THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Thursday, February 12, 2026
(26)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 4:15 p.m., in room B30, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable David M. Arnot, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Arnot, Batters, Clement, Cuzner, Dalphond, Dean, Miville-Dechêne, Moncion, Oudar, Pate, Prosper, Simons and Tannas (13).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Dasko (1).
Participating in the meeting: Michaela Keenan-Pelletier and Dana Phillips, Analysts, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, February 5, 2026, the committee continued its consideration of the subject matter of Part 4 of Bill C-4, An Act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians and another measure.
WITNESSES:
Elections Canada:
Stéphane Perrault, Chief Electoral Officer;
Josée Villeneuve, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Regulatory Affairs.
Office of the Commissioner of Canada Elections:
Caroline Simard, Commissioner of Canada Elections;
Michael Bisson, Deputy Commissioner, Operations.
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada:
Philippe Dufresne, Privacy Commissioner of Canada.
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia:
Michael Harvey, Commissioner (by videoconference).
Stéphane Perrault and Caroline Simard each made a statement and, together with Josée Villeneuve and Michael Bisson, answered questions.
At 5:15 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:20 p.m., the committee resumed.
Philippe Dufresne and Michael Harvey each made a statement and answered questions.
At 6:10 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 6:25 p.m., the committee resumed.
The committee considered a draft report.
At 6:37 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 6:38 p.m., pursuant to rule 12‑16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to discuss a draft agenda (future business).
It was agreed that each committee member be authorized to be accompanied by a member of their staff during in camera meetings, unless otherwise agreed to by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure.
It was agreed that the committee allow the audio recording and/or transcription of the in camera portion of today’s meeting, that one copy be kept with the clerk of the committee for consultation by committee members and their staff in attendance, and that the audio recording and/or transcript be destroyed by the clerk of the committee when authorized to do so by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, but no later than at the end of this parliamentary session.
At 6:57 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 6:58 p.m., the committee resumed in public.
The committee considered a draft report.
The Honourable Senator Arnot moved that that the report include a proposal to remove Part 4 of Bill C-4.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Arnot, Clement, Miville-Dechêne, Moncion, Pate, Prosper, Simons — [7]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Batters, Cuzner, Tannas — [3]
ABSTENTIONS
Nil
At 7:13 p.m., the Honourable Senator Dalphond replaced the Honourable Senator Oudar as a member of the committee.
The Honourable Senator Moncion moved that that the report include a proposal to split Part 4 of Bill C-4.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Arnot, Clement, Miville-Dechêne, Moncion, Pate, Prosper, Simons — [7]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Batters, Cuzner — [2]
ABSTENTIONS
The Honourable Senators
Dalphond, Tannas — [2]
The Honourable Senator Tannas moved that that the report include a proposal adding a two-year sunset clause for Part 4 of Bill C-4.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Arnot, Clement, Dalphond, Miville-Dechêne, Moncion, Pate, Prosper, Tannas — [8]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Batters, Cuzner — [2]
ABSTENTIONS
The Honourable Senators
Simons — [1]
It was agreed that the draft report, as amended, be adopted in both official languages, and that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to approve the final version of the report, taking into consideration this meeting’s discussions, and with any necessary editorial, grammatical and translation changes required.
It was agreed that the chair be authorized to table the report with the Clerk of the Senate, in both official languages.
At 8:05 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Vincent Labrosse
Clerk of the Committee