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In this Issue Senate Business Highlights
The recent months saw the first time that the new procedure for Royal Assent by written declaration was used. On February 13, the Honourable John Major, Puisne Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC), acting as the Deputy of the Governor General, gave assent by written declaration at his office at the SCC to Bill C-4, An Act to amend the Nuclear Safety and Control Act. It was only on March 19 , however that Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, gave Royal Assent by written declaration at her official residence, to Bill C-12, An Act to promote physical activity and sport. More flexible and faster, the written declaration form will probably be used increasingly in the future for Royal Assent, becoming the rule while the formal ceremony in the Chamber will become the exception. On another front, the committees have been very active, interested as always in all aspects of life in community, from marriage to the environment by way of good governance, mental health and equal rights. - A review of trade between Canada and its American and Mexican neighbours took the Foreign Affairs Committee to Vancouver, Calgary and Winnipeg; many witnesses from the public and private sectors were heard, in particular on the impact of the free trade agreements of 1988 and 1992. Every winter, the Senate welcomes groups of high school students from all corners of the country who come to learn about parliamentary institutions and practices. Between January and April, more than 1,200 young people visited the Upper House. A large number of enthusiastic senators made a generous contribution to these visits by meeting with the students, explaining their role and their many functions, and answering their questions, which were numerous and to the point. Senator's Forum Continuing Canada’s Leadership on Landmines
Landmines are among the cruellest of all weapons because they don’t recognize the difference between the foot of a soldier and the foot of a child. They kill and maim long after the soldiers have left the battlegrounds. They are not only a weapon of terror, but also an impediment to economic and social recovery. They kill innocent people, regardless of age, and ruin entire societies. Sadly, there are now between 50 and 100 million landmines lying in wait in some of the most disenfranchised countries in the world. The presence or threat of landmines prevents refugees from returning to their villages. Mines keep farmers from planting crops, irrigating fields, and grazing livestock. They also prevent engineers from rebuilding roads destroyed by hostilities, and hinder international relief and peacekeeping efforts. In fact, landmines are the single greatest threat facing Canadian peacekeeping forces. The removal of landmines is one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our age. In support of Canada’s commitment to the landmine issue, the government created the Canadian Landmine Fund in 1997, allocating $100 million to advance the global implementation of the Ottawa Convention and provide direct assistance to mine-affected communities in every region of the world over five years. Last November, the government announced $72 million in new funding which will be disbursed over a five-year period and will support global mine action activities, including mineclearing projects, assistance to landmine victims and their communities, mine risk education, and the destruction of stockpiled mines. The fund will also be used to promote universal adherence to the Ottawa Convention and to support the development of Canadian-made mine action technologies. Canadians can be proud of this international leadership and the achievements of our government and non-government organisations. Yet if we are to achieve the global target to eliminate this weapon in our lifetime, we must all work together and do what we can to end the human and economic suffering caused by this weapon. Spotlight on Students Importance of the institution illustrated through involvement Canadian youth – the next generation of our country’s leaders – benefit immensely from senators’ continued involvement in educational initiatives like Encounters with Canada and Forum for Young Canadians. These programs provide an opportunity for senators to help youth, from all over Canada, to gain a better understanding of not only the key role the Senate has in the legislative process, but the day-to-day responsibilities of a senator. Students hear first-hand about senators’ activities; from preparing speeches for Senate debates, reviewing materials and participating in Committee meetings, answering correspondence and responding to requests for their participation in various events either in Ottawa or in their regions.
Four weeklong sessions are held during March and April immersing more than 550 students between the ages of 16 and 19 into the national political arena. Students, whose participation has been recommended by their principals, spend one full day in the Senate. The day begins with a breakfast hosted by the Speaker and then it’s off to the Chamber to hear from various Senate representatives. Throughout the day, students watch the debates, see Committees at work and then put what they’ve witnessed to practice in simulated activities. The unparalleled experience that these high school students are afforded during their time at the Senate is invaluable; the hands-on learning of the legislative process, extraordinary. It is hoped that these events might encourage their future career decisions, and for those with a particular interest in the parliamentary affairs, perhaps spur a desire to pursue a position as a Senate page once they reach the university level. Goals begin as small seeds, the proper coaching and words of encouragement can help them germinate.
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With the launching of war in Iraq and the outbreak, both here and abroad, of cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, it was the international scene that captured most of the attention over the winter. International events also influenced the Senate, in particular by affecting the meetings planned by the National Security and Defence Committee for its visits to Washington in February. 
In 1996, following years of discussions between governments and lobbying by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, Canada challenged the world to sign a comprehensive treaty banning the weapon. The Ottawa Convention was opened for signature on December 3, 1997. To date 143 countries have signed the Convention; 131 have passed laws in their own countries making it criminal to produce, use or trade in the weapon. This marks the first time in the history of the world that governments and civil society have come together to ban a weapon that has some military use, because it impacts on civilians. 