Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question, senator. The government believes in transparency. It also believes in being clear with Canadians. Certain measures are not yet determined in terms of where the spending might go. As soon as those details are finalized, they will be communicated not only to this chamber but to Canadians.

Senator Gold: The minister did not knowingly associate with known anti-Semites. I am choosing my words very carefully, Senator Housakos. You know who I am and my background. I think that we should be careful, especially when leaders of all parties came together just yesterday to light the Hanukia, or Hanukkah menorah, and express solidarity for the actions that we all need to take against anti-Semitism and all forms of hate when all political leaders, including your own, spoke movingly and passionately about the need to make this a non-partisan issue. On that, I will conclude my answer.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): The government has nothing to hide, senator. Thank you for your question. My understanding is that the ministers to whom you referred all had prior commitments when they received the invitation from the committee. Officials from the Department of Justice and Public Safety Canada attended the meeting and provided the information that they were qualified to provide, and I trust that it was helpful to the committee. The government recognizes the important work that is undertaken by the committee and looks forward to the committee’s report on this important issue.

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question.

As I have repeated on several occasions in response to this question, the government is of the view that its price on pollution and the other measures that are in place to secure and sustain the sustainability of those funds and programs that Canadians depend upon for their security are correct, prudent and responsible measures. It will continue to act accordingly.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): The discussions at cabinet are matters upon which, as you would know, honourable colleague, I cannot comment on. I can assure Canadians, however, that this government is, in fact, addressing this pressing problem to the best of its ability.

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question. I will take each and every one of those questions and refer them to the government and hope to get an answer in due course.

Senator Gold: Senator, I cannot answer that question for several reasons, not the least of which is that when and what Canada became aware of would have occurred through its security services. All senators will properly understand that those matters cannot be the subject of public disclosure.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): The amendments that were introduced were not done in a “sneaky” fashion; they were done in a committee in the other place. More importantly, the government will always respect hunters, sports shooters and Indigenous peoples and their traditions. The government is not targeting hunting rifles or shotguns.

I know there has been confusion on this point, so let me be clear. Many of the hunting rifles mentioned recently in the media are not being prohibited, and that includes the one that was a part of a well-known photo by a very well-known personality from my hometown of Montreal. This is largely a matter of misunderstanding where, for example, a common hunting rifle also has a high-powered version. It is only the high-powered version that would be prohibited under the amendments introduced into the bill.

Having said all of that, as the Prime Minister has made clear, he and the government are open to feedback to make sure that firearms mainly used for hunting are not included in the prohibition. The bill, which I hope we will receive and have the opportunity to study properly and fully as we have always done, is about the guns that were used in the massacre at l’École Polytechnique, in a mosque in Quebec City and in South Simcoe. This is a bill to protect safe communities for Canadians.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question, senator. The government knows full well that the EI, or Employment Insurance, system which is needed for the 21st century is one that needs to be developed and that the current system needs to be modernized to that end.

The government remains committed to strengthening the rights for workers who were employed, for example, in digital platforms and to establishing new provisions to the Income Tax Act to ensure that their work counts towards EI and CPP — the Canada Pension Plan. Indeed, with Budget 2022, the government is investing $110 million to extend the existing seasonal pilot until October of 2023.

I also note that the government consulted widely with unions, workers, employers and other partners to build an EI system that meets the needs of Canadians going forward. As you referenced in your question, consultations have come to a close, and the government is in the process of analyzing the information that it received.

It is a serious business to modernize an EI system that serves millions of Canadians every year. The government looks forward to presenting its long-term plan for comprehensive EI modernization. It’s taking the time to get it right.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. I don’t know the actual date, but I will remind this chamber that the minister welcomed Madam Justice Arbour’s final report in its entirety, welcomed all of her recommendations and committed to implementing 17 of them immediately.

I’ll make some inquiries. If I have an answer before we rise, I’d be happy to share it with this chamber.

Senator Gold: The government takes its responsibilities to Indigenous peoples, and with regard to UNDRIP very seriously — so seriously that this government introduced legislation for which the majority in the Senate, though not members of your group, voted. This government does more than pay lip service; it has done more to work with Indigenous partners and communities to advance this country on a path towards reconciliation. The work is enormous and it will take generations. It is this government that has begun the work in a serious way.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the report on COVID-19 Rapid Test Procurement and Distribution from the Minister of Health.

Senator Gold: It is simply not the case, senator, that the government treats Parliament, the Senate or the House of Commons as a rubber stamp. There are a number of measures through which the government regularly reports to this chamber and the other place so that we can discharge our responsibilities.

Monthly financial results are reported in The Fiscal Monitor. Departments provide quarterly financial reporting. Audited financial statements are published in the Public Accounts, and the government tables an annual Departmental Plan and Departmental Results Report. Most importantly, measures like the Fall Economic Statement embodied in Bill C-32 come before this house for study and debate.

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question. Professor Roach is, indeed, a notable expert, and the government and the country have benefited from his engagement with these and many other issues over the years. The government will look seriously at his recommendations as it values the work that the committee does and those witnesses that come before it.

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question.

I have not been advised of a timeline, as such. With the consultations having been finished, I have been advised that the analysis is ongoing and the work will proceed with dispatch.

I will certainly pass on your observation. The government would be receptive to the point that the system has to be adapted to the different industries, regions and circumstances that workers and businesses find themselves in.

At such time as there is a predicted date for release of more information, I will be happy to share it.

Senator Gold: I will certainly be pleased to do that. Thank you.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question, senator.

The government is working closely with territorial and Indigenous partners to build the infrastructure that communities have identified as their priorities. The government knows that some of those projects are facing real challenges due to the global supply chain issues or a shortage of skilled labour. That is particularly acute, as you pointed out correctly, in Northern and Indigenous communities. Indeed, the government knows that the pandemic disproportionately affected remote and Northern communities, as well.

I’m advised that the government is working closely with infrastructure project proponents to address those funding and other challenges. I understand that officials from Transport Canada remain available to discuss how all of this is having an impact on those proposed projects.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): The Government of Canada has demonstrated that it has been here for Canadians, small businesses, workers and others throughout all of the dislocations that have occurred as a result of the pandemic and the rising costs of living, which includes rising interest rates. The government will continue to be there for businesses and others as circumstances unfold.

The good news is that Canada’s economy is in a good, strong position. Our fiscal position is solid and strong. Canada will have the capacity to provide assistance where appropriate.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question.

This government condemns anti-Semitism and offensive, abusive language and actions in all of its forms. It knows this behaviour must be called out.

As senators would know, the event that the Minister of Transport attended was a parliamentary friendship group event that included MPs and members of the Palestinian community. The invitation — and this is a matter of public record — was extended broadly to members of the community. There was no check being done by the parliamentary friendship group as to who would be attending.

I also understand that the minister had no actual personal contact with this individual, and was unaware of who that person was or that he was going to be attending the event.

The actions that you described quite probably, Senator Housakos, of this particular individual — not the minister, but the attendee — are completely unacceptable.

The government wants to assure all Canadians that the views that that person expresses are completely unacceptable and not what this government stands for. The government is committed to continuing to call out this kind of behaviour, condemn all forms of hate and all forms of anti-Semitism in our country.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question, senator. As I believe I have mentioned in this chamber before, the RCMP has, in fact, confirmed that they have launched an investigation into these allegations of Chinese so-called police stations, and I am further advised that Global Affairs Canada has, indeed, made representations through the Chinese Ambassador to Canada regarding these allegations.

I want to emphasize, colleagues, as we all know, that it’s the Chinese community in Canada who are often targeted by such interference. We’re going to work with the community to combat it and protect them and all Canadians. The government is using all its tools and will employ new ones if necessary to combat all foreign interference in our country.

As commented by an official at Global Affairs Canada and recently reiterated in this chamber:

The activity that’s being alleged —

— that is the police stations, colleagues —

 — would be entirely illegal and totally inappropriate, and it would be the subject of very serious representations . . . .