Journals of the Senate
2 Charles III , A.D. 2023, Canada
1st Session, 44th Parliament
Issue 147 (Unrevised)
Thursday, October 5, 2023
2 p.m.
The Honourable RAYMONDE GAGNÉ, Speaker
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
AndersonArnotBattersBellemareBlackBoehmBonifaceBrazeauBureyBussonClementCordyCormierDagenaisDalphondDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDuncanDupuisForestFrancisGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGoldGreeneGreenwoodHarderHartlingHousakosJafferKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldManningMartinMassicotteMcCallumMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneMoncionOhOmidvarOslerPatePatterson (Nunavut)PettenPlettProsperQuinnRavaliaRichardsRinguetteSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSmithSorensenTannasVernerWallinWellsWhiteWooYussuff
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
AndersonArnot*AtaullahjanBattersBellemareBlackBoehm*BoisvenuBonifaceBrazeauBureyBussonClementCordyCormierDagenaisDalphond*DaskoDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDuncanDupuisForestFrancisGagnéGalvezGerbaGignacGoldGreeneGreenwoodHarderHartlingHousakosJafferKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMacDonaldManningMartinMassicotteMcCallumMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneMoncion*MoodieOhOmidvarOslerPatePatterson (Nunavut)*Patterson (Ontario)PettenPlettProsperQuinnRavaliaRichardsRinguetteSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSmithSorensenTannasVernerWallinWellsWhiteWooYussuff
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
Tributes
Tribute was paid to the memory of the Honourable Pat Carney, P.C., former senator, whose death occurred on July 25, 2023.
The Senate observed a minute of silence in memory of the late Honourable Pat Carney.
Senators’ Statements
Some Honourable Senators made statements.
Question Period
The Senate proceeded to Question Period.
Delayed Answers
Pursuant to rule 4-10(2), the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson tabled the following:
Reply to Question No. 19, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding the Canada Child Benefit — Auditor General.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1957S.
Reply to Question No. 196, dated January 31, 2023, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding the processing of disability benefits at Veterans Affairs Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1958S.
Reply to Question No. 197, dated January 31, 2023, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding Veterans Affairs Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1959S.
Reply to Question No. 213, dated March 8, 2023, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding Veteran Affairs Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1960S.
Reply to Question No. 235, dated June 8, 2023, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., regarding illegal transportation of waste overseas.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1961S.
The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson tabled the following:
Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on November 15, 2022, by the Honourable Senator Gignac, concerning real return bonds.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1962S.
Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on March 21, 2023, by the Honourable Senator Deacon (Nova Scotia), concerning the Competition Policy.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1963S.
Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on May 2, 2023, by the Honourable Senator Dagenais, concerning contract negotiations.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1964S.
Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on May 4, 2023, by the Honourable Senator Boisvenu, concerning the prevention of violence against women.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1965S.
Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on May 17, 2023, by the Honourable Senator Simons, concerning the Canadian Wildland Fire Strategy — Natural Resources Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1966S.
Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on May 17, 2023, by the Honourable Senator Simons, concerning the Canadian Wildland Fire Strategy — Environment and Climate Change Canada.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1967S.
Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on June 21, 2023, by the Honourable Senator Boisvenu, concerning Arctic sovereignty.—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1968S.
Orders of the Day
Government Business
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
Order No. 1 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson, seconded by the Honourable Senator Duncan:
That, notwithstanding any provision of the Rules, previous order, or usual practice, until the end of the day on June 30, 2024, any joint committee be authorized to hold hybrid meetings, with the provisions of the order of February 10, 2022, concerning such meetings, having effect; and
That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that house accordingly.
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 negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
BattersHousakosMacDonaldMartinOhSeidmanWells—7
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
AndersonArnotBellemareBlackBoehmBonifaceBureyBussonClementCormierDagenaisDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanForestFrancisGalvezGerbaGoldGreeneHarderHartlingKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLoffredaMacAdamMcCallumMcPhedranMégieMiville-DechêneMoncionOmidvarPatePatterson (Nunavut)PettenProsperRavaliaSaint-GermainSimonsSorensenVernerWhiteWooYussuff—45
ABSTENTIONS
The Honourable Senators
Nil
The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson, seconded by the Honourable Senator Duncan:
That, notwithstanding any provision of the Rules, previous order, or usual practice, until the end of the day on June 30, 2024, any joint committee be authorized to hold hybrid meetings, with the provisions of the order of February 10, 2022, concerning such meetings, having effect; and
That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that house accordingly.
The question was put on the motion.
Pursuant to rule 9-10(2), a standing vote was deferred until 5:30 p.m. at the next sitting, with the bells to sound at 5:15 p.m. for fifteen minutes.
The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C.:
That, when the Senate next adjourns after the adoption of this motion, it do stand adjourned until Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at 2 p.m.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Inquiries
Orders No. 3, 4 and 5 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Other Business
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 and 5 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Ordered: That consideration of Order No. 6 be postponed until the next sitting of the Senate.
Orders No. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Ordered: That consideration of Order No. 14 be postponed until the next sitting of the Senate.
Orders No. 15 and 16 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Second reading of Bill S-261, An Act respecting non-disclosure agreements.
The Honourable Senator McPhedran moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator McCallum, that the bill be read the second time.
The Honourable Senator McPhedran moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator McCallum, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Second reading of Bill S-262, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (Oath of Citizenship).
The Honourable Senator Omidvar moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Ravalia, that the bill be read the second time.
The Honourable Senator Omidvar moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Clement, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Ordered: That consideration of Order No. 19 be postponed until the next sitting of the Senate.
Orders No. 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Commons Public Bills – Second Reading
Orders No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 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, 40, 48, 49, 51, 52, 53 and 54 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Motions
Orders No. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 19, 30, 68 and 77 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Tannas, seconded by the Honourable Senator Osler:
That the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs be authorized to examine and report on the operation, applicability, and functionality of the Emergencies Act in a modern context, as well as the robustness of parliamentary supervision it provides for and its interaction with the rules and procedures of the Senate; and
That the committee submit its final report no later than September 28, 2023.
The Honourable Senator Patterson (Nunavut) moved, for the Honourable Senator Tannas, seconded by the Honourable Senator Verner, P.C., that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 96, 107, 113 and 131 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Boehm, seconded by the Honourable Senator Arnot:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade be authorized to examine and report on Canada’s interests and engagement in Africa, and other related matters;
That the committee submit its final report no later than December 31, 2024;
That the committee have permission, notwithstanding usual practices, to deposit reports on this study with the Clerk of the Senate if the Senate is not then sitting, and that the reports be deemed to have been tabled in the Senate; and
That the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report.
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.
Inquiries
Orders No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11 and 12 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Klyne, calling the attention of the Senate to the ongoing business and economic contributions made by Indigenous businesses to Canada’s economy.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Clement moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Woo, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Order No. 15 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
INQUIRIES
The Honourable Senator Black called the attention of the Senate to the ongoing concerns with respect to Canadian agricultural, wetland, and forest land reallotments, as well as potential food, economic, and social insecurities as a result of reduced capacity for farming, pasture, forestry, and food production both domestically and internationally.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Burey moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Patterson (Nunavut), 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 Gold, P.C.:
That the Senate do now adjourn.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
(Accordingly, at 4:59 p.m., the Senate was continued until Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at 2 p.m.)
DOCUMENTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO RULE 14-1(7)
Reports of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada for the reporting year 2022-23, pursuant to the Access to Information Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-1, sbs. 94(2) and to the Privacy Act, R.S.C. 1985, P-21, sbs. 72(2).—Sessional Paper No. 1/44-1956.
Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5
Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy
The Honourable Senator Marshall replaced the Honourable Senator Wells (October 5, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Deacon (Nova Scotia) replaced the Honourable Senator Smith (October 5, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Wells replaced the Honourable Senator Marshall (October 4, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Petten was added to the membership (October 4, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Saint-Germain was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (October 4, 2023).
Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples
The Honourable Senator Audette was added to the membership (October 5, 2023).
The Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson was removed from the membership of the committee, substitution pending (October 5, 2023).
The Honourable Senator Coyle replaced the Honourable Senator Boniface (October 5, 2023).
Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
The Honourable Senator Arnot replaced the Honourable Senator Dupuis (October 5, 2023).