Bill S-212 explained in plain English

This artifact details the proceedings of the Senate on December 9, 2015. It includes Senators' Statements on various topics such as Genome Canada's anniversary, the shipwreck of the Leviathan II, and International Human Rights Day. Routine Proceedings saw the tabling of the Privacy Commissioner's annual report and committee reports. Notably, Bill S-212, An Act for the advancement of the aboriginal languages of Canada and to recognize and respect aboriginal language rights, received its first reading, and Bill S-213, an act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 and the Parliament of Canada Act, also received first reading. Several notices of motion were given, including one to strike a Special Committee on Senate Modernization and another to authorize a committee to study export performance. The Senate continued debate on the motion for an Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne, with Senators Chaput and Dyck speaking. Debate also continued on a motion to invite Ministers of the Crown to participate in Question Period and a motion to authorize the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament to examine committee membership. The sitting concluded with the adjournment of debates on these matters.

On March 9, 2016, the Senate of Canada convened for a sitting that included Senator Statements, Routine Proceedings, Orders of the Day, and Question Period. During the Orders of the Day, Bill S-212, An Act for the advancement of the aboriginal languages of Canada and to recognize and respect aboriginal language rights, was brought up for second reading, and the debate was adjourned. The sitting also included discussions on other bills and committee reports, as well as statements on various topics and a question period with the Minister of Natural Resources.

This Senate sitting on May 17, 2016, included a debate on Bill S-212, an act to advance and recognize Aboriginal languages and rights in Canada. Senator Serge Joyal introduced the bill, emphasizing its connection to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's recommendations, the Supreme Court's acknowledgement of Aboriginal rights, and Canada's recent endorsement of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. He highlighted the critical state of many Indigenous languages and the historical impact of residential schools. The debate also featured discussions on other Senate business, including committee reports, motions regarding pensions, and debates on Syrian refugee integration, basic income, Senate modernization, and the situation in the South China Sea. The sitting concluded with the adjournment of the Senate.

On May 17, 2016, the Senate continued its second reading debate on Bill S-212, An Act for the advancement of the aboriginal languages of Canada and to recognize and respect aboriginal language rights. Senator Serge Joyal, the bill's sponsor, spoke in support of the bill. He highlighted the importance of Aboriginal language rights, referencing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's report and a Supreme Court of Canada decision. He also noted the recent endorsement of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by the Canadian government. Senator Joyal emphasized that many Aboriginal languages are at risk of extinction and that the bill aims to prevent this. He also shared letters of support for the bill from various Aboriginal leaders. The debate was adjourned after Senator Joyal's speech. Other Senate business included various committee reports, motions, and statements on unrelated matters.

This Senate sitting on October 5, 2016, included several routine proceedings, including tabling of annual reports by the Commissioner of Official Languages and reports from Senate committees on Legal and Constitutional Affairs and Senate Modernization. There was also a notice of a motion to adjust Question Period timing on October 18th and a motion to authorize a study on farmland acquisition. Question Period addressed topics such as consultations with provinces on carbon tax, the Supreme Court justice appointment process, Employment Insurance benefits, and transportation of grain. Debates continued on several bills, including one to amend the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Bill S-2) and one to amend the Food and Drugs Act concerning marketing to children (Bill S-228). The debate on Bill S-212, An Act for the advancement of the aboriginal languages of Canada, was adjourned to allow for further preparation.

On November 17, 2016, the Senate continued the second reading debate on Bill S-212, an Act for the advancement of Aboriginal languages of Canada and to recognize and respect Aboriginal language rights. Senator Murray Sinclair spoke in support of the bill, detailing the historical suppression of Indigenous languages in Canada, particularly through residential schools, and highlighting the importance of language for identity and well-being. He noted the decline in the use of Indigenous languages and compared the funding for Indigenous language programs to that for official languages, suggesting the bill, while supported, may not go far enough. The debate was adjourned to allow for further discussion. Other proceedings included statements on various topics, routine proceedings such as notices of motions, question period addressing issues like trade negotiations and research funding for linguistic minorities, and the second reading and referral to committee of other bills, including one concerning the Indian Act and another related to official languages.

This artifact contains the Senate debate record for November 17, 2016. The debate included statements on various topics, including the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, the plight of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, and the legacy of naval architect William J. Roué. Procedural matters such as notices of motions, question period responses, and the progress of several bills were also discussed. Notably, Bill S-212, concerning the advancement and rights of Aboriginal languages in Canada, was debated, with Senator Murray Sinclair expressing support but also proposing amendments to strengthen the bill. Other bills discussed included amendments to the Indian Act (Bill S-3), the Official Languages Act (Bill S-209), the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Bill S-226), and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Bill C-224).

This Senate sitting on December 1, 2016, included the introduction of three new senators: Marc Gold, Marie-Françoise Mégie, and Raymonde Saint-Germain. The sitting also featured discussions and notices of motion on various topics, including the Commissioner of Official Languages' report, budget implementation bills, the Statutes Repeal Act, and the establishment of a National Portrait Gallery. Key debates during Question Period addressed issues such as information leaks related to marijuana legalization, sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces, departmental information, protection of journalists, support for military personnel, immigration consultants, and the Memorial to the Victims of Communism. Significant legislative discussions included the continuation of debates on Bills C-16 (amending the Canadian Human Rights Act and Criminal Code), C-4 (amending labour relations acts), and C-210 (amending the National Anthem Act). Bill S-212, concerning the advancement of Aboriginal languages, was read a second time and referred to committee. Bill C-224, amending the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to address drug overdoses, was also read a second time and referred to committee. A report from the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence regarding UN deployments was presented and debated. A motion to authorize the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights to deposit a report on Syrian refugee integration during an adjournment was adopted. An inquiry on pipeline safety and the Energy East proposal was initiated. Finally, a motion to adjust the timing of Question Period on December 6, 2016, was adopted.