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Journals of the Senate

1 Charles III , A.D. 2023, Canada

1st Session, 44th Parliament

Issue 133 (Unrevised)

Tuesday, June 13, 2023
2 p.m.

The Honourable RAYMONDE GAGNÉ, Speaker


The Members convened were:

The Honourable Senators

AndersonArnotAtaullahjanAudetteBattersBernardBlackBoehmBoisvenuBonifaceBoyerBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCordyCormierCotterCoyleDagenaisDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDupuisForestFrancisGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGoldGreenwoodHarderHousakosJafferKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMarwahMassicotteMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneMocklerMoncionMoodieOhOmidvarOslerPatePatterson (Nunavut)Patterson (Ontario)PetitclercPettenPlettPoirierQuinnRavaliaRichardsRinguetteSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSmithSorensenTannasVernerWallinWellsWooYussuff

The Members in attendance to business were:

The Honourable Senators

AndersonArnotAtaullahjanAudetteBattersBernardBlackBoehmBoisvenuBonifaceBoyerBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoCarignanClementCordyCormierCotterCoyleDagenaisDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDupuisForestFrancisGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGoldGreenwoodHarderHousakosJafferKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMarwahMassicotteMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneMocklerMoncionMoodieOhOmidvarOslerPatePatterson (Nunavut)Patterson (Ontario)PetitclercPettenPlettPoirierQuinnRavaliaRichardsRinguetteSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSmithSorensenTannasVernerWallinWellsWooYussuff

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 Senator LaBoucane-Benson tabled the following:

Charter Statement prepared by the Minister of Justice in relation to Bill S-13, An Act to amend the Interpretation Act and to make related amendments to other Acts, pursuant to the Department of Justice Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. J-2, sbs. 4.2(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1810.

Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees

The Honourable Senator Francis, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples, presented the committee’s eleventh report (Bill C-45, An Act to amend the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, to make consequential amendments to other Acts, and to make a clarification relating to another Act, without amendment).

The Honourable Senator Klyne moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gignac, 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.

o o o

The Honourable Senator Dean, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs, presented the committee’s fifth report (Bill C-224, An Act to establish a national framework for the prevention and treatment of cancers linked to firefighting, without amendment).

The Honourable Senator Yussuff moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Forest, 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.

o o o

The Honourable Senator Cormier presented the following:

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages has the honour to present its

THIRD REPORT

Your committee, to which was referred Bill C-13, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other Acts, has, in obedience to the order of reference of Thursday, June 1, 2023, examined the said bill and now reports the same without amendment but with certain observations, which are appended to this report.

Respectfully submitted,

RENÉ CORMIER

Chair

Observations to the Third Report of the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages (Bill C-13)

On June 1, 2023, your committee received an order to examine Bill C-13, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other Acts.

Since your committee reported on the subject matter of this bill on November 17, 2022, more than sixty amendments have been made by the House of Commons. Your committee applauds the work done in the other place to improve Bill C-13 and bring it more in line with stakeholder expectations.

However, your committee regrets the late arrival of this bill. Considering:

the scope and seriousness of the work carried out by your committee to contribute to the collective effort to modernize the Official Languages Act (OLA), between 2017 and 2019;

the significance and nature of the concerns heard by your committee during the pre-study of Bill C-13, between May and October 2022, to which it devoted eight meetings, heard 41 witnesses and received 22 briefs;

the large number of amendments to this bill by the House of Commons between January and May 2023; and

the high expectations of the vast majority of stakeholders for the swift passage of this bill;

your committee would have liked to have more time to hear testimony and examine briefs, which would have allowed for a more in-depth analysis of the proposed new legislative amendments.

After two meetings totalling eight hours devoted to the study of Bill C-13, on June 5 and 12, 2023, your committee respectfully submits the following observations.

Oversight of the Official Languages Act’s Implementation

Your committee welcomes the provisions of Bill C-13 pertaining to the implementation and coordination of the OLA. Enhancing and expanding the implementation and coordination responsibilities of the Treasury Board, a central agency, received substantial support from the stakeholders heard by your committee. The governance and implementation structure set out in Bill C-13 could remedy more than 50 years of partial and fragmented implementation of the OLA.

However, your committee notes that several witnesses, including the Commissioner of Official Languages, stressed the importance of having the federal government devise an effective and comprehensive mechanism for overseeing the OLA’s implementation. This mechanism should assess compliance by entities subject to the OLA with its various provisions and include appropriate indicators, particularly the demographic weight of francophone minorities and the enumeration of the children of rights-holders.

Quebec’s English-Speaking Communities

Representatives of Quebec’s English-speaking communities told your committee that they support measures to promote both official languages, and they endorse the need for extra support for minority francophone communities. They applaud parts of Bill C-13, such as the increased powers for the Commissioner of Official Languages, mentions of the Court Challenges Program or improvements to Part VII. They also understand and support the continuing need for all levels of government to support and promote the French language.

But they have serious concerns; namely, they strongly object to the inclusion in Bill C-13 of references to Quebec’s Charter of the French Language, particularly the insertion of such a reference into the purpose clause of the OLA. The Minister of Official Languages told your committee that mention of Quebec’s Charter of the French Language was a purely factual statement.

The Minister of Official Languages, the President of the Treasury Board and the Commissioner of Official Languages pledged to monitor the effects of Bill C-13 closely. Your committee believes that it will be essential for them to pay particular attention to developments affecting Quebec’s English-speaking communities and to report regularly on the effects of Bill C-13 throughout Canada, without waiting for the review that will take place 10 years from now.

Enumeration of the Children of Rights-Holders

Bill C-13 includes an obligation to estimate the number of children of those who hold rights under section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the Charter). However, given the alarming decline of French in Canada, several stakeholders argued for the importance of counting, rather than estimating, the number of children of rights-holders, given the detrimental impact and pressures to assimilate resulting from systemic and historical underestimation. The Fédération nationale des conseils scolaires francophones submitted a brief calling for Bill C-13 to be amended so as to create an obligation for systematic enumeration, arguing that francophone school boards need conclusive data from a neutral and reliable organization such as Statistics Canada.

Based on the testimony heard and briefs received, your committee notes that periodic enumeration of the children of rights-holders is critical to the survival and vitality of francophone minority communities, and that the only tool available to the federal government capable of accomplishing this, and thereby implementing section 23 of the Charter, is the short-form census, since the questions on it are put to all Canadian households. Short of enshrining an enumeration obligation in law, your committee recommends that the federal government periodically enumerate the children of rights-holders through the short-form census.

Coherent and Equitable Air Transportation Rights Regime

For the Canadian travelling public, your committee notes that Bill C-13 perpetuates the “fragmented and inconsistent” language rights regime described by the Commissioner of Official Languages in a brief submitted to your committee during its study on the subject matter of Bill C-13.

To make this point, Air Canada notes in its brief to your committee that “[t]he use of two different concepts for the same industry, ‘significant demand’ on the one hand and ‘strong francophone presence’ on the other, will inevitably cause confusion for travellers who use different airlines and who travel outside Quebec.” Air Canada also points out that “Bill C-13 does not clearly define the Commissioner’s powers with respect to other airlines, including the power to issue orders and impose administrative monetary penalties.”

Your committee recommends that the federal government address these issues and establish a coherent and clear language rights regime for the travelling public, who must be able to understand their rights in order to assert them. Your committee also notes that this is a matter of fairness with respect to the obligations of the various airlines, which today occupy competitive shares of the Canadian air transportation market.

Bilingual Constitution

Your committee notes that some constitutional texts establishing the foundations of our Canadian Confederation, including the Constitution Act, 1867, still only have official English versions.

Your committee notes that on March 29, 2022, the Senate unanimously adopted a motion calling on the government to “consider, in the context of the review of the Official Languages Act, the addition of a requirement to submit, every 12 months, a report detailing the efforts made to comply with section 55 of the Constitution Act, 1982.” Several stakeholders argued in favour of this approach, pointing to the legal and constitutional basis for this proposal. Section 2 of the OLA and section 16(1) of the Charter confirm the principle of the equality of status and equal rights and privileges of English and French as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and government of Canada, and the underlying principle of the continuing advancement toward the equality of status and use of the two official languages.

Your committee calls on the federal government to implement the measures proposed in the Senate motion to support the advancement toward the equality of status of both official languages, by making sure that the Minister of Justice of Canada, respect section 55 of the Constitution Act, 1982, which states that all constitutional texts set out in the schedule to this Act must be drafted and adopted in French. Your committee also recommends that the federal government submit a report to the Senate and to the House of Commons every 12 months detailing the efforts made to ensure compliance with this section.

Discoverability of French in the Digital Space

At a time when the digital space is particularly dominated by American giants, your committee believes that the presence and discoverability of all works, creations and research of any kind in the French language are essential to fully ensure the perpetuity of the French fact in this country. Your committee therefore recommends that the federal government continue to take concrete initiatives to ensure the dissemination and discoverability of Canadian content in French.

Translation Bureau

Through its translation, interpretation and terminology activities, your committee notes the indispensable role played by the Translation Bureau in the vitality of Canada’s English and French linguistic communities and in the protection and promotion of our two official languages. Your committee encourages the federal government to strengthen the role of translation and interpretation functions within the federal administrative apparatus, notably the Translation Bureau.

Indigenous Languages

Indigenous peoples in Canada, with their unique histories and experiences, expect the Government of Canada to fulfill its commitments to them as set out and agreed to in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People Act, in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls for Action, in the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ Calls for Justice, and in the Indigenous Languages Act.

The OLA does not exist in a silo. Every piece of legislation passed by Canada’s Parliament is an opportunity for truth, reconciliation, and action, and for a departure from harmful colonial policies.

Some members maintain that with further amendments, Bill C-13 has the potential to advance reconciliation in Canada. However, your committee notes that, in the absence of substantial reform of the legal regime governing Indigenous languages, Indigenous peoples have little recourse or means to work towards the reclamation, revitalization and strengthening of Indigenous languages.

Indigenous languages are recognized in the Indigenous Languages Act and for the first time; they are also acknowledged in these proposed changes to the OLA. This is a small step in furthering reconciliation. Your committee believes it is important to recognize First Nation, Métis and Inuit languages as the first languages of the land.

Your committee notes that a lack of Indigenous representation in governmental and parliamentary bodies negatively impacts the development of legislation and the implementation of policies. Some members maintain that the Government of Canada should recognize the right of parliamentarians to use Indigenous languages in any debates and other proceedings of Parliament, for their words to be interpreted for Parliamentarians into English and French and reported in the Journals and other publications of Parliament. While parliamentarians are currently able to use Indigenous languages in Parliament, codifying this right would advance reconciliation and let Indigenous peoples in Canada know that their voices are valid and heard in our decision-making process.

We know that a diverse workforce with strong Indigenous representation means a stronger and more adaptable public service. Representatives from the Public Service Alliance of Canada provided testimony to your committee during its study on the subject matter of Bill C-13 regarding the important work that is being done by public servants across Canada, including in Indigenous communities, and that the federal government should lead by example and formally recognize the work of employees who use Indigenous languages in their day-to-day work. Some members maintain that the Government of Canada should explore administrative measures that would strengthen the ability of the public service to use Indigenous languages, including the development of an Indigenous language benefit for federal workers who speak an Indigenous language, and consider certain exemptions to the federal government’s bilingualism requirements should an employee speak one official language and another Indigenous language, in order to attract and retain more Indigenous workers in the public service.

Your committee notes that the Indigenous Languages Act requires the Minister responsible to conduct an independent review of the administration and operation of the Act within five years of its coming into force, and every five years after that. In the spirit of reconciliation and decolonization, your committee expects the federal government to meet — and exceed — minimum legal expectations in respecting the governance and self-determination rights of Canada’s Indigenous peoples.

The Honourable Senator Cormier moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Moncion, 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 Government Bills

A message was brought from the House of Commons with Bill C-41, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, to which it desires the concurrence of the Senate.

The bill was read the first time.

The Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson, 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.

Introduction and First Reading of Senate Public Bills

The Honourable Senator Ataullahjan introduced Bill S-267, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (aggravating circumstance — evacuation order or emergency).

The bill was read the first time.

The Honourable Senator Ataullahjan moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin, 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 Dean tabled the following:

Report of the Canada–United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association, Bilateral visit to the United Kingdom, London, England, and Belfast, Northern Ireland, from October 24 to 27, 2022.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1811.

Question Period

The Senate proceeded to Question Period.

Orders of the Day

Government Business

Motions

The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C.:

That:

1.at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, the Senate resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole in order to receive Ms. Harriet Solloway respecting her appointment as Public Sector Integrity Commissioner;

2.the Committee of the Whole report to the Senate no later than 65 minutes after it begins;

3.the witness’s introductory remarks last a maximum of five minutes; and

4.if a senator does not use the entire period of 10 minutes for debate provided under rule 12-31(3)(d), including the responses of the witness, that senator may yield the balance of time to another senator;

That, on June 14, 2023, during the Orders of the Day the Senate only deal with Government Business;

That, notwithstanding the order of September 21, 2022, on June 14, 2023:

1.the sitting continue beyond 4 p.m., if required, by up to the time taken for the Committee of the Whole to conduct its work; and

2.if a standing vote was deferred to that day, the bells only start to ring, for 15 minutes, at the earlier of the time that the Senate would otherwise adjourn or 5:15 p.m., with the vote taking place thereafter; and

That on June 14, 2023, committees scheduled to meet after 4 p.m. on government business have power to do so, even if the Senate is then sitting, with the provisions of rule 12-18(1) being suspended in relation thereto.

In amendment, the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson:

That the motion be amended:

1.by replacing the words “at 3 p.m. on” by the words “at the later of 3 p.m. or the start of the Orders of the Day on”;

2.by replacing the words “65 minutes” by the words “45 minutes”; and

3.by replacing the last paragraph by the following:

“That, once the Senate starts sitting on June 14, 2023, committees not meet until the earlier of 5 p.m. or 15 minutes after the adjournment of the Senate, provided that the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs have power to meet as of 5 p.m. if the Senate has not adjourned by that time, with the provisions of rule 12-18(1) being suspended in relation thereto.”.

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

The Senate resumed debate on the motion, as amended, of the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C.:

That:

1.at the later of 3 p.m. or the start of the Orders of the Day on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, the Senate resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole in order to receive Ms. Harriet Solloway respecting her appointment as Public Sector Integrity Commissioner;

2.the Committee of the Whole report to the Senate no later than 45 minutes after it begins;

3.the witness’s introductory remarks last a maximum of five minutes; and

4.if a senator does not use the entire period of 10 minutes for debate provided under rule 12-31(3)(d), including the responses of the witness, that senator may yield the balance of time to another senator;

That, on June 14, 2023, during the Orders of the Day the Senate only deal with Government Business;

That, notwithstanding the order of September 21, 2022, on June 14, 2023:

1.the sitting continue beyond 4 p.m., if required, by up to the time taken for the Committee of the Whole to conduct its work; and

2.if a standing vote was deferred to that day, the bells only start to ring, for 15 minutes, at the earlier of the time that the Senate would otherwise adjourn or 5:15 p.m., with the vote taking place thereafter; and

That, once the Senate starts sitting on June 14, 2023, committees not meet until the earlier of 5 p.m. or 15 minutes after the adjournment of the Senate, provided that the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs have power to meet as of 5 p.m. if the Senate has not adjourned by that time, with the provisions of rule 12-18(1) being suspended in relation thereto.

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

Bills – Second Reading

Second reading of Bill C-47, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 28, 2023.

The Honourable Senator Loffreda moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boehm, that the bill be read the second time.

Debate.

DEFERRED VOTES

At 5:30 p.m., pursuant to rule 9-10(2), the Senate proceeded to the taking of the deferred standing vote on the motion of the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson,

That, in relation to Bill S-5, An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, to make related amendments to the Food and Drugs Act and to repeal the Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Virtual Elimination Act, the Senate agree to the amendments made by the House of Commons; and

That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that house accordingly.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted on the following vote:

YEAS

The Honourable Senators

AndersonArnotAudetteBernardBoehmBonifaceBoyerBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoClementCordyCormierCotterCoyleDagenaisDalphondDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDupuisForestFrancisGalvezGerbaGignacGoldGreenwoodHarderJafferKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMassicotteMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneMoncionMoodieOmidvarOslerPatePatterson (Ontario)PetitclercPettenQuinnRavaliaRinguetteSaint-GermainSimonsSorensenTannasWooYussuff—59

NAYS

The Honourable Senators

AtaullahjanBattersBoisvenuCarignanHousakosMacDonaldMarshallMartinMocklerOhPatterson (Nunavut)PlettPoirierRichardsSeidmanSmithVernerWallinWells—19

ABSTENTIONS

The Honourable Senators

Nil

Bills – Second Reading

The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Loffreda, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boehm, for the second reading of Bill C-47, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 28, 2023.

After debate,

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted on the following vote:

YEAS

The Honourable Senators

AndersonArnotAudetteBoehmBonifaceBoyerBrazeauBureyBussonCardozoClementCordyCormierCotterCoyleDagenaisDaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDupuisForestFrancisGalvezGerbaGignacGoldGreenwoodHarderJafferKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMassicotteMégieMiville-DechêneMoncionMoodieOmidvarOslerPatePatterson (Nunavut)Patterson (Ontario)PetitclercPettenQuinnRavaliaRinguetteSaint-GermainSimonsSmithSorensenTannasVernerWallinWooYussuff—59

NAYS

The Honourable Senators

AtaullahjanBattersBoisvenuCarignanHousakosMacDonaldMarshallMartinMocklerOhPlettPoirierRichardsSeidmanWells—15

ABSTENTION

The Honourable Senator

McPhedran—1

Accordingly, Bill C-47 was read a second time.

The Honourable Senator Loffreda moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boehm, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance.

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


With leave of the Senate,

The Honourable Senator Wells moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Seidman:

That, notwithstanding any provision of the Rules, previous order or usual practice, if Bill C-234, An Act to amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, is adopted at second reading:

1.it stand referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry;

2.the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance be authorized to examine and report on the subject matter of the bill; and

3.the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry be authorized to take into account, during its consideration of the bill, any public documents and public evidence received by the committee authorized to study the subject matter of the bill, as well as any report from that committee to the Senate on the subject matter of the bill.

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

Orders of the Day

Government Business

Bills – Second Reading

Order No. 1 was 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 Boehm, for the second reading of Bill C-21, An Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments (firearms).

Debate.


Pursuant to rule 3-3(1), the Speaker left the Chair to resume the same at 8 p.m.

The sitting resumed.

WRITTEN DECLARATION OF ROYAL ASSENT

At 8 p.m., the Honourable the Speaker informed the Senate that the following communication had been received:

RIDEAU HALL

June 13, 2023

Madam Speaker,

I have the honour to inform you that on behalf and at the request of the Right Honourable Mary May Simon, Governor General of Canada, Christine MacIntyre, Deputy to the Governor General, signified royal assent by written declaration to the bill listed in the Schedule to this letter on the 13th day of June, 2023, at 6:09 p.m.

Yours sincerely,

Ryan McAdam

Director, Office of the Secretary to the Governor General

The Honourable

The Speaker of the Senate

Ottawa

Schedule

Bill Assented To

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, to make related amendments to the Food and Drugs Act and to repeal the Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Virtual Elimination Act (Bill S-5, Chapter 12, 2023)

Orders of the Day

Government Business

Bills – Second Reading

The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Yussuff, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boehm, for the second reading of Bill C-21, An Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments (firearms).

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Seidman, 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. 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Motions

Orders No. 1 and 110 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Inquiries

Orders No. 3, 4 and 5 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 – 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, 7 and 8 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Boniface, seconded by the Honourable Senator Hartling, for the second reading of Bill S-232, An Act respecting the development of a national strategy for the decriminalization of illegal substances, to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.

The Honourable Senator Woo moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Ringuette, 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. 10 and 11 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Bellemare, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dalphond, for the second reading of Bill S-244, An Act to amend the Department of Employment and Social Development Act and the Employment Insurance Act (Employment Insurance Council).

After debate,

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

The bill was then read the second time.

The Honourable Senator Dalphond moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Anderson, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology.

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

o o o

Order No. 13 was called and postponed until the next sitting.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Kutcher, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boehm, for the second reading of Bill S-251, An Act to repeal section 43 of the Criminal Code (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s call to action number 6).

After debate,

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

The bill was then read the second time.

The Honourable Senator Kutcher moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne, 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.

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Boisvenu, seconded by the Honourable Senator Seidman, for the second reading of Bill S-255, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (murder of an intimate partner, one’s own child or an intimate partner’s child).

The Honourable Senator Clement 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.

o o o

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

o o o

Second reading of Bill S-260, An Act respecting National Diffuse Midline Glioma Awareness Day.

The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Housakos, that the bill be read the second time.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Clement 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.


Ordered : That Order No. 1, under Senate Public Bills — Reports of Committees, be again called.

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Black, seconded by the Honourable Senator Patterson (Nunavut), for the adoption of the tenth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry (Bill S-236, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act and the Employment Insurance Regulations (Prince Edward Island), with a recommendation), presented in the Senate on May 17, 2023.

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

Senate Public Bills – Second Reading

Orders No. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Commons Public Bills – Second Reading

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

o o o

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Gagné, for the second reading of Bill C-232, An Act respecting Arab Heritage Month.

The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Seidman, 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

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Wells, seconded by the Honourable Senator Batters, for the second reading of Bill C-234, An Act to amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act.

DECLARATIONS OF PRIVATE INTERESTS

Pursuant to rule 15-7(1) and subsection 12(1) of the Ethics and Conflict of Interest Code for Senators, a declaration of private interest was made as follows:

The Honourable Senator Jaffer, respecting Bill C-234, An Act to amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, by oral declaration.

Other Business

Commons Public Bills – Second Reading

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Wells, seconded by the Honourable Senator Batters, for the second reading of Bill C-234, An Act to amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act.

After debate,

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

The bill was then read the second time.

(Pursuant to the order adopted earlier this day, the bill was deemed referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, and the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance is authorized to examine and report on the subject matter of the bill.)

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

Private Bills – Second Reading

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

Reports of Committees – Other

Orders No. 31, 33 and 40 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

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Consideration of the fifteenth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, entitled Doing What Works: Rethinking the Federal Framework for Suicide Prevention, deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on June 8, 2023.

The Honourable Senator Omidvar moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dean:

That the fifteenth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, entitled Doing What Works: Rethinking the Federal Framework for Suicide Prevention, deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on Thursday, June 8, 2023, 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 Mental Health and Addictions being identified as minister responsible for responding to the report, in consultation with the Minister of Health.

After debate,

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

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

Motions

Orders No. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 11 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

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Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator McCallum, seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources be authorized to examine and report on the cumulative positive and negative impacts of resource extraction and development, and their effects on environmental, economic and social considerations, when and if the committee is formed; and

That the committee submit its final report no later than December 31, 2022.

Ordered: That further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting, in the name of the Honourable Senator Wells.

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Orders No. 19, 30, 77, 82, 96, 113 and 119 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

Inquiries

Orders No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 10 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

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Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Woo, calling the attention of the Senate to the one hundredth anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Act, the contributions that Chinese Canadians have made to our country, and the need to combat contemporary forms of exclusion and discrimination faced by Canadians of Asian descent.

After debate,

The Honourable Senator Clement moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Saint-Germain, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.

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

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Orders No. 13 and 15 were called and postponed until the next sitting.

MOTIONS

Ordered: That consideration of Order No. 90 be postponed until the next sitting of the Senate.

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The Honourable Senator Dalphond moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cordy:

That the Senate acknowledge that Russian political prisoner Vladimir Kara-Murza — recipient of the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize, a Senior Fellow of the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights, and a friend of the Parliament of Canada — is an internationally recognized champion for human rights and democracy, whose wrongful imprisonment for dissenting against the unjust war in Ukraine is emblematic of thousands of political prisoners in Russia and around the world; and

That the Senate resolve to bestow the title “honorary Canadian citizen” on Vladimir Kara-Murza and call for his immediate release.

After debate,

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

ADJOURNMENT

The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C.:

That the Senate do now adjourn.

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

(Accordingly, at 11:30 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 administration of the Atlantic Fisheries Restructuring Act for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, pursuant to the Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-14, sbs. 8(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1800.

Report of the Minister’s Advisory Council, pursuant to the Impact Assessment Act, S.C. 2019, c. 28, s. 1 “118(2) and (4)”.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1801.

Interim Order No. 2 Respecting the Compulsory Pilotage Area of Belledune, pursuant to the Pilotage Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-14, sbs. 52.2(8).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1802.

Interim Order No. 2 Respecting the Compulsory Pilotage Area of Sheet Harbour, pursuant to the Pilotage Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-14, sbs. 52.2(8).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1803.

Report of the Canada Pension Plan, together with the Auditor General’s Report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, pursuant to the Canada Pension Plan Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-8, sbs. 117(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1804.

Summary of the Corporate Business Plan for 2023-24 to 2025-26 of the Canada Revenue Agency, pursuant to the Canada Revenue Agency Act, S.C. 1999, c. 17, sbs. 49(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1805.

Proposed Order Issuing Directions to the CRTC (Sustainable and Equitable Regulatory Framework for Broadcasting), pursuant to the Broadcasting Act, S.C. 1991, c. 11, sbs. 8(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1806.

Copy of the Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Ukraine) Regulations (P.C. 2023-536), pursuant to the Special Economic Measures Act, S.C. 1992, c. 17, sbs. 7(1).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1807.

Report of the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer entitled Fiscal Analysis of Canada’s Support for Volkswagen’s Electric Vehicle Battery Manufacturing Plant, pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-1, sbs. 79.2(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1808.

Annual Report of the Information Commissioner of Canada for the period ended March 31, 2023, pursuant to the Access to Information Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-1, s. 38.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1809.

Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5

Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry

The Honourable Senator Duncan was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (June 9, 2023).

Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources

The Honourable Senator McCallum replaced the Honourable Senator Greenwood (June 9, 2023).

Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans

The Honourable Senator Duncan was added to the membership (June 9, 2023).

Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights

The Honourable Senator Pate replaced the Honourable Senator Hartling (June 12, 2023).

Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs

The Honourable Senator Arnot was added to the membership (June 13, 2023).

The Honourable Senator Forest replaced the Honourable Senator Dupuis (June 13, 2023).

The Honourable Senator Jaffer was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (June 13, 2023).

The Honourable Senator Greenwood was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (June 12, 2023).

The Honourable Senator Busson was added to the membership (June 9, 2023).

The Honourable Senator Jaffer replaced the Honourable Senator Busson (June 9, 2023).

Standing Senate Committee on National Finance

The Honourable Senator Deacon (Ontario) replaced the Honourable Senator Duncan (June 13, 2023).

The Honourable Senator Duncan replaced the Honourable Senator Boehm (June 13, 2023).

The Honourable Senator Moncion was added to the membership (June 13, 2023).

The Honourable Senator Boehm replaced the Honourable Senator Duncan (June 9, 2023).

The Honourable Senator Forest replaced the Honourable Senator Moncion (June 9, 2023).

Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs

The Honourable Senator Boisvenu replaced the Honourable Senator Wells (June 12, 2023).

The Honourable Senator Wells replaced the Honourable Senator Boisvenu (June 12, 2023).

Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages

The Honourable Senator Dalphond replaced the Honourable Senator Gignac (June 13, 2023).

Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications

The Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., replaced the Honourable Senator Manning (June 12, 2023).

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