Journals of the Senate

The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AdlerAndersonArnoldArnotAucoinAudetteBattersBernardBlackBoehmBoudreauBoyerBureyCardozoCarignanClementCormierCoyleCuznerDalphondDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DhillonDowneDuncanForestFrancisFridhandlerGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGreenwoodHarderHayHébertHenkelHousakosInceKaretak-LindellKingstonKlyneLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamManningMartelMartinMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOuellettePatePattersonPetitclercPettenPitfieldProsperPupatelloQuinnRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeniorSimonsSorensenSuretteTannasTuckerVaroneVernerWallinWells (Alberta)Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteWilsonWooYouanceYussuff

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

AdlerAndersonArnoldArnot*AtaullahjanAucoinAudetteBattersBernardBlackBoehmBoudreauBoyerBureyCardozoCarignanClementCormierCoyleCuznerDalphondDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DhillonDowneDuncanForestFrancisFridhandlerGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGreenwoodHarderHayHébertHenkelHousakosInceKaretak-LindellKingstonKlyneLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdam*MacDonaldManningMartelMartinMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOsler*OudarOuellettePatePattersonPetitclercPettenPitfieldProsperPupatelloQuinn*RavaliaRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeniorSimonsSorensenSuretteTannasTuckerVaroneVernerWallinWells (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

Tributes

Tribute was paid to the Honourable Senator Saint-Germain, who will retire from the Senate on October 7, 2026.

Senators’ Statements

Some Honourable Senators made statements.

Question Period

The Senate proceeded to Question Period.

Orders of the Day

Government Business

Motions

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

That:

1.a Special Senate Committee be appointed to examine the subject matter of Bill C-39, An Act respecting certain measures to strengthen the economy, in advance of the said bill coming before the Senate;

2.if and when the bill is received and adopted at second reading, it be deemed referred to this special committee, with rule 12-10(2) being suspended in relation thereto;

3.the committee be composed of fifteen members, including three senators from the Opposition, six senators from the Independent Senators Group, three senators from the Progressive Senate Group and three senators from the Canadian Senators Group;

4.the chair of the committee be from the Opposition;

5.notwithstanding any provision of the Rules or usual practice, the committee be authorized to elect three deputy chairs, one from the Independent Senators Group, one from the Progressive Senate Group and one from the Canadian Senators Group, and if it does so:

(a)the reference to the deputy chair in rule 12-18(2)(c)(ii) be understood as referring to all deputy chairs of the committee acting together; and

(b)any reference to the deputy chair of a committee in any policy or guideline be understood as referring to all deputy chairs acting together, until the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration decides otherwise;

6.the quorum of the committee be four members;

7.the fifteen members of the committee be named by means of a notice signed by their respective leader or facilitator, or their respective designates, and filed with the Clerk of the Senate no later than 5 p.m. on October 7, 2026, failing which the leader or facilitator, the deputy leader or facilitator and the whip or liaison, if appropriate, of any party or group identified in paragraph 3 that has not filed the name of a senator with the Clerk of the Senate shall be deemed to be named to the committee, with the names of the senators named as members being recorded in the Journals of the Senate;

8. the committee’s normal meeting time be on Mondays, and that the committee have the power to meet outside its regular time slot, including during sittings and adjournments of the Senate, with rules 12-18(1) and 12-18(2) being suspended in relation thereto;

9.the committee have the power to:

(a)report from time to time;

(b)send for persons, papers and records;

(c)publish such papers and evidence as may be ordered by the committee; and

(d)appoint a member of the Government Representative’s Office as a non-voting member to its Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, if it has such a subcommittee, even if that senator is not a member of the committee, with rule 12-12(1) being suspended in relation thereto;

10.notwithstanding rule 5-6(1)(e), one day’s notice be required for any motion to adopt a report of this committee; and

11.following the presentation of its final report on Bill C-39, An Act respecting certain measures to strengthen the economy, or of a report recommending that the Senate not proceed further with the said bill, the committee expire.

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

Bills – Second Reading

Second reading of Bill C-10, An Act respecting the Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation.

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

Debate.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

At 4 p.m., pursuant to the order adopted on October 1, 2026, the Senate was suspended during pleasure and resolved into a Committee of the Whole to consider the subject matter of Bill C-39, An Act respecting certain measures to strengthen the economy, the Honourable Senator Cormier in the Chair.

—In the Committee—

Pursuant to the order adopted on October 1, 2026, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, P.C., M.P., President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, Internal Trade and One Canadian Economy; the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, P.C., M.P., Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons; and the Honourable Patty Hajdu, P.C., M.P., Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, were escorted to seats in the Senate Chamber.

Debate.

It was agreed that the chair report to the Senate that the witnesses have been heard.

---

The sitting of the Senate resumed.

The Chair of the Committee stated that the Committee had examined the subject matter of Bill C-39, An Act respecting certain measures to strengthen the economy, and had directed him to report the same to the Senate.

Orders of the Day

Government Business

Bills – Second Reading

The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Arnot, seconded by the Honourable Senator MacAdam, for the second reading of Bill C-10, An Act respecting the Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation.

After debate,

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

The bill was then read for the second time.

The Honourable Senator Arnot moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Pate, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples.

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

o o o

Order No. 2 was 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, 16, 18 and 19 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Motions

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson:

That the following Address be presented to His Majesty the King:

To His Most Excellent Majesty Charles the Third, by the Grace of God King of Canada and His other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY:

We, Your Majesty’s most loyal and dutiful subjects, the Senate of Canada in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Majesty for the gracious Speech which Your Majesty has addressed to both houses of Parliament.

Debate.

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

The sitting resumed.

Motions

The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson:

That the following Address be presented to His Majesty the King:

To His Most Excellent Majesty Charles the Third, by the Grace of God King of Canada and His other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY:

We, Your Majesty’s most loyal and dutiful subjects, the Senate of Canada in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Majesty for the gracious Speech which Your Majesty has addressed to both houses of Parliament.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Petten, 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, 2 and 3 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.

Senate Public Bills – Second Reading

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

o o o

Second reading of Bill S-251, An Act to establish a national strategy to end energy poverty.

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

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.

Reports of Committees – Other

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Loffreda, seconded by the Honourable Senator Pate, for the adoption of the third report of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration, entitled Senate Budget 2026-27, presented in the Senate on December 11, 2025.

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. 19, 20, 24, 29, 30, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and 40 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Consideration of the eleventh report (interim) of the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight, entitled Funding for the Internal Audit Function, presented in the Senate on October 1, 2026.

The Honourable Senator Klyne moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Muggli, that the report be adopted.

After debate,

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

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

Motions

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

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Simons, seconded by the Honourable Senator Woo:

That the Senate call on the Government of Canada to investigate the creation of a sovereign, domestic Verified Travellers Program for Canadians.

The Honourable Senator Black moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Osler, 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. 7 and 103 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Inquiries

Orders No. 1, 2, 3, 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 Kingston moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moncion, 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, 16 and 17 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

MOTIONS

The Honourable Senator Burey moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Black:

That the Senate recognize:

(a)that the World Health Organization and the Canadian Mental Health Association have identified mental health parity as a critical objective for an equitable health care system; and

(b)the urgent need to address disparities in mental health care access and coverage; and

That the Senate urge the Government of Canada to establish a federal legal framework that ensures mental health and addiction care are treated on an equal footing with physical health care.

After debate,

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

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

That the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources be authorized to examine and report on liquid biofuels in Canada, including, but not limited to:

(a)biofuel technology;

(b)Canada’s Clean Fuel Regulations;

(c)Natural Resources Canada’s Biofuels Production Incentive;

(d)the impact of Canadian legislation and regulations on domestic biofuel production;

(e)the impact of legislation in the United States, such as the Inflation Reduction Act and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, on Canadian biofuel producers;

(f)the import of used cooking oil;

(g)the economic potential of the Canadian biofuel industry;

(h)the economic impact of biofuels in Canada’s regions;

(i) export opportunities for Canadian biofuels;

(j)environmental impacts of biofuels; and

(k)issues for industries that are seeking to adopt biofuels, such as shipping and aviation;

That the committee be permitted, notwithstanding usual practices, to deposit 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 October 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.

o o o

The Honourable Senator Adler moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Housakos:

That the Senate of Canada:

1.officially recognize October 23 as Hungarian Heritage Day in Canada; and

2.encourage the Government of Canada and public institutions to recognize this day each year; and

That this recognition be a first step toward officially incorporating this day into the calendar of national days recognized by the Government of Canada.

After debate,

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 9:33 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)

Government response, dated October 2, 2026, to the fourth report (interim) of the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources, entitled Hydrogen: A Viable Option for a Net-Zero Canada in 2050?, presented in the Senate on May 9, 2023, during the First Session of the Forty-fourth Parliament.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1294S.

(Pursuant to rule 12-23(4), the report and the response were deemed referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources.)

Government response, dated October 2, 2026, to the third report of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs, entitled Russia’s Disinformation – Understanding the Challenge, Strengthening Canada’s Response, deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on April 30, 2026.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1295S.

(Pursuant to rule 12-23(4), the report and the response were deemed referred to the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs.)

Reports of the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026, pursuant to the Access to Information Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-1, sbs. 94(2) and to the Privacy Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-21, sbs. 72(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1296.

Reports of the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026, pursuant to the Access to Information Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-1, sbs. 94(2) and to the Privacy Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-21, sbs. 72(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1297.

Reports of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026, pursuant to the Access to Information Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-1, sbs. 94(2) and to the Privacy Act, R.S.C. 1985, P-21, sbs. 72(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1298.

Report of the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, entitled Canada’s Defence Spending Commitments: A Primer, pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-1, sbs. 79.2(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1299.

Departmental Results Report for the period ended March 31, 2025, of the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1300.

Departmental Plan, Main Estimates, 2025-26, of the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1301.

Departmental Plan, Main Estimates, 2026-27, of the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1302.

Report concerning orders made in the public interest under subsection 87.301(1), 87.302(1) or 87.303(1) or (2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, pursuant to the Act, S.C. 2001, c. 27, sbs. 87.3031(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1303.

Actuarial Report on the Employment Insurance Premium Rate, together with the Summary, for the year 2027, pursuant to the Employment Insurance Act, S.C. 1996, c. 23, sbs. 66.31(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1304.

Report of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026, pursuant to the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, S.C. 1997, c. 9, s. 72.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1305.

Summaries of the Corporate Plan and Budgets for 2026-27 to 2030-31 of the Canada Lands Company Limited, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1306.

Interim Order No. 3 to Prevent Certain Persons from Boarding Flights to Canada Due to Ebola Disease, pursuant to the Aeronautics Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-2, sbs. 6.41(5) and (6).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1307.

Interim Order No. 4 (2026) Respecting Certain ICAO Requirements (Air Navigation Services — Training and Licensing, Standard Operating Procedures, Conflict Zones, Minimum Equipment Lists and Flight Data Monitoring Program), pursuant to the Aeronautics Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-2, sbs. 6.41(5) and (6).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1308.

Interim Order No. 5 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. 1/45-1309.

Interim Order No. 6 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. 1/45-1310.

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources

The Honourable Senator Pate was added to the membership (October 6, 2026).

Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade

The Honourable Senator McCallum replaced the Honourable Senator MacDonald (October 5, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Ravalia replaced the Honourable Senator Mohamed (October 2, 2026).

Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights

The Honourable Senator Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador) replaced the Honourable Senator McCallum (October 2, 2026).

Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration

The Honourable Senator Mohamed replaced the Honourable Senator Oudar (October 6, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Quinn replaced the Honourable Senator Ataullahjan (October 2, 2026).

Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs

The Honourable Senator McNair replaced the Honourable Senator Greenwood (October 6, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Greenwood replaced the Honourable Senator McNair (October 5, 2026).

Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages

The Honourable Senator Osler replaced the Honourable Senator Aucoin (October 6, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Aucoin replaced the Honourable Senator Osler (October 2, 2026).

Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology

The Honourable Senator Cuzner replaced the Honourable Senator Bernard (October 6, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Cuzner was added to the membership (October 6, 2026).