The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Senator Griffin on debate.

Hon. Diane F. Griffin: I wish to adjourn the debate.

Senator Plett: No.

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: I believe the “yeas” have it.

(On motion of Senator Griffin, debate adjourned, on division.)

[Translation]

The Hon. the Speaker: Is leave granted, honourable senators?

Hon. Robert Black: Honourable senators, I rise today to speak on the Code for the Responsible Advertising of Food and Beverage Products to Children, otherwise known as the Food and Beverage Advertising Code.

The Food and Beverage Advertising Code represents a commitment made by four leading industry associations on behalf of their members: the Association of Canadian Advertisers, Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada, Canadian Beverage Association and Restaurants Canada to govern the advertising of food and beverage products to children under the age of 13.

We know that this topic has long been discussed in both this chamber and in the other place in the past. I would like to take this time to thank my honourable colleagues, and specifically Senator Petitclerc, for all their hard work on this issue in the past. Although the regulations detailed in the former Bill S-228 were never adopted, as it didn’t receive Royal Assent before the 2019 federal election was called, I am proud of the work that industry has done since that time to continue to work on this important issue and make the recommendations a reality.

I would like to note also that a private member’s bill was tabled on this very matter just last night. I’m hopeful that industry has been, and will continue to be, consulted in that process because they have been working tirelessly on this important matter.

According to industry, the guidelines set out in their Food and Beverage Advertising Code exceed Health Canada’s initial recommendations from 2018. In fact, these are the same recommendations which were first introduced by our colleague former senator Nancy Greene Raine in 2016 to prohibit the marketing of unhealthy food and beverages to children.

Ultimately, the regime set out in the code will be enforced by Ad Standards with pre-clearances and will govern advertisers across Canada on all platforms. The Food and Beverage Advertising Code will also allow Health Canada to deliver on one of its top priorities under the healthy eating strategy.

Honourable colleagues, it is clear that children represent a special audience and that messages built around the consumption and choice of food and beverage products should be regulated. This code is a critical document in the industry that will help support the way in which food products are advertised to children going forward. I am hopeful that the Food and Beverage Advertising Code will stand as an example of the type of positive results that can come from collaboration between industry, government and stakeholders and further encourage these partnerships in the future.

Thank you, meegwetch.

Hon. Michael L. MacDonald: Honourable senators, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the report of the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group concerning the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Base Camp, held by video conference, from August 3 to 5, 2021.

Senator McPhedran: Senator Gold, in addition to that inquiry, could you please ask specifically about the Rohingya in the largest refugee camps in the world, mostly in Bangladesh? And could you ask for an update to this chamber on what Canada is doing to provide services to the Rohingya women and children who continue to be at risk of being trafficked and having their education denied for the most part?

Hon. Michael L. MacDonald: Honourable senators, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the report of the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group concerning the Canadian/American Border Trade Alliance Virtual Conference, held by video conference, from December 6 to 7, 2021.

Hon. Michael L. MacDonald: Honourable senators, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the report of the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group concerning the U.S. Congressional Meetings, held by video conference, from March 15 to 18, 2021.

Hon. Michael L. MacDonald: Honourable senators, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the report of the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group concerning the Western Governors’ Association Annual Meeting, held by video conference, from June 30 to July 1, 2021.

Hon. Paul J. Massicotte: Honourable senators, I give notice that, at the next sitting of the Senate, I will move:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources be authorized to examine and report on emerging issues related to its mandate:

(a) The current state and future direction of production, distribution, consumption, trade, security and sustainability of Canada’s energy resources;

(b) Environmental challenges facing Canadians including responses and adaptation to global climate change, pollution, biodiversity, and ecological integrity, and the cumulative environmental effects of energy and natural resource development;

(c) Sustainable development and management of renewable and non-renewable natural resources including but not limited to water, minerals, soils, flora and fauna;

(d) Pathways to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and ways to address the human and environmental impacts of climate change and manage the transition to a low carbon economy;

(e) Opportunities and challenges for women, Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized Canadians, newcomers, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ2 Canadians, in the energy and natural resource sectors; and

(f) Canada’s international treaty obligations affecting energy, the environment and natural resources and their influence on Canada’s economic and social development; and

That the committee submit its final report no later than December 31, 2025 and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings until 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

Senator Loffreda: Thank you for that response, Senator Gold. I’m relieved to hear that the money is starting to flow into the departments and that problems are starting to be solved.

Despite encouraging unemployment numbers in recent months, I know that many employers are still having difficulty hiring people. It’s a huge problem. Word on the street is that businesses are not being consulted and asked what type of skilled workers they need.

I know the minister will unveil a new immigration plan this month. Can you assure us that the government will consult widely with the business community and experts, and that it will consider realigning its immigration priorities and policies to ensure that we attract the talent our economy actually needs?

Senator Gold: Thank you, colleague, for the question. I have made inquiries with the government, but I have not yet received an answer. When I hear back from the government, I will report in a timely fashion.

Senator Griffin: I think I received the answer I need, namely, that it will be timely; and if it’s not timely, I’ll be back. Thank you.

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

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, on December 14, 2021, after the first recorded vote this session, Senator Martin asked for clarification about the practice of senators explaining their reasons for abstaining only after they have voted. I had previously addressed this issue on March 17, 2021, when I noted “that the time for explaining why you abstain is during debate on the matter.”

The practice of providing an explanation of abstentions reflects requirements dating back to a period when senators needed permission to abstain, after providing an acceptable explanation. Since 1982, senators have been able to abstain without permission. While our Rules therefore no longer mention explanations of abstentions, they have sometimes occurred, representing something of a residual element of our practice.

Honourable senators, in practice, of course, one would expect that the number of abstentions on any particular vote should be quite limited in most cases, and this indeed reflects historical patterns. One of the most important roles of a senator is to vote, thereby fulfilling our fundamental responsibility to make sometimes difficult decisions that will affect all Canadians.

As all senators know, abstaining is not a vote. However, in recent years the number of senators abstaining has grown considerably. This is a development on which all colleagues should reflect carefully. We have also seen increasing numbers of attempts to explain abstentions after the vote. In some cases, these have actually seemed to be speeches that would be more appropriately given before the vote. Let me remind you that, even when our Rules required explanations for abstentions, they were brief.

The Senate has generally been accommodating to colleagues on this point. Now that the issue has been raised a second time, however, it would be appropriate to note that such explanations should be limited to the rarest of circumstances. They might, for example, be appropriate if, after the bells are ringing for a vote, a senator realizes that he or she may have a possible conflict of interest, or if a colleague had not been able to follow the debate, and wanted to clarify that the abstention reflected a wish to avoid voting on an issue with insufficient information. If allowed, such explanations must be extremely brief. They are not a substitute for participating in debate, and they must never be viewed as a substitute for a vote.

I would like to thank Senator Martin for raising this important issue again.

(1500)

On the Order:

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson:

That the following Address be presented to Her Excellency the Governor General of Canada:

To Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary May Simon, Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order of Canada, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Military Merit, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY:

We, Her Majesty’s most loyal and dutiful subjects, the Senate of Canada in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Excellency for the gracious Speech which Your Excellency has addressed to both Houses of Parliament.

Senator Gold: I will ask the government what is available and appropriate to share, but that is all I can say right now without asking the government.

Senator Gold: Thank you. I will certainly pass that on to the government.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators will recall that, when we left off yesterday at 4 p.m., Senator Gold was using his time to answer questions, and I believe there was at least one other senator who wished to ask a question.

[Translation]