Journals of the Senate
1 Charles III , A.D. 2023, Canada
1st Session, 44th Parliament
Issue 117 (Unrevised)
Thursday, April 27, 2023
2 p.m.
The Honourable GEORGE J. FUREY, Speaker
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
ArnotAtaullahjanAudetteBattersBernardBoehmBonifaceBoveyBoyerBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCordyCormierCotterCoyleDagenaisDalphondDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDupuisFureyGagnéGalvezGerbaGoldGreeneGreenwoodHarderHartlingHousakosKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLankinLoffredaMacDonaldMarshallMartinMarwahMassicotteMcCallumMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneOhOmidvarOslerPatePatterson (Ontario)PetitclercPlettQuinnRavaliaRinguetteSaint-GermainSeidmanShugartSimonsSmithSorensenTannasVernerWallinWooYussuff
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
ArnotAtaullahjanAudetteBattersBernardBoehmBonifaceBoveyBoyerBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCordyCormierCotterCoyleDagenaisDalphondDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)Dean*DowneDupuis*FrancisFureyGagnéGalvezGerbaGoldGreeneGreenwoodHarderHartlingHousakosKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLankinLoffredaMacDonaldMarshallMartinMarwahMassicotteMcCallumMcPhedranMégieMiville-Dechêne*MoncionOhOmidvarOslerPatePatterson (Ontario)PetitclercPlettQuinnRavaliaRinguetteSaint-GermainSeidmanShugartSimonsSmithSorensenTannasVernerWallin*WellsWooYussuff
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.
Absence of the Speaker
The clerk at the table informed the Senate that the Honourable the Speaker was unavoidably absent, whereupon the Honourable Senator Ringuette, Speaker pro tempore, took the chair, pursuant to rule 2-4(6).
PRAYERS
Senators’ Statements
Some Honourable Senators made statements.
ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS
Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees
The Honourable Senator Dalphond, member of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, tabled the twelfth report of the committee, entitled Self-induced Extreme Intoxication and Section 33.1 of the Criminal Code.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1704S.
(Pursuant to the order adopted by the Senate on Thursday, June 23, 2022, the government is requested to provide a complete and detailed response within 120 calendar days, with the response, or failure to provide a response, being dealt with pursuant to the provisions of rules 12-24(3) to (5).)
Question Period
The Senate proceeded to Question Period.
Orders of the Day
Government Business
Bills – Second Reading
Second reading of Bill C-46, An Act to amend the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act and the Income Tax Act.
The Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gagné, that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Plett, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Audette, seconded by the Honourable Senator Mégie, for the second reading of Bill C-29, An Act to provide for the establishment of a national council for reconciliation.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Seidman, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Reports of Committees – Other
Orders No. 7 and 9 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Motions
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
The Honourable Senator Gagné moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C.:
That, notwithstanding any provision of the Rules, previous order or usual practice:
1.in accordance with rule 10-11(1), the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance be authorized to examine the subject matter of all of Bill C-47, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 28, 2023, introduced in the House of Commons on April 20, 2023, in advance of the said bill coming before the Senate;
2.in addition, the following committees be separately authorized to examine the subject matter of the following elements contained in Bill C-47:
(a)the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy: those elements contained in Clauses 118 to 122 concerning cryptoasset mining in Part 2, and Divisions 1, 2, 6, 7, 26, 33 and 37 of Part 4;
(b)the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources: those elements contained in Divisions 20 and 36 of Part 4;
(c)the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans: those elements contained in Subdivisions A, B and C of Division 21 of Part 4;
(d)the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade: those elements contained in Divisions 4, 5, 10 and 11 of Part 4, and in Subdivision A of Division 3 of Part 4;
(e)the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs: those elements contained in Divisions 30, 31, 34 and 39 of Part 4, and in Subdivision B of Division 3 of Part 4;
(f)the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs: those elements contained in Division 24 of Part 4;
(g)the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology: those elements contained in Divisions 8, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 25, 27, 28, 29, 35 and 38 of Part 4; and
(h)the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications: those elements contained in Division 2 of Part 3, and Divisions 22 and 23 of Part 4;
3.each of the committees listed in point 2 that are authorized to examine the subject matter of particular elements of Bill C-47:
(a)submit its final report to the Senate no later than June 2, 2023; and
(b)be authorized to deposit its report with the Clerk of the Senate if the Senate is not then sitting;
4.as the reports from the various committees authorized to examine the subject matter of particular elements of Bill C-47 are tabled in the Senate, they be placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting, provided that if a report is deposited with the Clerk, it be placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting following the one on which the depositing is recorded in the Journals of the Senate;
5.the aforementioned committees be authorized to meet for the purposes of their studies of the subject matter of all or particular elements of Bill C-47, even though the Senate may then be sitting or adjourned, with the application of rules 12-18(1) and 12-18(2) being suspended in relation thereto; and
6.the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance be authorized to take any reports tabled under point 3 into consideration during its study of the subject matter of all of Bill C-47.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Order No. 98 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Inquiries
Orders No. 3, 4 and 5 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Other Business
Senate Public Bills – Second Reading
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator McPhedran, seconded by the Honourable Senator White, for the second reading of Bill S-201, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and the Regulation Adapting the Canada Elections Act for the Purposes of a Referendum (voting age).
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Seidman, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Patterson (Nunavut), seconded by the Honourable Senator Tannas, for the second reading of Bill S-228, An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (property qualifications of Senators).
The Honourable Senator Housakos moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Bellemare, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dalphond, for the second reading of Bill S-244, An Act to amend the Department of Employment and Social Development Act and the Employment Insurance Act (Employment Insurance Council).
After debate,
With leave of the Senate,
Further debate on the motion was adjourned until the next sitting, in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos.
Orders No. 17, 18 and 19 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Kutcher, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boehm, for the second reading of Bill S-251, An Act to repeal section 43 of the Criminal Code (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s call to action number 6).
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator MacDonald, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Commons Public Bills – Second Reading
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Yussuff, seconded by the Honourable Senator Loffreda, for the second reading of Bill C-224, An Act to establish a national framework for the prevention and treatment of cancers linked to firefighting.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Yussuff 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.
Orders No. 2, 3, 4 and 5 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Batters, seconded by the Honourable Senator Wells, for the second reading of Bill C-291, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to other Acts (child sexual abuse and exploitation material).
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Clement moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Ravalia, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Private Bills – Second Reading
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Reports of Committees – Other
Orders No. 27, 30, 31 and 33 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Consideration of the second report of the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages, entitled Francophone immigration to minority communities: towards a bold, strong and coordinated approach, tabled in the Senate on March 30, 2023.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Cormier moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Galvez:
That the second report of the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages, entitled Francophone immigration to minority communities: towards a bold, strong and coordinated approach, tabled in the Senate on Thursday, March 30, 2023, be adopted and that, pursuant to rule 12-24(1), the Senate request a complete and detailed response from the government, with the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship being identified as minister responsible for responding to the report, in consultation with the Minister of Official Languages.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Consideration of the eleventh report (interim) of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, entitled All Together — The Role of Gender-based Analysis Plus in the Policy Process: reducing barriers to an inclusive intersectional policy analysis, tabled in the Senate on March 30, 2023.
Debate.
DEFERRED VOTES
At 5:30 p.m., pursuant to rule 7-4(5)(c), the Senate proceeded to the taking of the deferred standing vote on the motion , as amended, of the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson,
That, in relation to Bill C-11, An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts, the Senate:
(a)agree to the amendments made by the House of Commons to its amendments; and
(b)do not insist on its amendments to which the House of Commons disagrees;
That the Senate take note of the Government of Canada’s public assurance that Bill C-11 will not apply to user-generated digital content and its commitment to issue policy direction to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission accordingly; and
That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that house accordingly.
The question being put on the motion, as amended, it was adopted on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
ArnotBernardBoehmBonifaceBoveyBoyerBureyBussonCardozoClementCordyCormierCotterCoyleDagenaisDalphondDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDupuisFureyGagnéGalvezGerbaGoldGreenwoodHarderHartlingKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLankinLoffredaMarwahMassicotteMcCallumMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneOmidvarOslerPatePatterson (Ontario)PetitclercQuinnRavaliaRinguetteSaint-GermainShugartSorensenWooYussuff—52
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
AtaullahjanBattersCarignanGreeneHousakosMacDonaldMarshallMartinOhPlettSeidmanSimonsSmithTannasVernerWallin—16
ABSTENTION
The Honourable Senator
Brazeau—1
Other Business
Reports of Committees – Other
The Senate resumed debate on the consideration of the eleventh report (interim) of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, entitled All Together — The Role of Gender-based Analysis Plus in the Policy Process: reducing barriers to an inclusive intersectional policy analysis, tabled in the Senate on March 30, 2023.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Omidvar moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dean:
That the eleventh report of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, entitled All Together — The Role of Gender-based Analysis Plus in the Policy Process: reducing barriers to an inclusive intersectional policy analysis, tabled in the Senate on Thursday, March 30, 2023, be adopted and that, pursuant to rule 12-24(1), the Senate request a complete and detailed response from the government, with the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth being identified as minister responsible for responding to the report.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Consideration of the seventh report of the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight (Budget—supervise and report on the Senate’s internal and external audits and related matters), presented in the Senate on April 20, 2023.
The Honourable Senator Klyne moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cardozo, that the report be adopted.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Consideration of the tenth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples (Budget—examine the constitutional, treaty, political and legal responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples—power to hire staff), presented in the Senate on April 20, 2023.
The Honourable Senator Arnot moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Yussuff, that the report be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Order No. 38 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Consideration of the eighth report of the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight (Supplementary budget—supervise and report on the Senate’s internal and external audits and related matters—power to travel), presented in the Senate on April 25, 2023.
The Honourable Senator Klyne moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cardozo, that the report be adopted.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted on division.
Motions
Orders No. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 19, 30, 77 and 96 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Inquiries
Orders No. 1 and 2 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Boyer, calling the attention of the Senate to the positive contributions and impacts that Métis, Inuit, and First Nations have made to Canada, and the world.
The Honourable Senator Petitclerc moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Clement, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 4, 5, 8 and 10 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Woo, calling the attention of the Senate to the one hundredth anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Act, the contributions that Chinese Canadians have made to our country, and the need to combat contemporary forms of exclusion and discrimination faced by Canadians of Asian descent.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Clement moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Ravalia, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
MOTIONS
The Honourable Senator Tannas moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Osler:
That the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs be authorized to examine and report on the operation, applicability, and functionality of the Emergencies Act in a modern context, as well as the robustness of parliamentary supervision it provides for and its interaction with the rules and procedures of the Senate; and
That the committee submit its final report no later than September 28, 2023.
The Honourable Senator Tannas moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Osler, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Cormier moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Mégie:
That, notwithstanding the order of the Senate adopted on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, the date for the final report of the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages in relation to its study on the application of the Official Languages Act be extended from June 15, 2023, to December 31, 2025.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Dean moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Omidvar:
That, notwithstanding the order of the Senate adopted on Thursday, February 10, 2022, the date for the final report of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs in relation to its study on matters relating to national defence and security generally, including veterans’ affairs, as stated in rule 12-7(17), be extended from June 30, 2023, to December 31, 2025.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Dean moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Omidvar:
That, notwithstanding the order of the Senate adopted on Thursday, February 10, 2022, the date for the final report of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs in relation to its study on:
(a)services and benefits provided to members of the Canadian Forces; to veterans who have served honourably in the Canadian Armed Forces in the past; to members and former members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and its antecedents; and all of their families;
(b)commemorative activities undertaken by the Department of Veterans Affairs Canada, to keep alive for all Canadians the memory of Canadian veterans’ achievements and sacrifices; and
(c)continuing implementation of the Veterans Well-being Act;
be extended from June 30, 2023, to December 31, 2025.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Kutcher moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cormier:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology be authorized to examine and report on the negative impact of health disinformation and misinformation on Canadian society and what effective measures can be implemented to counter this impact; and
That the committee submit its final report on this study to the Senate no later than May 31, 2024, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report.
The Honourable Senator Kutcher moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Mégie, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Ordered: That Order No. 102 be again called.
The Honourable Senator Omidvar moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dean:
That, given reports of human rights abuses, repression and executions of its citizens, particularly women, in Iran by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Senate call upon the government to immediately designate the IRGC as a terrorist entity.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Seidman, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Ataullahjan moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Marshall:
That, notwithstanding rule 12-15(2), the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights be empowered to hold in camera meetings for the purpose of hearing witnesses and gathering specialized or sensitive information in relation to its study of human rights generally, specifically on the topic of anti-racism, sexism and systemic discrimination in the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 6:35 p.m., pursuant to rule 16-1(8), the sitting was suspended to await the announcement of Royal Assent, to reassemble at the call of the Chair with a five-minute bell.
At 6:49 p.m., the sitting resumed.
WRITTEN DECLARATION OF ROYAL ASSENT
At 6:49 p.m., the Honourable the Speaker informed the Senate that the following communication had been received:
RIDEAU HALL
April 27, 2023
Mr. Speaker,
I have the honour to inform you that on behalf and at the request of the Right Honourable Mary May Simon, Governor General of Canada, the Right Honourable Richard Wagner, Deputy to the Governor General, signified royal assent by written declaration to the bills listed in the Schedule to this letter on the 27th day of April, 2023, at 6:26 p.m.
Yours sincerely,
Maia Welbourne
Assistant Secretary to the Governor General
The Honourable
The Speaker of the Senate
Ottawa
Schedule
Bills Assented To
Thursday, April 27, 2023
An Act to establish International Mother Language Day (Bill S-214, Chapter 5, 2023)
An Act to amend the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act and the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 (Bill C-228, Chapter 6, 2023)
An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Judges Act (violence against an intimate partner) (Bill C-233, Chapter 7, 2023)
An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts (Bill C-11, Chapter 8, 2023)
Ordered: That Order No. 98, under ORDERS OF THE DAY, GOVERNMENT BUSINESS, Motions, be again called.
The Honourable Senator Gagné moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C.:
That, when the Senate next adjourns after the adoption of this motion, it do stand adjourned until Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at 2 p.m.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
ADJOURNMENT
The Honourable Senator Gagné moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson:
That the Senate do now adjourn.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
(Accordingly, at 6:54 p.m., the Senate was continued until Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at 2 p.m.)
DOCUMENTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO RULE 14-1(7)
Summaries of the Corporate Plan and Budgets for 2023-27 of the Atlantic Pilotage Authority, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1700.
Summaries of the Corporate Plan and Budgets for 2023-27 of the Laurentian Pilotage Authority, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1701.
Summaries of the Corporate Plan and Budgets for 2023-27 of the Pacific Pilotage Authority, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1702.
Summaries of the Corporate Plan and Budgets for 2023-27 of the Great Lakes Pilotage Authority, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1703.
Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5
Standing Senate Committee on National Finance
The Honourable Senator Forest replaced the Honourable Senator Dupuis (April 27, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Duncan replaced the Honourable Senator Yussuff (April 27, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Gignac replaced the Honourable Senator Audette (April 27, 2023).