable Senator Deacon (Nova Scotia) (May 25, 2026).

Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights

The Honourable Senator Ataullahjan replaced the Honourable Senator Martin (May 20, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Martin replaced the Honourable Senator Ataullahjan (May 19, 2026).

Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples

The Honourable Senator Osler replaced the Honourable Senator Tannas (May 26, 2026).

Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration

The Honourable Senator Bernard replaced the Honourable Senator Francis (May 22, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Downe replaced the Honourable Senator Tannas (May 20, 2026).

Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs

The Honourable Senator Saint-Germain replaced the Honourable Senator Dalphond (May 26, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Busson replaced the Honourable Senator Dhillon (May 22, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Lewis replaced the Honourable Senator Tannas (May 22, 2026).

Standing Senate Committee on National Finance

The Honourable Senator Oudar replaced the Honourable Senator Kingston (May 22, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Robinson was added to the membership (May 21, 2026).