The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AndreychukAtaullahjanBakerBattersBellemareBeyakBlackBoisvenuCampbellCarignanCoolsCowanDagenaisDawsonDayDowneDoyleEggletonEnvergaFraserFrumFureyGagnéGreeneHarderHervieux-PayetteHousakosHubleyJafferJohnsonJoyalKennyLangLankinLovelace NicholasMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMassicotteMcCoyMcIntyreMercerMeredithMitchellMocklerMooreMunsonNancy RuthNeufeldNgoOgilvieOhOmidvarPattersonPetitclercPlettPoirierPratteRaineRinguetteRivardRuncimanSibbestonSinclairSmith (Cobourg)Smith (Saurel)Stewart OlsenTannasTardifTkachukUngerWallaceWallinWattWellsWhite

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

AndreychukAtaullahjanBakerBattersBellemareBeyakBlackBoisvenuCampbellCarignanCoolsCowanDagenaisDawsonDayDowneDoyleEggletonEnvergaFraserFrumFureyGagnéGreeneHarderHervieux-PayetteHousakosHubleyJafferJohnsonJoyalKennyLangLankinLovelace NicholasMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMassicotteMcCoyMcIntyreMercerMeredithMitchellMocklerMooreMunsonNancy RuthNeufeldNgoOgilvieOhOmidvarPattersonPetitclercPlettPoirierPratteRaineRinguetteRivardRuncimanSibbestonSinclairSmith (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

Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees

The Honourable Senator Housakos, Chair of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration, tabled the fourth report of the committee (Annual Report on Parliamentary Associations’ Activities and Expenditures for 2014-2015).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-263S.

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The Honourable Senator Housakos, Chair of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration, tabled the fifth report of the committee (International Travel Report).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-264S.

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The Honourable Senator Andreychuk, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, presented the third report of the committee (Budget—study on opportunities for strengthening cooperation with Mexico since the tabling, in June 2015, of the committee report entitled North American Neighbours: Maximizing Opportunities and Strengthening Cooperation for a more Prosperous Future—power to travel).

(The report is printed as Appendix A at pages 380-385 (available in print format PDF).)

(The HTML version of the report is available on the committee website.)

The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Tkachuk, 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.

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The Honourable Senator Andreychuk, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, presented the fourth report of the committee (Budget—study on recent political and economic developments in Argentina—power to hire staff and to travel).

(The report is printed as Appendix B at pages 386-393 (available in print format PDF).)

(The HTML version of the report is available on the committee website.)

The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Tkachuk, 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.

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The Honourable Senator Dawson, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications, presented the third report of the committee (Budget—study on the transport of crude oil in Canada—power to hire staff and to travel).

(The report is printed as Appendix C at pages 394-403 (available in print format PDF).)

(The HTML version of the report is available on the committee website.)

The Honourable Senator Dawson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Jaffer, 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.

Tabling of Reports from Interparliamentary Delegations

The Honourable Senator Mitchell tabled the following:

Report of the Canadian Delegation of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association respecting its participation at the Meeting of the Standing Committee of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region, held in Stockholm, Sweden, on March 2 and 3, 2016.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-265.

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 – Third Reading

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Cowan, seconded by the Honourable Senator Fraser, for the third reading of Bill S-201, An Act to prohibit and prevent genetic discrimination, as amended.

After debate,

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

The bill, as amended, was then read the third time.

Ordered, That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that House that the Senate has passed this bill, to which it desires its concurrence.

Senate Public Bills – Reports of Committees

Consideration of the second report of the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans (Bill S-208, An Act respecting National Seal Products Day, with an amendment), presented in the Senate on March 10, 2016.

The Honourable Senator Manning moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Frum, 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 Manning moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Housakos, that the bill, as amended, be read for a third time.

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.

Senate Public Bills – Second Reading

Orders No. 1 to 5 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

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Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Moore, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day, for the second reading of Bill S-204, An Act to amend the Financial Administration Act (borrowing of money).

After debate,

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

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

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Ordered : That Order No. 4 be again called.

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Moore, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day, for the second reading of Bill S-205, An Act to amend the Canada Border Services Agency Act (Inspector General of the Canada Border Services Agency) and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.

After debate,

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

The bill was then read the second time.

The Honourable Senator Moore moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Baker, P.C., that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence.

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

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Orders No. 7 to 13 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

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Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Enverga, seconded by the Honourable Senator Stewart Olsen, for the second reading of Bill S-218, An Act respecting Latin American Heritage Month.

After debate,

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

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

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Orders No. 15 to 21 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Reports of Committees – Other

Orders No. 1 and 2 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

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Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Housakos, seconded by the Honourable Senator Maltais for the adoption 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.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Ringuette 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.

Motions

Orders No. 7, 64, 73, 79, 9, 69, 51, 60 and 43 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

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Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Bellemare, 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.

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

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

Inquiries

Orders No. 2, 1 and 3 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

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Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Ngo, calling the attention of the Senate to the hostile behavior of the People’s Republic of China in the escalating territorial claim dispute in the South China Sea.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator MacDonald, 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 Munson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Hubley:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights study and report on steps being taken to facilitate the integration of newly-arrived Syrian refugees and to address the challenges they are facing, including by the various levels of government, private sponsors and non-governmental organizations.

That the committee submit its final report no later than October 31, 2016 and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

After debate,

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

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The Honourable Senator Manning moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Wells:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans be authorized to examine and report on Maritime Search and Rescue activities, including current challenges and opportunities; and

That the committee report from time to time to the Senate, but no later than November 30, 2017, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

After debate,

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

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The Honourable Senator Mockler moved, for the Honourable Senator Neufeld, seconded by the Honourable Senator Manning:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources has the power to sit on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at 5 p.m., even though the Senate may then be sitting, and that rule 12-18(1) be suspended in relation thereto.

After debate,

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

INQUIRIES

The Honourable Senator Moore called the attention of the Senate to the Mary Fay Rink, of the Chester Curling Club, in Chester, Nova Scotia.

Debate concluded.

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With leave,

The Senate reverted to Government Notices of Motions.

The Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Petitclerc:

That when the Senate adjourns today, it do stand adjourned until Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at 2 p.m.

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

ADJOURNMENT

The Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Petitclerc:

That the Senate do now adjourn.

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

(Accordingly, at 4:13 p.m., the Senate was continued until Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at 2 p.m.)

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

Copy of Order in Council P.C. 2016-167 dated March 24, 2016, concerning the Agreement on Social Security between the Government of Canada and the Government of the People’s Republic of China, pursuant to the Old Age Security Act, R.S.C. 1985,c. O-9,sbs. 42(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-262.

DECLARATIONS OF PRIVATE INTERESTS

Pursuant to rule 15-7(1) and subsection 12(1) of the Ethics and Conflict of Interest Code for Senators, adeclaration of private interest was made as follows:

The Honourable Senator Tannas, regarding Bill S-201, An Act to prohibit and prevent genetic discrimination, by oral declaration.

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Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages

The Honourable Senator Maltais replaced the Honourable Senator Mockler (April 13, 2016).