Bill C-10 explained in plain English

The Senate met on June 3, 2014. The primary procedural action related to Bill C-10 was its first reading. After receiving the bill from the House of Commons, it was read for the first time and scheduled for second reading. During the sitting, several other matters were discussed, including: * Concerns about the expiry of federal rent-geared-to-income assistance for co-operative housing. * Tributes to Senator Andrée Champagne upon her retirement. * Reflections on the first anniversary of the Rana Plaza factory collapse. * Commemoration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre. * A debate concerning the appointment process for the Supreme Court of Canada, specifically regarding judicial independence and eligibility requirements. * Questions about funding for the Canada Periodical Fund and the Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation. * Discussions regarding the potential impact of proposed American legislation on Canadian trade. * Information on the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, including financial transfers to Atlantic provinces. * A delayed answer to an oral question about Canadian aid to find abducted girls in Sudan. * A motion to resolve into a Committee of the Whole to receive the nominee for Privacy Commissioner, Daniel Therrien, which was adopted. Mr. Therrien was then heard and questioned by senators. The debate on approving his appointment was adjourned. * The Tla'amin Final Agreement Bill was read second time and referred to committee. * The fourth report of the Banking, Trade and Commerce Committee on the subject matter of Bill C-31 was debated and the debate was adjourned. * The Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources was authorized to meet during the sitting. * The Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology was authorized to study the subject matter of Bill C-24 in advance of its coming before the Senate. * Bill C-394, an Act to amend the Criminal Code and the National Defence Act (criminal organization recruitment), was moved for third reading, and the debate was adjourned. * Bill S-216, an Act to amend the Divorce Act (shared parenting plans), was moved for second reading, and the debate was adjourned. * An inquiry regarding the contributions in Afghanistan was debated and adjourned. Throughout the sitting, senators raised various concerns and engaged in discussions on a range of policy issues.

On June 11, 2014, the Senate proceeded to the second reading of Bill C-10, an Act to amend the Criminal Code (trafficking in contraband tobacco). Senator Vernon White moved the second reading of the bill, and his speech in favour of the bill was concluded. The debate on the bill was then adjourned.

During the Senate's second reading debate on Bill C-10, the Sponsor's speech focused on the amendments to the Criminal Code concerning trafficking in contraband tobacco. The speech highlighted that the bill creates a new offense and introduces mandatory minimum penalties for repeat offenders. It also mentioned that the bill fulfills a government commitment from its 2011 election platform and aims to combat the significant problem of contraband tobacco, which fuels organized crime and poses risks to public health, particularly among youth. The discussion also touched on the broader health and economic impacts of tobacco use. The debate was adjourned after the Sponsor's speech.

This Senate sitting on June 18, 2014, was primarily focused on paying tribute to Senator Catherine Callbeck, who was retiring. Senators from across the chamber shared personal anecdotes and acknowledged her significant contributions to public service, particularly her pioneering role as the first woman premier of Prince Edward Island and her work on various Senate committees, including those focused on healthcare and mental health. While other legislative matters were mentioned and some bills were advanced, the dominant theme of the day was the heartfelt farewell to Senator Callbeck. The sitting also included the tabling of several reports and notices of motions.

This Senate record from June 18, 2014, focuses on tributes to Senator Catherine Callbeck, who was retiring. Several senators shared personal anecdotes and highlighted her significant career as a trailblazer for women in politics, including her time as the first female premier of Prince Edward Island and her work in the Senate on committees like Social Affairs, Science and Technology, which contributed to reports on healthcare and mental health. The record also includes discussions on other Senate business, such as tabling reports, and debates on various bills, including Bill C-10 concerning contraband tobacco, and Bill C-31, a budget implementation bill. Senator Callbeck herself gave a farewell speech, reflecting on her time in the Senate, the importance of the institution, and the need for reform. The record does not contain any procedural activity related to Bill C-10, as it appears to be a discussion about Senator Callbeck's retirement and other unrelated Senate business.

On September 25, 2014, the Senate convened. During routine proceedings, the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee presented its fourteenth report on Bill C-10, an Act to amend the Criminal Code (trafficking in contraband tobacco), stating it had examined the bill and reported it without amendment. The Senate then proceeded with other business, including debates on various inquiries and bills, question period, and adjournment motions. The sitting concluded with the Senate adjourning until September 30, 2014.

This document is a record of a Senate sitting on October 1, 2014. The sitting included tributes to the late artist Frederick Joseph Ross, discussions on ending violence against girls in Asia-Pacific and the UN HeForShe campaign, and the tabling of several reports from parliamentary delegations. A significant portion of the sitting was dedicated to the third reading debate of Bill C-10, an Act to amend the Criminal Code (trafficking in contraband tobacco). The debate focused on the proposed mandatory minimum penalties for repeat offenders and the bill's potential impact on public health and organized crime. Other discussions included audits by the Canada Revenue Agency, the political situation in Hong Kong, and debates on various other Senate committee reports and motions.

On October 7, 2014, the Senate held its third reading debate for Bill C-10, an Act to amend the Criminal Code regarding trafficking in contraband tobacco. During the debate, Senator Jane Cordy spoke in favour of the bill's intent to combat contraband tobacco and limit youth access to these products. She noted the bill creates a new Criminal Code offence for trafficking, making it enforceable by ordinary peace officers, not just the RCMP. However, Senator Cordy expressed strong objections to the mandatory minimum sentences included in the bill, arguing they limit judicial discretion and lack evidence as a deterrent. She also raised concerns about the disproportionate impact on Indigenous peoples and the lack of consultation with First Nations groups during the bill's drafting. The debate also touched on the broader issues of contraband tobacco, organized crime, and the justice system's treatment of Indigenous offenders. Following this debate, a motion was proposed to amend Bill C-10 to ensure consultation with Aboriginal peoples before its implementation. The Senate also discussed other matters, including reports tabled, other bills at various stages, and inquiries.

On October 8, 2014, the Senate debated Bill C-10 at its third reading stage. During the debate, a motion was proposed to amend the bill. This motion suggested that the Act should not come into force unless the government consulted with and accommodated the views of Aboriginal peoples regarding the tobacco trade and the Act's implementation. The motion in amendment was ultimately negatived (rejected). Following this, the main motion for the third reading of Bill C-10 was agreed to, and the bill was passed by the Senate.