On Wednesday, the Honourable the Senate of Canada met at one o’clock to continue work on the omnibus budget bill, amongst other issues. Honourable senators have continued to sit notwithstanding the fact that the parliamentary calender would have them rise for the summer recess; the House of Commons has already started its break, but the pressure is on for the Upper House to do what the elected House of Commons could not—hold Her Majesty’s Government for Canada to account, and split the budget bill into responsible pieces of legislation.
Before proceedings started, The Honourable Senator Noël Kinsella (Fredericton–York–Sunbury), the Speaker of the Senate brought to the attention of honourable senators the Gallery presence of delegates of the G(irls)20 Summit. These delegates are hard at work to promote the role that girls and women have to play in economic progress, and the development of communities and countries. The delegates were the guests of The Honourable Senator Linda Frum (Ontario).
During senators’ statements, The Honourable Senator Mobina Jaffer Q.C. (British Columbia) took a few moments to discuss the Air India tragedy, referring to the disaster as the “largest mass murder in Canadian history”. Senator Jaffer encouraged the Government to establish a timeline for when decisions about compensation might be delivered, so as to assuage the pain of those family members who had suffered for this quarter-century. The honourable senator’s comments, while they may have been made in good faith, are misled, in my view; we should absolutely acknowledge the tragic nature of these events, but I feel that a more appropriate response—along with an apology for our Government’s missteps—would be for us to make a concerted effort to improve security to prevent a recurrence. In addition, our governments at all levels should absolutely ban the celebration of martyrs at Sikh parades, so as to very clearly communicate that extremism will not at all be tolerated.
Next, The Honourable Senator Fred Dickson (Halifax) rose to discuss the need for the Atlantic provinces to work more closely together to realise a regional energy strategy, including the discussion of exporting electricity both interprovincially and internationally. The honourable senator stressed that any regional strategy would need to be compatible with national interests. Senator Dickson also mentioned various energy types that have not yet been properly harnessed in Canada, including wind, hydro and tidal power.
Lastly, The Honourable Senator Sandra Lovelace Nicholas C.M. (New Brunswick) began to discuss a proud moment for her community, the Tobique First Nation of New Brunswick, when the Senate was suddenly shaken by an earthquake. Senator Kinsella, the Speaker, immediately suspended the sitting pursuant to rule 18(1) of the Rules of the Senate (which allows the Speaker to unilaterally and without debate suspend a sitting for up to three hours). The Senate later resumed for just a moment, only to adjourn itself until its next sitting.
And so, my grades for our honourable senators today:
Senator Jaffer (Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition): C+
Source
Before proceedings started, The Honourable Senator Noël Kinsella (Fredericton–York–Sunbury), the Speaker of the Senate brought to the attention of honourable senators the Gallery presence of delegates of the G(irls)20 Summit. These delegates are hard at work to promote the role that girls and women have to play in economic progress, and the development of communities and countries. The delegates were the guests of The Honourable Senator Linda Frum (Ontario).
During senators’ statements, The Honourable Senator Mobina Jaffer Q.C. (British Columbia) took a few moments to discuss the Air India tragedy, referring to the disaster as the “largest mass murder in Canadian history”. Senator Jaffer encouraged the Government to establish a timeline for when decisions about compensation might be delivered, so as to assuage the pain of those family members who had suffered for this quarter-century. The honourable senator’s comments, while they may have been made in good faith, are misled, in my view; we should absolutely acknowledge the tragic nature of these events, but I feel that a more appropriate response—along with an apology for our Government’s missteps—would be for us to make a concerted effort to improve security to prevent a recurrence. In addition, our governments at all levels should absolutely ban the celebration of martyrs at Sikh parades, so as to very clearly communicate that extremism will not at all be tolerated.
Next, The Honourable Senator Fred Dickson (Halifax) rose to discuss the need for the Atlantic provinces to work more closely together to realise a regional energy strategy, including the discussion of exporting electricity both interprovincially and internationally. The honourable senator stressed that any regional strategy would need to be compatible with national interests. Senator Dickson also mentioned various energy types that have not yet been properly harnessed in Canada, including wind, hydro and tidal power.
Lastly, The Honourable Senator Sandra Lovelace Nicholas C.M. (New Brunswick) began to discuss a proud moment for her community, the Tobique First Nation of New Brunswick, when the Senate was suddenly shaken by an earthquake. Senator Kinsella, the Speaker, immediately suspended the sitting pursuant to rule 18(1) of the Rules of the Senate (which allows the Speaker to unilaterally and without debate suspend a sitting for up to three hours). The Senate later resumed for just a moment, only to adjourn itself until its next sitting.
And so, my grades for our honourable senators today:
Senator Jaffer (Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition): C+
- Senator Jaffer’s comments seemed to lobby for speedy compensation just for the sake of it
- Comments lacked substance, and challenged the Government’s motives needlessly
- Compassion for victims of the Air India tragedy should be acknowledged and commended
- Senator Dickson brought attention to the serious lack of an energy strategy for the Atlantic provinces
- Acknowledged the absolutely key need for national interest and coordination in any regional plan
Source
- Debates of the Senate • Parliament of Canada homepage • Debates - Issue 43 - June 23 2010
