Journals of the Senate
57 Elizabeth II, A.D. 2008, Canada
Journals of the Senate
2nd Session, 39th Parliament
Issue 72
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
1:30 p.m.
The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
Adams, Andreychuk, Bacon, Banks, Brown, Callbeck, Campbell, Carstairs, Champagne, Chaput, Cochrane, Comeau, Cook, Cools, Corbin, Cordy, Cowan, Dallaire, Dawson, Day, Di Nino, Dyck, Eggleton, Eyton, Fortier, Fox, Fraser, Furey, Gill, Grafstein, Gustafson, Hervieux-Payette, Hubley, Jaffer, Joyal, Kenny, Keon, Kinsella, Lapointe, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Mahovlich, Massicotte, McCoy, Meighen, Mercer, Merchant, Milne, Mitchell, Moore, Munson, Nancy Ruth, Nolin, Oliver, Pépin, Peterson, Phalen, Poy, Ringuette, Robichaud, Rompkey, Sibbeston, Spivak, Stollery, Stratton, Tardif, Tkachuk, Trenholme Counsell, Watt
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
Adams, Andreychuk, Bacon, Banks, Brown, Callbeck, Campbell, Carstairs, Champagne, Chaput, Cochrane, Comeau, Cook, Cools, Corbin, Cordy, Cowan, Dallaire, Dawson, Day, Di Nino, *Downe, Dyck, Eggleton, Eyton, Fortier, Fox, Fraser, Furey, Gill, *Goldstein, Grafstein, Gustafson, Hervieux-Payette, Hubley, Jaffer, Joyal, Kenny, Keon, Kinsella, Lapointe, LeBreton, Losier-Cool, Mahovlich, Massicotte, McCoy, Meighen, Mercer, Merchant, Milne, Mitchell, Moore, Munson, Nancy Ruth, Nolin, Oliver, Pépin, Peterson, Phalen, Poy, *Prud'homme, Ringuette, Robichaud, Rompkey, Sibbeston, Spivak, Stollery, Stratton, Tardif, Tkachuk, Trenholme Counsell, Watt
PRAYERS
The Honourable the Speaker informed the Senate that a communication had been received from the Secretary to the Governor General.
The communication was then read by the Honourable the Speaker as follows:
RIDEAU HALL
June 18, 2008
Mr. Speaker:
I have the honour to inform you that the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, will proceed to the Senate Chamber today, the 18th day of June, 2008, at 3:00 p.m. for the purpose of giving Royal Assent to certain bills of law.
Yours sincerely,
Sheila-Marie Cook
Secretary to the Governor General
The Honourable
The Speaker of the Senate
Ottawa
SENATORS' STATEMENTS
Ordered, That pursuant to rule 22(7) the time provided for Senators' Statements be extended by fifteen minutes.
Some Honourable Senators made statements.
DAILY ROUTINE OF BUSINESS
Presentation of Reports from Standing or Special Committees
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights, tabled its thirteenth report (interim) entitled: Canada and the United Nations Human Rights Council: A Time for Serious Re- Evaluation.—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-667S.
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Di Nino, 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.
Government Notices of Motions
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Andreychuk:
That, pursuant to rule 95(3)(a), the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources be authorized to sit from Thursday, June 19, 2008 to Thursday, June 26, 2008, inclusive, even if the Senate may then be adjourned for a period exceeding one week.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Di Nino:
That, pursuant to rule 95(3)(a), the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples be authorized to sit from Thursday, June 19, 2008 to Thursday, June 26, 2008, inclusive, even if the Senate may then be adjourned for a period exceeding one week.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gustafson:
That, notwithstanding the Order of the Senate of October 18, 2007, the Senate continue its proceedings today beyond 4 p.m. and follow the normal adjournment procedure according to rule 6(1); and
That committees of the Senate scheduled to meet today be authorized to sit even though the Senate may then be sitting, and that rule 95(4) be suspended in relation thereto.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Introduction and First Reading of Senate Public Bills
The Honourable Senator Oliver presented a Bill S-242, An Act to amend the Telecommunications Act (telecommunications consumer agency).
The bill was read the first time.
The Honourable Senator Oliver moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Meighen, 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.
Tabling of Reports from Inter-Parliamentary Delegations
The Honourable Senator Hervieux-Payette, P.C., tabled the following:
Report of the Canadian Delegation of the Interparliamentary Forum of the Americas concerning its participation at the Mission to the 38th Regular Session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States, held in Medellín, Colombia, from June 1 to 3, 2008.—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-668.
Pursuant to rule 134(8), the proceedings were interrupted to resume after Royal Assent.
ROYAL ASSENT
The Senate adjourned during pleasure to await the arrival of Her Excellency the Governor General.
After awhile, Her Excellency the Governor General, having come and being seated at the foot of the Throne.
The Honourable the Speaker commanded the Usher of the Black Rod to proceed to the House of Commons and acquaint that House that:
"It is the pleasure of Her Excellency the Governor General that they attend her immediately in the Senate Chamber.''
The House of Commons being come,
One of the Clerks at the Table then read the title of the bills to be assented to as follows:
An Act to repeal legislation that has not come into force within ten years of receiving royal assent (Bill S-207, Chapter 20, 2008)
An Act to amend the Canada Marine Act, the Canada Transportation Act, the Pilotage Act and other Acts in consequence (Bill C-23, Chapter 21, 2008)
An Act to establish the Specific Claims Tribunal and to make consequential amendments to other Acts (Bill C-30, Chapter 22, 2008)
An Act to implement the Kelowna Accord (Bill C-292, Chapter 23, 2008)
An Act to amend the Judges Act (Bill C-31, Chapter 26, 2008)
An Act respecting a National Peacekeepers' Day (Bill C-287, Chapter 27, 2008)
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 (Bill C-50, Chapter 28, 2008)
An Act to amend the National Defence Act (court martial) and to make a consequential amendment to another Act (Bill C-60, Chapter 29, 2008)
An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act (Bill C-21, Chapter 30, 2008)
To these Bills the Royal Assent was pronounced by the Clerk of the Senate in the following words:
"In Her Majesty's name, Her Excellency the Governor General doth assent to these Bills.''
3:20 p.m.
The Speaker of the House of Commons addressed Her Excellency the Governor General as follows:
"May it Please Your Excellency:
The Commons of Canada have voted supplies to enable the Government to defray certain expenses of the public service.
In the name of the Commons, I present to Your Excellency the following Bills:
An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the financial year ending March 31, 2009 (Bill C-58, Chapter 24, 2008)
An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the financial year ending March 31, 2009 (Bill C-59, Chapter 25, 2008)
To which Bills I humbly request Your Excellency's Assent.''
After one of the Clerks at the Table read the title of the Bills.
To these Bills the Royal Assent was pronounced by the Clerk of the Senate in the following words:
"In Her Majesty's name, Her Excellency the Governor General thanks her loyal subjects, accepts their benevolence and assents to these Bills.''
3:23 p.m.
The Commons withdrew.
After which Her Excellency the Governor General was pleased to retire.
Ordered, that the sitting be suspended for a period of approximately 45 minutes, with the bells to ring for 15 minutes.
(Accordingly, at 3:26 p.m. the sitting was suspended.)
At 4:15 p.m., the sitting resumed.
With leave,
The Senate reverted to Presentation of Reports from Standing or Special Committees.
The Honourable Senator Day, for the Honourable Senator Kenny, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence, tabled its tenth report (interim), entitled: Report on Reductions of Services Income Security Insurance Plan Long Term Disability Benefits.—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-669S.
The Honourable Senator Day moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Phalen, 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.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
Bills
Second reading of Bill S-4, An Act to amend the Energy Efficiency Act.
The Honourable Senator Cochrane moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Champagne, P.C., that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Tardif moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cowan, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Ordered, That Bill C-34, set down on the Orders of the Day for the next sitting, be brought forward.
Second reading of Bill C-34, An Act to give effect to the Tsawwassen First Nation Final Agreement and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Nolin, 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 Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Nolin, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples.
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
Orders No. 1 to 4 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Second reading of Bill S-239, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (foreign postings).
The Honourable Senator Carstairs, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cowan, that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Stratton moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Nolin, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 6 to 14 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Ordered, That Bill S-241, set down on the Orders of the Day for the next sitting, be brought forward.
Second reading of Bill S-241, An Act to amend the Investment Canada Act (foreign investments).
The Honourable Senator Hervieux-Payette, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Tardif, that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Comeau 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.
Order No. 15 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Commons Public Bills
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Moore, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day, for the second reading of Bill C-253, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (deductibility of RESP contributions).
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Comeau 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. 2 and 3 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Second reading of 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.
The Honourable Senator Mitchell moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Hubley, 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 Mitchell moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Hubley, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Reports of Committees
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Bacon, seconded by the Honourable Senator Robichaud, P.C., for the adoption 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.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 2 and 3 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Consideration of the eleventh report of the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights (Bill C-280, An Act to Amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (coming into force of sections 110, 111 and 171), with an amendment), presented in the Senate on June 10, 2008.
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Nolin, that the report be adopted.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Tardif moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cowan, that the bill, as amended, be read a third time now.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.
The bill, as amended, 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, with an amendment, to which it desires its concurrence.
Orders No. 5 and 6 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Milne, for the adoption of the sixteenth report (interim) of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, entitled: Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage, tabled in the Senate on April 30, 2008.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Rompkey, P.C.:
That the Senate request a complete and detailed response from the Government to the Sixteenth report entitled: Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, adopted by the Senate on June 18, 2008, with the Minister of Industry being identified as Minister responsible for responding to the report.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 8 to 10 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Order No. 11 (third report (interim) of the Special Committee on Aging) was called and pursuant to rule 27(3) was dropped from the Order Paper.
Order No. 12 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Consideration of the tenth report of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration (committee budget—legislation), presented in the Senate on June 17, 2008.
The Honourable Senator Furey moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Bacon, that the report be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Other
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.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Bacon, Callbeck, Corbin, Cordy, Cowan, Dallaire, Dawson, Di Nino, Eggleton, Hervieux-Payette, Hubley, Kenny, Losier-Cool, Mercer, Peterson, Phalen, Ringuette, Stollery, Trenholme Counsell, Watt—20
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Andreychuk, Brown, Carstairs, Champagne, Comeau, Fraser, Keon, LeBreton, Milne, Nancy Ruth, Oliver, Stratton—12
ABSTENTIONS
The Honourable Senators
Nolin, Robichaud, Tardif—3
Order No. 15 (inquiry) was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Dallaire, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day:
That the Senate call on the Government of Canada to negotiate with the Government of the United States of America the immediate repatriation to Canada of Canadian citizen and former child soldier Omar Khadr from the Guantánamo Bay detention facility;
That the Senate urge the Government of Canada to undertake all necessary measures to promote his rehabilitation, in accordance with this country's international obligations on child rights in armed conflicts, namely the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict; and
That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that House with the above.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.
Orders No. 69 (motion), 7, 8, 11 and 13 (inquiries) were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Segal, seconded by the Honourable Senator Keon:
That whenever the Senate is sitting, the proceedings of the upper chamber, like those of the lower one, be televised, or otherwise audio-visually recorded, so that those proceedings can be carried live or replayed on CPAC, or any other television station, at times that are convenient for Canadians;
And, on the motion in amendment of the Honourable Senator Banks, seconded by the Honourable Senator Segal, that the motion be amended by deleting all words after the first "That'' and replacing them by the following:
"the Senate approve in principle the installation of equipment necessary to the broadcast-quality audio-visual recording of its proceedings and other approved events in the Senate Chamber and in no fewer than four rooms ordinarily used for meetings by Committees of the Senate;
That for the purposes set out in the following paragraph, public proceedings of the Senate and of its Committees be recorded by this equipment, subject to policies, practices and guidelines approved from time to time by the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration ("the Committee'');
That selected and edited proceedings categorized according to subjects of interest be prepared and made available for use by any television broadcaster or distributor of audio-visual programmes, subject to the terms specified in any current or future agreements between the Senate and that broadcaster or distributor;
That such selected proceedings also be made available on demand to the public on the Parliamentary Internet;
That the Senate engage by contract a producer who shall, subject only to the direction of the Committee, make the determination of the programme content of the selected, edited and categorized proceedings of the Senate and of its Committees;
That equipment and personnel necessary for the expert selection, editing, preparation and categorization of broadcast-quality proceedings be secured for these purposes; and
That the Committee be instructed to take measures necessary to the implementation of this motion.''.
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Stratton, that the question now before the Senate be referred to the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Corbin 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.
Order No. 6 (motion) was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Meighen, seconded by the Honourable Senator Johnson:
That the Senate urge the Government of Canada to take appropriate steps to end the long and unjust delay in recognition of Bomber Command service and sacrifice by Canadians in the liberation of Europe during the Second World War.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Order No. 14 (inquiry) was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Banks, seconded by the Honourable Senator Corbin:
That,
WHEREAS, in the 2nd Session of the 39th Parliament, a bill has been introduced in the Senate to amend the Constitution of Canada by repealing the provision that requires that a person, in order to qualify for appointment to the Senate and to maintain their place in the Senate after being appointed, own land with a net worth of at least four thousand dollars within the province for which he or she is appointed;
AND WHEREAS a related provision of the Constitution makes reference, in respect of the province of Quebec, to the real property qualification that is proposed to be repealed;
AND WHEREAS, in respect of a Senator that represents Quebec, the real property qualification must be had in the electoral division for which the Senator is appointed or the Senator must be resident in that division;
AND WHEREAS the division of Quebec into 24 electoral divisions, corresponding to the 24 seats in the former Legislative Council of Quebec, reflects the historic boundaries of Lower Canada and no longer reflects the full territorial limits of the province of Quebec;
AND WHEREAS section 43 of the Constitution Act, 1982 provides that an amendment to the Constitution of Canada may be made by proclamation issued by the Governor General under the Great Seal of Canada where so authorized by resolutions of the Senate and House of Commons and of the legislative assembly of each province to which the amendment applies;
NOW THEREFORE the Senate resolves that an amendment to the Constitution of Canada be authorized to be made by proclamation issued by Her Excellency the Governor General under the Great Seal of Canada in accordance with the schedule hereto.
SCHEDULE
AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF CANADA
1. Section 22 of the Constitution Act, 1867 is amended by striking out the second paragraph of that section, beginning with the words "In the Case of Quebec'' and ending with "the Consolidated Statutes of Canada.''.
2. (1) Paragraph (5) of section 23 of the Act is replaced by the following:
(5) He shall be resident in the Province for which he is appointed.
(2) Paragraph (6) of section 23 of the Act is repealed.
Citation
3. This Amendment may be cited as the Constitution Amendment, [year of proclamation] (Quebec: electoral divisions and real property qualifications of Senators).
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Fraser moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cowan, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Order No. 68 (motion) was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Callbeck, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology be authorized to examine and report on the accessibility of post-secondary education in Canada, including but not limited to:
(a) analysis of the current barriers in post-secondary education, such as geography, family income levels, means of financing for students and debt levels;
(b) evaluation of the current mechanisms for students to fund post-secondary education, such as Canada Student Loans Program, Canada Student Grants Program, Canada Access Grants, funding for Aboriginal students, Canada Learning Bonds, and Registered Education Savings Plans;
(c) examination of the current federal/provincial transfer mechanism for post-secondary education;
(d) evaluation of the potential establishment of a dedicated transfer for post-secondary education; and
(e) any other matters related to the study; and
That the Committee submit its final report no later than December 31, 2009, and that the Committee retain until June 30, 2010, all powers necessary to publicize its findings.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Comeau 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.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Segal, seconded by the Honourable Senator Tkachuk:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology be authorized to examine and report on the implementation of a guaranteed annual income system, including the negative income tax model, as a qualitative improvement in income security, with a view to reducing the number of Canadians now living under the poverty line;
That the Committee consider the best possible design of a negative income tax that would:
(a) ensure that existing income security expenditures at the federal, provincial and municipal levels remain at the same level;
(b) create strong incentives for the able-bodied to work and earn a decent living;
(c) provide for coordination of federal and provincial income security through federal—provincial agreements; and
That the Committee submit its final report no later than June 30, 2009; and
That the Committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings until 90 days after the tabling of the final report.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Nolin 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. 4 and 10 (inquiries) were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Grafstein, seconded by the Honourable Senator Losier- Cool:
That the following Resolution on Combating Anti-Semitism and Other Forms of Intolerance, which was adopted at the 16th Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, in which Canada participated in Kyiv, Ukraine on July 9, 2007, be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights for consideration and that the Committee table its final report no later than March 31, 2008:
RESOLUTION ON COMBATING ANTI-SEMITISM, RACISM, XENOPHOBIA AND
OTHER FORMS
OF INTOLERANCE, INCLUDING AGAINST MUSLIMS AND ROMA
1. Recalling the Parliamentary Assembly's leadership in raising the focus and attention of the participating States since the 2002 Annual Session in Berlin on issues related to intolerance, discrimination, and hate crimes, including particular concern over manifestations of anti-Semitism, racism, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance,
2. Celebrating the richness of ethnic, cultural, racial, and religious diversity within the 56 OSCE participating States,
3. Emphasizing the need to ensure implementation of existing OSCE commitments on combating anti-Semitism, racism, xenophobia, and other forms of intolerance and discrimination, including against Christians, Muslims, and members of other religions, as well as against Roma,
4. Recalling other international commitments of the OSCE participating States, and urging immediate ratification and full implementation of the Convention on Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the Convention on the Non-Applicability of Statutory Limitations to War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity, and the Rome Statute,
5. Reminding participating States that hate crimes and discrimination are motivated not only by race, ethnicity, sex, and religion or belief, but also by political opinion, national or social origin, language, birth or other status,
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly:
6. Welcomes the convening of the June 2007 OSCE High Level Conference on Combating Discrimination and Promoting Mutual Respect and Understanding, in Bucharest, Romania as a follow-up to the 2005 Cordoba Conference on Anti-Semitism and Other Forms of Intolerance;
7. Appreciates the ongoing work undertaken by the OSCE and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (the OSCE/ODIHR) through its Programme on Tolerance and Non-discrimination, as well as its efforts to improve the situation of Roma and Sinti through its Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues, and supports the continued organization of expert meetings on anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance aimed at enhancing the implementation of relevant OSCE commitments;
8. Recognizes the importance of the OSCE/ODIHR Law Enforcement Officers Programme (LEOP) in helping police forces within the participating States better to identify and combat hate crimes, and recommends that other participating States make use of it;
9. Reiterates its full support for the political-level work undertaken by the three Personal Representatives of the Chair-in-Office and endorses the continuance of their efforts under their existing and distinct mandates;
10. Reminds participating States of the Holocaust, its impact, and the continued acts of anti-Semitism occurring throughout the 56-nation OSCE region that are not unique to any one country and necessitate unwavering steadfastness by all participating States to erase the black mark on human history;
11. Calls upon participating States to recall that atrocities within the OSCE region motivated by race, national origin, sex, religion or belief, disability or sexual orientation have contributed to the negative perceptions and treatment of persons in the region;
12. Further recalls the resolutions on anti-Semitism adopted unanimously by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly at its Annual Sessions in Berlin in 2002, Rotterdam in 2003, Edinburgh in 2004, Washington in 2005 and Brussels in 2006;
13. Reaffirms especially the 2002 Porto Ministerial Decision condemning "anti-Semitic incidents in the OSCE area, recognizing the role that the existence of anti-Semitism has played throughout history as a major threat to freedom'';
14. Recalls the agreement of the participating States, adopted in Cracow in 1991, to preserve and protect those monuments and sites of remembrance, including most notably extermination camps, and the related archives, which are themselves testimonials to tragic experiences in their common past;
15. Commends the 11 member states of the International Tracing Service for approving the immediate transfer of scanned Holocaust archives to receiving institutions and encourages all participating States to cooperate in opening, copying, and disseminating archival material from the Holocaust;
16. Commemorates the bicentennial of the 1807 Abolition of the Slave Trade Act which banned the slave trade in the British Empire, allowed for the search and seizure of ships suspected of transporting enslaved people, and provided compensation for the freedom of slaves;
17. Agrees that the transatlantic slave trade was a crime against humanity and urges participating states to develop educational tools, programmes, and activities to teach current and future generations about its significance
18. Acknowledges the horrible legacy that centuries of racism, slavery, colonialism discrimination, exploitation, violence, and extreme oppression have continued to have on the promulgation of stereotypes, prejudice, and hatred directed towards persons of African descent;
19. Reminds parliamentarians and participating States that Roma constitute the largest ethnic minority in the European Union and have suffered from slavery, genocide, mass expulsions and imprisonment, forced assimilations, and numerous other discriminatory practices in the OSCE region;
20. Reminds participating States of the role these histories and other events have played in the institutionalization of practices that limit members of minority groups from having equal access to and participation in state-sponsored institutions, resulting in gross disparities in health, wealth, education, housing, political participation, and access to legal redress through the courts:
21. Underscores the sentiments of earlier resolutions regarding the continuing threat that anti- Semitism and other forms of intolerance pose to the underlying fundamental human rights and democratic values that serve as the underpinnings for security in the OSCE region;
22. Therefore urges participating States to increase efforts to work with their diverse communities to develop and implement practices to provide members of minority groups with equal access to and opportunities within social, political, legal, and economic spheres;
23. Notes the growing prevalence of anti-Semitism, racism, xenophobia, and other forms of intolerance being displayed within popular culture, including the Internet, computer games, and sports;
24. Deplores the growing prevalence of anti-Semitic materials and symbols of racist, xenophobic and anti-Semitic organizations in some OSCE participating States;
25. Reminds participating States of the 2004 OSCE meeting on the Relationship between Racist, Xenophobic and Anti-Semitic Propaganda on the Internet and Hate Crimes and suggested measures to combat the dissemination of racist and anti-Semitic material via the Internet as well as in printed or otherwise mediatized form that could be utilized throughout the OSCE region;
26. Deplores the continuing intellectualization of anti-Semitism, racism and other forms of intolerance in academic spheres, particularly through publications and public events at universities;
27. Condemns the association of politicians and political parties with discriminatory platforms, and reaffirms that such actions violate human rights standards;
28. Notes the legislative efforts, public awareness campaigns, and other initiatives of some participating States to recognize the historical injustices of the transatlantic slave trade, study the enslavement of Roma, and commemorate the Holocaust;
29. Urges other states to take similar steps in recognizing the impact of past injustices on current day practices and beliefs as a means of providing a platform to address anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance;
30. Suggests guidelines on academic responsibility to ensure the protection of Jewish and other minority students from harassment, discrimination, and abuse in the academic environment;
31. Urges participating States to implement the commitments following the original 2003 Vienna Conferences on Anti-Semitism and on Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination and subsequent conferences that include calls to:
a. provide the proper legal framework and authority to combat anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance;
b. collect, analyse, publish, and promote hate crimes data;
c. protect religious facilities and communitarian institutions, including Jewish sites of worship;
d. promote national guidelines on educational work to promote tolerance and combat anti-Semitism, including Holocaust education;
e. train law enforcement officers and military personnel to interact with diverse communities and address hate crimes, including community policing efforts;
f. appoint ombudspersons or special commissioners with the necessary resources to adequately monitor and address anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance;
g. work with civil society to develop and implement tolerance initiatives;
32. Urges parliamentarians and the participating States to report their initiatives to combat anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance and publicly recognize the benefits of diversity at the 2008 Annual Session;
33. Commends all parliamentary efforts on combating all forms of intolerance, especially the British All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry into Anti-Semitism and its final report;
34. Emphasizes the key role of politicians and political parties in combating intolerance by raising awareness of the value of diversity as a source of mutual enrichment of societies, and calls attention to the importance of integration with respect for diversity as a key element in promoting mutual respect and understanding;
35. Calls upon OSCE PA delegates to encourage regular debates on the subjects of anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance in their national parliaments, following the example of the All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry into Anti- Semitism;
36. Calls upon journalists to develop a self-regulated code of ethics for addressing anti-Semitism, racism, discrimination against Muslims, and other forms of intolerance within the media;
37. Expresses its concern at all attempts to target Israeli institutions and individuals for boycotts, divestments and sanctions;
38. Urges implementation of the Resolution on Roma Education unanimously adopted at the OSCE PA 2002 Berlin Annual Session to "eradicate practices that segregate Roma in schooling'' and provide equal access to education that includes intercultural education;
39. Calls upon parliamentarians and other elected officials to publicly speak out against discrimination, violence and other manifestations of intolerance against Roma, Sinti, Jews, and other ethnic or religious groups;
40. Urges the participating States to ensure the timely provision of resources and technical support and the establishment of an administrative support structure to assist the three Personal Representatives of the Chair-in- Office in their work to promote greater tolerance and combat racism, xenophobia and discrimination;
41. Encourages the three Personal Representatives of the Chair-in-Office to address the Assembly's Winter Meetings and Annual Sessions on their work to promote greater tolerance and combat racism, xenophobia, and discrimination throughout the OSCE region;
42. Recognizes the unique contribution that the Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation could make to OSCE efforts to promote greater tolerance and combat anti-Semitism, racism, xenophobia and discrimination, including by supporting the ongoing work of the three Personal Representatives of the Chair-in-Office;
43. Reminds participating States that respect for freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief should assist in combating all forms of intolerance with the ultimate goal of building positive relationships among all people, furthering social justice, and attaining world peace;
44. Reminds participating States that, historically, violations of freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief have, through direct or indirect means, led to war, human suffering, and divisions between and among nations and peoples;
45. Condemns the rising violence in the OSCE region against persons believed to be Muslim and welcomes the conference to be held in Cordoba in October 2007 on combating discrimination against Muslims;
46. Calls upon parliamentarians and the participating States to ensure and facilitate the freedom of the individual to profess and practice any religion or belief, alone or in community with others, through transparent and non- discriminatory laws, regulations, practices and policies, and to remove any registration or recognition policies that discriminate against any religious community and hinder its ability to operate freely and equally with other faiths;
47. Encourages an increased focus by participating States on the greater role teenagers and young adults can play in combating anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance and urges participating States to collect data and report on hate crimes committed by persons under the age of 24 and to promote tolerance initiatives through education, workforce training, youth organizations, sports clubs, and other organized activities;
48. Reminds participating States that this year marks the 59th Anniversary of the United Nations Human Rights Commission's adoption of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, which has served as the inspiration for numerous international treaties and declarations on tolerance issues;
49. Calls upon participating States to reaffirm and implement the sentiments expressed in the 2000 Bucharest Declaration and in this resolution as a testament to their commitment to "respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion'', as enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act;
50. Expresses deep concern at the glorification of the Nazi movement, including the erection of monuments and memorials and the holding of public demonstrations glorifying the Nazi past, the Nazi movement and neo- Nazism;
51. Also stresses that such practices fuel contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and contribute to the spread and multiplication of various extremist political parties, movements and groups, including neo-Nazis and skinhead groups;
52. Emphasizes the need to take the necessary measures to put an end to the practices described above, and calls upon participating States to take more effective measures to combat these phenomena and the extremist movements, which pose a real threat to democratic values.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Di Nino moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Nolin, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Order No. 16 (inquiry) was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Hubley, calling the attention of the Senate to the current state of maternity and parental benefits in Canada, to the challenges facing working Canadians who decide to have children, and to the options for improving federal benefits programs to address these challenges.
After debate,
Further debate on the inquiry was adjourned until the next sitting in the name of the Honourable Senator Trenholme Counsell.
Order No. 9 (inquiry) was 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 thousands of Canadian seniors who are not receiving the benefits from the Canada Pension Plan to which they are entitled.
Debate concluded.
MOTIONS
The Honourable Senator Cochrane moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Oliver:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans be permitted, notwithstanding usual practices, to deposit with the Clerk of the Senate a report relating to its study of the federal government's current and evolving policy framework for managing Canada's fisheries and oceans by June 30, 2008, if the Senate is then adjourned for a period exceeding one week; and that the report be deemed to have been tabled in the Chamber.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Kenny moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Phalen:
That, pursuant to rule 95(3)(a), the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence be authorized to sit for two days this summer, on dates to be determined after consultation with the committee members, for the purpose of considering a draft report, even though the Senate may then be adjourned for a period exceeding one week.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Kenny moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day:
That the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence be permitted, notwithstanding usual practices, to deposit up to three reports, one on Canadian military leadership, one on the evacuation of wounded soldiers and one on emergency preparedness in Canada, from June 20 to September 15, 2008, with the Clerk of the Senate, if the Senate is not then sitting; and that the reports be deemed to have been tabled in the Chamber.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Kenny moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day:
That, pursuant to rule 95(3)(a), the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence be authorized to sit on Thursday, at 1:30 p.m., June 26, 2008, for the purpose of considering a draft report, even though the Senate may then be adjourned for a period exceeding one week.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cordy:
That, pursuant to rule 95(3)(a), the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology be authorized to sit June 18 and June 19, 2008, for the purposes of its study on population health and 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.
The Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Ringuette:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science, and Technology be permitted, notwithstanding usual practices, to deposit with the Clerk of the Senate a report relating to its study of current social issues pertaining to Canada's largest cities, between June 19 and June 30, 2008, if the Senate is not then sitting; and that the report be deemed to have been tabled in the Chamber.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
With leave,
The Senate reverted to Government Notices of Motions.
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Comeau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Nolin:
That when the Senate adjourns today, it do stand adjourned until Thursday, June 26, 2008, at 4 p.m.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
REPORTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO RULE 28(2):
Report on the Employment Equity Act (Labour) for the year 2007, pursuant to the Employment Equity Act, S.C. 1995, c. 44, s. 20.—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-662.
Reports of the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety 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. 2/39-663.
Reports of the Canada Industrial Relations Board 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. 2/39-664.
Reports of the Merchant Seamen Compensation Board 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- 665.
Actuarial Report on the Old Age Security Program as at December 31, 2006, pursuant to the Public Pensions Reporting Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-13 (2nd Supp.), sbs. 9(1).—Sessional Paper No. 2/39-666.
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 9:15 p.m. the Senate was continued until Thursday, June 26, 2008, at 4 p.m.)