Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, pursuant to rule 4-13(3), I would like to inform the Senate that as we proceed with Government Business, the Senate will address the items in the following order: consideration of Motion No. 74, followed by all remaining items in the order that they appear on the Order Paper.

Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, with leave of the Senate and notwithstanding rule 5-13(2), I move:

That the Senate do now adjourn.

Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, pursuant to the order adopted December 7, 2021, I would like to inform the Senate that Question Period with the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, P.C., M.P., Minister of Natural Resources, will take place on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at 2:20 p.m.

[English]

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I have the honour to inform the Senate that the Clerk of the Senate has received certificates from the Registrar General of Canada showing that the following persons, respectively, have been summoned to the Senate:

Sharon Burey

Rebecca Louise Patterson

Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate), pursuant to notice of December 8, 2022, moved:

That, on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, Wednesday, December 14, 2022, and Thursday, December 15, 2022, once the Orders of the Day have been called, the Senate only deal with Government Business and Commons Public Bills;

That, notwithstanding the order of September 21, 2022, the sitting of Wednesday, December 14, 2022, continue beyond 4 p.m., if necessary, and adjourn at midnight, unless earlier adjourned by motion; and

That, on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, Senate committees be authorized to meet for the purposes of considering government business, as well as the committee to which Bill C-235, An Act respecting the building of a green economy in the Prairies, may have been referred, if that has happened, even though the Senate may then be sitting, with rule 12-18(1) being suspended in relation thereto.

She said: I defer to Honourable Senator Gold.

Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate) moved second reading of Bill C-36, An Act for granting to His Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023.

She said: Honourable senators, I’m pleased to rise today to introduce the appropriation bill for the 2022-23 Supplementary Estimates (B).

The government is requesting Parliament’s approval of the planned voted spending that is detailed in the Supplementary Estimates (B) through the appropriation bill before us today.

As honourable senators will know, Parliament’s approval of the Minister of Finance’s federal budget does not authorize the government to spend funds.

Rather, appropriation bills serve as the vehicle through which payments from the Consolidated Revenue Fund are authorized for government programs and services.

Therefore, it is the responsibility of those of us in Parliament to authorize government spending through the estimates and their associated appropriation bills, like the one before us today.

I would note that the voted amounts in these supplementary estimates represent maximum “up to” ceilings or estimates.

Actual expenditures are published in quarterly financial reports, and total 2022-23 expenditures will be listed in the Public Accounts of Canada, which are tabled after the end of the fiscal year.

[English]

The estimates — together with the public accounts, Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports, which, I want to remind colleagues, were tabled on December 7 — provide important information and help us as parliamentarians scrutinize government spending.

Colleagues, this scrutiny is essential to a well-functioning democracy. Canadians must know and have access to a detailed breakdown of where their tax dollars are going. Accountability is achieved when the government is open and transparent about how taxpayers’ dollars are spent. Accountability and good governance go hand in hand. Good governance, therefore, builds public confidence and trust in government.

As honourable senators know, the supplementary estimates provide information on incremental spending requirements. These requirements were either not sufficiently developed in time to include in the Main Estimates or have been refined to account for recent developments.

To date for this fiscal year, the 2022-23 Main Estimates presented $397.6 billion in planned budgetary spending, composed of $190.3 billion in voted expenditures and $207.3 billion in statutory spending.

The 2022-23 Supplementary Estimates (A) proposed an additional $9.7 billion in planned budgetary spending, made up of $8.8 billion in voted expenditures and $860 million in statutory spending across 26 federal organizations.

These Supplementary Estimates (B) provide information on $25.8 billion in planned budgetary spending, which breaks down to $20.8 billion in voted expenditures and $5 billion in statutory spending.

Taken together, both these supplementary estimates propose roughly the same amount of new spending as last year. This year, however, many initiatives were not ready in time for the spring estimates, so they are included in the estimates this fall.

Although statutory authorities receive Parliament’s approval through separate legislation, they are included in these supplementary estimates to provide information on departments’ total estimated expenditures.

[Translation]

With these supplementary estimates, the government continues to invest in priority areas such as support for Indigenous peoples, disaster relief and affordable housing.

Notably, eight organizations are each seeking $500 million or more. They are: the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, requesting $6.3 billion; the Department of Indigenous Services, requesting $2.2 billion; the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, requesting $1.7 billion; the Treasury Board Secretariat, requesting $1.4 billion; the Public Health Agency of Canada, requesting $1.4 billion; the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, requesting $1.2 billion; the Department of Citizenship and Immigration, requesting $1.2 billion; and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, requesting $694.6 million.

Colleagues, allow me to go over a few of the major areas of spending in these supplementary estimates.

[English]

Let me first start with the government’s support for Indigenous peoples and their communities.

Colleagues, this government is deeply committed to a renewed nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous peoples — a relationship that is based on recognition of rights, respect, truth, cooperation and partnership.

Indigenous nations have the right to self-determination and self-government and rightfully aspire to restoring strong and healthy communities. As part of Canada’s ongoing journey toward reconciliation, the government is making necessary investments to support Indigenous peoples and their communities.

Honourable senators, these investments are making a real difference. They are helping settle long-standing claims, they are building important infrastructure and they are supporting services that are vital to the physical, mental, social and economic health and well-being of Indigenous communities.

[Translation]

Honourable senators, I would also note that the government is continuing the important work of improving housing infrastructure, supporting education and child care, and responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

It goes without saying that important progress is being made. For example, with the help of $5.6 billion in new funding announced since 2015, 137 long-term drinking water advisories have been lifted on reserve as of December 1. These new funds also prevented 230 short-term drinking water advisories from becoming long-term advisories.

In these Supplementary Estimates (B), $6.3 billion is allocated to the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs. That represents an 86% increase over the department’s estimates to date for 2022-23. Allow me to provide a breakdown of some of the major items in this total.

[English]

As this chamber knows, the government is in active discussions with various Indigenous groups related to legal challenges.

Honourable colleagues, I want to assure you that the government is committed to resolving these challenges through respectful dialogue and mediation.

There is $3 billion being proposed in these supplementary estimates for out-of-court settlements to ensure that the department can quickly implement negotiated settlements should agreements be reached.

An additional $677.6 million in funding would go toward replenishing the Specific Claims Settlement Fund, and $673.5 million is earmarked for the settlement of the Blueberry River, Doig River, Halfway River and West Moberly First Nations’ Treaty 8 Land Entitlement specific claims.

It is important to note that specific claims are grievances against the federal government regarding alleged failures to fulfill our historical treaty obligations or mismanagement of Indigenous lands and assets.

Claims and tribunal awards valued at up to $150 million are paid from the Specific Claims Settlement Fund. The fund is therefore being replenished based on anticipated payments for negotiated settlements and tribunal awards.

[Translation]

Specifically in these supplementary estimates, the government is proposing $673.5 million for compensation and administration costs for the Federal Indian Day Schools and Sixties Scoop settlement agreements.

Childhood claims refer to a broad category of past and ongoing legal actions against the Government of Canada. This includes experiences Indigenous claimants had relating to residential schools, boarding homes, Indian hospitals, adoption, and foster care. The funding will be used to make compensation payments related to the Federal Indian Day Schools Settlement Agreement and to cover the cost of the ongoing management of childhood claims, including payments for existing agreements.

Lastly, $458.2 million is allocated for First Nation, Inuit and Métis housing. The funds would be used to support site planning and preparation, new construction, major and minor repairs, land and lot development, operations and maintenance, capacity support, and other housing-related needs.

Honourable senators, it will indeed take time to address the legacy of these historical wrongs and vital needs, but the government’s investments are making a difference. They are helping address inequalities that exist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada.

[English]

I would now like to address the second major spending item in these supplementary estimates: funding for disaster assistance. From coast to coast to coast, Canadians have experienced various natural disasters brought on by climate change. The science is clear: These destructive events will continue, and without continued action to address climate change, their frequency will only increase.

As the government works to achieve a comprehensive climate plan, it also realizes that individual Canadians affected by natural disasters need support and relief.

In the event of a large-scale natural disaster, the government provides financial assistance to provincial and territorial governments. As honourable senators well know, federal funding to provinces and territories is based on a cost-sharing formula, with a wide range of eligible expenses. Those include items like cleanup and repairs to public infrastructure, property of individuals, small businesses and farms.

These supplementary estimates propose $1.5 billion — that is out of $1.7 billion — for disaster financial assistance to assist British Columbia with its response and recovery costs from recent natural disasters, including the 2020 flood and landslides as well as the 2021 fires, floods and landslides.

In its study, Treading Water: The impact of and response to the 2021 British Columbia floods, the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry shed light on challenges faced in southwestern British Columbia with flood control and emergency preparedness. I would like to commend the committee for their excellent work.

[Translation]

Honourable senators, although we have come a long way in our battle against COVID-19, we all know the pandemic is not over yet.

This is particularly the case in developing countries, which have struggled to obtain the proper testing and therapeutics.

The government believes Canada has an important role to play in vaccine equity around the world.

That is why these supplementary estimates propose allocating $732 million to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development to provide developing countries with vaccines, testing and therapeutics to fight COVID-19.

This funding will be used to procure and distribute COVID-19 vaccines, diagnostic tests, and therapeutics, as well as to build capacity in developing countries’ health systems.

In countries with low vaccination rates, the funding will support COVID-19 vaccine delivery, vaccine production, and outreach and awareness campaigns to increase vaccine confidence.

We all also know that COVID-19 is not done with us yet. As the virus continues to evolve, Canada will be prepared.

With this in mind, $696.2 million is proposed for the Public Health Agency of Canada.

The funding would support the continued development and acquisition of vaccine doses, including new formulations to provide the best protection against COVID-19.

With these investments, we will continue to address the impacts of COVID-19 both in Canada and abroad.

[English]

Honourable senators, we also know that Canada’s housing shortage is making it difficult for Canadians to find affordable housing. Budget 2022 proposed measures that, in partnership with actions taken by other orders of government, will put Canada on the path to double the construction of new housing and meet Canada’s housing needs over the next decade.

The Supplementary Estimates (B) include funding for the following housing measures in Budget 2022: $750 million to provinces and territories for transit and housing, which was authorized under Budget Implementation Act, 2022, No. 1; as mentioned earlier, $458.2 million for self-governing and modern treaty First Nation, Inuit and Métis housing; $441.6 million for the Rapid Housing Initiative, which aims to create new affordable housing for people and populations who are vulnerable; and $10.3 million to co-develop an urban, rural and Northern Indigenous housing strategy.

These supplementary estimates further build on those measures. In addition to funding announced in Budget 2022, I’m pleased to say that these estimates also contain funding for a number of other Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation programs, such as $91.8 million for the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund; $38 million for the Federal Lands Initiative, which supports the transfer of surplus federal lands and buildings to be developed or renovated for use as affordable housing; and $27 million for the Rental Construction Financing Initiative.

At the end of the day, every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to live and raise their families.

Honourable senators, the proposed funding in these estimates demonstrates the government’s commitments to priorities at home and abroad, from investing in Indigenous communities to providing disaster financial assistance and providing programs for affordable housing.

[Translation]

If there is one thing that world current events have taught us, it’s that we are all in the same boat. The estimates show that the government is responding to immediate needs while continuing to make long-term investments that benefit all Canadians.

Before I conclude, I would like to thank, once again, the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance for its study. Thank you for your hard work. I appreciate the time you have devoted to studying the various financial bills throughout the year and especially during supply periods. Your input is greatly appreciated. Esteemed colleagues, I urge you to pass this bill without delay.

Thank you.

[English]

Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, it saddens me rise today to pay tribute to the Honourable Jim Carr, the member for Winnipeg South Centre, who passed away at his home yesterday. According to a statement released by his office, he was surrounded by family and friends.

Jim Carr began his career as a musician. He was an oboist and a trustee with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. He then worked in journalism as editorialist and columnist for the Winnipeg Free Press and CBC Radio.

[English]

He was part of a proud lineage of Jewish community leaders in Winnipeg, going back to his grandparents who immigrated from Ukraine in the early 1900s. He was a founding member of Winnipeg’s Arab-Jewish Dialogue.

He entered public life in 1988 when he was elected to represent Fort Rouge in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. Jim Carr was first elected federally in 2015, and again in 2019 and 2021. He held the posts of Minister of Natural Resources, Minister of International Trade Diversification and the government’s Special Representative for the Prairies.

He was last in Ottawa — in the other place — when his private member’s bill, Bill C-235, or the “Building a Green Prairie Economy Act,” passed third reading on December 7. He was given a standing ovation by all colleagues, even those who spoke against the bill.

In an interview Mr. Carr gave on that same day in relation to his bill, he stated:

I’m a Prairie guy. I love the Prairies. As I explained to some of my Bloc friends, it’s the same sense of identity and belonging to a geography and demography.

In his final speech before the third reading vote for Bill C-235, he said he was:

 . . . grateful for the chance to continue to contribute to my country. I said it in my speech yesterday, ’I love every square metre of this country in English, en francais, in Indigenous languages — I wish I spoke more of them . . . .

Jim Carr served his country well with his passion and love — every square metre of it.

[Translation]

I knew Jim Carr for many years, and I will remember his warmth, his intelligence, his insightfulness and his deep desire to make a difference in his community, his city, his province and his country. He always greeted me with a smile, which put a smile on my face too.

[English]

I send condolences to his wife Colleen, his family, his friends and his colleagues at this sad time.

[Translation]

Rest in peace, dear Jim.

[English]

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Senator R. Patterson’s spouse, Lieutenant-Colonel Shane Patterson; her children, Olivia Patterson and Corporal William Patterson; her sister, Rosemary MacDonald; and the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Wayne Eyre. They are accompanied by family and friends.

On behalf of all honourable senators, I welcome you to the Senate of Canada.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Senator Burey’s children, John Burey, Tecla Burey Vernon and Marie-Louise Burey, as well as her brother, Omar C.C. Burey. They are accompanied by other family and friends.

On behalf of all honourable senators, I welcome you to the Senate of Canada.