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

The government is monitoring the situation of flooding in Manitoba, and elsewhere, very carefully. The government has been advised that Minister Blair has been in touch with his provincial counterpart. The government stands ready to provide federal support if required and is committed to supporting Manitobans.

The issue affects many communities, as you know — First Nations and others — and the government is working with its partners to provide as much help as is needed.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): The short answer is yes, of course, the RCMP, other law enforcement and securities — all of these were sources of information and guidance as the government assessed on an ongoing basis the situation with which it was confronted here in Ottawa. The government, benefiting from the information that it received, reached the conclusion that the act was necessary and invoked it — as we know — and revoked it when it was no longer necessary.

Senator Gold: I will certainly add those questions to my inquiry and I will get back to you as soon as I get an answer.

[Translation]

Senator Wallin: Perhaps you could ask members of the government who are participating in the committee to ensure that these joint committees don’t treat senators as second-class citizens. Schedules are determined by members of Parliament, and their behaviour tends to be more partisan. We even have different speaking times for senators.

Moving forward, can you assure us that, on these kinds of joint committees dealing with such profound matters, senators are treated more equitably?

Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate), pursuant to notice of May 11, 2022, moved:

That, when the Senate next adjourns after the adoption of this motion, it do stand adjourned until Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at 2 p.m.

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

(On motion of Senator Martin, bill placed on the Orders of the Day for second reading two days hence.)

[Translation]

Hon. Éric Forest: Honourable senators, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the report of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie concerning the Conference of Branch Chairs of the Americas Region, held by videoconference on April 4, 2022.

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Mark Farrant, CEO and founder of the Canadian Juries Commission. He is the guest of the Honourable Senator Moncion.

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

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) introduced Bill S-245, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (granting citizenship to certain Canadians).

(Bill read first time.)

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Professor Gregory Tardi, Executive Editor of the Journal of Parliamentary and Political Law. He is the guest of the Honourable Senator McPhedran.

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

Senator Gold: I will certainly pass that on to the government.

Senator Gold: Good work it is, indeed. Thank you for the question.

I am advised there is no cap on the CUAET. The government has provided new funding of $111 million over five years, with $6 million in future years, to implement these new immigration measures. This funding will help to set up the new immigration pathways, expedite the processing of applications and provide support to Ukrainians once they arrive in Canada.

The government continues to engage with our partners in the settlement sector on how to best support Ukrainians fleeing Putin’s war.

Hon. Marilou McPhedran: Honourable senators, it is Manitoba Day. It has been mentioned already, and I have a question to Senator Gold.

Could you explain to us, please, the significance of Chief Peguis for Manitoba?

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!

Hon. Diane Bellemare: Honourable senators, I have already spoken about this report, but I would simply like to conclude debate so that people will know about it. It is not a bill requiring formal passage. It is a report that was tabled.

Hon. Senators: Question.

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Are honourable senators ready for the question?

Hon. Diane Bellemare: I move adoption of the report.

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

I was not aware that the committee, which operates independently, had decided that it had sufficient input to complete its reflections or to inform its reflections on this issue, but it is for the committee to decide how it wants to proceed, and, indeed, it is for the committee to decide how frequently it wants to meet.

We passed a resolution here, as did our counterparts in the other place, to extend the deadline for the report, and I have every confidence that the committee will do what it needs to do to provide the recommendations, to which we all look forward to receiving.