The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AdlerAl ZaibakArnotAtaullahjanAucoinAudetteBattersBernardBlackBoehmBoudreauBoyerBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanCordyCormierCotterCoyleCuznerDagenaisDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuncanForestFrancisFridhandlerGagnéGerbaGignacGoldGreeneGreenwoodHartlingHousakosKingstonKlyneLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldMartinMassicotteMcBeanMcNairMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneMoncionMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenPlettProsperQuinnRavaliaRinguetteRobinsonSaint-GermainSeidmanSeniorSimonsSmithSorensenTannasVaroneVernerWallinWells (Alberta)Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteWooYouanceYussuff

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

AdlerAl ZaibakArnotAtaullahjanAucoinAudetteBattersBernardBlackBoehmBoudreauBoyerBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanCordyCormierCotterCoyleCuznerDagenaisDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuncanForestFrancisFridhandlerGagnéGerbaGignacGoldGreeneGreenwoodHartlingHousakosKingstonKlyneLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldMartinMassicotteMcBeanMcNairMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneMoncionMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenPlettProsperQuinnRavaliaRinguetteRobinsonSaint-GermainSeidmanSeniorSimonsSmithSorensenTannasVaroneVernerWallinWells (Alberta)Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteWooYouanceYussuff

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.

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. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, including the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency, Canadian Grain Commission and Farm Products Council of Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3854S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3855S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3856S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Canada Revenue Agency.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3857S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3858S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Fisheries and Oceans Canada, including the Canadian Coast Guard.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3859S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Indigenous Services Canada, including Indian Oil and Gas Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3860S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — National Defence, Military Grievances External Review Committee, Communications Security Establishment, Military Police Complaints Commission and National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces Ombudsman.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3861S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Environment and Climate Change Canada, Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and Parks Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3862S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Employment and Social Development Canada, Accessibility Standards Canada and Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3863S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3864S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3865S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Department of Finance Canada and Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3866S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Global Affairs Canada and Invest in Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3867S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Health Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Patented Medicine Prices Review Board.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3868S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3869S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3870S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and Immigration Refugee Board of Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3871S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, including its special operating agencies, Copyright Board of Canada, Canadian Space Agency, National Research Council Canada, Statistics Canada, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3872S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Department of Justice Canada, Canadian Human Rights Commission and Administrative Tribunals Support Service of Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3873S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Natural Resources Canada, Canada Energy Regulator, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and Northern Pipeline Agency.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3874S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Pacific Economic Development Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3875S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Canadian Heritage, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, Library and Archives Canada, National Film Board of Canada, National Battlefields Commission, Canadian Conservation Institute and Canadian Heritage Information Network.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3876S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Privy Council Office.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3877S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Public Prosecution Service of Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3878S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Prairies Economic Development Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3879S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Public Safety Canada, Canada Border Services Agency, Canadian Security Intelligence Service, Correctional Service of Canada, Parole Board of Canada and Royal Canadian Mounted Police.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3880S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Public Services and Procurement Canada and Shared Services Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3881S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Women and Gender Equality Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3882S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat and Canada School of Public Service.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3883S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Transport Canada and Canadian Transportation Agency.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3884S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat, Public Service Commission of Canada and Transportation Safety Board of Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3885S.

Response to Question No. 147, dated March 30, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding government contracts for virtual staff meetings — Veterans Affairs Canada and Veterans Review and Appeal Board.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3886S.

Orders of the Day

Government Business

Bills – Third Reading

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Omidvar, seconded by the Honourable Senator Clement, for the third reading of Bill C-20, An Act establishing the Public Complaints and Review Commission and amending certain Acts and statutory instruments.

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, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26 and 27 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Motions

Orders No. 1, 132, 167 and 172 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Inquiries

Orders No. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Other Business

Ordered, That Order No. 30 under OTHER BUSINESS, Senate Public Bills — Second Reading, be brought forward.

Second reading of Bill S-288, An Act respecting Inherited Blood Disorders Awareness Day.

The Honourable Senator Cordy moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Klyne, 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.

Senate Public Bills – Third Reading

Orders No. 1, 2, 3 and 4 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Commons Public Bills – Third Reading

Orders No. 1, 2, 3 and 4 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

ADJOURNMENT

With leave of the Senate,

The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Petten:

That the Senate do now adjourn.

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

(Accordingly, at 3:27 p.m., the Senate was continued until tomorrow at 2 p.m.)

DOCUMENTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO RULE 14-1(7)

Report of the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer entitled The Fiscal Implications of Meeting the NATO Military Spending Target, pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-1, sbs. 79.2(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3850.

Report of the Office of the Correctional Investigator of Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, pursuant to the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, S.C. 1992, c. 20, s. 192.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3851.

Summaries of the Corporate Plans for 2023-2024 to 2027-2028 of the National Capital Commission, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3852.

Summaries of the Corporate Plans for 2024-25 to 2028-29 of the National Capital Commission, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-3853.

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy

The Honourable Senator McNair was added to the membership (October 30, 2024).

Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration

The Honourable Senator Saint-Germain replaced the Honourable Senator Moodie (October 30, 2024).

Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament

The Honourable Senator Greene replaced the Honourable Senator Osler (October 30, 2024).