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Journals of the Senate

65 Elizabeth II , A.D. 2016, Canada

1st Session, 42nd Parliament

Issue 58 (Revised)

Thursday, September 29, 2016
1:30 p.m.

The Honourable GEORGE J. FUREY, Speaker


The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AndreychukAtaullahjanBellemareBeyakBlackBoisvenuBrazeauCampbellCoolsCordyCowanDayDowneDoyleDuffyDyckEatonEggletonEnvergaFraserFureyGagnéGreeneHarderHousakosHubleyJoyalKennyLankinMacDonaldMaltaisManningMartinMassicotteMcCoyMcInnisMercerMitchellMocklerMooreMunsonNancy RuthNeufeldNgoOgilvieOhOmidvarPattersonPetitclercPoirierPratteRaineRinguetteSeidmanSinclairSmithTannasTardifTkachukUngerWallaceWallinWells

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

AndreychukAtaullahjan*Baker*BattersBellemareBeyakBlackBoisvenuBrazeauCampbellCoolsCordyCowan*DagenaisDayDowneDoyleDuffyDyckEatonEggletonEnvergaFraserFureyGagnéGreeneHarderHousakosHubleyJoyalKennyLankinMacDonaldMaltaisManningMartinMassicotteMcCoyMcInnis*McIntyreMercerMitchellMocklerMooreMunsonNancy RuthNeufeldNgoOgilvieOhOmidvarPattersonPetitclerc*PlettPoirierPratteRaineRinguette*RuncimanSeidmanSinclairSmithTannasTardifTkachukUngerWallaceWallinWells*White

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 Housakos, Chair of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration, tabled the seventh report of the committee, entitled: Post-activity Expenditure Reports of Senate Committees for 2014-15.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-659S.

Introduction and First Reading of Senate Public Bills

The Honourable Senator Mitchell introduced Bill S-229, An Act respecting underground infrastructure safety.

The bill was read the first time.

The Honourable Senator Mitchell moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Black, 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 Ngo tabled the following:

Report of the Canadian Delegation of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) respecting its participation at the meeting of the Cooperation and Development Committee of the APF, held in Midrand, South Africa, from April 26 to 28, 2016.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-660.

o o o

The Honourable Senator MacDonald tabled the following:

Report of the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas respecting its participation at the 8th Annual Gathering of the Group of Women Parliamentarians and the 40th Board of Directors Meeting, held in Quito, Ecuador, from June 1 to 4, 2016.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-661.

Question Period

The Senate proceeded to Question Period.

Delayed Answers

The Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., tabled the following:

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on May 18, 2016 by the Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., concerning pensions and disability payments.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-662S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on May 19, 2016 by the Honourable Senator Boisvenu, concerning exploitation and trafficking in persons.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-663S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on June 16, 2016 by the Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., concerning tax avoidance investigation—KPMG—Isle of Man.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-664S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on June 21, 2016 by the Honourable Senator Dagenais, concerning food fraud.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-665S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on June 22, 2016 by the Honourable Senator Patterson, concerning shrimp quotas.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-666S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on June 22, 2016 by the Honourable Senator Frum, concerning Iran—justice for victims of terrorism.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-667S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on June 22, 2016 by the Honourable Senator Ataullahjan, concerning language training for refugees.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-668S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on June 22, 2016 by the Honourable Senator Downe, concerning Prince Edward Island—Confederation Bridge tolls and fees.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-669S.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on June 22, 2016 by the Honourable Senator Andreychuk, concerning the yellow fever vaccine.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-670S.

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Pursuant to rule 4-10(2), the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., tabled the following:

Reply to Question No. 3, dated May 10, 2016, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Downe, respecting an Assistant Deputy Minister at Veterans Affairs Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-671S.

Reply to Question No. 4, dated May 10, 2016, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Downe, respecting Veterans Affairs Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-672S.

Reply to Question No. 5, dated May 10, 2016, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Downe, respecting IT and HR functions at Veterans Affairs Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-673S.

Reply to Question No. 6, dated May 10, 2016, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Downe, respecting the loss of federal government jobs in Atlantic Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-674S.

Reply to Question No. 7, dated May 10, 2016, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Downe, respecting senior management positions at Veterans Affairs Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-675S.

Reply to Question No. 11, dated May 11, 2016, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Downe, respecting the Veterans Charter.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-676S.

Reply to Question No. 13, dated May 11, 2016, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Downe, respecting the Veterans Charter.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-677S.

Reply to Question No. 14, dated May 11, 2016, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Downe, respecting the recommendation by the Special Needs Advisory Group to Veterans Affairs Canada in 2006.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-678S.

Reply to Question No. 16, dated May 11, 2016, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Downe, respecting the government’s decision not to implement recommendation no. 9 from the June 2009 report of the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs.—Sessional Paper No. 1/42-679S.

Orders of the Day

Government Business

Bills – Second Reading

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

o o o

Second reading of Bill C-2, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act.

The Honourable Senator Day moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Hubley, that the bill be read the second time.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Smith moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Mockler, 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. 3 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

Motions

The Honourable Senator Bellemare moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C.:

That, in order to allow the Senate to receive a Minister of the Crown during Question Period as authorized by the Senate on December 10, 2015, and notwithstanding rule 4-7, when the Senate sits on Tuesday, October 4, 2016, Question Period shall begin at 3:30 p.m., with any proceedings then before the Senate being interrupted until the end of Question Period, which shall last a maximum of 40 minutes;

That, if a standing vote would conflict with the holding of Question Period at 3:30 p.m. on that day, the vote be postponed until immediately after the conclusion of Question Period;

That, if the bells are ringing for a vote at 3:30 p.m. on that day, they be interrupted for Question Period at that time, and resume thereafter for the balance of any time remaining; and

That, if the Senate concludes its business before 3:30 p.m. on that day, the sitting be suspended until that time for the purpose of holding Question Period.

After debate,

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

o o o

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 – Reports of Committees

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

Senate Public Bills – Second Reading

Orders No. 1 to 21 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Commons Public Bills – Second Reading

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

Reports of Committees – Other

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

Motions

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator McInnis, seconded by the Honourable Senator Wells:

That the Special Senate Committee on Senate Modernization be permitted, notwithstanding usual practices, to deposit with the Clerk of the Senate its first report, if the Senate is not then sitting and that the report be deemed to have been tabled in the Chamber.

After debate,

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

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Orders No. 92, 31, 7, 79, 73, 9, 51, 69, 96, 60 and 89 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

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Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Fraser, seconded by the Honourable Senator Joyal, P.C.:

That, notwithstanding rule 12-27(1) and subsections 35(1), (4), (5) and (8) of the Ethics and Conflict of Interest Code for Senators, the Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Cordy, Frum, Joyal, P.C. and Tannas, be appointed to serve on the Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators, until such time as a motion pursuant to rule 12-27(1) is adopted by the Senate; and

That, when a vacancy occurs in the membership of the committee before the establishment of the committee pursuant to rule 12-27(1), the replacement member shall be appointed by order of the Senate.

And on the motion in amendment of the Honourable Senator McCoy, seconded by the Honourable Senator Wallace:

That the motion be not now adopted, but that it be amended by replacing all words following the words “Ethics and Conflict of Interest Code for Senators,” by the following:

“the Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators be composed of two Conservative senators, two Liberal senators, and one independent senator;

That the Conservative senators select the Conservative members to sit on the committee by means of a secret ballot;

That the Liberal senators select the Liberal members to sit on the committee by means of a secret ballot;

That the independent senators who are authorized to attend the Senate select the independent member to sit on the committee by means of a secret ballot;

That each of the groups of Conservative, Liberal and independent senators select a representative to move a motion in the Senate without notice that the selected senator or senators be a member or members of the committee, which motion shall be deemed seconded and adopted when moved;

That, when a vacancy occurs in the membership of the committee before the establishment of the committee pursuant to rule 12-27(1), the replacement member be appointed by the same process used to name the previous member of the committee; and

That the membership of Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators as established pursuant to this motion remain in effect until such time as a motion pursuant to rule 12-27(1) is adopted by the Senate.”.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Pratte moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Day, that further debate on the motion in amendment be adjourned until the next sitting.

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

Inquiries

Orders No. were called 11, 2, 1 and 3 and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Seidman, calling the attention of the Senate to its role in the protection of regional and minority representation.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Fraser moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Hubley, 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. 5 and 8 were called and postponed until the next sitting.


With leave of the Senate,

The Honourable Senator Bellemare moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C.:

That when the Senate adjourns today, it do stand adjourned until Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at 2 p.m.

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

ADJOURNMENT

The Honourable Senator Bellemare moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C.:

That the Senate do now adjourn.

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

(Accordingly, at 3:14 p.m., the Senate was continued until Tuesday, October 4, 2016, at 2 p.m.)

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry

The Honourable Senator Dagenais replaced the Honourable Senator Enverga (September 28, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Beyak replaced the Honourable Senator Ataullahjan (September 28, 2016).

Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration

The Honourable Senator Jaffer replaced the Honourable Senator Cowan (September 29, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Eaton replaced the Honourable Senator Lang (September 29, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Cowan replaced the Honourable Senator Jaffer (September 28, 2016).

Standing Senate Committee on National Finance

The Honourable Senator Moore replaced the Honourable Senator Campbell (September 29, 2016).

Special Senate Committee on Senate Modernization

The Honourable Senator MacDonald was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (September 29, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Stewart Olsen replaced the Honourable Senator Marshall (September 29, 2016).

The Honourable Senator McIntyre replaced the Honourable Senator Beyak (September 29, 2016).

The Honourable Senator Frum replaced the Honourable Senator Mockler (September 29, 2016).

Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology

The Honourable Senator Doyle replaced the Honourable Senator Frum (September 28, 2016).

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