Hon. Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu: My question is for the Government Representative in the Senate. At the meeting of the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs we learned that roughly between 3,000 and 5,000 veterans do not have housing. Two years ago, the Trudeau government announced the launch of a program that would accelerate the construction of affordable housing for the homeless and would help get them off the street and away from drugs.

I asked the minister the question last week and he was unable to tell me when the program will be implemented. Yesterday, I asked the Veterans Ombudsperson the same question and she told me that the minister had no information to share on this matter.

When will the government take care of veterans?

Senator Boisvenu: Why did Veterans Affairs not spend $634 million in 2021? It ended the year with $634 million in unspent funding, even though there are 11,000 benefit applications being appealed and applicants have not had any news. That is not to mention the 5,000 homeless veterans roaming the streets. Why did the government not spend the $634 million?

Hon. Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu: Like my colleague, Senator Gold, I rise to speak to the motion of Senator Moncion, which recognizes the importance of citizens who, often anonymously, play a key role in the Canadian justice system.

I thank the senator for supporting my Bill S-206. I also want to thank Senator Dalphond for his involvement, as he ensured that this bill was adopted without study in committee. That was an excellent decision, and I thank all my Senate colleagues for supporting this initiative. As you know, Bill S-206 is now at the other place, and it could be that members of the House have a surprise for us this afternoon and that they too are passing it without referring it to committee for study.

Bill S-206 is on its third attempt at being passed. Personally, I think we needed to protect these witnesses and not make them come back yet again to the Senate to talk about events that some may want to bury deep in their memory or that some have managed to deal with. It is a very humane decision to not refer the bill to a committee.

We must recognize the work that jurors do. We recognize that jurors need support, but now we must recognize the work that they do. I commend Senator Moncion’s initiative to designate one week a year to recognize the essential role that these people play. They are often called upon to make decisions that will have a major impact on other people’s lives. I believe that designating one week to tell them how important they are to our country and to our justice system is the least we can do.

I had limited knowledge of what jurors do. I was an observer in courtrooms when I accompanied families who had lost a loved one to murder. I observed this role at a distance and would see jurors on TV shows such as Perry Mason. Senator Moncion’s testimony was so moving and really taught me a lot about this role. She shared her own experience, as did Mr. Farrant, who testified in committee.

We heard from other witnesses, including some who served as jurors in the Bernardo trial. I couldn’t imagine being in that position, leaving every night, seeing the photos in my head, listening to . . . Basically, I think that this role is very important and very demanding. We are sending regular Canadians into the thick of the action, often without any professional or psychological training. They are being asked to deal with the worst things in the world. I think it is a big step forward that we are now telling them they can ask for help without being labelled a criminal.

The other step that needs to be taken, and that Senator Moncion is asking us to take today, is to pass her motion to have the country recognize juries every year. There is indeed a Jury Appreciation Week, and that week is recognized by the association, but not by the government. I think this motion will go a long way in getting proper recognition for that week.

I will close by saying that this motion should be passed today. To me, that is the heart of the issue, and I see nothing inconsistent about it. People who have served on juries in the past and who are serving on juries now, and those who will serve in the future, will know that the Senate has helped advance this role in the justice system. There is finally recognition that what they do is important and that they need support.

Once again, my congratulations to Senator Moncion. It has been a pleasure to speak to this motion and I urge you, colleagues, to pass it today.