Bill S-208 explained in plain English

On January 27, 2009, the Senate of Canada held its first reading for Bill S-208, an Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act concerning clean drinking water. The artifact is a record of that day's proceedings, which also included tributes, statements on international events and domestic issues, and the introduction of several other bills. The introduction of Bill S-208 itself did not involve debate on its content at this stage; it was simply presented and formally read for the first time.

On March 4, 2009, the Senate began the second reading debate for Bill S-208, an Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act concerning clean drinking water. Senator Jerahmiel S. Grafstein introduced the bill, highlighting its history, its purpose to ensure equal access to clean drinking water for all Canadians, and the critical situation of Aboriginal communities regarding water quality. He noted that the bill had previously passed third reading in the Senate twice but had died on the order paper. Senator Grafstein emphasized that the bill would amend the Food and Drugs Act to include clean drinking water as an explicit objective for a federal agency already regulating food and liquids. He shared personal anecdotes and cited studies to illustrate the severity of the problem, particularly for Indigenous communities and in remote areas like Newfoundland. The debate was adjourned after his speech, meaning it will continue at a later date.

This record details a Senate debate on March 4, 2009, concerning Bill S-208, an Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act regarding clean drinking water. Senator Jerahmiel S. Grafstein, the sponsor, spoke about the bill's history, its purpose to ensure clean drinking water as a federal objective, and the ongoing issues of contaminated water, particularly in Aboriginal communities. He highlighted that the bill had been approved by the Senate twice before but had not progressed further. The debate also touched on the constitutionality of the bill and the legislative process for moving bills between chambers. Other Senate proceedings included tributes, senators' statements on various topics, and debates on other bills and government actions.

This record details a Senate sitting on April 29, 2009. The sitting included the announcement of Royal Assent for a bill related to the Free Trade Agreement with European Free Trade Association states. Senators made statements on various topics, including research chairs, military families, a landmark heart transplant anniversary, hospice palliative care, and a community initiative in Saskatchewan. Routine proceedings involved tabling reports and presenting petitions. Question Period addressed issues such as employment insurance benefits for soldiers' families, consultancy fees, the automotive sector, the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, airport infrastructure funding, and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Senate also debated and advanced several bills: Bill S-211, concerning drinking water sources, and Bill S-208, to amend the Food and Drugs Act (clean drinking water), were both debated at second reading and referred to committee. Bill S-227, concerning tax relief for Nunavik, also underwent second reading debate. Other proceedings included motions related to committee studies, the adoption of committee reports, and recognition of World Malaria Day. The sitting concluded with the adoption of motions to adjourn and to authorize a committee to deposit a report during an adjournment.

This artifact is a record of Senate proceedings on April 29, 2009. While the bill "An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (clean drinking water)" (Bill S-208) is mentioned as being at second reading and referred to committee, the majority of the document details other Senate business. This includes Royal Assent for a different bill, various senators' statements on diverse topics (e.g., recognizing a colleague, research chairs, military families, medical anniversaries, hospice care, and a historical site), tabled reports from parliamentary associations, notices of inquiry (including a detailed declaration from the G20 on financial system strengthening), presentations of petitions, responses to oral questions on topics such as employment insurance benefits, consultancy fees, the automotive sector, Olympic Games language policy, airport infrastructure funding, and Indigenous peoples' rights, and the tabling of delayed answers. It also records the adoption of several motions, including one to authorize a committee study on veterans' services and benefits. Crucially, it includes the continuation of debate on two other bills: Bill S-211 concerning the identification and protection of Canada's watersheds and Bill S-227 regarding tax relief for Nunavik. The debate on Bill S-208 itself is then presented, with Senator John D. Wallace expressing concerns about its potential effectiveness, cost, and duplication of provincial responsibilities, and Senator Jerahmiel S. Grafstein advocating for its referral to committee to resolve factual differences. The debate on Bill S-208 was ultimately adjourned.

On June 18, 2009, the Senate of Canada convened. During the "Orders of the Day" section, Bill S-208, an Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act concerning clean drinking water, was brought forward for third reading. The report from the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources regarding this bill was presented, indicating it was examined and reported back without amendment. Senator Jerahmiel S. Grafstein moved for third reading, thanking the committee for their review and urging speedy adoption. Senator Hector Daniel Lang expressed opposition, arguing that the federal government should not increase its involvement in clean drinking water, which he considers a provincial responsibility, and that the federal government has not adequately managed this issue on First Nations reserves. He also noted improvements in the area over the past decade and that federal-provincial-First Nations discussions were ongoing. Following this, the motion for third reading of Bill S-208 was agreed to, with the bill passing "on division".

On June 18, 2009, the Senate of Canada held a sitting that included third reading debate on Bill S-208, an Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (clean drinking water). The bill passed third reading in the Senate "on division," meaning there was opposition, though the count was not recorded. Other Senate business included presentations of committee reports on various bills and studies, discussions on government funding and programs, and a point of order regarding senators' statements. The sitting concluded with Royal Assent being given to several bills.