The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AndreychukAtaullahjanBakerBellemareBeyakBoisvenuBonifaceBrazeauCampbellCarignanChristmasCoolsCordyCormierDagenaisDawsonDayDeanDowneDoyleDuffyDupuisDyckEggletonEnvergaForestFraserFrumFureyGagnéGalvezGoldGreeneGriffinHarderHartlingHousakosHubleyJafferJoyalKennyLangLankinLovelace NicholasMacDonaldMaltaisManningMarshallMartinMcCoyMcInnisMcIntyreMcPhedranMégieMercerMerchantMeredithMitchellMocklerMoncionMunsonNeufeldNgoOgilvieOhOmidvarPatePattersonPetitclercPlettPratteRinguetteSaint-GermainSeidmanSibbestonSinclairSmithStewart OlsenTannasTardifTkachukUngerVernerWallinWattWellsWetstonWhite

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

AndreychukAtaullahjanBakerBellemareBeyakBoisvenuBonifaceBrazeauCampbellCarignanChristmasCoolsCordyCormierDagenaisDawsonDayDeanDowneDoyleDuffyDupuisDyckEggletonEnvergaForestFraserFrumFureyGagnéGalvezGoldGreeneGriffinHarderHartlingHousakosHubleyJafferJoyalKennyLangLankinLovelace NicholasMacDonaldMaltaisManningMarshallMartinMcCoyMcInnisMcIntyreMcPhedranMégieMercerMerchantMeredithMitchellMocklerMoncionMunsonNeufeldNgoOgilvieOhOmidvarPatePattersonPetitclercPlettPratteRinguetteSaint-GermainSeidmanSibbestonSinclairSmithStewart OlsenTannasTardifTkachukUngerVernerWallinWattWellsWetstonWhite

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

Tabling of Documents

The Honourable the Speaker tabled the following:

Case Report of Findings of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner in the Matter of an Investigation into Allegations of Wrongdoing (Canadian Food Inspection Agency), pursuant to the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act, S.C. 2005, c. 46, sbs. 38(3.3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-903.

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The Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., tabled the following:

Main Estimates, for the year 2017-18, Parts I and II: The Government Expenditure Plan and Main Estimates.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-904.

Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees

The Honourable Senator Smith, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance, informed the Senate that, pursuant to the orders adopted by the Senate on February 23, 2016 and February 16, 2017, the committee deposited with the Clerk of the Senate earlier this day, its twelfth report (interim) entitled Smarter Planning, Smarter Spending: Achieving infrastructure success.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-902S.

The Honourable Senator Smith moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Manning, 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.

Government Notices of Motions

With leave of the Senate,

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

That the provisions of the order adopted on February 16, 2017, governing Question Period be applied instead to Question Period tomorrow, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, except that Question Period begin at 3:10 p.m.; and

That Question Period today be held at its normal time.

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

Introduction and First Reading of Government Bills

A message was brought from the House of Commons with Bill C-18, An Act to amend the Rouge National Urban Park Act, the Parks Canada Agency Act and the Canada National Parks Act, to which it desires the concurrence of the Senate.

The bill was read the first time.

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

Notices of Motions

With leave of the Senate,

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

That the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans have the power to meet on Tuesday, February 28, 2017, 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.

Question Period

The Senate proceeded to Question Period.

Delayed Answers

Pursuant to rule 4-10(2), the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., tabled the following:

Reply to Question No. 18, dated October 18, 2016, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Kenny, respecting bonuses at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for “regular members”.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-905S.

Reply to Question No. 20, dated November 3, 2016, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Downe, respecting federal government employment.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-906S.

Reply to Question No. 34, dated December 14, 2016, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., respecting Canadian citizens who are also citizens of another country.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-907S.

Orders of the Day

Government Business

Bills – Third Reading

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Bellemare, seconded by the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., for the third reading of Bill C-4, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code, the Parliamentary Employment and Staff Relations Act, the Public Service Labour Relations Act and the Income Tax Act.

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, on division.

Bills – Second Reading

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

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Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Pratte, seconded by the Honourable Senator Mitchell, for the second reading of Bill C-30, An Act to implement the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and the European Union and its Member States and to provide for certain other measures.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Sinclair moved, for the Honourable Senator Forest, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gagné, 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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Second reading of Bill C-31, An Act to implement the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and Ukraine.

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

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Martin moved, for the Honourable Senator Housakos, seconded by the Honourable Senator Plett, 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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Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Mitchell, seconded by the Honourable Senator Fraser, for the second reading of Bill C-16, An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Martin moved, for the Honourable Senator Unger, 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.

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Second reading of Bill C-37, An Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and to make related amendments to other Acts.

The Honourable Senator Campbell moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Pratte, that the bill be read the second time.

After debate,

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

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

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

Senate Public Bills – Third Reading

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

Commons Public Bills – Third Reading

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

Senate Public Bills – Second Reading

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

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Second reading of Bill S-236, An Act to recognize Charlottetown as the birthplace of Confederation.

The Honourable Senator Griffin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dean, that the bill be read the second time.

After debate,

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 negatived, on division.

The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Griffin, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dean, for the second reading of Bill S-236, An Act to recognize Charlottetown as the birthplace of Confederation.

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

The bill was then read the second time.

The Honourable Senator Griffin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dean, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.

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

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

Commons Public Bills – Second Reading

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

Reports of Committees – Other

Orders No. 1 to 6 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

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Resuming debate on the consideration of the ninth report (interim) of the Special Senate Committee on Senate Modernization, entitled Senate Modernization: Moving Forward (Question Period), presented in the Senate on October 25, 2016.

The Honourable Senator Frum moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Beyak, that the report be adopted.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Ringuette moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Lankin, 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. 8 to 12 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Motions

Orders No. 158, 139, 92 and 31 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

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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 Pate moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cormier, that further debate on the motion in amendment be adjourned until the next sitting.

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

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Orders No. 73, 146 and 89 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Inquiries

Orders No. 12, 8, 20, 14, 19, 11, 15, 2, 1, 16, 17 and 13 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

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Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Mockler, calling the attention of the Senate to the issue of pipeline safety in Canada, and the nation-building project that is the Energy East proposal, and its resulting impact on the Canadian economy.

With leave of the Senate,

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

That the Senate do now adjourn.

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

(Accordingly, at 6:11 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 on the Annual Summary of Steel Import Data for the year 2016, pursuant to the Export and Import Permits Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. E-19, sbs. 5.1(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-896.

Report on the administration and operation of the Canada Health Act for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, pursuant to the Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-6, s. 23.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-897.

Report on the Employment Equity Act (Labour) for the year 2016, pursuant to the Act, S.C. 1995, c. 44, s. 20.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-898.

Summaries of the Corporate Plan for 2017-21 and of the Operating and Capital Budgets for 2017 of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-899.

Five-Year Review and Report to Parliament of the Board of Governors of the Canada School of Public Service for the years 2011 to 2016, pursuant to the Canada School of Public Service Act, S.C. 1991, c. 16, sbs. 19(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-900.

Report on the five-year review of the Farm Income Protection Act (FIPA), pursuant to the Act, S.C. 1991, c. 22, s. 20.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-901.

Twelfth report (interim) of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance entitled Smarter Planning, Smarter Spending: Achieving infrastructure success, deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on February 28, 2017, pursuant to the orders adopted by the Senate on February 23, 2016 and February 16, 2017.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-902S.

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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 McIntyre replaced the Honourable Senator Raine (February 28, 2017).

Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry

The Honourable Senator Duffy replaced the Honourable Senator Woo (February 27, 2017).

Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans

The Honourable Senator Tannas replaced the Honourable Senator Raine (February 27, 2017).

Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade

The Honourable Senator Duffy replaced the Honourable Senator Marwah (February 28, 2017).

Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs

The Honourable Senator MacDonald replaced the Honourable Senator Boisvenu (February 28, 2017).

Standing Senate Committee on National Finance

The Honourable Senator Pratte replaced the Honourable Senator Lankin, P.C. (February 28, 2017).

The Honourable Senator Tkachuk replaced the Honourable Senator Stewart Olsen (February 28, 2017).

The Honourable Senator Lankin, P.C., replaced the Honourable Senator Pratte (February 27, 2017).

Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages

The Honourable Senator Bovey replaced the Honourable Senator Boniface (February 28, 2017).

The Honourable Senator Fraser replaced the Honourable Senator Jaffer (February 28, 2017).

The Honourable Senator Poirier replaced the Honourable Senator Doyle (February 27, 2017).

The Honourable Senator Doyle replaced the Honourable Senator Poirier (February 27, 2017).

The Honourable Senator Jaffer replaced the Honourable Senator Fraser (February 24, 2017).

Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament

The Honourable Senator Batters replaced the Honourable Senator McIntyre (February 28, 2017).

The Honourable Senator Wallin replaced the Honourable Senator Gold (February 27, 2017).

The Honourable Senator McIntyre replaced the Honourable Senator Batters (February 27, 2017).

Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology

The Honourable Senator Beyak replaced the Honourable Senator Raine (February 28, 2017).

Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications

The Honourable Senator Plett replaced the Honourable Senator Boisvenu (February 28, 2017).

The Honourable Senator Dean replaced the Honourable Senator Cormier (February 28, 2017).