Bill S-7 explained in plain English

On April 21, 2010, Bill S-7, an act to deter terrorism and amend the State Immunity Act, was introduced in the Senate and received its first reading. Following this procedural step, the bill was placed on the Senate's order of business for second reading two days later. The rest of the sitting included statements on various topics, question period exchanges on issues like funding for the First Nations University of Canada and the issue of missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls, and debates on other bills.

The Senate of Canada convened on April 28, 2010. The sitting included Senators' Statements on various topics, Routine Proceedings where reports were tabled and notices of motions were given, and Question Period addressing issues in fisheries, agriculture, and economic development. The Orders of the Day saw debate adjourned on Bill S-7, "An Act to deter terrorism and to amend the State Immunity Act," and Bill S-6, "An Act to amend the Criminal Code and another Act," while debate continued on Bill S-206, "An Act to establish gender parity on the board of directors of certain corporations, financial institutions and parent Crown corporations." Debate was also adjourned on Bill S-204, "An Act to amend the Criminal Code (protection of children)."

This artifact is a record of a Senate debate that took place on April 28, 2010. The primary focus of the provided text is not Bill S-7, but rather several other discussions and proceedings. However, the artifact does contain a section where the second reading of Bill S-7, An Act to deter terrorism and to amend the State Immunity Act, is moved by Senator David Tkachuk. The debate on Bill S-7 was adjourned and did not continue within this specific record. The rest of the artifact includes discussions on multiple sclerosis treatment, maternal health, the 65th anniversary of the Netherlands' liberation, International Dance Day, the Fort St. John Flyers hockey team, tabled reports from Export Development Canada and the Library of Parliament, a notice of motion to hear from Polish parliamentary representatives, a notice of inquiry regarding employment insurance maternity and parental benefits, questions and answers regarding the lobster and snow crab industries, farm income, the Atlantic Gateway project, the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, delayed answers to oral questions about the First Nations University of Canada and the Canadian Council on Learning, and debates on two other bills: Bill S-6 (Serious Time for the Most Serious Crime Act) and Bill S-206 (Gender Parity on Boards of Directors).

This artifact details a sitting of the Senate on June 10, 2010. The Senate convened for routine proceedings, question period, and orders of the day. Several reports were tabled, including the Senate Ethics Officer's annual report and reports from parliamentary delegations. Two bills were introduced at first reading: one amending the Income Tax Act and another amending the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. During question period, senators discussed security at the G8 and G20 summits, asbestos regulations, temporary visas for Cuban dignitaries, business income tax penalties, and environmental ministers' meetings. A significant portion of the sitting was dedicated to continuing debate on various bills, including Bill C-9 (An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget), Bill S-7 (An Act to deter terrorism and to amend the State Immunity Act), Bill S-204 (An Act to amend the Criminal Code concerning the protection of children), and Bill C-288 (An Act to amend the Income Tax Act for new graduates in designated regions). The Senate also continued debate on reports concerning the Main Estimates and the GLOBE 2010 Conference. A motion to authorize the National Finance Committee to sit during sittings and adjournments was amended and adopted. The Senate adjourned until June 15, 2010. The artifact indicates Bill S-7 was at the second reading debate stage.

During this Senate debate on Bill S-7, a senator discussed the bill's proposal to extend the ability of Canadian courts to hear lawsuits against foreign states for actions that occur outside of Canada, not just within Canada. The senator focused on two main areas of concern: an arbitration clause that might make it more difficult for Canadian plaintiffs to seek justice, and the government's role in identifying which states can be sued. The senator argued that while private litigation could have significant impacts on Canada's international relations, the government should retain control over which states are designated as defendants to avoid foreign policy being driven by private lawsuits. The senator also noted that this listing function is consistent with existing anti-terrorism legislation where the government already lists terrorist states.

This document is a record of a Senate sitting on June 17, 2010. The sitting included various procedural activities such as tabling reports, presenting committee findings, and proceeding with the first reading of a bill. There was also debate on several bills, including Bill S-7, which was read a second time and referred to a special committee. The record also includes statements by senators on various topics and question period exchanges.

This record details a Senate sitting on October 5, 2010. The main procedural event concerning Bill S-7 was the presentation of the "Second Report of the Special Committee on Anti-Terrorism". The committee reported Bill S-7, "An Act to deter terrorism and to amend the State Immunity Act," without amendment. The bill was then placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting. The rest of the sitting involved senators making statements on various topics, tabling reports, and debating other bills and motions, none of which directly related to Bill S-7's procedural progression.

This document records the proceedings of the Senate on November 2, 2010. The Senate convened for the day with various Senators making statements on topics such as congratulating an individual on their induction into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame, welcoming a delegation from the Russian Federation, Remembrance Day, the F-35 fighter purchase, missing and murdered Aboriginal women, and a capital gains tax benefit for land trusts. Routine proceedings included the tabling of several reports and the first reading of a bill. Question Period addressed topics like the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, support for the arts and culture, and budget restraints at colleges and universities. The Orders of the Day included debates on the Justice for Victims of Terrorism Bill (Bill S-7), the Senatorial Selection Bill, and amendments to the Supreme Court Act. The Senate also adopted the sixth report of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration regarding a performance audit of the Senate Administration, and debated an inquiry on accountability in Aboriginal Affairs. The debate for Bill S-7, the Justice for Victims of Terrorism Bill, was adjourned after a motion in amendment was introduced and debated.

On November 16, 2010, the Senate debated Bill S-7, "An Act to deter terrorism and to amend the State Immunity Act." This stage of the legislative process was the third reading in the Senate. The debate focused on proposed amendments to the bill, specifically concerning the process for listing foreign states that support terrorism and the potential for victims to receive compensation. The Senate also addressed other matters, including tributes to former Senator Dufferin Roblin, various tabled reports, and discussions on topics such as climate change policy, veterans' benefits, and language education. Bill S-7 ultimately passed third reading in the Senate, with amendments, on a division vote.