Journals of the Senate
57 Elizabeth II, A.D. 2008, Canada
Journals of the Senate
2nd Session, 39th Parliament
Issue 70
Monday, June 16, 2008
6:00 p.m.
The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
Andreychuk, Bacon, Banks, Bryden, Callbeck, Campbell, Carstairs, Chaput, Comeau, Cook, Cools, Corbin, Cordy, Cowan, Dallaire, Day, Di Nino, Dyck, Eggleton, Fairbairn, Fox, Fraser, Furey, Grafstein, Gustafson, Hubley, Jaffer, Joyal, Kenny, Keon, Kinsella, Lapointe, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Mercer, Merchant, Mitchell, Moore, Munson, Murray, Nancy Ruth, Nolin, Oliver, Pépin, Peterson, Phalen, Poy, Ringuette, Robichaud, Rompkey, Segal, Sibbeston, Spivak, Stollery, Stratton, Tardif, Tkachuk
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
Andreychuk, Bacon, Banks, Bryden, Callbeck, Campbell, Carstairs, Chaput, Comeau, Cook, Cools, Corbin, Cordy, Cowan, Dallaire, Day, Di Nino, *Downe, Dyck, Eggleton, Fairbairn, *Fortier, Fox, Fraser, Furey, *Goldstein, Grafstein, Gustafson, Hubley, Jaffer, Joyal, Kenny, Keon, Kinsella, Lapointe, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Mercer, Merchant, Mitchell, Moore, Munson, Murray, Nancy Ruth, Nolin, Oliver, Pépin, Peterson, Phalen, Poy, *Prud'homme, Ringuette, Robichaud, Rompkey, Segal, Sibbeston, Spivak, Stollery, Stratton, Tardif, Tkachuk
PRAYERS
SENATORS' STATEMENTS
Some Honourable Senators made statements.
DAILY ROUTINE OF BUSINESS
Tabling of Documents
The Honourable the Speaker tabled the following:
Annual Report of the Ethics Commissioner on Activities in Relation to Public Office Holders for the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2008.—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-652.
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Kinsella tabled the following:
Report of the Senate Parliamentary Delegation, led by the Speaker pro tempore of the Senate, respecting its participation at the France-Canada Symposium on the 400th Anniversary of Quebec City, held in France, on March 7 and 8, 2008.—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-653S.
The Honourable Senator Comeau tabled the following:
Report of the Judicial Compensation and Benefits Commission for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, pursuant to the Judges Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. J-1, sbs. 26(6).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-654.
Review report of the Minister of Justice on the implementation and operation of section 4 of the Legislative Instrument Re-enactment Act, pursuant to the Legislative Instrument Re-enactment Act, S.C. 2002, c. 20, sbs. 9(2).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-655.
Presentation of Reports from Standing or Special Committees
The Honourable Senator Fairbairn, P.C., Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, tabled its ninth report entitled: Beyond Freefall: Halting Rural Poverty. —Sessional Paper No. 2/39-656S.
The Honourable Senator Fairbairn, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Pépin, 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.
First Reading of Commons Public Bills
A message was brought from the House of Commons with a Bill C-474, An Act to require the development and implementation of a Federal Sustainable Development Strategy and the development of goals and targets with respect to sustainable development in Canada, and to make consequential amendments to another 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 Fraser, 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.
ANSWERS TO WRITTEN QUESTIONS
Pursuant to rule 25(2), the Honourable Senator Comeau tabled the following:
Reply to Question No. 23, dated January 30, 2008, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Cordy, respecting the Federal Government's child care policy.—Sessional Paper No. 2/39- 657S.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
Reports of Committees
Consideration of the sixteenth report of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance, entitled: Infrastructure Programs and Regional Development Agencies, presented in the Senate on June 11, 2008.
The Honourable Senator Day moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Phalen, that the report be adopted.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Bills
Third reading of Bill C-58, An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the financial year ending March 31, 2009.
The Honourable Senator Stratton moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Nolin, that the bill be read the third time.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.
The bill was then read the third time and passed, on division.
Ordered, That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that House that the Senate has passed this bill.
Third reading of Bill C-59, An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the financial year ending March 31, 2009.
The Honourable Senator Stratton moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Keon, that the bill be read the third time.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.
The bill was then read the third time and passed, on division.
Ordered, That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that House that the Senate has passed this bill.
Third reading of Bill C-31, An Act to amend the Judges Act.
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Nolin, that the bill be read the third time.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.
The bill was then read the third time and passed, on division.
Ordered, That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that House that the Senate has passed this bill, without amendment.
Third reading of Bill C-50, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on February 26, 2008 and to enact provisions to preserve the fiscal plan set out in that budget.
The Honourable Senator Stratton moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Nolin, that the bill be read the third time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Day moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Banks, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Inquiries
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
OTHER BUSINESS
Senate Public Bills
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Grafstein, seconded by the Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C., for the third reading of Bill S-210, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (suicide bombings).
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The bill was then read the third time and passed.
Ordered, That the Clerk do go down to the House of Commons and acquaint that House that the Senate has passed this bill, to which it desires its concurrence.
Orders No. 2 to 9 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Grafstein, seconded by the Honourable Senator Corbin, for the second reading of Bill S-208, An Act to require the Minister of the Environment to establish, in co- operation with the provinces, an agency with the power to identify and protect Canada's watersheds that will constitute sources of drinking water in the future.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Banks moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Phalen, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 11 to 16 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Commons Public Bills
Third reading of Bill C-287, An Act respecting a National Peacekeepers' Day.
The Honourable Senator Banks moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Phalen, that the bill be read the third time.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The bill was then read the third time and passed.
Ordered, That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that House that the Senate has passed this bill, without amendment.
Orders No. 2 to 4 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Reports of Committees
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Kenny, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moore, for the adoption of the sixth report of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence (budget—release of additional funds (study on the national security policy)), presented in the Senate on May 29, 2008.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Consideration of the seventh report of the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications entitled: Time for a New National Vision — Opportunities and Constraints for Canada in the Global Movement of Goods, tabled in the Senate on June 10, 2008.
The Honourable Senator Bacon moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Robichaud, P.C., that the report be adopted.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Tkachuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Stratton, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 3 to 5 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the consideration of the tenth report (interim) of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, entitled: Population Health Policy: Issues & Options, tabled in the Senate on April 2, 2008.
After debate,
Further debate on the consideration of the report was adjourned until the next sitting in the name of the Honourable Senator Prud'homme, P.C.
Orders No. 7 to 11 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Consideration of the fourth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages, entitled: Reflecting Canada's Linguistic Duality at the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games: A Golden Opportunity, tabled in the Senate on June 11, 2008.
The Honourable Senator Chaput moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Hubley, that the report be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Consideration of the ninth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources, entitled: Sustainable Development: A Report Card, tabled in the Senate on June 11, 2008.
The Honourable Senator Banks moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day, that the report be adopted.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Order No. 14 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Consideration of the fourteenth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs (Bill S-209, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (protection of children), with an amendment), presented in the Senate on June 12, 2008.
The Honourable Senator Fraser moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Rompkey, P.C., that the report be adopted.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Fraser moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Rompkey, P.C., that the bill, as amended, 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.
Consideration of the fifth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages, entitled: Bilingual Staff At Air Canada: Embracing the Challenge and Moving Forward, tabled in the Senate on June 12, 2008.
The Honourable Senator Chaput moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Hubley, that the report be adopted.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Consideration of the sixth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages, entitled: Progress Report: Study on the Implementation of Part VII of the Official Languages Act, tabled in the Senate on June 12, 2008.
The Honourable Senator Chaput moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Hubley, that the report be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Other
Orders No. 102, 69 (motions), 7, 8, 11, 13 (inquiries), 11, 6, 85 (motions), 14 (inquiry), 88, 68, 96 and 79 (motions) were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Ordered, That notwithstanding rule 27(3), Order No. 4 (inquiry) remain on the Order Paper for another fifteen consecutive sitting days.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Di Nino, seconded by the Honourable Senator Nolin:
That the seventh report of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade entitled: Overcoming 40 Years Of Failure: A New Road Map For Sub-Saharan Africa, tabled in the Senate on February 15, 2007, during the First Session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament, be placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting of the Senate;
And on the motion of the Honourable Senator Cools, seconded by the Honourable Senator McCoy, that the question now before the Senate be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade for examination and report.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Stratton, for the Honourable Senator Andreychuk, moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Tkachuk, 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. 10 (inquiry), 3 (motion), 16, 12, 9 and 3 (inquiries) were called and postponed until the next sitting.
INQUIRIES
The Honourable Senator Segal called the attention of the Senate to
(a) the capacity of Canada and its allies to understand, measure and contain Iranian state-sponsored preparations for war throughout the Iraq, Afghanistan and Middle East regions; and
(b) the capacity of Canada to support allied efforts should a broad, multi-front war break out.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Tardif moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Fraser, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
With leave,
The Senate reverted to Presentation of Reports From Standing or Special Committees.
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights, presented its twelfth report (Bill C-21, An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act, without amendment).
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Nolin, 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.
Ordered, That Order No. 76 (motion) under ORDERS OF THE DAY, OTHER BUSINESS, Other, set down on the Orders of the Day for the next sitting, be brought forward.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Di Nino, seconded by the Honourable Senator Nolin:
That the seventh report of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade entitled: Overcoming 40 Years Of Failure: A New Road Map For Sub-Saharan Africa, tabled in the Senate on February 15, 2007, during the First Session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament, be placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting of the Senate;
And on the motion of the Honourable Senator Cools, seconded by the Honourable Senator McCoy, that the question now before the Senate be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade for examination and report.
The question being put on the motion of the Honourable Senator Cools, seconded by the Honourable Senator McCoy, it was negatived.
The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Di Nino, seconded by the Honourable Senator Nolin:
That the seventh report of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade entitled: Overcoming 40 Years Of Failure: A New Road Map For Sub-Saharan Africa, tabled in the Senate on February 15, 2007, during the First Session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament, be placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting of the Senate.
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Nolin, that the debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
MOTIONS
The Honourable Senator Segal moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Stratton:
That, pursuant to rule 131(2), the Senate request a complete and detailed response from the government to the fifth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples, entitled: Honouring the Spirit of Modern Treaties: Closing the Loopholes, tabled in the Senate on May 15, 2008 and adopted by the Senate on May 27, 2008, with the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Metis and Non-Status Indians, and the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada being identified as Ministers responsible for responding to the report.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Peterson:
That, pursuant to rule 95(3)(a), the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology be authorized to sit from August 10 to August 14, 2008, inclusive, in St. John's, Newfoundland and Halifax, Nova Scotia, for the purposes of its study on cities, even though the Senate may then be adjourned for a period exceeding one week.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
REPORTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO RULE 28(2):
Summaries of the Corporate Plan for 2008-2009 to 2012-2013 and of the Operating and Capital Budgets for 2008- 2009 of the National Capital Commission, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-649.
Report of the Communications Security Establishment Commissioner for the year 2007-2008, pursuant to the National Defence Act, S.C. 2001, c. 41, s. 102.—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-650.
Reports of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, 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. 2/39- 651.
ADJOURNMENT
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Nolin:
That the Senate do now adjourn.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
(Accordingly, at 8:48 p.m. the Senate was continued until 2 p.m. tomorrow.)
Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 85(4)
Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
The names of the Honourable Senators Tkachuk, Andreychuk and Merchant substituted for those of the Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Tkachuk and Peterson (June 12).
Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology
The name of the Honourable Senator Segal substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Champagne (June 12).
The name of the Honourable Senator Champagne substituted for that of the Honourable Senator Segal (June 16).