Bill S-234 explained in plain English

On December 12, 2016, the Senate convened for its first reading of Bill S-234, an act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act to establish a Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate. However, the bill was not proceeded with. The sitting also included discussions on various other matters, including drug crises, historical anniversaries, budget implementation, Senate modernization, and criminal code amendments.

This Senate sitting on December 15, 2016, included routine proceedings such as tabling reports and presenting bills, followed by question period on various government matters. The Senate also debated and passed several bills, including Bill C-26 regarding the Canada Pension Plan, Bill C-6 concerning the Citizenship Act, Bill C-4 on the Canada Labour Code, Bill S-230 regarding drug-impaired driving, and Bill S-215 on sentencing for violent offences against Aboriginal women. A motion to authorize the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights to study prisoners' rights was adopted, as was a motion to authorize the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples to study a new relationship between Canada and Indigenous peoples. The sitting concluded with felicitations for the holiday season and adjournment.

This artifact is a record of the Senate's debate during the second reading of Bill S-234, An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate). The bill's sponsor, Senator Wilfred P. Moore, spoke in favour of establishing a Parliamentary Artist Laureate position. He argued that such a position would recognize the importance of visual artists and their contributions to Canadian culture and the economy, similar to the existing Parliamentary Poet Laureate. He noted that the arts contribute significantly to Canada's GDP and employment. The bill proposed that the artist laureate would be an officer of the Library of Parliament, selected by the Speakers of the Senate and House of Commons from a list provided by an independent committee. The role would involve promoting Canadian arts through Parliament. After Senator Moore's speech, the debate was adjourned, meaning the bill was not moved forward at this stage. The artifact does not contain the full text of the bill itself, only the discussion surrounding its second reading.

This artifact is a record of a Senate sitting on March 9, 2017. It includes Senators' Statements on various topics, Routine Proceedings where various reports were tabled and a bill was introduced, Question Period where senators asked questions on topics like infrastructure spending, the John Diefenbaker Award, and grain transportation, and Orders of the Day where debates on several bills continued or were adjourned. The artifact specifically mentions Bill S-234, concerning a Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate, with debate on its second reading continuing. Other bills discussed included amendments to the Citizenship Act, Tobacco Act, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and the Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act. Several committee reports were also tabled or had their reporting dates extended. The sitting concluded with adjournment.

This record details a Senate debate on March 9, 2017, regarding Bill S-234, which aims to establish a Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate. The debate focused on the proposed role and function of such a laureate, drawing parallels to the existing Parliamentary Poet Laureate. Discussions touched upon the importance of the arts in communicating parliamentary work, promoting civic engagement, and celebrating Canadian identity. The bill proposed that the laureate would be an officer of the Library of Parliament, appointed for a two-year term, and would create artistic works related to Parliament Hill and ongoing discussions.

This artifact is a record of a Senate sitting that took place on May 4, 2017. It documents various procedural activities, including the announcement of Royal Assent for two bills, the tabling of committee reports, the continuation of debates on several bills, and the approval of a motion regarding a committee appointment. A significant portion of the sitting was dedicated to hearing testimony from Mr. Patrick Borbey regarding his appointment as President of the Public Service Commission, followed by questions from senators. The debate on Bill S-234, concerning the establishment of a Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate, was continued.

This Senate debate record from May 4, 2017, is related to Bill S-234, An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate). The bill was not proceeded with. During the debate at the second reading stage, Senator Paul E. McIntyre spoke in support of the bill, explaining its purpose to establish a Parliamentary Artist Laureate. He detailed the proposed selection process, the role of the artist laureate, and the broad definition of visual arts that would be included. Senator McIntyre emphasized the importance of the arts in Canadian society and culture, and how this bill would promote Canadian artistic heritage. The debate on this bill was adjourned.

This record details a Senate sitting on June 8, 2017. The Senate discussed various matters including tributes to individuals, tabled reports from commissioners and committees, notices of motions, and questions raised during Question Period. Notably, the sitting included the continuation of debate on Bill C-16 concerning the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code, and the second reading of Bill S-234, An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate). Bill S-234 proceeded to committee after being read the second time. The sitting concluded with votes and adjournments.

On December 14, 2017, the Senate considered Senate Public Bills. The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology presented its twenty-second report on Bill S-234, an Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate). The committee reported the bill with amendments.

This record details a sitting of the Senate on February 1, 2018. The primary focus of the sitting was to pay tribute to Senator Claudette Tardif, who was retiring. Senators from various parties and groups shared their appreciation for her work and contributions, particularly her advocacy for linguistic minorities and francophone culture. The sitting also included routine proceedings where various committee reports were tabled, notices of motions were given, and questions were raised during Question Period on topics such as infrastructure, the Trans Mountain pipeline, and trade with India. The Senate also began or continued debate on several bills and committee reports, including Bill C-45 (Cannabis Bill) and Bill S-234 (Parliament of Canada Act amendment regarding a Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate). However, the specific debate related to Bill S-234 at the report stage was adjourned, and the bill's status is listed as "Bill not proceeded with."

This artifact is a record of a Senate sitting on February 15, 2018. It details various procedural activities, including the presentation of committee reports, notices of motions, and the beginning of debates on several bills. The sitting included tributes to former Senator Bert Brown, discussions on Black History Month, and remarks on various international and national events. The artifact does not contain a debate or decision specifically on Bill S-234, the Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate). However, Bill S-234 is mentioned as being at the "Senate: Report stage" and its debate was continued.

On April 19, 2018, the Senate sat and considered various matters. A significant procedural step taken was the adoption of the twenty-second report from the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology concerning Bill S-234, which aims to amend the Parliament of Canada Act to establish a Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate. Following the adoption of the report with amendments, the bill was scheduled for third reading at the next sitting. The sitting also included debates and discussions on other topics such as the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope, the Atlantic Memorial Park Project, labour market barriers for immigrants, and various government actions and legislative proposals. Notably, this artifact is a record of the Senate's proceedings related to Bill S-234, not the full text of the bill itself, and the bill was ultimately not proceeded with.

This artifact is a record of a Senate sitting that took place on April 24, 2018. The sitting included tributes to victims of a tragedy in Toronto, discussions on various topics including World Intellectual Property Day, tanker and pipeline safety, and the remembrance of genocide. Routine proceedings involved the tabling of reports and the first reading of a bill. The main business of the day included debates on several bills, including Bill C-24 (Salaries Act), Bill C-51 (Criminal Code and Department of Justice Act), Bill C-74 (Budget Implementation Bill), Bill S-234 (Parliament of Canada Act - Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate), and Bill S-245 (Trans Mountain Pipeline Project). Question Period involved the Minister of Indigenous Services responding to questions on cannabis legalization, Indigenous child welfare, and Indigenous housing. Several procedural motions and inquiries were also debated and concluded. Notably, Bill S-234, concerning the creation of a Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate, had its third reading debate adjourned. Bill S-245, related to the Trans Mountain Pipeline Project, was referred to committee after second reading debate.

This record details a sitting of the Senate on May 8, 2018. It includes several Senate statements on various topics, routine proceedings such as the tabling of committee reports and the first reading of bills, the orders of the day which involved debate on several bills including the Transportation Modernization Bill and the Non-Nuclear Sanctions Against Iran Bill, and Question Period where the Minister of Veterans Affairs addressed inquiries on topics ranging from medical marijuana programs to service dog standards. The sitting also included third reading debates and votes for Bill S-219 (An Act to deter Iran-sponsored terrorism, incitement to hatred, and human rights violations) and Bill S-234 (An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate)). The sitting concluded with further debate on inquiries and legislative matters.