Journals of the Senate
2 Charles III , A.D. 2024, Canada
1st Session, 44th Parliament
Issue 206 (Unrevised)
Thursday, May 30, 2024
2 p.m.
The Honourable RAYMONDE GAGNÉ, Speaker
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
Al ZaibakArnotAtaullahjanAucoinAudetteBattersBellemareBernardBlackBoehmBonifaceBoyerBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanCordyCormierCotterCoyleCuznerDagenaisDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuncanForestFrancisGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGoldGreenwoodHarderHartlingHousakosJafferKingstonKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLankinLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldMartinMassicotteMcBeanMcNairMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneMoncionMoodieOhOmidvarOslerPatePattersonPettenPlettProsperQuinnRichardsRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSmithSorensenTannasVaroneWallinWellsWhiteWooYussuff
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
Al ZaibakArnotAtaullahjanAucoinAudetteBattersBellemareBernardBlackBoehmBonifaceBoyerBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignan*ClementCordyCormierCotterCoyleCuznerDagenaisDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuncanForestFrancisGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGoldGreenwoodHarderHartlingHousakosJafferKingstonKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLankinLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldMartinMassicotteMcBeanMcNairMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneMoncionMoodieOhOmidvarOslerPatePattersonPettenPlettProsperQuinnRichardsRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSmithSorensenTannasVaroneWallinWellsWhiteWooYussuff
The first list records senators present in the Senate Chamber during the course of the sitting.
An asterisk in the second list indicates a senator who, while not present during the sitting, was in attendance to business, as defined in subsections 8(2) and (3) of the Senators Attendance Policy.
PRAYERS
Senators’ Statements
Some Honourable Senators made statements.
ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS
Introduction and First Reading of Government Bills
A message was brought from the House of Commons with Bill C-49, An Act to amend the Canada—Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, to which it desires the concurrence of the Senate.
The bill was read the first time.
The Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson, that the bill be placed on the Orders of the Day for a second reading two days hence.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Question Period
The Senate proceeded to Question Period.
Delayed Answers
Pursuant to rule 4-9(7), the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson tabled the following:
Response to Question No. 126, dated February 8, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding the privacy rights of Canadians — Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3010S.
Response to Question No. 166, dated June 2, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3011S.
Response to Question No. 230, dated May 30, 2023, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding comments made by the Prime Minister — Privy Council Office.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3012S.
Response to Question No. 230, dated May 30, 2023, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding comments made by the Prime Minister — Transport Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3013S.
Response to Question No. 308, dated February 6, 2024, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3014S.
Response to Question No. 317, dated April 9, 2024, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding 24 Sussex Drive.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3015S.
Response to Question No. 318, dated April 9, 2024, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding handguns — Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3016S.
Response to Question No. 318, dated April 9, 2024, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding handguns — Public Safety Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3017S.
Orders of the Day
Government Business
Bills – Second Reading
Second reading of Bill C-58, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code and the Canada Industrial Relations Board Regulations, 2012.
The Honourable Senator Lankin, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Pate, that the bill be read the second time.
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.
Second reading of Bill C-59, An Act to implement certain provisions of the fall economic statement tabled in Parliament on November 21, 2023 and certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 28, 2023.
The Honourable Senator Moncion moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Duncan, that the bill be read the second time.
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.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Cotter, seconded by the Honourable Senator Petitclerc, for the second reading of Bill S-17, An Act to correct certain anomalies, inconsistencies, out-dated terminology and errors and to deal with other matters of a non-controversial and uncomplicated nature in the Statutes and Regulations of Canada and to repeal certain provisions that have expired, lapsed or otherwise ceased to have effect.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The bill was then read the second time.
The Honourable Senator Cotter moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dean, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Reports of Committees – Other
Orders No. 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Motions
Orders No. 1, 132, 167 and 172 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson 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, June 4, 2024, at 2 p.m.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Inquiries
Orders No. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Other Business
Bills – Messages from the House of Commons
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Senate Public Bills – Third Reading
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Pate, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moodie, for the third reading of Bill S-212, An Act to amend the Criminal Records Act, to make consequential amendments to other Acts and to repeal a regulation, as amended.
And on the motion in amendment of the Honourable Senator Housakos, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin:
That Bill S-212, as amended, be not now read a third time, but that it be further amended, in clause 5, on page 3,
(a) by replacing line 5 with the following:
“(a) ten years, in the case of an offence that is prose-”;
(b) by replacing line 14 with the following:
“(b) five years, in the case of an offence that is punish-”.
After debate,
With leave of the Senate,
Further debate on the motion in amendment was adjourned until the next sitting, in the name of the Honourable Senator McBean.
Orders No. 2, 3 and 4 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Commons Public Bills – Third Reading
Orders No. 1, 2 and 3 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Senate Public Bills – Reports of Committees
Orders No. 1 and 2 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Senate Public Bills – Second Reading
Orders No. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Order No. 6 (Bill S-226) was called and, pursuant to rule 4-14(2), dropped from the Order Paper and Notice Paper.
Orders No. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Ordered: That consideration of Order No. 13 be postponed until the next sitting of the Senate.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Loffreda, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moncion, for the second reading of Bill S-259, An Act to designate the month of March as Hellenic Heritage Month.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The bill was then read the second time.
The Honourable Senator Loffreda moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dean, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Martin, seconded by the Honourable Senator Housakos, for the second reading of Bill S-260, An Act respecting National Diffuse Midline Glioma Awareness Day.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The bill was then read the second time.
The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Seidman, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator McPhedran, seconded by the Honourable Senator McCallum, for the second reading of Bill S-261, An Act respecting non-disclosure agreements.
Ordered: That further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting, in the name of the Honourable Senator McPhedran.
Order No. 17 (Bill S-262) was called and, pursuant to rule 4-14(2), dropped from the Order Paper and Notice Paper.
Ordered: That consideration of Order No. 18 be postponed until the next sitting of the Senate.
Orders No. 19, 20 and 21 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Tannas, seconded by the Honourable Senator Verner, P.C., for the second reading of Bill S-268, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Indian Act.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.
The bill was then read the second time.
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Tannas moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dagenais, that:
1.the bill stand referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs;
2.the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples be authorized to examine and report on the subject matter of the bill; and
3.during its consideration of the bill, the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs be authorized to take into account any public document or evidence received by the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples during its study of the subject matter of the bill, as well as any report from that latter committee on the subject matter of the bill.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Omidvar, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dasko, for the second reading of Bill S-279, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (data on registered charities).
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The bill was then read the second time.
The Honourable Senator Omidvar moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Arnot, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Commons Public Bills – Second Reading
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Dasko, seconded by the Honourable Senator Coyle, for the second reading of Bill C-252, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (prohibition of food and beverage marketing directed at children).
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The bill was then read the second time.
The Honourable Senator Loffreda moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Arnot, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 2 and 3 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Second reading of Bill C-320, An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (disclosure of information to victims).
The Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Seidman, that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.
The bill was then read the second time.
The Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Batters, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Second reading of Bill C-321, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (assaults against persons who provide health services and first responders).
The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Batters, that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The bill was then read the second time.
The Honourable Senator Plett moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Batters, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Order No. 6 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Reports of Committees – Other
Orders No. 31, 33, 40, 62 and 63 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Consideration of the twenty-first report (interim) of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, entitled Act Now: Solutions for Temporary and Migrant Labour in Canada, deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on May 21, 2024.
The Honourable Senator Omidvar moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Loffreda:
That the twenty-first (interim) report of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, entitled Act Now: Solutions for Temporary and Migrant Labour in Canada, deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, be adopted and that, pursuant to rule 12-23(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 Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Order No. 68 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Motions
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Housakos, seconded by the Honourable Senator Wells:
That the Senate call on the Government of Canada to:
(a)denounce the illegitimacy of the Cuban regime and recognize the Cuban opposition and civil society as valid interlocutors; and
(b)call on the Cuban regime to ensure the right of the Cuban people to protest peacefully without fear of reprisal and repudiation.
Ordered: That further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting, in the name of the Honourable Senator Clement.
Orders No. 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 19, 30, 77, 82 and 96 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Deacon (Nova Scotia), seconded by the Honourable Senator Smith:
That the Senate call on the Government of Canada to replace its outdated program delivery and information technology systems by urgently accelerating the implementation of user-friendly, digital solutions that transform the public service delivery experience of Canadians, and ultimately reduce the cost of program delivery.
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. 139, 147, 172, 181, 187 and 202 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Inquiries
Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Dasko, calling the attention of the Senate to the role of leaders’ debates in enhancing democracy by engaging and informing voters.
Ordered: That further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting, in the name of the Honourable Senator Clement.
Orders No. 3, 4, 5 and 8 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Boniface, calling the attention of the Senate to intimate partner violence, especially in rural areas across Canada, in response to the coroner’s inquest conducted in Renfrew County, Ontario.
Debate concluded.
Orders No. 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21 and 22 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
ADJOURNMENT
The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moncion:
That the Senate do now adjourn.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
(Accordingly, at 6:32 p.m., the Senate was continued until Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at 2 p.m.)
DOCUMENTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO RULE 14-1(7)
Report of the Chief of Defence Staff on the National Sex Offender Registry for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, pursuant to the National Defence Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. N-5, s. 227.171.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3007.
Annual Report of the Federal Housing Advocate for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, pursuant to the National Housing Strategy Act, S.C. 2019, c. 29, s. 313 “16(2)”.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3008.
Report of the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer entitled Costing Asylum Claims from Visa-Exempt Countries, pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-1, sbs. 79.2(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3009.
Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5
Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry
The Honourable Senator Cotter replaced the Honourable Senator McBean (May 30, 2024).
Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy
The Honourable Senator Yussuff replaced the Honourable Senator McNair (May 30, 2024).
The Honourable Senator McNair replaced the Honourable Senator Yussuff (May 29, 2024).
Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources
The Honourable Senator McBean replaced the Honourable Senator Sorensen (May 30, 2024).
The Honourable Senator McCallum replaced the Honourable Senator Greenwood (May 30, 2024).
The Honourable Senator Anderson replaced the Honourable Senator Cardozo (May 30, 2024).
Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans
The Honourable Senator Osler was added to the membership (May 30, 2024).
Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade
The Honourable Senator Deacon (Ontario) replaced the Honourable Senator McNair (May 30, 2024).
The Honourable Senator Greene replaced the Honourable Senator Patterson (May 30, 2024).
The Honourable Senator McNair replaced the Honourable Senator Deacon (Ontario) (May 30, 2024).
The Honourable Senator Patterson replaced the Honourable Senator Greene (May 29, 2024).
Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples
The Honourable Senator Boniface replaced the Honourable Senator Sorensen (May 30, 2024).
Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
The Honourable Senator Oudar replaced the Honourable Senator Forest (May 30, 2024).
The Honourable Senator Forest replaced the Honourable Senator Greenwood (May 30, 2024).
The Honourable Senator Klyne replaced the Honourable Senator Audette (May 30, 2024).
Standing Senate Committee on National Finance
The Honourable Senator Galvez replaced the Honourable Senator Duncan (May 29, 2024).
Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs
The Honourable Senator Richards was added to the membership (May 30, 2024).
The Honourable Senator Oh was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (May 30, 2024).
The Honourable Senator Oh replaced the Honourable Senator Richards (May 30, 2024).
The Honourable Senator Yussuff replaced the Honourable Senator Varone (May 29, 2024).
Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications
The Honourable Senator Tannas replaced the Honourable Senator Aucoin (May 30, 2024).