Bill S-12 explained in plain English

This artifact is a record of a Senate sitting on October 20, 2010, where Bill S-12, "A third Act to harmonize federal law with the civil law of Quebec and to amend certain Acts in order to ensure that each language version takes into account the common law and the civil law," was introduced and received first reading. The sitting also included statements from senators on various topics, tabling of reports, question period concerning the 2011 census and missing/murdered Aboriginal women, and continuation of debates on other bills. For Bill S-12 specifically, the procedural step of first reading was completed, and the bill was scheduled for second reading. There was no debate or discussion about the substance of Bill S-12 itself recorded in this artifact. The artifact primarily details the procedural step of introducing the bill and scheduling its next stage.

On October 27, 2010, the Senate of Canada held a sitting where various matters were discussed, including statements on Acadian heritage, poverty in the North, the mission in Afghanistan, and congratulations for a wedding anniversary. The Senate also addressed questions during Question Period on the Truth in Sentencing Act, the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan takeover bid, the Canadian Council on Learning, official development assistance reports, and Rights & Democracy. A significant portion of the sitting was dedicated to the debate on Bill S-12, "A third Act to harmonize federal law with the civil law of Quebec and to amend certain Acts in order to ensure that each language version takes into account the common law and the civil law." The debate for Bill S-12 was adjourned. Other debated items included parliamentary reform, the benefits of Canada's oil sands, and a report from the Human Rights Committee. The sitting concluded with the adjournment of the Senate.

This artifact is a record of a Senate debate on October 27, 2010. The main business discussed related to Bill S-12, a bill to harmonize federal law with Quebec's civil law. The Sponsor of the bill, Senator Claude Carignan, gave a speech explaining the bill's purpose and history. Other discussions included topics such as poverty, the mission in Afghanistan, a 59th wedding anniversary, the Truth in Sentencing Act, the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan takeover bid, the Canadian Council on Learning, official development assistance, the Rights & Democracy organization, funding for northern projects, hydroelectric power generation, and parliamentary reform. The debate on Bill S-12 was adjourned.

This document is a record of a Senate sitting on November 18, 2010. During this sitting, the Senate continued debates on Bill C-36 (Canada Consumer Product Safety Bill) and an inquiry on the impact of dementia. The Senate also passed Bill S-12 (Federal Law—Civil Law Harmonization Bill, No. 3) at second reading and referred it to committee. Other proceedings included tabling committee reports, introducing a new bill (Bill S-225), and notices of inquiries. Several senators also made statements on various topics, including financial audits, migrant agricultural workers, and remembering various deceased individuals.

This Senate debate record from November 18, 2010, concerns Bill S-12, "A third Act to harmonize federal law with the civil law of Quebec and to amend certain Acts in order to ensure that each language version takes into account the common law and the civil law." During the Senate's second reading debate, Senator Céline Hervieux-Payette spoke in favour of the bill. She highlighted that this bill is the third in a series aimed at aligning federal laws with Quebec's civil law tradition, emphasizing Canada's unique bijural (two legal systems) and bilingual nature. She explained that this harmonization process is essential for respecting Quebec's legal system within the Canadian confederation and for understanding international legal systems, as common law and civil law are prevalent globally. The debate also touched upon the historical context of Quebec's civil law, its enshrinement in the Constitution, and the ongoing efforts since 1978 to ensure federal legislation respects both legal traditions. Senator Hervieux-Payette concluded by stating that Bill S-12 demonstrates Canada's commitment to its bijural system, its two official languages, and its respect for Quebecers, ultimately benefiting all Canadians by strengthening national unity and respecting provincial cultures and institutions. The Senate then adopted the motion for second reading of Bill S-12, referring it to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs for further study.

On December 9, 2010, the Senate of Canada was in session. The Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee presented its fourteenth report on Bill S-12, which aims to harmonize federal law with Quebec's civil law and amend certain acts to account for both common and civil law in each language version. The committee reported the bill without amendment. The Senate then placed the bill on the Orders of the Day for third reading at the next sitting.

This record details a Senate sitting on December 13, 2010. The primary focus related to Bill S-12 was its third reading, with debate adjourned. The sitting also included other routine proceedings, question period discussions on various topics (health, national defence, natural resources, industry, citizenship, justice), and orders of the day covering multiple bills and committee reports. Specifically for Bill S-12, the debate at third reading was adjourned after an amendment was proposed to ensure it does not affect Aboriginal or treaty rights.

This document details a Senate sitting on December 14, 2010, which included Senators' Statements on various topics, Routine Proceedings where committee reports were tabled, Question Period addressing government matters, and Orders of the Day. A key item under Orders of the Day was the third reading of Bill S-12, An Act to harmonize federal law with the civil law of Quebec and to amend certain Acts. This reading included debate on a motion to amend the bill concerning Aboriginal rights, which was ultimately defeated. The sitting concluded with Bill S-12 passing third reading.