Bill S-202 explained in plain English

On January 29, 2009, the Senate proceeded with second reading debate on Bill S-202, an act to amend the Canada Elections Act to repeal fixed election dates. Senator Lowell Murray moved the second reading of the bill, arguing that the previous legislation establishing fixed election dates was ineffective and a "facade" because it did not prevent the Prime Minister from advising the Governor General to dissolve Parliament and call an election earlier than the fixed date. He cited the Prime Minister's decision to call an election in 2008, which was 12 months earlier than the date supposedly set by law, as evidence of the law's ineffectiveness. Senator Murray argued that the previous law, Bill C-16, was a "nullity" and an "embarrassment" and should be repealed. Senator Joan Fraser spoke in favour of the bill, agreeing that the previous legislation was hypocritical and ineffective. Senator Eggleton raised concerns about the Employment Insurance Act, and Senator Brazeau spoke about Aboriginal affairs. Other senators discussed the federal budget, the visit of the U.S. President, pay equity, recognition of foreign credentials, securities regulation, and matters related to Senate procedure and the Constitution. The debate on Bill S-202 was adjourned.

This record details a debate in the Senate on January 29, 2009, concerning Bill S-202, which aims to repeal fixed election dates. Senator Lowell Murray sponsored the bill, arguing that the previous law establishing fixed election dates (Bill C-16) was ineffective and a "nullity" because it did not prevent the Prime Minister from advising the Governor General to dissolve Parliament at an earlier date. He cited the recent election called in 2008 as evidence. The debate also touched on the process of passing legislation, the role of the Senate in scrutinizing bills from the House of Commons, and the historical context of election laws. The debate was adjourned, meaning it was not concluded on this day.

On March 10, 2009, the Senate convened for a sitting that included tributes, statements by senators on various topics, routine proceedings, question period, and the consideration of various "Orders of the Day." The primary procedural focus related to Bill S-202, "An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (repeal of fixed election dates)" was the continuation of debate at the second reading stage. The debate on Bill S-202 was adjourned. Other notable procedural activities included the tabling of committee reports, the first reading of several bills, and ongoing debates on other legislative items. Question period saw discussions on topics such as pay equity, violence against Aboriginal women, and the social and corporate responsibility of Canadian companies abroad.

On April 23, 2009, the Senate continued its second reading debate on Bill S-202, an act to repeal fixed election dates in Canada. Senator Consiglio Di Nino spoke against the bill, arguing that fixed election dates, as established by Bill C-16 in 2007, were beneficial for the democratic system. He highlighted that Bill C-16 preserved the Governor General's power to dissolve Parliament, respecting constitutional traditions and responsible government, and allowed for elections in situations of national importance or parliamentary deadlock. He stated that Bill S-202 would revert to a system of unchecked prime ministerial discretion over election timing. The debate continued with Senator Jane Cordy raising a point about a potential election date in October 2009 due to a lack of a transition clause in the current legislation, and Senator Lowell Murray also wished to speak. The debate on Bill S-202 was adjourned.

This Senate debate from April 23, 2009, primarily concerns Bill S-202, which aims to repeal fixed election dates in Canada. Senator Consiglio Di Nino argued against the bill, stating that the previous legislation (Bill C-16) established a balanced "made-in-Canada" approach to fixed election dates that respected Canada's parliamentary system by retaining the Governor General's power to dissolve Parliament. He emphasized that this flexibility was crucial for responsible government and allowing elections in cases of national importance or parliamentary deadlock. Senator Di Nino also highlighted the practical benefits of fixed election dates, such as promoting impartiality among political parties and improving election administration. Senator Jane Cordy raised a point of concern regarding the lack of a transition clause in Bill S-202, which could lead to confusion about when the next election would be held. The debate also touched upon other legislative matters, including bills related to the Customs Act, the Indian Oil and Gas Act, the Patent Act, and reports from various Senate committees.

This document is a record of a Senate sitting on June 16, 2009. While the bill "An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (repeal of fixed election dates)" is listed on the Senate's Orders of the Day for second reading debate, this specific sitting record does not contain the debate for Bill S-202. Instead, it details numerous other proceedings including tributes, tabling of reports, questions and answers, and debates on various other bills and committee reports. The sitting included a silent tribute to Corporal Martin Dubé, statements on various topics like World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and Senate Reform, tabling of draft referendum regulations and RCMP reports, committee reports on workplace harassment and the Parliamentary Budget Officer, and motions to authorize committees to meet. Question Period covered topics such as economic stimulus, Aboriginal schools funding, H1N1 virus, linguistic duality, and the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Orders of the Day listed several bills at various stages, including debates on amendments to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Act, the Environmental Enforcement Act, the Criminal Code, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Canada Elections Act, and the National Capital Act.

On September 16, 2009, the Senate convened for a sitting that included routine proceedings, question period, and the continuation of debates on several bills. A significant portion of the sitting was dedicated to the appointment of Dr. Gary William O’Brien as the new Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Parliaments, and to honouring the service of the outgoing Clerk, Paul C. Bélisle. Senators also spoke on various matters during "Senators' Statements," including the Alzheimer Society's "Coffee Break" fundraising event, the Economic Action Plan for Yukon, tributes to retiring senators, the treatment of Canadian citizens abroad, and cultural exchanges. During "Orders of the Day," debate continued on Bill C-6 (Canada Consumer Product Safety Act), Bill C-32 (Tobacco Act), Bill S-201 (Library and Archives of Canada Act - National Portrait Gallery), Bill S-202 (Canada Elections Act - repeal of fixed election dates), Bill S-230 (Bank of Canada Act - credit rating agency), and Bill S-234 (Canada Pension Plan - retroactivity of pensions). The debate on Bill S-202, concerning the repeal of fixed election dates, was adjourned.

On November 5, 2009, the Senate of Canada was in session. During the sitting, the Senate proceeded with "Orders of the Day," which is a part of the parliamentary process where specific items of business are addressed. One of these items was the continuation of the debate on Bill S-202, "An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (repeal of fixed election dates)," at the second reading stage. The debate on this specific bill was adjourned to a later date. The sitting also included other proceedings such as Senators' Statements, Routine Proceedings, Question Period, and debates on other bills and inquiries. The record indicates that the debate on Bill S-202 was not completed during this sitting.