Senator Gold: I gave you a different answer today than I did yesterday.

Let me say this because the expenditure of public funds is important, and Canadians are hurting right now.

Senator Gold: I’ve never dismissed or denigrated the importance of these questions or holding the government to account.

Because there are so many senators who are relatively new to this chamber, let me remind you of what typically — and not, perhaps, inappropriately —

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question. I do, of course, accept the legitimacy. As I said, again, I sound like the broken vinyl record perhaps. But I have provided all the information today that I am in a position to provide. In that regard, senator, I have really nothing further to add to the answer I gave to Senator Plett’s question.

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question and the commentary that preceded it. Again, I repeat and I know you are not happy with this answer, but I have provided all the information I am in a position to provide, and I have nothing further to add to my statement.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Again, you are making assumptions in your question —

Senator Gold: — that I’m not in a position to validate.

Senator Gold: Again, Senator Batters, with the greatest of respect to you and to this chamber, I am not looking to score points or to be cute. All I can say is that I have no further information that I can share with you at this time, or that I am in a position to share with you, or that I know to share with you. In that regard, again, I’m giving my answer to your question. I hope the chamber will accept that as what I am able to do at this juncture.

Senator Gold: Without further context, in the year 2012, Prime Minister Harper took two trips, leading a delegation. He went to Davos in 2012. That cost $566,000. Adjusted for inflation, that is $709,000 representing Canada. In the same year, Prime Minister Harper went to China, and was accompanied by a delegation of 30 Canadian chief executive officers. That trip cost $972,000. The Canadian government under Prime Minister Harper covered the expenses of those 30 Canadian chief executive officers. That’s frugality.

Senator Gold: I’m not sure I can answer the specific question, but I can underline the government’s interest in and ongoing consideration of expanding relationships with Taiwan in the trade area. The government has agreed to begin these exploratory discussions on a foreign investment and protection arrangement with Taiwan and will continue to do so.

Senator Gold: The evidence and testimony at committee, in my respectful opinion, demonstrated that this bill would make a real difference, even if it didn’t go as far as others would want, and even if it — as no bill could — went so far as to eliminate systemic discrimination and racism in our system. In fact, there are so many social causes and determinants that are beyond the reach of any piece of legislation.

The government has made significant investments in providing and empowering Indigenous communities to take greater control of their justice processes, including policing but not limited to that, and working with communities to fund and support pilot projects in a number of areas.

The fundamental point — and let’s return to Bill C-5 — is that this bill addresses a real problem, provides a real solution, and I underline it’s not only with regard to mandatory minimums, but also with regard to the diversion away from drug offences. This is especially important for people to not be caught up in the justice system at an early age. Rarely does it do anybody any good to be caught up in the justice system, often provincial to start with, and removed from their families and their ability to maintain proper social ties.

This bill will make a difference. It’s a step in the right direction. It’s the product of a long-standing effort by this government, along with other parties in Parliament, to finally begin to reverse the failed policies of a previous government in the matter of criminal justice, and it’s worthy of our support.

[Translation]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. The government is responding to the real climate crisis with an ambitious plan to stimulate a clean economy and create sustainable jobs. Indeed, it is an ambitious and achievable sector-by-sector path for Canada to reach our goals for 2030. The steps that are being put into place, that will evolve over time and start to bear more fruit are serious ones.

The plan itself is a product of broad consultation. Input was received from over 30,000 Canadians. It was widely received from the various sectors that were consulted.

The government remains committed to fighting climate change. It remains committed to evaluating the progress that it is making and remains confident that its plan can and will meet its targets.

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question. The government is, as I said, taking action to meet not only our 2030 targets, but also to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Currently, senators, you will know, I assume, that our electricity grid is over 80% non-emitting, and the clean electricity standard will allow Canada to decarbonize other parts of the economy like transportation and the heating of buildings.

The clean electricity standard will result in good and better jobs, cleaner air, existing electricity generation facilities transitioning to non-emitting sources and will ensure that any new power generation built in Canada is clean. The government remains committed to these goals.

On the clean electricity standard itself, to your question, I’m advised that implementation should start in 2024-25.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question. Canada’s relationship with China, which implicates our relationship to Taiwan, is a complicated one, as we all know. It is one that Canada is not alone in having to manage.

With regard to Taiwan, which Canada values as an important partner, and with regard to your question about Chinese aspirations, aggressions and sabre rattling, I will remind you that, in October 2021, Canadian warships joined U.S. warships in sailing through the Taiwan Strait that separates China and Taiwan. Canada is managing its challenging relationship with China in a way that is also deeply respectful of the important ties we have with Taiwan.

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question. I think in my third-reading speech, in which I referred to testimony, we had evidence before us that it would, in fact — though it doesn’t go all the way to eliminating all mandatory minimums — address a significant number — half of the cases — for which mandatory minimums were actually imposed.

We also heard testimony, to which I also referred, that this would have a significant impact on the overrepresentation of Indigenous women, Black people and other marginalized groups, who are caught up in the system.

Therefore, although it doesn’t go as far as many witnesses would want — and as far as you and many senators, perhaps, would want — it will make a real and tangible difference. In that regard, again — not to repeat the third-reading speech — this is a positive step forward, which you and many other witnesses acknowledged. It will make a real difference and will be a step toward addressing this overrepresentation.

I was at pains to mention, toward the end of my speech, that much more needs to be done to address the underlying causes. Much more needs to be done to provide the resources to communities to take full advantage of the repeal of these mandatory minimums and the creation of possibilities for diversion and for better integration and helping to rehabilitate those who don’t pose a risk to public safety. This will make a real difference. That’s what we heard at committee, and that’s why I support this bill.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Immigration to Canada, whether to Quebec or elsewhere, is essential to the well-being of our society and our future. As you know, Quebec has a wide range of powers unique in Canada when it comes to how immigrants are selected. Quebec also has full jurisdiction over the implementation of francization and integration programs for newcomers. Furthermore, the Government of Canada is a steadfast partner of the Government of Quebec in supporting its efforts to better receive and integrate francophone immigrants.

In my view, as a Quebecer born in Montreal and now a resident of the Eastern Townships, I am convinced that the vast majority of Quebecers who have daily contact with newcomers would agree that immigration to Quebec, like elsewhere, is a good thing, not only for Quebec and our society, but for the future of the French language, which is very important to us.

[English]

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

The death of Queen Elizabeth II was a significant and tragic event for all Canadians. Canada was represented by former prime ministers and the Governor General to pay respects to the monarch who oversaw almost half of our time as an independent country.

As reported in the media, colleagues, the price of hotels surged significantly ahead of the Queen’s funeral. Many hotels were sold out in London because of high demand. Availability was limited, given the unexpected nature of the event and the high demand for accommodations from the 500 heads of state and foreign dignitaries, their staff and official delegations.

The Canadian delegation, which totalled 56 individuals, was larger than the typical delegation due to the significance of representing Canada at this historic event. The official delegation stayed at one single hotel in London in order to effectively participate in official events at Canada House and state funeral events. All members of the official delegation stayed at the same hotel, including the Governor General, former prime minister Stephen Harper, former prime minister Paul Martin, former prime minister Kim Campbell and former prime minister Jean Chrétien, as well as their staff members.

Senator Gold: I do remember vinyl records, Senator Plett, and I remember the innovation of vinyl records where depending on where you dropped the needle, you could get a different ending.

Senator Gold: Then without the —

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Let me answer the very end of your question first. The Senate has already played an important role in its study of UNDRIP and at least in some quarters — a majority of this Senate is certainly in support of UNDRIP moving forward. I think the Senate, through the Indigenous Peoples Committee, statements and inquiries can continue and should continue to shine a light on the progress that still needs to be made so that the government knows that parliamentarians are watching and holding them to account.

To your question, the government is working, as you’ve mentioned, in consultation and cooperation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis, to ensure the consistency of federal law, to develop the action plan to which you have referred and develop annual reports on progress critical to making sure that we don’t falter.

On this last item, I note that these reports are intended to be submitted or tabled in Parliament so that we have a role in overseeing it as well. I’m advised that early work has been concentrated on supporting the participation of Indigenous partners in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act implementation process, including support for Indigenous-led consultations in this regard. The collaborative work to close the socio-economic gaps — which we are aware of and are too great — to advance reconciliation and renew relationships remains a priority of this government.

I have been reassured that, as it was reiterated by the government on the fifteenth anniversary of UNDRIP, the action plan will be completed within the timeline.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): No, the immigration minister doesn’t lack compassion. He set that target for the well-being of Canadian society and the future of our economy.

As for the matter of housing challenges for Canadians or those moving to Canada, the government has taken a lot of measures to do its part to try to increase the construction of new housing units in partnership with the private sector, the provinces and the municipalities. That includes, among other things, a $4-billion investment in a fund for new housing, the Housing Accelerator Fund, in Budget 2022 to help municipalities speed up construction and build 100,000 new housing units.

Budget 2022 also provides for an investment of $1.5 billion to continue the Rapid Housing Initiative to create thousands of affordable housing units. There is also a $2.9-billion advance as part of the National Housing Co-Investment Fund to build and repair 22,000 housing units. Lastly, the budget also includes a $1.5-billion investment to promote and expand cooperative housing.