Journals of the Senate

The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AdlerArnoldArnotAtaullahjanAucoinAudetteBattersBernardBlackBoehmBoudreauBoyerBrazeauBureyCardozoClementCormierCuznerDalphondDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DowneDuncanForestFrancisFridhandlerGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGreenwoodHébertHenkelHousakosKaretak-LindellKingstonKlyneLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldManningMartelMartinMcBeanMcNairMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenPitfieldProsperPupatelloQuinnRavaliaRinguetteRobinsonRossSeniorSimonsSorensenSuretteTannasTuckerVaroneVernerWells (Alberta)Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteWilsonYussuff

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

AdlerArnoldArnotAtaullahjanAucoinAudetteBattersBernardBlackBoehmBoudreauBoyerBrazeauBureyCardozoClementCormierCuznerDalphondDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DowneDuncanForestFrancisFridhandlerGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGreenwoodHébertHenkelHousakosKaretak-LindellKingstonKlyneLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldManningMartelMartinMcBeanMcNairMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenPitfieldProsperPupatelloQuinnRavaliaRinguetteRobinsonRossSeniorSimonsSorensenSuretteTannasTuckerVaroneVernerWells (Alberta)Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteWilsonYussuff

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.

Question Period

The Senate proceeded to Question Period.

Orders of the Day

Government Business

Bills – Third Reading

Third reading of Bill C-38, An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act (extension of the federal fuel excise tax relief).

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

Order No. 1 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, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Motions

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

Inquiries

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

Other Business

Ordered, That Order No. 1 under OTHER BUSINESS, Senate Public Bills – Reports of Committees and Motion No. 118 standing in the name of Senator Gignac on the Notice Paper be brought forward.

Consideration of the ninth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy (Bill S-239, An Act to amend the Competition Act, with amendments), presented in the Senate on October 27, 2026.

The Honourable Senator Gignac moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Patterson, that the report be adopted.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator MacDonald, 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 Gignac moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Aucoin:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy be authorized to examine and report on promoting economic fairness for all Canadians, specifically, how federal approaches can reduce the underground economy in Canada by supporting participation in the formal economy, fostering fair competition for businesses, protecting workers and preserving federal revenues;

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 June 30, 2027, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings until 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

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

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 3:16 p.m., the Senate was continued until tomorrow at 1:30 p.m.)

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

Service Fees Report of the Department of Justice for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026, pursuant to the Service Fees Act, S.C. 2017, c. 20, s. 451 “20(1)”.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1585.

Report of the Association of Canada Lands Surveyors for the year ended December 31, 2025, pursuant to the Canada Lands Surveyors Act, S.C. 1998, c. 14, sbs. 70(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1586.

Report of the Chief Public Health Officer on the State of Public Health in Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026, pursuant to the Public Health Agency of Canada Act, S.C. 2006, c. 5, sbs. 12(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1587.

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources

The Honourable Senator Hébert replaced the Honourable Senator Youance (October 28, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Moncion was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (October 28, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Youance replaced the Honourable Senator Clement (October 28, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Petitclerc was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (October 28, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Cardozo replaced the Honourable Senator Fridhandler (October 27, 2026).