Business of the Senate
Hon. Peter Harder (Government Representative in the Senate): Colleagues, there have been discussions through the usual channels in support of the transparency that we're all seeking. With my colleague and other colleagues, we are now able to indicate to the Senate that we will conclude Senate consideration of Bill C-4 before the Easter break next week. With respect to Bill C-6, we will conclude by mid-week of the first week we are back. With this agreement and understanding, the motion put by Senator Bellemare with respect to this chamber rising at the end of the sitting today and resuming next Tuesday, will also, with your support, be agreed to.
(1430)
An Hon. Senator: In the spirit of cooperation.
Hon. Elaine McCoy: I would like to speak to this. Thank you, Your Honour.
I wish to put on record that Senator Harder did indeed reach out to me today, just after noon, and informed me that he had spoken first with Senator Smith, and reached this agreement; then with Senator Day, and reached this agreement; and then he was reaching out to me. I asked him if he had consulted with the sponsor of the bill, Senator Omidvar, and he had not, but he had a call in for her. I said that I would speak to my people, my colleagues, and immediately reached out to Senator Omidvar, who was in a speaking engagement that took some time.
We are very pleased to take assurances from the leader of the Conservative caucus that the members of his caucus will do everything they can to progress the speeches, amendments and votes on Bill C-6. We were, therefore, very pleased to agree to sit tomorrow and Monday night, because we understand there is a large interest in that bill, and we thought this would help them to advance that bill before Easter.
We are all equally pleased that they are making efforts on Bill C-4, because we understand that, again, there is great interest in it. I will say the same of the members of the independent Liberal caucus.
This is where we stand on a motion to come back next Tuesday. We do not have sufficient votes to defeat that motion, because we understand that Senator Smith and Senator Day have agreed. We do not have 53 votes in this chamber, so when that vote comes up, we will indicate that we are not agreeing and the vote can go forward on division. However, we do ask, with all sincerity, that everyone's efforts proceed as expeditiously as possible, in particular with respect to Bill C-6.