The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AndreychukAtaullahjanBakerBattersBellemareBernardBeyakBlack (Alberta)BoisvenuBonifaceBoveyBrazeauCampbellCarignanChristmasCoolsCordyCormierDagenaisDawsonDayDeanDowneDoyleDuffyDupuisDyckEggletonEnvergaForestFraserFrumFureyGagnéGoldGreeneGriffinHarderHartlingHousakosHubleyJafferJoyalKennyLangLankinMacDonaldMaltaisMarshallMartinMarwahMassicotteMcCoyMcInnisMcIntyreMcPhedranMégieMercerMerchantMeredithMitchellMocklerMoncionMunsonNeufeldNgoOgilvieOhOmidvarPatePattersonPetitclercPlettPoirierPratteRaineRinguetteRuncimanSaint-GermainSeidmanSinclairStewart OlsenTannasTardifTkachukUngerVernerWallaceWallinWattWellsWetstonWhiteWoo

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

AndreychukAtaullahjanBakerBattersBellemareBernardBeyakBlack (Alberta)BoisvenuBonifaceBoveyBrazeauCampbellCarignanChristmasCoolsCordyCormierDagenaisDawsonDayDeanDowneDoyleDuffyDupuisDyckEggletonEnvergaForestFraserFrumFureyGagnéGoldGreeneGriffinHarderHartlingHousakosHubleyJafferJoyalKennyLangLankinMacDonaldMaltaisMarshallMartinMarwahMassicotteMcCoyMcInnisMcIntyreMcPhedranMégieMercerMerchantMeredithMitchellMocklerMoncionMunsonNeufeldNgoOgilvieOhOmidvarPatePattersonPetitclercPlettPoirierPratteRaineRinguetteRuncimanSaint-GermainSeidmanSinclairStewart OlsenTannasTardifTkachukUngerVernerWallaceWallinWattWellsWetstonWhiteWoo

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

The Senate observed a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the tragedy at the Quebec Islamic Cultural Centre in Quebec City, which occured on January 29, 2017.

Senators’ Statements

With leave of the Senate, some Honourable Senators made statements.

Tributes

Tribute was paid to the Honourable Senator Wallace, who will resign from the Senate on February 1, 2017.

Senators’ Statements

Some Honourable Senators made statements.

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

Government Notices of Motions

With leave of the Senate,

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

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, Question Period shall begin today at 3:30 p.m., with any proceedings then before the Senate being interrupted until the end of Question Period, which shall last a maximum of 40 minutes;

That, if a standing vote would conflict with the holding of Question Period at 3:30 p.m. today, 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. today, 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. today, the sitting be suspended until that time for the purpose of holding Question Period.

After debate,

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

Orders of the Day

Government Business

Bills – Reports of Committees

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator MacDonald, seconded by the Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., for the adoption of the fifth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications (Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Motor Vehicle Safety Act and to make a consequential amendment to another Act, with an amendment), presented in the Senate on November 24, 2016.

After debate,

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

The Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Hubley, that the bill, as amended, be placed on the Orders of the Day for third reading at the next sitting.

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

Bills – Second Reading

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

Motions

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

Inquiries

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

Other Business

Commons Public Bills – Third Reading

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

Senate Public Bills – Second Reading

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

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Jaffer, seconded by the Honourable Senator Baker, P.C., for the second reading of Bill S-210, An Act to amend An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the Civil Marriage Act and the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.

The Honourable Senator Plett moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin, 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-233, An Act to amend the Customs Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (presentation and reporting requirements).

The Honourable Senator Runciman moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator White, that the bill be read the second time.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Bellemare moved, for the Honourable Senator Baker, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Harder, 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

Order No. 8 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

Reports of Committees – Other

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

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Greene, seconded by the Honourable Senator Andreychuk, for the adoption of the fourth report (interim) of the Special Senate Committee on Senate Modernization, entitled Senate Modernization: Moving Forward (Order Paper), presented in the Senate on October 4, 2016.

The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Neufeld, 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 13 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Motions

Order No. 73 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Moore:

That the Senate invite the Government of Canada to mark the 150th anniversary of Confederation by striking a commemorative medal which, with the traditional symbols of Canada, would recognize the inestimable contribution made by Aboriginal peoples to the emergence of a better Canada; and

That this medal be distributed, among others, to those persons who contributed to improving the living conditions of all Canadians in a significant manner over the last 50 years.

Debate.

Question Period

Pursuant to the order adopted earlier today, the Senate proceeded to Question Period.

Pursuant to the order adopted on December 10, 2015, the Honourable  Navdeep Bains, P.C., M.P., Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, entered the Senate and took part in Question Period.

Orders of the Day

Other Business

Motions

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Moore:

That the Senate invite the Government of Canada to mark the 150th anniversary of Confederation by striking a commemorative medal which, with the traditional symbols of Canada, would recognize the inestimable contribution made by Aboriginal peoples to the emergence of a better Canada; and

That this medal be distributed, among others, to those persons who contributed to improving the living conditions of all Canadians in a significant manner over the last 50 years.

After debate,

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

o o o

Orders No. 69, 146, 89, 92, 60, 43 and 31 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Dawson:

That the Senate encourage the federal government, after appropriate consultations, to sponsor along with one or more of the provinces/territories a pilot project, and any complementary studies, to evaluate the cost and impact of implementing a national basic income program based on a negative income tax for the purpose of helping Canadians to escape poverty.

And on the motion in amendment of the Honourable Senator Bellemare, seconded by the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C.:

That the motion be amended to read as follows:

That the Senate encourage the federal government, after appropriate consultations, to provide support to initiatives by provinces/territories, including the Aboriginal Communities, aimed at evaluating the cost and impact of implementing measures, programs and pilot projects for the purpose of helping Canadians to escape poverty, by way of a basic income program (such as a negative income tax) and to report on their relative efficiency.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Lankin, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boniface, 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

Orders No. 1, 16, 17 and 13 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Maltais, calling the attention of the Senate to the softwood lumber crisis.

After debate,

Further debate on the inquiry was adjourned until the next sitting, in the name of the Honourable Senator Martin.

o o o

Orders No. 19, 18, 8, 12, 14 and 11 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Jaffer, calling 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.

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

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

ADJOURNMENT

The Honourable Senator Bellemare 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 5:06 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 Pest Management Regulatory Agency on the administration and enforcement of the Pest Control Products Act for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, pursuant to the Act, S.C. 2002, c. 28, sbs. 80(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-866.

Amendments to the Management Plan for the Louis S. St. Laurent National Historic Site of Canada, pursuant to the Parks Canada Agency Act, S.C. 1998, c. 31, sbs. 32(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-867.

Actuarial Report on the Benefit Plan financed through the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (Dependants) Pension Fund for the period of April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2016, pursuant to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Pension Continuation Act, R.S.C. 1970, c. R-10, sbs. 56(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-868.

Report of operations under the Fisheries Development Act for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, pursuant to the Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-21, s. 10.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-869.

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5 and to the Order of the Senate of December 7, 2016

Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples

The Honourable Senator Watt was added to the membership (January 31, 2017).

The Honourable Senator Mégie was added to the membership (January 25, 2017).

The Honourable Senator Meredith was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (January 25, 2017).

The Honourable Senator Christmas replaced the Honourable Senator McCoy (December 19, 2016).

Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry

The Honourable Senator Galvez replaced the Honourable Senator McCoy (December 19, 2016).

Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce

The Honourable Senator Tardif was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (January 31, 2017).

The Honourable Senator Patterson replaced the Honourable Senator Tannas (January 30, 2017).

Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources

The Honourable Senator Dean replaced the Honourable Senator Galvez (January 31, 2017).

The Honourable Senator Galvez replaced the Honourable Senator Omidvar (December 19, 2016).

Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans

The Honourable Senator McCoy was added to the membership (January 26, 2017).

The Honourable Senator Omidvar was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (January 26, 2017).

The Honourable Senator Christmas replaced the Honourable Senator McCoy (December 19, 2016).

Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights

The Honourable Senator Poirier replaced the Honourable Senator Martin (January 31, 2017).

Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration

The Honourable Senator Omidvar was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Mitchell was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Marwah was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Lankin, P.C., was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Dupuis was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Ngo was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Manning was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (December 15, 2016).

Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs

The Honourable Senator Tannas replaced the Honourable Senator McIntyre (January 30, 2017).

The Honourable Senator Dupuis was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Plett was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator McInnis was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Pate was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Omidvar was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

Standing Senate Committee on National Finance

The Honourable Senator Black was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Day was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Woo was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Forest was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Mitchell was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Moncion was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Ataullahjan was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (December 15, 2016).

Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence

The Honourable Senator Mockler replaced the Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C. (January 30, 2017).

The Honourable Senator Lankin, P.C., was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Boniface was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator McPhedran was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator McCoy was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Saint-Germain was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages

The Honourable Senator Bovey was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Mégie was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Moncion was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Cormier was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament

The Honourable Senator Day was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Dupuis was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator McCoy was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Ogilvie was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Ringuette was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Bellemare was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Cools was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Martin was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Gold was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Wallace was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (December 15, 2016).

Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations

The Honourable Senator Wallin was added to the membership (December 23, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Moncion was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (December 23, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Moncion replaced the Honourable Senator Omidvar (December 16, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Omidvar replaced the Honourable Senator Moncion (December 16, 2016).

Special Senate Committee on Senate Modernization

The Honourable Senator Pratte replaced the Honourable Senator McCoy (January 26, 2017).

The Honourable Senator Gagné was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Dean was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Mockler was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Forest was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Bellemare was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Dupuis was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Lankin, P.C., was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Cools was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Tannas was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (December 15, 2016).

Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology

The Honourable Senator Beyak replaced the Honourable Senator Frum (January 31, 2017).

The Honourable Senator Hartling replaced the Honourable Senator Demers (December 19, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Dean was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Munson was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Meredith was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Cormier was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Day was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Mégie was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications

The Honourable Senator Galvez replaced the Honourable Senator Forest (January 31, 2017).

The Honourable Senator Lang replaced the Honourable Senator Greene (January 31, 2017).

The Honourable Senator Forest replaced the Honourable Senator Galvez (January 31, 2017).

The Honourable Senator Galvez replaced the Honourable Senator Omidvar (December 19, 2016).

The Honourable Senator McCoy was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Griffin was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Saint-Germain was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Omidvar was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Bovey was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Black was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Hartling was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Cormier was added to the membership (December 15, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Plett was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (December 15, 2016).