Bill S-251 explained in plain English

This artifact details proceedings in the Senate on May 29, 2018. It includes various statements by senators, tabling of reports, and notices of motions. A key procedural event was the first reading of Bill S-251, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (independence of the judiciary) and to make related amendments, introduced by Senator Kim Pate. The debate on other bills, such as Bill S-203 (ending the captivity of whales and dolphins) and Bill S-243 (reporting on unpaid income tax), was adjourned. The artifact also includes a significant amount of text related to Question Period, where various ministers responded to questions on a range of topics including agriculture, transportation, and Indigenous issues. Finally, there are extended debates on various inquiries and motions, including discussions on Senate modernization, the expungement of historically unjust convictions, and the historical context of Canada's Constitution.

The Senate met and conducted various proceedings. Several senators made statements recognizing specific groups and events. Routine proceedings included the tabling of various committee reports on bills, including reports on Bill C-74 and Bill C-46. A motion regarding the proceedings on Bill C-45 (cannabis legislation) was adopted, outlining a schedule for debate on specific themes. Bill C-262 (United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Bill) received first reading. Question Period addressed topics such as American trade measures, the Trans Mountain Pipeline, access to information, rail service for Churchill, Manitoba, China's role in domestic affairs, the surf clam quota, the Champlain Bridge, and advisory committee employment. Orders of the Day included continued debate on Bill C-58 (Access to Information Act and Privacy Act amendments) and Bill S-206 (protection of children against child-rearing violence), and second reading of Bill S-249 (national strategy for the prevention of domestic violence) and Bill S-252 (Voluntary Blood Donations Act). A motion to adjust Question Period on June 5, 2018, was adopted. Amendments were proposed and debated regarding Bill C-45, specifically concerning home cultivation of cannabis. A motion to encourage a national Silver Alert strategy was adopted. Debates on inquiries regarding full employment and challenges faced by seasonal workers in New Brunswick were continued.

This artifact is a record of Senate proceedings on May 31, 2018. It does not contain the text of Bill S-251, but rather records the Senate's discussion and procedural steps related to it. The bill, concerning the independence of the judiciary, was at the second reading stage and was referred to committee. The artifact also includes discussions on other bills and various Senate business, including tabling of committee reports, motions, and question period.

On September 27, 2018, the Senate met. The sitting included the introduction of two new senators, Honourable Bev Busson and Honourable Marty Klyne. Senators from different parties welcomed them and spoke about their impressive careers. The Senate also heard tributes to former Senator Joyce Fairbairn and a discussion on post-traumatic stress disorder among police officers. Several routine proceedings occurred, including the tabling of a Charter Statement for Bill C-81 and the State of Canada's Forests report. Question Period covered topics such as NAFTA negotiations, the incarceration of Terri-Lynne McClintic, medical assistance in dying, Indigenous police services, refugee children detention, the Netflix broadcasting agreement, and human rights in Venezuela and Iran. The Senate then debated and adjourned the second reading of Bill C-71 (firearms), continued debate on the Speech from the Throne, and adopted motions related to Question Period and adjournment. Crucially for Bill S-251, there was a continuation of the second reading debate on "An Act to amend the Criminal Code (independence of the judiciary) and to make related amendments." Senator Howard Wetston spoke in favour of the bill, highlighting concerns with mandatory minimum penalties and their impact on judicial discretion, the over-representation of Indigenous and racialized persons in prisons, and their contribution to court delays. He noted that the bill aims to provide judges with discretion to impose proportionate sentences and could help address these issues.

This artifact is a record of Senate debate during the second reading stage of Bill S-251. The debate focused on the bill's potential impact on mandatory minimum penalties and judicial discretion. Senator Howard Wetston spoke in support of the bill, arguing that it would allow judges more flexibility in sentencing, which could help address the over-representation of Indigenous and racialized individuals in the justice system. He also highlighted concerns about the fairness and proportionality of mandatory minimum sentences and the administrative burden they place on the courts. The debate also touched upon the need for judicial discretion to avoid sentences that could be considered cruel and unusual punishment, and the potential for the bill to reduce court delays and costly legal challenges.

This artifact is a record of a sitting of the Senate on October 16, 2018. The sitting included the introduction and welcoming of five new senators, statements on various topics including LNG Canada, Autism Awareness Month, and the Indigenous Law Program at the University of Victoria, and routine proceedings such as tabling reports and introducing bills. The sitting also included Question Period where the Minister of Natural Resources addressed questions on Trans Mountain Pipeline, carbon pricing, steel and aluminum tariffs, and the Impact Assessment Bill. The Senate also continued debate on several bills, including Bill C-51 (amendments to the Criminal Code and Department of Justice Act), Bill C-59 (national security matters), Bill C-62 (Federal Public Sector Labour Relations Act), Bill C-71 (firearms regulations), Bill S-203 (ending the captivity of whales and dolphins), Bill S-238 (shark fin importation), Bill S-243 (Canada Revenue Agency Act), Bill S-249 (national strategy for domestic violence prevention), Bill C-374 (Historic Sites and Monuments Act), and Bill S-1002 (Girl Guides of Canada). The debate on Bill S-251, concerning the independence of the judiciary, was also continued.

On November 27, 2018, the Senate of Canada convened for a sitting that included routine proceedings, question period, and the consideration of various bills and motions. Notably, the sitting featured discussions on the renaming of a lake to honour Cree women, the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the situation of Vietnamese refugees, and congratulations for a university football team. Several reports were tabled, and notices of motions were given. Question Period addressed job losses in the auto and energy sectors, export of pulse crops to India, shortages in the Royal Canadian Air Force, VIA Rail procurement, and allegations of Russian interference in the 2015 election. The Senate then proceeded to debate and vote on several bills, including amendments to the Federal Sustainable Development Act, the Fisheries Act, the Impact Assessment Act, the Canadian Energy Regulator Act, the Navigation Protection Act, the Canada Revenue Agency Act, and the Criminal Code regarding mandatory minimum penalties. Debates also occurred on amending the Borrowing Authority Act and establishing National Physicians’ Day, as well as developing a national framework for essential workforce skills. Motions concerning Senate modernization and the recognition of the Pontic Greek genocide were debated and voted upon. A significant portion of the sitting was dedicated to a debate on reaffirming the importance of both official languages in light of cuts to French services in Ontario, with senators sharing personal experiences and advocating for linguistic rights. The sitting concluded with proceedings being continued to the next day.