Hon. James S. Cowan (Leader of the Opposition):

Honourable senators, I wish to say a few words in support of this bill. I appeal to my honourable friends opposite, in particular to my friend and fellow Nova Scotian, Senator Greene, to join with us. I speak of "us" not only on this side but for many on the other side as well. Let us allow this bill to proceed to committee without further delay.

This bill is essentially the same bill introduced by our former colleague, Senator Goldstein, which proceeded to committee. At the last session, it received six days of hearings before our Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce. Many witnesses were heard and the bill was thoroughly canvassed at that time. We understand as well that a similar bill was introduced in the house. Senator Carstairs, who took up the cudgels from Senator Goldstein when he retired, decided to let her bill stand aside in favour of the bill that we now have before us.

The bill that Senator Goldstein introduced had been considered in our committee and died last year in prorogation.

This bill has received strong support from a majority of members of the other place, including a number of members of the government caucus. With respect to bills that pass the House of Commons and come here, it is not for us to decide what combination of members of the House of Commons made up the majority that passed the bill. We have an obligation as senators to receive bills from the House of Commons, to give them due consideration and to put them through the processes that we have in this place. We have no obligation to pass bills without looking, to fast-track them, to hold our noses and refuse amendments or to pass them if we feel it is inappropriate. However, we do have an obligation to consider bills in a timely fashion. If we decide that an amendment needs to be made to improve the bill, then we have the constitutional right to make those amendments and to provide that advice by way of amendment to our colleagues in the other place.

I urge honourable senators to recognize our obligation to give due and timely consideration to important bills that have received the approval of a majority of members in the other place.

Yesterday, we heard eloquent pleas from Senator Carstairs and Senator Murray that outlined the importance of this legislation to people around the world and our obligation to do what we can to help. No one is pretending that the passage of this bill will solve this or any problem overnight. However, honourable senators, the bill will go a long way to fulfilling our obligation as legislators and Canadians to do what we can to help. Today, we heard Senator Nancy Ruth and Senator Dallaire add their support and urge us to proceed as quickly as we can with this bill.

The honourable Senator Carstairs dealt effectively and persuasively with objections that had been raised in committee to various points. Some points were legitimate questions that required careful answers; others seemed to be more by way of myth. In any event, Senator Carstairs dealt effectively with all those objections that were raised in the other place and with reference to Senator Goldstein's bill in committee.

All honourable senators have received hundreds of emails and letters in support of this legislation, urging us to pass this bill. I cannot remember having received a single message of any type registering opposition, suggesting that we should amend the bill; suggesting that we should slow it down; or suggesting that we should defeat it. There may have been some. However, if there were, I missed them. I read carefully the emails and messages that have come to me. In my recollection, every single one urged us to take quick action in support of this bill.

We understand this bill stands in Senator Greene's name. I urge him to speak tomorrow on this bill. He is the critic for the government. I look forward to hearing his views. However, with all the talk in the air that the life of this Parliament may be short-lived, we have an obligation to ensure that this bill does not die on the Order Paper. We must take advantage of the time that remains to us this week.

Senator Greene might speak tomorrow and we would have an opportunity then to send the bill to committee. If the committee feels it needs to have further study after already having had six days of study of the previous iteration of this bill, they will have time to have those hearings, hear those witnesses and allow the bill to come back. Here, we can vote on it, pass it and it can receive Royal Assent before the end of the week.

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