Senate.

• Author: Barrette, Emily
• Position: Legislative Reports

First sitting in the Senate of Canada Building

The sitting of February 19 marked the first in the Senate of Canada Building, the Senate Chamber's new location until the completion of the Centre Block's rehabilitation project. On that day, the Speaker began the proceedings with a territorial acknowledgement and provided welcoming remarks, acknowledging the efforts involved in the rehabilitation and move to the former Government Conference Centre.

Legislation

On February 28, the following bills received royal assent by written declaration: C-64, An Act respecting wrecks, abandoned, dilapidated or hazardous vessels and salvage operations; and C-57, An Act to amend the Federal Sustainable Development Act. The following bills also received Royal Assent by written declaration on March 23: C-95, An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019; and C-96, An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2020.

Chamber, Procedure and Speaker's Rulings

March 18 marked the first day that the Senate's proceedings were televised. Previously, the Senate's proceedings were only broadcast in audio format, though Senate committee proceedings have been televised for many years. The Senate Chamber proceedings will be available on the Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC) and on the Senate website.

On March 19, a point of order was raised with respect to the receivability of an amendment to a motion to authorize the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs to examine and report on allegations to pressure the former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. The Speaker ruled on April 4 that the amendment was out of order.

Senators

On February 19, four new senators were sworn in. Rosemary Moodie, a neonatologist at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children and a clinical teacher at the University of Toronto, will represent Ontario. Stanley Paul Kutcher, an expert in adolescent mental health and leader in mental health research, advocacy and policy development, will represent Nova Scotia. Patricia Jane Duncan, a former premier of Yukon with extensive experience in business and public service, will represent the territory. Margaret Dawn Anderson, a proud Inuvialuk with over 20 years of experience as a public servant with the Government of the...