Journals of the Senate
3 Charles III , A.D. 2024, Canada
1st Session, 44th Parliament
Issue 247 (Unrevised)
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
2 p.m.
The Honourable RAYMONDE GAGNÉ, Speaker
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
AdlerAl ZaibakAndersonArnotAtaullahjanAucoinAudetteBattersBernardBlackBoehmBonifaceBoudreauBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCormierCotterCoyleCuznerDagenaisDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuncanForestFrancisFridhandlerGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGoldGreenwoodHarderHartlingHousakosKingstonKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamManningMartinMassicotteMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenPlettProsperQuinnRavaliaRichardsRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeidmanSeniorSmithSorensenTannasVaroneVernerWallinWells (Alberta)Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteWooYouanceYussuff
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
AdlerAl ZaibakAndersonArnotAtaullahjanAucoinAudetteBattersBernardBlackBoehmBonifaceBoudreauBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCormierCotterCoyleCuznerDagenaisDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuncanForestFrancisFridhandlerGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGoldGreenwoodHarderHartlingHousakosKingstonKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamManningMartinMassicotteMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenPlettProsperQuinnRavaliaRichardsRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeidmanSeniorSmithSorensenTannasVaroneVernerWallinWells (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
Tributes
Tribute was paid to the Honourable Senator Hartling, who will retire from the Senate on February 1, 2025.
Senators’ Statements
Some Honourable Senators made statements.
ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS
Tabling of Documents
The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson tabled the following:
Certificate of nomination and biographical notes for the proposed appointment of James O’Reilly to the position of Senate Ethics Officer.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-4118S.
Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees
The Honourable Senator Cotter presented the following:
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs has the honour to present its
THIRTY-THIRD REPORT
Your committee, to which was referred Bill C-321, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (assaults against persons who provide health services and first responders), has, in obedience to the order of reference of Thursday, May 30, 2024, examined the said bill and now reports the same without amendment but with certain observations, which are appended to this report.
Respectfully submitted,
BRENT COTTER
Chair
Observations to the Thirty-third Report of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs (Bill C-321)
Your committee observes that there is a serious and growing increase in acts of violence against first responders and persons who provide health services acting in the performance of their duties. Compounding this concern is the consistent observation from witnesses that it is remarkably difficult for first responders and persons who provide health services to report on these incidents of violence, to have them meaningfully addressed, and to feel meaningfully supported. There is an urgent need for cultural and professional change to address this problem, from employers, regulators, the criminal justice system and all orders of government. First responders and persons who provide health services are in need not only of the legislative framework of this bill, but also emotional and social acknowledgment in their workplaces for the difficulties that they face from violence and the threat of violence.
While all witnesses who appeared before the committee indicated that Bill C-321 was a positive step, the committee observes that this bill aims to increase penalties without addressing the underlying systemic and societal issues that contribute to increases in these forms of assaults. Criminal law changes are not an alternative to full supports and efforts towards addressing the systemic underlying causes of increased criminalization and the many social determinants of justice linked to safer communities, prevention of crime, and better outcomes for all, particularly those overrepresented in the criminal legal system. Indeed, without such measures, criminal law changes risk resulting in further overrepresentation in the criminal legal system of those most marginalized. All orders of government need to invest in the reforms called for by the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls for Justice, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action, the recommendations of Canada’s Black Justice Strategy and the recommendations of the Mental Health Commission of Canada.
The committee has consistently observed that the Criminal Code has been amended in a piecemeal manner for many decades and has become cumbersome, sometimes repetitive, or inconsistent, and is in need of comprehensive reform (see, for instance, the committee’s 2017 report Delaying Justice is Denying Justice at pages 41 to 43). The committee repeats its past recommendation that an independent body should undertake a comprehensive review of the Criminal Code. The revived Law Commission of Canada could undertake such a review, which should include a study of all provisions in the Code that pertain to crimes against vulnerable persons.
The Honourable Senator Housakos moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Seidman, that the bill be placed on the Orders of the Day for third reading at the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Moncion, Chair of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration, presented the seventeenth report of the committee, entitled Senate Budget 2025-26.
(The report is printed as an appendix at pages 3399-3405 (available in print format PDF).)
(The HTML version of the report is available on the committee website.)
The Honourable Senator Moncion moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Pate, that the report be placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Introduction and First Reading of Senate Public Bills
The Honourable Senator Moreau introduced Bill S-291, An Act to establish Judicial Independence Day.
The bill was read the first time.
The Honourable Senator Moreau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Muggli, 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.
Tabling of Reports from Interparliamentary Delegations
The Honourable Senator Galvez tabled the following:
Report of the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas, 6th Gathering of ParlAmericas Parliamentary Network on Climate Change, by videoconference, June 23 and July 5, 2022.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-4119.
Question Period
The Senate proceeded to Question Period.
Orders of the Day
Government Business
Bills – Third Reading
Third reading of Bill C-78, An Act respecting temporary cost of living relief (affordability).
The Honourable Senator Moncion moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne, that the bill be read for a third time.
Debate.
Other Business
Senate Public Bills – Third Reading
At 5:30 p.m., pursuant to rule 9-10(2), the Senate proceeded to the taking of the deferred standing vote on the motion of the Honourable Senator Pate, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boehm, for the third reading of Bill S-230, An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
AdlerAl ZaibakAucoinAudetteBernardBlackBoehmBoudreauBrazeauBureyCardozoClementCormierCotterCuznerDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)DowneDuncanForestFrancisFridhandlerGalvezGerbaGreenwoodHartlingKingstonKutcherLoffredaMacAdamMassicotteMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercProsperRavaliaRinguetteRobinsonRossSeniorSorensenVaroneWells (Alberta)WhiteWooYouanceYussuff—58
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
AtaullahjanBattersBussonCarignanGoldHarderHousakosLaBoucane-BensonManningMartinPettenPlettQuinnRichardsSeidmanSmithTannasVernerWallinWells (Newfoundland and Labrador)—20
ABSTENTIONS
The Honourable Senators
AndersonDalphondKlyne—3
Accordingly, Bill S-230 was read a third time and passed.
Ordered, That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that House that the Senate has passed this bill, to which it desires its concurrence.
Government Business
Bills – Third Reading
The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Moncion, seconded by the Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne, for the third reading of Bill C-78, An Act respecting temporary cost of living relief (affordability).
DECLARATIONS OF PRIVATE INTERESTS
Pursuant to rule 15-7(1) and subsection 12(1) of the Ethics and Conflict of Interest Code for Senators, a declaration of private interest was made as follows:
The Honourable Senator Varone, respecting Bill C-78, An Act respecting temporary cost of living relief (affordability), by oral declaration.
Bills – Third Reading
The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Moncion, seconded by the Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne, for the third reading of Bill C-78, An Act respecting temporary cost of living relief (affordability).
Debate.
A point of order was raised with respect to unparliamentary language.
After debate,
The Speaker reserved her decision.
Bills – Third Reading
The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Moncion, seconded by the Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne, for the third reading of Bill C-78, An Act respecting temporary cost of living relief (affordability).
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.
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Bills – Reports of Committees
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
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
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 Mary May Simon, 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.
Pursuant to rule 3-3(1), the Speaker left the Chair to resume the same at 8 p.m.
The sitting resumed.
MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
A message was brought from the House of Commons with Bill C-79, An Act for granting to His Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, 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.
Government Business
Motions
The Senate resumed 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 Mary May Simon, Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order of Canada, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Military Merit, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY:
We, Her Majesty’s most loyal and dutiful subjects, the Senate of Canada in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Excellency for the gracious Speech which Your Excellency has addressed to both Houses of Parliament.
After debate,
With leave of the Senate,
Further debate on the motion was adjourned until the next sitting, in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett.
Orders No. 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
Senate Public Bills – Third Reading
Order No. 1 was 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.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Martin, for the Honourable Senator MacDonald, seconded by the Honourable Senator Seidman, for the third reading of Bill C-280, An Act to amend the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (deemed trust — perishable fruits and vegetables).
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
AtaullahjanAudetteBattersBernardBlackBoudreauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanCuznerDalphondDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DuncanFrancisGerbaGoldHarderHousakosKingstonKlyneLaBoucane-BensonMacAdamManningMartinMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPattersonPettenPlettProsperQuinnRavaliaRichardsRossSeidmanSeniorSmithSorensenTannasVaroneVernerWallinWells (Alberta)Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)White—54
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
ArnotClementCormierCoyleDeanForestFridhandlerGalvezGignacGreenwoodKutcherLoffredaMassicotteMégieMoncionPetitclercRinguetteSaint-GermainWooYouanceYussuff—21
ABSTENTIONS
The Honourable Senators
BoehmPate—2
Accordingly, Bill C-280 was read a third time and passed.
Ordered, That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that House that the Senate has passed this bill without amendment.
Senate Public Bills – Reports of Committees
Orders No. 1 and 2 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Commons Public Bills – Reports of Committees
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Boehm, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moodie, for the adoption of the fifteenth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (Bill C-282, An Act to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act (supply management), with an amendment and observations), presented in the Senate on November 7, 2024.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator White moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Muggli, 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 – Second Reading
Orders No. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 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 Plett moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin:
That the Senate do now adjourn.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.
ADJOURNMENT
At 10:43 p.m., pursuant to the order adopted by the Senate earlier today, the Senate adjourned until 2 p.m., tomorrow.
DOCUMENTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO RULE 14-1(7)
Agreement for RCMP policing services made between Canada and the Town of Diamond Valley, Alberta, pursuant to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. R-10, sbs. 20(5).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-4115.
Report of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board for the year ended December 31, 2023, pursuant to the Patent Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-4, sbs. 89(4) and 100(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-4116.
Report of the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer entitled Implementing a two-month Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) break for groceries and holiday essentials, pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-1, sbs. 79.2(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-4117.
Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5
Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources
The Honourable Senator Robinson was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (December 9, 2024).
Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade
The Honourable Senator Greenwood replaced the Honourable Senator Boniface (December 6, 2024).
Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights
The Honourable Senator Gerba replaced the Honourable Senator Wells (Alberta) (December 10, 2024).
The Honourable Senator Wells (Alberta) replaced the Honourable Senator Gerba (December 9, 2024).
Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology
The Honourable Senator Boudreau replaced the Honourable Senator Youance (December 6, 2024).