Bill S-226 explained in plain English

This Senate sitting on February 11, 2009, included the first reading of Bill S-226, an Act to amend the Criminal Code regarding lottery schemes. The sitting also featured tributes to the late Honourable Gérald-A. Beaudoin, congratulations to Senator Marcel Prud'homme on his 45th anniversary as a Member of Parliament, discussions on pay equity, India's Republic Day, and official languages. Other proceedings included tabling of reports, notices of motions regarding committee meetings, and debates on the economy, Canada-U.S. relations, and Afghanistan. The primary procedural event related to Bill S-226 was its introduction and first reading, with its second reading scheduled for two days later.

On March 10, 2009, the Senate sat. The sitting included tributes, statements on various topics including Learning Disabilities Awareness Month, International Women's Day, and Afghanistan. Routine proceedings involved the presentation of committee reports and the first reading of several bills. Question Period addressed issues like disenfranchised Canadian citizens, pay equity, violence against Aboriginal women, and social responsibility overseas. The Senate then proceeded to Orders of the Day, where committee meetings were authorized, a report on Supplementary Estimates (C) was adopted, and debates on several bills continued or were adjourned. Notably, the second reading debate for Bill S-226, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (lottery schemes), was adjourned. Other debates and proceedings involved Bill S-224 (Canada Elections Act and Parliament of Canada Act), Bill S-202 (Canada Elections Act), Bill S-212 (Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999), Bill S-214 (securities regulation), and Bill S-217 (National Philanthropy Day Bill).

This artifact contains the Senate debates from March 10, 2009. It includes routine proceedings, question period, and a debate on Bill S-226, "An Act to amend the Criminal Code (lottery schemes)." The sponsor of the bill, Senator Jean Lapointe, spoke in favour of the bill, advocating for the relocation of video lottery terminals (VLTs) from bars and restaurants to casinos and betting theatres. He cited research indicating the negative impact of VLTs on individuals, particularly youth and seniors, and highlighted the social costs associated with compulsive gambling. The debate on Bill S-226 was adjourned, and the bill was not voted on during this sitting. Other discussions included pay equity, violence against Aboriginal women, social and corporate responsibility overseas, and the setting of Employment Insurance rates. There was also a debate on Bill S-224 concerning vacancies in the House of Commons and Senate, which involved a motion in amendment to refer the bill to a committee for further study due to constitutional concerns.

This artifact is a record of a Senate sitting on March 25, 2009. While the artifact is labeled as a "Debate at second reading debate record" for Bill S-226, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (lottery schemes), the provided text does not contain a debate specific to Bill S-226. Instead, the text details a full day of Senate proceedings including Senators' Statements on various topics, Routine Proceedings, Question Period discussions on topics such as Access to Information, Government Accountability, and the Broadcasting Industry, and the tabling and debate of several other bills, including Appropriation Bills. The portion of the text that pertains to Bill S-226 itself is a continued debate at the second reading stage, where Senator Bert Brown expressed concerns that the bill would violate existing federal-provincial agreements regarding gaming and betting.

This document records a debate in the Senate on March 25, 2009. The primary focus of this specific artifact is a speech by Senator Bert Brown regarding Bill S-226, an Act to amend the Criminal Code (lottery schemes). Senator Brown argued that passing Bill S-226 would violate existing federal-provincial agreements concerning gaming and betting, specifically mentioning agreements from 1979 and 1985. He stated that these agreements recognized the provinces' primary role in regulating gaming and betting within their jurisdictions and that breaking these agreements would set a problematic precedent for future government contracts. Other senators engaged in a question-and-answer session with Senator Brown on this matter, exploring the implications of breaking such agreements. The rest of the document details other proceedings in the Senate on that day, including statements on various topics, tabling of reports, notices of motions, and debates on other bills (Appropriation Bill No. 5, 2008-09; Appropriation Bill No. 1, 2009-10; and Bill S-219 regarding student loans).

This artifact is a record of a Senate sitting on May 27, 2009. The primary business of the sitting was the "Tributes" to Senator J. Trevor Eyton, O.C., who was retiring. Many senators from different parties spoke to honour Senator Eyton's extensive career in business, law, and public service, highlighting his expertise, contributions to committees, and personal qualities. The sitting also included routine proceedings where various committee reports were tabled, and bills were introduced. The "Orders of the Day" section shows that Bill S-226, an Act to amend the Criminal Code (lottery schemes), was considered at second reading and its debate was adjourned. Other bills, such as Bill C-14 (organized crime) and Bill C-16 (environmental enforcement), were debated and referred to committee. The sitting concluded with the adoption of committee reports and ongoing debates on various inquiries and motions.

On September 29, 2009, the Senate debated Bill S-226, an Act to amend the Criminal Code concerning lottery schemes. During the second reading debate, Senator Michael L. MacDonald argued against the bill, stating that it would revoke existing federal and provincial gaming agreements. He encouraged senators to defeat the initiative. Senator Joan Fraser questioned if there was legal evidence that the bill would abrogate these agreements, and Senator MacDonald stated he would check with colleagues and bring copies of the agreements to committee. The debate concluded, and the bill was read a second time on division. Subsequently, the bill was referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.