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Journals of the Senate

3 Charles III , A.D. 2024, Canada

1st Session, 44th Parliament

Issue 250 (Unrevised)

Tuesday, December 17, 2024
12 p.m.

The Honourable RAYMONDE GAGNÉ, Speaker


The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AdlerAndersonArnotAtaullahjanAucoinAudetteBattersBernardBoehmBonifaceBoudreauBoyerBrazeauBureyCardozoCarignanClementCormierCotterCoyleCuznerDagenaisDalphondDaskoDeanDowneForestFrancisFridhandlerGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGoldGreenwoodHarderHousakosKingstonKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldMartinMassicotteMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenPlettProsperQuinnRavaliaRichardsRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSmithSorensenTannasVaroneVernerWallinWells (Alberta)Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteWooYouanceYussuff

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

AdlerAndersonArnotAtaullahjanAucoinAudetteBattersBernardBoehmBonifaceBoudreauBoyerBrazeauBureyCardozoCarignanClementCormierCotterCoyleCuznerDagenaisDalphondDaskoDeanDowneForestFrancisFridhandlerGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGoldGreenwoodHarderHousakosKingstonKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldMartinMassicotteMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenPlettProsperQuinnRavaliaRichardsRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSmithSorensenTannasVaroneVernerWallinWells (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.

(Pursuant to rule 3-6(1), the Senate was recalled to sit at 12 p.m. on December 17, 2024, rather than 2 p.m. as previously ordered.)

PRAYERS

Senators’ Statements

Some Honourable Senators made statements.

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

Tabling of Documents

The Honourable the Speaker tabled the following:

Special Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Parliament of Canada entitled Commentary on the 2023-24 Financial Audits, pursuant to the Auditor General Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-17, sbs. 8(2). —Sessional Paper No. 1/44-4143.

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The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson tabled the following:

Document entitled 2024 Fall Economic Statement.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-4144.

Public Accounts of Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, entitled (1) Volume I — Summary Report and Consolidated Financial Statements, (2) Volume II — Details of Expenses and Revenues, (3) Volume III — Additional Information and Analyses, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 64(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-4145.

Documents entitled Canada’s 10th report on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and 2024 Concluding Observations of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-4146.

Departmental Results Reports for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024:

Accessibility Standards Canada

Administrative Tribunals Support Service of Canada

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Canada Border Services Agency

Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

Canada Energy Regulator

Canada Revenue Agency

Canada School of Public Service

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Canadian Grain Commission

Canadian Heritage

Canadian Human Rights Commission

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat

Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

Canadian Space Agency

Canadian Transportation Agency

Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Copyright Board of Canada

Correctional Service of Canada

Courts Administration Service

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

Department of Finance Canada

Department of Justice Canada

Employment and Social Development Canada

Environment and Climate Change Canada

Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario

Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Global Affairs Canada

Health Canada

Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada

Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

Indigenous Services Canada

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Invest in Canada Hub

Law Commission of Canada

Library and Archives Canada

Military Grievances External Review Committee

Military Police Complaints Commission of Canada

National Battlefields Commission

National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces

National Film Board

National Research Council of Canada

National Security and Intelligence Review Agency

Natural Resources Canada

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

Northern Pipeline Agency Canada

Office of the Auditor General of Canada

Office of the Chief Electoral Officer

Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs Canada

Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada

Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages

Office of the Correctional Investigator

Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada

Office of the Intelligence Commissioner

Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada

Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada

Office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Canada

Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada

Pacific Economic Development Canada

Parks Canada

Parole Board of Canada

Patented Medicine Prices Review Board Canada

Polar Knowledge Canada

Prairies Economic Development Canada

Privy Council Office

Public Health Agency of Canada

Public Prosecution Service of Canada

Public Safety Canada

Public Service Commission of Canada

Public Services and Procurement Canada

RCMP External Review Committee

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Secretariat of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians

Shared Services Canada

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council

Statistics Canada

Transport Canada

Transportation Safety Board of Canada

Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

Veterans Affairs Canada

Veterans Review and Appeal Board

Women and Gender Equality Canada—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-4147.

Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees

The Honourable Senator Cotter presented the following:

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs has the honour to present its

THIRTY-FOURTH REPORT

Your committee, to which was referred Bill C-320, An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (disclosure of information to victims), 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-fourth Report of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs (Bill C-320)

This bill clarifies specific requirements under the Corrections and Conditional Release Act and the policies of the Correctional Service Canada and the Parole Board of Canada. The committee heard testimony from several witnesses that victims of crime are currently not adequately informed about the offender’s release, such as temporary absences or parole, from the federal prison system.

To avoid creating stress and trauma for victims, the Correctional Service Canada and the Parole Board of Canada should proactively ensure that victims have access to information about sentencing and gradual release processes. Investments must also be made to ensure appropriate access to health, social, economic, and other supports for victims.

The Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Plett, 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.

Question Period

The Senate proceeded to Question Period.

Orders of the Day

Government Business

Bills – Third Reading

Third reading of 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.

The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., that the bill be read for a third time.

After debate,

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted on the following vote:

YEAS

The Honourable Senators

AdlerAndersonArnotAudetteBernardBoehmBonifaceBoudreauBoyerBrazeauBureyCardozoClementCormierCotterCoyleCuznerDagenaisDalphondDaskoDeanDowneForestFrancisFridhandlerGalvezGerbaGignacGoldGreenwoodHarderKingstonKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMassicotteMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenProsperQuinnRavaliaRinguetteRossSaint-GermainSimonsSorensenVaroneWells (Alberta)WhiteWooYouanceYussuff—68

NAYS

The Honourable Senators

AtaullahjanBattersCarignanHousakosMacDonaldMartinPlettRichardsSeidmanSmithWallinWells (Newfoundland and Labrador)—12

ABSTENTIONS

The Honourable Senators

RobinsonTannasVerner—3

Accordingly, Bill C-79 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.

Bills – Reports of Committees

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Cotter, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dasko, for the adoption of the thirty-first report of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs (Bill S-15, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act, with amendments and observations), presented in the Senate on December 3, 2024.

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

Third reading of Bill S-15, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act, as amended.

With leave of the Senate,

The Honourable Senator Klyne moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator White, that the bill, as amended, be read for a third time.

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

The bill, as amended, was then read the third time.

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.


Ordered, That the sitting be suspended to reassemble at the call of the chair, with a five-minute bell.

(Accordingly, at 2:45 p.m., the sitting was suspended.)

At 3:15 p.m., the sitting resumed.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

At 3:17 p.m., pursuant to the order adopted on December 12, 2024, the Senate was suspended during pleasure and resolved into a Committee of the Whole in order to receive James O’Reilly respecting his appointment as Senate Ethics Officer, the Honourable Senator Ringuette in the Chair.

—In the Committee—

Pursuant to the order adopted on December 12, 2024, James O’Reilly, was escorted to a seat in the Senate Chamber.

Debate.

It was agreed that the chair report to the Senate that the witness had been heard.


The sitting of the Senate resumed.

The Chair of the Committee informed the Senate that the committee had heard the witness.

Government Business

Reports of Committees – Other

Order No. 7 was called and postponed until the next sitting.


Ordered, That Order No. 206 under GOVERNMENT BUSINESS, Motions, be brought forward.

The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C.:

That, in accordance with section 20.1 of the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-1, the Senate approve the appointment of James O’Reilly as Senate Ethics Officer.

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

o o o

Ordered: That the sitting be suspended to await the announcement of Royal Assent, to reassemble at the call of the chair with a 10-minute bell.


At 4:23 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:55 p.m., the sitting resumed.

WRITTEN DECLARATION OF ROYAL ASSENT

At 5:55 p.m., the Honourable the Speaker pro tempore informed the Senate that the following communication had been received:

RIDEAU HALL

December 17, 2024

Madam Speaker,

I have the honour to inform you that the Right Honourable Mary May Simon, Governor General of Canada, signified royal assent by written declaration to the bills listed in the Schedule to this letter on the 17th day of December, 2024, at 5:26 p.m.

Yours sincerely,

Ken MacKillop

Secretary to the Governor General

The Honourable

The Speaker of the Senate

Ottawa

Schedule

Bills Assented To

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

An Act to amend the Criminal Code, to make consequential amendments to other Acts and to repeal a regulation (miscarriage of justice reviews) (Bill C-40, Chapter 33, 2024)

An Act for granting to His Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025 (Bill C-79, Chapter 34, 2024)


With leave of the Senate,

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, February 4, 2025, at 2 p.m.

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

ADJOURNMENT

With leave of the Senate,

The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C.:

That the Senate do now adjourn.

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

(Accordingly, at 6 p.m., the Senate was continued until Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at 2 p.m.)

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

Summaries of the amended Corporate Plan for 2024-28 and of the amended Capital Budget for 2024 of the Canada Development Investment Corporation, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-4132.

Report of the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board on the administration of the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board Act for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, pursuant to the Act, S.C. 2013, c. 40, sbs. 365 “42”.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-4133.

Comprehensive review report of sections 83.031 to 83.0391 and their operation, pursuant to the Criminal Code, S.C. 2023, c. 14, s. 83.0392(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-4134.

Proposed Regulations Amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, pursuant to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, S.C. 2001, c. 27, sbs. 5(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-4135.

Proposed Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made Under the Firearms Act, pursuant to the Act, S.C. 1995, c. 39, sbs. 118(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-4136.

Notice of opinion concerning Regulations Amending the Firearms Records Regulations (Classification), pursuant to the Firearms Act, S.C. 1995, c. 39, sbs. 119(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-4137.

Report on the use of arrests without warrant from July 15, 2022, to July 14, 2023, pursuant to the Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46, sbs. 83.31(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-4138.

Amendments to the Management Plan for Fort Langley National Historic Site of Canada, pursuant to the Parks Canada Agency Act, S.C. 1998, c. 31, sbs. 32(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-4139.

Amendments to the Management Plan for Prince of Wales Fort National Historic Site of Canada, pursuant to the Parks Canada Agency Act, S.C. 1998, c. 31, sbs. 32(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-4140.

Amendments to the Management Plan for the Fortress of Louisbourg, Wolfe’s Landing and Royal Battery National Historic Sites of Canada, pursuant to the Parks Canada Agency Act, S.C. 1998, c. 31, sbs. 32(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-4141.

Copy of Order in Council P.C. 2024-1239, pursuant to the Farm Income Protection Act, S.C. 1991, c. 22, sbs. 12(7).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-4142.

Copy of the Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Venezuela) Regulations (P.C. 2024-1318), pursuant to the Special Economic Measures Act, S.C. 1992, c. 17, sbs. 7(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-4148.

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Standing Senate Committee on National Finance

The Honourable Senator Galvez replaced the Honourable Senator Youance (December 17, 2024).

The Honourable Senator Youance replaced the Honourable Senator Galvez (December 16, 2024).


The 1st Session of the Forty-fourth Parliament was prorogued by Proclamation on Monday, January 6, 2025.

(See Proclamations)

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