Bill C-14 explained in plain English

This artifact details the proceedings of the Senate on October 26, 2010. The primary procedural event related to Bill C-14 was its first reading, after which it was scheduled for second reading debate. The rest of the sitting was occupied by various debates on other matters, including seniors' initiatives, international events, the future of renewable energy, product safety, foreign relations, Arctic drilling requirements, tobacco control, the sale of Potash Corporation, Canada Post services, climate change, digital strategy, energy sector studies, and women's health. No votes or decisions on these other matters are recorded in this specific artifact.

This document records the Senate's proceedings on November 3, 2010. The Senate engaged in various activities including Senators' Statements on topics like the Canadian Broadcasting Act and the Green Economy, Routine Proceedings for committee reports and notices of motions, and Question Period addressing Official Languages and Citizenship and Immigration matters. The main legislative item discussed was Bill C-14, an Act to amend the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act and the Weights and Measures Act, which reached the second reading stage and had its debate adjourned. Other bills and inquiries were also debated or continued. The sitting concluded with the Senate adjourning.

During the Senate's second reading debate on Bill C-14, Senator Stephen Greene spoke in support of the bill, which he referred to as the "Fairness at the Pumps Act." He explained that the bill aims to protect Canadians from inaccurate measurements by strengthening existing legislation, the Weights and Measures Act and the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act. He noted concerns raised in the media about gas pumps providing inaccurate measurements and stated that the bill would address this by introducing mandatory inspection frequencies for measuring devices, authorizing non-government inspectors, and implementing stiffer penalties for violations. Senator Greene also highlighted that Canada has lagged behind other countries in implementing mandatory inspection frequencies and that this bill would modernize the country's approach to retail measurement to align with international standards. The debate on Bill C-14 was adjourned.

This document records a Senate sitting on November 17, 2010. The main business related to Bill C-14, an Act to amend the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act and the Weights and Measures Act, was the continuation of debate at second reading. Senator Mac Harb spoke in favour of the bill, highlighting its purpose of ensuring fairness in measurement, but also raised concerns about its title, the accuracy rates in other industries, potential costs to retailers and consumers, and the expanded powers of inspectors. He noted that while the principle of the bill was supported, further scrutiny in committee was needed. The sitting also included Senators' Statements on various topics including the "Climate Change Accountability Bill," congratulations to inductees of the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame, the work of Genome Canada, an Equal Voice Award recipient, and economic development in Nova Scotia. Routine Proceedings involved the tabling of reports from parliamentary associations. Question Period addressed climate change, sodium reduction strategies, veterans affairs, and the Leader of the Government in the Senate's responses. A significant portion of the sitting was dedicated to a "Question of Privilege" raised by Senator Grant Mitchell concerning discrepancies between the audio recordings and the written Hansard record of a previous day's proceedings, specifically regarding the vote on Bill C-311. The Speaker ultimately ruled that there was no prima facie question of privilege but would investigate administrative aspects of the reporting system. Debate also continued on other bills, including the "Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Bill," the "Controlled Drugs and Substances Act," and an inquiry on the "Impact of Dementia on Society."

On November 17, 2010, the Senate held its second reading debate on Bill C-14, An Act to amend the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act and the Weights and Measures Act. The debate focused on whether the bill was necessary, whether it addressed the public's needs regarding gas prices and competition, and if it was effective and fair to consumers and retailers. Concerns were raised about the bill's title, "Fairness at the Pumps Act," being misleading given the broad scope of sectors it affected. Discussions also touched upon the potential for increased costs for retailers and consumers due to more inspectors, the fairness of privatizing inspections, potential conflicts of interest with private inspectors, the lack of an appeal mechanism for retailers, the enforcement of penalties, and the expanded powers granted to inspectors. The debate also included other Senate business such as statements on climate change, the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame, Genome Canada, an Equal Voice Award, economic development in Nova Scotia, and the tabling of reports from parliamentary associations. A significant portion of the sitting was dedicated to a debate on a question of privilege regarding discrepancies between the audio recording and the written Hansard of a previous day's proceedings concerning Bill C-311. Additionally, there were debates on other bills, including the Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Bill, a bill to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and discussions on the impact of dementia and offshore drilling operations.

This record details a Senate sitting on February 2, 2011. The primary focus related to Bill C-14 was the continuation of the second reading debate. Senator Tommy Banks spoke about the bill, specifically noting the clauses related to the appointment and qualifications of inspectors. He found these clauses to be well-drafted, unlike in other bills he had previously criticized. The debate on Bill C-14 was then adjourned.

During this Senate sitting on February 3, 2011, senators discussed several topics including the International Year for People of African Descent, Senate accountability and expenses, and tributes to the late Honourable Keith Douglas Davey. They also acknowledged the fifth anniversary of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's tenure and the start of the Year of the Rabbit. Routine proceedings involved tabling reports on the Statutes Repeal Act and the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration. Question Period addressed issues such as Service Canada office closures, funding for settlement services for newcomers, and Canada-European Union free trade negotiations. The Senate also considered messages from the House of Commons regarding amendments to a Criminal Code bill. The second reading of Bill C-14, an Act to amend the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act and the Weights and Measures Act, was completed, and the bill was referred to committee. Debates were also held on Bill C-35 concerning immigration representatives and Bill S-219 regarding rural postal services. A motion to resolve into a Committee of the Whole to hear from the Commissioner of Official Languages was debated and adjourned. The sitting concluded with a motion to adjourn until February 8, 2011.

On February 17, 2011, the Senate convened, and the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce presented its Ninth Report on Bill C-14. The committee reported the bill, which amends the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act and the Weights and Measures Act, without amendment. The Senate also received a message from the House of Commons concerning Bill C-59, An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, which was given first reading in the Senate. The sitting included statements on various topics, a report being tabled regarding the Canadian Artists and Producers Professional Relations Tribunal, and debates on other bills and issues, including the F-35 aircraft purchase, correctional service programs, First Nations peoples in correctional facilities, the cost of crime bills, and the Canadian International Development Agency's funding decisions related to KAIROS. There was also a debate on climate change policy and ongoing discussions for Bill C-288 (Income Tax Act amendment) and Bill C-442 (National Holocaust Monument Act). The Senate adjourned until March 1, 2011.

On March 1, 2011, the Senate convened for its third reading debate on Bill C-14, which aims to amend the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act and the Weights and Measures Act. The debate was adjourned. The Senate also addressed other legislative matters and debated various inquiries and reports. Additionally, Senators paid tribute to the late Honourable Marian L. Maloney and acknowledged other matters.

The Senate proceedings on March 2, 2011, included a debate on Bill C-14, which aims to amend the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act and the Weights and Measures Act. During the third reading of the bill, an amendment was proposed to change its short title to the 'Fairness in Weights and Measures Act'. The government argued against this amendment, stating the bill had already passed the other place with its original title and saw no need to revisit it. Another senator indicated a plan to speak further on the issue the following day. The debate on this amendment was adjourned.

The Senate was in session on March 3, 2011. The primary business related to Bill C-14, An Act to amend the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act and the Weights and Measures Act, which was at the third reading stage. Senators debated a proposed amendment to change the short title of the bill to the "Fairness in Weights and Measures Act." This amendment was ultimately defeated, and the bill proceeded to third reading and was passed, "on division." In addition to this legislative work, the Senate heard senators' statements on various topics, received committee reports, heard oral questions on diverse subjects from senators to the government, and debated other bills at various stages.