Bill S-201 explained in plain English

This document records the Senate's sitting on January 27, 2009. During this sitting, several bills were introduced and received first reading, including Bill S-201, An Act to amend the Library and Archives of Canada Act (National Portrait Gallery). The sitting also included tributes, statements on international events and domestic policy, tabling of documents, adoption of a motion regarding senators' property qualifications, and notices of upcoming motions and inquiries. The majority of the sitting was dedicated to a debate on the Speech from the Throne, which was adjourned. Bill S-201 was presented by Senator Jerahmiel S. Grafstein and was placed on the Orders of the Day for second reading two days hence. The artifact does not detail the content of Bill S-201 beyond its title.

The Senate convened on February 3, 2009. The sitting began with a silent tribute to a fallen soldier. The Speaker reminded senators of the time limit for statements. Several senators then made statements on various topics including mental health literacy, arts and culture, the passing of Ted Rogers, Black History Month, national historic sites, and pay equity. Following these statements, the Senate moved to routine proceedings, where various reports were tabled, including annual reports on land claim agreements and reports from inter-parliamentary groups. Several bills were introduced, receiving first reading. The Senate then moved to Question Period, addressing topics like international trade, the budget, status of women, and employment insurance. The Orders of the Day saw debates adjourned on several bills and inquiries, including Bill S-201 (An Act to amend the Library and Archives of Canada Act (National Portrait Gallery)), on which a point of order was raised and the Speaker's ruling was reserved. There was also a point of order raised regarding Bill S-204 (An Act to amend the National Capital Act (establishment and protection of Gatineau Park)). Finally, the Senate adjourned.

The Senate is proceeding with Bill S-201, An Act to amend the Library and Archives of Canada Act (National Portrait Gallery). The bill proposes to amend the Library and Archives of Canada Act to establish a permanent National Portrait Gallery at 100 Wellington Street in Ottawa, making it accessible to the public. During the second reading debate, Senator Jerahmiel S. Grafstein, the sponsor of the bill, spoke in favour of it, highlighting the existing art collection at Library and Archives Canada and the suitability of the 100 Wellington Street building. He argued that establishing the gallery would be cost-effective, create jobs, boost tourism, and provide Canadians with access to their visual history. He also suggested that the gallery could generate revenue and utilize virtual reality to reach Canadians across the country. A point of order was raised by Senator Gerald J. Comeau, arguing that the bill appropriates public money and therefore should have originated in the House of Commons, according to Section 53 of the Constitution Act, 1867. Senator Grafstein, along with Senators Claudette Tardif and Joan Fraser, argued against this point of order, suggesting that the bill does not necessarily involve new spending and that a Royal Recommendation could be obtained later in the legislative process or that the Senate has the power to initiate legislation with potential financial implications. Senator Pierre Claude Nolin supported the point of order, arguing that the bill mandates an expenditure and is therefore out of order. The Speaker reserved their ruling on the point of order.

On February 24, 2009, the Senate debated Bill S-201, An Act to amend the Library and Archives of Canada Act (National Portrait Gallery). During the sitting, a point of order was raised regarding whether the bill required a Royal Recommendation because it might incur increased government spending. The Speaker ultimately ruled that the bill did not require a Royal Recommendation, allowing debate to continue. The provided text also includes numerous other proceedings from the sitting, such as tabling of reports, notices of motions, and debates on other bills and government matters.

On March 4, 2009, the Senate convened for a sitting that included a silent tribute to fallen soldiers, senators' statements on various topics including International Women's Week and the Coal Bowl Classic, routine proceedings where several notices of motion were given, and question period concerning child care. The Orders of the Day featured continued debate on Budget 2009 and inquiries, a motion to extend the sitting and allow committees to meet, and the continuation or adjournment of second reading debates for several bills. Specifically, Bill S-201, concerning an amendment to the Library and Archives of Canada Act for a National Portrait Gallery, had its second reading debate continued. The sitting concluded with the first reading of Bill C-10 and the Senate adjourned until the next day.

On April 28, 2009, the Senate held its second reading debate for Bill S-201. The debate focused on the proposed establishment of a National Portrait Gallery in Ottawa. One senator spoke in support, highlighting the importance of celebrating culture and heritage and suggesting the former American embassy site as a suitable location. The senator also proposed that such a project could stimulate the economy and create jobs. The debate was adjourned.

This record details a Senate sitting on May 12, 2009, during the second reading debate of Bill S-201, an Act to amend the Library and Archives of Canada Act (National Portrait Gallery). While the sitting included various procedural matters, statements, questions, and debates on other bills, the specific discussion related to Bill S-201 focused on its proposed location and the broader accessibility of national cultural treasures. Senator Hugh Segal expressed concerns that locating the National Portrait Gallery in Ottawa represented an over-centralization and a potential disservice to Canadians outside the capital, arguing for a more distributed approach to cultural institutions. Senator Jerahmiel S. Grafstein, the bill's sponsor, indicated his support for bringing the collection to the people and noted his proposal included both a physical location and virtual access. The debate on Bill S-201 was adjourned.

This artifact is a record of a debate in the Senate on May 12, 2009, regarding Bill S-201, which proposes to amend the Library and Archives of Canada Act to establish a National Portrait Gallery. The debate primarily involved Senator Hugh Segal's response to Senator Jerahmiel S. Grafstein's proposal. Senator Segal expressed concerns that the bill's focus on locating the gallery in Ottawa, which he termed "le centralisme dominateur," overlooked the importance of a pan-Canadian approach. He argued that national cultural treasures should be accessible across the country, not just in the capital, and highlighted existing outreach programs of Library and Archives Canada, such as travelling exhibitions and online galleries, as effective ways to achieve this. He suggested that a permanent physical location in Ottawa was not the only or best way to make the collection accessible and stated that the bill was out-of-date and out of touch with current realities. Senator Grafstein, in his response, clarified that his proposal included both a physical location and a virtual gallery component, and expressed agreement with many of Senator Segal's points regarding the need for broader accessibility.

This artifact is a record of a Senate sitting on June 22, 2009. It includes Senator's Statements on various topics, Routine Proceedings where bills were presented and notices of motions were given, and Question Period where delayed answers to oral questions were provided. The Orders of the Day section details various legislative items that were debated, including second and third readings of bills, committee reports being presented or adopted, and inquiries being continued or concluded. Notably, Bill S-201, concerning the establishment of a National Portrait Gallery, was at the second reading debate stage and the debate was continued. The sitting also included the confirmation of Karen E. Shepherd as Commissioner of Lobbying.

During the Senate sitting on October 6, 2009, debate continued on several bills, including Bill S-201, which proposes to amend the Library and Archives of Canada Act regarding the National Portrait Gallery. Senators also discussed other matters such as the Emancipation Act, the Nobel Prize awarded to Willard S. Boyle, and various government reports and motions. The sitting included routine proceedings, question period, and the tabling of committee reports. The debate on Bill S-201 was adjourned.

This artifact is a record of a sitting of the Senate on December 1, 2009. During this sitting, senators engaged in routine proceedings, question period, and debated various items on the Order of the Day. Notably, Bill S-201, an Act to amend the Library and Archives of Canada Act (National Portrait Gallery), was read for the second time and referred to committee. The sitting also included discussions on topics such as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the French language at the 2010 Olympic Games, World AIDS Day, the long-gun registry, and contraband tobacco. Several senators made introductory speeches.