Bill S-229 explained in plain English

On September 29, 2016, the Senate held its first reading for Bill S-229, An Act respecting underground infrastructure safety. This was a procedural step, marking the formal introduction of the bill into the Senate. The sitting also included statements from senators on various topics, question period, and discussions on other matters before the Senate. The bill was then scheduled for second reading at a later date.

This record details a sitting of the Senate on October 4, 2016. The sitting included statements by senators, the tabling of various reports (including from the Auditor General and the Special Senate Committee on Senate Modernization), first reading of a bill to amend the Criminal Code, and a debate on a motion to permit photographic coverage during Question Period, which was ultimately adjourned and voted on. The sitting also included Question Period with the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, followed by adjourned debates on several bills. Specifically concerning Bill S-229, "An Act respecting underground infrastructure safety," the debate at second reading was suspended and later adjourned.

This record documents a debate in the Senate on October 4, 2016, regarding Bill S-229, an Act respecting underground infrastructure safety. Senator Grant Mitchell, the bill's sponsor, delivered a speech explaining the bill's purpose and importance. The debate was later suspended to allow for Question Period, and then adjourned to a future sitting. In addition to the debate on Bill S-229, the Senate also dealt with other matters, including tabling reports, introducing a new bill, and debating a motion about photographic coverage during Question Period. The Senate also heard statements from senators on various topics and engaged in Question Period with the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.

The Senate met on November 2, 2016, to continue debates on several bills. The main procedural action related to Bill S-229 was a continuation of the second reading debate, where Senators Plett and Mitchell spoke. Other Senate business included notices of motion regarding adjournment and Question Period, statements on the Sobey Art Award and Library Month, and discussions on various other bills and committee reports.

This Senate debate record from November 2, 2016, primarily features discussions on various bills and government actions, with a specific focus on Bill S-229, the "Underground Infrastructure Safety Enhancement Bill". Senator Donald Plett spoke in favour of Bill S-229, sharing a personal anecdote about accidentally hitting a telephone line while digging, highlighting the importance of the "call before you dig" principle. He noted that while some provinces have one-call centres, they are not always mandatory, and even when they exist, utilities on federal lands may not be subject to provincial laws. Senator Plett supported the bill, stating it aims to impact construction work on federal lands and encourage provinces to implement similar comprehensive systems. He also expressed concerns about the funding provisions for provinces but was willing to discuss them further in committee. Other senators also spoke on different bills, including those related to prompt payment in construction, sanctions against foreign officials, food marketing to children, and amending the National Anthem Act. Significant portions of the debate also focused on the composition of Senate committees and the representation of independent senators.

This record documents a Senate sitting on November 29, 2016, where various matters were discussed, including a debate on Bill S-229, the Underground Infrastructure Safety Enhancement Bill. The debate on Bill S-229 was continued, and Senator Yonah Martin moved to adjourn the debate in Senator Neufeld's name. Other significant discussions included a Speaker's ruling on an amendment to Bill C-2 concerning tax increases, debates on Bill C-13 (Trade Facilitation Agreement) and Bill S-4 (double taxation and fiscal evasion), and an inquiry on literacy programs in Prince Edward Island. The sitting also included Question Period where the Minister of Canadian Heritage addressed topics such as CBC/Radio-Canada funding, community media, access to justice, official languages, national museums, and the National Portrait Gallery.

On December 6, 2016, the Senate convened for a sitting that included various procedural matters and debates. A significant portion of the sitting was dedicated to commemorating the 27th anniversary of the tragedy at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal and observing the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Senators shared personal reflections and highlighted the ongoing issues of violence against women in Canada, including specific concerns regarding Indigenous women. Procedural business included the first reading of Bill S-232, an Act respecting Canadian Jewish Heritage Month, and a notice of motion to alter committee membership. Debates also occurred on several bills: Bill S-4 (An Act to implement a Convention and an Arrangement for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and to amend an Act in respect of a similar Agreement), Bill C-2 (An Act to amend the Income Tax Act), Bill C-29 (A second Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 22, 2016 and other measures), and Bill C-210 (An Act to amend the National Anthem Act). The sitting also featured Question Period where the Minister of Justice and Attorney General addressed various topics. Notably, Bill S-229, An Act respecting underground infrastructure safety, received second reading and was referred to committee.

This record details a Senate sitting on April 6, 2017. During this sitting, several committee reports were presented, including a report from the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources regarding Bill S-229, An Act respecting underground infrastructure safety. This committee presented the bill with amendments. The rest of the sitting involved other committee business, senators' statements on various topics, and debates on other bills.

This Senate sitting on April 11, 2017, included routine proceedings, question period, and orders of the day. The Senate received committee reports on studies related to human rights of prisoners, automation in healthcare, banking and monetary policy in the U.S., national security and defence, and infrastructure funding. They also approved a motion to cancel a Committee of the Whole meeting and gave notice of a motion to extend a sitting. Several bills were introduced or advanced, including one to amend the Fisheries Act regarding shark fin importation, and the Senate adopted the sixth report of the Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources Committee on Bill S-229, An Act respecting underground infrastructure safety.

This Senate sitting on May 2, 2017, included various proceedings. Senators made statements on topics such as Journey to Freedom Day, the election of Saudi Arabia to the Commission on the Status of Women, and Speech and Hearing Month. Routine proceedings involved the presentation of committee reports, including one related to Bill S-5 (Tobacco Act and Non-smokers' Health Act) and another concerning an inquiry report on Senator Meredith. Several notices of motion were given, including those to extend sittings and authorize committee meetings. Question Period addressed a wide range of government activities and policies. The Orders of the Day included debate on various bills, including Bill C-6 (Citizenship Act) with a motion in amendment, Bill C-37 (Controlled Drugs and Substances Act), and Bill S-229 (Underground Infrastructure Safety). Other items included debate on the Speech from the Throne, Senate modernization, and motions concerning infrastructure and international stability. The sitting concluded with various debates continuing and some bills being placed on the Orders of the Day for future consideration.