Senator Gold: Thank you for your question. My understanding of what took place was there was a conversation between the Prime Minister and the leader of the New Democratic Party, as you would expect there to be in the context of the relationship that has developed between them. To the best of my knowledge, that is the appropriate way to characterize what you have characterized otherwise.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. I don’t know that the way you characterize it is the case at all, but I certainly will make some inquiries and be happy to report on the status of this particular policy initiative.

Senator Gold: No.

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question. Canada is not afraid to take the actions that it needs to take to support the democratic government and the peoples of Ukraine, and our actions demonstrate that. Each sovereign country must make its own decision as to how and what measures to take, which measures will be effective, which will be performative and which will serve the best interests not only of its own citizens but also of its allies and Canada will continue to act responsibly in that regard.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. I do not have information as to the status of that particular bill. I’ll make inquiries and be happy to report back.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, I wanted to correct the record. I inadvertently slipped up in a response to Senator Batters’ question. I clearly should spend some more time looking for myself on the internet.

In strict terms, I’ve never actually been a member of the Operations Committee, though I’ve attended every meeting and my reports from the Senate to the committee are a standing item on the agenda. I continue to be a regular participant as invited and as appropriate.

However, from a strict membership standpoint, only ministers of the Crown can be considered members of cabinet committees. So I wanted to correct the record. Let me add, if I may, that I’m not here for trophies or for titles. I’m here to do the best I can for Canada and to serve the public to the best of my ability.

I do apologize for the error in my response. Thank you.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question and for shining a light on what we all know is a growing and pernicious phenomenon.

Disinformation, in its various forms, is a really serious threat to our society, to our democracy and to all Canadians. I am advised that the government has just added $2.5 million for targeted projects to help Canadians identify misinformation and disinformation online through the Digital Citizen Initiative. This is on top of the government’s $8.5 million Digital Citizen Contribution Program. That’s a program which funds projects to help Canadians become more aware and more resilient and to think more critically about the information that they see and the information that they consume online.

As mentioned by our honourable colleague in her question, the government clearly must look at the role of social media platforms in reducing the spread of misinformation and disinformation as well as online hate and other pernicious practices. To this end, I’m advised that the minister has announced the creation of an expert panel to provide advice on eventual legislation to counter these forms of online harm.

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question.

Though I am not aware of what Global Affairs may be doing with regard to these, I can advise this chamber — and I have been advised — that the government is very much aware of the bills that are currently before both the legislatures of California and New York. They are in close contact with industry with regard to those bills.

As colleagues know, our legislation governing forestry are amongst the strictest in the world. We’re a climate leader. The U.S. and Canada have always collaborated closely on forest management, notwithstanding the differences that often arise between us and our trading partner in the United States.

The government, as I said before, will continue and will always defend the forestry sector and its workers.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question, senator. I’m not yet privy to the budget, so we’ll have to wait one more day to find out what the government is proposing.

The comparison with the Canada Infrastructure Bank is an interesting one. Despite the fact that the projects are not yet completed, there are 35 projects under way, as I think I mentioned at another time, and they are important projects, Senator Plett. They include the Manitoba Fibre broadband project that will bring broadband services to nearly 50,000 households in rural Manitoba, an issue that our colleague Senator Patterson has underlined on more than one occasion. It also includes work to advance the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link, which will provide a vital energy and communications link between Manitoba and Nunavut.

Every dollar that Canadians are being asked to spend through the government on those infrastructure projects is creating jobs, attracting investment, fighting climate change, promoting social equity and building the economy of the future.

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question and for your concern about the respect with which I am held. But your facts are wrong. I remain a member of the Operations Committee, I attended most recently on Monday. I can’t explain the website. I have other things to do than look for myself on the web.

I repeat, senator, with respect, my understanding is that there was a conversation, there was no formal briefing. Neither I nor my team nor anybody else — unless we attended the budget lock‑up which we organized for all senators, I gather, one senator attended. But apart from that, no, I did not receive any briefing, as none of us would have. Thank you.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. I hope your grandson is watching. He should be very proud.

Canada is providing a comprehensive suite of military aid to Ukraine and is constantly and continuously reassessing the needs. That’s why it has announced several new tranches of military aid, both lethal and non-lethal, to Ukraine.

The government has also been assisting our allies in delivering aid to Ukraine by over 40 flights on the C-130s Canada is providing for airlift support. I’m also advised that the government is in touch with a range of industry partners about further support for our Ukrainian partners.

Finally, I’m also advised that the government is currently working with Canadian companies to evaluate military aid options for Ukraine. Minister Anand will remain in close contact with Minister Reznikov regarding Ukraine’s evolving needs.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you, senator, for your question. As we all know, far too well, Indigenous people, visible minorities, including Black Canadians, are overrepresented in our criminal justice system and this needs to change.

The government is working to create the conditions for everyone who works within the criminal justice system to take the necessary steps to redress this and to produce more equitable outcomes. I’m advised that the government is also providing Black-Canadian offenders with services aimed at supporting their reintegration, including addressing cultural employment and mentorship needs.

I’m further advised that the Correctional Service of Canada is studying the in-custody experience of racialized inmates including Black Canadians, which is expected to produce a full research report this fall.

As we know, the government has also introduced Bill C-5, which represents an important step forward. These changes, if and when the bill passes, will ensure that our criminal justice system is more fair, effective and will keep Canadians from all communities safe.

Finally — and this goes without saying — there is more work to be done. The government knows it. The government is committed to doing it.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you, senator, for your question. I’m advised that the minister continues to be in close contact with both her Ukrainian counterpart and our NATO allies, including at multiple NATO defence minister’s meetings, to see how Canada and the alliance can continue to provide support to best respond to Ukraine’s evolving security needs and to coordinate our current and future efforts.

I note that following meetings of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs, NATO confirmed today its commitment to provide more aid to support Ukraine, including stepping up humanitarian aid and financial support.

Colleagues, the discussions are ongoing and I understand that consideration is being given to provide equipment to help Ukraine protect against chemical and biological threats.

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

I begin my answer by reminding this chamber that the Government of Canada and the previous governments of Canada have always worked hard to defend Canada’s forestry industry. In that regard, as we’re all aware, the U.S. has indicated it would maintain its unjustified duties on Canadian softwood lumber. And as many in the chamber know, the government launched litigation under chapter 10 of CUSMA in December to fight those duties.

I note that for the past 13 months Minister Ng has been advocating with her counterpart that Canada stands ready to start discussing proper and potential resolution to the softwood lumber issue.

The government is encouraged by Ambassador Tai’s recent comments, recognizing the importance of reaching a softwood lumber deal. And the government will continue to defend our forestry workers and our industry to ensure it gets a good deal with our U.S. counterparts.