Senator Gold: Thank you for your supplementary question, honourable colleague. I will commit to seeking additional information from the government and to sharing the response with the chamber as soon as possible.

[English]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate) tabled the reply to Question No. 59, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding the Jordan decision of the Supreme Court of Canada.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate) tabled the reply to Question No. 43, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding forced labour — Employment and Social Development Canada.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate) tabled the reply to Question No. 41, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding the firearms buyback program.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate) tabled the reply to Question No. 94, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding the Security and Intelligence Diversity and Inclusion Tiger Team.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate) tabled the reply to Question No. 128, dated February 8, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding the Royal Canadian Air Force — bio-containment.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. Again, the fluctuation in energy prices and increasing food prices are a concern for all Canadians, regardless of their province. They do vary from province to province and city to city.

As I outlined yesterday and will not repeat, the government has a suite of measures that it has put in place and continues to put in place to provide help to Canadians, especially those with fewer means than most of us in this chamber enjoy, to get through these difficult times. It will continue to use its best efforts and resources, working, of course, with its partners and counterparts in the provinces and, in some cases, municipalities, to address the challenges that Canadians face.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. I share your concern and all Canadians’ concerns for the quality and efficacy of our criminal justice system. I agree with the minister that there are many aspects that need to be addressed, including our correctional system and the criminal justice system. But there are broader social determinants of crime and delinquency that also have to be considered. If your question is whether I believe in mandatory minimum sentences, I think the evidence is compelling that they fail to deliver on their promise. In that regard, the government is very pleased to have brought forward Bill C-5, which is currently being studied in committee and, I hope, has the support of all senators.

Senator Gold: Senator Plett, this government is not soft on crime. It is being serious about crime and its causes and effects. The tragedies that happened are tragedies, and, with the greatest of respect, this is not something that should be used to gain ideological points just because the party you represent has a different position on how to address crime than others. This government believes it is on the right track and it is firm, resolute and responsible in response to the real causes and consequences of crime.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question, Senator Klyne. It underlines an important issue.

I will have to make inquiries to your specific question. But, as many senators know, there is a bill that is working its way through Parliament to set up a national commission on historic places and sites. I imagine that our discussion about that will also touch upon this important issue.

I will get back to the chamber with an answer as soon as I have received it.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Well, thank you for your question and for bringing this matter to my attention. I will certainly make inquiries and report back.

Senator Gold: Well, thank you. It is an important issue, of course. The government that I represent in this chamber is always keen to see bills properly studied, and I look forward to that study at committee.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you, senator, for your question. The government recognizes that international students represent a very promising pool of skilled and talented individuals in the Canadian labour market. It is my understanding that, as permanent residents, former international students have some advantages in the labour market and that the share of international students who worked while studying or after graduation has been increasing.

The government is committed to improving the experience for its clients, including students from abroad, and modernizing our immigration system. I’m advised that the government is also focused on ensuring that our immigration plans support our economic resurgence and post-pandemic growth.

With regard to any new measures or those already in place, I will have to make inquiries of the government. I hope to have an answer in a timely manner, but I will say this: The government remains committed to helping students enter the workforce as quickly as possible so that we can utilize their talents and skills.

Senator Gold: Thank you, Senator Martin, for your question. On behalf of the government, I can say that I do not accept the premise of your question. This government is serious. Our credit rating, our job creation rate, the strength of our economy in various sectors and our ability to have recovered are thanks in no small measure to the investments that the federal government, as well as provincial governments, made, and the efforts of all Canadians.

This government is convinced that it is on the right course to position Canada to take advantage of the opportunities in this challenging world.

Senator Gold: I can certainly answer yes to one of the last questions. I will certainly make inquiries. I’m not aware of specific programs, but I will say this: The amount of study permit holders in Canada has increased significantly, from 122,000 in 2000 to 642,000 in 2019. There is a large pool that we can hope to retain for the benefit of our country.

Moving forward, the government plans to address labour shortages by welcoming talented workers to Canada, including support for their training, youth employment programs and addressing the specific needs of the evolving sectors. Indeed, I’m advised that the government’s Immigration Levels Plan for 2022-24 aspires to continue to welcome immigrants at a historic rate.

I will make inquiries about the specific programs that may exist for retention and get back to you as quickly as I can.

[Translation]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Canada has a strong and fair refugee system that ensures the security of our borders and at the same time provides protection to those who need it. I have been assured that the detention of immigrants is a measure of last resort.

I have also been told that the government is making significant progress towards reform by implementing fundamental elements and the National Immigration Detention Framework to address the recommendations you highlighted, such as introducing a ministerial direction to end the housing of minors, ensuring that alternatives to detention are always considered first, developing health services and general conditions in immigration holding centres and reducing reliance on provincial facilities. The government recognizes that there is still work to be done and has made a commitment to continue fighting for a robust and balanced immigration system.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. The Government of Canada has worked hard, and continues to work hard, to ensure that Canada’s economy not only recovers from the strains that we all lived through with the pandemic but also emerges vigorous and stronger than ever. Indeed, the statistics demonstrate that.

The Government of Canada continues to invest, both in human capital and in infrastructure, to make sure that we are positioned to take advantage of the opportunities that face us in the 21st century. That includes a serious climate plan and the transition to a more resilient and sustainable economy.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): All Canadians are grateful to Canadian farmers for the work they do and the food they produce — not only for us but also to benefit our economy through our exports. The challenges facing farmers — weather, as you noted; rising costs; and the like — are well-known. The government has many programs in place, as I have outlined in this chamber, to help members of the agricultural sector make their way through these sometimes very challenging times.

This government will continue to take these issues seriously and will work as hard as it can to make sure that Canadian farmers and the industries they support prosper.

Senator Gold: The government supported, and indeed took over, a major pipeline because it recognizes the importance of that for our industry. Provincial premiers, at times, have been the ones to discourage infrastructure investments in that area. The government remains committed to helping all sectors of our economy prosper in this changing economic environment.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): The Government of Canada, along with all Canadians, I fully hope and expect, condemns the reprehensible detention and killing of Mahsa Amini. Her death was the direct result of the systemic and continued harassment and repression of women by the authorities in Iran. Canada remains concerned, has condemned and will continue to condemn the actions of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the region. Canada has very robust measures to hold Iran to account. It has some of the toughest and most comprehensive sanctions in the world against Iran, and indeed, the IRGC-Quds Force is listed as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code, as well as three Iran-backed regional militias.