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The Senate

Motion in Amendment--Point of Order--Speaker's Ruling

June 28, 2021


Hon. Pierre J. Dalphond [ - ]

Therefore, honourable senators, in amendment, I move:

That the motion be not now adopted, but that it be amended by replacing point (b) with the following:

“(b) given that, where possible, it has been the policy of the Government of Canada to act in concert with its allies when it comes to the recognition of genocide, the Senate call upon the Government of Canada to continue, in concert with its allies, to urge China to allow immediate, meaningful and unfettered access to Xinjiang for independent observers, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and to urgently implement the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination’s eight recommendations related to Xinjiang, including by ending the arbitrary detention of Uyghurs and members of other Muslim minorities; and”.

I propose that we support the position taken by our government and that this chamber give its support to the Government of Canada. Thank you.

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore [ - ]

In amendment, it was moved by the Honourable Senator Dalphond, seconded by the Honourable Senator Galvez:

That the motion be not now adopted, but that it be amended by replacing point (b) with the following:

“(b) given that, where possible, it has been the policy of the Government of Canada to act in concert with its allies when it comes to the recognition of genocide, the Senate call upon the Government of Canada to continue, in concert with its allies, to urge China to allow immediate, meaningful and unfettered access to Xinjiang for independent observers, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and to urgently implement the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination’s eight recommendations related to Xinjiang, including by ending the arbitrary detention of Uyghurs and members of other Muslim minorities; and”.

Hon. Pat Duncan [ - ]

Your Honour, as this is the first time we have heard the amendment, may I take the adjournment of the debate in my name?

Senator Duncan [ - ]

Motion of adjournment is non-debatable.

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore [ - ]

It is moved by the Honourable Senator Duncan, seconded by the Honourable Senator Woo, that further debate be adjourned until the next sitting of the Senate.

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) [ - ]

On debate on the amendment?

Senator Housakos [ - ]

Senator Duncan was on debate. I’m on debate.

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore [ - ]

I have to put the question forward, Senator Housakos, that further debate be adjourned until the next sitting of the Senate.

If you oppose adjourning debate, say “no.”

Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition)

Senator Housakos stood on debate on the amendment. You don’t make an adjournment motion when a senator wants to debate an amendment. That is what Senator Housakos wanted to do.

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore [ - ]

Senator Duncan moved the adjournment, so we go forward.

Senator Plett, the process is the following: I called the motion, and we vote on the motion to adjourn the debate. If the majority do not agree, then we move back to the debate.

Senator Housakos, we are now on the vote. On a point of order, Senator Housakos.

Senator Housakos [ - ]

Thank you. Your Honour, I know about procedure.

Senator Duncan certainly has the right to call an adjournment, but you also have an obligation, before you accept an adjournment request by a senator, to ask for debate first. I never heard at any point you asking for debate on the amendment before you went to the adjournment.

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore [ - ]

I recognized Senator Duncan, and she moved adjournment of the debate. We are now voting on the motion put forward by Senator Duncan.

If you oppose adjourning debate, please say “no.”

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore [ - ]

Those in favour of the motion and who are in the Senate Chamber will please say “yea.”

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore [ - ]

Those opposed to the motion and who are in the Senate Chamber will please say “nay.”

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore [ - ]

I believe the “yeas” have it.

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore [ - ]

There will be a one-hour bell. The vote will take place at 10:52.

Call in the senators.

Senator Duncan [ - ]

Your Honour, with leave, I would respectfully withdraw my motion for adjournment.

The Hon. the Speaker [ - ]

Honourable senators, Senator Duncan is asking for leave to cancel the vote to withdraw her motion to adjourn debate on the amendment. If you’re opposed to the request, please say no.

Carried; resuming debate on the amendment.

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