The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I have the honour to inform the Senate that the Clerk of the Senate has received a certificate from the Registrar General of Canada showing that Ian Douglas Shugart has been summoned to the Senate.

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

I understand that the Investing in Canada Plan was established before Canada took action to implement the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. However, I’m told that the objectives of the plan and its programs are directly aligned with the sustainable development goals. Some examples of these objectives are long-term economic growth that benefits all Canadians; environmental and climate sustainability; and communities that are more resilient to climate change.

The government’s investments in infrastructure contribute directly to the sustainable development goals of equality and social inclusion, and environmental and financial sustainability. Infrastructure Canada is tracking these goals and collecting detailed, useful data on the projects it funds and the programs it administers.

The process is constantly changing. I’m told that Infrastructure Canada is working with its partners to improve how it collects and uses relevant data to better assess findings and consequences based on various parameters.

Senator Dupuis: Senator Gold, in that same report from April 2022, the Commissioner concludes that the department incorporated Gender-based Analysis Plus when designing these programs and has collected related data from project proponents, but it hasn’t systematically evaluated or reported on the results. This makes it difficult to track the extent to which programs are making progress, or not, on the government’s equality commitments.

Does the department intend to address this oversight in Gender-based Analysis Plus in the projects it funds? When and how will the department conduct the evaluation? How do the projects it funds help achieve this government’s commitment and when will it report on them?

Senator Gold: Thank you for the supplementary question.

I will have to do some digging and get back to you about several aspects of your question.

To the important issue of GBA+, I’ve been assured that Infrastructure Canada would work with project proponents to report on the parameters relating to gender, diversity and inclusion and to improve measurement and reporting of these parameters in the design of future programs.

As I said, I will endeavour to get answers to the other aspects to your question.

[English]

Hon. Marty Klyne: Senator Gold, the environment minister’s mandate letter includes creating a Canada water agency, or CWA. We’ve seen many issues facing Canadians around fresh water, including drought, floods and water advisories affecting thousands. According to the ministry’s discussion paper, the CWA would provide Canadians with:

. . . a central point of contact for federal freshwater-related questions and an integrated picture of federal freshwater programs and services.

This initiative is an important response to the clear need to manage our freshwater resources, including around climate change and food security.

Senator Gold, can you please update us on the status of this file?

Hon. Leo Housakos: Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. Senator Gold, this question actually comes from Justin in Ottawa. His question is specifically about Employment Insurance, or EI, premiums, which Justin from Ottawa describes as a direct payroll tax, a tax that your government will be raising in a few months at a time when Canadians can ill afford another tax increase. He asks: “Why the Prime Minister chose to raise EI premiums — a direct payroll tax — for him and every other Canadian?”

Of course, government leader, that was Justin Trudeau in 2013 in the House of Commons. In 2022, Mr. Trudeau is trying to claim this isn’t a tax increase, but I digress.

My question, Senator Gold, is why is the Prime Minister raising taxes for Canadians who are already struggling to make ends meet as a result of his fiscal mismanagement?

Hon. Jean-Guy Dagenais: My question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate.

Senator Gold, after seven years in power, Justin Trudeau’s Liberals have shown the depths of the incompetence in managing services to the public. Let me elaborate.

The issuing of passports has been a complete failure. When someone wants to renew their Nexus card, your government has been recommending for the past two years that they go to the Americans, because the Canadian offices are closed. Welcoming immigrants has been nothing but empty rhetoric. Meanwhile, smugglers continue to enter without a problem at Roxham Road. Now, police chiefs believe that organized crime groups have taken over the production of medical cannabis and that Health Canada has lost control of the licences granted. That’s another well-documented failure. When and how will your government sort out the mess of licences issued without background checks?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your comments and question. I’ll try to answer your last question as I’ve already addressed the other issues several times.

As I explained in the chamber a few days ago, problems with the cultivation of cannabis, the revelations about who has obtained licences and the involvement of organized crime are concerns for the government. It is working with its provincial partners and police to address this serious and real problem. Thank you for the question.

Senator Dagenais: The Royal Canadian Mounted Police believes that the criminal production of cannabis is the same or greater than it was before cannabis was legalized in 2017. Do you acknowledge that Prime Minister Trudeau was mistaken to believe that he would put a stop to organized crime by legalizing cannabis?

Senator Gold: I disagree. The data clearly show a movement among cannabis consumers from legal and illegal sources. It will take some time before this crucial change in consumption habits is fully realized. That said, the Government of Canada is proud of its legislation to decriminalize cannabis for those who consume it for personal reasons.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): The program included in Bill C-31, which is still in the other place, is, as everyone knows, a first step to allocating money in the short term to families who are suffering in the current economic climate. It is not a dental plan. It is very clear that the federal government is working directly with its provincial counterparts in health care. There is an ongoing conversation about the amount of money they give to the provinces. That conversation will likely continue for the rest of our lives.

That being said, during the next steps, this chamber can rest assured that the federal government will work closely with its provincial counterparts to ensure that the program respects the needs of Canadians as well as constitutional jurisdictions.

Senator Gold: The clear and direct answer to both questions is that the bill will be sent to us soon, I hope, and that we will have the opportunity to study it and to put questions directly to those in charge of drafting and implementing the bill.

[English]

Hon. Jane Cordy: Honourable senators, I’m pleased to join the other leaders in welcoming Senator Shugart as the newest member of the Red Chamber.

As others have already mentioned, Senator Shugart, you have dedicated your career to public service, demonstrating your commitment to Canadians, as well as to the institutions of government.

Most recently, your work as Clerk of the Privy Council tested your abilities to face new challenges. Specifically, you led the public service’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, while also addressing heightened calls to tackle systemic racism in our institutions. In your 28th Annual Report to the Prime Minister on the Public Service of Canada, you wrote, “Our country needs deep reflection on who we are and who we want to be.” On this — the eve of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation — it feels particularly meaningful.

Though some of us joined the Senate as complete novices, you do have the advantage of already intimately understanding the mechanisms of government. Indeed, you have even appeared as a witness in committee, both in the other place and here in the Senate. I’m sure that those senators who once had the opportunity to question you will now join me in welcoming you to the other side of the table.

As a former teacher, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge that you earned another title this month, in addition to that of senator, and that is professor or teacher. I am certain that students at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy will be well served by your wisdom and your expertise.

Senator Shugart, through your lifelong devotion to public service, you are already well aware of some of the challenges you will face in this chamber. Though we are all here to make this country a better place for everyone, we may not always agree on how best to achieve that. Similarly, as we continue to modernize this institution, the same concept holds true. I believe that our work will always be enhanced by this need to balance those often-competing voices. It is clear that your commitment to diversity and inclusion, as well as your decades of knowledge and experience, will certainly serve you well in your new role as a senator.

It is always exciting to see what one’s next chapter in life will be, and I am pleased that yours will allow you to continue your service to Canadians. I look forward to working with you and, on behalf of the Progressive Senate Group, I would like to officially welcome you to the Senate of Canada.

Hon. Senators: Agreed.

(Motion agreed to.)

(At 4:03 p.m., the Senate was continued until Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at 2 p.m.)

Hon. Ian Shugart, P.C., of Ottawa, Ontario, introduced between Hon. Marc Gold, P.C., and Hon. Tony Dean.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I have the honour to inform the Senate that the Clerk of the Senate has received a certificate from the Registrar General of Canada showing that Ian Douglas Shugart has been summoned to the Senate.

The Hon. the Speaker having informed the Senate that there was a senator without waiting to be introduced:

The following honourable senator was introduced; presented His Majesty’s writ of summons; took the oath prescribed by law, which was administered by the Clerk of the Senate; and was seated:

Hon. Jane Cordy: Honourable senators, I rise today to recognize the month of September as Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Sickle cell organizations across Canada use this month to raise the profile of sickle cell disease and to improve the disease management skills of individuals, their families and their caregivers. Furthermore, it is an opportunity to roll out educational activities among care providers, to increase knowledge of the disease and to reduce stigma and systemic racism experienced by individuals when seeking medical care.

This year’s theme is “The Lesser Told Stories of siblings with Sickle Cell Disease.” Lanre Tunji-Ajayi, an active leader within the sickle cell community and president of the Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario, speaks often of her experiences as the eldest of eight and having two siblings with sickle cell disease. Lanre continues to support those with sickle cell disease here in Canada and around the world.

Due to the nature of the disease, it is very difficult for those living with sickle cell disease to continue their education and to work at the same time. Because of this, the Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario has established the Sunday Afolabi Scholarship Grant and the Sholape Animashaun Scholarship Grant for Canadians with sickle cell disease to inspire and to help them in their pursuit of higher education. Honourable senators, this funding is instrumental in allowing Canadians with sickle cell disease to achieve their dreams while still managing their day-to-day living with the disease.

Honourable senators, it is truly remarkable the work that is being done by Canadians affected by sickle cell disease. Their commitment to furthering awareness and effecting change is second to none. I have been so fortunate to meet many of them, and they have been so open and honest when sharing their stories.

While there is an acute focus during the month of September and for National Sickle Cell Awareness Day on June 19 of every year, it is important that we keep these Canadians in the forefront throughout the rest of the year as well. I urge you to learn more about sickle cell disease and invite you to take part in the virtual Sickle Cell Summit on November 4 and 5, whose theme for 2022 is “Delivering Equity in Sickle Cell Disease, Lessons from the Pandemic.” Those living with sickle cell disease, as well as their families and caregivers, are eager to share their stories with you.

Thank you.

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear.

[Translation]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, it is a great pleasure to welcome the Honourable Ian Shugart as our newest colleague representing the province of Ontario.

Senator Shugart has had a long and illustrious career in Canada’s civil service spanning more than four decades.

From 1980 to 1982, Senator Shugart worked as a constitutional policy adviser for the Leader of the Opposition Joe Clark. As a matter of fact, in that capacity he was hired by the leader’s Chief of Staff at the time, our colleague Senator Harder. During those years, he also worked closely with Jake Epp, a minister in the Clark government whose election campaign had been chaired by our colleague Senator Plett. As Senator Shugart’s career progressed, and he took on the position of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, one of his close associates was our colleague Senator Boehm.

As a constitutional policy adviser during the period 1980-82, Senator Shugart, in all likelihood, spent time in this very building. The constitutional negotiations between federal and provincial counterparts were being held here in the rooms now designated for Senate committee hearings.

Senator Shugart, I imagine that you never anticipated a return to Ottawa’s old railway station in order to take your seat as the newest senator from Ontario.

As we all know, Senator Shugart brings a wealth of policy experience to our chamber in the areas of health, environment, employment and social development and foreign affairs. His knowledge on these matters is a welcome asset to this chamber. His time as Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet capped off a successful career serving governments of both stripes.

Speaking for myself — and all of us, I am sure — I look forward to working with you, Senator Shugart, and I welcome you to the Senate of Canada.