Senator Gold: Thank you for your question.

The government took and does take those allegations seriously. They are being properly investigated, as appropriate in a responsible, democratic government.

With regard to your question about the standard, as I have explained in this chamber on many occasions, the government’s decision to invoke the Emergencies Act was taken based upon a host of considerations and input from a host of sources. All of that is a matter that is being openly dealt with by the process headed by Justice Rouleau.

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question, and I will endeavour to get an answer to that and provide it to the chamber as soon as I can.

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

The government is committed to using that $20 billion for the long-term reform of First Nations Child and Family Services and, with Jordan’s Principle, continues to work with the Assembly of First Nations and other partners to that end.

The government is disappointed in the decision of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. Although it recognizes the importance and significance of the historic $20-billion agreement, it is disappointing — primarily and fundamentally for First Nations individuals and partners who are eagerly seeking compensation to which they’re entitled. The government is working with them to make that happen.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you, Senator Francis, for raising that troubling issue. I’m going to have to look into it, and I will provide a response as soon as I can get one.

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question. This is an important initiative that the government has been working on with its partners for a long time. I don’t think it is back to square one. The government is continuing to work with the AFN, Moushoom and Trout counsel — and is grateful for the work they have all done to date — and will continue to work with those partners to find a solution.

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

With regard to the invocation of the Emergencies Act, that is a matter that is being studied and reviewed, and properly so, in a process led by Justice Rouleau. I have every confidence in Justice Rouleau to come to a proper decision, based upon all the testimony he has been provided with.

With regard to the question of Chinese and other state interference into our democratic institutions and our elections, the government remains of the view that this is a serious and unacceptable matter. It is taking steps to investigate in all areas, and it will continue to do so in the best interests of Canadians.

Senator Gold: I know this is Question Period, and I do my best to answer, but it’s very hard to find an appropriate answer to a question that assumes bad faith on the part of a minister of the Crown. I think that will be sufficient for my answer.

[Translation]

Senator Gold: Given that the proceedings involving Mr. Wang are under way, it would be inappropriate for me to comment. All I can say, Senator Housakos, is that the government takes very seriously the interference of any country, including China, in our institutions and democratic process. We will continue to defend the interests of Canadians in that regard.

[English]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question. First, the government thanks the Office of the Auditor General for their report on the surveillance of Arctic waters. The government accepts the findings and the recommendations of the report and will continue to work with partners to address the gaps in Arctic maritime domain awareness.

For Canada, our maritime domain awareness in the Arctic is critical to ensuring we can manage the risks and respond to incidents that would have an impact on our security, environment and economy. I have, on a number of occasions, cited the investments the government has made, both to modernize NORAD, our space capabilities, our remotely piloted aircraft systems, our offshore patrol ships and the enhancement of our surveillance. I’ll not repeat those; they are on the record. It will continue to make investments and do what it needs to do to defend our North.

Senator Gold: Thank you. I’ll certainly add that to the questions I pursue with the government.

[Translation]

Senator Gold: Again, thank you. I don’t have the answer to that. I’m not punting it to Agriculture and Heritage, although that is the primary place to go. I will certainly make inquiries, and, when I get an answer, I’ll communicate it to you directly as well as to the chamber.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. I certainly cannot answer your question directly based simply on the assertions and assumptions you’re making about what was known or not known at the time of the minister’s appearance.

I have every confidence in the minister’s integrity and transparency, as he demonstrated here before the chamber. I’ll certainly make inquiries based upon your question, as I always do when I don’t have the answer, but I’m simply not in a position to comment on the assumptions and assertions that informed your question.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, I have the honour to table the answers to the following oral questions:

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on September 21, 2022, by the Honourable Senator Housakos, concerning Taiwan — Global Affairs Canada.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on September 21, 2022, by the Honourable Senator Housakos, concerning Taiwan — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on September 29, 2022, by the Honourable Senator Dupuis, concerning the report of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development on Funding Climate-Ready Infrastructure.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Leo Housakos on September 21, 2022)

Since 1970, Canada’s One China Policy has recognized the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China, noting — neither challenging nor endorsing — the Chinese government’s position on Taiwan. Consistent with this policy, Canada continues to develop unofficial but valuable economic, cultural and people-to-people ties with Taiwan. Canada is represented in Taiwan by the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei, which is a locally incorporated entity staffed by Canada-based and locally engaged staff. It has been Canada’s long-standing practice to avoid any actions or statements that could imply recognition of Taiwan as a sovereign state.

While remaining consistent with its One China Policy, Canada will continue its multi-faceted engagement with and on Taiwan, which includes collaborating on trade, technology, health, democratic governance and countering disinformation, while continuing to work to enhance peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Leo Housakos on September 21, 2022)

Insofar as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is concerned:

Consistent with its long-standing One China Policy, Canada does not recognize a diplomatic or official passport from Taiwan.

Taiwanese persons with a passport issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan which includes a personal identification number do not require a temporary resident visa to travel to or through Canada since 2010. Eligible Taiwanese travellers are required to apply for Canada’s electronic travel authorization (eTA) to visit or transit through Canada. The eTA process is done online, and in most cases, authorization may be issued in a matter of minutes.

Those transiting through Canada and who hold a passport from Taiwan that does not have a personal identification number may be eligible to transit through Canada without an eTA if they are en route to, or departing from, the United States (U.S.), as part of the Transit Without Visa Program (TWOV). To benefit from the TWOV, an individual must hold a valid passport or travel document issued by their country of citizenship, must hold a valid U.S. visa, and must be travelling through an eligible airport and on a participating airline. A list of participating airlines and airports is available on Canada.ca website “Transit Without Visa Program.”

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Renée Dupuis on September 29, 2022)

Infrastructure Canada (INFC) recognizes the importance of reporting on program progress toward gender, diversity and inclusion commitments. While the department may not collect program-level data regarding the distribution of benefits by gender (as well as other identity factors) for historical and older programs, it collects other data the department may analyze to assess Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) impacts.

INFC programs achieve the government’s commitments by delivering funding to support initiatives and infrastructure that improve the quality of life for Canadians, including vulnerable groups. Policies and programs may take into account considerations such as accessibility, inclusivity and community benefits. Where possible, the department reports on GBA Plus impacts through reporting such as the Departmental Results Report and program evaluations.

As per the Treasury Board Policy on Results, program evaluations include horizontal considerations such as assessments from a GBA Plus perspective that include program design and delivery. Evaluations of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and Smart Cities Challenge are planned for 2022-23 and 2023-24. The department is currently developing a plan to improve the measurement and reporting of programs toward gender, diversity and inclusivity that includes capacity building and the identification and assessment of knowledge and process gaps.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate), pursuant to notice of November 15, 2022, moved:

That, notwithstanding any provision of the Rules, previous order or usual practice:

1.in accordance with rule 10-11(1), the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance be authorized to examine the subject matter of all of Bill C-32, An Act to implement certain provisions of the fall economic statement tabled in Parliament on November 3, 2022, and certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 7, 2022, introduced in the House of Commons on November 4, 2022, in advance of the said bill coming before the Senate;

2.in addition, the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples be separately authorized to examine the subject matter of those elements contained in Subdivisions A and B of Division 3 of Part 4 of Bill C-32;

3.the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples submit its final report to the Senate no later than December 5, 2022, and be authorized to deposit its report with the Clerk of the Senate if the Senate is not then sitting;

4.the aforementioned committees be authorized to meet for the purposes of their study of the subject matter of all or particular elements of Bill C-32, even though the Senate may then be sitting or adjourned, with the application of rules 12-18(1) and 12-18(2) being suspended in relation thereto; and

5.the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance be authorized to take any report tabled under point three into consideration during its study of the subject matter of all of Bill C-32.