It is moved by Senator Plett, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin that the Senate do now adjourn. All senators opposed to the motion will please say, “no.”

All those senators seated in the chamber who are in favour of the motion will please say, “yea.”

All those opposed will please say, “nay.”

In my opinion, the nays have it.

I see two senators rising. Do we have an agreement on a bell?

One-hour bell. The vote will take place at 8:35 p.m. Call in the senators.

Honourable senators, before I proceed to the vote, I wish to make a couple of points.

If you are participating via video conference, you should have three voting cards in hand: one to indicate that you are in favour of the motion, one to indicate that you are opposed to the motion, and one to indicate that you wish to abstain. If you do not have voting cards, you may reproduce them on paper using a black pen or marker so they are visible. Please hold up the appropriate card at the appropriate time. Once your name has been called, you may lower your card.

After reading the question, I will call those in favour of the motion who are in the chamber to rise, after which those participating by video conference will hold up the “yea” cards. I will then ask those opposed who are in the chamber to stand, followed by those on video conference who are opposed. Finally, those who wish to abstain will be asked to stand if they are in the chamber, followed by those participating in the video conference.

Honourable senators, as is the tradition in this chamber for an abstention, I would like to address the chamber and explain my abstention.

I thought it incumbent to explain my abstention because I can say it’s probably, in my recollection, the first time that I have ever abstained on any vote in this chamber. I would like to address the reasons behind it.

First and foremost, if there is anyone that appreciates the rules, rights and privileges of this chamber, as all know, it’s me. I adhere to them fundamentally and as consistently as possible. There is no doubt that caucuses and all senators have the right to move adjournment motions, and they have the right to vote and support those adjournment motions as they see fit.

I do want to highlight that this chamber already has a preponderance of giving priority to government legislation as principle. It’s in the foundation of how this institution works. We continue to do that.

I think it’s also important for the nation and as an institution that we remain relevant above and beyond the work of the executive branch. When we look at inquiries of individual senators, motions, private members’ motions and at private members’ bills in this place, they are important to stakeholders and Canadians across the country. In my humble opinion, as a Parliament they are just as important as government legislation. Obviously being an institution that believes in fundamental democracy, we will always prioritize the government legislation and we will be very sensitive and diligent about the political agenda of the government.

I also want to highlight that we have to be very careful. I think despite the fact that you have the right to move your adjournment motions, whoever wants to move them, we have to be cognizant that this place has to have fulsome debate on all of the other motions and inquiries of private members’ bills if we are going to serve Canadians to the best of our ability.

I wanted to express that. Going forward, even though groups and leadership groups take liberties because we give them authority to negotiate agreements to curtail time of debate, there comes a point in time where they have to take into consideration the work that individual senators want to do on their individual work.

The message I have, especially to the government leadership that takes the important role of guiding debate and negotiations in this chamber — you have to be prudent and cognizant when all these negotiations take place, that this place was designed as an institution to give minority voices a fundamental place in this place. That’s what the beauty of the Senate is. It’s a hybrid institution created on the principles of the House of Commons in Westminster, the House of Lords, created by the forefathers of this country to make sure all regions and voices are heard, and heard equally.

Your Honour, thank you for allowing me to share my views with my esteemed colleagues.