The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Senator Wells, you said that you have many questions. You will need to make your questions brief in order to give Senator McCallum an opportunity to ask her question.

Senator Wells: Just one supplementary question, Senator Gold. I recognize the sensitivity around this, but I think a good solution — and I don’t know if it has been requested; perhaps you could pass along this request to the parliamentary secretary who is in charge of this file — is to simply request that they be allowed to return to Canada while the investigation is ongoing. I’m sure they would be happy to testify once that investigation is over.

Senator Wells: Agreed. I asked the question and I was waiting for the answer.

Senator Wells: Thank you.

Your Honour, I have more questions, but I will cede the floor.

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: It was moved by the Honourable Senator Seidman, seconded by the Honourable Senator Wells:

That the motion in amendment be not now adopted, but that it be amended by:

1. adding, after point (b) in the amendment, a new point (c) as follows:

“(c)a letter from Dr. Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, outlining how the Senate sitting in person only would contravene guidelines issued by her office”; and

2.changing the designation of points (c) and (d) in the amendment to points (d) and (e).

On debate.

Hon. David M. Wells (Acting Deputy Leader of the Opposition): I have a couple of questions, Senator Boniface, if you will indulge me.

You talked about the multiplicity of indicators. How do you define “reasonable general concern” or, in fact, “lower than reasonable general concern”? What sort of indicators or behaviours would a CBSA officer look for? I am mostly concerned about this lower bar. If I come off an eight-hour flight, I’m at the airport, and if I don’t get sleep, I’m irritated, maybe dishevelled, not my normal absolutely pleasant self, how would a CBSA officer know that’s not my general nature?

Senator Boniface: I am at the mercy of the chamber. I would be happy to take Senator Wells’s and Senator McCallum’s questions, and perhaps we can agree to call it there.