Bill C-7 explained in plain English

This record details a debate in the House of Commons on September 30, 2011, concerning Bill C-7, An Act respecting the selection of senators and amending the Constitution Act, 1867 in respect of Senate term limits. Members from various parties, primarily the NDP and Liberals, expressed significant concerns about the bill's constitutionality, its impact on federal-provincial relations, its potential to create gridlock, and its effectiveness in addressing Senate partisanship and regional representation. Conservative members defended the bill as a necessary and practical step towards Senate reform, emphasizing that it falls within Parliament's authority and responds to public demand for change. The debate also included discussions on other matters unrelated to Bill C-7, such as the economy, ethics, and specific policy issues.

During this second reading debate in the House of Commons, various members expressed their views on Bill C-7, which proposes reforms to the Senate, including changes to how senators are selected and the introduction of term limits. The Minister of State (Democratic Reform) introduced the bill, highlighting the need for Senate reform to increase its democratic legitimacy and effectiveness, suggesting that current appointment processes lack transparency and senators can serve for excessively long periods. Opposition members raised concerns about the bill's constitutionality, its potential to create partisan gridlock, and its impact on provincial representation, particularly for Western provinces. Some argued that the proposed reforms do not address the core issues of partisanship and lack of accountability within the Senate, while others suggested abolishing the Senate altogether as a more democratic solution. The debate also touched upon the government's approach to constitutional amendments, with differing interpretations of Parliament's authority.

This Hansard record from September 30, 2011, details a debate in the House of Commons regarding Bill C-7, An Act respecting the selection of senators and amending the Constitution Act, 1867 in respect of Senate term limits. Members of Parliament from the NDP and Liberal parties expressed concerns about the bill's constitutionality and its potential to create gridlock and regional unfairness, particularly for Alberta and British Columbia. They argued that fundamental changes to the Senate require broader provincial consent and that the bill's proposed reforms are superficial. Members of the Conservative Party defended the bill, stating it was a practical and achievable step towards Senate reform that aligns with public opinion and Parliament's authority. They emphasized the need for greater accountability and democratic legitimacy in the Senate, proposing term limits and a framework for provincial consultation on senator selection.

This is a record of the House of Commons debate during the second reading of Bill C-7, the "An Act respecting the selection of senators and amending the Constitution Act, 1867 in respect of Senate term limits". The debate primarily focused on the government's proposed reforms to the Senate, including changes to senator selection processes and the introduction of term limits.

On October 3, 2011, the House of Commons began its second reading debate on Bill C-7, an act concerning the selection of senators and amending the Constitution Act, 1867, regarding Senate term limits. The debate included discussions on the proposed nine-year term limits for senators and the process for selecting senators, with various members from different parties expressing their views and concerns. Several members debated the constitutionality of the proposed changes and the level of provincial consultation required. The sitting also included statements by members on various topics and routine proceedings where several bills were introduced.

This document records a sitting of the House of Commons on November 14, 2011. The sitting included proceedings on "Points of Order" where a member raised concerns about a committee's study potentially infringing on the independence of the courts. The House also considered "Private Members' Business", including the "Purple Day Act" (Bill C-278) to raise awareness about epilepsy, and "Government Orders" where debate continued on the "Senate Reform Act" (Bill C-7). The sitting concluded with "Statements by Members" on various topics, "Oral Questions" regarding international trade, the economy, and the RCMP, "Routine Proceedings" including the tabling of treaties and a bill related to motor vehicle safety, and an "Adjournment Proceedings" debate on infrastructure.

This document is a record of the House of Commons debate on Tuesday, November 22, 2011, concerning Bill C-7, an Act respecting the selection of senators and amending the Constitution Act, 1867 in respect of Senate term limits. The debate involved numerous Members of Parliament primarily from the New Democratic Party (NDP), Liberal Party, and Bloc Québécois, who expressed significant concerns about the bill's proposed reforms. Key themes discussed included the bill's perceived inadequacy in addressing the fundamental undemocratic nature of the Senate, the Prime Minister's continued discretion in appointing senators even from elected lists, the potential for increased costs to provinces, the constitutionality of the proposed changes without provincial consultation, and the government's failure to consult the public through a referendum. Many members argued for the abolition of the Senate, citing its partisan nature, cost, and ineffectiveness. Some also raised concerns about the potential for gridlock between an elected Senate and the House of Commons, similar to the US system. There was also a debate on the Copyright Modernization Act (Bill C-11) and the Employment Insurance Act (Bill C-291), as well as a point of privilege regarding misleading phone calls to constituents. The sitting also included routine proceedings, statements by members on various topics, and oral questions concerning the economy, health, national defence, and justice.

This artifact is a record of a sitting of the House of Commons on December 7, 2011. The sitting included "Statements by Members" where individual Members spoke on various topics, "Oral Questions" where Members questioned Ministers on government actions and policies, "Routine Proceedings" which included the introduction of new bills and tabling of petitions, and "Government Orders" where specific bills were debated. Notably, there was a debate and a vote regarding a "Time Allocation Motion" for Bill C-20, the "Fair Representation Act." The sitting also included a debate on Bill C-7, "An Act respecting the selection of senators and amending the Constitution Act, 1867 in respect of Senate term limits," which was at the second reading stage. Finally, "Private Members' Business" saw the debate and passage of Bill C-311, "An Act to amend the Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act (interprovincial importation of wine for personal use)." The sitting concluded with "Adjournment Proceedings."

During this House of Commons sitting on December 8, 2011, debate continued on Bill C-7, concerning Senate reform. Multiple Members of Parliament from various parties expressed strong opinions on the bill's proposals for Senate selection and term limits. Key themes included the constitutionality of the bill, the need for provincial consultation, the potential for elected senators to have more power, and the overall role and potential abolition of the Senate. Many members voiced concerns that the bill did not go far enough in ensuring democratic reform or that it was fundamentally flawed in its approach. There were also discussions on other matters including various proposed bills, petitions presented by MPs, and oral questions directed to the Prime Minister and other ministers on topics such as Canada-U.S. relations, the Canadian Wheat Board, Aboriginal affairs, and environmental policy. The sitting also included statements by members on various community and national issues, and tributes to the retiring Parliamentary Librarian.

During a sitting of the House of Commons on February 27, 2012, members debated Bill C-7, which proposes reforms to the Senate. The debate focused on how senators are selected and the concept of term limits. Members discussed the constitutional implications of changing the selection process, the role of provinces in nominating senators, and the potential impact on regional representation. There was also discussion about whether such reforms require constitutional amendments and the possibility of abolishing the Senate altogether. The debate also included a discussion of Bill C-299, concerning mandatory minimum sentences for kidnapping young persons, and other matters such as election fraud and international trade agreements.