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4 Charles III , A.D. 2026, Canada

1st Session, 45th Parliament

Issue 54 (Unrevised)

Thursday, February 26, 2026
1:30 p.m.

The Honourable RAYMONDE GAGNÉ, Speaker

The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AdlerArnoldArnotAudetteBattersBlackBoehmBoudreauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCormierCoyleCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuncanForestFrancisFridhandlerGagnéGerbaGignacGreenwoodHarderHayHébertHenkelHousakosInceKaretak-LindellKingstonKlyneKutcherLewisLoffredaMacAdamManningMarshallMartinMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePetitclercPettenPoirierProsperPupatelloQuinnRinguetteRobinsonRossSeniorSimonsSmithSuretteTannasVaroneVernerWallinWells (Alberta)Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteWilsonWooYouanceYussuff

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

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 Petten tabled the following:

Main Estimates for the year 2026-27.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-924.

Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees

The Honourable Senator Gignac, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy, presented the committee’s fourth report (Bill S-3, An Act to amend the Weights and Measures Act, the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act, the Weights and Measures Regulations and the Electricity and Gas Inspection Regulations, without amendment).

The Honourable Senator Varone moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator McNair, 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

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Cuzner, seconded by the Honourable Senator Hay, for the third reading of Bill C-4, An Act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians and another measure.

And on the motion in amendment of the Honourable Senator Clement, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dalphond:

That Bill C-4 be not now read a third time, but that it be amended by deleting Part 4.

Debate.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

At 3 p.m., pursuant to the order adopted on February 25, 2026, the Senate was suspended during pleasure and resolved into a Committee of the Whole in order to receive Anton Boegman respecting his appointment as Foreign Influence Transparency Commissioner, the Honourable Senator Cormier in the chair.

—In the Committee—

Pursuant to the order adopted on February 25, 2026, Anton Boegman 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

Bills – Third Reading

The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Cuzner, seconded by the Honourable Senator Hay, for the third reading of Bill C-4, An Act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians and another measure.

And on the motion in amendment of the Honourable Senator Clement, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dalphond:

That Bill C-4 be not now read a third time, but that it be amended by deleting Part 4.

Debate.

MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

A message was brought from the House of Commons with Bill C-15, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2025, to which it desires the concurrence of the Senate.

The bill was read the first time.

The Honourable Senator Moreau, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Petten, 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

Bills – Third Reading

And on the motion in amendment of the Honourable Senator Clement, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dalphond:

That Bill C-4 be not now read a third time, but that it be amended by deleting Part 4.

After debate,

The question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:

YEAS

The Honourable Senators

ArnoldArnotBlackClementDaskoDeacon (Ontario)McBeanMcCallumMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionOudarPatePetitclercProsperQuinnRobinsonRossSimonsVernerWallinWoo—23

NAYS

The Honourable Senators

BattersBoehmBoudreauBussonCardozoCarignanCormierCoyleCuznerDalphondDeacon (Nova Scotia)DowneDuncanForestFrancisFridhandlerGignacHarderHayHébertHousakosInceKaretak-LindellKingstonKlyneKutcherLoffredaMacAdamManningMartinMcNairMoreauOslerPettenPupatelloRinguetteSmithSuretteVaroneWells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteYussuff—42

ABSTENTIONS

The Honourable Senators

AudetteBureyGerbaHenkelYouance—5

After debate,

In amendment, the Honourable Senator Simons moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Woo:

That Bill C-4 be not now read a third time, but that it be amended, in clause 47, on page 23,

(a) by replacing line 5 with the following:

“446.6 (1) The policy for the protection of personal informa-”;

(b) by replacing line 18 with the following:

“or through the use of cookies;”;

“personal information that is under its control;

(f) require the party to protect the personal information that is under its control through physical, organizational and technological security safeguards with a level of protection proportionate to the sensitivity of the personal information;

(g) require the party to take appropriate steps in the case of the loss of, unauthorized access to or unauthorized disclosure of personal information that is under its control as a result of a breach of its security safeguards, including by, as soon as feasible, informing the individual whose personal information has been lost, accessed or disclosed if it is reasonable in the circumstances to believe the breach creates a real risk of significant harm to the individual;

(h) require the party to ensure, by contract or otherwise, that any person or entity to which it transfers personal information provides a level of protection of the personal information equivalent to that which the party is required to provide under the policy;

(i) require the privacy officer or their delegate to attend, at least once per calendar year, a meeting held by the Chief Electoral Officer on the protection of personal information; and

(j) prohibit the party, as well as any person or entity acting on the party’s behalf, including the party’s candidates, electoral district associations, officers, agents, employees, volunteers and representatives, from

(i) providing false or misleading information to individuals about the purposes for which the party collects personal information,

(ii) selling personal information under the party’s control, or

(iii) disclosing personal information under the party’s control to the public for the purpose of causing harm.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(g), the factors that are relevant to determining whether a breach of security safeguards creates a real risk of significant harm to an individual include

(a) the sensitivity of the personal information involved in the breach; and

(b) the probability that the personal information has been, is being or will be misused.

(3) For the purposes of this section, significant harm includes bodily harm, humiliation, damage to reputation or relationships, loss of employment, business or professional opportunities, financial loss, identity theft, negative effects on the credit record and damage to or loss of property.”.

The question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:

YEAS

The Honourable Senators

ArnoldArnotBlackClementDaskoDowneHayHenkelMcBeanMcCallumMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionPatePetitclercProsperSimonsWoo—19

NAYS

The Honourable Senators

BattersBoudreauBussonCardozoCarignanCoyleCuznerDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DuncanFrancisFridhandlerGignacHarderHébertHousakosInceKaretak-LindellKingstonKlyneKutcherLoffredaMacAdamManningMartinMcNairMoreauOslerOudarPettenPupatelloRinguetteRobinsonRossSuretteVaroneWells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteYussuff—39

ABSTENTIONS

The Honourable Senators

DalphondGerbaYouance—3

After debate,

In amendment, the Honourable Senator Dalphond moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dasko:

That Bill C-4 be not now read a third time, but that it be amended on page 23 by adding the following after line 31:

“50 The Canada Elections Act is amended by

(a) repealing section 384.9;

(b) adding “and” at the end of paragraph 407(1)(a), striking out “and” at the end of paragraph 407(1)(b) and repealing paragraph 407(1)(c); and

(c) repealing sections 446.1 to 446.7.

51 The Canada Elections Act is amended by adding the following after section 385:

385.1 (1) Within three months after the day on which this section comes into force, the leader of a political party shall provide the Chief Electoral Officer with the party’s policy for the protection of personal information referred to in paragraph 385(2)(k) and the Internet address referred to in paragraph 385(2)(l), if

(a) before the day on which this section comes into force, the leader of the party has applied under section 385 for the party to become a registered party but, as of that day, the Chief Electoral Officer has not yet informed the leader under subsection 389(1) whether or not the party is eligible for registration under section 387; or

(b) on the day on which this section comes into force, the party is

(i) an eligible party, or

(ii) a registered party.

(2) If the leader of the political party does not comply with subsection (1), then

(a) in the case of a party referred to in paragraph (1)(a), the party is not eligible for registration under section 387;

(b) in the case of a party referred to in subparagraph (1)(b)(i), the party may not become a registered party under section 390; and

(c) in the case of a party referred to in subparagraph (1)(b)(ii), the Chief Electoral Officer shall implement the procedure for non-voluntary deregistration set out in sections 415, 416 and 418.

(3) If the leader of a political party provides the Chief Electoral Officer with the policy and the address referred to in subsection (1) in compliance with that subsection, or in compliance with section 415, then the policy and the address are deemed, as of the day on which they are provided, to be included in the application for registration referred to in subsection 385(2) in respect of the party.

385.2 (1) Despite the definition personal information in subsection 2(1), for the purposes of this section, personal information means information about an identifiable individual.

(2) In order to participate in public affairs by endorsing one or more of its members as candidates and supporting their election, any registered party or eligible party, as well as any person or organization acting on the party’s behalf, including the party’s candidates, electoral district associations, officers, agents, employees, volunteers and representatives, may, subject to this Act and any other applicable federal Act, collect, use, disclose, retain and dispose of personal information in accordance with the party’s privacy policy.

(3) The purpose of this section is to provide for a national, uniform, exclusive and complete regime applicable to registered parties and eligible parties respecting their collection, use, disclosure, retention and disposal of personal information.

52 Clauses 45 and 49 of this Act are repealed.

53 Clauses 50 to 52 come into force on the third anniversary of the day on which this Act receives royal assent.”.

After debate,

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

YEAS

The Honourable Senators

ArnoldArnotBlackClementCoyleDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)DowneGignacHayKingstonKutcherMacAdamMcBeanMcCallumMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionOslerPatePetitclercProsperRinguetteRobinsonRossWoo—28

NAYS

The Honourable Senators

BattersBoehmBoudreauBussonCardozoCarignanCuznerDuncanFrancisFridhandlerHarderHousakosKlyneLoffredaMartinMcNairMoreauPettenPupatelloSuretteVaroneWells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteYussuff—24

ABSTENTIONS

The Honourable Senators

GerbaHébertHenkelInceKaretak-LindellOudarSimonsYouance—8

After debate,

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

The bill, as amended, was then read for the 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 with an amendment, to which it desires its concurrence.

Other

Consideration of the message from the House of Commons:

Friday, February 13, 2026

EXTRACT, —

That,

(a)pursuant to subsection 2(1) of An Act to amend An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying), No. 2, a special joint committee of the Senate and the House of Commons be appointed to undertake a comprehensive review relating to the eligibility of persons whose sole underlying medical condition is a mental illness to receive medical assistance in dying;

(b)five members of the Senate and 10 members of the House of Commons be members of the committee, including five members of the House of Commons from the governing party, four members of the House of Commons from the official opposition, and one member from the Bloc Québécois, with two Chairs of which the House Co-Chair shall be from the governing party and the Senate Co-Chair shall be determined by the Senate;

(c)in addition to the Co-Chairs, the committee shall elect two vice-chairs from the House, of whom the first vice-chair shall be from the Conservative Party of Canada, and the second vice-chair shall be from the Bloc Québécois;

(d)the quorum of the committee be eight members whenever a vote, resolution or other decision is taken, so long as both Houses and one member of the governing party in the House of Commons, one from the opposition in the House of Commons and one member of the Senate are represented, and that the Co-Chairs be authorized to hold meetings, to receive evidence and authorize the printing thereof, whenever six members are present, so long as both Houses and one member of the governing party in the House of Commons, one member from the opposition in the House of Commons and one member of the Senate are represented;

(e)the House of Commons members be named by their respective whip by depositing with the Clerk of the House the list of their members to serve on the committee no later than five sitting days after the adoption of this motion;

(f)changes to the membership of the committee, on the part of the House of Commons, be effective immediately after notification by the relevant whip has been filed with the Clerk of the House;

(g)membership substitutions, on the part of the House of Commons, be permitted, if required, in the manner provided for in Standing Order 114(2);

(h)where applicable to a special joint committee, the provisions relating to hybrid committee proceedings contained in the Standing Orders of the House of Commons shall also apply to the committee;

(i)the committee have the power to:

(i)sit during sittings and adjournments of the House,

(ii)report from time to time, to send for persons, papers and records, and to print such papers and evidence as may be ordered by the committee,

(iii)retain the services of expert, professional, technical and clerical staff, including legal counsel,

(iv)appoint, from among its members such subcommittees as may be deemed appropriate and to delegate to such subcommittees, all or any of its powers, except the power to report to the Senate and House of Commons,

(v)authorize video and audio broadcasting of any or all of its proceedings and that public proceedings be made available to the public via the Parliament of Canada’s websites;

(j)pursuant to subsection 2(3) of the act, the committee submit a final report of its review, including any recommendations, to Parliament no later than Friday, October 2, 2026; and

(k)pursuant to subsection 2(4) of the act, following the presentation of the final report in both Houses, the committee shall expire; and

that a message be sent to the Senate requesting that House to unite with this House for the above purpose and to select, if the Senate deems advisable, members to act on the proposed special joint committee.

The Honourable Senator Moreau, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Petten:

That:

(b)the committee be composed of five members of the Senate, including one senator from the Opposition, two senators from the Independent Senators Group, one senator from the Progressive Senate Group, and one senator from the Canadian Senators Group, and ten members of the House of Commons, including five members from the governing party, four members from the official opposition, and one member from the Bloc Québécois;

(c)the joint chair of the committee on the part of the Senate shall be from the opposition and the joint chair of the committee on the part of the House of Commons shall be a member from the governing party;

(d)in addition to the joint chairs, the committee shall elect one deputy chair from the Senate from the Independent Senators Group, and two vice-chairs from the House, of whom the first vice-chair shall be from the Conservative Party of Canada, and the second vice-chair shall be from the Bloc Québécois;

(e)the quorum of the committee be eight members whenever a vote, resolution or other decision is taken, provided that both houses are represented and that one member from the Senate, one member of the governing party in the House, and one member from the opposition in the House are present, and that the joint chairs be authorized to hold meetings, to receive evidence and authorize the publication thereof, whenever six members are present, provided that both houses are represented and that one member of the Senate, one member of the governing party in the House and one member from the opposition in the House are present;

(f)the five senators to be members of the committee be named by means of a notice signed by their respective leader or facilitator, or their respective designates, and filed with the Clerk of the Senate no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, February 27, 2026, failing which, the leader or facilitator and, in the case of the Independent Senators Group, the deputy facilitator, if appropriate, of any party or group identified in paragraph (b) that has not filed the name of a senator with the Clerk of the Senate shall be deemed to be named to the committee, with the names of the senators named as members being recorded in the Journals of the Senate;

(g)for greater certainty, changes to the membership of the committee on the part of the Senate be made in accordance with rule 12-5;

(h)for greater certainty, the provisions of the order adopted by the Senate on June 4, 2025, respecting the participation of senators in hybrid meetings of joint committees for the remainder of the current session apply to senators on this committee;

(i)the committee have the power to:

(i)meet during sittings and adjournments of the Senate;

(ii)report from time to time;

(iii)send for persons, papers and records;

(iv)publish such papers and evidence as may be ordered by the committee;

(v)retain the services of expert, professional, technical and clerical staff, including legal counsel;

(vi)appoint, from among its members such subcommittees as may be deemed appropriate and to delegate to such subcommittees, all or any of its powers, except the power to report to the Senate and House of Commons; and

(vii)authorize video and audio broadcasting of any or all of its public proceedings and to make them available to the public via the Parliament of Canada’s websites;

(j)a report of the committee may be deposited with the Clerk of the Senate at any time the Senate stands adjourned, and that any report so deposited may be deposited electronically, with the report being deemed to have been presented or tabled in the Senate;

(k)pursuant to subsection 2(3) of the act, the committee submit a final report of its review, including any recommendations, to Parliament no later than Friday, October 2, 2026; and

(l)pursuant to subsection 2(4) of the act, following the tabling of the final report in both houses, the committee shall expire; and

That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that house accordingly.

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

Bills – Third Reading

Order No. 2 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

Bills – Second Reading

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

Reports of Committees – Other

Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

With leave of the Senate,

The Honourable Senator Petten moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Duncan:

That:

(a)when the Senate next adjourns after the adoption of this motion, it do stand adjourned until Monday, March 9, 2026, at 6 p.m.;

(b)rule 3-3(1) be suspended on that day;

(c)notwithstanding rule 9-10(2), if a vote has been or is deferred to that day, it take place at the end of Question Period; and

(d) 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.

Reports of Committees – Other

Orders No. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Motions

Orders No. 1, 49 and 53 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Inquiries

Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

Other Business

Ordered, That motion No. 85 standing in the name of the Honourable Senator Kutcher on the Notice Paper be brought forward.

The Honourable Senator Kutcher moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dasko:

That the Senate call on the Government of Canada to act quickly and resolutely to urge the Coalition of the Willing to provide Ukraine with the tools that it needs to end the war and ensure a meaningful peace.

After debate,

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

ADJOURNMENT

With leave of the Senate,

The Honourable Senator Petten moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moreau, P.C.:

That the Senate do now adjourn.

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

(Accordingly, at 9:06 p.m., the Senate was continued until Monday, March 9, 2026, at 6 p.m.)

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

Copy of the Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations (P.C. 2026-139), pursuant to the Special Economic Measures Act, S.C. 1992, c. 17, sbs. 7(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-922.

Report of the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, entitled Demographic Implications of the 2026-28 Immigration Levels Plan, pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-1, sbs. 79.2(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-923.

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade

The Honourable Senator Coyle replaced the Honourable Senator Kutcher (February 26, 2026).

Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples

The Honourable Senator Karetak-Lindell replaced the Honourable Senator Boudreau (February 26, 2026).

Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs

The Honourable Senator Saint-Germain replaced the Honourable Senator Forest (February 26, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Forest replaced the Honourable Senator Saint-Germain (February 26, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Saint-Germain replaced the Honourable Senator Busson (February 26, 2026).

Standing Senate Committee on National Finance

The Honourable Senator Gignac replaced the Honourable Senator Tannas (February 25, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Tannas replaced the Honourable Senator Gignac (February 25, 2026).

Journals of the Senate

4 Charles III , A.D. 2026, Canada

1st Session, 45th Parliament

Issue 54 (Unrevised)

Thursday, February 26, 20261:30 p.m.

The Honourable RAYMONDE GAGNÉ, Speaker

PRAYERS

Senators’ Statements

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

Tabling of Documents

Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees

Question Period

Orders of the Day

Government Business

Bills – Third Reading

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Government Business

Bills – Third Reading

MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

Government Business

Bills – Third Reading

Other

Bills – Third Reading

Bills – Second Reading

Reports of Committees – Other

Reports of Committees – Other

Motions

Inquiries

Other Business

ADJOURNMENT

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

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Thursday, February 26, 2026
1:30 p.m.