Senator Martin: Thank you for that. Leader, in addition to refusing to provide information on how the initial $16 million will be allocated, the three departments I just mentioned also refused to provide the PBO with information on the ongoing tasks, staffing and costs associated with the implementation of Bill C-13.

The NDP-Liberal government clearly believes that it can limit debate, and it can brush off an officer of Parliament’s request for information, but this is ultimately taxpayers’ money.

Leader, why is your government being so secretive with this information? Will the NDP-Liberal government instruct these three departments to provide the PBO’s Office with the information needed to do their job?

Hon. Scott Tannas: Honourable senators, I’d like to ask the Chair of the Aboriginal Peoples Committee, Senator Francis, for a potential follow-up to Bill C-15, which follows a trend that the committee has employed in the past to ensure progress on the implementation of important bills where there was a promise to do things after the bill was passed.

Senator, next week marks the one-year anniversary of the passing of the UNDRIP bill, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, and its two-year action plan development timetable. There has not been a lot of public information as to progress achieved.

Is the committee considering convening a public meeting to get an on-the-record update from Minister Lametti, now that 50% of the statutory time has passed and the deadline is steadily approaching?

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, when shall this bill be read the third time?

(On motion of Senator Gignac, bill placed on the Orders of the Day for third reading at the next sitting of the Senate.)

Hon. Fabian Manning introduced Bill S-249, An Act respecting the development of a national strategy for the prevention of intimate partner violence.

(Bill read first time.)

Hon. David M. Wells: Honourable senators, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the report of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association concerning the 2022 Extraordinary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, held by video conference from March 14 to 15, 2022.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): I’m not aware of the issues surrounding the request for information. I’ll certainly make inquiries and respond back.

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, my question for the Leader of the Government in the Senate also regards Bill C-13. Last week, the Parliamentary Budget Officer, or PBO, released a report which looks into the financial cost of Bill C-13. This analysis was conducted at the request of the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages. The PBO report states that three departments — Canadian Heritage, Treasury Board and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — all wrongfully refused to disclose how they will allocate $16 million set aside in the Economic and Fiscal Update 2021 for the initial implementation costs of Bill C-13.

Leader, as Senator Plett just pointed out, the NDP-Liberal government is limiting debate on this bill in the House committee and you’re also refusing to disclose information on Bill C-13 to the PBO. Could you tell us why?

Senator Gold: Thank you, senator, for the question. With regard to the specifics of the question, I will have to make inquiries with the government and hope to report back in a timely fashion.

Senator Gold: I will follow up with the government and try to provide a response shortly.

[English]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question, and thank you for reminding us of the challenges that Canadians continue to face. There are a variety of measures that this government is taking, and whether they differ from some of the policy preferences of your current leader or some of the leadership contenders, this government stands by its approach to managing the Canadian economy and society through this difficult time.

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Dr. Elaine Gibson, professor of Law at Dalhousie University and the partner of the Honourable Senator Cotter.

On behalf of all honourable senators, I welcome you to the Senate of Canada.

Some Hon. Senators: Hear, Hear.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of interns in the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Program. They are the guests of the Honourable Senator Kutcher.

On behalf of all honourable senators, I welcome you to the Senate of Canada.

Hon. Salma Ataullahjan: Honourable senators, I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere congratulations to Premier Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario on their re-election and major victory.

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the certificate of nomination and biographical notes for the proposed appointment of Philippe Dufresne to the position of Privacy Commissioner for a term of seven years.

[Translation]

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question and for reminding the chamber of this issue. If I am correct, and I will stand corrected if I’m wrong, I believe that although I made inquiries and did not get an answer back, the dissolution of Parliament wipes those questions off the table.

Please, with your indulgence, I’ll make further inquiries and hope to get an answer to you quickly.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Anil Kaul. He is the guest of the Honourable Senator Deacon (Ontario).

On behalf of all honourable senators, I welcome you to the Senate of Canada.