Bill S-220 explained in plain English

On February 3, 2009, the Senate held its first reading of Bill S-220, an Act respecting commercial electronic messages. This means the bill was formally introduced and given its first reading. The Senate also engaged in other business, including tributes, tabling of reports, statements by senators on various topics, and debate on other bills and inquiries. The Senate adjourned to the next sitting.

On February 5, 2009, the Senate convened for a sitting that included routine proceedings, question period, and orders of the day. The main procedural activity related to Bill S-220, "An Act respecting commercial electronic messages," which had its second reading debate adjourned. Most of the sitting, however, was dedicated to tributes honouring the retirement of Senator Marilyn Trenholme Counsell, who had a distinguished career in medicine, politics, and public service. Other matters addressed included tabling reports, introducing a bill to amend the Canada Elections Act and the Parliament of Canada Act, and discussions on the Budget 2009, Arctic patrol ships, autism, and francophone community funding. The second reading debate for Bill S-219, an Act to amend the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, was also adjourned.

On February 5, 2009, during the Senate's second reading debate, Senator Goldstein introduced Bill S-220, an act concerning commercial electronic messages, commonly known as an anti-spam bill. He explained that the bill aims to combat spam, which has become a significant threat to e-commerce and a drain on resources. He noted that Canada is the only G8 country without such legislation and highlighted the financial costs associated with spam, including lost productivity for businesses. The bill proposes an 'opt-in' system where recipients must agree to receive commercial electronic messages, with exceptions for charities, political parties, and candidates. It also establishes significant penalties and makes the commercial beneficiary of spam liable. Debate on this bill was adjourned.

This document is a record of the Senate sitting on April 1, 2009. It details various procedural activities, including senators making statements on notable anniversaries and appointments, tabling reports from parliamentary associations and committees, introducing new bills, and debating or adjourning debate on several other bills and inquiries. It also includes Question Period, where senators asked questions of the government on diverse topics such as foreign affairs, social programs, and correctional services. Several questions of privilege were also raised and are awaiting rulings from the Speaker.

This artifact is a record of a Senate sitting on April 2, 2009. It includes various proceedings such as Senators' Statements on topics like cancer awareness and the Rwandan genocide, Routine Proceedings where committee reports were presented, Question Period discussing economic stimulus and human rights in Afghanistan, and Orders of the Day where several bills were debated or adjourned. Notably, Bill S-220, an Act respecting commercial electronic messages, was debated at second reading and referred to committee. Several other bills, including those related to dangerous goods transportation, free trade agreements, the Criminal Code, the Customs Act, and the Investment Canada Act, were also discussed. The sitting concluded with the adjournment of the Senate.

During the Senate's second reading debate on Bill S-220, an Act respecting commercial electronic messages (commonly known as an anti-spam bill), Senator Gerald J. Comeau, the Deputy Leader of the Government, spoke on behalf of the government. While acknowledging the shared goal of protecting Canadians from spam and supporting Senator Goldstein's efforts, Senator Comeau raised concerns about the bill's effectiveness, particularly regarding its international dimension and lack of enforcement mechanisms for messages originating outside Canada. He suggested that the bill's criminal law approach might be less suitable than a trade regulation-based scheme, referencing Australia's successful Spam Act as a model. Senator Comeau noted that while the government supports the bill's intent and is developing its own legislative proposals based on international best practices, Bill S-220 has shortcomings that require careful study by the committee. He indicated that Conservative senators were not necessarily delaying the bill but were aiming for responsible legislation. He also stated that if the committee did not address the concerns raised, the legislation might not pass the House of Commons. Following his remarks, Senator Comeau's speech was followed by questions and comments from Senator Joan Fraser and Senator Yoine Goldstein, with Senator Goldstein confirming that the bill would be referred to committee and that there had been collaboration with the Minister's office on developing legislative options.