Senator Ringuette: Thank you, Senator Tannas.

Hon. Scott Tannas: Yes.

The Hon. the Acting Speaker: Senator Tannas, do you have a question?

Senator Ringuette: Senator Tannas, this bill was sent in June to the Agriculture Committee. They met with the first sponsor of this bill, our former colleague Senator Griffin; a former MP from the Island, a proponent of the bill; and other witnesses. They also met with the Commissioner for Workers, as I stated, and also the director of policy for the department. The questions to these people, as far as I can see, have been put and they have been answered.

The most important question and piece of information that we have now at third reading is the unsolicited report from the PBO, because one of my questions to the PBO was: Did someone ask you to do this report, this analysis? His answer was, “No, this is a part of our regular process that we look at bills in front of the two chambers and we want to know what is the fiscal.” So the crux of this issue is the PBO report because, if not for that report that I questioned two weeks ago, why was it made? Why was it being transparently said in the Senate? It is this report that is the crux of why it should be reviewed again by the Agriculture and Forestry Committee. That is why my motion says that.

If I may add, Senator Tannas, this has been in front of the Senate since the end of May. P.E.I.’s seasonal workers are very much aware that this bill is in front of the Senate. Right now, they are going through a very stressful time because of Hurricane Fiona and because of the winter season coming up with fewer jobs for them. We need to deal with this quickly. I have told you how I am going to vote. In all fairness to the Agriculture Committee, I believe that they should have the opportunity to question the PBO and then report to us sooner rather than later in the interests of P.E.I.’s seasonal workers.

Senator Ringuette: May I have time to at least answer Senator Tannas?

Senator Tannas: I wonder if you could tell us why you think we only need to hear from the PBO. There’s been a number of issues raised and MPs that support this. I received a letter today from two P.E.I. MPs supporting that we pass the bill unchanged. Why wouldn’t we deal with the commissioner that you talked to on the phone and got a whole bunch new information?

Senator Patterson: Good question.

Senator Tannas: Okay, thank you.

(On motion of Senator Bellemare, debate adjourned.)

On the Order:

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Housakos, seconded by the Honourable Senator Ataullahjan, for the second reading of Bill S-204, An Act to amend the Customs Tariff (goods from Xinjiang).

(On motion of Senator Duncan, debate adjourned.)

On the Order:

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Pate, seconded by the Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne, for the second reading of Bill S-212, An Act to amend the Criminal Records Act, to make consequential amendments to other Acts and to repeal a regulation.

(On motion of Senator Martin, debate adjourned.)

[Translation]

On the Order:

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator McCallum, seconded by the Honourable Senator Mégie, for the second reading of Bill S-218, An Act to amend the Department for Women and Gender Equality Act.