Skip to content
Previous Sittings
Previous Sittings

Journals of the Senate

48 Elizabeth II, A.D. 1999, Canada

Journals of the Senate


Issue 123

Tuesday, March 23, 1999
2:00 p.m.

The Honourable Gildas L. Molgat, Speaker


The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

Adams, Angus, Atkins, Austin, Bacon, Balfour, Beaudoin, Berntson, Bryden, Buchanan, Butts, Callbeck, Carney, Carstairs, Chalifoux, Cochrane, Cohen, Comeau, Cook, Cools, Corbin, De Bané, DeWare, Di Nino, Doody, Fairbairn, Ferretti Barth, Fitzpatrick, Forrestall, Fraser, Gauthier, Ghitter, Gill, Grafstein, Graham, Grimard, Gustafson, Hays, Hervieux-Payette, Johnson, Johnstone, Joyal, Kelleher, Kelly, Kenny, Kinsella, Kirby, Kroft, Lavoie-Roux, Lawson, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Lynch-Staunton, Maheu, Maloney, Mercier, Milne, Molgat, Moore, Murray, Nolin, Oliver, Pearson, Pépin, Perrault, Phillips, Pitfield, Poulin (Charette), Poy, Prud'homme, Rivest, Roberge, Robichaud , (L'Acadie-Acadia), Robichaud , (Saint-Louis-de-Kent), Roche, Rompkey, Rossiter, Ruck, St. Germain, Sparrow, Spivak, Stewart, Stollery, Stratton, Taylor, Tkachuk, Watt, Whelan, Wilson,

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

Adams, *Andreychuk, Angus, Atkins, Austin, Bacon, Balfour, Beaudoin, Berntson, Bryden, Buchanan, Butts, Callbeck, Carney, Carstairs, Chalifoux, Cochrane, Cohen, Comeau, Cook, Cools, Corbin, De Bané, DeWare, Di Nino, Doody, Fairbairn, Ferretti Barth, Fitzpatrick, Forrestall, Fraser, Gauthier, Ghitter, Gill, Grafstein, Graham, Grimard, Gustafson, Hays, Hervieux-Payette, Johnson, Johnstone, Joyal, Kelleher, Kelly, Kenny, Kinsella, Kirby, Kroft, Lavoie-Roux, Lawson, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Lynch-Staunton, Maheu, Maloney, Mercier, Milne, Molgat, Moore, Murray, Nolin, Oliver, Pearson, Pépin, Perrault, Phillips, Pitfield, Poulin (Charette), Poy, Prud'homme, Rivest, Roberge, Robichaud , (L'Acadie-Acadia), Robichaud , (Saint-Louis-de-Kent), Roche, Rompkey, Rossiter, Ruck, St. Germain, Sparrow, Spivak, Stewart, Stollery, Stratton, Taylor, Tkachuk, Watt, Whelan, Wilson,

PRAYERS

SENATORS' STATEMENTS

Some Honourable Senators made statements.

DAILY ROUTINE OF BUSINESS

Presentation of Reports from Standing or Special Committees

The Honourable Senator Rompkey, P.C., presented the following:

TUESDAY, March 23, 1999

The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has the honour to present its

THIRTY-SECOND REPORT

Your Committee recommends that the Senate's current reliability policy be replaced by a more comprehensive Security Accreditation Policy for all personnel.

This new Security Accreditation Policy would apply to all new Senate personnel, contractors and outside service providers.

Senators should bear in mind that a security accreditation check is intended as a systematic pre-hiring procedure and that the final decision to retain someone, once all pertinent policy steps have been applied, always rests with them.

Respectfully submitted,

WILLIAM ROMPKEY

Chair

The Honourable Senator Rompkey, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gauthier, that the Report be placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted. The Honourable Senator Stratton, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance, presented its Thirteenth Report (Bill C-65, An Act to amend the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act) without amendment.

The Honourable Senator Carstairs, moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Maheu, that the Bill be placed on the Orders of the Day for a third reading at the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

Government Notices of Motions

With leave of the Senate, The Honourable Senator Carstairs moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Austin, P.C.

That the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs and the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology have power to sit while the Senate is sitting tomorrow, Wednesday, March 24, 1999, and that Rule 95(4) be suspended in relation thereto.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

With leave of the Senate, The Honourable Senator Carstairs moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C.

That when the Senate adjourns today, it do stand adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, March 24, 1999, at 1:30 p.m.

After debate, The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

Tabling of Reports from Inter-Parliamentary Delegations

The Honourable Senator Rompkey, P.C., tabled the following:

Eighth Report of the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association on the Joint Meeting of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Defence and Security Committee, the Economic Committee and the Political Committee, held in Brussels, Belgium, on February 14 and 15, 1999.-Sessional Paper No. 1/36-1084.

ANSWERS TO WRITTEN QUESTIONS

Pursuant to Rule 25(2), the Honourable Senator Carstairs tabled the following:

Reply to Question No. 140, dated November 19, 1998, appearing on the Order Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Forrestall, respecting new Armouries in Shawinigan. -Sessional Paper No. 1/36-1085S.

MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

A Message was brought from the House of Commons to return Bill S-20, An Act to amend the Act of incorporation of the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of Mackenzie.

And to acquaint the Senate that the Commons have passed this Bill, without amendment.

With leave, The Senate reverted to Presentation of Reports From Standing or Special Committees. The Honourable Senator Murray, P.C., presented the following:

TUESDAY, March 23, 1999

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology has the honour to present its

EIGHTEENTH REPORT

Your Committee, to which was referred the Bill C-61, An Act to amend the War Veterans Allowance Act, the Pension Act, the Merchant Navy Veteran and Civilian War-related Benefits Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs Act, the Veterans Review and Appeal Board Act and the Halifax Relief Commission Pension Continuation Act and to amend certain other Acts in consequence thereof, examined the said Bill and now reports the same without amendment, with the following observation:

That the Government seriously consider making the fair settlement with Merchant Mariners an immediate priority.

Respectfully submitted,

LOWELL MURRAY

Chairman

The Honourable Senator Carstairs moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Robichaud, P.C. (L'Acadie-Acadia), that the Bill be placed on the Orders of the Day for a third reading at the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS

Bills

Third reading of Bill C-43, An Act to establish the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency and to amend and repeal other Acts as a consequence.

The Honourable Senator Carstairs moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Bacon, that the Bill be read the third time.

After debate, The Honourable Senator Stratton moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gustafson, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Graham, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Carstairs, for the second reading of Bill C-55, An Act respecting advertising services supplied by foreign periodical publishers.

After debate, The Honourable Senator Kinsella moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Atkins, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted. Second reading of Bill C-73, An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the public service of Canada for the financial year ending March 31, 1999.

The Honourable Senator Cools moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Chalifoux, that the Bill be read the second time.

After debate, The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Bill was then read the second time.

The Honourable Senator Cools moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Chalifoux, that the Bill be placed on the Orders of the Day for a third reading at the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted. Second reading of Bill C-74, An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the public service of Canada for the financial year ending March 31, 2000.

The Honourable Senator Cools moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Johnstone, that the Bill be read the second time.

After debate, The Honourable Senator Stratton moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gustafson, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted. Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Chalifoux, seconded by the Honourable Senator Maloney, for the second reading of Bill C-49, An Act providing for the ratification and the bringing into effect of the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management.

After debate, The Honourable Senator Carney, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Beaudoin, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

OTHER BUSINESS

Senate Public Bills

Orders No. 1 to 3 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Private Bills

Second reading of Bill S-25, An Act respecting the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada.

The Honourable Senator Kirby moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cook, that the Bill be read the second time.

After debate, The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Bill was then read the second time.

The Honourable Senator Kirby moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Ferretti Barth, that the Bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

Reports of Committees

Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting. Consideration of the Eighth Report (Interim) of the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry entitled: "rBST and the Drug Approval Process", tabled in the Senate on March 11, 1999.

After debate, The Honourable Senator Milne moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Butts, that further debate on the consideration of the Report be adjourned until the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted. Orders No. 3 to 7 were called and postponed until the next sitting. Resuming debate on the consideration of the Sixteenth Report (Interim) of the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce entitled: "The Governance Practices of Institutional Investors", tabled in the Senate on November 19, 1998.

After debate, The Honourable Senator Oliver for the Honourable Senator Meighen moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Di Nino, that further debate on the consideration of the Report be adjourned until the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

Other

Orders No. 61, 50 (inquiries) and 114 (motion) were called and postponed until the next sitting. Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Roche, seconded by the Honourable Senator Lavoie-Roux:

That the Senate recommend that the Government of Canada urge NATO to begin a review of its nuclear weapons policies at the Summit Meeting of NATO April 23-25, 1999.

After debate, The Honourable Senator Spivak moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Forrestall, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted on division. Orders No. 34, 39, 47, 65, 64, 49, 63 and 44 (inquiries) were called and postponed until the next sitting. Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Forrestall calling the attention of the Senate to the matter of public debate respecting the posting of CAF members to Kosovo.

After debate, The Honourable Senator Carstairs moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Pépin, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted. Order No. 1 (motion) was called and postponed until the next sitting.

 _____________________________________

Ordered, That the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs have power to sit while the Senate is sitting today.

 _____________________________________

Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Roche calling the attention of the Senate to the urgency of the Government of Canada saying "no" to becoming involved in a U.S. missile-defense system; and the need for the Government of Canada to contribute to peace by implementing the 15 recommendations in the report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Canada and the Nuclear Challenge: Reducing the Political Value of Nuclear Weapons for the Twenty-first Century.

After debate, The Honourable Senator Prud'homme, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Carstairs, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted. Orders No. 46 (inquiry), 118 and 45 (motions) were called and postponed until the next sitting.

INQUIRIES

The Honourable Senator Wilson called the attention of the Senate to the situation in Sudan.

After debate, The Honourable Senator Prud'homme, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Carstairs, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

MOTIONS

The Honourable Senator Lynch-Staunton moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Carstairs:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs be authorized to examine and report upon the ramifications to Canada:

1. of the changed mandate of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Canada's role in NATO since the demise of the Warsaw Pact, the end of the Cold War and the recent addition to membership in NATO of Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic; and

2. of peacekeeping, with particular reference to Canada's ability to participate in it under the auspices of any international body of which Canada is a member.

That the Committee hear, amongst others, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of National Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff;

That the Committee have the power to sit during sittings and adjournments of the Senate;

That the Committee have the power to permit coverage by electronic media of its public proceedings; and

That the Committee submit its final report no later than October 29, 1999.

After debate, The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Bacon for the Honourable Senator Forrestall moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Maheu:

That notwithstanding the Order of the Senate adopted on December 1, 1998, the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications, which was authorised to examine and report upon Canada's international competitive position in communications generally, including a review of the economic, social and cultural importance of communications for Canada; be empowered to table its final report no later than May 30, 1999; and

That the Committee be permitted, notwithstanding usual practices, to deposit its report with the Clerk of the Senate, if the Senate is not then sitting; and that the report be deemed to have been tabled in the Chamber.

After debate, The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

REPORTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO RULE 28(2):

Employment Insurance Monitoring and Assessment Report for the year 1998, pursuant to the Employment Insurance Act, S.C. 1996, c. 23, sbs. 3(3).-Sessional Paper No. 1/36-1073.

Summary of the Corporate Plans for 1999 to 2003 and the Capital Budgets for 1999 of Canada Ports Corporation, Halifax Port Corporation, Montreal Port Corporation, Prince Rupert Port Corporation, Port of Quebec Corporation, Saint John Port Corporation, St. John's Port Corporation and Vancouver Port Corporation, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4). -Sessional. Paper No. 1/36-1074.

Reports of the Department of Transport required by the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act for the period ended March 31, 1997, pursuant to the Access to Information Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-1, sbs. 72(2) and the Privacy Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-21, sbs. 72(2).-Sessional Paper No. 1/36-1075.

Reports of the Department of Transport required by the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act for the period ended March 31, 1998, pursuant to the Access to Information Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-1, sbs. 72(2) and the Privacy Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-21, sbs. 72(2).-Sessional Paper No. 1/36-1076.

Summary of the Corporate Plan for 1999 to 2003 and the Operating and Capital Budgets for 1999 of the Atlantic Pilotage Authority, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).-Sessional Paper No. 1/36-1077.

Summary of the Corporate Plan for 1999 to 2003 and the Operating and Capital Budgets for 1999 of the Great Lakes Pilotage Authority Ltd., pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).-Sessional Paper No. 1/36-1078.

Summary of the Corporate Plan for 1999 to 2003 and the Operating and Capital Budgets for 1999 of the Laurentian Pilotage Authority, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).-Sessional Paper No. 1/36-1079.

Summary of the Corporate Plan for 1999 to 2003 and the Operating and Capital Budgets for 1999 of the Pacific Pilotage Authority, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).-Sessional Paper No. 1/36-1080.

Report of the Governor of the Bank of Canada and Statement of Accounts for the year 1998, pursuant to the Bank of Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. B-2, sbs. 30(3).-Sessional Paper No. 1/36-1081.

Corporate Plan and Budget Summary for 1998-99 to 2002-03 of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4). -Sessional Paper No. 1/36-1082.

Summary of the Corporate Plan for 1999 to 2003 and the Operating and Capital Budgets for 1999 of the Export Development Corporation, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4). -Sessional Paper No. 1/36-1083.

ADJOURNMENT

The Honourable Senator Carstairs moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cook:

That the Senate do now adjourn.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

 _____________________________________

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 85(4)

Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples

The name of the Honourable Senator St. Germain substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Andreychuk (March 16).

The name of the Honourable Senator Andreychuk substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Tkachuk (March 17).

Standing Senate Committee on National Finance

The names of the Honourable Senators Mahovlich, Moore, Fraser, Johnstone and De Bané substituted for those of the Honourable Senators Butts, De Bané, Poy, Stollery and Johnstone (March 22).

Standing Committee on Privileges, Standing Rules and Orders

The name of the Honourable Senator Bacon substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Gill (March 22).

Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs

The name of the Honourable Senator Beaudoin substituted for that of the Honourable Senator DeWare (March 23).

Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Tech nology

The name of the Honourable Senator Ruck substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Poy (March 23).


Back to top