Bill S-2 explained in plain English

On January 29, 2009, the Senate convened and several procedural actions took place. Bill S-2, "An Act to amend the Customs Act," was introduced and received first reading. Other bills were also introduced and received first reading, including amendments to the Energy Efficiency Act and the Parliamentary Employment and Staff Relations Act. The Senate also tabled Supplementary Estimates (B) for 2008-09. The Senate engaged in debates on various topics, including democratic reform, employment insurance, First Nations issues, and the federal budget. A point of order was raised regarding Bill S-207, an act to amend the Employment Insurance Act, concerning its introduction in the Senate. Debates on other bills, including those to amend the Canada Elections Act and the Constitution Act, 1867, were adjourned. A motion to strike a Special Committee on Aging was also debated.

This document is a record of a Senate sitting that took place on February 3, 2009. The sitting included a silent tribute to a fallen soldier, senators' statements on various topics including mental health literacy, arts and culture, and Black History Month, and routine proceedings where several reports were tabled and bills received first reading. The main business of the day included debates on "Orders of the Day" which featured second reading debates on Bill S-2 (An Act to amend the Customs Act) and Bill S-3 (An Act to amend the Energy Efficiency Act), both of which were adjourned. There were also points of order raised regarding Bill S-201 (An Act to amend the Library and Archives of Canada Act) and Bill S-204 (An Act to amend the National Capital Act). The sitting concluded with various inquiries and motions being debated or adjourned.

This Senate Hansard record from February 3, 2009, details the proceedings of the Senate. A significant portion of the record is dedicated to the second reading debate of Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Customs Act. Senator David Tkachuk, the sponsor of the bill, explained its purpose: to strengthen border security and improve risk assessment by obtaining advanced data on goods and people entering Canada. The bill aims to implement the eManifest initiative, which expands the requirement for pre-arrival information to all links in the trade chain, and to address security concerns within customs controlled areas. The debate also touched upon other legislative items, committee reports, and various statements by senators on diverse topics such as mental health, arts and culture, and national historic sites. The record indicates that the debate on Bill S-2 was adjourned.

This Senate sitting on February 24, 2009, included the continuation of the debate on Bill S-2, an Act to amend the Customs Act. Senator Joseph A. Day spoke about the bill's principles, noting that it aims to address recommendations from the Senate Committee on National Security and Defence and the Auditor General regarding customs controlled areas and advance passenger information. He highlighted that the bill seeks to improve risk assessment by enabling customs officers to have information before goods arrive in Canada. The sitting also included numerous other proceedings such as tabling of reports, notices of motions, questions concerning the budget and economic action plan, and debate on other bills and inquiries. The debate on Bill S-2 was adjourned.

This artifact is a record of Senate proceedings from February 24, 2009, related to Bill S-2, an Act to amend the Customs Act. During the second reading debate, Senator Joseph A. Day spoke, recommending that the bill be accepted in principle and sent to committee for detailed study. He explained that the bill has four main parts: amendments to create a customs controlled area, new provisions for advance passenger information, clauses to improve the valuation of imported products to comply with World Trade Organization rules, and housekeeping clauses to ensure consistency between English and French versions. Senator Day also highlighted a specific question raised by Senator Banks regarding a clause that excludes certain incorporated materials from the Statutory Instruments Act, noting that the committee would investigate this further. The debate on Bill S-2 was then adjourned.

This Senate sitting on February 25, 2009, included a debate on Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Customs Act. The debate focused on the bill's provisions for incorporating external material into regulations and the implications of exempting these materials from the Statutory Instruments Act. Concerns were raised about the potential for diminished parliamentary oversight, lack of public access to the law, and the possibility of delegating law-making authority to third parties. Other proceedings included tabling of a corporate plan, notices of motions on various topics, and discussions on the 2009 budget, high-speed rail, official languages, landmines, and cluster munitions. There was also a debate on a motion to approve the installation of equipment for broadcasting Senate proceedings.

On March 3, 2009, the Senate debated Bill S-2, an Act to amend the Customs Act. The bill proceeded to second reading and was subsequently referred to the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence. The sitting also included various other proceedings, including Senators' Statements, Routine Proceedings, Question Period, and debates on other bills and motions.

On March 31, 2009, the Senate was in session. During the "Consideration in committee" stage for Bill S-2, an Act to amend the Customs Act, the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence presented its report. The committee recommended one amendment to the bill: renumbering subsection 164.1(1) as section 164.1 and deleting lines 27 to 29 on page 7 of the bill. Following the presentation of this report, it was placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting of the Senate.

The Senate met on April 1, 2009. The sitting included remarks on the tenth anniversary of Nunavut, the 25th anniversary of Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, and the work of the late artist William Ronald. There were also statements honouring Mr. Kevin MacLeod on his appointment as Canadian Secretary to the Queen, and a tribute to Robert Sutherland of Queen's University. Various reports were tabled, including those from parliamentary associations and the Conflict of Interest for Senators committee. Notices of motions were given regarding committee travel and meetings. There was a question period covering topics such as the status of women in Afghanistan, the Canada Graduate Scholarships Program, federal prison farms, and housing strategies. Several matters of privilege were raised and rulings were reserved by the Speaker. Most of the sitting was dedicated to debating various bills, including amendments to the Customs Act, the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, the Income Tax Act, the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, and the International Boundary Waters Treaty Act. The debate on Bill S-2, an Act to amend the Customs Act, was adjourned after a proposed amendment was discussed.

On April 2, 2009, the Senate met and engaged in various proceedings. The Senate considered several bills at different stages, including the "Customs Act, Bill to Amend" at the debate stage of the committee report. The Senate also heard statements on various topics, including cancer awareness, the Rwandan genocide, Vimy Ridge Day, and World Autism Awareness Day. Routine proceedings included the presentation of committee reports on bills related to the Federal Sustainable Development Act and the Auditor General Act, and the National Cemetery of Canada Bill. Question Period addressed economic stimulus, human rights in Afghanistan, and employment insurance. The Senate also debated and adjourned debates on multiple bills, including those related to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, the Canada-EFTA Free Trade Agreement, the Criminal Code, the Customs Act, the Anti-Spam Bill, and the Investment Canada Act. A motion to televise Senate proceedings was also debated. An inquiry regarding CBC/Radio-Canada's financial needs was also presented, and a committee was authorized to travel for its study on the DNA Identification Act.

On April 21, 2009, the Senate met. After a silent tribute to a fallen soldier and welcoming visitors, the Senate heard statements from senators on various topics including Junior Achievement programs, World Intellectual Property Day, the Canada Summer Jobs Program, and Holocaust Remembrance Day. Routine proceedings included tabling reports, introducing a bill to amend the Indian Oil and Gas Act, and giving notice of a motion to amend Senate rules. The Senate then proceeded to Question Period, addressing topics such as science and technology funding, consultancy fees, support for the automobile industry, and survivor benefits. Following this, the Senate considered several items of business. Notably, the Senate adopted the second report of the Standing Committee on National Security and Defence concerning Bill S-2, an Act to amend the Customs Act. This report included an amendment to the bill. The bill, as amended, was then scheduled for third reading at the next sitting. Other business included concluding a debate on the Budget 2009 inquiry, adopting a report on committee budgets, referring a matter to the Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament Committee, adjourning debate on a motion to study the application of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to the Senate, and authorizing a committee to meet during Senate sittings. The sitting concluded with the Senate adjourning to the next day.

On April 22, 2009, the Senate of Canada held a debate on Bill S-2, an Act to amend the Customs Act, at its third reading stage. The debate focused on the bill's provisions to enhance border security and facilitate trade by requiring advanced information on commercial shipments and allowing customs officers more authority to question individuals within customs controlled areas. Senators raised concerns regarding the bill's compatibility with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, specifically requesting to see the Attorney General's written opinions. The debate was adjourned, and a vote was held on a motion to continue the debate at a later sitting, which passed. The bill had previously received Royal Assent.

On April 23, 2009, the Senate convened for a sitting that included routine proceedings, question period, and the consideration of various bills and reports. A key item was the third reading debate of Bill S-2, an Act to amend the Customs Act. During this debate, Senators discussed concerns regarding the bill's compliance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the definition of "customs controlled areas." An amendment was proposed and accepted to address issues related to the Statutory Instruments Act. The bill ultimately passed third reading. Other activities included the second reading and referral to committee of Bill C-5, an Act to amend the Indian Oil and Gas Act, and debate on several other bills, including those related to the Patent Act, Canada Elections Act, and Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Various committee reports were presented, and senators also spoke on topics such as National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week, the CanJet Flight 918 hostage-taking, Canada-France relations, and the Nova Scotia Economic Stimulus Plan.