The Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce plans to study the effects that competitive economic challenges may have on Canadian importers and exporters. The committee will also explore measures the Government can take to ensure Canadian businesses maintain their global competitiveness. The committee’s goal will be to make recommendations to government about ways to identify … Read more
Senator Lillian Eva Dyck, an Indigenous senator from Saskatchewan, gave the following statement on the news of the jury verdict in the Colten Boushie case: “Today, I offer my deepest sympathies to the family of Colten Boushie, a young man from the Red Pheasant First Nation in Saskatchewan. In August 2016, Colten was killed by … Read more
René Cormier, Independent Senator for New Brunswick, will deliver his first speech as sponsor of Bill C-66, An Act to establish a procedure for expunging certain historically unjust convictions and to make related amendments to other Acts. “It is with great emotion and pride that I have accepted to sponsor Bill C-66. A Bill that rehabilitates, … Read more
In a response to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade’s February 2017 report, Free Trade Agreements: A Tool for Economic Prosperity, International Trade Minister François-Philippe Champagne (Saint-Maurice–Champlain, Que.) said the “comprehensive” report’s recommendations “will serve to guide Government approaches moving forward on Canada’s trade and investment agenda and its engagement with Canadians.” The report … Read more
The Independent Senators Group celebrates the passage of Bill C-210 which amends Canada’s national anthem by including gender-neutral language in the lyrics. “As our Olympians and Paralympians head to the Games, we look forward to many gold medal opportunities to hear the more inclusive words of our national anthem,” said Senator Yuen Pau Woo, Facilitator of the Independent Senators Group. Woo … Read more
During a recent study, the Senate Committee on Transport and Communications found that driverless cars are already a reality but Canada is ill-prepared for their arrival. The committee been studied these emerging technologies along with the risks and rewards they offer. After questioning experts and taking fact-finding missions to meet top researchers, senators have released a report … Read more
On January 17, 2018, British Columbia Supreme Court Justice Peter Leask reiterated the December 18, 2017, Ontario court finding that administrative segregation is solitary confinement by another name, a practice recognized internationally as a violation of human rights that can amount to torture. Senator Kim Pate stated “Most every other consideration of the treatment of women … Read more
A number of members from the Independent Senators Group have asked the Senate Ethics Officer and the Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration to review if there have been any breaches of conduct related to the posting of offensive material on the website of former Conservative Senator Lynn Beyak, now sitting as non-affiliated. “Many of … Read more
Senator Larry W. Smith, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and Leader of the Conservative Senate Caucus, made the following statement: “Following consultations with the Conservative Senate Caucus Leadership and the Conservative Party of Canada Leader, Andrew Scheer, we have concluded that Senator Lynn Beyak will no longer be a member of our Senate … Read more
In a gesture of respect for Indigenous sacred items, two Iroquois grandfather masks underwent a traditional ceremony that took place on Parliament Hill on December 14. Senator Lillian Dyck, chair of the Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples, arranged the ceremony for the masks, which have been used by the Iroquois as medicine masks for centuries. These … Read more
