Bill S-220 explained in plain English

On June 15, 2010, the Senate convened for a sitting that included Senators' Statements, Routine Proceedings, Question Period, and Orders of the Day. During the sitting, Bill S-220, an Act to amend the Official Languages Act concerning communications with and services to the public, was brought up for second reading debate. The debate was adjourned after Senator Maria Chaput presented the bill and Senator Gerald J. Comeau moved to adjourn the debate. Other proceedings included the tabling of various reports, questions during Question Period on topics such as medical isotopes and offshore oil drilling, and debates on other bills and committee reports. The sitting concluded with adjournment.

On October 7, 2010, the Senate continued its debate on Bill S-220, an act to amend the Official Languages Act concerning communications with and services to the public. Senator Gerald J. Comeau moved to adjourn the debate, indicating he was still preparing his notes on the bill. This means the bill's second reading debate was paused and will continue at a later date.

On October 21, 2010, the Senate continued its second reading debate on Bill S-220, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act. Senator Rose-Marie Losier-Cool spoke in support of the bill, explaining its provisions to ensure communications and services of equal quality in both official languages. She highlighted key elements including requirements for designated carriers, services in specific regions, the RCMP's role on the Trans-Canada Highway, and provisions for consulting official language minority communities. The debate was adjourned to allow for further discussion. Other Senate business included tabling of committee reports, notices of inquiry, and discussions on various topics such as compassionate care benefits, the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, Nortel employees' disability benefits, and the Tartan Day Bill, which also had its second reading debate continued.

This document records a debate in the Senate on October 21, 2010, regarding Bill S-220, an Act to amend the Official Languages Act. The debate focused on ensuring equal quality of communications and services in both official languages across various sectors, including transportation carriers, the RCMP, and federal institutions. Key aspects discussed were the designation of carriers, service provision in specific regions and airports, the importance of consulting official language minority communities, and measures to protect and revitalize these communities. The debate also touched upon the concept of 'significant demand' and the vitality of minority communities. The discussion was adjourned to allow for further debate.

This document is a record of a Senate sitting on November 4, 2010. During this sitting, several items were addressed. The Senate heard statements on topics including the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, civil legal aid, and the passing of Reverend Dr. Donald E. Fairfax. Routine proceedings included the tabling of various reports, including the President of the Treasury Board's 2009-10 Annual Report and Supplementary Estimates (B). A report from the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee on Bill S-10, an Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, was presented with an amendment. Notices of motions were given to authorize committees to study Supplementary Estimates (B). The Question Period addressed topics such as linguistic duality, the Canadian Polar Commission, the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, the 2011 Census, climate change policy, and the release of government information. The Orders of the Day included debates and proceedings on several bills, including the Canada Consumer Product Safety Bill (debate adjourned), the Sustaining Canada's Economic Recovery Bill, and Bill S-220, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act (debate continued). Other matters included committee reports on user fees and assistive voting devices, and a debate on the erosion of freedom of speech. The sitting concluded with a motion to adjourn until November 16, 2010.

This record details a Senate debate on Bill S-220, an Act to amend the Official Languages Act. Senator Claudette Tardif spoke in favour of the bill, arguing that the Act needs to be updated to reflect current demographic and sociolinguistic realities in Canada. She highlighted changes in population distribution, immigration patterns, and increasing numbers of French immersion students. Senator Tardif explained that the bill aims to update the criteria for determining 'significant demand' for services in an official language, incorporating qualitative factors alongside current mathematical ones. She also noted the bill's proposals for 'equal quality' of service, specific obligations for carriers, and enhanced consultation requirements. Senator Terry Mercer raised concerns about the removal of the mandatory long-form census, fearing it would limit data collection needed to provide services to minority language groups. Senator Tardif expressed similar concerns about the loss of vital data from the census.

This document is a record of a Senate sitting on November 23, 2010. The main business of the day included tributes to Senator Peter A. Stollery, who was retiring. Other items included the tabling of committee reports, first readings of two bills (one to amend the Old Age Security Act and another concerning gender equity in Indian Registration), and various notices of motions. The sitting also featured Question Period on topics such as Edmonton's bid for Expo 2017, the Sydney Harbour Project, and long-term disability benefits for Nortel employees. The primary legislative focus was the continuation of the debate at second reading for Bill S-220, an Act to amend the Official Languages Act, and Bill S-208, an Act to amend the Conflict of Interest Act. Several inquiries were also debated, including the benefits of Canada's oil sands, pluralism, diversity, and racism in Canada, the Senate's website presence, women's equality, and Canada's engagement in Afghanistan. The sitting concluded with the adjournment of several debates.

This document details a Senate sitting on December 7, 2010. The primary focus of the sitting was to pay tribute to the late Honourable Norman K. Atkins, a former Senator. Several Senators shared memories and reflections on his life and contributions. The sitting also included routine proceedings where various reports were tabled and notices of motions were given. Orders of the Day included continuation of debates on several bills, including Bill S-220 concerning official languages, Bill C-36 regarding consumer product safety, and Bill S-10 addressing controlled drugs and substances. There was also a debate regarding long-term disability benefits for former Nortel employees, and discussions on Bill S-204 (protection of children) and Bill C-232 (Supreme Court Act amendment). The Senate proceeded with the adoption of some committee reports and deferred votes on others. The sitting concluded with adjournment.

On December 14, 2010, the Senate continued its debate on Bill S-220, an Act to amend the Official Languages Act concerning communications with and services to the public. The debate at this stage, known as second reading, is where the general principles of the bill are discussed. While the debate touches on the bill's objectives, the official text provided focuses more on the procedural aspects of the sitting, including various reports tabled, questions raised during Question Period, and other legislative items being considered. The specific content of the debate on Bill S-220 involved the Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate expressing support for referring the bill to committee for further study, while also outlining concerns regarding its potential financial and administrative impacts on the private sector and provincial governments, and its implications within Canada's parliamentary system. Senator Maria Chaput, the bill's sponsor, inquired about the continuation of the debate and the referral of the bill to committee. Senators Noël A. Kinsella (Speaker), Catherine S. Callbeck, Suzanne Fortin-Duplessis, Rose-Marie Losier-Cool, Hugh Segal, Roméo Dallaire, Donald H. Oliver, Yonah Martin, Lillian Eva Dyck, Dennis Dawson, Joseph A. Day, A. Raynell Andreychuk, Marjory LeBreton, Sharon Carstairs, Art Eggleton, James S. Cowan, Grant Mitchell, Tommy Banks, Serge Joyal, Claude Carignan, Joan Fraser, Elizabeth Marshall, Gerald J. Comeau, Pamela Wallin, Consiglio Di Nino, David Tkachuk, Bill Rompkey, Kelvin Kenneth Ogilvie, Francis Fox, Elaine McCoy, and Michael A. Meighen also participated in discussions related to various other matters during the sitting.

The Senate convened on February 16, 2011. The sitting included Senators' Statements on various topics, the tabling of reports from the Commissioner of Lobbying, and Question Period where senators asked questions on topics including Northern food subsidies, international development, and appointments to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). The Senate also continued debate on several bills and inquiries. Notably, the debate on Bill S-220, an Act to amend the Official Languages Act, was continued. The Senate also authorized committees to study healthcare progress and agricultural research. The sitting concluded with the adjournment of debate on various items.

On March 24, 2011, the Senate of Canada held a sitting that included routine proceedings, question period, and orders of the day. The sitting featured several statements by Senators on various topics, including Global Day of Epilepsy Awareness, tributes, and Safe Digging Month. It also included the tabling of committee reports and debates on several bills. Notably, Bill S-220, an Act to amend the Official Languages Act, was at the second reading stage, with debate continuing. Several senators expressed concerns about its potential impact on the private sector, provincial/municipal governments, and the RCMP, particularly regarding costs and the scope of its application. Other business included debates on Bills C-55, C-54, S-227, and C-475, as well as motions and inquiries on various subjects. The debate on Bill S-220 was adjourned.