THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Thursday, June 4, 2026
(43)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 10:31 a.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, Aucoin, Batters, Clement, Oudar, Pate, Saint-Germain, Simons, Tannas and Wells (Alberta) (10).
Participating in the meeting: Dana Phillips and Allison Lowenger, Analysts, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, April 16, 2026, the committee began its consideration of Bill S-6, A fourth Act to harmonize federal law with the civil law of Quebec and to amend certain Acts in order to ensure that each language version takes into account the common law and the civil law.
APPEARING:
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.
WITNESSES:
Department of Justice Canada:
Robert Dufresne, Chief Legislative Counsel and Deputy Assistant Deputy Minister;
France Allard, Senior General Counsel and Comparative Law Expert;
Moïra Létourneau, Deputy Director and Senior Counsel.
Chambre des notaires du Québec:
Antoine Fafard, Chief, Governmental and Institutional Affairs (by videoconference);
Bruno Larivière, President (by videoconference).
The minister and Bruno Larivière each made a statement and, together with Antoine Fafard, Robert Dufresne, France Allard and Moïra Létourneau, answered questions.
At 11:17 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 11:25 a.m., the committee resumed.
It was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill S-6.
It was agreed that the title stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the short title, stand postponed.
It was agreed, with leave, that the clauses be grouped according to the two parts of the Bill, as described in the Table of Provisions of Bill S-6 when appropriate.
The chair asked whether clauses 2 to 507 shall carry.
It was agreed that clauses 2 to 507 carry, on division.
The chair asked whether clauses 508 to 640 shall carry.
It was agreed that clauses 508 to 640 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clause 1, which contains the short title, carry.
It was agreed that the title carry.
It was agreed that the bill carry, on division.
It was agreed that the chair report Bill S-6, without amendments, to the Senate, in both official languages, at the earliest opportunity.
At 12:11 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Vincent Labrosse
Clerk of the Committee