DOCSLIB.ORG

Debates of the Senate

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Debates of the Senate CANADA Debates of the Senate 1st SESSION . 38th PARLIAMENT . VOLUME 142 . NUMBER 61 OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Tuesday, May 17, 2005 ^ THE HONOURABLE DANIEL HAYS SPEAKER CONTENTS (Daily index of proceedings appears at back of this issue). Debates and Publications: Chambers Building, Room 943, Tel. 996-0193 Published by the Senate Available from PWGSC ± Publishing and Depository Services, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0S5. Also available on the Internet: http://www.parl.gc.ca 1279 THE SENATE Tuesday, May 17, 2005 The Senate met at 2 p.m., the Speaker in the chair. Her interest in our country is shared by other members of the Royal Family who have been in attendance with her and have Prayers. undertaken their own visits to significant cultural and historical events in Canada. From May 31 to June 8, Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, will also be visiting Canada. VISITORS IN THE GALLERY The Canadian people have always held the Queen in the highest The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, before proceeding regard for her continued personal interest in our welfare and to Senators' Statements, I would like to draw your attention to prosperity. We have close ties with this monarchy that have been the presence in the gallery of His Excellency Dr. Saleh Abdullah strengthened by the hardship of war endured by both countries Bin Hemeid, President of the Shura Council of the Kingdom of and the shared values that are so integral to our nation. It should Saudi Arabia. He is accompanied by seven members of the Majlis be noted that Prince Philip was an active member of the military Al Shura, and by the Saudi ambassador to Canada, Mohammed during World War II. Both Prince Charles and Prince Andrew Al-Hussaini. have military training, and with Prince Harry the tradition continues. This is particularly significant as Canada celebrates Welcome to the Senate of Canada. this year as the Year of the Veteran. Hon. Noël A. Kinsella (Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, on behalf of the opposition in the Senate of Canada, I wish to associate my colleagues and myself with the words of SENATORS' STATEMENTS welcome expressed by the Leader of the Government in the Senate to Her Majesty and Prince Philip on their visit to Canada. HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE PHILIP, Our country has been blessed by having Her Majesty and other DUKE OF EDINBURGH members of the Royal Family always prepared to demonstrate in such exemplary fashion what duty and public service is all about and to do so with great dignity. WELCOME TO CANADA Hon. Jack Austin (Leader of the Government): Honourable I know that my colleagues from the other place, particularly the senators, on behalf of the Senate of Canada, I am pleased to members of Parliament from the province of Saskatchewan and welcome to Canada today Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition, will also be in His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. Saskatchewan to more personally welcome Her Majesty. The Royal Party will arrive in Regina, Saskatchewan this ATLANTIC INSTITUTE FOR MARKET STUDIES afternoon and will be met by Prime Minister Paul Martin and Ms. Martin. The Royal Party will visit Saskatchewan and Alberta from May 17 to May 25 in order to take part in events to CONGRATULATIONS ON RECEIVING THE TEMPLETON celebrate the centennial of the two provinces' entry into FREEDOM AWARD FOR INSTITUTE EXCELLENCE Confederation. This is the third visit of Her Majesty and Prince Philip to Saskatchewan and Alberta. They also toured the Hon. Terry M. Mercer: Honourable senators, the Atlantic provinces in 1973 and 1977. Institute for Market Studies, AIMS, is an independent economic and social policy think tank based out of Halifax, Nova Scotia. As the first dominion within the British Empire and the first As a federally incorporated non-profit organization, it is country to join the Commonwealth in 1867, Canada has been supported by contributions from individuals, corporations, especially fortunate to benefit from the traditions of the British foundations and other organizations. AIMS embodies a monarchy. The history of Canada has evolved under the aegis of distinctive Atlantic Canadian voice by initiating and conducting the British monarchy, which has bequeathed us a gift of research on emerging economic and public policy issues facing incalculable value, the Westminster model of Parliament, Atlantic Canadians and indeed all Canadians. perhaps the most successful form of government for providing effective democracy and accommodating civil debate. Honourable senators, AIMS is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. It is fitting that it has again received international The Queen has been in attendance at celebrations marking the recognition for the excellence of its work with the awarding of the centenary of the entry into Confederation by Manitoba, British 2005 Templeton Freedom Award for Institute Excellence. Columbia and Prince Edward Island, as well as the centennial of the Northwest Territories. As Princess Elizabeth, she and Prince The Templeton Freedom Awards Program celebrates the Philip first came to Canada in October 1951 and have since outstanding work of the top non-profit research institutes and returned over 20 times. She has presided over the opening of the their contribution to policy issues. More than 200 think tanks in St. Lawrence Seaway, the patriation of our Constitution and the 67 countries are eligible for the Templeton Awards, and AIMS is creation of Nunavut. the only institute in North America to be honoured this year. 1280 SENATE DEBATES May 17, 2005 The award includes a grant of US $10,000 and was presented at Honourable senators, I welcome my dear friend to the Senate the end of April in Miami, Florida during the Liberty Forum of chamber. I am very happy that he has at long last come to visit us the Atlas Economic Research Foundation. This forum is an in Canada. annual event that attracts influential policy and thought leaders from around the world. BRITISH COLUMBIA Honourable senators, I take this opportunity to extend my VANCOUVER—ST. JAMES COMMUNITY SERVICES sincere congratulations to AIMS President Brian Lee Crowley, as SOCIETY ART PROGRAM—EXHIBIT IN SENATE FOYER well as to the members of the board of directors, including such distinguished Haligonians as David Mann, George Cooper, Dr. Colin Dodds and Bill Mingo. I am sure all senators will Hon. Mobina S. B. Jaffer: Honourable senators, I rise to tell join me in celebrating the ongoing domestic and international you about an art exhibition, entitled ``Moving Beyond our success of an important voice for Atlantic Canada. Challenges,'' that I am honoured to be hosting today and tomorrow in the Senate foyer. (1410) As an honorary patron of St. James Community Services Society, I have personally seen the challenges faced by many of the artists and individuals helped by St. James. RELATIONS WITH SAUDI ARABIA St. James is an organization in the downtown east side of Hon. Marcel Prud'homme: Honourable senators, I would like to Vancouver that strives to provide support for people who face join with the Leader of the Government in the Senate in multiple challenges in life, including mental illnesses such as welcoming Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, schizophrenia, while recognizing the need to help each individual and Prince Philip. I have pledged allegiance to her 16 times. I am they serve to see their own value as a person. The art program still very happy to show my loyalty by repeating that she is at allows these individuals to overcome their challenges and express home here. I hope Canadians will treat her as she deserves. themselves in art. Honourable senators, I know you are firm believers that a little I was made a member of the Queen's Privy Council by her own recognition goes a long way in helping people to overcome their hand. Not many senators in this chamber can claim that challenges. We all face challenges, but many of the artists featured distinction. Having said that, I wish her a good time and here have and continue to overcome more than their share of happiness. challenges. Earlier, His Honour introduced the Saudi Arabian delegation To help honourable senators understand the challenges faced, of the Shura and the head of the Shura Council. Theirs is a return I would like to share with you the story of Carmen. She moved visit, at long last, following a trip to Saudi Arabia made by into Victory House, a safe home for 48 residents with chronic a delegation of this chamber from January 18 to 25, 2001, mental illness, in 1998. She had been living on the streets and in accompanied by our beloved former Speaker Gildas Molgat. various downtown east side hotels in the worst part of Vancouver. Her diagnosis was schizophrenia and her symptoms were self- neglect, belligerence, poor compliance with medications and I had the honour of visiting Saudi Arabia in 1993, 2000 and yelling at night. For these reasons, she was constantly being 2001. I believe strongly that we must continue the dialogue with kicked out of her accommodations. our friends from around the world, Saudi Arabia being one such friend. We must share with them our own experiences, not tell In her first days at Victory House, Carmen would walk the them what to do. streets during the day, waiting for bread and soup in the food line-ups. She would refuse to take her medication and would not I remember the inception of the Shura in 1980 with its 30 seats, socialize. It took about two years to slowly build up a relationship and since then it has grown in stature.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 6 CHAPTER III the FACTUAL BACKGROUND 19. This Chapter
    6 CHAPTER III THE FACTUAL BACKGROUND 19. This chapter sets out the backgroundto the 1964Stanfieldproposal,the context in which it occurred and the subsequenthistory of discussionsrelating to the "Stanfield line." 20. This factual backgroundis based on infonnation availableto Newfoundland and Labrador from sources in the National Archivesof Canada,from provincial archives and from other government sources. There has not been any general discoveryof documents between the parties. 21. What was in issue at the time of the Stanfieldproposal and later was not the division of resource revenuesbetween Canadaand the Atlantic Provinces,or even the management of explorationand development,butthe rightto fullownershipandjurisdiction ofthe offshore and its mineral resources. It was in the context of attempts to have Canada recognize provincial ownership andjurisdiction of the offshore and its resources that interprovincial boundaries were discussed. I. The ConstitutionalFramework 22. At Confederation in 1867, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the Province of Canada (consistingofOntarioandQuebec)joined to fonn the DominionofCanada. Later,Manitoba (1870), British Columbia (1871), Prince Edward Island (1873), Alberta (1905) and Saskatchewan (1905) joined the Union. In 1949, Newfoundland and Labrador became the tenth province. 23. Under the Constitution Act, 1867, the federal government had a number of specific powers relating to the offshore: including the power to pass laws in relation to trade and commerce; 7 militia,militaryandnavalserviceanddefence;beacons,buoys,lighthousesandSableIsland; navigation and shipping; and sea coast and inland fisheries.9 24. Neither the territorial limits of the provinces in respect of the offshore nor interprovincial offshore boundaries were set out in the Constitution. 25. The ConstitutionAct, 1867didnotprovideforextendingorchangingprovincialboundaries. This was correctedby section3 ofthe ConstitutionAct, 1871underwhich Parliament could alter provincial boundaries with the consent of the legislaturesof the provinces affected.
    [Show full text]
  • Debates of the Senate
    CANADA Debates of the Senate 3rd SESSION . 37th PARLIAMENT . VOLUME 141 . NUMBER 23 OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Wednesday, March 24, 2004 ^ THE HONOURABLE DAN HAYS SPEAKER CONTENTS (Daily index of proceedings appears at back of this issue). Debates and Publications: Chambers Building, Room 943, Tel. 996-0193 Published by the Senate Available from Communication Canada ± Canadian Government Publishing, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0S9. Also available on the Internet: http://www.parl.gc.ca 583 THE SENATE Wednesday, March 24, 2004 The Senate met at 1:30 p.m., the Speaker in the Chair. I first encountered Senator Graham when, in 1964, we were serving as executive assistants to ministers in the Pearson Prayers. government, he to the Honourable Allan MacEachen and I to the Honourable Arthur Laing. Both those ministers eventually became senators. We knew Senator Graham then as ``Big Al,'' SENATORS' STATEMENTS and so he has remained; always working for Cape Breton, for the Liberal Party and for a tolerant and balanced world society based on the intrinsic value of the individual. TRIBUTES By any standard, Senator Graham has made an outsized THE HONOURABLE B. ALASDAIR GRAHAM contribution. The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I have received a letter from the Honourable Senator Austin, Leader of the Hon. Senators: Hear, hear! Government in the Senate, pursuant to rule 22(10), requesting that additional time be provided for Senators' Statements today Hon. John Lynch-Staunton (Leader of the Opposition): for purposes of paying tribute to our soon to be retired colleague, Honourable senators, it is very tempting on this occasion to the Honourable Senator Graham.
    [Show full text]
  • Canada and the Middle East Today: Electoral Politics and Foreign Policy
    CANADA AND THE MIDDLE EAST TODAY: ELECTORAL POLITICS AND FOREIGN POLICY Donald Barry Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper came to power in 2006 with little experience in foreign affairs but with a well developed plan to transform his minority Conservative administration into a majority government replacing the Liberals as Canada’s “natural governing party.”1 Because his party’s core of Anglo-Protestant supporters was not large enough to achieve this goal, Harper appealed to non- traditional Conservatives, including Jews, on the basis of shared social values. His efforts were matched by those of Jewish leaders and the government of Israel to win the backing of the government and its followers in the face of declining domestic support for Israel and the rise of militant Islamic fundamentalism. These factors accelerated a change in Canada’s Middle East policy that began under Prime Minister Paul Martin, from a carefully balanced stance to one that overwhelm- ingly favors Israel. Harper’s “pro-Israel politics,” Michelle Collins observes, has “won the respect—and support—of a large segment of Canada’s organized Jewish community.”2 However, it has isolated Canada from significant shifts in Middle East diplomacy and marginalized its ability to play a constructive role in the region. Harper and the Jewish Vote When he became leader of the Canadian Alliance party, which merged with the Progressive Conservatives to form the Conservative Party of Canada in 2004, Tom Flanagan says that Harper realized “The traditional Conservative base of Anglophone Protestants [was] too narrow to win modern Canadian elections.”3 In a speech to the conservative organization Civitas, in 2003, Harper argued that the only way to achieve power was to focus not on the tired wish list of economic conservatives or “neo-cons,” as they’d become known, but on what he called “theo-cons”—those social conservatives who care passionately about hot-button issues that turn on family, crime, and defense.
    [Show full text]
  • Collection: Green, Max: Files Box: 42
    Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Digital Library Collections This is a PDF of a folder from our textual collections. Collection: Green, Max: Files Folder Title: Briefing International Council of the World Conference on Soviet Jewry 05/12/1988 Box: 42 To see more digitized collections visit: https://reaganlibrary.gov/archives/digital-library To see all Ronald Reagan Presidential Library inventories visit: https://reaganlibrary.gov/document-collection Contact a reference archivist at: [email protected] Citation Guidelines: https://reaganlibrary.gov/citing National Archives Catalogue: https://catalog.archives.gov/ WITHDRAWAL SHEET Ronald Reagan Library Collection Name GREEN, MAX: FILES Withdrawer MID 11/23/2001 File Folder BRIEFING INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL & THE WORLD FOIA CONFERENCE ON SOVIET JEWRY 5/12/88 F03-0020/06 Box Number THOMAS 127 DOC Doc Type Document Description No of Doc Date Restrictions NO Pages 1 NOTES RE PARTICIPANTS 1 ND B6 2 FORM REQUEST FOR APPOINTMENTS 1 5/11/1988 B6 Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)] B-1 National security classified Information [(b)(1) of the FOIA) B-2 Release would disclose Internal personnel rules and practices of an agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA) B-3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA) B-4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial Information [(b)(4) of the FOIA) B-8 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted Invasion of personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA) B-7 Release would disclose Information compiled for law enforcement purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA) B-8 Release would disclose Information concerning the regulation of financial Institutions [(b)(B) of the FOIA) B-9 Release would disclose geological or geophysical Information concerning wells [(b)(9) of the FOIA) C.
    [Show full text]
  • Debates of the Senate
    CANADA Debates of the Senate 3rd SESSION . 37th PARLIAMENT . VOLUME 141 . NUMBER 3 OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Wednesday, February 4, 2004 ^ THE HONOURABLE DAN HAYS SPEAKER CONTENTS (Daily index of proceedings appears at back of this issue). Debates and Publications: Chambers Building, Room 943, Tel. 996-0193 Published by the Senate Available from Communication Canada ± Canadian Government Publishing, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0S9. Also available on the Internet: http://www.parl.gc.ca 36 THE SENATE Wednesday, February 4, 2004 The Senate met at 1:30 p.m., the Speaker in the Chair. I was impressed with the way the Prime Minister handled himself when he was the Minister of Finance. He was always responsive when I called. For the first time, during the leadership Prayers. campaign, he spoke about Western alienation being a real concern and said he was planning to do something about it. I went to him and told him that I appreciated his intentions, liked SENATORS' STATEMENTS what he was saying and wanted to help. He said that the best way to help would be to join his team. THE HONOURABLE EDWARD M. LAWSON Senator Austin, Senator St. Germain and I have worked on a number of files about creating and saving jobs in British WELCOME TO LIBERAL CAUCUS Columbia. I think that I can accomplish more as part of the Liberal team than I could as an independent, although I will miss sitting alongside my golfing partner, Senator St. Germain. Hon. Jack Austin (Leader of the Government): Honourable senators, it gives me great pleasure to advise the Senate that British Columbia has a new Liberal senator as of today: Senator Hon.
    [Show full text]
  • Debates of the Senate
    CANADA Debates of the Senate 3rd SESSION . 37th PARLIAMENT . VOLUME 141 . NUMBER 6 OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Wednesday, February 11, 2004 ^ THE HONOURABLE DAN HAYS SPEAKER CONTENTS (Daily index of proceedings appears at back of this issue). Debates and Publications: Chambers Building, Room 943, Tel. 996-0193 Published by the Senate Available from Communication Canada ± Canadian Government Publishing, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0S9. Also available on the Internet: http://www.parl.gc.ca 112 THE SENATE Wednesday, February 11, 2004 The Senate met at 1:30 p.m., the Speaker in the Chair. I had the privilege and great pleasure of knowing Robert Stanfield for many years. His warmth and folksiness were Prayers. legendary, as was the huge, compassionate heart of this independently wealthy Red Tory. SENATORS' STATEMENTS Today I want to reflect on the late Dalton Camp's oft-quoted comment that Robert Stanfield ``may be too good for politics.'' TRIBUTES That reflection was, with the greatest respect to Dalton, inaccurate. THE LATE RIGHT HONOURABLE ROBERT L. STANFIELD, P.C., Q.C. Tough-minded, disciplined and possessed of remarkable intellectual flexibility, the man who became an icon in my The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to advise province brought civility, honour and a new respect for the that I have received, pursuant to our rules, a letter from the political playing field, yet he was also a gifted tactician and a Honourable Senator Lynch-Staunton, Leader of the Opposition masterful strategist in battle. There is a great deal of credence in in the Senate, requesting that we provide for time this afternoon the very worthy observation that Robert Stanfield bore a for tributes to the Right Honourable Robert L.
    [Show full text]
  • View the BU-CWD Workshop Agenda
    China-West Dialogue, Boston University GDP Center China-West Relations: The Search for a 21st Century Global Order The Nexus between Systemic Tensions over Modalities of Governance, Forms of Capitalism, and the Global Order Friday March 20, 2020 I. Introduction and Overview Welcome and Overview: The Nexus of Politics, Economics, Social Inclusion and the Global Order Kevin P. Gallagher, Director, Global Development Policy Center, Boston 9:00 am – 9:10 am University Colin Bradford*, Nonresident Senior Fellow of the Global Economy and Development Program, Brookings Institution; VISION20 (V20) Co-Chair Introduction: The Future of Global Governance 9:10 am – 9:15 am The Right Honorable Paul Martin, former Prime Minister of Canada 9:15 am – 9:40 am Open Discussion Tour d’Table: Current Global Heath and Economic Crisis: What 9:40 am – 10:20 am Response? II. “Mixed Economy Pluralism” and “New Political Dynamics” Chair: Colin Bradford*, Nonresident Senior Fellow of the Global Economy and Development Program, Brookings Institution Johannes Linn*, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Global Economy and Development Program, Brookings Institution; Distinguished Resident Scholar of the Emerging Markets Forum Sandra Polaski, Senior Research Fellow, Global Economic Governance Initiative. Global Development Policy Center, Boston University 10:20 am – 11:00 am Sergio Bitar, former Minister of Mines, Education, and Public Works; Chilean Senator and President of the Party for Democracy (PPD) Kerry Brown, Professor of Chinese Studies, Kings College London Nicolas Véron*,
    [Show full text]
  • C-6 CANADA YEAR BOOK the Hon. Hedard Robichaud, April 22, 1963
    C-6 CANADA YEAR BOOK The Hon. Hedard Robichaud, April 22, 1963 The Hon. Leonard Stephen Marchand, The Hon. Roger Teillet, April 22, 1963 September 15, 1976 The Hon. Charies Mills Drury, April 22, 1963 The Hon. John Roberts, September 15, 1976 The Hon. Maurice Sauve, February 3, 1964 The Hon. Monique Begin, September 15, 1976 The Hon. Yvon Dupuis, February 3, 1964 The Hon. Jean-Jacques Blais, September 15, 1976 The Hon. Edgar John Benson, June 29, 1964 The Hon. Francis Fox, September 15, 1976 The Hon. Leo Alphonse Joseph Cadieux, The Hon. Anthony Chisholm Abbott, February 15, 1965 September 15, 1976 The Hon. Lawrence T. Pennell, July 7, 1965 The Hon. lona Campagnolo, September 15, 1976 The Hon. Jean-Luc Pepin, July 7, 1965 The Hon. Joseph-Philippe Guay, November 3, 1976 The Hon. Alan Aylesworth Macnaughton, The Hon. John Henry Horner, April 21, 1977 October 25, 1965 The Hon. Norman A. Cafik, September 16, 1977 The Hon. Jean Marchand, December 18, 1965 The Hon. J. Gilles Lamontagne, January 19, 1978 The Hon. Joseph Julien Jean-Pierre Cote, The Hon. John M. Reid, November 24, 1978 December 18, 1965 The Hon. Pierre De Bane, November 24, 1978 TheRt. Hon. John Napier Turner, December 18, 1965 The Rt. Hon. Charles Joseph (Joe) Clark, June 4, 1979 The Rt. Hon. Pierre Elliott Trudeau, April 4, 1967 The Hon. Flora Isabel MacDonald, June 4, 1979 The Hon. Joseph-Jacques-Jean Chretien, April 4, 1967 The Hon. James A. McGrath, June 4, 1979 The Hon. Pauline Vanier, April II, 1967 The Hon.
    [Show full text]
  • The Liberal Third Option
    The Liberal Third Option: A Study of Policy Development A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in Partial Fuliiment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Political Science University of Regina by Guy Marsden Regina, Saskatchewan September, 1997 Copyright 1997: G. W. Marsden 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington Ottawa ON KI A ON4 Ottawa ON KIA ON4 Canada Canada Your hie Votre rdtérence Our ME Notre référence The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé une licence non exclusive licence allowing the exclusive permettant à la National Library of Canada to Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distibute or sell reproduire, prêter, distribuer ou copies of this thesis in microform, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic formats. la forme de microfiche/nlm, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique. The author retains ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriété du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. thesis nor substanîial extracts fiom it Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or otherwise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. This study presents an analysis of the nationalist econornic policies enacted by the federal Liberal government during the 1970s and early 1980s. The Canada Development Corporation(CDC), the Foreign Investment Review Agency(FIRA), Petro- Canada(PetroCan) and the National Energy Prograrn(NEP), coliectively referred to as "The Third Option," aimed to reduce Canada's dependency on the United States.
    [Show full text]
  • Debates of the Senate
    CANADA Debates of the Senate 1st SESSION . 39th PARLIAMENT . VOLUME 143 . NUMBER 73 OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Wednesday, February 21, 2007 ^ THE HONOURABLE NOËL A. KINSELLA SPEAKER CONTENTS (Daily index of proceedings appears at back of this issue). Debates and Publications: Chambers Building, Room 943, Tel. 996-0193 Published by the Senate Available from PWGSC ± Publishing and Depository Services, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0S5. Also available on the Internet: http://www.parl.gc.ca 1800 THE SENATE Wednesday, February 21, 2007 The Senate met at 1:30 p.m., the Speaker in the chair. I would remind honourable senators that, pursuant to our rules, each senator will be allowed only three minutes and may speak Prayers. only once and that the time for tributes shall not exceed 15 minutes; however, this 15 minutes does not include the time [Translation] allotted to the response of the senator to whom tribute is paid. ROYAL ASSENT [Translation] The Hon. the Speaker informed the Senate that the following Hon. Céline Hervieux-Payette (Leader of the Opposition): communication had been received: Honourable senators, it is with fondness and a bit of sadness that I pay tribute to the Honourable Jack Austin, one of the most RIDEAU HALL distinguished members of this chamber, who will be retiring in a few days. February 21st, 2007 He arrived in Ottawa in 1962 as the executive assistant to the Mr. Speaker, Minister of Indian Affairs, Arthur Laing. Once a law professor, Senator Austin would become a prominent Canadian public I have the honour to inform you that the Right figure for over 40 years.
    [Show full text]
  • The Modern Senate of Canada: a Study in Functional Adaptability
    The Modern Senate of Canada: A Study in Functional Adaptability THE HONOURABLE DAN HAYS SPEAKER OF THE SENATE The Modern Senate of Canada: A Study in Functional Adaptability. The Senate of Canada was a defining element, or “deal breaker,” in the negotiations that led to the creation of our country in 1867, since Confederation would not have been taken place without it.1 Indeed, as Senator Lowell Murray has said: “Quebec and the Maritimes insisted on an Upper House with equal representation from the three regions as a counterweight to Ontario’s numerical advantage in the House of Commons. The Fathers of Confederation wanted to create a further check on the executive and its elected Commons majority. They decided this would best be accomplished by an appointed Senate whose members had life tenure.”2 And since its creation in 1867, the Senate of Canada has evolved into a modern and efficient legislative body. Although it remains a rare example of an unelected second chamber, along with Great Britain’s House of Lords3, it has adapted to changing times through a variety of administrative reforms that have allowed it to better play its legislative role and represent the interests of all Canadians more effectively. And even if it has been the subject of 28 major reform proposals over the past 30 years4 – all of which have failed to produce the changes sought – it continues to make an important and valuable contribution to public debate, and remains a cornerstone of Canada’s system of government. The failure of these proposals is likely due to the absence of a broad consensus on precisely how to reform the Senate, and to the considerable difficulty of amending Canada’s constitution.
    [Show full text]
  • Debates of the Senate
    CANADA Debates of the Senate 1st SESSION . 38th PARLIAMENT . VOLUME 142 . NUMBER 50 OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Thursday, April 14, 2005 ^ THE HONOURABLE DANIEL HAYS SPEAKER CONTENTS (Daily index of proceedings appears at back of this issue). Debates and Publications: Chambers Building, Room 943, Tel. 996-0193 Published by the Senate Available from PWGSC ± Publishing and Depository Services, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0S5. Also available on the Internet: http://www.parl.gc.ca 1037 THE SENATE Thursday, April 14, 2005 The Senate met at 1:30 p.m., the Speaker in the chair. make my apology when he asked for it. However, I did so at the earliest opportunity. Furthermore, the error for which I was Prayers. asked to apologize was made during Inquiries, which allows for full and open debate. Senator Austin did not ask for an apology then, nor did he ask for one later in the day on March 23, during SENATORS' STATEMENTS the budget, inquiry when every one of the senators opposite could have entered the debate. THE SENATE Honourable senators, Senator Austin expressed shame that REMARKS WITHDRAWN false statements and ridiculous portrayals of Canada had taken place in front of the delegates in the chamber from Malaysia. I Hon. Gerry St. Germain: Honourable senators, I rise today to agree it is a shame, but I did not cause that shame. The party of withdraw the remarks I made during Question Period yesterday. the government that the members opposite belong to caused the Hon. Jack Austin (Leader of the Government): Honourable shame. senators, I thank Senator St. Germain.
    [Show full text]