Journals of the Senate

The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AdlerAl ZaibakAndersonArnoldArnotAtaullahjanAucoinBattersBernardBlackBoehmBoudreauBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCormierCoyleCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDhillonDowneDuncanForestFrancisFridhandlerGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacHarderHayHébertHenkelHousakosInceKaretak-LindellKingstonKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLewisLoffredaMacDonaldManningMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenProsperPupatelloQuinnRavaliaRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeniorSimonsSorensenSuretteTannasVaroneVernerWells (Alberta)Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador)WhiteWilsonWooYouanceYussuff

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

AdlerAl ZaibakAndersonArnoldArnotAtaullahjanAucoinBattersBernardBlackBoehmBoudreauBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCormierCoyleCuznerDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDhillonDowneDuncanForestFrancisFridhandlerGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacHarderHayHébertHenkelHousakosInceKaretak-LindellKingstonKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLewisLoffredaMacDonaldManningMcBeanMcCallumMcNairMcPhedranMiville-DechêneMohamedMoncionMoodieMoreauMuggliOslerOudarPatePattersonPetitclercPettenProsperPupatelloQuinnRavaliaRobinsonRossSaint-GermainSeniorSimonsSorensenSuretteTannasVaroneVernerWells (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 the Speaker tabled the following:

Additional 2026 Reports of the Auditor General of Canada to the Senate, pursuant to the Auditor General Act, R.S., 1985, c. A-17, sbs. 7(5).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1059.

Introduction and First Reading of Senate Public Bills

The Honourable Senator Cardozo introduced Bill S-247, An Act to establish a national framework on food allergy.

The bill was read the first time.

The Honourable Senator Cardozo moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator White, 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.

Tabling of Reports from Interparliamentary Delegations

The Honourable Senator Boehm tabled the following:

Report of the Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly, 21st Autumn Meeting, Yerevan, Armenia, from November 18 to 20, 2023.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1060.

Report of the Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly, 23rd Autumn Meeting, Istanbul, Türkiye, from November 17 to 19, 2025.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1061.

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 Mandy Gull-Masty, P.C., M.P., Minister of Indigenous Services, will take place on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 3:55 p.m.

Government Business

Bills – Third Reading

Third 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 Osler, that the bill be read for the third time.

After debate,

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

The bill 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, without amendment.

Bills – Reports of Committees

Consideration of the seventh report of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology (Bill S-5, An Act respecting the interoperability of health information technology and to prohibit data blocking by health information technology vendors, with an amendment and observations), presented in the Senate on April 30, 2026.

The Honourable Senator Moodie moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dasko, that the report be adopted.

After debate,

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

The Honourable Senator Kingston moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moncion, that the bill, as amended, 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.

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

Orders No. 1 and 2 were 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 – Second Reading

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

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Dasko, seconded by the Honourable Senator Forest, for the second reading of Bill S-213, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (demographic information).

After debate,

With leave of the Senate,

Further debate on the motion was adjourned until the next sitting, in the name of the Honourable Senator Martin.

o o o

Order No. 5 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Moreau, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Dalphond, for the second reading of Bill S-219, An Act to establish Judicial Independence Day.

After debate,

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

The bill was then read for the second time.

The Honourable Senator White moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights.

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

o o o

Orders No. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Klyne, seconded by the Honourable Senator Audette, for the second reading of Bill S-239, An Act to amend the Competition Act.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador) 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

Orders No. 15, 16 and 17 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Yussuff, seconded by the Honourable Senator Loffreda, for the second reading of Bill S-246, An Act respecting the recognition of wartime service.

After debate,

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

The bill was then read for the second time.

The Honourable Senator Yussuff moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Pate, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs.

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

Commons Public Bills – Second Reading

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

Reports of Committees – Other

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Kingston, seconded by the Honourable Senator Pate, for the adoption of the fourth report (interim) of the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources, entitled Hydrogen: A Viable Option for a Net-Zero Canada in 2050?, presented in the Senate on May 9, 2023, 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 October 8, 2025, which contains, pursuant to rule 12-23(1)(a), a request for a complete and detailed response from the government, with the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada being identified as minister responsible for responding to the report, in consultation with the Minister of Natural Resources, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, the Minister of Indigenous Services and the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations.

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

o o o

Orders No. 9, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 23 and 24 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Consideration of the third report (interim) of the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament, entitled Membership of the Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators, presented in the Senate on April 28, 2026.

The Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator White, that the report be adopted.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador) moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Ataullahjan, 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. 27 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

Motions

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

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Woo, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dean:

That, in light of findings and orders from the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court on the situation in Gaza, the Senate call on the Government to examine the risk to Canada and Canadians of complicity in violations of international humanitarian law, including war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, and to report on its findings within three months of the adoption of this motion.

The Honourable Senator Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador) moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator MacDonald, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.

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

Inquiries

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

o o o

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 White moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Muggli, 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

Order No. 9 was 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.

Debate concluded.

o o o

Orders No. 11, 12 and 13 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

INQUIRIES

The Honourable Senator Duncan called the attention of the Senate to the Canadian Rangers and their role in Northern Canada, asserting Canada’s sovereignty, providing for our national security, and strengthening community resilience as they are representative of the peoples of the North and their knowledge of the land.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator White moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Muggli, 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 Duncan:

That the Senate do now adjourn.

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

(Accordingly, at 5:06 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)

Report on the activities of the Office of the Intelligence Commissioner for the year ended December 31, 2025, pursuant to the Intelligence Commissioner Act, S.C. 2019, c. 13, s. 50 “22(3)”.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1034.

Report of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service for the year 2025, pursuant to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-23, sbs. 20.2(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1035.

Report of the Royal Canadian Mint, together with the Auditor General’s Report, for the year ended December 31, 2025, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1036.

Report of the Canada Development Investment Corporation, together with the Auditor General’s Report, for the year ended December 31, 2025, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1037.

Report on activities of the College of Patent Agents and Trademark Agents for the year 2025, pursuant to the College of Patent Agents and Trademark Agents Act, S.C. 2018, c. 27, s. 247 “25(2)”.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1038.

Report on the National Strategy for Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias for the year 2025, pursuant to the National Strategy for Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias Act, S.C. 2017, c. 19, s. 5.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1039.

Report of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, together with the Auditors’ Report, for the year ended December 31, 2025, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1040.

Report of Export Development Canada, together with the Auditor General’s Report, for the year ended December 31, 2025, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1041.

Report of the Canadian Tourism Commission, together with the Auditor General’s Report, for the year ended December 31, 2025, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1042.

Copy of Order in Council P.C. 2026-56, pursuant to the Farm Income Protection Act, S.C. 1991, c. 22, sbs. 12(7).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1043.

Report of the Chicken Farmers of Canada, together with the Auditors’ Report, for the year ended December 31, 2025, pursuant to the Farm Products Agencies Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-4, s. 30.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1044.

Report of the Canadian Egg Marketing Agency for the year ended December 31, 2025, pursuant to the Farm Products Agencies Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-4, s. 30.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1045.

Report of the Canadian Turkey Marketing Agency, together with the Auditors’ Report, for the year ended December 31, 2025, pursuant to the Farm Products Agencies Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-4, s. 30.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1046.

Report of the Canadian Hatching Egg Producers, together with the Auditors’ Report, for the year ended December 31, 2025, pursuant to the Farm Products Agencies Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-4, s. 30.—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1047.

Report of VIA Rail Canada Inc., together with the Auditor General’s Report, for the year ended December 31, 2025, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1048.

Report of the Atlantic Pilotage Authority, together with the Auditor General’s Report, for the year ended December 31, 2025, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1049.

Report of the Laurentian Pilotage Authority, together with the Auditor General’s Report, for the year ended December 31, 2025, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1050.

Report of the Great Lakes Pilotage Authority, together with the Auditor General’s Report, for the year ended December 31, 2025, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1051.

Report of the Pacific Pilotage Authority, together with the Auditor General’s Report, for the year ended December 31, 2025, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1052.

Summaries of the Corporate Plan and Budgets for 2025-26 to 2029-30 of VIA HFR – VIA TGF Inc., pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1053.

Note of the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, entitled PBO Assessment of Spring Economic Update: Economic and Fiscal Track, pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-1, sbs. 79.2(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1054.

Note of the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, entitled PBO Assessment of Spring Economic Update: Government’s Major Capital Priorities, pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-1, sbs. 79.2(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1055.

Note of the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, entitled PBO Assessment of Spring Economic Update: Fiscal Anchors and Fiscal Sustainability, pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-1, sbs. 79.2(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1056.

Note of the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, entitled PBO Assessment of Spring Economic Update: Temporarily suspending the federal fuel excise tax, pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-1, sbs. 79.2(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1057.

Note of the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer, entitled PBO Assessment of Spring Economic Update: Departmental Spending and New Measures, pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-1, sbs. 79.2(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/45-1058.

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy

The Honourable Senator Manning replaced the Honourable Senator Martin (May 4, 2026).

Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources

The Honourable Senator Dean replaced the Honourable Senator Arnot (May 4, 2026).

Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights

The Honourable Senator Ataullahjan replaced the Honourable Senator McCallum (May 5, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Ince replaced the Honourable Senator Robinson (May 5, 2026).

Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs

The Honourable Senator Patterson replaced the Honourable Senator Ince (May 5, 2026).

The Honourable Senator Batters replaced the Honourable Senator Anderson (May 3, 2026).

Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages

The Honourable Senator Robinson replaced the Honourable Senator Patterson (May 5, 2026).