The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore informed the Senate that a message had been received from the House of Commons with Bill C-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housing.

(Bill read first time.)

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, we welcome today the Honourable Omar Alghabra, P.C., M.P., Minister of Transport, to ask questions relating to his ministerial responsibilities.

Welcome, minister.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of the participants in the Parliamentary Officers’ Study Program.

On behalf of all honourable senators, I welcome you to the Senate of Canada.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Steve De Eyre, Vanessa Brosseau, Nathan Kennedy, Elijah Woods and Louis-Alexandre Lanthier. They are the guests of the Honourable Senator Audette.

On behalf of all honourable senators, I welcome you to the Senate of Canada.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, when shall this bill be read the second time?

(On motion of Senator Housakos, bill placed on the Orders of the Day for second reading two days hence.)

[English]

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

The Hon. the Speaker: So ordered. The sitting is suspended to a 10-minute bell.

(The sitting of the Senate was suspended.)

[Translation]

(The sitting of the Senate was resumed.)

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, the time for Question Period has expired. I’m sure senators will want to join me in thanking Mr. Alghabra for joining us today. We look forward to seeing you again.

The Hon. the Speaker: Pursuant to the order adopted by the Senate on December 7, 2021, Question Period will begin at 4 p.m.