Bill S-213 explained in plain English

On December 9, 2015, in the Senate, Bill S-213, an Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 and the Parliament of Canada Act concerning the Speakership of the Senate, was introduced and read for the first time. This event is recorded as the "Introduction and first reading debate record" for this sitting. The Senate also dealt with other routine proceedings, including tabling of reports and the presentation of committee reports. Several notices of motion were given, and debates on other matters, including the Speech from the Throne and procedural motions, were continued or adjourned. No debate specifically about Bill S-213 itself is present in this record; it only notes its first reading.

On February 4, 2016, the Senate debated Bill S-213, concerning the speakership of the Senate. The debate was adjourned, meaning it was not completed. In addition to this debate, the Senate also conducted other business, including statements by senators, tabling of reports, notice of motions, question period, and discussions on committee procedures and the rules of the Senate. Several other bills were also mentioned or debated.

This record details a Senate debate at the second reading stage of Bill S-213. The debate, initiated by Senator Mercer, focused on changing the process for selecting the Speaker of the Senate. Senator Mercer argued that the current system, where the Prime Minister advises the Governor General on appointing the Speaker, is unnatural and undemocratic, as other Canadian legislative bodies, and most upper chambers globally, elect their Speakers. He proposed that Bill S-213 would amend the Constitution Act, 1867, and the Parliament of Canada Act to allow Senators to elect their own Speaker and Deputy Speaker, with the Speaker only voting in case of a tie. The debate also touched upon broader Senate reform, including the Prime Minister's promise of Senate appointments based on merit and increasing gender equity. Senator Joyal raised constitutional questions regarding Parliament's capacity to amend the relevant section of the Constitution, to which Senator Mercer responded that legal advice indicated this was within Parliament's powers and did not require provincial consultation.

This artifact is a record of the Senate's proceedings on February 16, 2016. It includes statements by senators on various topics, notices of motions from different committees, and ongoing debates. Specifically, it details the continuation of the second reading debate for Bill S-213, an Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 and the Parliament of Canada Act (Speakership of the Senate). During this debate, Senator Stephen Greene expressed support for the principle of an elected Speaker but raised concerns about the method proposed in Bill S-213, suggesting alternative, non-legislative approaches and highlighting the need for Royal Consent. The record also shows the adjournment of the debate for Bill S-213 and the second reading of Bill S-208 (National Seal Products Day Bill), which was also adjourned. Additionally, several committees received authorization to undertake studies, and a motion to adjust the timing of Question Period was adopted.

During the Senate's second reading debate on Bill S-213, Senator Stephen Greene spoke in favour of the principle of senators choosing their own Speaker but expressed concerns about the bill's approach, specifically its proposed amendment to the Constitution Act, 1867. He suggested exploring non-legislative options, referencing past instances and the recent Senate Appointments Committee as examples of procedural changes. Senator Greene also raised the issue of Royal Consent, noting that a previous version of the bill lacked it and that the current absence of a Leader of the Government in the Senate complicates the process. He proposed an alternative method where the Senate could address the Governor General to propose a candidate for Speaker. The debate on Bill S-213 was adjourned.

This artifact is a record of a Senate sitting on April 21, 2016. The sitting included Senate's Statements, Routine Proceedings, Question Period, and Orders of the Day. During Orders of the Day, the Senate continued debate on Bill S-213, an Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 and the Parliament of Canada Act (Speakership of the Senate), and adjourned the debate. The sitting also included a motion to affect Question Period on May 3, 2016, which was adopted, and a motion to authorize the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence to study issues related to the government's current defence policy review, which was also adopted. The sitting concluded with a motion to adjourn until May 3, 2016.

This artifact details a sitting of the Senate on May 11, 2016. The Senate chamber observed several statements, including those regarding Ovarian Cancer Canada, visitors from Prévost, Quebec, Canada-Malaysia relations, Speech and Hearing Month, the Energy East Pipeline, and the Fort McMurray disaster. Routine proceedings included the tabling of Supplementary Estimates (A) and a notice of motion regarding Question Period. The Question Period addressed topics such as electoral reform, the long-form census, small business tax rates, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Saudi Arabia arms deal, and the Energy East Pipeline. The Orders of the Day included continued debates on amendments to the Criminal Code, and the Constitution Act, 1867 and the Parliament of Canada Act concerning the Speakership of the Senate. There was also a debate on a committee report, and continued inquiries regarding human rights abuses in Iran. Notably, the debate on Bill S-213, concerning the Speakership of the Senate, was continued, with Senator Leo Housakos expressing concerns about amending the Constitution and the role of an elected Speaker.

On October 4, 2016, the Senate of Canada held a sitting where several procedural matters were addressed. The second reading debate for Bill S-213, an act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 and the Parliament of Canada Act concerning the Speakership of the Senate, was continued. Additionally, debates on Bill S-202 (Divorce Act amendments) and Bill S-229 (Underground Infrastructure Safety Enhancement Bill) were addressed, with the latter's debate being suspended and later adjourned. The Senate also discussed and voted on a motion to permit photographic coverage during Question Period, which was ultimately agreed to after debate. Question Period itself involved the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship responding to various inquiries. Several reports from Senate committees were tabled. Other items included the first reading of a bill to amend the Criminal Code and discussions on Senate modernization and rules of procedure.

This document records the Senate's proceedings on October 6, 2016. It includes several "Senators' Statements" where Senators paid tribute to deceased former colleagues and discussed women's suffrage and the northern shrimp industry. Routine proceedings involved tabling reports on sustainable development and committee studies, and presenting committee reports on bills. Question Period addressed mental health, Syrian refugees, the Zika virus, and citizenship requirements. The "Orders of the Day" section details legislative actions: Bill C-2 (Income Tax Act) and Bill S-213 (Speakership of the Senate) both moved to second reading and were referred to committees. A motion to adjust Question Period timing was adopted. Another bill, Bill S-217 (Criminal Code), had its committee report adopted. Bills S-202 (Divorce Act) and another bill to amend the Criminal Code also moved to second reading or had committee reports adopted and were referred to committees. Debates on Senate modernization, the Senate budget, and rules for legislative reports were continued or adjourned. A committee was authorized to study farmland acquisition. Finally, a motion regarding the Senate's adjournment was adopted.

On March 28, 2017, the Senate met, and the Committee on Senate Modernization presented its eleventh report on Bill S-213, an Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 and the Parliament of Canada Act (Speakership of the Senate). The committee reported the bill without amendment but with observations. Following this, the bill was placed on the Orders of the Day for third reading at the next sitting.