Journals of the Senate
70 Elizabeth II , A.D. 2021, Canada
2nd Session, 43rd Parliament
Issue 34 (Unrevised)
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
2 p.m.
The Honourable GEORGE J. FUREY, Speaker
The Members convened were:
The Honourable Senators
AndersonAtaullahjanBattersBellemareBernardBlack (Alberta)Black (Ontario)BoehmBoisvenuBonifaceBoveyBoyerBrazeauBussonCampbellCarignanChristmasCordyCormierCotterCoyleDagenaisDalphondDaskoDawsonDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuffyDuncanDupuisForestForest-NiesingFrancisFrumFureyGagnéGalvezGoldGreeneGriffinHarderHartlingHousakosJafferKeatingKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLankinLoffredaMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMarwahMassicotteMcCallumMcPhedranMégieMercerMiville-DechêneMocklerMoncionMoodieMunsonNgoOhOmidvarPatePattersonPetitclercPlettPoirierRavaliaRichardsRinguetteSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSmithStewart OlsenTannasWallinWellsWetstonWhiteWoo
The Members in attendance to business were:
The Honourable Senators
AndersonAtaullahjanBattersBellemareBernardBlack (Alberta)Black (Ontario)BoehmBoisvenuBonifaceBoveyBoyerBrazeauBussonCampbellCarignanChristmasCordyCormierCotterCoyleDagenaisDalphondDaskoDawsonDeacon (Nova Scotia)Deacon (Ontario)DeanDowneDuffyDuncanDupuisForestForest-NiesingFrancisFrumFureyGagnéGalvezGoldGreeneGriffinHarderHartlingHousakosJafferKeatingKlyneKutcherLaBoucane-BensonLankinLoffredaMacDonaldManningMarshallMartinMarwahMassicotteMcCallumMcPhedranMégieMercerMiville-DechêneMocklerMoncionMoodieMunsonNgoOhOmidvarPatePattersonPetitclercPlettPoirierRavaliaRichardsRinguetteSaint-GermainSeidmanSimonsSmithStewart OlsenTannasWallinWellsWetstonWhiteWoo
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 Furey tabled the following:
Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Parliament of Canada entitled Canada Emergency Response Benefit, pursuant to the Auditor General Act, R.S. 1985, c. A-17, sbs. 7(5).—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-692.
Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Parliament of Canada entitled Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, pursuant to the Auditor General Act, R.S. 1985, c. A-17, sbs. 7(5).—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-693.
Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Parliament of Canada entitled Pandemic Preparedness, Surveillance, and Border Control Measures, pursuant to the Auditor General Act, R.S. 1985, c. A-17, sbs. 7(5).—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-694.
Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Parliament of Canada entitled Investing in Canada Plan – Independent Auditor’s Report 2021, pursuant to the Auditor General Act, R.S. 1985, c. A-17, sbs. 7(5).—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-695.
Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees
The Honourable Senator Mercer, Chair of the Committee of Selection, presented the sixth report (interim) of the committee, entitled Committee Meeting Schedule.
(The report is printed as an appendix at pages 434-441 (available in print format PDF).)
(The HTML version of the report is available on the committee website.)
Ordered: That the report be placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration later this day at the beginning of Other Business.
Introduction and First Reading of Senate Public Bills
The Honourable Senator Martin introduced Bill S-230, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (granting citizenship to certain Canadians).
The bill was read the first time.
The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Plett, 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.
The Honourable Senator Boisvenu introduced Bill S-231, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to another Act (interim release and domestic violence recognizance orders).
The bill was read the first time.
The Honourable Senator Boisvenu moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Wells, 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.
The Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., introduced Bill S-232, An Act to amend the Governor General’s Act (retiring annuity and other benefits).
The bill was read the first time.
The Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Plett, 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 MacDonald tabled the following:
Report of the Canada–United States Inter-Parliamentary Group, 73nd Annual Meeting of the Council of State Governments – Western Legislative Conference, by videoconference, July 29-30, 2020.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-696.
Report of the Canada–United States Inter-Parliamentary Group, National Conference of State Legislators Base Camp, by videoconference, September 15-17, 2020.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-697.
The Honourable Senator Forest tabled the following:
Report of the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF), 46th Ordinary Session of the APF, by videoconference, from January 19 to 29, 2021.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-698.
Question Period
The Senate proceeded to Question Period.
Orders of the Day
Government Business
Bills – Second Reading
Second reading of Bill C-26, An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021.
The Honourable Senator Gagné moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.
The bill was then read the second time.
Third reading of Bill C-26, An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021.
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Gagné moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., that the bill be read for a third time.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.
The bill was then read 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.
Second reading of Bill C-27, An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022.
The Honourable Senator Gagné moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.
The bill was then read the second time.
Third reading of Bill C-27, An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022.
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Gagné moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., that the bill be read for a third time.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.
The bill was then read 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.
Reports of Committees – Other
Order No. 3 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Motions
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Gagné, seconded by the Honourable Senator Petitclerc:
That the following Address be presented to Her Excellency the Governor General of Canada:
To Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order of Canada, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Military Merit, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY:
We, Her Majesty’s most loyal and dutiful subjects, the Senate of Canada in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Excellency for the gracious Speech which Your Excellency has addressed to both Houses of Parliament.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Gagné moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Gagné moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson:
That, when the Senate next adjourns after the adoption of this motion, it do stand adjourned until Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at 2 p.m.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Other Business
Reports of Committees – Other
Consideration of the sixth report (interim) of the Committee of Selection, entitled Committee Meeting Schedule, presented in the Senate on March 30, 2021.
The Honourable Senator Mercer moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dalphond, that the report be adopted.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Motions
With leave of the Senate,
The Honourable Senator Woo moved, seconded by the Honourable Senators Gold, P.C., Plett, Tannas and Cordy:
That each standing committee be authorized to examine and report on issues relating to its respective mandate as set out in the relevant subsection of rule 12-7 and to submit its final report on its study under this order no later than June 23, 2021.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Ordered, That motion No. 78 standing in the name of the Honourable Senator Saint-Germain on the Notice Paper be brought forward.
The Honourable Senator Saint-Germain moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Woo:
That the Senate Policy on the Prevention and Resolution of Harassment in the Workplace adopted by the Senate in June 2009, and the 2019 interim process for the handling of harassment complaints currently in effect, be repealed upon the appointment of the designated recipient provided for in the new Senate Harassment and Violence Prevention Policy, provided that if that person is appointed before the adoption of this order, the 2009 policy be repealed upon the adoption of this order.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted, on division.
Senate Public Bills – Second Reading
Orders No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Second reading of Bill S-211, An Act to establish International Mother Language Day.
The Honourable Senator Jaffer moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Woo, that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Martin moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Wells, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 9, 10, 11 and 12 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne, seconded by the Honourable Senator Pate, for the second reading of Bill S-216, An Act to enact the Modern Slavery Act and to amend the Customs Tariff.
Debate.
Pursuant to rule 3-3(1) and the orders adopted by the Senate on October 27, 2020, and December 17, 2020, the Speaker left the Chair to resume the same at 7 p.m.
The sitting resumed.
WRITTEN DECLARATION OF ROYAL ASSENT
At 7 p.m., the Honourable the Speaker informed the Senate that the following communication had been received:
RIDEAU HALL
March 30, 2021
Mr. Speaker,
I have the honour to inform you that the Right Honourable Richard Wagner, Administrator of the Government of Canada, signified royal assent by written declaration to the bills listed in the Schedule to this letter on the 30th day of March, 2021, at 6:02 p.m.
Yours sincerely,
Ian McCowan
Secretary to the Governor General
The Honourable
The Speaker of the Senate
Ottawa
Schedule
Bills Assented To
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021 (Bill C-26, Chapter 4, 2021)
An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022 (Bill C-27, Chapter 5, 2021)
Other Business
Senate Public Bills – Second Reading
The Senate resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne, seconded by the Honourable Senator Pate, for the second reading of Bill S-216, An Act to enact the Modern Slavery Act and to amend the Customs Tariff.
After debate,
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The bill was then read the second time.
The Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boehm, that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Second reading of Bill S-227, An Act respecting a National Ribbon Skirt Day.
The Honourable Senator McCallum moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Galvez, that the bill be read the second time.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Forest-Niesing moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dasko, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 24 and 25 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Motions
Orders No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17 and 18 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Deacon (Ontario), for the Honourable Senator Lankin, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Pate:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, when and if it is formed, be authorized to examine and report on the future of workers in order to evaluate:
(a)how data and information on the gig economy in Canada is being collected and potential gaps in knowledge;
(b)the effectiveness of current labour protections for people who work through digital platforms and temporary foreign workers programs;
(c)the negative impacts of precarious work and the gig economy on benefits, pensions and other government services relating to employment; and
(d)the accessibility of retraining and skills development programs for workers;
That, in conducting this evaluation, the committee pay particular attention to the negative effects of precarious employment being disproportionately felt by workers of colour, new immigrant and Indigenous workers; and
That the committee submit its final report on this study to the Senate no later than September 30, 2022.
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.
Orders No. 29, 31, 33, 39 and 40 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator McCallum, seconded by the Honourable Senator McPhedran:
That the Senate of Canada call on the federal government to adopt anti-racism as the sixth pillar of the Canada Health Act, prohibiting discrimination based on race and affording everyone the equal right to the protection and benefit of the law.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Pate moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Galvez, that further debate on the motion be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Order No. 43 was called and postponed until the next sitting.
Inquiries
Orders No. 1 and 2 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Seidman, calling the attention of the Senate to weaknesses within Canada’s long-term care system, which have been exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Omidvar moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dasko, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Orders No. 7 and 9 were called and postponed until the next sitting.
Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Omidvar, calling the attention of the Senate to the link between Canada’s past, present and future prosperity and its deep connection to immigration.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Woo moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dasko, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Cordy, calling the attention of the Senate to the career of former senator the Honourable Lillian Eva Dyck.
After debate,
The Honourable Senator Duncan moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dasko, that further debate on the inquiry be adjourned until the next sitting.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
MOTIONS
The Honourable Senator Cormier moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Woo:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages be authorized to study and to report on the application of the Official Languages Act and of the regulations and directives made under it, within those institutions subject to the Act;
That the committee also be authorized to study the reports and documents published by the Minister of Canadian Heritage, the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, the President of the Treasury Board and the Commissioner of Official Languages, and any other subject concerning official languages;
That the documents received, evidence heard and business accomplished on this subject by the committee since the beginning of the First Session of the Forty-second Parliament be referred to the committee; and
That the committee submit its final report no later than December 17, 2021, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report.
ADJOURNMENT
At 9 p.m., pursuant to the orders adopted by the Senate on October 27, 2020, and December 17, 2020, the Senate adjourned until Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at 2 p.m.
DOCUMENTS DEPOSITED WITH THE CLERK OF THE SENATE PURSUANT TO RULE 14-1(7)
Government response, dated March 30, 2021, to the fourth report of the Special Committee on the Arctic, entitled Northern Lights: A Wake-Up Call for the Future of Canada, tabled in the Senate on June 11, 2019, during the First Session of the Forty-second Parliament.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-699S.
Government response, dated March 30, 2021, to the first report of the Special Senate Committee on the Charitable Sector, entitled Catalyst for Change: A Roadmap to a Stronger Charitable Sector, deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on June 20, 2019, during the First Session of the Forty-second Parliament.—Sessional Paper No. 2/43-700S.
Changes in Membership of Committees Pursuant to Rule 12-5
Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration
The Honourable Senator Patterson replaced the Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C. (March 30, 2021).
Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
The Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., replaced the Honourable Senator Frum (March 29, 2021).
Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology
The Honourable Senator Frum replaced the Honourable Senator Plett (March 29, 2021).