The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AndreychukAtaullahjanBakerBattersBellemareBeyakBlackBoisvenuCampbellCarignanChaputCoolsCordyCowanDagenaisDawsonDayDemersDowneDoyleDyckEggletonEnvergaFraserFrumFureyGersteinGreeneHervieux-PayetteHousakosHubleyJohnsonJoyalLangLovelace NicholasMacDonaldMaltaisManningMarshallMartinMassicotteMcCoyMcInnisMcIntyreMercerMeredithMitchellMocklerMooreMunsonNancy RuthNeufeldNgoOgilvieOhPattersonPlettRaineRinguetteRivardRuncimanSeidmanSibbestonSmith (Cobourg)Smith (Saurel)Stewart OlsenTannasTardifTkachukUngerWallaceWallinWattWellsWhite

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

AndreychukAtaullahjanBakerBattersBellemareBeyakBlackBoisvenuCampbellCarignanChaputCoolsCordyCowanDagenaisDawsonDayDemersDowneDoyleDyckEggletonEnvergaFraserFrumFureyGersteinGreeneHervieux-PayetteHousakosHubleyJohnsonJoyalLangLovelace NicholasMacDonaldMaltaisManningMarshallMartinMassicotteMcCoyMcInnisMcIntyreMercerMeredithMitchellMocklerMooreMunsonNancy RuthNeufeldNgoOgilvieOhPattersonPlettRaineRinguetteRivardRuncimanSeidmanSibbestonSmith (Cobourg)Smith (Saurel)Stewart OlsenTannasTardifTkachukUngerWallaceWallinWattWellsWhite

The first list records senators present in the Senate Chamber during the course of the sitting.

An asterisk in the second list indicates a senator who, while not present during the sitting, was in attendance to business, as defined in subsections 8(2) and (3) of the Senators Attendance Policy.

PRAYERS

Senators’ Statements

Tributes

Tribute was paid to the Honourable Senator Gerstein, who will retire from the Senate on February 10, 2016.

Senators’ Statements

Some Honourable Senators made statements.

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

Tabling of Documents

The Honourable the Speaker tabled the following:

The 2015 Fall Reports of the Auditor General of Canada to the House of Commons, pursuant to the Auditor General Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-17, sbs. 7(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-127.

Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees

The Honourable Senator Munson tabled the following (Sessional Paper No. 1/42-128S):

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights has the honour to table its

FIRST REPORT

Your committee, which was authorized by the Senate to incur expenses for the purpose of its examination and consideration of such matters as were referred to it, tables, pursuant to rule 12-26(2), the following report on expenses incurred for that purpose during the Second Session of the Forty-first Parliament:

1. With respect to its examination and consideration of legislation:

2. With respect to its special study monitoring the issues relating to human rights and, inter alia, reviewing the machinery of government dealing with Canada’s international and national human rights obligations authorized by the Senate on Tuesday, November 19, 2013:

3. With respect to its special study on cyberbullying in Canada authorized by the Senate on Tuesday, November 19, 2013:

4. With respect to its special study on issues of discrimination in the hiring and promotion practices of the Federal Public Service authorized by the Senate on Tuesday, November 19, 2013:

5. With respect to its special study on the international mechanisms toward improving cooperation in the settlement of cross-border family disputes, including Canada’s actions to encourage universal adherence to and compliance with the Hague Abductions Convention, and to strengthen cooperation with non-Hague State Parties with the purpose of upholding children’s best interests authorized by the Senate on Thursday, February 27, 2014:

6. With respect to its special study to examine and report on how the mandates and practices of the UNHCR and UNICEF have evolved to meet the needs of displaced children in modern conflict situations, with particular attention to the current crisis in Syria authorized by the Senate on Tuesday, May 6, 2014:

In addition to the expenses for its studies as set out above, your committee also incurred general postal charges of $362.

During the session, your committee held 37 meetings(73 hours, 14 minutes), heard 184 witnesses and submitted 15 reports in relation to its work. Your committee examined 4 bills (S-7, S-201, S-219, C-266) and received a total of 11 orders of reference.

Respectfully submitted,

o o o

The Honourable Senator Tkachuk tabled the following (Sessional Paper No. 1/42-129S):

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

The Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce has the honour to table its

FIRST REPORT

Your committee, which was authorized by the Senate to incur expenses for the purpose of its examination and consideration of such matters as were referred to it, tables, pursuant to rule 12-26(2), the following report on expenses incurred for that purpose during the Second Session of the Forty-first Parliament:

1. With respect to its examination and consideration of legislation:

2. With respect to its special study on the ability of individuals to establish a registered disability savings plan (RDSP), with particular emphasis on legal representation and the ability of individuals to enter into a contract authorized by the Senate on Tuesday, December 3, 2013:

3. With respect to its special study on the use of digital currency, authorized by the Senate on Tuesday, March 25, 2014:

In addition to the expenses for its studies as set out above, your committee also incurred general postal charges of $19.

During the session, your committee held 70 meetings(91.27 hours), heard 228 witnesses and submitted 12 reports in relation to its work. Your committee examined 5 bills (C-8, S-202, S-210, S-217, S-1001) and received a total of 12 orders of reference.

Respectfully submitted,

o o o

The Honourable Senator Fraser tabled the following (Sessional Paper No. 1/42-130S):

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament has the honour to table its

FIRST REPORT

Your committee, which was authorized by the Senate to incur expenses for the purpose of its examination and consideration of such matters as were referred to it, tables, pursuant to rule 12-26(2), the following report on expenses incurred for that purpose during the Second Session of the Forty-first Parliament:

1. With respect to its examination and consideration of legislation:

During the session, your committee held 22 meetings(21.75 hours), heard 14 witnesses and submitted 9 reports in relation to its work. Your committee examined 3 bills (S-207,C-586 and C-518) and received a total of 4 orders of reference.

Respectfully submitted,

Tabling of Reports from Interparliamentary Delegations

The Honourable Senator Fraser tabled the following:

Report of the Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association respecting its participation at the bilateral visit to London, England, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom, from January 17 to 24, 2015.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-131.

o o o

The Honourable Senator Smith, P.C. (Cobourg), tabled the following:

Report of the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association respecting its participation at the bilateral visit to Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Sydney, New South Wales and Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, from February 5 to 15, 2015.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-132.

Report of the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) respecting its participation at the Executive Committee Meeting and the CPA 61st General Assembly, held in London, United Kingdom, from October 1 to 5, 2015.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-133.

o o o

The Honourable Senator Ataullahjan tabled the following:

Report of the Canadian Delegation of the Inter-Parliamentary Union respecting its participation at the Steering Committee of the Twelve Plus Group, held in Brussels, Belgium, on  September 21, 2015.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-134.

Report of the Canadian Delegation of the Interparliamentary Union (IPU) respecting its participation at the 133rd IPU Assembly and Related Meetings, held in Geneva, Switzerland, from October 17 to 21, 2015.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-135.

o o o

The Honourable Senator Johnson tabled the following:

Report of the Canadian Delegation of the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group respecting its participation at the 2015 summer meeting of the Western Governors’ Association held in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, United States of America, from June 24 to June 26, 2015.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-136.

Report of the Canadian Delegation of the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group respecting its participation at the 8th Annual Conference of the Southeastern United States-Canadian Provinces Alliance, held in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, from June 28 to 30, 2015.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-137.

Report of the Canadian Delegation of the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group respecting its participation at the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region 25th Annual Summit, held in Big Sky, Montana, United States of America, from June 12 to 16, 2015.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-138.

Report of the Canadian Delegation of the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group respecting its participation at the 69th Annual Meeting of the Council of State Government’s Southern Legislative Conference, held in Savannah, Georgia, United States of America, from July 18 to 22, 2015.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-139.

Question Period

The Senate proceeded to Question Period.

Orders of the Day

Government Business

Motions

Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

Other Business

Senate Public Bills – Second Reading

Orders No. 1 to 9 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Second reading of Bill S-206, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (protection of children against standard child-rearing violence).

The Honourable Senator Hervieux-Payette, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C., that the bill be read the second time.

After debate,

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

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

o o o

Orders No. 11 to 15 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Motions

Orders No. 25, 6 and 9 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Wallace, seconded by the Honourable Senator McCoy:

That the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament, when and if it is formed, be authorized to examine and report on Senate practices, and provisions in the Rules of the Senate, relating to committees, including senators’ memberships on committees, in order to evaluate whether all senators:

(a) are, in practice, treated equally, and with fairness and equity, irrespective of whether they sit as government members, as opposition members, as members of recognized parties or as independent senators; and

(b) have reasonable and equal opportunities to fully participate in and contribute, through committee work and membership, to this chamber’s role as a complementary legislative body of sober second thought, thereby enabling all senators to adequately fulfill their constitutional roles and responsibilities;

That in conducting this evaluation the Rules Committee pay particular attention to:

(a) the process for selecting members of the Committee of Selection, so that all senators can be considered for membership on that committee, and so that the interests of all senators, whether they sit as government members, as opposition members, as members of recognized parties or as independent senators, are represented in the membership of that committee; and

(b) the process whereby the Committee of Selection develops its recommendations for membership of the other committees;

That the Rules Committee also take into account the anticipated increase in the number of senators who are not members of a recognized party and how this emerging reality should be taken into account, including during the current session;

That the Rules Committee recommend necessary amendments to the Rules and adjustments in Senate practice based upon the results of its examination; and

That the Rules Committee present its final report on this study to the Senate no later than March 31, 2016.

After debate,

In amendment, the Honourable Senator Bellemare moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Enverga:

That the motion be not now adopted, but that it be amended by replacing the paragraph reading:

“That the Rules Committee also take into account the anticipated increase in the number of senators who are not members of a recognized party and how this emerging reality should be taken into account, including during the current session;”

by the following:

“That the Rules Committee also take into account the anticipated increase in the number of senators who are not members of a recognized party so that they are able to form a group of independent senators with the resources and rights available to a party recognized under the Rules of the Senate;”.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator McCoy moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moore, that further debate on the motion in amendment 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.

MOTIONS

The Honourable Senator Bellemare moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Enverga :

That the Senate — in order to ensure transparency in the awarding of public funds and foster efficiency in infrastructure projects in the larger context of economic diversification and movement toward a greener economy, all while avoiding undue intervention in the federal-provincial division of powers — encourage the government to make provision in the budget for the creation of the Canadian Infrastructure Oversight and Best Practices Council, made up of experts in infrastructure projects from the provinces and territories, whose principal roles would be to:

1.collect information on federally funded infrastructure projects;

2. study the costs and benefits of federally funded infrastructure projects;

3. identify procurements best practices and of risk sharing;

4. promote these best practices among governments; and

5. promote project managers skills development; and

That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that House with the above.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Frum, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.

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

o o o

The Honourable Senator Dyck moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day :

That the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples be authorized to examine and report on the federal government’s constitutional, treaty, political and legal responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples and on other matters generally relating to the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada; and

That the committee submit its final report no later than December 31, 2017, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings until 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

After debate,

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

o o o

The Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Fraser :

That, in order to allow the Senate to receive a Minister of the Crown during Question Period as authorized by the Senate on December 10, 2015, and notwithstanding rule 4-7, when the Senate sits on Wednesday, February 3, 2016, Question Period shall begin at 3:30 p.m., with any proceedings then before the Senate being interrupted until the end of Question Period;

That, if a standing vote would conflict with the holding of Question Period at 3:30 p.m. on that day, the vote be postponed until immediately after the conclusion of Question Period;

That, if the bells are ringing for a vote at 3:30 p.m. on that day, they be interrupted for Question Period at that time, and resume thereafter for the balance of any time remaining; and

That, if the Senate concludes its business before 3:30 p.m. on that day, the sitting be suspended until that time for the purpose of holding Question Period.

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

o o o

The Honourable Senator Lang moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Neufeld:

That the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence be authorized to examine and report on security threats facing Canada, including but not limited to:

(a)cyber espionage;

(b)threats to critical infrastructure;

(c)terrorist recruitment and financing; and

(d)terrorist operations and prosecutions.

That the papers and evidence received and taken and the work accomplished by the committee on this subject during the Second Session of the Forty-first Parliament be referred to the committee; and

That the committee report to the Senate no later than December 31, 2017, and that it retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings until 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

After debate,

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

o o o

The Honourable Senator Lang moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Neufeld:

That the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence be authorized to examine and report on national security and defence issues in Indo-Asia Pacific relations and their implications for Canada’s national security and defence policies, practices, circumstances and capabilities;

That the papers and evidence received and taken and the work accomplished by the committee on this subject during the Second Session of the Forty-first Parliament be referred to the committee; and

That the committee report to the Senate no later than December 31, 2017, and that it retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings until 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

After debate,

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

ADJOURNMENT

The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Nancy Ruth:

That the Senate do now adjourn.

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

(Accordingly, at 4:55 p.m., the Senate was continued until tomorrow at 2 p.m.)

DOCUMENTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO RULE 14-1(7)

Report of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, pursuant to the Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985,c. A-13,s. 36.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-102.

Report of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission on the operation of the National Do Not Call List for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, pursuant to the Telecommunications Act,1993,c. 38,s. 41.6 .—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-103.

Report of the Commissioner of Competition for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, pursuant to the Competition Act, R.S.C. 1985,c. C-34, s. 127.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-104.

Report of the Canada Foundation for Innovation, together with the Auditors’ Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, pursuant to the Budget Implementation Act, 1997, S.C. 1997, c. 26, sbs. 29(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-105.

Report of the Standards Council of Canada, together with the Auditor General’s Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985,c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-106.

Reports of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, including the reports of the Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation for the period of April 1 to June 19, 2014, 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. 1/42-107.

Reports of the Department of Western Economic Diversification for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, 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. 1/42-108.

Report of the National Research Council of Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, pursuant to the Employment Equity Act, S.C. 1995, c. 44,sbs. 21(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-109.

Report of Statistics Canada on corporations for the year 2013, pursuant to the Corporations Returns Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-43,sbs. 22(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-110.

Report of the Copyright Board for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, pursuant to the Copyright Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-42,sbs. 66.9(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-111.

Agreements for RCMP policing services (First Nations Community Policing Service) for the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, pursuant to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act, R.S.C. 1985,c. R-10,sbs. 20(5).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-112.

Report of the Canada Council for the Arts, together with the Auditor General’s Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, pursuant to the Canada Council for the Arts Act, R.S.C. 1985,c. C-2,sbs. 21(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-113.

Report of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, together with the Auditor General’s Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, pursuant to the Canadian Race Relations Foundation Act, S.C. 1991,c. 8,sbs. 26(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-114.

Report of the Canadian Museum of History, together with the Auditor General’s Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985,c. F-11,sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-115.

Report of the National Gallery of Canada, together with the Auditor General’s Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985,c. F-11,sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-116.

Report of the Canadian Museum of Nature, together with the Auditor General’s Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985,c. F-11,sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-117.

Report of the Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation, together with the Auditor General’s Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985,c. F-11,sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-118.

Reports of the National Capital Commission for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, 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. 1/42-119.

Summary of the Corporate Plan for 2015-2016 to 2019-2020 of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, pursuant to the Broadcasting Act, S.C. 1991,c. 11,sbs. 55(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-120.

Summaries of the Corporate Plan for 2015-2016 to 2019-2020 and of the Operating and Capital Budgets for 2015-2016 of the Canadian Museum of Nature, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985,c. F-11,sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-121.

Summaries of the Corporate Plan for 2015-2016 to 2019-2020 and of the Operating and Capital Budgets for 2015-2016 of the Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-122.

Summaries of the Corporate Plan and Operating and Capital Budgets for 2015-2016 to 2019-2020 of the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985,c. F-11,sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-123.

Report of the Canadian Dairy Commission for the dairy year ending July 31, 2015, together with the Auditor General’s Report, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11,sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-124.

Report of the Canadian Beef Cattle Research, Market Development and Promotion Agency (Canada Beef), together with the Auditors’ Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, pursuant to the Farm Products Agencies Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-4, s. 30.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-125.

Report of the Communications Security Establishment Commissioner for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, pursuant to the National Defence Act, R.S.C. 1985,c. N-5,sbs. 273.63(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-126.

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade

The Honourable Senator Raine replaced the Honourable Senator Poirier (February 2, 2016).

Standing Senate Committee on National Finance

The Honourable Senator Hervieux-Payette, P.C., was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (January 29, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Cowan was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (January 29, 2016).