The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AndreychukAtaullahjanBakerBattersBellemareBernardBeyakBoisvenuBonifaceBoveyBrazeauCampbellCarignanChristmasCoolsCordyCormierDagenaisDawsonDayDeanDowneDoyleDuffyDupuisDyckEatonEggletonEnvergaForestFraserFureyGagnéGoldGreeneHarderHartlingHousakosJafferJoyalLangLankinLovelace NicholasMaltaisManningMarshallMartinMarwahMcCoyMcInnisMcIntyreMcPhedranMégieMercerMitchellMoncionMunsonNgoOgilvieOhOmidvarPatePetitclercPlettPratteRinguetteRuncimanSaint-GermainSeidmanSinclairSmithStewart OlsenTannasTardifTkachukUngerVernerWattWellsWetstonWhiteWoo

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

AndreychukAtaullahjanBakerBattersBellemareBernardBeyak*Black (Alberta)BoisvenuBonifaceBoveyBrazeauCampbellCarignanChristmasCoolsCordyCormierDagenaisDawsonDayDeanDowneDoyleDuffyDupuisDyckEatonEggletonEnvergaForestFraserFureyGagné*GalvezGoldGreene*GriffinHarderHartlingHousakosJafferJoyalLangLankinLovelace NicholasMaltaisManningMarshallMartinMarwah*MassicotteMcCoyMcInnisMcIntyreMcPhedranMégieMercerMitchell*MocklerMoncionMunson*NeufeldNgoOgilvieOhOmidvarPate*PattersonPetitclercPlettPratteRinguetteRuncimanSaint-GermainSeidmanSinclairSmithStewart OlsenTannasTardifTkachukUngerVernerWattWellsWetstonWhiteWoo

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 Ogilvie presented the following:

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology has the honour to present its

TWELFTH REPORT

Your committee, to which was referred Bill S-5, An Act to amend the Tobacco Act and the Non-smokers’ Health Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, has, in obedience to the order of reference of March 9, 2017, examined the said bill and now reports the same with the following amendments:

1. Clause 3, page 2: Replace line 26 with the following:

“part of tobacco, including tobacco leaves. It includes papers, tubes and filters in-”.

2. Clause 36, pages 22 and 23:

(a) On page 22, replace lines 16 and 17 with the following:

“30.5 Subject to the regulations, no manufacturer or retailer shall give or offer to give

(a) a vaping product; or

(b) a thing that displays a vaping product-related brand element if

(i) the thing is associated with young persons,

(ii) there are reasonable grounds to believe that the thing could be appealing to young persons, or

(iii) the thing is associated with a way of life such as one that includes glamour, recreation, excitement, vitality, risk or daring.”; and

(b) on page 23, add the following after line 10:

“30.701 No person shall promote a vaping product or a vaping product-related brand element by means of advertising done in a manner that is contrary to the regulations.”.

3. Clause 38, page 24:

(a) Replace line 20 with the following:

“30.43 (1) Subject to subsection (3) and the regulations, no person shall promote a vaping product, in-”; and

(b)replace line 25 with the following:

“(2) Subject to subsection (3) and the regulations, no person shall promote a vaping product, including”.

4. Clause 39, page 26: Replace line 24 with the following:

“30.43 (1) Subject to subsection (3) and the regulations, no person shall promote a vaping product, in-”.

5.Clause 40, page 26: Replace line 30 with the following:

“after section 30.701:”.

6.Clause 44, pages 28 and 29:

(a)On page 28,

(i)add the following after line 17:

“(f.01) respecting exceptions to the prohibition under section 30.5;”, and

(ii)add the following after line 22:

“(g.1) respecting, for the purposes of section 30.701, the advertising of vaping products and vaping product-related brand elements;”; and

(b)on page 29,

(i)replace line 3 with the following:

“(f.2) respecting exceptions to the prohibitions under subsections 30.43(1) and (2);

(f.3) respecting, for the purposes of section 30.45, the”, and

(ii)replace lines 8 to 10, with the following:

“(6) Paragraph 33(f.2) of the Act is replaced by the following:

(f.2) respecting exceptions to the prohibitions under subsections 30.43(1) and (2) and, for the purposes of subsection”.

7. Clause 61, page 39: Replace line 30 with the following:

“or (2), section 30.4 or 30.701 is guilty of an offence and liable on”.

8.Clause 63, page 40: Replace line 17 with the following:

“(2), 30.47(1) or (2) or 30.48(1) or (2) or section 30.701 or 30.71 is”.

9. New clause 67.1, page 41: Add the following after line 20:

“67.1 The Act is amended by adding the following after section 60:

PART VII.1

Review of the Act

60.1 (1) The Minister must, three years after the day on which this section comes into force and every two years after that, undertake a review of the provisions and operation of this Act.

(2) The Minister must, no later than one year after the day on which the review is undertaken, cause a report on the review to be tabled in each House of Parliament.”.

10. Clause 68, page 41: Add the following after line 24:

“(3) Schedule 1 to the Act is amended by adding the following after item 1.1:

Column 1

1.2

Column 2

- menthol (CAS 89-78-1)

- l-menthol (CAS 2216-51-5)

- l-menthone (CAS 14073-97-3)

- menthol

- cloves

Column 3

Tobacco Products

(4) Subsection (3) comes into force 180 days after Royal Assent.”

Your committee has also made certain observations, which are appended to this report.

Respectfully submitted,

Observations to the Twelfth Report of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology (Bill S-5)

During its study of Bill S-5, which addresses vaping and plain packaging, the committee heard from the vaping industry that their products are primarily intended to help smokers quit using tobacco.

Committee members are concerned that once Bill S-5 is in force and the sale of vaping products with and without nicotine are subject to the provisions in the bill, some people, although well-intentioned but without medical training, will be tempted to provide clinical advice for smoking cessation.

Therefore, the committee requests that the government consider this risk in the development of regulations following the adoption of Bill S-5, in particular, by emphasizing existing provisions that prohibit non-professionals from providing medical advice.

In addition, the committee notes that the implementation of Bill S-5 will rely on very detailed regulations. The committee heard that nicotine is a highly addictive substance and observes a need for rigorous, clear standards which include, but are not limited to, e-liquid ingredients quality standards, nicotine concentration level standards, accurate labelling and oversight; in addition the need for manufacturing standards of vaping devices and their component parts.

Finally, committee members heard testimony that the contraband tobacco trade continues apace in Canada. While the weight of the evidence presented suggests that the adoption of plain packaging would not have a profound effect on the incidence of contraband tobacco in Canada, it was made clear that more needs to be done to combat this illicit trade.

Therefore, the committee urges the government to consider measures to curtail the production of contraband tobacco, including regulations that would restrict the import of substances used primarily in the manufacture of cigarettes — such acetate tow — to licensed manufacturers.

The Honourable Senator Ogilvie moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Stewart Olsen, 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.

o o o

The Honourable Senator Andreychuk, Chair of the Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators, presented the second report of the committee, entitled Consideration of an Inquiry Report from the Senate Ethics Officer.

(The report is printed as an appendix at pages 1788-1848 (available in print format PDF).)

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

(The PDF version of the appendix (legal opinion) is available on the committee website.)

Ordered, That the report be placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration later this day.

Notices of Motions

With leave of the Senate,

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

That the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans have the power to meet on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, from 5 to 6 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.

Delayed Answers

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

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on November 30, 2016 by the Honourable Senator Downe, concerning International Experience Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1057S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on December 13, 2016 by the Honourable Senator Boisvenu, concerning rights of victims.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1058S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on February 1, 2017 by the Honourable Senator Enverga, concerning family reunification—lottery program.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1059S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on February 8, 2017 by the Honourable Senator Eggleton, P.C., concerning forced adoptions.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1060S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on February 8, 2017 by the Honourable Senator Dagenais, concerning the mission in Ukraine.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1061S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on February 9, 2017 by the Honourable Senator Ngo, concerning Taiwan—international participation.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1062S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on February 15, 2017 by the Honourable Senator Boisvenu, concerning parole—complaints from victims of crime.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1063S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on February 15, 2017 by the Honourable Senator Boisvenu, concerning parole—complaints from victims of crime.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1064S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on February 16, 2017 by the Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., concerning diafiltered milk.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1065S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on February 28, 2017 by the Honourable Senator Oh, concerning children in immigration detention.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1066S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on February 28, 2017 by the Honourable Senator McIntyre, concerning the review of Will Baker’s case.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1067S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on February 28, 2017 by the Honourable Senator Jaffer, concerning programs and initiatives.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1068S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on March 2, 2017 by the Honourable Senator Patterson, concerning the Infrastructure Bank.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1069S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on March 2, 2017 by the Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., concerning the Champlain Bridge.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1070S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on March 2, 2017 by the Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., concerning Montreal—light rail project.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1071S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on March 8, 2017 by the Honourable Senator Martin, concerning Nigeria—missing Chibok girls.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1072S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on March 28, 2017 by the Honourable Senator Patterson, concerning Arctic fisheries.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1073S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on March 29, 2017 by the Honourable Senator Downe, concerning the Confederation Bridge.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1074S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on March 30, 2017 by the Honourable Senator Jaffer, concerning the Canada Border Services Agency—detention of refugee children.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1075S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on April 5, 2017 by the Honourable Senator Patterson, concerning Nunavut—Carbon Tax.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1076S.

o o o

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

Reply to Question No. 25, dated December 14, 2016, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., respecting Ministerial Appointments.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1077S.

Orders of the Day

Ordered, That Order No. 32 under OTHER BUSINESS, Reports of Committees - Other, be brought forward.

Consideration of the second report of the Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators, entitled Consideration of an Inquiry Report from the Senate Ethics Officer, presented in the Senate on May 2, 2017.

The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., that the report be adopted.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Bellemare moved, 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.

Government Business

Bills – Third Reading

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Omidvar, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gagné, for the third reading of Bill C-6, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act and to make consequential amendments to another Act, as amended.

And on the motion in amendment of the Honourable Senator Lang, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin:

That Bill C-6, as amended, be not now read a third time, but that it be further amended

(a)on page 4,

(i)in clause 4 (as replaced by decision of the Senate on April 4, 2017), by replacing sub-clause (2) with the following:

“(2) Subsection 10.1(2) of the Act is replaced with the following:

(2) Any court that sentences a person to at least five years of imprisonment for a terrorism offence as defined in section 2 of the Criminal Code or for a terrorism offence as defined in subsection 2(1) of the National Defence Act may, in its discretion, make a declaration that the person was so sentenced.”,

(ii)in clause 5, by replacing line 7 with the following:

“5 Section 10.3 of the Act is replaced by the following:

10.3 A person whose citizenship is revoked under paragraph 10.1(3)(b) becomes a foreign national within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

5.01 Section 10.4 of the Act is replaced by the following:

10.4 (1) Subsection 10.1(2) does not operate so as to authorize any declaration that conflicts with any international human rights instrument regarding statelessness to which Canada is signatory.

(2) If an instrument referred to in subsection (1) prohibits the deprivation of citizenship that would render a person stateless, a person who claims that subsection 10.1(2) would operate in the manner described in subsection (1) must prove, on a balance of probabilities, their claim.”, and

(iii)by adding after line 13 the following:

“6.1 Section 10.7 of the Act is replaced by the following:

10.7 (1) An appeal to the Federal Court of Appeal may be made from a judgment under subsection 10.1(1) or section 10.5 only if, in rendering judgment, the judge certifies that a serious question of general importance is involved and states the question.

(2) An appeal from a judgment under subsection 10.1(2) lies to the Court Martial Appeal Court in the case of a judgment of a court martial or, in any other case, to the court of appeal of the province in which the judgment is rendered.”;

(b)on page 5, in clause 10,

(i)by replacing lines 14 to 17 with the following:

“(3) Paragraphs 22(1)(f) and (g) of the Act are replaced by the following:”, and

(ii)by replacing line 23 with the following:

“or paragraph 10.1(3)(a); or

(g) if the person’s citizenship has been revoked under paragraph 10.1(3)(b).”; and

(c)on page 8, by replacing clause 26 (as replaced by the decision of the Senate on April 4, 2017) with the following:

“26 Paragraphs 46(2)(b) and (c) of the Act are replaced by the following:

(b) subsection 10(1) of the Citizenship Act; or

(c) paragraph 10.1(3)(a) of the Citizenship Act.”.

Debate.

Question Period

Pursuant to the order adopted on April 13, 2017, the Senate proceeded to Question Period.

Pursuant to the order adopted on December 10, 2015, the Honourable  Ahmed Hussen, P.C., M.P., Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, entered the Senate and took part in Question Period.

Government Business

Bills – Third Reading

The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Omidvar, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gagné, for the third reading of Bill C-6, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act and to make consequential amendments to another Act, as amended.

And on the motion in amendment of the Honourable Senator Lang, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin:

That Bill C-6, as amended, be not now read a third time, but that it be further amended

(a)on page 4,

(i)in clause 4 (as replaced by decision of the Senate on April 4, 2017), by replacing sub-clause (2) with the following:

“(2) Subsection 10.1(2) of the Act is replaced with the following:

(2) Any court that sentences a person to at least five years of imprisonment for a terrorism offence as defined in section 2 of the Criminal Code or for a terrorism offence as defined in subsection 2(1) of the National Defence Act may, in its discretion, make a declaration that the person was so sentenced.”,

(ii)in clause 5, by replacing line 7 with the following:

“5 Section 10.3 of the Act is replaced by the following:

10.3 A person whose citizenship is revoked under paragraph 10.1(3)(b) becomes a foreign national within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

5.01 Section 10.4 of the Act is replaced by the following:

10.4 (1) Subsection 10.1(2) does not operate so as to authorize any declaration that conflicts with any international human rights instrument regarding statelessness to which Canada is signatory.

(2) If an instrument referred to in subsection (1) prohibits the deprivation of citizenship that would render a person stateless, a person who claims that subsection 10.1(2) would operate in the manner described in subsection (1) must prove, on a balance of probabilities, their claim.”, and

(iii)by adding after line 13 the following:

“6.1 Section 10.7 of the Act is replaced by the following:

10.7 (1) An appeal to the Federal Court of Appeal may be made from a judgment under subsection 10.1(1) or section 10.5 only if, in rendering judgment, the judge certifies that a serious question of general importance is involved and states the question.

(2) An appeal from a judgment under subsection 10.1(2) lies to the Court Martial Appeal Court in the case of a judgment of a court martial or, in any other case, to the court of appeal of the province in which the judgment is rendered.”;

(b)on page 5, in clause 10,

(i)by replacing lines 14 to 17 with the following:

“(3) Paragraphs 22(1)(f) and (g) of the Act are replaced by the following:”, and

(ii)by replacing line 23 with the following:

“or paragraph 10.1(3)(a); or

(g) if the person’s citizenship has been revoked under paragraph 10.1(3)(b).”; and

(c)on page 8, by replacing clause 26 (as replaced by the decision of the Senate on April 4, 2017) with the following:

“26 Paragraphs 46(2)(b) and (c) of the Act are replaced by the following:

(b) subsection 10(1) of the Citizenship Act; or

(c) paragraph 10.1(3)(a) of the Citizenship Act.”.

After debate,

The question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:

YEAS

The Honourable Senators

BattersBeyakBoisvenuCarignanCoolsDagenaisDoyleEatonEnvergaGreeneHousakosLangMaltaisManningMarshallMartinMcInnisMcIntyreNgoOgilviePlettRuncimanSeidmanSmithTkachukUngerWellsWhite—28

NAYS

The Honourable Senators

BellemareBernardBonifaceBoveyCampbellChristmasCordyCormierDawsonDayDeanDowneDupuisDyckEggletonForestFraserGagnéGoldHarderHartlingJafferJoyalLankinLovelace NicholasMarwahMcCoyMcPhedranMégieMercerMitchellMoncionMunsonOmidvarPatePetitclercPratteRinguetteSaint-GermainSinclairTardifWattWetstonWoo—44

ABSTENTIONS

The Honourable Senators

AtaullahjanOhStewart OlsenTannas—4

The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Omidvar, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gagné, for the third reading of Bill C-6, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act and to make consequential amendments to another Act, as amended.

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

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

Bills – Reports of Committees

Consideration of the fourteenth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs (Bill C-37, An Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and to make related amendments to other Acts, with amendments), presented in the Senate on April 13, 2017.

The Honourable Senator Runciman moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Greene, that the report be adopted.

After debate,

In amendment, the Honourable Senator White moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Maltais:

That the fourteenth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs be not now adopted, but that it be amended, in amendment No. 1 by replacing, in the French version of paragraph 1(b), the word “illicites” with the word “désignées”.

After debate,

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

The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Runciman, seconded by the Honourable Senator Greene, for the adoption of the fourteenth report, as amended, of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs (Bill C-37, An Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and to make related amendments to other Acts, with amendments), presented in the Senate on April 13, 2017.

After debate,

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

The Honourable Senator Campbell moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Pratte, 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

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Jaffer, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cordy:

That the following Address be presented to His Excellency the Governor General of Canada:

To His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order of Canada, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Military Merit, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY:

We, Her Majesty’s most loyal and dutiful subjects, the Senate of Canada in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Excellency for the gracious Speech which Your Excellency has addressed to both Houses of Parliament.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Smith, 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. 80 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

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

That, at the end of Question Period on Thursday, May 4, 2017, the Senate resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole in order to receive Mr. Patrick Borbey respecting his appointment as President of the Public Service Commission; and

That the Committee of the Whole report to the Senate no later than one hour after it begins.

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

Inquiries

Order No. 2 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

Other Business

Senate Public Bills – Third Reading

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

o o o

Third reading of Bill S-229, An Act respecting underground infrastructure safety, as amended.

The Honourable Senator Mitchell moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Campbell, that the bill, as amended, be read for a third time.

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.

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.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Patterson, seconded by the Honourable Senator Enverga, for the second reading of Bill S-221, An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (Property qualifications of Senators).

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Petitclerc, 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. 3 to 6 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Reports of Committees – Other

Orders No. 1, 3, 5 and 6 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Frum, seconded by the Honourable Senator Beyak, for the adoption 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.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Mercer 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

Orders No. 8 to 12, 14 and 15, 17 to 19, 29 and 31 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Motions

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 procurement 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 Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Smith, 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. 51, 73 and 89 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Ngo, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cowan:

That the Senate note with concern the escalating and hostile behaviour exhibited by the People’s Republic of China in the South China Sea and consequently urge the Government of Canada to encourage all parties involved, and in particular the People’s Republic of China, to:

(a) recognize and uphold the rights of freedom of navigation and overflight as enshrined in customary international law and in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea;

(b) cease all activities that would complicate or escalate the disputes, such as the construction of artificial islands, land reclamation, and further militarization of the region;

(c) abide by all previous multilateral efforts to resolve the disputes and commit to the successful implementation of a binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea;

(d) commit to finding a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the disputes in line with the provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and respect the settlements reached through international arbitration; and

(e) strengthen efforts to significantly reduce the environmental impacts of the disputes upon the fragile ecosystem of the South China Sea;

That the Senate also urge the Government of Canada to support its regional partners and allies and to take additional steps necessary to de-escalate tensions and restore the peace and stability of the region; and

That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint it with the foregoing.

After debate,

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

That the question under debate be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Smith, 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. 139, 146, 158 and 194 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Inquiries

Orders No. 1, 2 and 8 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Tardif, calling the attention of the Senate to the Trans Canada Trail — its history, benefits and the challenges it is faced with as it approaches its 25th anniversary.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Mercer moved, for the Honourable Senator Day, seconded by the Honourable Senator Tardif, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.

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

o o o

Orders No. 12 to 14 and 17 to 19 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Tardif, calling the attention of the Senate to regional universities and the important role they play in Canada.

After debate,

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

That the Senate do now adjourn.

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

(Accordingly, at 8:54 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)

Government response, dated April 13, 2017, to the sixth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, entitled Dementia in Canada: A National Strategy of Dementia-friendly Communities, deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on November 15, 2016.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1049S.

(Pursuant to rule 12-24(4), the report and the response were deemed referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology.)

Summaries of the Corporate Plan for 2016-20 and of the Capital Budget for 2016 of the Canada Development Investment Corporation, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1050.

Summaries of the Corporate Plan for 2017-21 and of the Capital Budget for 2017 of the Canada Development Investment Corporation, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1051.

Report on the administration of the Canada Petroleum Resources Act for the year 2016, pursuant to the Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 36 (2nd Supp.), s. 109.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1052.

Interim Order No. 4 Respecting the Use of Model Aircraft (8110-3-64-4), dated April 24, 2017, pursuant to the Aeronautics Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-2, sbs. 6.41(5) and (6).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1053.

Supplemental Agreement of the 2012 Canada-Nova Scotia Police Service Agreement, pursuant to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. R-10, sbs. 20(5).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1054.

Employment Insurance Monitoring and Assessment Report for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, pursuant to the Employment Insurance Act, S.C. 1996, c. 23, sbs. 3(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1055.

Amendment to the Agreement for RCMP policing services (First Nations Community Policing Service) for the province of Alberta, pursuant to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. R-10, sbs. 20(5).—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-1056.

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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 Martin replaced the Honourable Senator Raine (May 1, 2017).

The Honourable Senator Lankin, P.C., replaced the Honourable Senator Mégie (May 1, 2017).

Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans

The Honourable Senator Sinclair replaced the Honourable Senator Pate (April 18, 2017).

Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights

The Honourable Senator Fraser replaced the Honourable Senator Hubley (May 2, 2017).

Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs

The Honourable Senator Frum replaced the Honourable Senator McIntyre (April 26, 2017).

Standing Senate Committee on National Finance

The Honourable Senator Black was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (May 2, 2017).

Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament

The Honourable Senator Housakos replaced the Honourable Senator McInnis (May 2, 2017).

The Honourable Senator Martin replaced the Honourable Senator Frum (May 2, 2017).

The Honourable Senator Plett replaced the Honourable Senator Tkachuk (May 2, 2017).

The Honourable Senator Mégie replaced the Honourable Senator Lankin, P.C. (May 1, 2017).

Special Senate Committee on Senate Modernization

The Honourable Senator Gold replaced the Honourable Senator Lankin, P.C. (May 1, 2017).

Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology

The Honourable Senator Dagenais replaced the Honourable Senator Neufeld (May 1, 2017).

The Honourable Senator Unger replaced the Honourable Senator Raine (May 1, 2017).

The Honourable Senator Mégie replaced the Honourable Senator Griffin (April 18, 2017).

Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications

The Honourable Senator Duffy replaced the Honourable Senator Dean (May 2, 2017).

The Honourable Senator Dean replaced the Honourable Senator Griffin (May 1, 2017).

The Honourable Senator Dagenais replaced the Honourable Senator MacDonald (April 26, 2017).