THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Wednesday, June 17, 2026
(52)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 1:03 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, Dalphond, Hébert, Housakos, Martin, Miville-Dechêne, Moreau, P.C., Pate, Poirier, Prosper, Saint-Germain, Simons, Tannas and Wells (Alberta) (16).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Dasko (1).
Participating in the meeting: Dana Phillips and Allison Lowenger, Analysts, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, the committee began its consideration of Bill C-25, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and to enact An Act to change the names of certain electoral districts, 2026.
WITNESSES:
Privy Council Office:
Rachel Pereira, Director, Democratic Institutions.
Office of the Chief Electoral Officer:
Karolyn Savard, General Counsel and Senior Director, Legal Services;
Trevor Knight, General Counsel.
Office of the Commissioner of Canada Elections:
Jean-Michel Kalubiaka, Senior Counsel and Director, Legal Services;
Chantal Richard, Executive Director and Senior General Counsel, Legal Services.
It was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-25.
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 Bill C-25.
It was agreed that clauses 2 to 87 carry, on division.
It was agreed that clauses 88 to 89 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.
The committee discussed observations.
The chair asked if the committee wishes to append observations to the report.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division, on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Arnot, Clement, Dalphond, Hébert, Miville-Dechêne, Moreau, Pate, Prosper, Saint-Germain, Simons, Tannas — [11]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Batters, Housakos, Poirier — [3]
ABSTENTIONS
Nil
The Honourable Senator Tannas moved that the following observation be appended to the committee’s report:
The majority of the committee agrees with the following observation:
In its message to the Senate concerning amendments to Bill C-4, the House of Commons asserted that there exists a longstanding tradition whereby the Senate defers to the House on amendments to the Canada Elections Act. It emphasized that such deference is particularly appropriate where amendments have received unanimous support from all recognized parties in the House and pertain to the regulation of candidates representing political parties seeking election to that chamber.
The majority of the committee does not concur with this position. As a constituent element of Parliament, the Senate holds a constitutionally mandated responsibility to review and scrutinize all legislation, including proposed amendments to the Canada Elections Act.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Arnot, Clement, Dalphond, Hébert, Miville-Dechêne, Pate, Prosper, Simons, Tannas — [9]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Batters, Housakos, Moreau, Poirier, Wells — [5]
ABSTENTIONS
Nil
The Honourable Senator Batters moved that the following observation be appended to the committee’s report:
The timeframe imposed by the government motion for this bill has forced the committee to speed through its study without hearing the full range of evidence required to provide the thoughtful, measured advice on which the committee prides itself. The majority of the committee agrees that being put in this position by the government erodes the constitutional role of the Senate as a chamber of sober second thought, reducing the institution to a rubber stamp for the government’s legislative agenda.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Arnot, Batters, Martin, Miville-Dechêne, Pate, Poirier, Prosper, Simons, Tannas— [9]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Dalphond, Hébert, Moreau, Wells — [4]
ABSTENTIONS
Nil
It was agreed that observations be appended to the committee's report.
It was agreed that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to approve the final version of the observations being appended to the report, in both official languages, taking into consideration today’s discussion, and with any necessary editorial, grammatical or translation changes as required.
It was agreed that the chair report Bill C-25, without amendment and with observations, to the Senate, in both official languages, at the earliest opportunity.
At 2:16 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Vincent Labrosse
Clerk of the Committee