The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AndreychukAtaullahjanBakerBattersBellemareBeyakBlackBoisvenuCampbellCarignanCoolsCordyCowanDagenaisDawsonDayDemersDowneDoyleEatonEggletonEnvergaFraserFrumFureyGreeneHervieux-PayetteHousakosHubleyJafferJoyalLangMaltaisManningMarshallMartinMcCoyMcInnisMcIntyreMercerMerchantMeredithMocklerMooreMunsonNancy RuthNeufeldNgoOgilvieOhPattersonPoirierRaineRinguetteRivardRuncimanSeidmanSibbestonSmith (Cobourg)Smith (Saurel)Stewart OlsenTannasTardifTkachukUngerWallaceWallinWattWellsWhite

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

AndreychukAtaullahjanBakerBattersBellemareBeyakBlackBoisvenuCampbellCarignanCoolsCordyCowanDagenaisDawsonDayDemersDowneDoyleEatonEggletonEnvergaFraserFrumFureyGreeneHervieux-PayetteHousakosHubleyJafferJoyalLangMaltaisManningMarshallMartinMcCoyMcInnisMcIntyreMercerMerchantMeredithMocklerMooreMunsonNancy RuthNeufeldNgoOgilvieOhPattersonPoirierRaineRinguetteRivardRuncimanSeidmanSibbestonSmith (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

Some Honourable Senators made statements.

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

Introduction and First Reading of Senate Public Bills

The Honourable Senator Hervieux-Payette, P.C., introduced Bill S-220, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (international fraud).

The bill was read the first time.

The Honourable Senator Hervieux-Payette, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cowan, that the bill be placed on the Orders of the Day for a second reading two days hence.

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

Orders of the Day

Government Business

Motions

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

Other Business

Senate Public Bills – Second Reading

Orders No. 1 to 10 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Chaput, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moore, for the second reading of Bill S-209, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act (communications with and services to the public).

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Greene, 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. 12 to 15 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Second reading of Bill S-212, An Act for the advancement of the aboriginal languages of Canada and to recognize and respect aboriginal language rights.

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

The Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Eggleton, 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

Second reading of Bill S-202, An Act to amend the Divorce Act (shared parenting plans).

The Honourable Senator Cools moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator McCoy, that the bill be read the second time.

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

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

Reports of Committees – Other

Consideration of the second report of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, entitled: Obesity in Canada: A Whole-of-Society Approach for a Healthier Canada, deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on March 1, 2016.

The Honourable Senator Ogilvie moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C.:

That the second report of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, tabled with the Clerk of the Senate on Tuesday, March 1, 2016, be adopted and that, pursuant to rule 12-24(1), the Senate request a complete and detailed response from the government, with the Minister of Health being identified as minister responsible for responding to the report, in consultation with the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dawson, 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

Consideration of the third report of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration (Senate budget for 2016-2017), presented in the Senate on February 25, 2016.

The Honourable Senator Housakos moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Maltais, that the report be adopted.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Baker, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Watt, 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

Consideration of the first report of the Special Joint Committee on Physician-Assisted Dying, entitled Medical Assistance in Dying: A Patient-Centred Approach, deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on February 25, 2016.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Cowan moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Fraser, thate further debate on the consideration of the report be adjourned until the next sitting.

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

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Ordered, That notwithstanding the order adopted on March 8, 2016, the Senate delay Question Period today to await the arrival of the Minister.

Motions

Orders No. 51, 60, 43, 7 and 31 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Hervieux-Payette, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Fraser:

That this case of privilege, relating to the leaks of the Auditor General’s report on the audit of the Senate, be referred to the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament for an independent inquiry be ordered and a report publicly released without delay.

After debate,

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

o o o

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

Inquiries

Orders No. 3 and 6 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Chaput, calling the attention of the Senate to the Program to Support Linguistic Rights, the importance of ensuring public financing of court actions that seek to create a fair and just society and to the urgent need for the federal government to re-establish the Court Challenges Program.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Maltais moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Neufeld, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.

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

MOTIONS

The Honourable Senator Dawson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moore:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications be authorized to examine and report on the development of a strategy to facilitate the transport of crude oil to eastern Canadian refineries and to ports on the East and West coasts of Canada;

That the committee also examine how to share the risks and benefits as broadly as possible throughout the country; and

That the committee report to the Senate no later than June 30, 2016, 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 Dawson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moore:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications be authorized to examine and report on the regulatory and technical issues related to the deployment of connected and automated vehicles. In particular, the study would consider the long-term implications and challenges of these technologies, such as the impacts on privacy, energy, land use, transportation demand and employment; and

That the committee report to the Senate no later than March 30, 2017, and that it retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings until 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

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

INQUIRIES

The Honourable Senator Jaffer called the attention of the Senate to the human rights implications of climate change, and how it will affect the most vulnerable in Canada and the world by threatening their right to food, water, health, adequate shelter, life, and self-determination.

Debate.

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At 3:45 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 3:47 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Question Period

Pursuant to the order adopted on March 8, 2016, the Senate proceeded to Question Period.

Pursuant to the order adopted on December 10, 2015, the Honourable James Gordon Carr, P.C., M.P., Minister of Natural Resources, entered the Senate and took part in Question Period.

ADJOURNMENT

At 4:26 p.m., pursuant to the order adopted by the Senate on February 4, 2016, the Senate adjourned until 1:30 p.m., tomorrow.

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

Report on the Operation of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the year 2015, pursuant to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, S.C. 2001, c. 27,sbs. 94(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-197.

Report of the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, pursuant to the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act, S.C. 2000, c. 17, sbs. 71(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-198.

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples

The Honourable Senator Watt replaced the Honourable Senator Lovelace Nicholas (March 9, 2016).

Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade

The Honourable Senator Eaton replaced the Honourable Senator Housakos (March 9, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Beyak replaced the Honourable Senator Johnson (March 8, 2016).

Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights

The Honourable Senator Cordy replaced the Honourable Senator Cowan (March 9, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Cowan replaced the Honourable Senator Cordy (March 8, 2016).

Standing Senate Committee on National Finance

The Honourable Senator Cordy replaced the Honourable Senator Mitchell (March 9, 2016).

Special Senate Committee on Senate Modernization

The Honourable Senator Johnson replaced the Honourable Senator Seidman (March 9, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Seidman replaced the Honourable Senator Johnson (March 8, 2016).