The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AndersonAtaullahjanBattersBellemareBernardBlack (Alberta)Black (Ontario)BoehmBoisvenuBonifaceBoveyBoyerBrazeauBussonCarignanChristmasCordyCormierCotterCoyleDagenaisDalphondDaskoDawsonDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuncanDupuisForestForest-NiesingFrancisFrumFureyGagnéGalvezGoldGreeneGriffinHarderHartlingHousakosJafferKeatingKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLankinLoffredaMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMarwahMassicotteMcCallumMcPhedranMégieMercerMiville-DechêneMocklerMoncionMoodieMunsonNgoOhOmidvarPatePattersonPetitclercPlettPoirierRavaliaRichardsRinguetteSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSmithStewart OlsenTannasVernerWallinWellsWetstonWhiteWoo

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

AndersonAtaullahjanBattersBellemareBernardBlack (Alberta)Black (Ontario)BoehmBoisvenuBonifaceBoveyBoyerBrazeauBussonCarignanChristmasCordyCormierCotterCoyleDagenaisDalphondDaskoDawsonDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuncanDupuisForestForest-NiesingFrancisFrumFureyGagnéGalvezGoldGreeneGriffinHarderHartlingHousakosJafferKeatingKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLankinLoffredaMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMarwahMassicotteMcCallumMcPhedranMégieMercerMiville-DechêneMocklerMoncionMoodieMunsonNgoOhOmidvarPatePattersonPetitclercPlettPoirierRavaliaRichardsRinguetteSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSmithStewart OlsenTannasVernerWallinWellsWetstonWhiteWoo

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

With leave of the Senate,

The Honourable Senator Tannas moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Plett:

That, notwithstanding any provision of the Rules or previous order, for today’s sitting, the duration for Senators’ Statements be 45 minutes, to be used for the purposes of paying tribute to our late colleague the Honourable Elaine McCoy, who passed away on December 29, 2020.

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

Senators’ Statements

Tributes

Tribute was paid to the memory of the Honourable Senator McCoy, whose death occurred on December 29, 2020.

The Senate observed a minute of silence in memory of the Honourable Elaine McCoy.

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 Petitclerc, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., for the third reading of Bill C-7, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying).

After debate,

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

That Bill C-7 be not now read a third time, but that it be amended

(a) in clause 1, on page 3, by adding the following after line 7:

“(2.1) Subsection 241.2(2.1) of the Act is repealed.”;

(b) on page 9, by adding the following after line 30:

“Coming Into Force

5 Subsection 1(2.1) comes into force 18 months after 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

BernardBlack (Alberta)Black (Ontario)BoehmBoisvenuBonifaceBoveyBoyerBrazeauBussonCarignanChristmasCordyCormierCotterCoyleDalphondDaskoDawsonDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuncanDupuisForestForest-NiesingFrumGalvezGriffinHarderHartlingJafferKeatingKlyneKutcherLankinLoffredaMarwahMassicotteMégieMercerMocklerMoncionMoodieMunsonOhPattersonRavaliaSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSmithVernerWallinWellsWetston—57

NAYS

The Honourable Senators

AndersonAtaullahjanBattersDagenaisGreeneHousakosMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMcCallumMcPhedranMiville-DechêneNgoOmidvarPlettPoirierRichardsStewart OlsenTannasWoo—21

ABSTENTIONS

The Honourable Senators

BellemareGagnéGoldLaBoucane-BensonPatePetitclerc—6

The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Petitclerc, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., for the third reading of Bill C-7, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying), as amended.

After debate,

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

That Bill C-7, as amended, be not now read a third time, but that it be further amended in clause 1, on page 3, by replacing line 6 with the following:

“ness, other than a neurocognitive disorder, is not considered to be an illness, disease, or disabili-”.

After debate,

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

The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Petitclerc, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., for the third reading of Bill C-7, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying), as amended.

After debate,

In amendment, the Honourable Senator Boisvenu moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C.:

That Bill C-7, as amended, be not now read a third time, but that it be further amended on page 9 by adding the following after line 30:

“Review

5 (1) Within 90 days after the day on which this Act receives royal assent, a comprehensive review of access to medical assistance in dying for persons who suffer from a neurodegenerative disease must be undertaken by any committee of the Senate, the House of Commons or both Houses of Parliament that may be designated or established for that purpose.

(2) The committee must, within one year after the review is undertaken, submit its report on the review, including a statement of any legislative changes that the committee recommends, to the House or Houses of Parliament of which it is a committee.”.

---

Pursuant to rule 3-3(1) and the order adopted by the Senate on February 8, 2021, the Speaker pro tempore left the Chair to resume the same at 7:03 p.m.

The sitting resumed.

Bills – Third Reading

The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Petitclerc, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., for the third reading of Bill C-7, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying), as amended.

And on the motion in amendment of the Honourable Senator Boisvenu, seconded by the Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C.:

That Bill C-7, as amended, be not now read a third time, but that it be further amended on page 9 by adding the following after line 30:

“Review

5 (1) Within 90 days after the day on which this Act receives royal assent, a comprehensive review of access to medical assistance in dying for persons who suffer from a neurodegenerative disease must be undertaken by any committee of the Senate, the House of Commons or both Houses of Parliament that may be designated or established for that purpose.

(2) The committee must, within one year after the review is undertaken, submit its report on the review, including a statement of any legislative changes that the committee recommends, to the House or Houses of Parliament of which it is a committee.”.

After debate,

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

YEAS

The Honourable Senators

AtaullahjanBattersBlack (Alberta)BoisvenuBrazeauCarignanFrumGreeneGriffinHousakosMacDonaldMarshallMartinMocklerNgoOhPattersonPlettPoirierRichardsSeidmanSimonsSmithStewart OlsenVernerWallinWellsWhite—28

NAYS

The Honourable Senators

AndersonBellemareBlack (Ontario)BoehmBonifaceBoveyBoyerBussonCordyCormierCoyleDalphondDaskoDawsonDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuncanDupuisForestForest-NiesingFrancisGagnéGoldHarderHartlingJafferKeatingKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLankinLoffredaMarwahMcCallumMégieMercerMiville-DechêneMoncionMoodieOmidvarPetitclercRavaliaSaint-GermainWetstonWoo—47

ABSTENTIONS

The Honourable Senators

BernardCotterManningMunsonPateTannas—6

The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Petitclerc, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., for the third reading of Bill C-7, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying), as amended.

After debate,

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

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

Bills – Second Reading

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Dalphond, seconded by the Honourable Senator Galvez, for the second reading of Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Judges Act and the Criminal Code.

The Honourable Senator Plett 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 negatived on the following vote:

YEAS

The Honourable Senators

AtaullahjanBattersBernardBoisvenuMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMocklerNgoOhPattersonPlettPoirierRichardsSeidmanSmithWallinWells—19

NAYS

The Honourable Senators

AndersonBlack (Ontario)BoehmBonifaceBoveyBoyerBrazeauBussonCordyCormierCoyleDeacon (Nova Scotia)DeanDuncanDupuisForestForest-NiesingFrancisGagnéGoldHarderJafferKeatingKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLankinLoffredaMarwahMcCallumMcPhedranMégieMercerMiville-DechêneMoncionMunsonOmidvarPatePetitclercSaint-GermainSimonsWetstonWoo—43

ABSTENTIONS

The Honourable Senators

DalphondGriffin—2

ADJOURNMENT

At 9:11 p.m., pursuant to the orders adopted by the Senate on October 27, 2020 and December 17, 2020, the Senate adjourned until 2 p.m., tomorrow.

WRITTEN REPLIES TO ORAL QUESTIONS AND TO WRITTEN QUESTIONS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO THE ORDERS ADOPTED OCTOBER 27 AND DECEMBER 17, 2020

Reply to Question No. 5, dated September 23, 2020, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding infrastructure asset recycling.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-547S.

Reply to Question No. 10, dated September 23, 2020, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-548S.

Reply to Question No. 18, dated September 23, 2020, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding Correctional Service Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-549S.

Reply to Question No. 26, dated September 23, 2020, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding Global Affairs Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-550S.

Reply to Question No. 35, dated September 23, 2020, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding a contract granted to McCarthy Tétrault.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-551S.

Reply to Question No. 37, dated September 23, 2020, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding Canadian missions abroad.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-552S.

Reply to Question No. 50, dated September 23, 2020, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding Supreme Court appointments.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-553S.

Reply to Question No. 55, dated September 23, 2020, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding the Director of Terrorism Prosecutions.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-554S.

Reply to Question No. 61, dated September 30, 2020, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Downe, regarding overseas tax evasion and LGT Bank in Leichtenstein.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-555S.

Reply to Question No. 68, dated September 30, 2020, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Downe, regarding Global Affairs Canada - employees posted abroad 10 or more consecutive years for the period 2000-2020.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-556S.

Reply to Question No. 69, dated September 30, 2020, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Downe, regarding the fraudulent use of contribution funds.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-557S.

Reply to Question No. 72, dated September 30, 2020, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Downe, regarding government expenditures related to Bruyea v Canada (Veteran Affairs).—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-558S.

Reply to Question No. 80, dated October 27, 2020, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding Access to Information and Privacy requests.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-559S.

Reply to Question No. 89, dated November 3, 2020, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding training law enforcement officers to detect drug-impaired driving.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-560S.

Reply to Question No. 91, dated November 3, 2020, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding the transfer of offenders.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-561S.

Reply to Question No. 97, dated December 1, 2020, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding firearms.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-562S.

Reply to Question No. 98, dated December 1, 2020, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding tuberculosis in Inuit communities.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-563S.

Reply to Question No. 100, dated December 1, 2020, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – Department of Justice Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-564S.

Reply to Question No. 100, dated December 1, 2020, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – Public Safety Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-565S.

Reply to Question No. 111, dated December 1, 2020, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding a follow-up to written question 30.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-566S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on October 1, 2020, by the Honourable Senator Carignan, concerning a land decontamination order.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-567S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on October 28, 2020, by the Honourable Senator Boisvenu, concerning the rights of victims of criminal acts.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-568S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on October 29, 2020, by the Honourable Senator Housakos, concerning the export of defence technology to Turkey and Yemen—Humanitarian Aid.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-569S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on November 3, 2020, by the Honourable Senator Griffin, concerning fertilizer regulation.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-570S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on November 3, 2020, by the Honourable Senator Pate, concerning the Federal Housing Advocate.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-571S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on November 5, 2020, by the Honourable Senator Richards, concerning New Brunswick – ferry travel.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-572S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on November 18, 2020, by the Honourable Senator McPhedran, concerning the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-573S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on December 2, 2020, by the Honourable Senator Plett, concerning the Firearms Buyback Program.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-574S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on December 3, 2020, by the Honourable Senator Plett, concerning the Livestock Price Insurance.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-575S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on December 3, 2020, by the Honourable Senator Carignan, concerning the F.-A.-Gauthier ferry.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-576S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on December 3, 2020, by the Honourable Senator Anderson, concerning non-insured health benefits.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-577S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on December 8, 2020, by the Honourable Senator Carignan, concerning the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-578S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on December 2, 2020, by the Honourable Senator Housakos, concerning the review of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s operations.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-579S.