Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Government leader, I want to return to a topic I raised briefly yesterday, which is the McKinsey consulting firm issue. McKinsey has long-standing and extensive ties to the Liberal Party of Canada.

Leader, McKinsey has received contracts worth at least $120 million from the Trudeau government. At least 18 contracts were sole-sourced, and one of the contracts given to McKinsey for IT services doesn’t sunset until the year 2100 — 77 years from now.

All of that has occurred at the same time that this government has greatly increased the size and the cost of public service.

Leader, the Prime Minister said his government would look into those contracts — he has had several weeks now to look into them. Why will he not tell Canadians the total amount his government gave his friends at McKinsey? Will McKinsey keep raking in taxpayer dollars for work of lesser quality than the work Canada’s public service could do?

Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, I also rise today to pay tribute to our colleague and our friend Senator Dennis Dawson.

Senator Dawson is one of the two remaining senators appointed by the Right Honourable Paul Martin. He has proudly represented the great people of Quebec and of Lauzon, while also strongly advocating for the Liberal Party of Canada. That is until, as has already been mentioned, Prime Minister Trudeau gave up on his caucus colleagues in the upper chamber and gave them the unceremonious boot.

Prior to being appointed to the upper chamber, Senator Dawson, as has been mentioned by his colleague Senator Jane Cordy, had served three terms as a Member of Parliament for Louis-Hébert, from 1977 on. He was also a strategic advisor, who had the ear of Prime Minister Martin, especially on Quebec matters.

Senator Dawson’s loyalty, respect for public life and passion for politics are things I have always appreciated and admired.

Even though we have never been on the same team, Dennis, I have always valued your perspective and eloquent ways of speaking to issues important to you and your team.

Colleagues, that is what this chamber is all about — working together from different perspectives to find solutions in the best interests of Canadians.

As I was preparing for these remarks, I went back to your maiden speech of 2006. Allow me to quote you, Dennis:

I, among many others, share the belief that despite globalization and its effects, the political role of a public representative remains a noble and critical service that is essential to promoting and defending the interests of the population. It is still by our political actions that we can make changes and contribute to a better quality of life for our citizens here in Canada and even outside our borders.

Senator Dawson, your commitment to serve and devote all your efforts to fulfilling the duty of sober second thought on behalf of Canadians has been most remarkable and admirable.

Over the years, I must say that some of my favourite memories of us being together come from when you chaired the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications, and I had the privilege of being your deputy chair for some time.

Among the many studies we’ve done together, my favourite was when the committee worked on a road map report of 22 recommendations entitled Time for Change: The CBC/Radio-Canada in the Twenty-first Century.

We weren’t always on the same page there either, Dennis, but we worked together. I am thankful for the opportunity to work and travel together as it gave us space and time to become friends. I have fond memories of our travels, especially to Estonia and Belgium where you, Dennis, and I went on a bow tie and necktie shopping excursion. Note that Senator Housakos and I are wearing a special bow tie to salute you today.

I must say we even look a little more Liberal today than you do, senator.

Senator Dawson, your loyalty, devotion and commitment to the Liberal Party were recently showcased as you took on the arduous responsibility to defend a terribly flawed bill in this chamber, Bill C-11, the online streaming act. I can’t help but wonder if that is what pushed you into early retirement.

Humour aside, Dennis, I want to personally, on behalf of the Conservative caucus, thank you and wish you a happy retirement. Enjoy your time with your family, your loved ones, especially your granddaughter. God bless, Dennis.

[Translation]

Senator Plett: It is amazing how this Prime Minister always looks into issues after he has messed them up, then he has people looking into it.

For almost two years, leader, since March 2021, I have had written questions on the Senate’s Order Paper asking for information regarding the vetting process for Mr. Dominic Barton’s appointment as the Chair of the Trudeau government’s Advisory Council on Economic Growth. Mr. Barton is a former top executive with McKinsey and the Trudeau government’s former ambassador to China. The Prime Minister has publicly called him a friend, despite whatever he says now.

As well, for over two years, since December 2020, I have had a question on the Senate’s Order Paper asking the Trudeau government to provide information on how much it paid all consultants in relation to its COVID-19 response program.

Leader, neither of these questions has been answered. At this point, it’s clear your government doesn’t ever want to answer them. Why is that, leader? Why is your government hiding this information?

Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Government leader, in light of last night’s State of the Union Address, President Biden stated:

. . . I’m also announcing new standards to require all construction materials used in federal infra- — infrastructure projects to be made in America. . . . Made in America. . . . Lumber, glass, drywall, fiber-optic cable.

And on my watch, American roads, bridges, and American highways are going to be made with American products . . . .

If this comes to pass, leader, Canadian businesses and Canadian workers will be shut out by the Biden Administration. It will have an extremely negative impact on both of our countries due to the integration of our economies and supply chains.

Senator Gold, what specific actions are being taken by the Trudeau government today to counter this latest “buy America” threat?

Senator Plett: You are right, leader. The track record for Canada on working with the United States has been exceptionally good, especially under the prime ministership of Brian Mulroney and Stephen Harper. To a lesser extent, Jean Chrétien got along fine with Bill Clinton. It’s this Prime Minister who is having a problem with the United States, now under two different presidents. We can no longer blame the previous president; he is having problems with this one.

When the Obama administration brought forward similar Buy America provisions in a stimulus package in 2009, the previous Conservative government worked diligently to secure an exemption. Thirteen years ago, in February 2010, we signed an agreement with the U.S., and Canada was the only country in the world to obtain an exemption.

In contrast, a few days after the Prime Minister and President Biden had their first face-to-face meeting, the U.S. doubled the softwood lumber tariffs. Two weeks ago, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced plans to extend these tariffs. As well, our seed potato farmers in Prince Edward Island still cannot export to the U.S. under Trudeau’s watch. I could go on, leader.

Why has the Trudeau government failed to move quickly on trade protectionism from this Biden administration?