Journals of the Senate

The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AdlerAl ZaibakAndersonArnoldArnotAucoinAudetteBattersBoehmBoudreauBoyerBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCormierCoyleCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDhillonDowneDuncanForestFrancisFridhandlerGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGreenwoodHarderHayHébertHenkelHousakosInceKaretak-LindellKingstonKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLewisLoffredaMacDonaldManningMartinMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenProsperPupatelloQuinnRinguetteRobinsonSaint-GermainSeniorSimonsSmithSorensenSuretteTannasVaroneWallinWells (Alberta)Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteWilsonWooYouanceYussuff

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

AdlerAl ZaibakAndersonArnoldArnot*AtaullahjanAucoinAudetteBattersBoehmBoudreauBoyerBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCormierCoyleCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDhillonDowneDuncanForestFrancisFridhandlerGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGreenwoodHarderHayHébertHenkelHousakosInceKaretak-LindellKingstonKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLewisLoffredaMacDonaldManningMartinMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenProsperPupatelloQuinn*RavaliaRinguetteRobinson*RossSaint-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.

ABSENCE OF THE SPEAKER

The clerk at the table informed the Senate that the Honourable the Speaker was unavoidably absent, whereupon the Honourable Senator Cormier, Speaker pro tempore, took the chair, pursuant to rule 2-4(6).

PRAYERS

Senators’ Statements

Some Honourable Senators made statements.

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees

The Honourable Senator Smith, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications, tabled the third report of the committee, entitled Stolen Signal: The Costly Consequences of Copper Theft in Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1004S.

The Honourable Senator Smith moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin, 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.

Question Period

The Senate proceeded to Question Period.

Orders of the Day

Government Business

Bills – Second Reading

Second reading of Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (hate propaganda, hate crime and access to religious or cultural places).

The Honourable Senator Wells (Alberta) moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cardozo, that the bill be read for the second time.

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.

o o o

Second reading of Bill C-18, An Act to implement the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Canada and Indonesia.

The Honourable Senator Gignac moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Aucoin, that the bill be read for the second time.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Kingston moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Petitclerc, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.

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

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At 3:57 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4 p.m., the sitting resumed.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

At 4 p.m., pursuant to the order adopted on March 26, 2026, the Senate was suspended during pleasure and resolved into a Committee of the Whole to consider the subject of artificial intelligence, the Honourable Senator Cormier in the Chair.

—In the Committee—

Pursuant to the order adopted on March 26, 2026, the Honourable Evan Solomon, P.C., M.P., Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, 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 stated that the Committee had examined the subject of artificial intelligence and had directed him to report the same to the Senate.

Government Business

Bills – Second Reading

Second reading of Bill S-6, A fourth Act to harmonize federal law with the civil law of Quebec and to amend certain Acts in order to ensure that each language version takes into account the common law and the civil law.

The Honourable Senator Clement moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dalphond, that the bill be read for the second time.

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.

o o o

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

Reports of Committees – Other

Orders No. 1, 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

Order No. 1 was 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

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

o o o

Third reading of Bill S-209, An Act to restrict young persons’ online access to pornographic material, as amended.

The Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Francis, that the bill, as amended, be read for the third time.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Housakos moved, for the Honourable Senator Martin, 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.

Senate Public Bills – Reports of Committees

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

Senate Public Bills – Second Reading

Orders No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator McPhedran, seconded by the Honourable Senator Sorensen, for the second reading of Bill S-222, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and the Regulation Adapting the Canada Elections Act for the Purposes of a Referendum.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Osler moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gignac, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.

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

o o o

Orders No. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Reports of Committees – Other

Orders No. 4, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Motions

Orders No. 3, 4, 5, 7 and 13 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Inquiries

Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Moodie, calling the attention of the Senate to the need for the safe and productive development and use of artificial intelligence in Canada.

The Honourable Senator Cormier moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dean, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.

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

o o o

Orders No. 2, 3, 5, 8 and 9 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming 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 Osler moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Lewis, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.

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

o o o

Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Coyle, calling the attention of the Senate to the final report of the Canadian Youth Climate Assembly.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Clement 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.

o o o

Orders No. 12, 13 and 14 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

MOTIONS

The Honourable Senator Audette moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator White:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples, in accordance with rule 12-7(15), be authorized to examine and report on any matters related to the duty to consult and accommodate Indigenous Peoples, which flows from the honour of the Crown derived from section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, focusing on:

(a)the needs of Indigenous Nations, specifically First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples who seek to make the duty to consult more responsive to their community needs;

(b)the identification of promising practices and ways to develop positive working relationships; and

(c)the exploration of standards to improve federal policies and practices;

That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than December 15, 2027, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report; 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.

ADJOURNMENT

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

That the Senate do now adjourn.

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

(Accordingly, at 7:14 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. 28, dated February 3, 2026, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Clement, regarding Canada’s Black Justice Strategy.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-960S.

Response to Question No. 29, dated February 3, 2026, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Cardozo, regarding government support programs for news media.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-961S.

Response to Question No. 30, dated February 3, 2026, 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.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-962S.

Response to Question No. 31, dated February 3, 2026, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Downe, regarding health care difficulties experienced by the family members of Canadian Armed Forces personnel.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-963S.

Response to Question No. 32, dated February 3, 2026, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Downe, regarding international students in Canada — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and Canada Border Services Agency.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-964S.

Response to Question No. 33, dated February 3, 2026, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Downe, regarding taxes on cryptoassets.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-965S.

Response to Question No. 34, dated February 12, 2026, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Ravalia, regarding permanent residency applications.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-966S.

Report on the administration and enforcement of the fish and fish habitat protection and pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, pursuant to the Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-14, sbs. 42.1(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-967.

Amendments to the Management Plan for Motherwell Homestead National Historic Site of Canada, pursuant to the Parks Canada Agency Act, S.C. 1998, c. 31, sbs. 32(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-968.

Report on the administration of the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act, together with the Auditor General’s Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-17, ss. 57, 59.7 and 72.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-969.

Report on the Public Service Pension Plan, together with the Auditors’ Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Public Service Superannuation Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-36, s. 46.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-970.

Report on the Administration of the Supplementary Retirement Benefits Act for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. S-24, s. 12.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-971.

Report on the Administration of the Members of Parliament Retiring Allowances Act for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. M-5, s. 67.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-972.

Report on Employment Equity in the Federal Public Service for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Employment Equity Act, S.C. 1995, c. 44, sbs. 21(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-973.

Report of the Communications Security Establishment for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Employment Equity Act, S.C. 1995, c. 44, sbs. 21(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-974.

Report of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Employment Equity Act, S.C. 1995, c. 44, sbs. 21(5).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-975.

Report of the National Film Board for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Employment Equity Act, S.C. 1995, c. 44, sbs. 21(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-976.

Report of the National Research Council of Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Employment Equity Act, S.C. 1995, c. 44, sbs. 21(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-977.

Report of the Parks Canada Agency for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Employment Equity Act, S.C. 1995, c. 44, sbs. 21(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-978.

Report of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Employment Equity Act, S.C. 1995, c. 44, sbs. 21(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-979.

Report of the Canadian Armed Forces for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Employment Equity Act, S.C. 1995, c. 44, sbs. 21(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-980.

Report of the Canada Revenue Agency for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Employment Equity Act, S.C. 1995, c. 44, sbs. 21(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-981.

Report of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Employment Equity Act, S.C. 1995, c. 44, sbs. 21(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-982.

Report of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Employment Equity Act, S.C. 1995, c. 44, sbs. 21(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-983.

Report of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Employment Equity Act, S.C. 1995, c. 44, sbs. 21(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-984.

Report of the Office of the Auditor General for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Employment Equity Act, S.C. 1995, c. 44, sbs. 21(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-985.

Report of the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Employment Equity Act, S.C. 1995, c. 44, sbs. 21(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-986.

Report of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Employment Equity Act, S.C. 1995, c. 44, sbs. 21(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-987.

Report of the Canadian High Arctic Research Station for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Employment Equity Act, S.C. 1995, c. 44, sbs. 21(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-988.

Report of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Employment Equity Act, S.C. 1995, c. 44, sbs. 21(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-989.

Report of the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Employment Equity Act, S.C. 1995, c. 44, sbs. 21(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-990.

Report of the Canadian Energy Regulator for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Employment Equity Act, S.C. 1995, c. 44, sbs. 21(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-991.

Report of the Staff of the Non-Public Funds, Canadian Forces for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Employment Equity Act, S.C. 1995, c. 44, sbs. 21(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-992.

Report of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Employment Equity Act, S.C. 1995, c. 44, sbs. 21(3).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-993.

Copy of the Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations (P.C. 2026-270), pursuant to the Special Economic Measures Act, S.C. 1992, c. 17, sbs. 7(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-994.

Copy of the Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations (P.C. 2026-271), pursuant to the Special Economic Measures Act, S.C. 1992, c. 17, sbs. 7(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-995.

Report on the administration of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Account, together with the Auditor General’s Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, pursuant to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. R-11, s. 31.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-996.

Report on the operation of sections 83.031 to 83.0391 of the Criminal Code for the year 2025, pursuant to the Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46, s. 83.0392(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-997.

Summary of the Corporate Business Plan for 2026-27 to 2028-29 of the Canada Revenue Agency, pursuant to the Canada Revenue Agency Act, S.C. 1999, c. 17, sbs. 49(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-998.

Report of the Canadian Judicial Council on the seminars on matters related to sexual assault law and social context for the year 2025, pursuant to the Judges Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. J-1, sbs. 62.1(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-999.

Summaries of the Corporate Plan and Budgets for 2025-29 of VIA Rail Canada Inc., pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1000.

Summaries of the Corporate Plan and Budgets for 2026-30 of Export Development Canada, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1001.

Summaries of the Corporate Plan and Budgets for 2026-30 of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1002.

Summaries of the Corporate Plan and Budgets for 2025-26 to 2029-30 of the Canada Infrastructure Bank, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1003.

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources

The Honourable Senator Wilson replaced the Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne (April 8, 2026).

Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration

The Honourable Senator Cardozo replaced the Honourable Senator Francis (April 14, 2026).

Standing Senate Committee on National Finance

The Honourable Senator Ince replaced the Honourable Senator Wallin (April 14, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Oudar replaced the Honourable Senator Kingston (April 9, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Wallin replaced the Honourable Senator Ross (April 7, 2026).

Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages

The Honourable Senator Patterson replaced the Honourable Senator Aucoin (April 14, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Aucoin replaced the Honourable Senator Patterson (April 9, 2026).