The Senate.

• Date: 22 March 2021
• Author: Simpson, Ferda

Legislation

During this period, bills C-4, An Act relating to certain measures in response to COVID-19, C-9, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy), as well as two appropriation bills (C-16 and C-17) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021, were passed and received Royal Assent by written declaration.

Chamber and Procedure

On October 27, the Senate adopted a motion allowing hybrid sittings, with senators able to participate in sittings either from the Senate Chamber or through approved videoconference technology. Among other things, the motion addressed how votes would be conducted in this format. It also featured provisions modifying the Senate's sitting times, which took into consideration the various time zones from which senators would be participating. Senators participating remotely are able to provide documents electronically ahead of time in both languages, in which case they are considered to have fulfilled the normal requirements relating to providing such documents. Documents deposited with the Clerk can also be provided in electronic format. The Senate held its first hybrid sitting, using Zoom and multi-factor authentication, on November 3.

On November 17, the Senate adopted another motion to give standing Senate committees the authorization to hold hybrid meetings, with senators able to participate either from the committee meeting room in the parliamentary precinct or by videoconference. The motion gives priority to committees conducting certain types of business and allows for meetings entirely by videoconference under certain conditions.

In anticipation of the expiry of these motions on December 18, the Senate, on December 17, adopted a motion to have their provisions apply from February 1 to June 23, 2021, subject to certain conditions.

On October 28, the Senate adopted a motion extending the normal duration for Senators'...