Bill S-213 explained in plain English

This Senate sitting on November 24, 2021, began with tributes to the late Senator Judith Keating. Following this, the Senate proceeded with Routine Proceedings, which included a motion to extend their duration. Several bills were introduced and received first reading, including Bill S-213, an Act to amend the Criminal Code concerning the independence of the judiciary. Numerous notices of motion were also presented, covering a wide range of topics from international affairs to social issues and parliamentary procedure. The sitting concluded with debate on a motion to authorize hybrid sittings, which was adjourned.

This document is a record of a Senate sitting that took place on December 2, 2021. The Senate considered several matters, including the presentation of committee reports, notices of motions, first readings of bills, and debates on various topics. The bill in question, Bill S-213, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (independence of the judiciary), was moved for second reading by Senator Mobina S. B. Jaffer and its debate was adjourned. The sitting also included Question Period where Senators asked the Government Representative in the Senate questions on a range of topics, including Senate appointments, greenhouse gas emissions, the Canada disability benefit, COVID-19 travel restrictions, employment equity at Correctional Service Canada, official bilingualism, rights of victims of criminal acts, Afghan refugees, and funding for equitable library access. Additionally, the Senate authorized committees to study certain matters, including Supplementary Estimates (B) and the subject matter of Bill C-3. There were also ongoing debates on Bill S-210 (restricting online access to sexually explicit material for young persons), Bill S-216 (use of resources of a registered charity), a motion on reconvening the International Conference on Viet-Nam, a motion on section 55 of the Constitution Act, 1982, a motion to recognize climate change as an urgent crisis, a motion to authorize a study on the Federal Framework for Suicide Prevention, and inquiries regarding Canadian municipalities and the role and mandate of the RCMP.

This Senate debate record from December 2, 2021, details discussions on various topics including international days, committee reports, government motions, and several bills. Specifically related to Bill S-213, the debate includes the second reading speech by Senator Mobina S. B. Jaffer and a subsequent speech by Senator Kim Pate. Both senators expressed support for the bill, which aims to amend the Criminal Code regarding the independence of the judiciary by repealing mandatory minimum penalties and restoring judicial discretion in sentencing. They highlighted concerns about the disproportionate impact of mandatory minimums on Indigenous peoples, racialized individuals, women, and those in poverty, and emphasized the importance of allowing judges to consider individual circumstances when imposing sentences.

On December 7, 2021, the Senate of Canada convened for a sitting that included candidates' remarks for the position of Speaker pro tempore, senators' statements on various topics, routine proceedings, and question period. The sitting also featured debates and proceedings related to several bills, including Bill S-213, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (independence of the judiciary), which was at the second reading debate stage. During the sitting, there were discussions on Bill S-2, Bill S-3 (Judges Act), Bill C-4 (conversion therapy), Bill S-203 (autism spectrum disorder), Bill S-207 (electoral district name change), Bill S-210 (online access to explicit material for young persons), Bill S-217 (repurposing seized assets), Bill S-223 (human organ trafficking), and Bill S-230 (Corrections and Conditional Release Act). A motion to invite ministers to participate in Question Period was adopted, and a report on committee membership duration was debated and adopted.

This document details a sitting of the Senate on February 8, 2022. The sitting included Senators' Statements where the late Alexa McDonough, O.C., O.N.S., the Lunar New Year, and the late Harold (Harry) R. Steele, O.C. were recognized. Routine Proceedings saw notices of motions from various committees and the first reading of Bill S-4, an act to amend the Criminal Code and the Identification of Criminals Act. Question Period covered topics such as Ottawa's state of emergency, Afghan refugees, access to broadband, and Canada's inflation rate. The Senate then proceeded to Orders of the Day, which included debate continuation on Bill S-213 (An Act to amend the Criminal Code (independence of the judiciary)) and Bill S-220 (An Act to amend the Language Skills Act), second reading debate adjournment for Bill S-233 (An Act to develop a national framework for a guaranteed livable basic income), and debate continuation on motions concerning climate change, suicide prevention, and the bilingualism of the Constitution. A motion to amend the Constitution (Saskatchewan Act) was also presented. Finally, a motion to authorize the Committee on Audit and Oversight to refer papers and evidence and a motion pertaining to minimums for government bills were debated.

This is a record of a Senate sitting on April 5, 2022. The sitting included senators' statements on the late Claudette Bradshaw, the victims of the Portapique shooting, and the Papal apology. Routine proceedings involved the presentation of committee reports and tabled documents. Question Period saw senators asking the Government Representative about the Canada Infrastructure Bank, Statistics Canada, carbon pricing, support for farmers, protection of Atlantic salmon, the Portapique shooting inquiry, RCMP services, private investment, and support for veterans. The Orders of the Day included debates on various bills and motions, with some debates being adjourned or continued. Notably, there was a debate on Bill S-213, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (independence of the judiciary), at second reading.

The Senate formally acknowledged the passing of former senator Joyce Fairbairn, Guy Lafleur, and Nicole Gladu, with multiple senators offering tributes. The Senate also tabled the 2022 Budget and heard a notice of motion to authorize certain committees to study the subject matter of Bill S-6, an Act respecting regulatory modernization. Questions were raised regarding agricultural emissions targets, military equipment to Ukraine, long-term effects of COVID-19, the Canada Disability Benefit, lieutenant-governor appointments, the Advisory Council on Economic Growth, judicial appointments, Canada Border Services Agency directives, the National Flag of Canada's symbolism, and environmental protection for oil sands tailings ponds. Several bills were advanced, including third reading debates on Bill S-209 (Pandemic Observance Day Act), Bill S-211 (Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act), Bill S-217 (Frozen Assets Repurposing Act), Bill S-219 (National Ribbon Skirt Day Act), and Bill S-227 (Food Day in Canada Act). Bill S-205 (An Act to amend the Criminal Code) and Bill S-213 (An Act to amend the Criminal Code - independence of the judiciary) were read a second time and referred to committee. Debate continued on Bill S-215 (An Act respecting measures in relation to the financial stability of post-secondary institutions) and Bill S-233 (An Act to develop a national framework for a guaranteed livable basic income). The Senate also considered reports from the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament regarding the use of displays in proceedings and amendments to committee mandates. Finally, a motion was adopted to refer papers and evidence from previous sessions to the Human Rights Committee for its study, and a committee was authorized to study the status of soil health.

This document records a Senate debate on April 26, 2022. The majority of the debate focused on paying tribute to the late Honourable Joyce Fairbairn, a former Senator. Other discussions included tributes to Guy Lafleur and Nicole Gladu, tabling of the 2022 Budget, a motion to authorize committees to study parts of Bill S-6, and notices of inquiry. There were also questions and answers on various topics such as emissions reduction targets, military equipment for Ukraine, long COVID effects, the Canada Disability Benefit, judicial appointments, the CBSA and ArriveCAN app, the National Flag of Canada, and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Several bills were also at various stages of debate, including Bill S-209 (Pandemic Observance Day), Bill S-211 (Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour), Bill S-217 (Frozen Assets Repurposing), Bill S-219 (National Ribbon Skirt Day), Bill S-227 (Food Day in Canada), Bill S-205 (Criminal Code amendments regarding domestic violence), Bill S-213 (Criminal Code amendments regarding judicial independence), Bill S-215 (Post-Secondary Institutions Financial Stability), Bill S-226 (Speaker of the Senate), and Bill S-233 (Guaranteed Livable Basic Income). A report from the Rules Committee on the use of displays in the Senate was also presented, and a committee was authorized to study soil health.