Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Senator Gold, in a recent email from CMHC, they noted that “CMHC exists for a single reason: to make housing affordable for everyone in Canada.”

Yet under your government’s watch, housing prices in Canada have more than doubled over the last six years. Would you not agree, then, Senator Gold, that means your government has been a spectacular failure on this file?

Senator Plett: Leader, whenever your government is pressed on this or other issues, we always hear your talking points. They’re always about your compassion for those who are experiencing hardship and the ways in which you claim to be supporting them. But raising taxes on a vulnerable population at a time when they are having trouble putting food on the table — in other words, pouring salt on an open wound — is not compassion, Senator Gold.

I know that while we may disagree on how to get there, we both are ultimately after the same outcome, which is to serve Canadians in the best way possible. Would you not agree, Senator Gold, that this tax hike is making the situation even worse? Will your government at least commit to reconsidering this tax hike?

Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Senator Gold, I think there is one thing that you and I can both agree on, and that is that our seniors are valuable citizens and deserve to be looked after. But yesterday, the environment minister announced that the Trudeau government will also be applying its carbon tax in Newfoundland and Labrador, which means the price of home heating oil, gasoline and other fuels will be going up, and this impact will likely be felt much more among seniors.

In a recent CBC article, the Executive Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Public Sector Pensioners’ Association, Sharron Callahan, said that she has heard from seniors that are being forced to make choices between food, medication and heat, and even some who may be forced to leave their homes if they can’t afford to keep them warm.

Senator Gold, at a time when the cost of living is already making it difficult for Canadians, and especially our most vulnerable citizens, why is your government punishing them with this tax hike?

Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, it is with great sadness that I learned of the sudden passing of Pastor Leon Fontaine this past weekend.

Leon was well-known as the pastor of Springs Church, one of the largest and fastest-growing churches in Canada with two locations — one in Winnipeg, and one in Calgary. He also served as the CEO of Miracle Channel, Canada’s original Christian television station, since 2010.

Leon’s faith was the foundation of his life. His love for God and his compassion for others moved him to put that faith into action — which was evident in the strength of his vision and the warmth of his heart.

He described his vision using the word “laugh,” which he spelled L-A-F: L for love, A for acceptance and F for forgiveness. His goal was to teach others to love one another unconditionally the way God loves us, to accept one another where we are because everyone is at a different place and to forgive because everyone makes mistakes. So we should learn to forgive as Christ forgave us.

I had the privilege of visiting Leon’s church in Winnipeg a few times, and I was recently interviewed for one of his shows on Miracle Channel. It was clear to me that this was a man who not only loved God, but also deeply loved his country.

During the pandemic, Leon did everything he could to make sure that people continued to receive the care they needed. When indoor services were no longer possible due to public health orders, Springs Church launched drive-in services where people could assemble in the safety of their vehicles, and listen to inspirational music and encouraging messages streaming on a large outdoor screen.

When he felt things went too far with the federal government’s vaccine mandates, he wasn’t afraid to speak up and say so. Leon’s stance was sometimes controversial, but he was not one to stand idly by when he saw someone in need. His faith was not just a Sunday faith. It translated into everything he did. He was compelled to do what he could to make the world a better place by impacting one person’s life at a time.

The world lost a treasure last week, but heaven gained a saint. To Leon’s wife, Sally; his children Eden, Danielle, Tamara, Michala and Zack; their spouses Jayden, David, Jeremy, Austin and Jessica; and to his five grandchildren, you have our deepest condolences in your time of loss. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you, and may you experience the nearness of the God of all comfort during this challenging time.

Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Senator Gold, yesterday the National Cattle Feeders’ Association was in Ottawa to speak with parliamentarians. One of their priority issues is the fact that, while this government is demanding that the industry make changes to help meet carbon emissions targets, they are doing little to help facilitate these changes.

One example of this is the feed additive referred to as 3-NOP. This additive is already approved for use in several countries, including the EU, Australia, Chile and Brazil, and has proven to consistently reduce emissions of methane from cattle by up to 90%, Senator Gold. This is very significant, yet the product has not been approved in Canada because of lengthy and burdensome approval processes.

Senator Gold, can you tell me if your government will commit to prioritizing the approval process of this product as requested by the National Cattle Feeders’ Association?

Senator Plett: Senator Gold, your government is very good at demanding things from our agricultural industry and then standing in the way of getting those things done. A perfect example is the imposition of the carbon tax on the industry when alternative energy sources are not yet available to them.

There is no such thing, Senator Gold, as a solar-powered tractor or a solar-powered grain dryer. The fact is that Canada produces the most environmentally friendly beef in the world, using less land, water and emitting less greenhouse gas emissions.

Will your government, Senator Gold, acknowledge that the industry is already working hard to reduce carbon emissions and remove the federal carbon tax from agricultural production?

Senator Plett: Somehow, housing prices doubling in six years is an indication that your government has been successful. It is mind-boggling how anyone could even try to draw that out of what the government has done.

Your government has promised action on this over the course of multiple elections and has had numerous opportunities to put forward concrete solutions to fix this housing crisis. It is abundantly clear that the Band-Aid solutions and one-time top-up benefits proposed by your government will do nothing to make housing more affordable for Canadians in the long term. Are you and your government comfortable with this simply being yet another broken election promise?