Debates of the Senate (Hansard)
1st Session, 41st Parliament,
Volume 150, Issue 1
Thursday, June 2, 2011
The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker
THE SENATE
Thursday, June 2, 2011
FORTY-FIRST PARLIAMENT OPENING OF FIRST SESSION
Parliament having been summoned by proclamation to meet this day for the dispatch of business:
The Senate met at 10:30 a.m., the Speaker in the chair.
Prayers.
Communication from Government House
The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I have the honour to inform you that I have received the following communication from Government House, which reads as follows:
RIDEAU HALL
May 27, 2011
Mr. Speaker:
I am commanded to inform you that the Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, in her capacity as Deputy of the Governor General, will proceed to the Chamber of the Senate to open the First Session of the Forty-First Parliament of Canada at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, the 2nd day of June, 2011.
Yours sincerely,
Stephen Wallace
Secretary to the Governor GeneralThe Honourable
The Speaker of the Senate
Ottawa
Afghanistan—Fallen Soldiers
Silent Tribute
The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, before we proceed, I would ask senators to rise and observe one minute of silence in memory of Corporal Yannick Scherrer and Bombardier Karl Manning, whose tragic deaths occurred while serving their country in Afghanistan.
Honourable senators then stood in silent tribute.
[Translation]
Business of the Senate
Hon. Claude Carignan (Deputy Leader of the Government): Honourable senators, there have been consultations among the parties, and it has been agreed that photographers may be allowed on the floor of the Senate for this morning's sitting, so that they may photograph the swearing-in of the new senator with as little disruption as possible.
[English]
New Senator
The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I have the honour to inform the Senate that the Clerk has received a certificate from the Registrar General of Canada showing that Larry W. Smith has been summoned to the Senate:
Introduction
The Hon. the Speaker having informed the Senate that there was a senator without, waiting to be introduced:
The following honourable senator was introduced; presented Her Majesty's writ of summons; took the oath prescribed by law, which was administered by the Clerk; and was seated:
Hon. Larry W. Smith, of Hudson, Quebec, introduced between Hon. Marjory LeBreton, P.C., and Hon. Leo Housakos.
The Hon. the Speaker informed the Senate that the honourable senator named above had made and subscribed the declaration of qualification required by the Constitution Act, 1867, in the presence of the Clerk of the Senate, the Commissioner appointed to receive and witness the said declaration.
(The Senate adjourned during pleasure.)
(1055)
At 10:55 a.m., the sitting was resumed, and was then adjourned, pending the arrival of the Deputy of His Excellency the Governor General.
The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, Deputy of His Excellency the Governor General, having come and being seated at the foot of the Throne,
The Hon. the Speaker commanded the Usher of the Black Rod to proceed to the House of Commons and acquaint that House that it is the desire of the Right Honourable the Deputy of His Excellency the Governor General that they attend her immediately in the Senate chamber.
Who being come,
The Hon. the Speaker said:
Honourable Members of the Senate:
Members of the House of Commons:
I have it in command to let you know that His Excellency the Governor General does not see fit to declare the causes of his summoning the present Parliament of Canada, until a Speaker of the House of Commons shall have been chosen, according to law; but tomorrow, Friday, June 3, 2011, at the hour of 2:30 o'clock in the afternoon, His Excellency will declare the causes of his calling Parliament.
The House of Commons withdrew.
The Right Honourable the Deputy of His Excellency the Governor General was pleased to retire.
(The sitting of the Senate was resumed.)
Communication from Government House
The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I have the honour to inform the Senate that I have received a communication from Government House, which reads as follows:
RIDEAU HALL
May 27, 2011
Mr. Speaker:
I have the honour to inform you that His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada and Her Excellency Sharon Johnston will arrive at the Peace Tower at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, the 3rd day of June, 2011.
When it has been indicated that all is in readiness, Their Excellencies will proceed to the Chamber of the Senate to formally open the First Session of the Forty-First Parliament of Canada.
Yours sincerely,
Stephen Wallace
Secretary to the Governor GeneralThe Honourable
The Speaker of the Senate
Ottawa
(1120)
[Translation]
Adjournment
Hon. Claude Carignan (Deputy Leader of the Government): Honourable senators, I move:
That the Senate adjourn until tomorrow, Friday, June 3, 2011, at 2:30 p.m.
(Motion agreed to.)
(The Senate adjourned until Friday, June 3, 2011, at 2:30 p.m.)