Senator Galvez: I would appreciate it if you could provide me with the answers because the answers were not to my satisfaction.

Bill S-5, finally, clearly states that risk is the approach to managing toxic substances, but is it the risk to humans or the risk to the environment? What constitutes highest and acceptable risk?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question, which I will answer briefly. No, I do not think that is necessary. As students of the law know, the purpose and intent of legislation are gleaned not only from the words and structure of the act or the act into which the particular bill is inserted, and not only by the record that may exist in parliamentary debates, but is also informed by what courts have said about the purpose of provisions in previous cases.

Honourable senators, when debate on this matter begins, I will have opportunities to set out more fully my views on the bill and why the bill is worthy of our support.

Senator Patterson: It’s about hearing —

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Senator Boehm, if you have a question, Senator Marshall will have to ask for additional time.

An Hon. Senator: No.

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Senator Marshall, are you asking for five minutes to answer questions?

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): No, not at all.

The Hon. the Speaker: Simon Hopkins has just graduated from Carleton University with a Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management, specializing in International Policy Studies, Security and Defence. In the fall, Simon will continue his studies at Carleton with a Master of Journalism. Simon says he is honoured to have served the last two years as a page working during many historic events. He would like to thank the Office of the Usher of the Black Rod, the page leadership team and his colleagues for their hard work and support over the last two years.

On behalf of all senators, thank you, Simon, for your dedication and hard work.

The Hon. the Speaker: John Shand, our Chief Page, will be continuing his studies next year at the University of Ottawa, studying Political Science with a minor in Psychology. Having now finished his third year as a page, John has been proud to represent the province of Manitoba and honoured to have served as Chief Page for this past year. He would like to thank the Office of the Usher of the Black Rod, the Senate page team and his friends and family who have made this unique and wonderful experience possible.

On behalf of all senators, thank you, John, for your service.

The Hon. the Speaker informed the Senate that a message had been received from the House of Commons returning Bill S-10, An Act to give effect to the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement, to amend the Sechelt Indian Band Self-Government Act and the Yukon First Nations Self-Government Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts, and acquainting the Senate that they had passed this bill without amendment.

On the Order:

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Kutcher, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boehm, for the third reading of Bill S-5, An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, to make related amendments to the Food and Drugs Act and to repeal the Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Virtual Elimination Act, as amended.

Some Hon. Senators: Yea.

Some Hon. Senators: Suspend.

Senator Cotter: I didn’t go back and study the record, Senator Batters, and I wasn’t referring to the quality of examination of mandatory minimums. I was referring to the vast body of law in the law of sentencing, and my guess is that it was not extensively studied and adequately enough respected in this exercise. In my judgment, the introduction of mandatory minimum sentences imposes constraints on judges implicitly because of lack of confidence in them and the system they administer.

Some Hon. Senators: Question.

An Hon. Senator: Fifteen minutes.

The Hon. the Speaker: Are honourable senators ready for the question?

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore informed the Senate that a message had been received from the House of Commons with Bill C-28, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (self-induced extreme intoxication).

(Bill read first time.)

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Danielle and Michael Allen. They are the guests of the Honourable Senator Plett.

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