Journals of the Senate
54 Elizabeth II, A.D. 2005, Canada
Journals of the Senate
1st Session, 38th Parliament
Issue 91
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
2:00 p.m.
The Honourable Daniel Hays, Speaker
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
Andreychuk, Angus, Austin, Bacon, Baker, Banks, Biron, Bryden, Callbeck, Carstairs, Champagne, Chaput, Cochrane, Cook, Cools, Corbin, Cordy, Dallaire, Dawson, Day, De Bané, Di Nino, Downe, Dyck, Eggleton, Eyton, Fairbairn, Ferretti Barth, Fox, Fraser, Furey, Gill, Goldstein, Grafstein, Harb, Hays, Hervieux-Payette, Jaffer, Johnson, Joyal, Keon, Kinsella, Lapointe, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Massicotte, McCoy, Mercer, Merchant, Milne, Mitchell, Moore, Oliver, Pépin, Phalen, Plamondon, Poulin (Charette), Prud'homme, Ringuette, Rivest, Robichaud, Rompkey, Segal, Smith, Spivak, Stratton, Tardif, Tkachuk, Trenholme Counsell
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
*Adams, Andreychuk, Angus, *Atkins, Austin, Bacon, Baker, Banks, Biron, Bryden, Callbeck, *Campbell, Carstairs, Champagne, Chaput, *Christensen, Cochrane, *Comeau, Cook, Cools, Corbin, Cordy, *Cowan, Dallaire, Dawson, Day, De Bané, Di Nino, Downe, Dyck, Eggleton, Eyton, Fairbairn, Ferretti Barth, *Forrestall, Fox, Fraser, Furey, Gill, Goldstein, Grafstein, Harb, Hays, Hervieux-Payette, *Hubley, Jaffer, Johnson, Joyal, *Kenny, Keon, Kinsella, *Kirby, Lapointe, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, *Lovelace Nicholas, *Mahovlich, Massicotte, McCoy, *Meighen, Mercer, Merchant, Milne, Mitchell, Moore, *Munson, *Nolin, Oliver, Pépin, *Peterson, Phalen, Plamondon, Poulin (Charette), Prud'homme, Ringuette, Rivest, Robichaud, Rompkey, *St. Germain, Segal, *Sibbeston, Smith, Spivak, Stratton, Tardif, Tkachuk, Trenholme Counsell, *Zimmer
PRAYERS
SENATORS' STATEMENTS
Some honourable senators made statements.
DAILY ROUTINE OF BUSINESS
Tabling of Documents
The Honourable Senator Rompkey, P.C., tabled the following:
Government Response, dated October 19, 2005, to the eleventh report (second
interim) of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance (2005-2006 Main
Estimates—Foundations), tabled in the Senate on May 19,
2005.—Sessional Paper No. 1/38-837S.
(Pursuant to Rule 131(4), the report and the response were deemed referred to
the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance.)
Annual Report for Genome Canada 2004-2005.—Sessional Paper No. 1/38-838.
Document entitled: Indian Claims Commission: Annual Report 2003-2004.—Sessional Paper No. 1/38-839.
Introduction and First Reading of Government Bills
A message was brought from the House of Commons with a Bill C-37, An Act to amend the Telecommunications Act, to which it desires the concurrence of the Senate.
The bill was read the first time.
The Honourable Senator Tardif moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Mitchell, that the bill be placed on the Orders of the Day for a second reading two days hence.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Introduction and First Reading of Senate Public Bills
The Honourable Senator Kinsella presented a Bill S-45, An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act.
The bill was read the first time.
The Honourable Senator Kinsella moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Andreychuk, that the bill be placed on the Orders of the Day for a second reading two days hence.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
Bills
Orders No. 1 and 2 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Second reading of Bill C-11, An Act to establish a procedure for the disclosure of wrongdoings in the public sector, including the protection of persons who disclose the wrongdoings.
The Honourable Senator Smith, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Kinsella moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator LeBreton, 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-49, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (trafficking in persons).
The Honourable Senator Jaffer moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cordy, that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator LeBreton, 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 10 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Second reading of Bill S-42, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (clean drinking water).
The Honourable Senator Grafstein moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cook, that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator LeBreton moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Di Nino, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 12 to 14 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Commons Public Bills
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Reports of Committees
Orders No. 1 to 4 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Other
Orders No. 119, 126, 91 (motions), 23, 4, 27 (inquiries), 127 (motion), 24 (inquiry), 120 (motion), 18 (inquiry), 113 (motion) and 6 (inquiry) were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Callbeck calling the attention of the Senate to the present inequities of the Veterans Independence Program.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Di Nino moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator LeBreton, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Order No. 25 (inquiry) was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Orders No. 17 and 26 (inquiries) were called and pursuant to rule 27(3) were dropped from the Order Paper.
Orders No. 21, 22 (inquiries), 78 (motion), 14, 20 (inquiries) and 69 (motion) were called and postponed until the next sitting.
INQUIRIES
The Honourable Senator Poulin called the attention of the Senate to the issue of public broadcasting in Canada, with a view to initiating discussion on its role as a public trust.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator LeBreton moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Eyton, 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 Kinsella moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Stratton:
That the Senate urge the government to implement assistance through the tax system to ensure that excessive fuel costs are not an impediment for Canadians travelling to and from their place of employment including a personal travel tax exemption of $1,000;
That the Senate urge the government to take measures to ensure that rising residential heating costs do not unduly burden low and modest income earners this winter, and in winters to come;
That the Senate urge the government to encourage the use of public transit through the introduction of a tax deduction for monthly or annual transit passes; and
That a message be sent to the House of Commons requesting that House to unite with the Senate for the above purpose.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Rompkey, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Losier-Cool, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Rompkey, P.C.,:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Conflict of Interest for Senators have power to engage the services of such counsel and technical, clerical and other personnel as may be necessary for the purpose of its examination and consideration of such matters as are referred to it by the Senate, or which come before it as per the Conflict of Interest Code for Senators.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
REPORTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO RULE 28(2):
Report of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, together with the Auditor General's Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, pursuant to the Broadcasting Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. B-9, sbs. 39(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/38- 816.
Report of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, together with the Auditors' Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, pursuant to the Canadian Race Relations Foundation Act, S.C. 1991, c. 8, sbs. 26(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/38-817.
Summaries of the Corporate Plan and of the Operating and Capital Budgets for 2003-2004 of the Queens Quay West Land Corporation, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/38-818.
Summaries of the Corporate Plan and of the Operating and Capital Budgets for 2004-2005 of the Queens Quay West Land Corporation, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/38-819.
Summaries of the Corporate Plan and of the Operating and Capital Budgets for 2005-2006 of the Queens Quay West Land Corporation, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/38-820.
Reports of the Canadian Air Transport Authority for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, pursuant to the Access to Information Act and to the Privacy Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-1 and P-21, sbs. 72(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/38-821.
Reports of the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, pursuant to the Access to Information Act and to the Privacy Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-1 and P-21, sbs. 72(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/38- 822.
Report of the Canada Foundation for Innovation, together with the Auditors' Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, pursuant to the Budget Implementation Act, 1997, S.C. 1997, c. 26, sbs. 29(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/ 38-823.
Copy of the Rules amending the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Rules (SOR/2005-284) made by Order in Council P.C. 2005-1561 on August 31, 2005, pursuant to the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, R.S. 1985, c. B-3, sbs. 209(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/38-824.
Reports of the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, pursuant to the Access to Information Act and to the Privacy Act, R.S.C.1985, c. A-1 and P-21, sbs. 72(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/38-825.
Report on the implementation of the Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, and the Enforcement of the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act, pursuant to the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act, S.C. 1998, c. 34, s. 12.—Sessional Paper No. 1/38-826.
Reports of the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, pursuant to the Access to Information Act and to the Privacy Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-1 and P-21, sbs. 72(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/38-827.
Reports of the British Columbia Treaty Commission for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, pursuant to the Access to Information Act and to the Privacy Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-1 and P-21, sbs. 72(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/38- 828.
Reports of the Yukon Surface Rights Board for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, pursuant to the Access to Information Act and to the Privacy Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-1 and P-21, sbs. 72(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/38-829.
Reports of the Nunavut Water Board for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, pursuant to the Access to Information Act and to the Privacy Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-1 and P-21, sbs. 72(2). —Sessional Paper No. 1/38-830.
Reports of the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, pursuant to the Access to Information Act and to the Privacy Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-1 and P-21, sbs. 72(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/38- 831.
Reports of the Gwich'in Land Use Planning Board for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, pursuant to the Access to Information Act and to the Privacy Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-1 and P-21, sbs. 72(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/38-832.
Reports of the Nunavut Surface Rights Tribunal for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, pursuant to the Access to Information Act and to the Privacy Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-1 and P-21, sbs. 72(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/38-833.
Annual Report of the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation, together with the Auditors' Report, for the year 2004, pursuant to the Budget Implementation Act, S.C. 1998, c. 21, sbs. 38(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/38-834.
Report of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, together with the Auditor General's Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, pursuant to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. S-12, sbs. 20(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/38-835.
Reports of the Department of Western Economic Diversification for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, pursuant to the Access to Information Act and to the Privacy Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-1 and P-21, sbs. 72(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/38-836.
ADJOURNMENT
The Honourable Senator Rompkey, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Losier-Cool:
That the Senate do now adjourn.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
(Accordingly, at 6:02 p.m. the Senate was continued until 1:30 p.m. tomorrow.)
Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 85(4)
Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources
The names of the Honourable Senators Cook and Dawson substituted for those of the Honourable Senators Christensen and Adams (October 24).
Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament
The name of the Honourable Senator Losier-Cool added to the membership (October 24).
Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce
The names of the Honourable Senators Goldstein and Stratton substituted for those of the Honourable Senators Fitzpatrick and Meighen (October 25).