Journals of the Senate
4 Charles III , A.D. 2026, Canada
1st Session, 45th Parliament
Issue 49 (Unrevised)
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
2 p.m.
The Honourable RAYMONDE GAGNÉ, Speaker
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
AdlerAl ZaibakArnoldArnotAucoinAudetteBattersBlackBoehmBoudreauBoyerBrazeauBureyBussonCarignanClementCormierCoyleCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuncanForestFridhandlerGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGreenwoodHarderHayHébertHousakosKaretak-LindellKingstonKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenPoirierProsperPupatelloQuinnRavaliaRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeniorSimonsSmithSorensenSuretteTannasVaroneVernerWallinWells (Alberta)Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteWilsonWooYouanceYussuff
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
AdlerAl ZaibakArnoldArnotAucoinAudetteBattersBlackBoehmBoudreauBoyerBrazeauBureyBussonCarignanClementCormierCoyleCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuncanForestFridhandlerGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGreenwoodHarderHayHébertHousakosKaretak-LindellKingstonKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenPoirierProsperPupatelloQuinnRavaliaRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-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:
Charter Statement prepared by the Minister of Justice in relation to Bill C-19, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act, pursuant to the Department of Justice Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. J-2, sbs. 4.2(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-879.
Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees
The Honourable Senator Arnot, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, tabled the third report of the committee (The subject matter of those elements contained in Divisions 30 and 31 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. 1/45-880S.
(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.)
The Honourable Senator Yussuff, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs, tabled the first report of the committee (The subject matter of those elements contained in Divisions 19, 20 and 21 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. 1/45-881S.
(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.)
Question Period
The Senate proceeded to Question Period.
Orders of the Day
Government Business
Motions
The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moreau, P.C.:
That, notwithstanding any provision of the Rules, usual practice or previous order:
1.at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, the Senate resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole on the subject matter of Bill C-19, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act;
2.the Committee of the Whole receive the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, P.C., M.P., Minister of Finance and National Revenue, accompanied by at most two officials;
3.the committee rise no later than 65 minutes after it begins;
4.the minister’s introductory remarks be limited to a maximum of five minutes;
5.if, during the Committee of the Whole, a senator does not use the entire period of 10 minutes for debate provided under rule 12-31(3)(d), including the responses of the witnesses, that senator may yield the balance of time to another senator;
6.the provisions of rule 3-3(1) and any provision of the Rules or previous order relating to the ordinary time of adjournment be suspended until the chair of the Committee of the Whole has reported to the Senate;
7.if the bells are ringing for a vote at the time the committee is to meet, they be interrupted for the Committee of the Whole at that time, and resume once the committee has completed its work for the balance of any time remaining;
8.if a standing vote was deferred to a time that would occur during the meeting of the Committee of the Whole, that vote be further deferred so that the bells only begin once the committee has completed its work;
9.for greater certainty, all witnesses appear in person; and
10.committees scheduled to meet on that day be authorized to meet, even though the Senate may then be sitting, with rule 12-18(1) being suspended in relation thereto.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Bills – Second Reading
Second reading of Bill C-19, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act.
The Honourable Senator Boudreau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Loffreda, that the bill be read for the second time.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The bill was then read for the second time.
The Honourable Senator Boudreau moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Loffreda, 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.
Orders No. 1 and 2 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Reports of Committees – Other
Orders No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Motions
Orders No. 1 and 45 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Inquiries
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Other Business
Senate Public Bills – Third Reading
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.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Quinn, seconded by the Honourable Senator Osler, for the second reading of Bill S-216, An Act to declare the Chignecto Isthmus Dykeland System and related works to be for the general advantage of Canada.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.
The bill was then read for the second time.
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Quinn moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Ross, that:
1.the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications;
2.the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs be authorized to examine and report on the subject matter of the bill; and
3.the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications be authorized to take into account any report from the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs to the Senate on the subject matter of the bill, during its consideration of the bill.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Order No. 7 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Wilson, for the second reading of Bill S-218, An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1982 (notwithstanding clause).
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Housakos, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Moncion, seconded by the Honourable Senator McNair, for the second reading of Bill S-226, An Act respecting Jury Duty Appreciation Week.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The bill was then read for the second time.
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Housakos moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin, that the bill be read for the third time.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The bill was then read for 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.
Orders No. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Galvez, seconded by the Honourable Senator Pate, for the second reading of Bill S-238, An Act to enact the Climate-Aligned Finance Act and to make related amendments to other Acts.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Batters, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 22 and 23 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Tannas, seconded by the Honourable Senator Osler, for the second reading of Bill S-241, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Indian Act.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Batters, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 25 and 26 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Reports of Committees – Other
Orders No. 4, 8 and 9 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Consideration of the first report of the Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament, entitled Mandate and Quorum of the Committee, presented in the Senate on December 9, 2025.
The Honourable Senator Tannas moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Osler, that the report be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Consideration of the first report of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, entitled Canada-Africa: Seizing a Strategic Opportunity, deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on December 11, 2025.
The Honourable Senator Boehm moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Saint-Germain:
That the first report of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, entitled Canada-Africa: Seizing a Strategic Opportunity, deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on Thursday, December 11, 2025, 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 Foreign Affairs being identified as minister responsible for responding to the report, in consultation with the Minister of International Trade and the Secretary of State (International Development).
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 13, 14, 15 and 16 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Consideration of the eighth report (interim) of the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights, entitled Ripped From Home: The Global Crisis of Forced Displacement, deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on December 3, 2024, during the First Session of the Forty-fourth Parliament.
The Honourable Senator Senior moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Deacon (Ontario):
That the eighth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights, entitled Ripped From Home: The Global Crisis of Forced Displacement, deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on December 3, 2024, during the First Session of the Forty-fourth Parliament, and placed on the Orders of the Day in the current session pursuant to the order of February 5, 2026, 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 the minister responsible for responding to the report, in consultation with the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Motions
Orders No. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 13 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Inquiries
Orders No. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Sorensen, calling the attention of the Senate to the nation-building value of tourism in Canada.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Kingston moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moncion, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Order No. 9 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Cardozo, calling the attention of the Senate to National Flag of Canada Day and the extra relevance of our flag given the current geopolitical situation.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator White moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gerba, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
MOTIONS
The Honourable Senator Arnot moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Kingston:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs be authorized to examine and report on the need to modernize and clarify the Criminal Code of Canada and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, including an assessment of current structural deficiencies in the legislation and options for moving toward a comprehensive review;
That the committee be permitted, notwithstanding usual practices, to deposit reports on this study with the Clerk of the Senate if the Senate is not then sitting, and that the reports be deemed to have been tabled in the Senate; and
That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than December 31, 2028, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Arnot moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moncion:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs be authorized to examine and report on the current state of court delays in Canada’s criminal justice system following its final report tabled in June 2017, entitled Delaying Justice is Denying Justice: An Urgent Need to Address Lengthy Court Delays in Canada, including an examination of what progress has been made in implementing the recommendations made in that report;
That the papers and evidence received and taken and work accomplished by the committee on this subject during the First Session of the Forty-second Parliament be referred to the committee;
That the committee be permitted, notwithstanding usual practices, to deposit its reports on this study with the Clerk of the Senate if the Senate is not then sitting, and that the reports be deemed to have been tabled in the Senate; and
That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than December 31, 2028, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
INQUIRIES
The Honourable Senator McBean called the attention of the Senate to the inquiry standing in the name of the Honourable Senator Deacon (Ontario) concerning the vital role that physical activity and sport play in enhancing our well-being, strengthening our communities and shaping the fabric of the Canadian experience.
Debate.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
At 6:30 p.m., pursuant to the order adopted on February 5, 2026, the Senate was suspended during pleasure and resolved into a Committee of the Whole in order to receive Kelly Burke respecting her appointment as Commissioner of Official Languages, the Honourable Senator Cormier in the Chair.
—In the Committee—
Pursuant to the order adopted on February 5, 2026, Kelly Burke 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.
Pursuant to rule 3-3(1), the Speaker left the Chair to resume the same at 8 p.m.
The sitting resumed.
INQUIRIES
The Senate resumed debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Deacon (Ontario), calling the attention of the Senate to the vital role that physical activity and sport play in enhancing our well-being, strengthening our communities and shaping the fabric of the Canadian experience.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Kingston moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Clement, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
ADJOURNMENT
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 8:32 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)
Response to Question No. 27, dated December 9, 2025, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Quinn, regarding Canada Border Services Agency.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-872S.
Report on category-based selection for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, S.C. 2001, c. 27, sbs. 10.5(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-873.
Summaries of the Corporate Plan and Budgets for 2025-26 to 2029-30 of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-874.
Report on the administration of the Cultural Property Export and Import Act covering the fiscal year 2023-24, together with the annual report of the operations of the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board for the fiscal year 2023-24, pursuant to the Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-51, s. 52.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-875.
Report of the Operation of the Canadian Multiculturalism Act for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 24 (4th Supp.), s. 8.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-876.
Copy of the Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations (P.C. 2026-107), pursuant to the Special Economic Measures Act, S.C. 1992, c. 17, sbs. 7(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-877.
Copy of the Directive to the Atlantic Pilotage Authority, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, the Federal Bridge Corporation Limited, the Great Lakes Pilotage Authority, the Laurentian Pilotage Authority, Marine Atlantic Inc., the Pacific Pilotage Authority, VIA Rail Canada Inc. and VIA HFR - VIA TGF Inc. regarding the Buy Canadian Procurement Policy Framework (P.C. 2026-9), pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 89(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-878.
Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5
Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans
The Honourable Senator Saint-Germain replaced the Honourable Senator Dhillon (February 10, 2026).
Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
The Honourable Senator Wilson replaced the Honourable Senator Francis (February 10, 2026).
The Honourable Senator Moncion replaced the Honourable Senator MacAdam (February 10, 2026).
Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
The Honourable Senator Moncion replaced the Honourable Senator Dhillon (February 10, 2026).
The Honourable Senator Cuzner replaced the Honourable Senator Wells (Alberta) (February 6, 2026).
Standing Senate Committee on National Finance
The Honourable Senator Cuzner was added to the membership (February 6, 2026).
Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs
The Honourable Senator Wilson replaced the Honourable Senator Hay (February 10, 2026).
The Honourable Senator McNair replaced the Honourable Senator Dean (February 10, 2026).
The Honourable Senator Dean replaced the Honourable Senator McNair (February 9, 2026).
Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology
The Honourable Senator Wells (Alberta) replaced the Honourable Senator Hay (February 10, 2026).
The Honourable Senator Martin was added to the membership (February 10, 2026).
The Honourable Senator Brazeau was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (February 10, 2026).