Journals of the Senate
4 Charles III , A.D. 2026, Canada
1st Session, 45th Parliament
Issue 58 (Unrevised)
Thursday, March 12, 2026
1:30 p.m.
The Honourable RENÉ CORMIER, Speaker pro tempore
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
AdlerArnoldAucoinBattersBlackBoehmBoudreauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCormierCoyleDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)DeanDhillonForestFrancisFridhandlerGalvezGerbaGignacGreenwoodHarderHayHébertHenkelHousakosInceKingstonKlyneLaBoucane-BensonLewisLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenProsperPupatelloRavaliaRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeniorSimonsSmithSorensenSuretteTannasVaroneWallinWells (Alberta)Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteWilsonWooYouanceYussuff
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
AdlerArnoldAucoinBattersBlackBoehmBoudreauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCormierCoyleDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)DeanDhillonForestFrancisFridhandler*GagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGreenwoodHarderHayHébertHenkelHousakosInceKingstonKlyneLaBoucane-BensonLewisLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenProsperPupatelloRavaliaRinguetteRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeniorSimonsSmithSorensenSuretteTannasVaroneWallinWells (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
Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees
The Honourable Senator Robinson presented the following:
Thursday, March 12, 2026
The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry has the honour to present its
THIRD REPORT
Your committee, to which was referred Bill S-230, An Act respecting the development of a national strategy for soil health protection, conservation and enhancement, has, in obedience to the order of reference of November 20, 2025, examined the said bill and now reports the same with the following amendment:
1.Clause 3, page 3: Replace lines 16 to 18 with the following:
“(a) stakeholders;
(b) Indigenous and non-Indigenous representatives of agricultural industry and organizations; and
(c) any interested persons.
(4) The Minister must ensure that the views of farmers representing different regions of Canada and the diversity of farm operations are taken into account in a meaningful way during the consultations referred to in subsection (3).”.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY ROBINSON
Chair
The Honourable Senator Robinson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Tannas, 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.
Government Notices of Motions
With leave of the Senate,
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 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, the Senate resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole in order to receive Annette Ryan respecting her appointment as Parliamentary Budget Officer;
2.the Committee of the Whole report to the Senate no later than 65 minutes after it begins;
3.the witness’ introductory remarks last a maximum of five minutes;
4.if 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 witness, that senator may yield the balance of time to another senator; and
5.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.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Tabling of Reports from Interparliamentary Delegations
The Honourable Senator Forest tabled the following:
Report of the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie, 40th Session of the APF America Regional Assembly, Québec, Quebec, Canada, from September 9 to 11, 2025.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-942.
Report of the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie, 8th Leadership Workshop for Parliamentarians Women of the APF, Paris, France, from November 3 to 7, 2025.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-943.
Question Period
The Senate proceeded to Question Period.
MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
A message was brought from the House of Commons in the following words:
Thursday, March 12, 2026
EXTRACT, —
That a message be sent to the Senate to acquaint Their Honours that, in relation to Bill C-4, An Act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians and another measure, the House respectfully disagrees with the amendment made to the bill by the Senate because Parliament should be the body that decides the rules that govern communication by federal parties with Canadians, the amendment constitutes a substantive reversal of the principle of the proposed amendments to the Canada Elections Act in Part 4 of Bill C-4, the government intends to bring forward additional privacy provisions in legislative changes to the Canada Elections Act within this parliamentary session, and furthermore, there is a long tradition of the Senate deferring to the House of Commons on amendments to the Canada Elections Act, particularly those which have unanimous support of all recognized parties in the House and which govern the operations of candidates representing political parties seeking election to the House of Commons.
ATTEST
Eric Janse
Clerk of the House of Commons
The Honourable Senator Moreau, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson, that the message be taken into consideration now.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the message from the House of Commons.
The Honourable Senator Moreau, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Petten:
That, in relation to Bill C-4, An Act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians and another measure, the Senate do not insist on its amendment with which the House of Commons has disagreed; and
That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that house accordingly.
Debate.
A point of order was raised with respect to the relevance of debate.
SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE’S RULING
Honourable senators, I wish to remind the chamber that the debate at present is on the motion in reply to the message from the House of Commons relating to Bill C-4, An Act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians and another measure. While our practice has always been to be flexible and encourage debate, I would ask honourable senators to kindly focus their remarks on the matter before us.
MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Moreau, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Petten:
That, in relation to Bill C-4, An Act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians and another measure, the Senate do not insist on its amendment with which the House of Commons has disagreed; and
That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that house accordingly.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.
Orders of the Day
Government Business
Bills – Third Reading
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Dean, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boehm, for the third reading of 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, as amended.
After debate,
In amendment, the Honourable Senator Coyle moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Petitclerc:
That Bill C-12, as amended, be not now read a third time, but that it be further amended, in clause 73, on page 34,
(a)by replacing line 5 with the following:
“and made the claim more than two years after the day”;
(b)by replacing line 17 with the following:
“24, 2020, the two-year period referred to in that para-”.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
ArnoldBlackBoudreauClementCoyleDaskoGerbaInceKingstonMcCallumMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieOslerPatePetitclercProsperRossSeniorSimonsWooYouance—24
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
AucoinBattersBoehmBussonCardozoCarignanDalphondDeacon (Nova Scotia)DeanDhillonForestFrancisGreenwoodHarderHébertHousakosLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMarshallMartinMcNairMoreauOudarPattersonPettenPupatelloRavaliaRinguetteRobinsonSaint-GermainSmithSorensenSuretteTannasVaroneWells (Alberta)Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteWilsonYussuff—41
ABSTENTIONS
The Honourable Senators
BureyHenkelMuggli—3
The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Dean, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boehm, for the third reading of 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, as amended.
After debate,
In amendment, the Honourable Senator Woo moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Simons:
That Bill C-12, as amended, be not now read a third time, but that it be further amended on page 34 by adding the following after line 27:
“74.1 Section 113.01 of the Act is replaced by the following:
113.01 Unless the application is allowed without a hearing, a hearing must, despite paragraph 113(b), be held in the case of an applicant for protection whose claim for refugee protection has been determined to be ineligible solely under paragraph 101(1)(b.1), (b.2), or (c.1).”.
Debate.
WRITTEN DECLARATION OF ROYAL ASSENT
At 5:25 p.m., the Honourable the Speaker pro tempore informed the Senate that the following communication had been received:
RIDEAU HALL
March 12, 2026
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 bill listed in the Schedule to this letter on the 12th day of March, 2026, at 4:36 p.m.
Yours sincerely,
Ken MacKillop
Secretary to the Governor General
The Honourable
The Speaker of the Senate
Ottawa
Schedule
Bill Assented To
Thursday, March 12, 2026
An Act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians and another measure (Bill C-4, Chapter 2, 2026)
Orders of the Day
Government Business
Bills – Third Reading
The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Dean, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boehm, for the third reading of 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, as amended.
And on the motion in amendment of the Honourable Senator Woo, seconded by the Honourable Senator Simons:
That Bill C-12, as amended, be not now read a third time, but that it be further amended on page 34 by adding the following after line 27:
“74.1 Section 113.01 of the Act is replaced by the following:
113.01 Unless the application is allowed without a hearing, a hearing must, despite paragraph 113(b), be held in the case of an applicant for protection whose claim for refugee protection has been determined to be ineligible solely under paragraph 101(1)(b.1), (b.2), or (c.1).”.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
ArnoldBlackBoudreauClementCoyleHenkelMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMuggliOslerPatePetitclercProsperRossSimonsWooYouance—19
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
AucoinBattersBureyBussonCardozoCarignanDalphondDeanDhillonForestFrancisGreenwoodHarderHébertHousakosInceKingstonLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMarshallMartinMoreauOudarPattersonPettenPupatelloRavaliaRinguetteRobinsonSaint-GermainSorensenVaroneWells (Alberta)Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteWilsonYussuff—38
ABSTENTIONS
The Honourable Senators
Nil
MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
A message was brought from the House of Commons with Bill C-13, An Act to implement the Protocol on the Accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, 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 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.
Orders of the Day
Government Business
Bills – Third Reading
The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Dean, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boehm, for the third reading of 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, as amended.
After debate,
In amendment, the Honourable Senator McPhedran moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Arnold:
That Bill C-12, as amended, be not now read a third time, but that it be further amended in clause 75, on page 35, by replacing lines 1 to 16 with the following:
“75 For greater certainty, paragraphs 101(1)(b.1) and (b.2) and subsection 101(1.1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act do not apply to a claim for refugee protection made before the day on which this Act receives royal assent.”.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
ArnoldBlackClementCoyleMcPhedranMohamedMoncionOslerPatePetitclercProsperRossSimonsWoo—14
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
AucoinBattersBureyCardozoCarignanDalphondDeanDhillonForestFrancisGreenwoodHarderHousakosInceKingstonLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMarshallMartinOudarPattersonPettenPupatelloRavaliaRinguetteRobinsonSaint-GermainSorensenVaroneWells (Alberta)Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteWilsonYussuff—35
ABSTENTIONS
The Honourable Senators
HébertMiville-DechêneYouance—3
The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Dean, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boehm, for the third reading of 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, as amended.
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 certain amendments, to which it desires its concurrence.
Bills – Second Reading
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Dalphond, seconded by the Honourable Senator Forest, for the second reading of Bill C-14, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act and the National Defence Act (bail and sentencing).
Debate.
Pursuant to rule 3-3(1), the Speaker pro tempore left the Chair to resume the same at 8 p.m.
The sitting resumed.
Bills – Second Reading
The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Dalphond, seconded by the Honourable Senator Forest, for the second reading of Bill C-14, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act and the National Defence Act (bail and sentencing).
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.
The bill was then read for the second time.
The Honourable Senator Dalphond moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dasko, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Ordered, That Order No. 2 under OTHER BUSINESS, Senate Public Bills – Third Reading, Orders No. 5 and No. 19 under OTHER BUSINESS, Senate Public Bills – Second Reading, and Motions No. 86 standing in the name of Senator Kingston and No. 88 standing in the name of Senator Ince on the Notice Paper be brought forward.
Third reading of Bill S-217, An Act to amend the Canada Revenue Agency Act (reporting on unpaid income tax).
The Honourable Senator Black moved, for the Honourable Senator Downe, seconded by the Honourable Senator Patterson, 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.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Dasko, seconded by the Honourable Senator Simons, for the second reading of Bill S-214, An Act to amend the Special Economic Measures Act (disposal of foreign state assets).
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Housakos moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
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.
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 Black moved, for the Honourable Senator Tannas, seconded by the Honourable Senator Patterson, that:
1.the bill stand referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs;
2.the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples be authorized to examine and report on the subject matter of the bill; and
3.the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs be authorized to take into account any report from the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples on the subject matter of the bill tabled in the Senate during its consideration of the bill.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Kingston moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moncion:
That, notwithstanding the order of the Senate adopted on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, the date for the final report of the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources in relation to its study on Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore petroleum industry be extended from March 31, 2026, to June 30, 2026; and
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.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Ince moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Aucoin:
That the papers and evidence received and taken and the work accomplished by the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs during the First Session of the Forty-fourth Parliament under the order of reference relating to:
(a)services and benefits provided to members of the Canadian Armed Forces, to veterans who have served honourably in the Canadian Armed Forces in the past, to members and former members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and its antecedents, and all of their families;
(b)commemorative activities undertaken by the Department of Veterans Affairs Canada, to keep alive for all Canadians the memory of Canadian veterans’ achievements and sacrifices; and
(c)continuing implementation of the Veterans Well-being Act;
be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Ordered, That Order No. 58 under GOVERNMENT BUSINESS, Motions, be brought forward.
The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Petten:
That, when the Senate next adjourns after the adoption of this motion, it do stand adjourned until Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 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 Moreau, P.C.:
That the Senate do now adjourn.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
(Accordingly, at 9:18 p.m., the Senate was continued until Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 2 p.m.)
DOCUMENTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO RULE 14-1(7)
Summaries of the Corporate Plan and Budgets for 2026-30 of the Atlantic Pilotage Authority, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-936.
Summaries of the Corporate Plan and Budgets for 2026-30 of the Great Lakes Pilotage Authority, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-937.
Summaries of the Corporate Plan and Budgets for 2026-30 of the Pacific Pilotage Authority, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-938.
Summaries of the Corporate Plan and Budgets for 2026-30 of the Laurentian Pilotage Authority, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-939.
Report of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal for the year 2025, pursuant to the Canadian Human Rights Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. H-6, sbs. 61(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-940.
Special Report of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada entitled Investigation into the contracting practices of the Canada Border Services Agency related to the development of the ArriveCAN application, pursuant to the Privacy Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-21, ss. 39(1) and 40(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-941.
Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5
Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry
The Honourable Senator McBean replaced the Honourable Senator Greenwood (March 12, 2026).
Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy
The Honourable Senator McBean replaced the Honourable Senator McNair (March 12, 2026).
Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade
The Honourable Senator Woo replaced the Honourable Senator Youance (March 12, 2026).
The Honourable Senator Deacon (Ontario) replaced the Honourable Senator Busson (March 12, 2026).
Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights
The Honourable Senator McCallum replaced the Honourable Senator Housakos (March 12, 2026).
Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
The Honourable Senator Audette replaced the Honourable Senator Hay (March 12, 2026).
Standing Senate Committee on National Finance
The Honourable Senator MacAdam replaced the Honourable Senator Loffreda (March 12, 2026).
The Honourable Senator Dalphond replaced the Honourable Senator Youance (March 12, 2026).
Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament
The Honourable Senator Deacon (Ontario) replaced the Honourable Senator Busson (March 12, 2026).