Order Paper and Notice Paper
The Order Paper and Notice Paper is a document that guides the deliberations of the Senate and lists items of business currently before it. These items are listed in several different categories and in a priority according to an arrangement adopted by the Senate as stipulated in the rules. The majority of these items constitute the Orders of the Day which are called following Routine Proceedings. These items are themselves divided into two principal categories - government business and other business. Within each of these two categories are items for bills, motions, inquiries and reports of committees.
The Notice Paper contains the text of motions and inquiries not yet called for debate.
The Order Paper and Notice Paper is prepared every day in advance of the actual sitting.
Order of Business
(The following is an outline of a typical sitting day in the Senate. Variations are possible subject to the Rules and to the decisions of the Senate.)
Senators' Statements (15 minutes)
ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS (30 minutes)
1. Tabling of Documents
2. Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees
3. Government Notices of Motions
4. Government Notices of Inquiries
5. Introduction and First Reading of Government Bills
6. Introduction and First Reading of Senate Public Bills
7. First Reading of Commons Public Bills
8. Reading of Petitions for Private Bills
9. Introduction and First Reading of Private Bills
10. Tabling of Reports from Interparliamentary Delegations
11. Notices of Motions
12. Notices of Inquiries
13. Tabling of Petitions
Question Period (30 minutes)
Delayed Answers
ORDERS OF THE DAY
Government Business
• Bills — Messages from the House of Commons
• Bills — Third Reading
• Bills — Reports of Committees
• Bills — Second Reading
• Reports of Committees — Other
• Motions
• Inquiries
• Other
Other Business
• Bills — Messages from the House of Commons
• Senate Public Bills — Third Reading
• Commons Public Bills — Third Reading
• Private Bills — Third Reading
• Senate Public Bills — Reports of Committees
• Commons Public Bills — Reports of Committees
• Private Bills — Reports of Committees
• Senate Public Bills — Second Reading
• Commons Public Bills — Second Reading
• Private Bills — Second Reading
• Reports of Committees — Other
• Motions
• Inquiries
• Other
NOTICE PAPER
• Notices of Motions
• Notices of Inquiries
Orders Of The Day
OTHER BUSINESS
Rule 4-15(2) states:
Except as otherwise ordered by the Senate, any item of Other Business on the Order Paper and any motion or inquiry on the Notice Paper that have not been proceeded with during 15 sitting days shall be dropped from the Order Paper and Notice Paper.
Consequently, the number appearing in parentheses indicates the number of sittings since the item was last proceeded with.
Reports of Committees – Other
No. 2.
February 4, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Sinclair, seconded by the Honourable Senator Patterson, for the adoption of the first report (interim) of the Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators, entitled Developments and actions in relation to the committee’s fifth report regarding Senator Beyak, deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on January 31, 2020.
Government Business
Bills – Messages from the House of Commons
Nil
Bills – Third Reading
Nil
Bills – Reports of Committees
Nil
Bills – Second Reading
Nil
Reports of Committees – Other
Nil
Motions
No. 1.
February 4, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson:
That the following Address be presented to Her Excellency the Governor General of Canada:
To Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, 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.
No. 7.
February 6, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Gagné, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C.:
That, notwithstanding usual practice, the Senate invite any Minister of the Crown who is not a member of the Senate to enter the chamber during any future Question Period and take part in proceedings by responding to questions relating to his or her ministerial responsibilities, subject to the Rules and practices of the Senate.
And on the motion in amendment of the Honourable Senator Housakos, seconded by the Honourable Senator Mockler:
That the motion be not now adopted, but that it be amended:
1.by replacing the words “the Senate invite any Minister of the Crown who is not a member of the Senate to enter the chamber during any future Question Period and” by the following:
“for the remainder of the current session, the Senate authorize the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate to make a short statement during any Question Period in order to designate Ministers of the Crown who are not members of the Senate to participate in Question Period;
That these ministers then be deemed invited to enter the chamber during Question Period at a future sitting to”;
2.by replacing the words “his or her” by the word “their”; and
3.by adding the following before the period:
“; and
That the Leader or Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate advise the Senate of the date that any minister designated by the Leader of the Opposition will be in attendance by making a brief statement during Question Period no later than the fourth day the Senate sits before that date”.
And on the subamendment of the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Gagné:
That the motion in amendment be not now adopted, but that it be amended:
1. by replacing the words “Opposition in the Senate to make a short statement during any Question Period” by the words “Government in the Senate, after consultation with the leaders and facilitators of all the recognized parties and recognized parliamentary groups, to make a short statement at the start of the Orders of the Day during any sitting”; and
2. by replacing the words “by the Leader of the Opposition will be in attendance by making a brief statement during Question Period” by the words “pursuant to this order will be in attendance by making a brief statement at the start of the Orders of the Day”.
No. 13.
By the Honourable Senator Gagné:
February 26, 2020—That, when the Senate next adjourns after the adoption of this motion, it do stand adjourned until Tuesday, March 10, 2020, at 2 p.m.
Inquiries
Nil
Other
Nil
Other Business
Rule 4-15(2) states:
Except as otherwise ordered by the Senate, any item of Other Business on the Order Paper and any motion or inquiry on the Notice Paper that have not been proceeded with during 15 sitting days shall be dropped from the Order Paper and Notice Paper.
Consequently, the number appearing in parentheses indicates the number of sittings since the item was last proceeded with.
Bills – Messages from the House of Commons
Nil
Senate Public Bills – Third Reading
Nil
Commons Public Bills – Third Reading
Nil
Private Bills – Third Reading
Nil
Senate Public Bills – Reports of Committees
Nil
Commons Public Bills – Reports of Committees
Nil
Private Bills – Reports of Committees
Nil
Senate Public Bills – Second Reading
No. 1. (eight)
December 10, 2019—Second reading of Bill S-201, An Act to amend the Borrowing Authority Act.—(Honourable Senator Day)
No. 2. (seven)
December 12, 2019—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Cordy, for the second reading of Bill S-202, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy).—(Honourable Senator Cormier)
No. 3. (seven)
December 12, 2019—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Cordy, for the second reading of Bill S-203, An Act to amend the National Capital Act (buildings or works of national significance).—(Honourable Senator Bovey)
No. 4. (eight)
December 10, 2019—Second reading of Bill S-204, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs).—(Honourable Senator Ataullahjan)
No. 5. (seven)
December 11, 2019—Second reading of Bill S-205, An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 and the Parliament of Canada Act (Speaker of the Senate).—(Honourable Senator Mercer)
No. 6. (three)
February 18, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Griffin, seconded by the Honourable Senator Verner, P.C., for the second reading of Bill S-206, An Act to amend the Department of Public Works and Government Services Act (use of wood).—(Honourable Senator Duncan)
No. 7.
February 6, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Boisvenu, seconded by the Honourable Senator Marshall, for the second reading of Bill S-207, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (disclosure of information by jurors).—(Honourable Senator Duncan)
No. 8.
February 6, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Pate, seconded by the Honourable Senator Petitclerc, for the second reading of Bill S-208, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (independence of the judiciary).—(Honourable Senator Jaffer)
No. 9.
February 18, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator McCallum, seconded by the Honourable Senator Francis, for the second reading of Bill S-209, An Act to Amend the Department for Women and Gender Equality Act.—(Honourable Senator McPhedran)
No. 10. (four)
February 6, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Bovey, seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson, for the second reading of Bill S-210, An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate).—(Honourable Senator Martin)
No. 11.
February 18, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne, seconded by the Honourable Senator Klyne, for the second reading of Bill S-211, An Act to enact the Modern Slavery Act and to amend the Customs Tariff.—(Honourable Senator Duncan)
No. 12. (four)
February 5, 2020—Second reading of Bill S-212, An Act to establish International Mother Language Day.—(Honourable Senator Jaffer)
No. 13. (four)
February 6, 2020—Second reading of Bill S-213, An Act to change the name of the electoral district of Châteauguay—Lacolle.—(Honourable Senator Dalphond)
No. 14. (one)
February 20, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Pate, seconded by the Honourable Senator Petitclerc, for the second reading of Bill S-214, An Act to amend the Criminal Records Act, to make consequential amendments to other Acts and to repeal a regulation.—(Honourable Senator Martin)
No. 15. (two)
February 18, 2020—Second reading of Bill S-215, An Act to amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (farming exemptions).—(Honourable Senator Griffin)
No. 16. (one)
February 20, 2020—Second reading of Bill S-216, An Act to amend the Assisted Human Reproduction Act.—(Honourable Senator Moncion)
Commons Public Bills – Second Reading
Nil
Private Bills – Second Reading
No. 1. (four)
February 5, 2020—Second reading of Bill S-1001, An Act respecting Girl Guides of Canada.—(Honourable Senator Jaffer)
Reports of Committees – Other
No. 1. (seven)
December 12, 2019—Consideration of the first report of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration, entitled Senate Budget for 2020-21, presented in the Senate on December 12, 2019.—(Honourable Senator Marwah)
No. 3. (three)
February 18, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Saint-Germain, seconded by the Honourable Senator Woo for the adoption of the third report (interim) of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration, entitled Policy on Prevention and Resolution of Harassment in the Senate Workplace, presented in the Senate on February 6, 2020.—(Honourable Senator McPhedran)
No. 4. (one)
February 6, 2020—Consideration of the first report of the Special Senate Committee on the Charitable Sector, entitled Catalyst for Change: A Roadmap to a Stronger Charitable Sector, deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on June 20, 2019, during the first session of the Forty-second Parliament.—(Honourable Senator Mercer)
No. 5. (one)
February 20, 2020—Consideration of the nineteenth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, entitled Made in Canada: Growing Canada’s Value-Added Food Sector, deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on July 15, 2019, during the first session of the Forty-second Parliament.—(Honourable Senator Griffin)
Motions
No. 5. (eight)
December 11, 2019—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Day:
That, in order to preserve the authority, dignity and reputation of the Senate of Canada, and in light of the following reports from the First Session of the Forty-second Parliament:
1.the Senate Ethics Officer’s Inquiry Report under the Ethics and Conflict of Interest Code for Senators concerning [then] Senator Don Meredith, dated March 9, 2017;
2.the Second Report of the Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators presented on May 7, 2017;
3.the Senate Ethics Officer’s Inquiry Report under the Ethics and Conflict of Interest Code for Senators concerning former Senator Don Meredith, dated June 28, 2019; and
4.the Sixth Report of the Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators tabled on July 29, 2019;
the Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators be authorized to examine and report on the advisability of adopting the following motion:
That the Senate call on the Prime Minister to recommend to Her Excellency the Governor General that former senator Don Meredith be excluded from the application of section 6 of the Table of Titles to be used in Canada, and no longer entitled to the style of “Honourable”, and that former senator Meredith no longer receive any precedence or status that would normally be accorded a former senator.;
That in conducting its examination of this question, the committee afford former Senator Meredith the opportunity to be heard by the committee;
That notwithstanding the provisions of rule 12-28(1), the committee be empowered to meet in public for the purposes of this study if it accepts a request from former Senator Meredith to that effect; and
That the committee present its final report no later than January 31, 2020.—(Honourable Senator Bernard)
No. 6. (three)
February 18, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Verner, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Saint-Germain:
That, in light of the reports of the Senate Ethics Officer dated March 9, 2017, and June 28, 2019, concerning the breaches by former Senator Don Meredith of the Ethics and Conflict of Interest Code for Senators, the Senate call upon the Prime Minister to advise Her Excellency the Governor General to take the necessary steps to revoke the honorific style and title of “Honourable” from former senator Meredith.—(Honourable Senator Saint-Germain)
No. 7. (eight)
December 11, 2019—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Gold, seconded by the Honourable Senator Woo:
That the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence be authorized to examine and report on the body of issues known as “intelligence to evidence”, when and if the committee is formed; and
That the committee submit its final report no later than December 31, 2020.—(Honourable Senator Plett)
No. 8. (seven)
December 12, 2019—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Housakos, seconded by the Honourable Senator Ngo:
That the Senate call upon the Government of Canada to impose sanctions against Chinese and/or Hong Kong officials, pursuant to the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law), in light of the violation of human rights, of the principles of fundamental justice and of the rule of law in relation to the ongoing protests in Hong Kong and to the systematic persecution of minority Muslims in China.—(Honourable Senator Dagenais)
No. 9. (three)
February 18, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Housakos, seconded by the Honourable Senator Mockler:
That the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence be authorized to examine and report on the prospect of allowing Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. to be part of Canada’s 5G network, when and if the committee is formed; and
That the committee submit its final report no later than April 30, 2020.—(Honourable Senator Duncan)
No. 10. (two)
December 11, 2019—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Lankin, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Gagné:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, when and if it is formed, be authorized to examine and report on the future of workers in order to evaluate:
(a)how data and information on the gig economy in Canada is being collected and potential gaps in knowledge;
(b)the effectiveness of current labour protections for people who work through digital platforms and temporary foreign workers programs;
(c)the negative impacts of precarious work and the gig economy on benefits, pensions and other government services relating to employment; and
(d)the accessibility of retraining and skills development programs for workers;
That in conducting this evaluation the committee pay particular attention to the negative effects of precarious employment being disproportionately felt by workers of colour, new immigrant and indigenous workers; and
That the committee submit its final report on this study to the Senate no later than April 7, 2022.—(Honourable Senator Martin)
No. 12. (three)
February 18, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Woo, seconded by the Honourable Senator Saint-Germain:
That the Rules of the Senate be amended:
1.by replacing rule 3-6(2) by the following:
“Adjournment extended
3-6. (2) Whenever the Senate stands adjourned, if the Speaker is satisfied that the public interest does not require the Senate to meet at the date and time stipulated in the adjournment order, the Speaker shall, after consulting all the leaders and facilitators, or their designates, determine an appropriate later date or time for the next sitting.”;
2.by replacing rule 4-2(8)(a) by the following:
“Extending time for Senators’ Statement
4-2. (8)(a) At the request of a whip or the designated representative of a recognized party or recognized parliamentary group, the Speaker shall, at an appropriate time during Senators’ Statements, seek leave of the Senate to extend Statements. If leave is granted, Senators’ Statements shall be extended by no more than 30 minutes.”;
3.by replacing rule 4-3(1) by the following:
“Tributes
4-3. (1) At the request of any leader or facilitator, the period for Senators’ Statements shall be extended by no more than 15 minutes for the purpose of paying tribute to a current or former Senator.”;
4.by replacing rules 6-3(1)(a), (b) and (c) by the following:
“Leaders and facilitators
(a) any leader or facilitator shall be permitted up to 45 minutes for debate;
Sponsor of a bill
(b) the sponsor of a bill shall be allowed up to 45 minutes for debate at second and third reading;
Spokesperson on a bill
(c) the spokesperson on a bill from each recognized party and recognized parliamentary group, except for the party or group to which the sponsor belongs, shall be allowed up to 45 minutes for debate at second and third reading; and”;
5.by replacing rule 6-5(1)(b) by the following:
“(b) the time remaining, not to exceed 15 minutes, if the Senator who yielded is a leader or facilitator.”;
6.by replacing the portion of rule 7-1(1) before paragraph (a) by the following:
“Agreement to allocate time
7-1. (1) At any time during a sitting, the Leader or the Deputy Leader of the Government may state that the representatives of the recognized parties and recognized parliamentary groups have agreed to allocate a specified number of days or hours either:”;
7.by replacing the portion of rule 7-2(1) before paragraph (a) by the following:
“No agreement to allocate time
7-2. (1) At any time during a sitting, the Leader or the Deputy Leader of the Government may state that the representatives of the recognized parties and recognized parliamentary groups have failed to agree to allocate time to conclude an adjourned debate on either:”;
8.by replacing rule 7-3(1)(f) by the following:
“(f) Senators may speak for a maximum of 10 minutes each, provided that a leader or facilitator may speak for up to 30 minutes;”;
9.by replacing rules 9-5(1), (2) et (3) by the following:
“(1) The Speaker shall ask the whips and the designated representatives of the recognized parties and recognized parliamentary groups if there is an agreement on the length of time the bells shall ring.
(2) The time agreed to shall not be more than 60 minutes.
(3) With leave of the Senate, the agreement on the length of the bells shall constitute an order to sound the bells for that length of time.”;
10.by replacing rule 9-10(1) by the following:
“Deferral of standing vote
9-10. (1) Except as provided in subsection (5) and elsewhere in these Rules, when a standing vote has been requested on a question that is debatable, a whip or the designated representative of a recognized party or recognized parliamentary group may defer the vote.
EXCEPTIONS
Rule 7-3(1)(h): Procedure for debate on motion to allocate time
Rule 7-4(5): Question put on time-allocated order
Rule 12-30(7): Deferred vote on report
Rule 12-32(3)(e): Procedure in Committee of the Whole
Rule 13-6(8): Vote on case of privilege automatically deferred in certain circumstances”;
11.by replacing rule 9-10(4) by the following:
“Vote deferred to Friday
9-10. (4) Except as otherwise provided, if a vote has been deferred to a Friday, a whip or the designated representative of a recognized party or recognized parliamentary group may, at any time during a sitting, further defer the vote to 5:30 p.m. on the next sitting day, provided that if the Senate only meets after 5 p.m. on that day, the vote shall take place immediately before the Orders of the Day.
EXCEPTIONS
Rule 12-30(7): Deferred vote on report
Rule 13-6(8): Vote on case of privilege automatically deferred in certain circumstances”;
12.by replacing rule 12-3(3) by the following:
“Ex officio members
12-3.(3) In addition to the membership provided for in subsections (1) and (2), the Leader of the Government, or the Deputy Leader if the Leader is absent, and the leader or facilitator of each recognized party and recognized parliamentary group, or a designate if a leader or facilitator is absent, are ex officio members of all committees except the Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators and the joint committees. The ex officio members of committees have all the rights and obligations of a member of a committee, but shall not vote.”;
13.by adding the word “and” at the end of rule 12-5(a) in the English version, and by replacing rules 12-5(b) and (c) by the following:
“(b) the leader or facilitator of a recognized party or recognized parliamentary group, or a designate, for a change of members of that party or group.”;
14.by replacing rule 12-8(2) by the following:
“Service fee proposals
12-8. (2) When the Leader or Deputy Leader of the Government tables a service fee proposal, it is deemed referred to the standing or special committee designated by the Leader or Deputy Leader of the Government following consultations with the leaders and facilitators of the recognized parties and recognized parliamentary groups, or their designates.
REFERENCE
Service Fees Act, subsection 15(1)”;
15.by replacing rule 12-18(2)(b)(ii) by the following:
“(ii) with the signed consent of the majority of the leaders and facilitators, or their designates, in response to a written request from the chair and deputy chair.”;
16.by replacing rule 12-27(1) by the following:
“Appointment of committee
12-27. (1) As soon as practicable at the beginning of each session, the Leader of the Government shall move a motion, seconded by the other leaders and the facilitators, on the membership of the Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators. This motion shall be deemed adopted without debate or vote, and a similar motion shall be moved for any substitutions in the membership of the committee.
REFERENCE
Ethics and Conflict of Interest Code for Senators, subsection 35(4)”;
17.in Appendix I:
(a)by deleting the definition “Critic of a bill”;
(b)by deleting the definition “Ordinary procedure for determining duration of bells”; and
(c)by adding the following new definitions in alphabetical order:
“Designated representative of a recognized party or a recognized parliamentary group
The Senator designated from time to time by the leader or facilitator of a recognized party or a recognized parliamentary group without a whip as that group or party’s representative for a purpose or purposes set out in these Rules. (Représentant désigné d’un parti reconnu ou d’un groupe parlementaire reconnu)”;
“Leaders and facilitators
The Government Leader and the leaders and facilitators of the recognized parties and recognized parliamentary groups (see definitions of “Leader of the Government”, “Leader of the Opposition” and “Leader or facilitator of a recognized party or recognized parliamentary group”). (Leaders et facilitateurs)”; and
“Spokesperson on a bill
The lead Senator speaking on a bill from each recognized party and recognized parliamentary group, as designated by the leader or facilitator of the party or group in question. (Porte-parole d’un projet de loi)”; and
18.by updating all cross references in the Rules, including the lists of exceptions, accordingly; and
That the Ethics and Conflict of Interest Code for Senators be amended by deleting subsection 35(5), and renumbering other subsections and cross-references accordingly.
No. 15. (six)
February 4, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Brazeau, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cormier:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology be authorized to examine and report on suicide prevention and mental health needs among Canadians, including a particular emphasis on boys and men, and the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in suicide statistics, when and if the committee is formed; and
That the committee submit its final report no later than December 31, 2020.—(Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C.)
No. 16. (one)
February 20, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Dean, seconded by the Honourable Senator Pate:
That the Rules of the Senate be amended:
1.by:
(a)deleting the word “and” at the end of rule 12-3(2)(e) in the English version; and
(b) replacing the period at the end of rule 12-3(2)(f) by the following:
“; and
(g) the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight, three Senators and two qualified external members.”;
2.by replacing rule 12-3(3) with the following:
“Ex officio members
12-3. (3) In addition to the membership provided for in subsections (1) and (2), the Leader of the Government, or the Deputy Leader if the Leader is absent, and the leader or facilitator of each recognized party and recognized parliamentary group, or a designate if a leader or facilitator is absent, are ex officio members of all committees except the Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators, the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight and the joint committees. The ex officio members of committees have all the rights and obligations of a member of a committee, but shall not vote.
Restriction on membership
12-3. (4) No Senator shall be a member of both the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration and the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight.”;
3.by replacing the portion of rule 12-5 before paragraph (a) by the following:
“12-5. Changes in the membership of a committee, except for the ex officio members and members of the Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators and the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight, may be made by notice filed with the Clerk, who shall have the notice recorded in the Journals of the Senate. The notice shall be signed by:”;
4.by replacing rule 12-6 with the following:
“Quorum of standing committees
12-6. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) and elsewhere in these Rules, the quorum of a standing committee shall be four of its members.
EXCEPTION
Rule 12-27(2): Quorum of committee
Audit and Oversight
12-6. (2) The quorum of the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight shall be two Senators and one external member, except in the case of the organization meeting, for which the quorum shall be three Senators.”;
5.by:
(a)deleting the word “and” at the end of rule 12-7(15) in the English version; and
(b)replacing the period at the end of rule 12-7(16) by the following:
“; and
Audit and Oversight
12-7. (17) the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight, which, for the purposes of integrity, independence, transparency and accountability, shall be authorized, on its own initiative, to:
(a) retain the services of and oversee the external auditors and internal auditors;
(b) supervise the Senate’s internal and external audits;
(c) make recommendations to the Senate concerning the internal and external audit plans;
(d) report to the Senate regarding the internal and external audits, including audit reports and other matters;
(e) review the Senate Administration’s action plans to ensure:
(i) that they adequately address the recommendations and findings arising from internal and external audits, and
(ii) that they are effectively implemented;
(f) review the Senate’s Quarterly Financial Reports and the audited Financial Statements, and report them to the Senate; and
(g) report at least annually with observations and recommendations to the Senate.”;
6.by adding the following new rule 12-9(3):
“Audit and Oversight — access to information
12-9. (3) The Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight may review the in camera proceedings of other Senate committees, including any transcripts of meetings, as they relate to the mandate of the Audit and Oversight Committee.”;
7.by replacing rule 12-13 with the following:
“Organization meeting
12-13. (1) Once the Senate has agreed to the membership of a committee, the Clerk of the Senate shall, as soon as practicable, call an organization meeting of the committee at which it shall elect a chair.
Chair of Audit and Oversight
12-13. (2) The chair of the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight shall be a Senator who is not a member of the recognized party or recognized parliamentary group to which the chair of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration belongs.
Audit and Oversight — nomination of external members
12-13. (3) After electing its chair and deputy chair, the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight shall adopt a report to the Senate nominating two qualified external members for the committee. This report must be agreed to by all three Senators who are members of the committee. The report shall include recommendations on remuneration and permissible expenses for the external members, which shall be paid from Senate funds once the report is adopted by the Senate.”;
8.by replacing rule 12-14 with the following:
“Participation of non-members
12-14. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) and elsewhere in these Rules, a Senator who is not a member of a committee may attend and participate in its deliberations, but shall not vote.
EXCEPTIONS
Rule 12-28(2): Participation of non-members
Rule 15-7(2): Restrictions if declaration of interest
Rule 16-3(6): Speaking at conferences
Audit and Oversight
12-14. (2) Senators who are not members of the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight shall not participate in its meetings, unless they are appearing as witnesses.”;
9.by replacing the portion of rule 12-16(1) before paragraph (a) by the following:
“12-16. (1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3) and elsewhere in these Rules, a committee may meet in camera only for the purpose of discussing:”;
10.by renumbering current rule 12-16(2) as 12-16(3), and by adding the following new rule 12-16(2):
“Audit and Oversight — in camera
12-16. (2) The Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight shall meet in camera whenever it deals with the in-camera proceedings of another committee.”;
11.by replacing the portion of rule 12-18(2) before paragraph (a) by the following:
“12-18. (2) Except as provided in subsection (3) and elsewhere in these Rules, a Senate committee may meet when the Senate is adjourned:”;
12.by adding the following new rule 12-18(3):
“Audit and Oversight
12-18. (3) The Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight may meet during any adjournment of the Senate.”;
13.by replacing rule 12-22(1) by the following:
“Majority conclusions
12-22. (1) Except as provided in subsection (7), a report of a Senate committee shall contain the conclusions agreed to by majority.”;
14.by replacing rule 12-22(2) by the following:
“Presentation or tabling
12-22. (2) Except as provided in subsection (8) and elsewhere in these Rules, a committee report shall be presented or tabled in the Senate by the chair or by a Senator designated by the chair.
EXCEPTION
Rule 12-31: Report deposited with the Clerk”;
15.by adding the following new rules 12-3(7) and (8):
“Reports of Audit and Oversight Committee — Content
12-3. (7) The Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight shall include the opinions of the external members in its reports.
Audit and Oversight — report deposited with the Clerk
12-22. (8) A report of the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight may be deposited with the Clerk at any time the Senate stands adjourned, and the report shall be deemed to have been presented or tabled in the Senate.”;
16.by replacing the opening paragraph of the definition of “Committee” in Appendix I, starting with the words “A body of Senators, Members of the House of Commons or both,”, by the following:
“A body of Senators, Members of the House of Commons, members of both houses, or others, appointed by one or both of the two houses to consider such matters as may be referred to it or that it may be empowered to examine, including bills. A Senate committee is, except in the case of the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight, one composed solely of Senators (as opposed to a joint committee — see below). (Comité)”; and
17.by updating all cross references in the Rules, including the lists of exceptions, accordingly.
And on the motion in amendment of the Honourable Senator Massicotte, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dean:
That the motion be not now adopted, but that it be amended:
1.in the French version of point number 3, by replacing the proposed new text by the following:
“12-5. Sauf dans le cas des membres d’office, des membres du Comité permanent sur l’éthique et les conflits d’intérêts des sénateurs et des membres du Comité permanent de l’audit et de la surveillance, le remplacement d’un membre d’un comité peut s’effectuer au moyen d’un avis remis au greffier du Sénat, qui le fait consigner aux Journaux du Sénat. Cet avis est signé :”;
2.in paragraph (b) of point number 5, by deleting paragraph (c) in the proposed new text and renumbering the remaining paragraphs in consequence;
3.in the French version of point number 14, in the proposed new text, by replacing the rule number “12-22. (1)” by “12-22. (2)”;
4.in the English version of point number 15, in the introductory wording, by replacing the words “new rules 12-3(7) and (8)” by “new rules 12-22(7) and (8)”; and
5.in point number 15, in the proposed new text, by replacing the rule number “12-3. (7)” by “12-22. (7)”.—(Honourable Senator Martin)
No. 18. (four)
February 6, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Boisvenu, seconded by the Honourable Senator Seidman:
That the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence be authorized to examine and report on the manner in which the correctional system and the Parole Board of Canada managed the case of an inmate accused of the murder of a young woman while he was on day parole in January of this year, including a review of the training of commissioners, the report of the Auditor General (Report 6 — Community Supervision — Correctional Service Canada) and existing rehabilitation programs at Correctional Service Canada, with a view to recommending measures to be taken to ensure another tragedy such as this never happens again, when and if the committee is formed; and
That the committee submit its final report no later than April 30, 2020.
No. 19. (one)
February 20, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator McCallum, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cormier:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources be authorized to examine and report on the cumulative impacts of resource extraction and development, and their effects on environmental, economic and social considerations, when and if the committee is formed; and
That the committee submit its final report no later than December 31, 2020.—(Honourable Senator Galvez)
No. 22. (one)
February 20, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne, seconded by the Honourable Senator Klyne:
That, given the unanimous declaration of the House of Commons on February 22, 2007, to condemn all forms of human trafficking and slavery, the Senate:
(a)encourage Canadians to raise awareness of the magnitude of modern day slavery in Canada and abroad and to take steps to combat human trafficking; and
(b)recognize the 22nd day of February as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.—(Honourable Senator Duncan)
Inquiries
No. 1. (six)
February 4, 2020—Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Omidvar, calling the attention of the Senate to the link between Canada’s past, present and future prosperity and its deep connection to immigration.—(Honourable Senator Oh)
No. 3. (one)
February 20, 2020—Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Klyne, calling the attention of the Senate to the unrecognized histories and meaningful contributions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit.—(Honourable Senator Duncan)
No. 6. (four)
February 6, 2020—Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Dyck, calling the attention of the Senate to the deficiencies or gaps in the policies of the Senate of Canada compared to other parliamentary bodies on behaviours of individual senators that constitute bullying, harassment, or sexual misconduct that occur during parliamentary proceedings.—(Honourable Senator Galvez)
No. 7. (three)
February 18, 2020—Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Verner, P.C., calling the attention of the Senate to the Senate Ethics Officer’s Inquiry report under the Ethics and Conflict of Interest Code for Senators concerning former Senator Don Meredith, dated June 28, 2019.—(Honourable Senator Bernard)
No. 8. (six)
February 4, 2020—Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Wallin, calling the attention of the Senate to:
(a)a September 2019 Quebec Superior Court ruling, which declared parts of federal and provincial law relating to medical assistance in dying (MAiD) to be too restrictive;
(b)the recent Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services report, which recommends provisions allowing for advance requests in MAiD, out of a “moral duty to respond to it”;
(c)the ongoing and tireless work of Dying with Dignity Canada, a non-for-profit organization that advocates for vulnerable Canadians regarding their right to die;
(d)the recommendations of the federally mandated, December 2018 Canadian Association of Academies report relating to advance requests in medical assistance in dying; and
(e)the urgent need for the Senate to study and propose new rules pertaining to advance requests for medical assistance in dying.—(Honourable Senator Griffin)
No. 9.
February 6, 2020—Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Coyle, calling the attention of the Senate to the importance of finding the right pathways and actions for Canada and Canadians to meet our net-zero carbon emissions targets in order to slow, arrest and reverse human-caused climate change to ensure a healthy planet, society, economy and democracy.—(Honourable Senator Duncan)
No. 10. (four)
February 6, 2020—Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Sinclair, calling the attention of the Senate to the need for this House of Parliament to reevaluate its rules, practices and procedures as they relate to non-government business.—(Honourable Senator Martin)
No. 11. (one)
February 20, 2020—Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Richards, calling the attention of the Senate to the decimation of Atlantic salmon spawning grounds on the Miramichi, Restigouche and their tributaries.—(Honourable Senator Griffin)
No. 12. (one)
February 6, 2020—Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Bovey, calling the attention of the Senate to the need to renew and further its interest in Arctic issues.—(Honourable Senator Anderson)
No. 14.
February 25, 2020—Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Pate, calling the attention of the Senate to the need to examine and evaluate concrete measures available to the Senate to support the implementation of guaranteed livable income initiatives and to promote substantive equality for all Canadians.—(Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne)
Other
Nil
Notice Paper
Motions
No. 20. (four)
By the Honourable Senator Bellemare:
February 5, 2020—That, the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce, when and if it is formed, be authorized to examine and report on the need to review the Bank of Canada Act in order to:
(a)specify that the Bank of Canada’s mandate covers not only price stability, but also the pursuit of maximum employment or full and productive employment, as is the case in the United States, Australia and, recently, New Zealand;
(b)provide for the signature of an agreement between the Bank of Canada and the Minister of Finance, as has been done since 1991;
(c)provide for transparency measures regarding the procedure and choice of indicators for the setting of the key policy interest rate, as well as analyses of how the conduct of monetary policy affects the inflation rate, employment and income distribution, and report to Parliament; and
That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than June 20, 2020.
No. 23. (two)
By the Honourable Senator Housakos:
February 18, 2020—That the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade be authorized to examine and report on the situation in Hong Kong, in light of last year’s pro-democracy demonstrations, when and if the committee is formed; and
That the committee submit its final report no later than May 31, 2020.
No. 25.
By the Honourable Senator Housakos:
February 25, 2020—That the workplace assessment report commissioned by the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration during the second session of the Forty-first Parliament, entitled Report of Evidence Relating to the Workplace in the Office of Senator Don Meredith, dated July 13, 2015, be referred to the committee during the current session for the purposes of its work on related issues, subject to normal practices relating to confidential documents.
No. 26.
By the Honourable Senator Housakos:
February 25, 2020—That, for the remainder of the current session, the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate be authorized to designate, by making a short statement during any Question Period, a Minister of the Crown to be invited to appear as a witness before the next Committee of the Whole held pursuant to this order;
That, at the start of Orders of the Day on every third Tuesday that the Senate sits after the adoption of this order, the Senate resolve itself into a committee of the whole in order to receive the designated minister in relation to his or her ministerial responsibilities;
That the committee report to the Senate no later than two hours after it starts sitting; and
That if the designated minister is unable to attend on a particular Tuesday:
1.the Leader or Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate advise the Senate of this fact as soon as possible by making a brief statement to that effect during any Question Period; and
2.the designated minister’s appearance be then postponed to the next Tuesday that the Senate sits, subject to the same conditions.
No. 27.
By the Honourable Senator Woo:
February 25, 2020—That the name of the Honourable Senator Tannas be added to the list of members of the Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators.
No. 30.
By the Honourable Senator Ngo:
February 26, 2020—That the Senate urge the Government of Canada to actively support the genuine autonomy of Tibet and, consequently, to also call for the People’s Republic of China to:
(a)renew the Sino-Tibetan dialogue in good faith and based on the Middle Way Approach;
(b)respect the religious rights of the Tibetan people and stop interference in the process of recognizing a successor or reincarnation of the 14th Dalai Lama;
(c)respect the linguistic rights, freedom of movement, thought and conscience of the people in Tibet;
(d)free all Tibetan political prisoners, including the youngest political prisoner Gendhun Choekyi Nyima (Panchen Lama), and cease all arbitrary detention of dissidents;
(e)grant Canada reciprocal diplomatic access to Tibet without limitations; and
(f)protect the Tibetan Plateau that serves as Asia’s water tower, feeding over a billion lives in Asia; and
That the Senate urge the Government of Canada to raise Tibetan issues at every opportunity with China with a view to taking the additional steps necessary to deescalate tensions and restore peace and stability in Tibet.
Inquiries
No. 2. (seven)
By the Honourable Senator Manning:
December 10, 2019—That he will call the attention of the Senate to the life of Larry Dohey.
No. 4. (six)
By the Honourable Senator Munson:
December 11, 2019—That he will call the attention of the Senate to the abuse of human rights and democratic freedoms in Hong Kong.
No. 15.
By the Honourable Senator Busson:
February 25, 2020—That she will call the attention of the Senate to the way the Bank of Canada honours Canadians through banknotes.
Written Questions
No. 1.
By the Honourable Senator Boisvenu:
December 10, 2019—Regarding the presence of Drug Recognition Experts 24 hours a day at RCMP detachments:
1.As of November 1, 2019, how many RCMP detachments dispose of the 24-hour a day presence of a Drug Recognition Expert?
2.How many drug recognition experts were employed by the RCMP in January 2019?
3.How many drug recognition experts were employed by the RCMP in November 2019?
No. 2.
By the Honourable Senator Boisvenu:
December 10, 2019—Regarding approved cannabis producers, please provide a list of those that have been issued a license by Health Canada for each of the following products, respectively:
(a)dried marijuana;
(b)fresh marijuana;
(c)cannabis oil;
(d)medical marijuana; and
(e)edible marijuana.
No. 3.
By the Honourable Senator Boisvenu:
December 10, 2019—Regarding the Cannabis Act and its Regulations, how many applications were received in 2019 to conduct activities in relation to each the following classes and subclasses of licences:
•Cultivation (including licences for micro- and standard cultivation and nursery);
•Processing (including licences for micro- and standard processing); and
•Sale for medical purposes.
Of the companies who applied under the Cannabis Act and its Regulations to conduct activities in relation to each of the classes and subclasses of licences, how many had their application rejected due to:
(a)Criminal record; or
(b)Any security concern, excluding a criminal record.
No. 4.
By the Honourable Senator Boisvenu:
December 10, 2019—Regarding the Cannabis Act and the Cannabis Regulations, how many security clearance applications were (1) received and (2) denied for each of the following categories of licences: (a) cultivation of cannabis, (b) processing of cannabis and (c) sale of cannabis, for the years 2018 and 2019.
No. 5.
By the Honourable Senator Boisvenu:
December 10, 2019—Regarding the list of individuals who are automatically required to hold a security clearance according to section 50 of the Cannabis Regulations, how many applicants failed the security clearance requirements for each of the following categories:
1.directors;
2.officers;
3.partners;
4.heads of security;
5.licence holders (where holder is an individual); and
6.master growers.
No. 6.
By the Honourable Senator Boisvenu:
December 10, 2019—Regarding the purchase of approved drug testing devices, what is the number and unit cost of the Dräger DrugTest 5000 detection devices purchased by the RCMP between October 17, 2018 and October 17, 2019?
No. 7.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
December 10, 2019—With regard to the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement:
Under the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), Canadian and European exporters have quotas set for them, allowing a certain amount of a given product to be traded between one jurisdiction and the other.
For the period September 21, 2017 to December 1, 2019:
1. What percentage of each export quota did Canadian exporters fill in trade with the European Union?
2. What percentage of each export quota did European Union exporters fill in trade with Canada?
No. 8.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
December 10, 2019—With regard to Federal Public Service Employment:
For the period March 31, 2000 to March 31, 2019:
How many people worked for the Public Service of Canada (as defined by the Public Service Employment Act), by department, per geographical area for each of the years in the period specified?
No. 9.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
December 10, 2019—Regarding possible overseas tax evasion and the LGT Bank in Liechtenstein where information was disclosed in 2008, indicating 106 Canadian accounts, as of December 1, 2019:
1. How many Canadians (individuals, trusts, foundations and companies) have been determined to have had accounts in LGT Bank?
2. How much money has been identified as owing to the Government of Canada?
3. How many Canadians (individuals, trusts, foundations and companies) have been determined to owe money to the Government of Canada?
4. What are the names of the individuals, companies, trusts and foundations determined to owe money to the Government of Canada?
5. How many Canadians (individuals, trusts, foundations and companies) have been charged with overseas tax evasion?
6. What are the names of the individuals, companies, trusts and foundations charged?
7. In which court and in which cities were these charges laid?
8. How many were convicted?
9. Of those convictions:
(a) What was the largest fine, and what was the smallest?
(b) What was the longest term of imprisonment, and what was the shortest?
10. How much money identified as owing has been collected by the Canada Revenue Agency?
No. 10.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
December 10, 2019—Regarding possible overseas tax evasion and the “Paradise Papers”, a 2017 leak of information from the law firm Appleby and the corporate registries of 19 tax jurisdictions, as of December 1, 2019:
1. How many Canadians (individuals, trusts, foundations and companies) have been identified by the Canada Revenue Agency as a result of this leak?
2. How much money has been identified as owing to the Government of Canada?
3. How many Canadians (individuals, trusts, foundations and companies) have been determined to owe money to the Government of Canada?
4. What are the names of the individuals, companies, trusts and foundations determined to owe money to the Government of Canada?
5. How many Canadians (individuals, trusts, foundations and companies) have been charged with overseas tax evasion?
6. What are the names of the individuals, companies, trusts and foundations charged?
7. In which court and in which cities were these charges laid?
8. How many were convicted?
9. Of those convictions:
(a) What was the largest fine, and what was the smallest?
(b) What was the longest term of imprisonment, and what was the shortest?
10. How much money identified as owing has been collected by the Canada Revenue Agency?
No. 11.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
December 10, 2019—With regard to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and the granting of a visa waiver for citizens of a foreign country:
1. What is the visa refusal rate, for the past five years, for citizens of: (i) Romania, (ii) Bulgaria?
2. What is the rate of immigration rules violations, for the past five years, for citizens of: (i) Romania, (ii) Bulgaria?
No. 12.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
December 10, 2019—With regard to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and the granting of a visa waiver for citizens of a foreign country:
1. What is the visa refusal rate, for the past five years, for citizens of Mexico?
2. What is the rate of immigration rules violations, for the past five years, and for which data is available, for citizens of Mexico?
No. 13.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
December 10, 2019—With respect to a report in the Toronto Star on May 30th 2019, about tax evasion in the real estate markets of Ontario and British Columbia, and claims that “Canada Revenue Agency audits have added more than $1 billion to government coffers”, would the Government of Canada provide the following information:
1. How many Canadians (individuals or companies/corporations) have been identified as having evaded taxes through real estate transactions?
2. How many non-Canadians (individuals or companies/corporations) have been identified as having evaded taxes through real estate transactions?
3. Of those Canadians (individuals or companies/corporations) identified, how many of them are being, or have been reviewed by the Canada Revenue Agency?
4. Of those non-Canadians (individuals or companies/corporations) identified, how many of them are being, or have been reviewed by the Canada Revenue Agency?
5. How many audits have been undertaken against these Canadians by the Canada Revenue Agency?
(a) How many reassessments or related compliance actions have been undertaken?
6. How many audits have been closed?
7. How many audits are still ongoing?
8. How many audits have been undertaken against these non-Canadians by the Canada Revenue Agency?
(a) How many reassessments or related compliance actions have been undertaken?
9. How many audits have been closed?
10. How many audits are still ongoing?
11. How many identified Canadians have availed themselves of the Voluntary Disclosure Program with the Canada Revenue Agency?
12. How many identified non-Canadians have availed themselves of the Voluntary Disclosure Program with the Canada Revenue Agency?
13. How many identified Canadians have settled with the Canada Revenue Agency?
14. How many identified non-Canadians have settled with the Canada Revenue Agency?
15. How much money, including unpaid taxes, fines, etc., has the Canada Revenue Agency assessed as a result of investigating these cases?
16. Regarding Question 15, what is the breakdown of the money assessed from these cases, specifically:
(a) in unpaid taxes;
(b) in interest;
(c) in fines; and
(d) in penalties?
17. How much of the money has been collected?
18. How many of these cases are under appeal?
19. How many cases remain open?
20. How many of the cases have been closed, i.e. the full amount of taxes, interest, fines and penalties have been collected?
21. How many tax evasion charges have been laid?
22. How many convictions have been recorded?
No. 14.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
February 4, 2020—With respect to overseas tax evasion:
On April 3rd, 2016 the Panama Papers were disclosed, including the names of more than 600 Canadians. On May 9th of that same year the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) gained access to the external Panama Papers database. Subsequently, the CRA committed to “combatting the abusive use of offshore jurisdictions and protecting the integrity of the Canadian tax system” and would “pursue audits related to offshore tax evasion including some Canadian clients” named in the Panama Papers.
However, more than three years later, the CRA seems not to have shared in the success that other national revenue agencies have achieved. According to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists — the organization that broke the Panama Papers story — in the three and a half years since the release of the Papers, many countries have worked swiftly and forcefully to act on the information discovered.
Other countries have recovered:
•Germany: $183 million
•Spain: $164 million
•Ecuador: $84 million
•Australia: $93 million
•Mexico: $22 million
•Malta: $11 million
•Lithuania: $358,830
•Iceland: $25 million
•Numerous individuals charged and convicted worldwide.
And over $1.2 billion collected. Not “identified”, collected.
During this same time, Canada, according to the same source, has recovered no money whatsoever.
Also, unlike in other countries, not a single Canadian had been convicted, or even charged with tax evasion as a result of the Panama Papers.
After more than 3 years, can the Canada Revenue Agency join other countries in pointing to any real progress resulting from the release of the Panama Papers?
Any at all?
With that in mind, would the Government of Canada provide the following:
1.How many Canadians (individuals, trusts, foundations and companies) have been identified in the Panama Papers?
2.Of those Canadians (individuals, trusts, foundations and companies) identified, how many of their accounts are being, or have been reviewed by the Canada Revenue Agency since the release of the Panama Papers?
3.How many audits have been undertaken against these Canadians by the Canada Revenue Agency?
(a)How many reassessments or related compliance actions have been undertaken?
4.How many audits have been closed?
5.How many audits are still ongoing?
6.How many identified Canadians have requested that their cases be dealt with under the auspices of the Voluntary Disclosure Program with the Canada Revenue Agency?
7.How many of those requests have been granted
8.How many identified Canadians have settled with the Canada Revenue Agency?
9.How much money, including unpaid taxes, fines, etc., has the Canada Revenue Agency assessed as a result of investigating these cases?
10.How much money identified as owing has been collected by the Canada Revenue Agency?
11.How many cases remain open?
12.How many of the audits have been completed, including the full amount of taxes, interest, fines and penalties having been collected?
13.How many tax evasion charges have been laid?
No. 15.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
February 4, 2020—With respect to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA):
Regarding the commitment in the 2016 Federal Budget to spend $444.4 million (over five years) to combat tax evasion, and the commitment in the 2017 Federal Budget to spend $523.9 million (over five years) for the same purpose, for a combined total $968.3 million, of as well as the claim by the CRA that “The CRA remains on track to spend the budget investments over the 5-year period for which they have been outlined”:
1.As of the end of Fiscal Year 2016-2017, how much of the $41.8 million (from the $968.3 million total) budgeted for “Cracking down on Tax Evasion and Combatting Tax Avoidance” for that Fiscal Year in Budget 2016 had actually been spent;
•How much of the money spent from the $41.8 million budgeted was used to fund employee benefit plans?
2.As of the end of Fiscal Year 2017-2018 how much of the $62.8 million (from the $968.3 million total) budgeted for “Cracking down on Tax Evasion and Combatting Tax Avoidance” for that Fiscal Year in Budget 2016 had actually been spent;
•How much of the money spent from the $62.8 million budgeted was used to fund employee benefit plans?
3.As of the end of Fiscal Year 2017-2018 how much of the $54.9 million (from the $968.3 million total) budgeted for “Cracking down on Tax Evasion and Combatting Tax Avoidance” for that Fiscal Year in Budget 2017 had actually been spent;
•How much of the money spent from the $54.9 million budgeted was used to fund employee benefit plans?
4.As of the end of Fiscal Year 2018-2019 how much of the $85.7 million (from the $968.3 million total) budgeted for “Cracking down on Tax Evasion and Combatting Tax Avoidance” for that Fiscal Year in Budget 2016 had actually been spent;
•How much of the money spent from the $85.7 budgeted was used to fund employee benefit plans?
5.As of the end of Fiscal Year 2018-2019 how much of the $78.1 million (from the $968.3 million total) budgeted for “Cracking down on Tax Evasion and Combatting Tax Avoidance” for that Fiscal Year in Budget 2017 had actually been spent;
•How much of the money spent from the $78.1 million budget was used to fund employee benefit plans?
No. 16.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
February 4, 2020—Regarding the Canada Child Benefit for the benefit years 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19:
1.How much money was provided via the Canada Child Benefit per federal electoral district in Prince Edward Island?
2.How many families in Prince Edward Island received the Canada Child Benefit?
3.How many children in Prince Edward Island were covered by the Canada Child Benefit?
4.What was the largest monthly payment for a Prince Edward Island family receiving the Canada Child Benefit?
5.What was the smallest monthly payment for a Prince Edward Island family receiving the Canada Child Benefit?
6.What percentage of recipients of the Canada Child Benefit in Prince Edward Island had adjusted net family annual income:
(a)Under $30,000
(b)Between $30,000 and $49,999
(c)Between $50,000 and $79,999
(d)Over $80,000
7.What was the average adjusted net family income for those Prince Edward Islanders receiving the Canada Child Benefit?
No. 17.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
February 4, 2020—Since 2005, qualified medically released Canadian Forces veterans have been eligible for priority employment appointments in the federal public service.
For the period from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2019:
1.How many people were hired by the federal public service?
2.How many casual employees were hired by the federal public service?
3.How many term employees were hired by the federal public service?
4.How many indeterminate employees were hired by the federal public service?
5.How many members of the Canadian Forces, by rank upon release, have been medically released?
6.How many of these qualified medically released members, by rank upon release, have applied for a priority employment appointment in the federal public service?
(a)How many of these were hired as casual employees?
(b)How many of these were hired as term employees?
(c)How many of these were hired as indeterminate employees?
7.How many, by rank upon release, were still on the priority employment appointment list when their eligibility period expired?
8.How many qualified medically released Canadian Forces veterans, by rank upon release, were hired by each federal Government department?
(a)How many of these were hired as casual employees by each federal Government department?
(b)How many of these were hired as term employees by each federal Government department?
(c)How many of these were hired as indeterminate employees by each federal Government department?
No. 18.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
February 4, 2020—With respect to the employees of Global Affairs Canada (GAC) who have been posted outside Canada for ten or more consecutive years for the period 2000-2019, would the government provide for each of these employees the,
1.name;
2.title;
3.location or locations; and
4.length of time outside Canada.
5.GAC has stated that “employees assigned abroad are part of the career rotational foreign service and are expected to spend more than half of their entire careers outside Canada.” What percentage of the careers of each of these employees has been spent outside Canada?
6.Which employee has had the longest continuous posting outside Canada, and where has this employee been posted?
7.Which employee has had the most consecutive postings outside Canada, and where has this employee been posted?
No. 19.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
February 25, 2020—According to the Public Accounts of Canada, 19 instances of fraudulent use of Contribution Funds has cost what is now Global Affairs Canada over five and a half million dollars over the last 11 years.
With that in mind, could the government provide the following information:
1.In what countries did these instances occur?
2.What are the names of the individuals or groups responsible for these fraudulent claims?
3.How much of the money lost to fraudulent claims has been recovered?
4.What is the total loss to Global Affairs Canada?
No. 20.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
February 25, 2020—As stated in the Public Accounts of Canada 2018-2019:
Ministerial approval represents authority given to Ministers under the Financial Administration Act (FAA) or other Acts of Parliament as follows:
•Section 25(1) of the FAA gives Ministers, through Treasury Board regulations, general authority to approve the write-off of any debt, obligation or claim other than accountable advances or overpayments of salaries, wages, or employment-related allowances that would not result in a charge to an appropriation.
•Section 155.1(4) of the FAA gives Ministers, through Treasury Board regulations, authority to waive interest on overdue amounts owing to Her Majesty and to waive administrative charges for dishonoured instruments (e.g. NSF cheques) imposed under section 155.1 of the FAA.
•Other Acts of Parliament (e.g. Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act) give Ministers general authority to approve the write-off or forgiveness of specific debts, obligations or claims.
Under this authority, the Minister of National Revenue wrote off, forgave or waived interest or administrative charges in 1,534,315 cases of “debts, obligations and claims” to the Government of Canada in Fiscal Year 2018-2019, for a total of $4,166,405,553.
These include:
•1,190,147 cases under the Financial Administration Act, totaling $3,237,650,407;
•25,303 cases under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, totaling $352,032,596;
•7,637 cases under the Excise Tax Act, totaling $98,070,653; and
•311,228 cases under the Income Tax Act, totaling $478,651,897.
With this in mind, regarding the Financial Administration Act and the Income Tax Act, would the Government of Canada provide the following information for the Fiscal Year 2018-2019:
1.How many Canadians (individuals, trusts, foundations and companies) have had their debts written off?
2.What was the largest amount written off?
3.What was the smallest amount written off?
4.What was the largest amount forgiven?
5.What was the smallest amount forgiven?
6.How many Canadians (individuals, trusts, foundations and companies) have had interest and/or administrative charges waived?
7.What was the largest amount of interest or administrative charges waived?
8.What was the smallest amount of interest or administrative charges waived?
9.What was the Minister of National Revenue’s justification for writing off or forgiving those debts, and waiving interest and administrative charges?
10.Is the Canada Revenue Agency still actively trying to recover the debts owed but written off?
11.If so, what steps are being taken?
12.If not, why not?
13.How much of this debt has been recovered?