Some Hon. Senators: Nay.

The Hon. the Speaker: All those opposed to the motion will please say, “Nay.”

The Hon. the Speaker: I am sorry to interrupt you, Senator Boehm, but the time for Question Period has expired.

Senators, I would like to make a comment on Question Period. On a normal day, we can get up to 10 or 11 senators asking questions. Today we’re down to six. As senators are very much aware, when we have a minister present for Question Period, questions are limited to one minute, and answers to two minutes. If there were an agreement among senators to do that for regular Question Period, I would be very happy to enforce it.

[Translation]

The Hon. the Speaker: Do we have agreement on a bell?

The Hon. the Speaker: All those in favour of the motion will please say, “Yay.”

Some Hon. Senators: Yay.

Some Hon. Senators: One hour.

Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Senator Gold, once again my question concerns the infamous $6,000 River Suite listed on the invoice from the Corinthia Hotel in London for Canada’s delegation to the Queen’s funeral.

As it turns out, leader, the hotel room billed on the invoice at £4,800 may in fact be costing Canadians more than the original presumed $6,000. As Chris Selley points out in his article, the value of the room with the conversion on the actual day of the funeral comes out to C$7,300.

Leader, it was too much to ask of Canadians at $6,000, and it is certainly too much to ask of them at $7,300. Your government still remains silent on whom the occupant of the luxury room was.

Leader, we now definitely know that it was not the Governor General, nor was it former prime minister Stephen Harper. Can you tell us who stayed in the room?

Senator Plett: If you were misunderstood. Either you apologize or you don’t.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Niko Brown. He is the guest of the Honourable Senator Coyle.

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

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for repeating your question from yesterday. Unfortunately, in the interests of those who have other questions to ask, no doubt of insignificant importance compared to your question, I have nothing further to add to my answer.

Hon. Marie-Françoise Mégie: My question is for the Government Representative in the Senate, Senator Gold. As an immigrant, I am delighted that the Government of Canada is planning to increase its immigration targets. We know that, demographically, a population can grow in three ways: through increased fertility, and we will give that some thought; through decreased mortality, which we are already seeing; or through increased immigration. Our current population growth is primarily the result of immigration, which continues to shape who we are as Canadians. However, from one census to the next, the proportion of francophones in Canada is shrinking. What percentage of French-speaking immigrants has our government set as a target for Canada to become a truly bilingual country again?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question. Ensuring the vitality of francophone communities outside Quebec continues to be a key priority for the Government of Canada, and the government remains committed to achieving the 4.4% target for French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec by 2023. The government continued to strengthen the Francophone Immigration Strategy by implementing targeted initiatives, such as dedicated streams for francophone candidates as part of the temporary residence to permanent residence pathway for essential workers and recent international graduates already in Canada.

The government has consulted widely on issues related to francophone immigration outside Quebec, including through a working group with the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada, to jointly examine the possibility of a target beyond 2023, taking into consideration all suggestions as it continues to advance its work. The government looks forward to continuing to work with its partners to advance common interests, taking into account the role that immigration plays in supporting population growth and the vitality of francophone communities.

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question. I will follow up with the government to see if there is anything that can be done about this.

[English]

Hon. Bev Busson: Honourable senators, I am heartbroken as I stand today to pay tribute to Constable Shaelyn Yang, who was murdered in Burnaby, British Columbia, on October 18, and whose regimental funeral is today.

I speak to you as a colleague, an ex-police officer and mother of an RCMP officer as well. One death in the line of duty is one too many. Sadly, as I speak, I know that this will not be the last tribute that will be given for a fallen officer who will be killed in the line of duty. It is hard to explain why anyone would risk their personal safety on a daily basis, knowing that death or serious injury is just one bad call away.

Let me tell you about Constable Shaelyn Yang: She was only 31 years old when she died, and had so much to live for. She was a wife, a daughter, a sister and a friend to many. She was the poster child of everything you could wish for in a police officer. She was educated, came from a diverse background and had a kind and compassionate personality.

She was born in Taiwan and came to Canada with her family to chase the dream of getting a Western education and becoming a Canadian. She was a University of British Columbia, or UBC, graduate and could have chosen any career, but she always wanted to become a member of the RCMP. As a student, she volunteered for Victim Services at the Richmond detachment, where she was highly regarded by all those who had worked with her.

She graduated from Depot in December 2019 and was posted to the Burnaby detachment. Soon afterward, she joined the special team, working with the weakest and most vulnerable within the mental health and homeless outreach program at Burnaby detachment. It was this generous and selfless calling that ultimately ended her short but important life — at the very hands of someone she was trying to help. She died bravely trying to save the life of a city Parks worker, who was alongside her, as well as her own life.

Colleagues, I have heard comments that this is what the police sign up for, but I can tell you, personally, that this is not what they sign up for, any more than a politician signs up to be harassed, attacked or assassinated. They sign up to make a difference and never imagine they will be a name and a regimental number on a cold stone memorial wall.

Colleagues, when a police officer dies in the line of duty, we often observe a moment of silence, as well as speak highly of their sacrifice, how we respect their role and hope this will never happen again. I urge you to keep Constable Yang in your thoughts and prayers the next time you speak about the police. We can have a positive effect on the narrative of the unique nature of policing in Canada, and help guard our collective futures. Words matter. Our words matter.

Speaking of words, I would like you to consider the words of a handwritten note left by Constable Yang’s police partners on the fence near where she died:

I hope you heard us coming. I drove as fast as I could. You were not alone. I’m sorry I didn’t make it in time. We’ll take the watch from here. Rest in Peace.

Hon. Michèle Audette: Good afternoon, senators.

[Editor’s Note: Senator Audette spoke in Innu.]

I am proud to be a mother, but I am also proud that more and more men and male senators are walking an important path when it comes to protecting women.

I rise today to tell you about an important day. On October 18, a very large family from across Canada, the Moose Hide Campaign family, reminded us of the importance of protecting women, girls and, of course, children.

[English]

As you may already know, the Moose Hide Campaign is a small, Indigenous-led organization that is doing so much for women and children. They fight every day against violence. Last October, I was blessed to meet the family, including Paul, Raven, Sage, and, of course, the mother, to better understand the importance of their campaign.

Also, I witnessed 10 men fasting and doing ceremony on Parliament Hill that one day. They all got together: Canadian, Québécois and Indigenous. I want to say thank you to them: Minister Marc Miller, MP Mike Morrice, MP Gary Vidal, MP Taylor Bachrach, MP Vance Badawey, MP Jaime Battiste, MP Marc Dalton, MP Dan Vandal and MP Yasir Naqvi.

Of course, there is one special thank you — a tshinashkumitin, a wela’lin — to a man, a friend, a mentor and a senator, Brian Francis. He spent the entire day fasting during a Senate sitting. I say thank you. Thank you so much because I know every effort that you do is for Sheshka and all the women and boys that are here. I say tshinashkumitin.

I want to say thank you, Senator Manning. I was listening carefully to your beautiful speech yesterday, and also Senator Boisvenu. We need warriors. We need men walking beside us women.

Hon. Ratna Omidvar: My question is for the chair of the Internal Economy Committee, Senator Moncion, regarding interpreters and headsets.

We all know there was a really unfortunate incident two weeks ago. The members of the steering committee at the Social Affairs Committee had a discussion about it. What strategies is the Internal Economy Committee taking to ensure the proper quality of headsets and interpretation?

My understanding of your procedure is that witnesses are given a choice: Either they purchase their own headset and request reimbursement for it, or the Senate can ship them a headset. My understanding is that the latter is not used very often. In comparison, in the House of Commons, every witness who is called to testify at committee is automatically shipped a set of headphones.

Do you think that the Senate Finance and Procurement Directorate and not the clerks should adopt this practice of sending witnesses the proper headsets to ensure proper quality of translation and the health of our interpreters?

Also, what else are you planning to do to keep the witnesses and interpreters safe?

Hon. Pat Duncan: Honourable senators, it is during the month of November that we offer remembrance, as Canadians are reminded of the ultimate sacrifice of so many and of our role in world conflicts.

November 20, 2022, also marks an anniversary of another war effort. This year, November 20 marks the eightieth anniversary of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ meeting at Soldier’s Summit near Kluane National Park in the Yukon to mark the completion of what is now known as the Alaska Highway.

The Alaska Highway was considered an option to supply airplanes and supplies to the Soviet Union during the 1941 U.S. Lend-Lease Act. It became a necessity to the U.S. with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. At the time of its construction, the distance was 2,333 kilometres from Dawson Creek, British Columbia, to Big Delta, Alaska.

Built in only eight months, it was rammed through true wilderness teeming with wildlife, pristine rivers, five mountain ranges and it was the most expensive World War II project undertaken by the U.S. government with an investment of $147.8 million. Canada provided the right-of-way.

In 1946, we took over 1,954 kilometres of the road from Dawson Creek through the Yukon to the Alaska border. The Alaska Highway forever changed the Yukon. The influx of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — 10,000 men — to the home of Yukon First Nations was recognized by Elijah Smith in the document that formed the basis of the Yukon land claim agreements, where it was called, “The Fourth Whiteman — The American Soldier.”

In a debate in the Yukon Legislative Assembly, the member for Kluane, Bill Brewster, recognized many Yukon First Nations people who had contributed to the successful completion of the highway project. Piers McDonald added:

. . . many of the people he cited as having played a significant role in the construction were aboriginal people who were encountered by the American military when they came through during the construction and played a significant role in ensuring the progress was as smooth as possible. It was testimony to the incredible patience, as well as goodwill, that native people have traditionally showed when significant events like this have happened in their history.

The relationship with the First Nations of the territory and the very landscape was changed. The legacy did not end with the completion of the military road. When the federal Department of Public Works took responsibility, their employees were housed in Camp Takhini, a subdivision in Whitehorse and the neighbourhood I grew up in. One of our neighbours was the now professor Dr. Ken Coates.

On April 21, 1992, in the Speech from the Throne in the Yukon legislature, then government leader Tony Penikett added:

Recently the government took over responsibility for the Yukon portion of the Alaska Highway and the Haines Road. This transfer comes with $23 million a year for the next 15 years for reconstruction and maintenance of the road, plus an extra $20 million over the next four years to help rebuild the worst sections near Swift River. At the same time, the federal government remains responsible for reconstructing what is known as the Shakwak Corridor and will negotiate with the United States government to make sure that the entire section, from Destruction Bay to Beaver Creek, is brought up to standard.

These negotiations continue today with President Biden’s recent $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

More than a transportation corridor, the Alaska Highway is a celebration of U.S.-Canada friendship — a cross-border relationship of families, friends, neighbours and nations. The Alaska Highway is fundamental to these relationships and of key importance to North America. I join with my Alaskan neighbours in celebrating the eightieth anniversary of its completion. Mahsi’cho. Gùnáłchîsh. Thank you.

[Translation]

Hon. Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu: You are quite right, Senator Audette. Men need to walk with you in your path because violence against women is above all a men’s issue.

Honourable senators, today, I ask you to join with me in honouring the memory of Véronique Barbe, a 41-year-old woman and mother who was murdered by her husband in her home in Saint-Eustache, Quebec, on September 14, 2017.

On March 3, I introduced Bill S-238 in the Senate, a bill that bears her name and is dedicated to her. This bill is the result of a collaborative effort with her family to prevent any offender from posting photos, videos or other information concerning victims on social media.

Véronique’s murderer refused to take down his profile picture on Facebook, photographs of Véronique and other pictures he had shared on his Facebook page.

Honourable senators, this dishonours the victim’s memory and is an affront to her family. Véronique’s parents will spend every minute of their lives with the memory of the loss of their daughter, who was taken from them so brutally. It is unfair that they have to fight yet again to ensure respect for their daughter’s memory.

After a three-year fight, Véronique’s parents have finally managed to get the murderer’s Facebook account closed and receive an apology from the social media network. Unfortunately, a YouTube video posted by the murderer online shortly before the tragedy, which shows him with Véronique, is still accessible, despite several reports and requests to have this inappropriate content removed.

Honourable senators, let us all stand behind this family and report the video entitled Intro Ugo & Véro in order to have YouTube remove it. This video dishonours the memory of Véronique Barbe.

I also want to remind this chamber of the importance of studying Bill S-238 so that victims’ families will no longer have to take steps to have content removed that dishonours the memory of their loved one. Going forward, the justice system would be responsible for that.

Honourable colleagues, Véronique’s story is the story of a young woman who was killed as a result of domestic violence. This scourge kills far too many women across the country and it is another pandemic that we must tackle. We need to talk about it and mobilize to put a stop to these endless femicides.

I would remind senators that 173 women were murdered in Canada in 2021, 26 of them in Quebec, and two thirds in the context of domestic violence. Last September, a young 36‑year‑old woman, Karine Bélanger, was murdered and her body set on fire by her partner in Saint-Bernard, in Beauce. He had a long criminal record, and the Quebec parole board released him even though he was at high risk of reoffending and he had violated his parole conditions.

This victim’s mother stated the following:

They knew that he was very dangerous. Yet, they let him out. They put him in a halfway house. There was a disconnect and my daughter paid for it . . . .

Honourable senators, let us take action to put an end to this scourge. Thank you.

Senator Plett: That is the most offensive thing I have heard you say, that some questions are not important enough for you to answer — a question taxpayers want to hear, and you say it is not important, you would rather listen to other questions.

Senator Gold, you have avoided answering the question now for the umpteenth time. Answer the question and we’ll stop asking.

Leader, you often thank senators for giving you advance notice of questions they are going to ask. So Senator Gold, I am giving you notice that tomorrow I will ask you again. Hopefully, with this advance, you will be able to get us information and not belittle questions that taxpayers have the right to know.

Leader, Canadians deserve answers, and they are owed the transparency and accountability they were promised by this Prime Minister. We will continue to persist and ask questions on this matter until we get clarity and an answer. Senator Gold, with this advance notice, can you commit to not have contempt for this chamber and to come prepared to this chamber tomorrow with the information I have asked for?