Hon. Mary Coyle: My question is for the Government Representative in the Senate. Senator Gold, last week, the United Nations Environment Programme released its Emissions Gap Report for 2022. This report highlights inadequate action by a number of countries on the global climate crisis. The report shows that, given its existing policies, Canada is not projected to meet its Nationally Determined Contribution, or NDC, to the Paris Agreement — the national target of 40 to 45% greenhouse gas emissions reduction below 2005 levels by 2030.

This serious gap was identified by independent studies. Analysis by Climate Action Network Canada and Ecojustice Canada supports that conclusion. With COP 27 just around the corner, Senator Gold, could you tell us how and when the government plans to strengthen its climate plan in order to get us on track to meet those crucial 2030 targets?

Senator Coyle: Thank you, Senator Gold. I do hope, though, that gap will be closed. It’s good that we have good things happening, but there is a gap and so we need to find a way to close it.

Senator Gold, speaking of meeting those targets, last week, the International Energy Agency released its World Energy Outlook 2022. The report suggests that Canada should explore ways to enhance the federal government’s role in strengthening its interprovincial connectivity and accelerating key projects of grid modernization and electrification.

We recently heard Senator Mockler speak about the proposed Atlantic Loop, referring to it as a nation-building project. The report also suggests that the federal government should increase funding to support the acceleration of research, development and innovation of clean energy technologies to achieve the 2050 targets.

My question for you, Senator Gold, is: Will these recommendations regarding grid modernization; interprovincial connectivity, including the Atlantic Loop; and research, development and innovation of clean energy technologies be responded to with the forthcoming clean electricity standard and perhaps today’s mid-year budget update? Do we have any more clarity on when the clean electricity standard will be announced?

Hon. Mary Coyle: Honourable senators, I rise today with a broken heart and profound respect as I join millions of people in India, and worldwide, mourning the loss of Ela Bhatt — Elaben — our sister, a world leader, a lawyer, a cooperator, a trade unionist, a banker, a promoter of fair trade and the green economy, a CBC “Ideas” fan, a devoted Gandhian, a feminist, as well as a gentle, powerful and effective revolutionary, and the founder — 50 years ago — of SEWA, the over 2 million strong Self Employed Women’s Association of India.

Elaben passed away yesterday in Ahmedabad, India.

A founding member of The Elders, a group of world leaders initiated by Nelson Mandela to promote human rights and peace, Elaben was a woman of vision, wisdom and curiosity with an unwavering dedication to improving the world.

In today’s tribute to Ela Bhatt, the headline in the Hindustan Times read, “Ela Bhatt sparked a fire that ignited a global movement.” The article continues, “Out of nowhere, cart pullers, vegetable vendors and petty workers became an economic brigade with Ela’s leadership.”

Elaben founded SEWA Bank, India’s first women’s bank, and the Indian School of Microfinance for Women. She was a co-founder of Women’s World Banking. She was a member of the Indian Parliament and headed the National Commission for Women there. Ela Bhatt was a trustee of The Rockefeller Foundation.

In recognition of her work to improve the status of women and the working poor, Ela Bhatt was awarded the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development, the Global Fairness Initiative Award, the Ramon Magsaysay Award, the Right Livelihood Award and the Légion d’honneur from France, as well as numerous honorary degrees, including from Harvard, Yale and Nova Scotia’s St. Francis Xavier University.

Colleagues, I had the good fortune of knowing Elaben for more than 30 years. Our common work with women and microfinance brought us together. The Coady International Institute and SEWA remain strong partners to this day.

Honourable colleagues, I wish I could sit on Elaben’s porch swing one more time to discuss our beloved families, and her views on our world and the future. But I can’t, so I will conclude this tribute with a quote on peace from Ela Bhatt so that you can know her better:

Absence of war is not peace. Peace is what keeps war away, but it is more than that; peace disarms and renders war useless. Peace is a condition enjoyed by a fair and fertile society. Peace is about restoring balance in society; only then is it lasting peace.

Honourable colleagues, let’s honour Elaben by continuing her work for peace and justice. Thank you.