Senate Speaker Leo Housakos, Chair of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration (CIBA), announced the appointment of the Ian Binnie, C.C., Q.C. as special arbitrator. The Steering Committee of CIBA made the decision to engage Mr. Binnie at a special meeting on May 26. The dispute resolution process establishes a means by … Read more
Liberal Senator Pierrette Ringuette (New Brunswick) expressed disappointment that the Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs shut down debate on Bill-C 377 after hearing from only 23 witnesses over the course of three meetings. On May 13, Ringuette put forward a motion for the committee to reconsider its decision, but this motion was defeated … Read more
Speaker of the Senate Leo Housakos has been elected Chair of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration. His appointment is effective May 7, 2015, replacing the late Pierre Claude Nolin. “It is an honour to have been elected chair of Internal Economy.” said Housakos. “Our committee is deeply inspired by the vision, principles and commitment of the late … Read more
On May 5, the Senate of Canada adopted a motion calling for sanctions against those involved in the detention, torture and death of Sergei Magnitsky, or who have been involved in covering up the crimes he exposed. The motion is inspired by the case of Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, who was killed in pre-trial custody … Read more
Senator Claude Carignan, Leader of the Government in the Senate, extends his heartfelt congratulations to Senator Leo Housakos on his appointment as Speaker of the Senate of Canada. “As Speaker pro tempore, Senator Housakos has served with professionalism and a sense of collegiality. He has served with distinction in spite of the difficult circumstances given … Read more
The Senate of Canada confirmed the death of Pierre Claude Nolin, Speaker of the Senate, on April 23, at the age of 64. Nolin was appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney in 1993 for the senatorial division of De Salaberry (Québec). He was appointed Speaker of the Senate on November 26, 2014, on the … Read more
Conservative Senator Don Meredith (Ontario) read a statement in the Senate Chamber on April 22 welcoming the appointment of Deputy Chief Mark Saunders as Toronto’s new Chief of Police. “As a fellow Jamaican-Canadian, I believe Mr. Saunders will make a great Chief of Police who will be committed to public safety and working with the community … Read more
Conservative Senator Don Meredith (Ontario) issued a statement condemning the April 2 attack on Garissa University College in Kenya, which left 148 people dead. “My deep and sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the innocent lives that were taken during this terrorist attack,” said Meredith. “The depth of the hatred perpetrated on the youth … Read more
Senator Percy Downe (Charlottetown, PEI) announced his plan to introduce the Fairness for All Canadian Taxpayers Act (FACT Act) in the Senate on April 2, as part of his ongoing effort to determine the impact of the money lost to overseas tax evasion on the Canadian economy. The bill would require the government to report annually on what … Read more
The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages would like to clarify that, contrary to the news release issued by the Government of Quebec’s Secrétariat aux affaires intergouvernementales canadiennes (SAIC), the provincial ministers have not yet met with the committee. The Quebec SAIC issued a news release on Feb. 2, 2015, stating that Quebec’s Minister responsible for … Read more
