Journals of the Senate

The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AdlerArnoldArnotAucoinAudetteBattersBernardBlackBoehmBoudreauBoyerBureyCardozoCarignanClementCormierCoyleCuznerDalphondDeacon (Nova Scotia)DhillonDowneDuncanForestFrancisGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacHarderHayHébertHenkelHousakosInceKaretak-LindellKingstonKlyneLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamManningMartelMartinMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOuellettePatePattersonPetitclercPettenPitfieldProsperQuinnRinguetteRobinsonRossSeniorSimonsSorensenSuretteTannasTuckerVaroneVernerWallinWells (Alberta)Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteWilsonWooYouanceYussuff

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

AdlerArnoldArnot*AtaullahjanAucoinAudetteBattersBernardBlackBoehmBoudreauBoyerBureyCardozoCarignanClementCormierCoyleCuznerDalphondDeacon (Nova Scotia)DhillonDowneDuncanForestFrancisGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacHarderHayHébertHenkelHousakosInceKaretak-LindellKingstonKlyneLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdam*MacDonaldManningMartelMartinMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOsler*OudarOuellettePatePattersonPetitclercPettenPitfieldProsperQuinn*RavaliaRinguetteRobinsonRossSeniorSimonsSorensenSuretteTannasTuckerVaroneVernerWallinWells (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

Tabling of Documents

The Honourable the Speaker tabled the following:

Report of the Commissioner of Official Languages for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026, pursuant to the Official Languages Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 31 (4th supp.), s. 66.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1321.

Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees

The Honourable Senator Surette, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages, presented the fourth report of the committee (Budget—examine federal institutions’ arts, culture and heritage language responsibilities—power to hire staff and to travel).

(The report is printed as an appendix at pages 1208-1216 (available in print format PDF).)

(The HTML version of the report is available on the committee website.)

With leave,

The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the report.

The Honourable Senator Surette moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Youance, that the report be adopted.

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

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The Honourable Senator Ince, Deputy Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs, tabled the seventh report of the committee (The subject matter of those elements contained in Division 16 of Part 4 of Bill C-31, A second Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2025).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1322S.

(Pursuant to the order adopted June 10, 2026, the report was deemed referred to the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance and placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting.)

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The Honourable Senator Moodie, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, tabled the twelfth report of the committee (The subject matter of those elements contained in Divisions 9 and 12 of Part 4 of Bill C-31, A second Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2025).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1323S.

(Pursuant to the order adopted June 10, 2026, the report was deemed referred to the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance and placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting.)

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The Honourable Senator Simons, Deputy Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications, tabled the sixth report of the committee (The subject matter of those elements contained in Division 17 of Part 4 of Bill C-31, A second Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2025).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1324S.

(Pursuant to the order adopted June 10, 2026, the report was deemed referred to the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance and placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting.)

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The Honourable Senator Boehm, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, tabled the sixth report of the committee (The subject matter of those elements contained in Division 11 of Part 4 of Bill C-31, A second Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2025).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1325S.

(Pursuant to the order adopted June 10, 2026, the report was deemed referred to the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance and placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting.)

Question Period

The Senate proceeded to Question Period.

Orders of the Day

SPEAKER'S RULING

Honourable senators,

I am now prepared to rule on the point of order raised by the Honourable Senator Robinson on June 15, 2026.

Senator Robinson argued that Senator Moreau offered an interpretation, regarding the different types of committees’ orders of reference, that was inconsistent with the Rules of the Senate. She proposed that his statement should be corrected to avoid the creation of a precedent that is incompatible with our practices.

By way of background, during a debate held on May 7, 2026, on a government motion concerning the study of the subject matter of various government bills, including the referral of a subject matter study of Bill C-30 to the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance, Senator Robinson moved an amendment to authorize the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry to study the subject matter of Divisions 7 and 8 of Part 3 of Bill C-30. During debate on the amendment, Senator Moreau suggested that the committee could use its general order of reference, adopted by the Senate on September 24, 2025, to undertake this study, and could also report to the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance. After debate, Senator Robinson’s amendment was defeated, on division, and the government’s motion was adopted by the Senate without amendment.

Before examining the arguments raised concerning orders of reference, it is necessary to recall the question that is before us. The purpose of a point of order is to draw the attention of the Senate to a procedural irregularity or to a failure to comply with the Rules or practices of the Senate. In this case, no aspect of the procedure followed on May 7, 2026, is being challenged. The motion was moved in accordance with the usual practices of the Senate. An amendment was proposed. Senators debated both the motion and the amendment. The Senate then decided on each question according to its usual procedures.

Instead, Senator Robinson contends that an interpretation of the Rules expressed during debate was incorrect and risked misleading senators in the future application of the Rules. However, statements made by senators during debate do not on their own constitute procedural decisions or parliamentary precedents. When a senator disagrees with an interpretation advanced by another senator, the usual recourse is to participate in the debate, ask questions or present counterarguments so that the Senate may consider them before it makes a decision.

Even when an interpretation advanced during debate is disputed or proves inconsistent with established practice, it does not necessarily mean that a procedural irregularity has occurred.

In this instance, the Senate debated the motion, considered the proposed amendment and reached a decision according to the usual procedures. The procedure followed was appropriate, the decisions taken by the Senate remain valid and the proceedings that followed were conducted in accordance with the Rules.

This conclusion alone is sufficient to dispose of the point of order.

Nevertheless, the comments made during debate raise an important question concerning the scope of general orders of reference. Given the importance of this issue for the future work of the Senate and its committees, it is useful to provide some clarification.

I note that rule 12-9(1) provides that “standing committees and standing joint committees are empowered to inquire into and report on such matters as may be referred to them by the Senate.” Except for a few committees authorized to act on their own initiative on certain matters, a study may therefore only be undertaken by a committee pursuant to an order of reference from the Senate.

Senate Procedure in Practice, Chapter 9, pages 185-186, defines an “order of reference” as follows: “An order of reference is an authorization from the Senate for a committee to undertake a study. It establishes the scope of the study and may confer other powers the committee needs to conduct the study.”

A distinction is generally made between orders of reference related to the examination of legislation and those concerning the study of a particular topic or issue, commonly referred to as special studies. These two categories rest on distinct mandates.

Studies related to bills occupy a particular place in the work undertaken by the Senate. Unlike special studies, they are directly connected to the exercise of the Senate’s legislative function. For that reason, the Rules establish specific mechanisms through which the Senate may authorize such studies and determine their scope. As for studies on the subject matter of bills, these are permitted under rule 10-11, which establishes the applicable procedure.

The order of reference to which Senator Moreau referred on May 7, 2026, was adopted by the Senate on September 24, 2025, and authorizes the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry “to examine and report on such issues as may arise from time to time relating to agriculture and forestry.” It remains in effect until December 31, 2026. This type of order of reference is commonly referred to as a general order of reference.

The document Senate Committees Frequently Asked Questions explains that: “[s]ome orders of reference are fairly broad, giving the committee added flexibility in relation to the scope of the study, while others are very narrow. For example, general orders of reference allow committees to deal with short-term or pressing issues or to hear from agents of Parliament. Another example would be when committees invite Ministers to have them speak to their portfolios which in turn may help the committees choose a specific topic for their special study.”

The use of general orders of reference by committees has varied over the years. Some committees have used them alongside special studies with very specific and narrowly defined mandates authorized by the Senate; others have interpreted these mandates more broadly.

It is important to understand that general orders of reference are not blank cheques authorizing committees to bypass the requirement to obtain an order of reference to study a particular matter or issue. More importantly, a general order of reference cannot be used to circumvent the procedures governing the referral of matters arising from legislation to a committee.

I acknowledge that Senator Moreau’s comments during the debate were intended to explore the possibilities offered by the committee’s existing general order of reference.

Furthermore, a general order of reference, however broad, should not be interpreted as implicitly authorizing something that would ordinarily require an explicit decision of the Senate. The rules, precedents and logic underlying the system of orders of reference all lead to the same conclusion: A general order of reference cannot be used to undertake the study of a bill or its subject matter. A contrary conclusion would risk rendering largely superfluous the provisions of the Rules that expressly establish the mechanisms through which the Senate authorizes such studies.

The conclusion that a general order of reference does not, on its own, authorize a legislative study is reinforced by the events of May 7, 2026. Senator Robinson sought the Senate’s express authorization for the Agriculture and Forestry Committee to study the subject matter of Divisions 7 and 8 of Part 3 of Bill C-30. After debate, the latter proposal was defeated. While not necessary to the disposition of this point of order, the result appears to confirm the Senate did not consider that such authority already existed. It would be difficult to reconcile a contrary conclusion with the explicit decision reached by the Senate at the conclusion of debate.

I also note that committees report to the Senate and not to other committees. Rule 12-21(2) provides that “a committee report shall be presented or tabled in the Senate by the chair or by a Senator designated by the chair.” While the Senate may authorize a committee to take into consideration reports from other committees, this practice does not alter the fundamental principle that reports are first addressed to the Senate.

It was suggested that Senator Moreau’s comments may have deprived some senators of the opportunity to participate fully in the subject matter study of Bill C-30. However, it is important to note that senators may participate in the meetings of committees that have received an order of reference from the Senate and that are of interest to them. Senators may also participate in report stage debates, whether on the subject matter or on the bill itself, as well as in second and third reading debates on the bill, so that the Senate and all Canadians can benefit from their expertise. Accordingly, Senator Moreau’s comments did not prevent senators from participating fully in the consideration of the bill.

Although no procedural irregularity occurred and there are no grounds for a point of order, this matter has nevertheless provided an opportunity to clarify the respective scope of general orders of reference and orders of reference related to the examination of legislation.

Government Business

Bills – Third Reading

Third reading of Bill C-27, An Act to give effect to the Final Self-Government Agreement for the Tlegohli Got’ine and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.

The Honourable Senator Duncan moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson, 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 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

Second reading of Bill C-22, An Act respecting lawful access.

The Honourable Senator Dhillon moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Varone, 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.

WRITTEN DECLARATION OF ROYAL ASSENT

At 4:43 p.m., the Honourable the Speaker pro tempore informed the Senate that the following communication had been received:

RIDEAU HALL

October 8, 2026

Madam Speaker,

I have the honour to inform you that Mr. Ryan McAdam, Deputy of the Governor General of Canada, signified royal assent by written declaration to the bill listed in the Schedule to this letter on the 8^th day of October, 2026, at 3:57 p.m.

Yours sincerely,

The Honourable

The Speaker of the Senate

Ottawa

Schedule

Bill Assented To

Thursday, October 8, 2026

An Act to give effect to the Final Self-Government Agreement for the Tlegohli Got’ine and to make consequential amendments to other Acts (Bill C-27, Chapter 23, 2026)

Orders of the Day

Government Business

Reports of Committees – Other

Orders No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20 and 21 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Motions

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

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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, October 20, 2026, at 2 p.m.

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, 14 and 15 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Reports of Committees – Other

Order No. 14 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

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Resuming debate on the consideration of the second report (interim) of the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament, entitled The Role of Non-Affiliated Senators, tabled in the Senate on February 24, 2026.

The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Batters, that further debate on the consideration of the report be adjourned until the next sitting.

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

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Orders No. 20, 24, 29, 30, 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

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Consideration of the seventh report of the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples, entitled “Haílcístut: To Turn Something Around and Make it Right” The Promises of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, tabled in the Senate on June 18, 2026.

The Honourable Senator Audette moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Muggli:

That the seventh report of the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples, entitled “Haílcístut: To Turn Something Around and Make it Right” The Promises of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on June 18, 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 of Justice and Attorney General of Canada being identified as minister responsible for responding to the report, in consultation with the Minister of Indigenous Services, the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs, the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, the Minister of Health, the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages and the Minister of Public Safety.

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

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Order No. 41 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

Motions

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

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Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Burey, 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 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

Order No. 103 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

Inquiries

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

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Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Klyne, calling the attention of the Senate to the life and legacy of Jane Goodall.

The Honourable Senator Clement moved, for the Honourable Senator Kingston, 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.

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Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Sorensen, calling the attention of the Senate to the nation-building value of tourism in Canada.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator White moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Francis, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.

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

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

ADJOURNMENT

The Honourable Senator Petten 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 5:09 p.m., the Senate was continued until Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 2 p.m.)

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

Reports of the Canada Border Services Agency 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. 1/45-1316.

Reports of the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police 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. 1/45-1317.

Reports of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police External Review Committee 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. 1/45-1318.

Report of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, together with the Auditor General’s Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026, pursuant to the Canadian Race Relations Foundation Act, S.C. 1991, c. 8, sbs. 26(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1319.

Cost Estimate of the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, entitled PBO Update — Temporarily suspending the federal fuel excise tax, pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-1, sbs. 79.2(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1320.

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources

The Honourable Senator Adler was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (October 8, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Fridhandler replaced the Honourable Senator Klyne (October 8, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Clement replaced the Honourable Senator Kingston (October 8, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Adler was added to the membership (October 7, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Pate was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (October 7, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Klyne replaced the Honourable Senator Fridhandler (October 7, 2026).

Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade

The Honourable Senator MacDonald replaced the Honourable Senator McCallum (October 8, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Mohamed replaced the Honourable Senator Ravalia (October 8, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Ravalia replaced the Honourable Senator McNair (October 8, 2026).

Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights

The Honourable Senator McCallum replaced the Honourable Senator Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador) (October 7, 2026).

Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs

The Honourable Senator Oudar replaced the Honourable Senator Dalphond (October 8, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Quinn replaced the Honourable Senator Poirier (October 7, 2026).

Pursuant to the Order Adopted October 6, 2026, Senators Named to the Special Senate Committee on the Building Canada Strong Act

Special Senate Committee on the Building Canada Strong Act

The Honourable Senator Boehm was added to the membership (October 7, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Cuzner was added to the membership (October 7, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Gignac was added to the membership (October 7, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Hébert was added to the membership (October 7, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Manning was added to the membership (October 7, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne was added to the membership (October 7, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Mohamed was added to the membership (October 7, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Patterson was added to the membership (October 7, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Prosper was added to the membership (October 7, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Quinn was added to the membership (October 7, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador) was added to the membership (October 7, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Wilson was added to the membership (October 7, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Woo was added to the membership (October 7, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Youance was added to the membership (October 7, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Yussuff was added to the membership (October 7, 2026).