Hon. Jim Quinn: Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate.

Senator Gold, since 1977, Transport Canada has been giving the province of British Columbia an index grant to provide financial assistance related to the operating cost of intra-provincial ferry services. This is part of a federal obligation to provide transportation links to the national surface transportation system from various regions in isolated areas of British Columbia, including islands. As of 2022, this grant is valued at $32 million per year.

My province of New Brunswick contains several remote islands in the Bay of Fundy that are only accessible to the rest of Canada via ferry. In addition to Campobello Island and Deer Island, this includes White Head Island, which is accessible only via ferry from Grand Manan Island, which itself is accessible to the mainland via a separate ferry.

Senator Gold, as a matter of provincial equality, would Transport Canada consider a request by the New Brunswick government to provide New Brunswick with a similar operating grant for its remote intra-provincial ferry services?

Hon. Jim Quinn: Honourable senators, earlier this month marked the one hundred and fifth anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. This battle began on April 9, 1917, and became a defining moment in our history. It is one of Canada’s most celebrated military victories, but it also came with heavy cost. The battle ended on April 12. About 100,000 Canadians served there, and of them, more than 10,600 suffered casualties, nearly 3,600 of which were fatal. The dedication, bravery and courage of Canadians from this battle and other theatres of the Great War stretched across the decades since — the Second World War, the Korean conflict, Afghanistan, and so many others — right up to this very day where members of our Canadian Armed Forces are deployed worldwide, serving to defend the cause of freedom and democracy. The women and men who serve do so with that same foundation of dedication, bravery and courage that marked the epic Battle of Vimy Ridge so long ago.

We must also never forget that it is our military women and men who also serve at home when Canadians need help in times of crisis, be it responding to fires, floods, storms or securing our safety.

There is no denying that today’s Canadian Armed Forces are facing many challenges, but I believe that all honourable colleagues would agree that the tens of thousands of women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces remain standing ready to respond and serve Canada in times of need, here at home and abroad. To them, I say thank you. On behalf of all Canadians, we thank you for standing ready to serve.