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The Senate

Motion to Affect Proceedings on Bill C-76 Adopted

September 25, 2024


Hon. Patti LaBoucane-Benson (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate)

Pursuant to notice of September 24, 2024, moved:

That, notwithstanding any provision of the Rules, previous order or usual practice, in relation to Bill C-76, An Act to amend the Canada National Parks Act:

1.if the Senate receives the bill, it be placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at second reading later that day, as the first item of Government Business if received before that point in the sitting, or, if received after that point in the sitting, as the next item of business, and the sitting not adjourn that day before the Senate has begun proceedings on the bill at second reading;

2.if the bill is adopted at second reading, it stand referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources;

3.the committee be authorized to meet at any time for the purposes of its consideration of the bill, subject to the availability of necessary services, whether the Senate is then sitting or adjourned;

4.the committee be authorized to report the bill at any time the Senate is sitting, except during Question Period;

5.if the committee reports the bill without amendment, the bill be placed on the Orders of the Day for third reading later that sitting, provided that if the report is presented after the point where the Senate would normally have dealt with the bill at third reading, the bill either be taken into consideration at third reading forthwith, or, if another item is under consideration at the time the report is presented, the bill be placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at third reading as the next item of business;

6.if the committee reports the bill with amendment or with a recommendation that the Senate not proceed further with the bill:

(a)the report be placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration later that sitting, provided that if the report is presented after the point where the Senate would normally have dealt with the report, it either be taken into consideration forthwith, or, if another item is under consideration at the time the report is presented, it be placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration as the next item of business; and

(b)once the Senate decides on the report, the bill, if still before the Senate, be taken into consideration at third reading forthwith; and

7.once debate begins at any stage of consideration of the bill, unless a vote is deferred, the debate not be adjourned, with the sitting continuing beyond the ordinary time of adjournment if required to complete debate at that stage.

Hon. Scott Tannas [ - ]

Honourable senators, I want to speak very briefly, not necessarily on the content of the motion but regarding the process related to its existence.

As many of you know, the Canadian Senators Group, or CSG, has often mentioned that the use of leave, which is unanimous consent — every single senator in the place — to suspend rules is a tool that should only be used in the most exceptional cases. We, in the CSG, do believe that granting leave has its place, but it should never or almost never be used when dealing with stages of legislation.

The drafters of our Rules have deliberately placed speed bumps along the way to ensure that we give legislation its due review and consideration. While some might find these notice periods burdensome, they are important to permit us to take the necessary time to reflect, deliberate and discuss the matter that is at hand.

In this case, the government has opted to proceed with a programming motion. We appreciate the government proceeding with a program motion on this bill as opposed to searching for leave from this chamber. However, we want to say that programming motions should not become the new and frequent shortcut. They should be used in exceptional circumstances and with proper justifications.

In this case, we believe they are, in fact, warranted.

With that, I will leave it there. We are in support of this motion. Thank you.

The Hon. the Speaker [ - ]

Are senators ready for the question?

The Hon. the Speaker [ - ]

Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?

Hon. Senators: Agreed.

(Motion agreed to.)

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