The Senate adopted the second part of an emergency response plan to help Canadians through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic during a rare Saturday sitting.

Among other elements, the legislation introduces an emergency wage subsidy as part of the response.

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-14, the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, No. 2.

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

The Senate proceedings were broadcast live online.

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