Hon. Robert Black: Honourable senators, on Wednesdays the Canadian Senators Group directs questions to committee chairs. Therefore, my question today is for my honourable colleague, Senator Housakos, chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications.

Senator Housakos, prior to taking on Bill S-6, the Transport and Communications Committee was conducting a study on the impacts of climate change on critical infrastructure. I understand that the committee intends to return to this study.

As you know, I approach everything in the Red Chamber through an agricultural and rural lens, so my question today will focus on the rural experience which is, unfortunately, often forgotten.

The 20% of our population who live in rural, remote or northern communities frequently have issues accessing critical infrastructure of all types, from transportation to access to reliable and affordable broadband.

The disparity between urban and rural Canadians has become even more pronounced during the COVID-19 pandemic. This gap will almost certainly be further exacerbated as our country continues to see the effects of climate change and its subsequent impacts on existing infrastructure.

With that in mind, can you advise if your committee will take into consideration the ways in which critical infrastructure in rural communities may be impacted by climate change, understanding that they face different issues than their urban counterparts?

And can you confirm that voices from rural regions will be amplified to ensure a comprehensive study that reflects the whole of Canada?