Journals of the Senate

The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AdlerAl ZaibakAndersonArnoldArnotAucoinBattersBlackBoehmBoudreauBoyerBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCormierCoyleCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDhillonDowneDuncanForestFrancisFridhandlerGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGreenwoodHarderHayHébertHenkelHousakosInceKaretak-LindellKingstonKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLewisLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldMarshallMartinMcBeanMcCallumMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenProsperPupatelloQuinnRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeniorSimonsSmithSorensenSuretteTannasVaroneVernerWallinWells (Alberta)Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteWilsonWooYouanceYussuff

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

AdlerAl ZaibakAndersonArnoldArnotAucoinBattersBlackBoehmBoudreauBoyerBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCormierCoyleCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDhillonDowneDuncanForestFrancisFridhandlerGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGreenwoodHarderHayHébertHenkelHousakosInceKaretak-LindellKingstonKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLewisLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldMarshallMartinMcBeanMcCallumMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenProsperPupatelloQuinnRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeniorSimonsSmithSorensenSuretteTannasVaroneVernerWallinWells (Alberta)Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteWilsonWooYouanceYussuff

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

Tabling of Documents

The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson tabled the following:

Certificate of nomination and biographical notes for the proposed appointment of Kelly Burke to the position of Commissioner of Official Languages.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-859.

Certificate of nomination and biographical notes for the proposed appointment of Anton Boegman to the position of Foreign Influence Transparency Commissioner.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-860.

Charter Statement prepared by the Minister of Justice in relation to Bill S-4, An Act to amend the Energy Efficiency Act, pursuant to the Department of Justice Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. J-2, sbs. 4.2(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-861.

Charter Statement prepared by the Minister of Justice in relation to Bill C-12, An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada’s borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures, pursuant to the Department of Justice Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. J-2, sbs. 4.2(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-862.

Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees

The Honourable Senator Gignac, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy, informed the Senate that, pursuant to the order adopted by the Senate on October 7, 2025, the committee deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on January 20, 2026, its second report entitled Out of Reach: Unlocking Canada’s housing affordability crisis.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-834S.

The Honourable Senator Gignac moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Aucoin, 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.

o o o

The Honourable Senator Moodie, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, tabled the fourth report of the committee (The subject matter of those elements contained in Divisions 25, 36 and 44 of Part 5 of Bill C-15, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2025).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-863S.

(Pursuant to the order adopted November 26, 2025, the report was deemed referred to the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance and placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting.)

o o o

The Honourable Senator Klyne, Chair of the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight, tabled the fourth report (interim) of the committee, entitled Report to the Senate on Internal Audit: Contracting Data Analytics Review.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-864S.

Question Period

The Senate proceeded to Question Period.

ADJOURNMENT

With leave of the Senate,

The Honourable Senator Housakos moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin:

That the Senate do now adjourn.

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

(Accordingly, at 2:51 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)

Second report of the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy, entitled Out of Reach: Unlocking Canada’s housing affordability crisis, deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on January 20, 2026, pursuant to the order adopted by the Senate on October 7, 2025.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-834S.

Response to Question No. 19, dated November 4, 2025, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Housakos, regarding foreign and humanitarian aid spending at Global Affairs Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-835S.

Response to Question No. 20, dated November 18, 2025, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Quinn, regarding the Marine Protection Areas proposed for Southwest New Brunswick — Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-836S.

Response to Question No. 21, dated November 19, 2025, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Prosper, regarding the Departmental Reference Level Units.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-837S.

Response to Question No. 22, dated November 25, 2025, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Downe, regarding Veterans Affairs Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-838S.

Response to Question No. 23, dated November 25, 2025, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Downe, regarding the Military Spouse Employment Initiative.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-839S.

Response to Question No. 24, dated November 25, 2024, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Downe, regarding the beneficial ownership registry administered by Corporations Canada — Department of Finance Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-840S.

Response to Question No. 25, dated November 25, 2025, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Downe, regarding employees of Global Affairs Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-841S.

Response to Question No. 26, dated December 3, 2025, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Downe, regarding the Department of the Environment — Canadian Wildlife Service and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-842S.

Proposed Official Languages Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations, pursuant to the Official Languages Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 31 (4th supp.), sbs. 85(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-843.

Interim Order No. 3 Prohibiting the Carrying of Certain Oils on Board Vessels in Arctic Waters, pursuant to the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, S.C. 2001, c. 26, sbs. 10.1(7).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-844.

Copy of Order in Council P.C. 2025-916 dated December 11, 2025, concerning the Order Amending the Order Imposing a Surtax on the Importation of Certain Steel Goods, pursuant to the Customs Tariff, S.C. 1997, c. 36, sbs. 53(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-845.

Copy of Order in Council P.C. 2025-917 dated December 11, 2025, concerning the Steel Derivative Goods Surtax Order, pursuant to the Customs Tariff, S.C. 1997, c. 36, sbs. 53(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-846.

Report on the administration of the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act for the year 2024, pursuant to the Act, S.C. 1992, c. 52, s. 28.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-847.

Report on the administration of the International River Improvements Act for the year 2024, pursuant to the Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. I-20, s. 51.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-848.

Progress Report for the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy for the year 2025, pursuant to the Federal Sustainable Development Act, S.C. 2008, c. 33, sbs. 7(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-849.

Report on the administration of the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act for the year 2023, pursuant to the Act, S.C. 2018, c. 12, s. 186 “270”.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-850.

2025 Progress Report for the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, pursuant to the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, S.C. 2021, c. 22, sbs. 18(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-851.

Legislative Costing Note of the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, entitled Temporary employment insurance measure for long-tenured workers, pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S.C 1985, c. P-1, sbs. 79.2(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-852.

Report of the National Arts Centre Corporation, together with the Auditor General’s Report, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2025, pursuant to the National Arts Centre Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. N-3, sbs. 17(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-853.

Copy of the Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations (P.C. 2025-926), pursuant to the Special Economic Measures Act, S.C. 1992, c. 17, sbs. 7(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-854.

Valuation report concerning the Special Actuarial Report on the financial position of the Public Service Pension Fund as at March 31, 2025, and an update to the Special Actuarial Report, pursuant to the Public Pension Reporting Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 13 (2nd Supp.), sbs. 9(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-855.

Legislative Costing Note of the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, entitled Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-1, sbs. 79.2(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-856.

Report on the state of Canada’s forests for the year 2025, pursuant to the Department of Natural Resources Act, S.C. 1994, c. 41, sbs. 7(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-857.

Report on the Statutes Repeal Act for the year 2026, pursuant to the Act, S.C. 2008, c. 20, s. 2.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-858.

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry

The Honourable Senator Varone was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (February 3, 2026).

Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources

The Honourable Senator Coyle was added to the membership (January 28, 2026).

Special Joint Committee on the Exercise of Powers Under the Building Canada Act

The Honourable Senator Varone was added to the membership (December 18, 2025).

The Honourable Senator Saint-Germain was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (December 18, 2025).

The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson was added to the membership (December 12, 2025).

The Honourable Senator Moreau, P.C., was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (December 12, 2025).

Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade

The Honourable Senator Coyle replaced the Honourable Senator Youance (December 12, 2025).

Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights

The Honourable Senator Karetak-Lindell replaced the Honourable Senator Deacon (Ontario) (February 3, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Deacon (Ontario) replaced the Honourable Senator Karetak-Lindell (February 2, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Coyle was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (January 30, 2026).

Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs

The Honourable Senator Dhillon replaced the Honourable Senator Busson (December 12, 2025).

The Honourable Senator Saint-Germain replaced the Honourable Senator Surette (December 12, 2025).

Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages

The Honourable Senator Henkel was added to the membership (December 19, 2025).

Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations

The Honourable Senator Ross was added to the membership (February 3, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Brazeau was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (February 3, 2026).

Committee of Selection

The Honourable Senator Dalphond was added to the membership (January 12, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Arnot was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (January 12, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Kingston was added to the membership (January 12, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Clement was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (January 12, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Moncion was added to the membership (January 12, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Saint-Germain was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (January 12, 2026).

Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology

The Honourable Senator Klyne replaced the Honourable Senator Cuzner (February 2, 2026).