Bill C-19 explained in plain English

On June 18, 2020, the Senate convened and began its proceedings with a tribute to D'Arcy McPherson, a manager of Debates and Publications. A significant portion of the sitting was dedicated to a debate on racism, initiated by Senator Moodie who sought an emergency debate following recent incidents of police brutality and racial discrimination. Several senators spoke, sharing personal experiences and highlighting the need for government action, data collection, and systemic change. The Speaker ultimately granted the request for an emergency debate on racism. The Senate also proceeded with the first reading of Appropriation Bill No. 2, 2020-21 and Appropriation Bill No. 3, 2020-21, both of which are related to granting sums of money for the federal public administration. The sitting also included routine proceedings, question period addressing various national and international issues, and debates on several other motions and bills, including a bill to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 regarding property qualifications for senators and a motion to study the future of workers. There was also a point of order raised concerning an amendment to a motion to resolve into a Committee of the Whole to consider estimates, with the amendment proposing to also examine estimates related to combating racism.

On June 22, 2020, the Senate held a sitting where various matters were discussed, including Senator statements on Food Day Canada, the 150th anniversary of Manitoba, systemic racism, charitable organizations, and World Refugee Day. Routine proceedings included the tabling of Charter Statements for Bills C-18 and C-19, the presentation of a committee report on ethics and conflict of interest, and the tabling of Supplementary Estimates (A). A motion was adopted to resolve into a Committee of the Whole to discuss the Main and Supplementary Estimates and the government's role in addressing racism. Question Period addressed issues such as the detention of Canadians in China, Canada's bid for a UN Security Council seat, the Safe Third Country Agreement, support for Black-owned businesses, and the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement. The Senate then proceeded to the second reading debate of Bill C-18 and Bill C-19, both related to granting supply for federal public administration. Other legislative items debated or adjourned included amendments to the National Capital Act, a bill to amend the Criminal Code and Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, a bill to establish the Office of the Commissioner for Children and Youth in Canada, a bill to lower the voting age, and a report on Senator Victor Oh's ethics. An inquiry on Arctic issues was continued, and a motion to disallow Senate committee chairs and deputy chairs from receiving additional salaries was debated. Finally, a motion to establish a Special Senate Committee on Systemic Racism was introduced.

This record details proceedings in the Senate on June 22, 2020, concerning various matters including statements on Food Day Canada, Manitoba's 150th anniversary, systemic racism, and the charitable sector. Procedurally, Charter Statements for Bills C-18 and C-19 were tabled. A motion to resolve into a Committee of the Whole to discuss the 2020-21 estimates and the government's role in combatting racism was adopted. Question Period addressed issues like the detention of Canadians in China, the UN Security Council bid, the Safe Third Country Agreement, support for Black-owned businesses, and systemic racism within the RCMP. The Senate then proceeded to second reading debates for Appropriation Bill No. 2 (Bill C-18) and Appropriation Bill No. 3 (Bill C-19), which deal with government funding for the fiscal year. Debates on other bills, including amendments to the National Capital Act, the Criminal Code, and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, were adjourned. A bill to establish the Office of the Commissioner for Children and Youth in Canada and a bill to lower the voting age to 16 were also debated at second reading. A report on Senator Victor Oh's breach of the Ethics and Conflict of Interest Code was presented. Debates on an inquiry into Arctic issues and motions to form a Special Senate Committee on Systemic Racism and to reconsider committee pay were also ongoing.

This Senate sitting record from June 23, 2020, details discussions and procedural matters. The Senate began with tributes to departing pages, followed by statements on International Thalassemia Day, fighting terrorism, and congratulations to a firefighter. Routine proceedings included notices of adjournment and committee meetings. Question Period addressed foreign affairs (Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps), justice (China-US relations regarding Meng Wanzhou), finance (guaranteed livable income), agriculture (temporary foreign workers), Crown-Indigenous relations, infrastructure, and health (COVID-19). The Senate then proceeded to debate committee reports, including one on Senator Beyak's conduct related to racist content, and considered the Main and Supplementary Estimates for 2020-21 in Committee of the Whole, with ministers present to answer questions on government spending and economic measures related to COVID-19. Several bills were also at various stages of debate, including Appropriation Bills C-18 and C-19, and others concerning the Criminal Code, the Constitution Act, and the Department for Women and Gender Equality Act. The sitting concluded with motions adopted and debate adjourned on various items.

This artifact is a record of a Senate sitting on June 25, 2020. The sitting included tributes to departing Senate pages, senators' statements on various topics including the experiences of employees of a former senator, the commemoration of the Korean War, and the role of women. Question Period covered topics such as Veterans Affairs, Canada-China relations, mental health related to COVID-19, development in Gatineau Park, pharmaceutical drugs, Canada's credit rating, and the settlement of veterans' claims. The Senate then moved into a Committee of the Whole to consider the government's role in combatting racism, hearing from ministers responsible for Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and Families, Children and Social Development. The sitting also included debates on other Senate reports and inquiries, and concluded with the third reading and passage of Appropriation Bill No. 2, 2020–21 (Bill C-18).

This document is a record of the Senate's third reading debate for Bill C-19, An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021. The Senate met on June 26, 2020. Before proceeding to the bill, senators delivered statements on various topics including the legislative work of the Senate, agricultural fairs, a lament for Confederation, and Quebec's national holiday. Question Period followed, covering topics such as steel and aluminum tariffs, victims' rights during the COVID-19 pandemic, criminal court delays, race-based data collection, modernization of the Official Languages Act, long-term care during the pandemic, and the COVID-19 economic response plan. The Senate then moved to "Orders of the Day." The debate on the "Third Report of Committee—Debate Continued" on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators was adjourned. The main focus of the record is the third reading debate of Bill C-19, where Senator Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition) spoke extensively, raising concerns about the government's spending, the impact of the pandemic on the economy and employment, and the role of Parliament in oversight. He also commented on various government programs and criticized the government's approach to parliamentary sittings during the pandemic. Senator Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate) responded to questions and engaged in a debate with Senator Plett regarding the bill and parliamentary procedures. Senator Elizabeth Marshall also provided detailed commentary on the supplementary estimates and government spending, highlighting concerns about oversight and the availability of financial information. The debate concluded, and the bill was passed "on division." Following this, a motion to adjourn the Senate until September 22, 2020, was adopted. The record also includes concluding remarks from various senators, reflecting on the parliamentary session, the impact of the pandemic, and expressing thanks to staff and colleagues. Finally, the record notes that Royal Assent was signified by the Governor General for Bill C-18 and Bill C-19 on June 26, 2020.

This Senate debate on June 26, 2020, marked the third reading of Bill C-19, an act granting funds for the federal public administration. The Senate concluded its business for the summer break, with Royal Assent being granted to Bill C-19 on the same day. The debate included discussions on various topics, such as the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the economy and society, race-based data collection, modernization of the Official Languages Act, and the government's response to the pandemic. A significant portion of the debate involved a detailed critique by Senator Donald Plett regarding the government's handling of parliamentary oversight, accountability, and financial transparency, particularly concerning COVID-19 spending and the proposed use of hybrid or virtual sittings. The debate also included reflections from senators on their work during the challenging session and expressions of gratitude to Senate staff.