Senator Gold: I’ll have to make inquiries and report back.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Well, thank you for the question and the underlying concern that these positions be distributed equitably so that citizens outside the capital region can serve their country and have the benefit of those. I’ll make inquiries as to the reasons that might explain the change in percentage that you outline, and I’ll be happy to report back when I get an answer.

Senator Gold: Senator, thank you for your question. I will make sure to add those points to my inquiries with the government.

[Translation]

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question. I have no knowledge whatsoever of any such deliberate action. I will make inquiries as to why the public accounts were delayed, and I will report back to the chamber.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Colleague, thank you for your question. As your question implies, there is a requirement that it be tabled before the end of March. I have every confidence that that will be the case, but I will certainly make every effort to get that confirmed. I will try to get an answer back to you and to this chamber as quickly as I can.

Senator Gold: The answer is yes. Colleagues, let’s recall, in addition, that TMX, Line 3 pipeline, NOVA Gas Transmission line and LNG Canada are all projects that the Government of Canada has approved and are being built. Thousands of jobs were created. The government continues to work and will continue to work with our partners in the sector to attract investment and grow our economy in a responsible way.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. As you pointed out, our mission in Ukraine is a training one, not a combat mission. A combat mission to Ukraine, colleagues, is not currently on the table. That is in line with what our NATO allies have stated. The NATO Secretary-General also said just that on February 24. We will continue to act in lockstep with our allies.

With regard to other aspects of your question, while I can confirm that the government has relocated some of our forces outside of Ukraine, the government will not disclose any specific details in order to maintain operational security. This does not signal the end of the mission, however. Canada remains committed to its capacity-building efforts and, of course, to the people of Ukraine.

Senator Gold: Senator Mercer, we all, of course, wish the same for all of our brave men and women who serve our country and are in harm’s way.

Canada has taken a series of steps with its NATO allies to ramp up sanctions against Russia for its illegal acts. Even more were announced today, as you would know. Canada is in constant contact and in consultation with its NATO allies with regard to the lethal and non-lethal assets and supports we’re providing to Ukraine and will continue to be so.

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

[English]

The current situation in Ukraine, as you point out, and I think we all would understand, underscores the importance of energy security of our allies in Europe and, indeed, around the world. The news of companies interested in investing in Canada is, of course, welcome news. As we work with our European allies to address the geopolitical and socio-economic challenges that are presented by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the government is considering all measures to preserve energy supply chains in Canada and, where possible, worldwide.

Canada is well positioned to become a major player in the global LNG industry. The government is taking action to become the world’s cleanest producer of LNG. Now, on specific projects, such as the one that may emerge in Saint John, the government oversees and is committed to fair and thorough impact assessments grounded in science and traditional knowledge. The government remains committed to addressing the potential impacts of development, while ensuring that good projects go ahead.

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

As I explained many times last week, the government was convinced that all of the measures that were put in place and the invocation of the emergency measures were necessary to respond to the crisis.

Fortunately, the state of emergency is over, and the measures that were put in place are no longer in effect.

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question. Once again, the answer is clear. All of these measures were necessary to put an end to the occupation of Ottawa, which caused a lot of harm to Ottawa residents and in other parts of Canada.

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question. Since coming to power in 2015, the government has made significant investments in official languages, strengthening the institutions and infrastructure that support official languages minority communities, or OLMCs. As part of these positive obligations under the Official Languages Act, the government encourages and supports governments in fostering the development of francophone and anglophone minorities by providing municipal services in both official languages and having them receive instructions in their own language.

I also note that the new version of the bill includes support for non-profit organizations that provide many support services to OLMCs.

[English]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you, senator, for the question. Let me also add my voice to congratulate Senator Griffin on her contributions over the years.

The situation where Ukrainians are seeking to leave, and Afghans and others, is a tragic one. I can’t answer your question definitively. I’ll make inquiries at each level, but I can tell you this: For over a month now, the government has been giving priority to processing applications from Ukraine and bolstering Canada’s operational capacity in the region. Since January 19 the IRCC has approved nearly 2,000 applications from Ukrainian nationals and other peoples residing in Ukraine across various programs. The government has announced — I won’t go down the list, colleagues — additional measures to support Ukrainian and Canadian citizens in the region, including establishing a dedicated service channel for Ukrainian inquiries and so on. As the situation unfolds, the government is preparing additional measures and will increase our efforts to welcome Ukrainians in Canada.

Senator Gold: Thank you, senator. I hope the sound quality was not a function of my voice. I hope you can hear me.

I will make inquiries with regard to your request. I should have added in answer to your earlier question that Canada is home not only to those Ukrainians who have settled here but also to many Ukrainians here not as citizens or permanent residents. I want the chamber to understand that Canada is taking steps to make sure Ukrainians currently in Canada don’t have to leave, notably by extending temporary status, issuing open work permits, waiving fees for passports, permanent resident documents, proofs of citizenship, visas and permits.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. I do not have information about what the government’s plans may be with regard to additional sanctions. A day does not seem to pass by without more sanctions being announced. The government will continue, as it has been, to not only work with its allies but to exercise leadership with its allies to ensure that the illegal aggression of Russia in Ukraine is answered with real, significant sanctions.

Again, you don’t need me to read the long list of sanctions directed at individuals and institutions operating worldwide. Those are a matter of public record. Out of respect for you and others who might have supplementary questions, I will simply say this: The government is continuing to work diligently to ensure that the sanctions are, and any additional sanctions will be, ones that have a real bite and impact upon the aggressor.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. The Government of Canada is committed to defending the sovereignty of Canada, and the Arctic in particular. It is aware of the issues you raised, and is working to provide the necessary physical assets and collateral support to ensure that our sovereignty is not compromised.

Senator Gold: The answer to your question is no. The questions you raise are important and legitimate. They have been transmitted to the government. This chamber should know that our office works hard to impress upon the government the importance of timely answers for the benefit of senators and, frankly, for the benefit of my office, which stands before you representing the government, and we will continue to do so. I hope you can get your answers in a timely fashion. We are doing our best to make sure that happens.

[Translation]

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

As you mentioned, the current Action Plan for Official Languages is in effect until 2023. I am told that the government will be launching consultations on the next action plan shortly and that details should be announced in the coming months.

Senator Gold: Senator Tannas, you know I don’t dispute the authority of this chamber to review and study any matter that comes before us, but, in this case, when our concurrence is necessary for Saskatchewan to amend its own laws, and since nearly 400 — I believe the number is 399 — elected officials both in Saskatchewan and here in Ottawa have already approved the motion, are you not concerned that having the committee review the motion — and the time that it will take, especially as we approach a break week — might send the wrong message to Saskatchewan? After all, this is an example of cooperative federalism at its best. I wonder if we could have your thoughts on that.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Will the senator take a question?