An emergency response plan to help ensure Canadians receive the support they need during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic was adopted in the Senate on Wednesday.

Senator Marc Gold, the Government Representative in the Senate, thanked Senate leadership – and indeed all Senators – for working together in a spirit of collaboration to adopt the Bill C-13, the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act.

He also thanked Senator Peter Harder, the former Government Representative in the Senate, for sponsoring the legislation in the Senate.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau appeared before the Senate during an hour-long Committee of the Whole to answer questions about the legislation.

After Bill C-13 was adopted, Minister of Health Patty Hajdu and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair appeared before the Senate during a 90-minute Committee of the Whole to discuss the Government’s response to COVID-19.

The Senate proceedings were broadcast live online.

The Senate has adjourned until Tuesday, April 21 at 2 p.m.