Senator Gold: That’s not the case. We are not doing their work; we are contributing to parliamentary work, as we have done many times and as I demonstrated using the statistics I quoted. With all due respect, senator, if your argument held water, we would never do pre-studies, but it does not. I must insist on the importance of this pre-study, which will enable the Senate to do its work in a responsible fashion.

[English]

Senator Gold: Of course.

Senator Gold: Thank you.

To your first question, Senator Housakos, it remains to be seen what emerges from our pre-study. It remains to be seen what emerges in the bill once we do get it. Whether the concerns expressed still hold water, I fully expect some of the political posturing around the bill to continue — that is the nature of politics — but the bill has been adjusted to take into account the concerns that were expressed.

I cannot say until we roll up our sleeves and study how long the committee will need to study it, at which point the leaders — as is our practice — will get together and see what the next steps might be. That will happen once we know when the bill is going to arrive.

With regard to your last question, again, I did my best to state the case in the speech; I won’t repeat it. However, I will remind you that there is a large community that defines our identity — those creative individuals and groupings in our society who provide content that defines us as who we are. It is not just as it has been in the past, being an elite from Montreal or Toronto. We are a diverse country. The Broadcasting Act, which Bill C-11 seeks to modernize, is not adequate to provide adequate space or place for those who represent more marginalized communities in our country.

It is the money that Canadian content providers are not receiving and will not receive until this bill is passed, and the space that needs to be created in our regulatory framework to reflect the diversity of our country so that Canadian content and art can truly be a reflection of who we are, as this place has become. The Broadcasting Act, alas, lags far, far behind.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question and for raising the issue of gas prices, which we are all experiencing every time we fill up.

The government will always consider measures to assist Canadians through these difficult times. I’m sure that this matter remains under active consideration.

Senator Gold: Of course.

Senator Gold: The answer is no.

I could stop there, but since your question had a fair bit of preamble, I’ll take the liberty of elaborating. What the government wants is a balanced and sensible long-term approach for dealing with both economic and environmental issues for the benefit of all Canadians, including future generations.

[Translation]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question and your commitment to this important issue.

The Government of Canada recognizes that there is work to be done to improve the situation of victims. A number of measures have already been taken, and others are currently being developed. As soon as those measures are finalized and ready to be made public, I will announce them in this chamber.

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question. I’ll certainly add that to my inquiries that I will be making of the government, and I will hope to report back in a timely fashion.

[Translation]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for highlighting this important issue that affects far too many people. Unfortunately, I do not have an answer to your question, but I will follow up with the government and endeavour to provide senators with the answer.

Senator Gold: Thank you for raising this in the chamber. Again, I regret I was not made aware that you had not received a response. I will certainly add your concerns to the inquiries that I will make now that I’m on notice.

Senator Gold: I’ll take all questions I can until I run out of steam.

Senator Gold: Senator Richards, we are here debating the pre-study. Your concerns are legitimate ones. I think all colleagues look forward to the contributions you can make, both at committee and during debate.

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question. Respectfully, I don’t agree. You’re correct. It has been a challenge to move legislation through this Parliament. It is still a minority government, despite the — if I could continue.

Senator Gold: That is not what I said, so my answer is no. I said that the primary and fundamental role of the Senate is to examine government bills and, in that regard and in that aspect, to contribute to Canada’s legislative process. As I have explained, I do not and will never deny the importance of the work that is done in committees. However, the fact that government business must be given priority is recognized by all senators in this chamber.

Senator Gold: I choose not to hear that. It is still a minority Parliament, and although there is an understanding on supply and confidence, that does not mean that the government is free to move things forward at its will. It does not have a blank cheque from any of the opposition parties, including the NDP.

But, I digress, and experienced parliamentarians know this.

But to your question, Senator Tannas, you may be right. I think it is moving into the committee because of some understandings that were ultimately reached.

But the point still is this: Bill C-11 is to a large degree subject to changes that were made to Bill C-10, which has been before Parliament for some time now. This is not a new bill. It is not a new issue. The same forces that are rallying for and against Bill C-10 are marshalling their arguments as we speak.

We know what the issues are, and it is the appropriate thing for us to dig in now to be able to determine to what degree Bill C-11 addresses some of the concerns that were raised so that we can be in a properly informed position, not only to share our views to the other place while it is still in committee or otherwise being debated but also to be ready for a focused, sensible, rigorous study and debate when it arrives here.

No, I think it would be inappropriate to wait. Now is the time.

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

I would like to highlight the Minister of Transport’s commitment, set out in his mandate letter, to lead the effort to modernize ports. As you mentioned, the government launched a series of consultations and has received input that has been included in publicly available discussion papers. This work is ongoing, and I will keep the Senate informed of future steps. I will also bring your interest in this matter to the attention of Minister Alghabra.

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question. Putting in place certain programs, like the changes to the tax regime, does take some time as experienced senators and experienced Canadians will understand. That is not to say that the government is not putting into place measures to try to address the issues and provide assistance within a shorter time frame.

Many of these measures are set out in Budget 2022 in an effort to double the number of homes built in Canada over the next decade, rapidly increase the supply of affordable housing and ensure that homes are actually used by the families who purchased them. That’s why the government is investing $4 billion in the new Housing Accelerator Fund to help municipalities speed up construction to create 100,000 new units. That is why the government is investing $1.5 billion to extend the Rapid Housing Initiative and create an additional 6,000 deeply affordable housing units. That’s why it’s advancing $2.9 billion in funding under the National Housing Co‑Investment Fund to build and repair up to 22,000 units, and why the government is creating a $500-million cooperative housing development program to expand cooperative housing.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): I thank the honourable senator for the question.

Canada considers climate change a global challenge requiring a global solution, as your question properly implies.

In that regard, Canada is taking a leadership role on the international stage to tackle climate change, including reaffirming our support for the Global Methane Pledge and Canada’s objective of reducing methane emissions in the oil and gas sector and committing to ending deforestation by 2030, amongst other initiatives.

With respect to the specifics of your questions, I’ll seek clarification from the government and report back to the chamber.

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question. As you well know, we are working to invite ministers to participate in exchanges with the Senate. This creates opportunities to delve into the issues associated with ministerial portfolios.

I note the interest you are showing in this ministerial portfolio. I understand that you recently had the opportunity to speak with the minister. The minister remains engaged with the Senate. She made herself available on several occasions during the pandemic. I am certain that the minister will make herself available to appear before the Senate in the near future.

[English]

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question. I don’t want to presume your vote on this motion, Senator Quinn.

I’ll make inquiries as to what material can be provided. It is certainly open to the committee, once it is seized with the mandate of a pre-study, to request both from officials and from the government, and my office will use its good offices to facilitate that. I can’t give you a definitive answer about the specifics of what is appropriate to share at this juncture of the process.