Bill S-1001 explained in plain English

This record details the Senate's proceedings on June 8, 2011, during which Bill S-1001, an Act respecting Queen's University at Kingston, was introduced and received first reading. The sitting also included senators' statements on various topics, tabling of reports, a notice of inquiry, and question period exchanges on health, environment, veterans affairs, foreign affairs, and public safety. The specific procedural event for Bill S-1001 was its introduction and first reading.

This Senate sitting on June 21, 2011, included routine proceedings, question period, and orders of the day. A significant portion of the sitting was dedicated to tributes to Senator Lucie Pépin, who was retiring. The sitting also included the first reading of Bill S-203, the Boards of Directors Modernization Bill, and the second reading of Bill S-1001, An Act respecting Queen's University at Kingston. The debate at the second reading of Bill S-1001 focused on amendments to the university's charter and was referred to committee. The sitting concluded with the tabling of various reports and the reception of messages from the House of Commons.

This artifact is a record of the Senate debate that occurred on June 21, 2011, regarding Bill S-1001, An Act respecting Queen's University at Kingston. The bill was at its second reading stage. The debate primarily focused on tributes to Senator Lucie Pépin, who was retiring. However, towards the end of the proceedings, Senator Lowell Murray presented Bill S-1001. He explained that the bill seeks to amend Queen's University's charter, which dates back to 1840. The proposed amendments would reduce the size of the board of trustees from 44 to 25 members and grant the board and the University Council the authority to create bylaws regarding their own governance. This would mean that certain aspects of the charter would be managed by the university in Kingston, rather than requiring amendments to be made by the Parliament of Canada. Following Senator Murray's explanation, senators declared potential conflicts of interest related to a book to be published by Queen's University Press. The bill was then referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.

On June 23, 2011, the Senate convened for a sitting that included routine proceedings, question period, and orders of the day. The Senate considered and passed several bills, including Appropriation Bill No. 1 (Bill C-8) and Appropriation Bill No. 2 (Bill C-9), along with Bill C-3 (Supporting Vulnerable Seniors and Strengthening Canada's Economy Bill) and Bill C-2 (Fair and Efficient Criminal Trials Act). The Senate also presented the third report from the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs on Bill S-1001, "An Act respecting Queen's University at Kingston," which was subsequently passed. The sitting also featured numerous Senators' statements on various topics, committee reports being presented, and notices of motions given. The Senate adjourned to resume on June 27, 2011, with a possibility of being recalled earlier if necessary due to urgent government business.

On June 23, 2011, the Senate of Canada concluded the third reading stage for Bill S-1001, An Act respecting Queen's University at Kingston. Following this procedural step, the bill proceeded towards Royal Assent. The sitting also included various other proceedings such as Senators' Statements on diverse topics, Routine Proceedings where reports were tabled and notices of motions were given, and Question Period where senators discussed issues including the Canadian Wheat Board, the Quebec dairy industry, and the military mission in Afghanistan. The Senate also debated and passed several other bills, including supply bills, an act to implement budget provisions, and an act to amend the Criminal Code. The sitting concluded with the Senate adjourning until June 27, 2011.