Journals of the Senate
4 Charles III , A.D. 2026, Canada
1st Session, 45th Parliament
Issue 64 (Unrevised)
Thursday, April 16, 2026
1:30 p.m.
The Honourable RAYMONDE GAGNÉ, Speaker
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
AdlerAl ZaibakAndersonArnoldArnotAucoinAudetteBattersBlackBoehmBoudreauBoyerBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCormierCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)DhillonDuncanForestFridhandlerGagnéGerbaGignacGreenwoodHarderHayHébertHenkelHousakosInceKingstonKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLewisLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldManningMartinMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieMoreauOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenProsperPupatelloQuinnRinguetteRobinsonSaint-GermainSeniorSimonsSmithSorensenSuretteTannasVaroneVernerWallinWells (Alberta)Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteWilsonWooYouanceYussuff
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
AdlerAl ZaibakAndersonArnoldArnot*AtaullahjanAucoinAudetteBattersBlackBoehmBoudreauBoyerBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCormierCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Dhillon*DowneDuncanForest*FrancisFridhandlerGagné*GalvezGerbaGignacGreenwoodHarderHayHébertHenkelHousakosInceKingstonKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLewisLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldManningMartinMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieMoreauOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenProsperPupatelloQuinn*RavaliaRinguetteRobinson*RossSaint-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
Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees
The Honourable Senator Audette, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples, presented the committee’s fourth report (Bill S-225, An Act to establish National Thanadelthur Day, without amendment).
The Honourable Senator McCallum moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Manning, 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.
Introduction and First Reading of Senate Public Bills
The Honourable Senator Yussuff introduced Bill S-246, An Act respecting the recognition of wartime service.
The bill was read the first time.
The Honourable Senator Yussuff moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boudreau, 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.
Question Period
The Senate proceeded to Question Period.
Orders of the Day
Pursuant to the order adopted June 4, 2025, the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson informed the Senate that Question Period with the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, P.C., M.P., Minister of Public Safety, will take place on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 3:30 p.m.
Government Business
Bills – Second Reading
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Clement, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dalphond, for the 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.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The bill was then read for the second time.
The Honourable Senator Clement moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Petitclerc, 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.
Order No. 2 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Wells (Alberta), seconded by the Honourable Senator Cardozo, for the second reading of Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (hate propaganda, hate crime and access to religious or cultural places).
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Smith, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
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.
The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moreau, P.C.:
That, when the Senate next adjourns after the adoption of this motion, it do stand adjourned until Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 2 p.m.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
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.
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, 6 and 7 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator McCallum, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin, for the second reading of Bill S-223, An Act to amend the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act.
Ordered: That further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting, in the name of the Honourable Senator Prosper.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator McCallum, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin, for the second reading of Bill S-224, An Act to amend the Director of Public Prosecutions Act.
Ordered: That further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting, in the name of the Honourable Senator Prosper.
Orders No. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Second reading of Bill S-244, An Act respecting National Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma Awareness Day.
The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Housakos, that the bill be read for the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Kingston moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moncion, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Order No. 18 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Reports of Committees – Other
Orders No. 4, 9, 13, 14 and 15 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Consideration of the first report of the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, entitled Carbon Removal, From Air to Sea: Canada, a leader in restoring ocean ecosystems and fighting climate change, deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on February 5, 2026.
The Honourable Senator Manning moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin:
That the first report of the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, entitled Carbon Removal, From Air to Sea: Canada, a leader in restoring ocean ecosystems and fighting climate change, deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on Thursday, 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 Fisheries being identified as minister responsible for responding to the report, in consultation with the President of the Treasury Board, the Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature and the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 19 and 20 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Consideration of the fifth report (interim) of the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight, entitled Amendment to the Senate Administrative Rules, presented in the Senate on March 25, 2026.
The Honourable Senator Klyne moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator White, that the report be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Consideration of the sixth report (interim) of the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight, entitled Amendment to the Rules of the Senate, presented in the Senate on March 25, 2026.
The Honourable Senator Klyne moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Hay, that the report be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 23 and 24 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
Orders No. 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 and 9 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
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 Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Smith, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Order No. 11 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Loffreda, calling the attention of the Senate to the vital role that immigrants have played — and continue to play — in shaping Canada’s economic growth, cultural richness and social fabric.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Kingston moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Forest, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 13 and 14 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
MOTIONS
The Honourable Senator Yussuff moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Kingston:
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 National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs in relation to its study on the impacts of Russia’s disinformation on Canada be extended from April 30, 2026, to June 30, 2026.
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 3:54 p.m., the Senate was continued until Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 2 p.m.)
DOCUMENTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO RULE 14-1(7)
Interim Order for the Protection of North Atlantic Right Whales (Eubalaena glacialis) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 2026, pursuant to the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, S.C. 2001, c. 26, sbs. 10.1(7).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1009.
Draft of proposed regulation on the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses, pursuant to the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act, S.C. 2023, c. 15, s. 54, sbs. 35(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1010.
Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5
Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry
The Honourable Senator Muggli replaced the Honourable Senator Hay (April 16, 2026).
Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources
The Honourable Senator Arnold replaced the Honourable Senator Coyle (April 15, 2026).
Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans
The Honourable Senator Ravalia replaced the Honourable Senator Greenwood (April 16, 2026).
Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade
The Honourable Senator Coyle replaced the Honourable Senator Youance (April 16, 2026).
The Honourable Senator Deacon (Ontario) replaced the Honourable Senator Busson (April 16, 2026).
The Honourable Senator Youance replaced the Honourable Senator Coyle (April 15, 2026).
The Honourable Senator Busson replaced the Honourable Senator Deacon (Ontario) (April 15, 2026).
Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
The Honourable Senator Francis replaced the Honourable Senator Cardozo (April 16, 2026).
Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying
The Honourable Senator Loffreda replaced the Honourable Senator Moodie (April 16, 2026).
Standing Senate Committee on National Finance
The Honourable Senator Kingston replaced the Honourable Senator Oudar (April 16, 2026).
The Honourable Senator Ross replaced the Honourable Senator Ince (April 16, 2026).
Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications
The Honourable Senator Cormier replaced the Honourable Senator Petitclerc (April 16, 2026).