“The reason the Trudeau government doesn’t want Senators taking too much time with marijuana legislation is because, much like the statistic at the heart of this bill, it doesn’t stand up to the most basic of scrutiny,” says Senator Leo Housakos after his second reading speech on Bill C45 in the Senate. “As a Senator … Read more
Senator Larry W. Smith posted the following open letter to Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor (Moncton–Riverview–Dieppe, N.B.): ” As a follow-up to our discussion at the Committee of the Whole on February 6, 2018, I would like to ask you for an update regarding the public education on Bill C-45. We’ve heard over and over frmo concerned … Read more
Rising farmland prices threaten the viability of the family farm, the future of Canada’s agriculture sector and a traditional way of life for thousands of Canadian families, the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry said in a report. The committee’s report, A Growing Concern: How to Keep Farmland in the Hands of Canadian Farmers, makes five recommendations aimed at … Read more
Liberal Senator Percy Downe has written to Dr. Huguette Labelle, Chair of the Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, regarding their announcement that until April 3rd, they will be accepting applications and nominations for Senate vacancies across Canada. These upcoming appointments provide an opportunity for the Senate to better reflect the diversity of Canada, and to … Read more
This week the Senate hosted an Open Caucus on Threats to Traditional Journalism in Canada. With the news media industry under threat around the world, those sounding the alarm are urging fast action. Budget 201 is offering $50 million over five years for local, independent journalism and $172 million to boost content creation through the … Read more
Independent Senator Ratna Omidvar issued a statement: “The Senate voted on an amendment from Senator Paul Massicotte concerning Bill C-25, An Act to amend the Canada Business Corporations Act, the Canada Cooperatives Act, the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act, and the Competition Act. Unfortunately, the Senate voted against the amendment, which would have required publicly traded companies to … Read more
Independent Senator Doug Black called on the Government of Canada to immediately refer his bill and the constitutional question regarding Ottawa’s ability to regulate the Trans Mountain pipeline to the Supreme Court of Canada for an expedited hearing. Bill S-245, the Trans Mountain Pipeline Project Act, was introduced by Black two weeks ago and was seconded … Read more
Senator Peter Harder, Government Representative in the Senate, toured Niagara College, where he said educators are leading the way in creating a one-year program in commercial cannabis production that is set to begin this September. He encouraged other organizations to take note and assess whether they too have a role to play in the coming legalization. “Behind the … Read more
In a report released Friday, members of the Senate Committee on Official Languages praised Canadian youth for their commitment and passion for French and English. Young people between the ages of 14 and 24 were eager to share their aspirations to live a rich, bilingual life. Bilingualism, they said, was a source of great pride. … Read more
Senator Larry W. Smith, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and Leader of the Senate Conservative Caucus, made the following statement in relation to the announcement on the debate process for the Marijuana Bill C-45. “I am pleased to say that we secured time that will allow the Senate to have a thorough evaluation … Read more
