Bill S-213 explained in plain English

This Senate sitting on November 3, 2020, included tributes to victims of tragedies in Quebec City and CFB Wainwright, procedural matters regarding the business of the Senate and committee reports, and debates on various topics. Notably, the debate on Bill S-213, An Act to amend the Department for Women and Gender Equality Act, was adjourned. This bill proposes to require the Minister for Women and Gender Equality to table a statement outlining the potential effects of legislation on women, particularly Indigenous women, before each House of Parliament. The discussion emphasized the need for gender-based analysis to address systemic inequities and ensure the rights of diverse groups of women are not overlooked.

The Senate convened for a sitting where they observed a moment of silence for victims of tragedies in Quebec City and CFB Wainwright. The Speaker outlined guidelines for participating in the hybrid sitting (in-person and via video conference). Senators then made statements on various topics including the Quebec City tragedy, mental health, the Victoria Forum, acknowledgements of Senate staff, freedom of religion, and respect for official languages. Several routine proceedings occurred, including the presentation of committee reports and notices of motions on various subjects. Question Period saw senators asking the Government Representative in the Senate about issues ranging from agricultural support and cabinet operations to de-escalation training, housing advocacy, and international conflicts. The Senate then proceeded to Orders of the Day, where several bills and motions were debated, including Bill S-213, concerning amendments to the Department for Women and Gender Equality Act. The debate on Bill S-213 was adjourned, meaning it was not completed during this sitting.

On November 5, 2020, the Senate of Canada met. The proceedings included various statements, routine proceedings, questions and answers, and the debate on several bills and motions. Notably, the Senate continued the second reading debate on Bill S-213, an act to amend the Department for Women and Gender Equality Act. Several senators spoke on the bill, emphasizing the importance of incorporating cultural considerations into gender-based analysis, particularly for Indigenous women, and the need for robust policies that reflect their lived experiences. The debate on Bill S-213 was adjourned.

On November 5, 2020, the Senate of Canada debated Bill S-213, an act to amend the Department for Women and Gender Equality Act. Senator Yvonne Boyer spoke in support of the bill, explaining that it would require legislation to include an analysis of culture and gender. She argued this is crucial for Indigenous women, as their experiences are deeply intertwined with their cultural backgrounds, and that such an analysis would help prevent colonial harms and create more effective policies. She highlighted that current gender-based analysis, while important, lacks the cultural relevance needed to fully address the unique challenges faced by Indigenous women. Senator Boyer emphasized that the bill is a necessary step towards reconciliation and urged her colleagues to support it.

On November 19, 2020, the Senate convened for a sitting that included Senator statements on various topics, routine proceedings, question period, and orders of the day. Notably, the Senate continued debate on Bill S-213, an Act to amend the Department for Women and Gender Equality Act. During the sitting, Senators also debated other bills and motions, including those related to the Income Tax Act, the Criminal Code, and the establishment of the Office of the Commissioner for Children and Youth in Canada. Discussions also touched upon national security concerns regarding Huawei, international relations with China, and the rights of victims of crime. The sitting included formal proceedings such as tabling reports, giving notices of motions, and a motion to fill the position of Speaker Pro Tempore.

On November 19, 2020, the Senate continued its second reading debate on Bill S-213, An Act to amend the Department for Women and Gender Equality Act. Senator Marie-Françoise Mégie spoke in support of the bill, explaining that it would require the minister to examine the potential effects of certain bills on women and report to Parliament. She highlighted historical and ongoing gender biases in various fields, including medicine, and discussed the evolution of gender-based analysis (GBA+) at the federal level. The Senator emphasized the importance of GBA+ in policy development to ensure equity and promote true equality in Canadian society, referencing specific examples of how policies can disproportionately affect women, particularly Indigenous and Black women. The debate on this bill was adjourned.

The Senate sat on December 3, 2020. The day included tributes to individuals and commemorations, tabling of committee reports, adoption of a motion regarding a committee's membership, and a motion to adjourn the Senate. Question Period covered topics such as livestock price insurance, COVID-19 vaccines, ferry services, Indigenous health benefits, and agricultural support programs. The Senate then continued debate on several bills, including those related to offshore health and safety, judges and the criminal code, children and youth, jury duty, and the Department for Women and Gender Equality Act. Motions were also debated regarding Turkey's actions in the Mediterranean, the WE Charity contract, and the impacts of resource extraction. Several delayed answers to oral questions were also provided.

This record details a Senate sitting on December 3, 2020. The sitting included tributes, routine proceedings, question period, and the continuation of debates on several bills and motions. Specifically, the debate on Bill S-213, an Act to amend the Department for Women and Gender Equality Act, was continued. Several senators spoke, with Senator McPhedran supporting the bill and explaining its importance for gender impact analysis of legislation, particularly for Indigenous women and girls. Senator McCallum also spoke in support, emphasizing the bill's role in addressing systemic inequalities and ensuring that the voices of women and girls are included in legislative analysis.

On March 16, 2021, the Senate sat. The Senate began its proceedings with Senators' Statements, where senators paid tribute to individuals and discussed various topics such as Canada's wine industry and the retirement of a coach. Routine Proceedings followed, including the presentation of committee reports, notices of motion, and the first reading of several new bills. During Question Period, senators asked questions on a range of government matters, including the handling of Bill C-7, sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces, and vaccine registries. The 'Orders of the Day' section indicates that several bills were at various stages of debate or had been referred to committee. Notably, the debate on Bill S-213, concerning amendments to the Department for Women and Gender Equality Act, continued. Additionally, there were debates on Bill C-7 (medical assistance in dying), Bill C-18 (Canada-UK trade), Bill C-24 (Employment Insurance and COVID-19 benefits), Bill S-203 (online access to sexually explicit material for minors), Bill S-204 (trafficking in human organs), Bill S-205 (Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate), Bill S-209 (voting age), Bill S-224 (increasing parole ineligibility), and Bill S-222 (charitable sector reforms). The Senate concluded its sitting with adjournment.