Hon. Leo Housakos (Acting Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, my question is for the Government Representative in the Senate. Earlier this month, B’nai Brith Canada sent a letter to Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations, Bob Rae, seeking his support for the removal of the chair of the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory of the UN Human Rights Council. The joint letter was signed by Hillel Neuer, the head of UN Watch, who stated:

By heading this inquiry despite having repeatedly declared Israel guilty of precisely the crimes that she is supposed to investigate, Navi Pillay embodies the injustice of the UN and its human rights council when it comes to the selective treatment of the Jewish state.

Senator Gold, my question is very simple. What is your government’s response to B’nai Brith’s letter? Also, will the NDP-Liberal coalition government support their simple request?

Hon. David M. Wells (Acting Deputy Leader of the Opposition): My question is for the government leader. As you know, government leader, the Bay du Nord offshore oil project is vital to the economy and future of Newfoundland and Labrador. However, we have yet to hear whether this project will move forward despite the March 6 deadline, which has since passed.

The government extended this decision point by 40 days despite the Impact Assessment Agency recommending approval.

This week, the federal Liberals have agreed to prioritize specific policy issues backed by the New Democrats in exchange for their support to keep the government in power until 2025.

Senator Gold, in light of this new NDP-Liberal partnership government and the fact that the NDP is against the project, could you tell us, please, what is the fate of the Bay du Nord project?

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question. No, that is not the view of the government with regard to its responsibilities, which it takes seriously with regard to reviewing the environmental impact of legislation. Both the federal and provincial governments have important roles to play, and both, I am assured, are doing so diligently and responsibly.

[Translation]

Senator Miville-Dechêne: One year ago, the Senate and the House of Commons unanimously adopted a motion calling on the government to grant Canadian citizenship to Raif Badawi. However, nothing was done. The will of Parliament was not carried out.

I realize that this may involve confidential or sensitive information, but can the Government of Canada confirm that it is doing everything in its power, together with its allies, to lift the second part of Mr. Badawi’s sentence, the 10-year detention in Saudi Arabia for publishing a text that criticized the regime?

Senator Galvez: Senator Gold, can you confirm that these two analyses mentioned by Minister Freeland in February exist and clarify whether the reports say if the pipeline will make money or will it be profitable? There is an important difference there. Thank you.

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question. I have been informed that the government has raised and continues to raise Mr. Badawi’s case at the highest levels in Saudi Arabia. Together with its allies, the government has made several requests for clemency.

[English]

Senator Gold: I’ll certainly make inquiries and report back to the chamber.

Hon. Marty Klyne: Honourable senators, my question is for the government leader. Senator Gold, from Treaty 4 territory and homeland of the Métis Nation, I’d like to follow up on a recent question from Senator Black. He asked if the government will cap purchase by individual carriers at the upcoming spectrum auction to complement the “use it or lose it” approach that is referenced in the mandate letter of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.

We must remember that spectrum is a public resource and that the needs of Canadians, not corporations, must be met when spectrum is purchased at auction. If an internet service provider buys spectrum but fails to utilize it and instead simply stockpiles or resells that spectrum at a massive profit, that does nothing to provide better and more affordable internet service to Canadians who are being underserved. Many internet service providers have done this time and again, and the fact that these private companies can make enormous profit on the sale of a subsidized public asset is something we can no longer tolerate.

In some areas of Saskatchewan and across Canada, internet access is woefully inadequate, particularly in rural and remote Indigenous communities. However, the Universal Broadband Fund and innovations like Starlink satellites provide some cause for optimism.

Senator Gold, can the government commit to ensuring that any auctioned spectrum will be used by internet service providers to provide more equitable and cost-effective access to high-speed broadband internet for Canadians who live in underserved markets?

Also, will the government ensure that any funding taken from the Universal Broadband Fund will be used to subsidize or upgrade internet and Wi-Fi infrastructure in underserved markets so all Canadians can participate in the new economy at the CRTC standard of 50 megabytes per second download and 10 megabytes per second upload speeds?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question. As the Government Representative in the Senate, I’m pleased to respond.

As colleagues may know, the recent spectrum auctions had the strongest rules to date, requiring companies to use the spectrum in a timely way or lose the spectrum. I’m advised that the government recently consulted on additional measures for making unused spectrum available and will continue to put rules in place so spectrum is used for the social and economic benefit of Canadians.

As indicated, the Universal Broadband Fund supports the government’s initiatives to ensure that 100% of Canadian homes and businesses have access to speeds of at least 50 over 10 megabytes per second by 2030, regardless of where they are located in the country. I’m advised that through this fund the government has made billions of dollars available for rural and remote internet infrastructure and an additional $750 million was announced in Budget 2019.

Colleagues, the government recognizes the urgency of bridging the digital divide for Canadians and has set aside up to $150 million through a rapid response stream for the fund projects that can be completed during the 2021 build season — 574 applications were received under this particular stream.

The amount of $50 million for the fund has been set aside for a project to improve mobile internet for Indigenous peoples. I’m advised the government will keep Canadians up to date on these investments and the progress that is being made toward connecting all households in the country through online reporting, updated on a quarterly basis.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Jane Cordy on November 25, 2021)

The United States requires any non-U.S. citizen who is a non-immigrant entering from another country to provide proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by one of the United States’ accepted vaccines.

As of February 28, 2022:

•Travellers arriving to Canada from any country, who qualify as fully vaccinated, will be randomly selected for arrival testing and will no longer be required to quarantine while awaiting their test result.

•Children under 12 years old, travelling with fully vaccinated adults, will continue to be exempt from quarantine, without any prescribed conditions limiting their activities.

•Travellers will now have the option of using a COVID-19 rapid antigen test result or a molecular test result to meet pre-entry requirements.

Canada adjusted its Travel Health Notice from a Level 3 to a Level 2, meaning that the Government will no longer recommend that Canadians avoid travel for non-essential purposes.

Canada has successfully engaged other countries to recognize Canadians who have received mixed vaccine schedules as being fully vaccinated. The Government of Canada respects the sovereign right of other countries to decide their travel restrictions and border measures and will continue to monitor the situation and provide updated travel advice to Canadians.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Ratna Omidvar on December 1, 2021)

Insofar as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is:

•The Government of Canada is very concerned by the case of Raif Badawi in Saudi Arabia; has consistently advocated on his behalf and will continue to use every opportunity to do so. His well-being is foremost in our minds.

•IRCC is working with Global Affairs Canada regarding the motions made in the House and Senate.

•I cannot speak to any specifics related to individual cases in order to respect the privacy, security and safety of those individuals.

•IRCC has been moving towards a more integrated, modernized and centralized working environment in order to help speed up application processing globally.

•For citizenship, between April 1 and October 31, 2021, more than 74,000 applicants have become citizens through video oath ceremonies.

•The department is inviting approximately 3,500 to 5,000 applicants weekly to do the Oath of Citizenship virtually. Additionally, IRCC is now able to invite approximately 5,000 clients per week to complete the online citizenship test. However, despite our efforts, we know that some applicants have experienced considerable wait times with the processing of their applications, and we continue to work as hard as possible to process applications.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Marie-Françoise Mégie on December 2, 2021)

Preliminary evidence suggests a growth advantage of Omicron over the Delta variant and a potential decrease in vaccine protection against infection. In November 2021, South Africa experienced a significant resurgence in COVID-19 case activity with an increase in hospitalization with evidence of Omicron transmission in neighbouring countries and spread outside the Southern Africa region. Canada border testing results detected high test positivity rates that stood out from other countries.

Border restrictions put in place in response to COVID-19 are not impeding the safe and timely movement of vaccines either into Canada to meet domestic needs, or from Canada to other countries to meet international commitments. The Government of Canada is working closely with the ACT Accelerator and the COVID 19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) Facility towards its commitment to support equitable global access to COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics. Canada has committed to donating the equivalent of at least 200 million doses to the COVAX Facility by the end of 2022.

We are working closely with public health experts and global partners to monitor the Omicron variant of concern around the world. As the situation evolves, we will continue to monitor and we will not hesitate to adjust our measures.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Stan Kutcher on December 7, 2021)

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), in collaboration with provinces and territories (PTs), develops guidance and advice on the use of individual and community-based public health measures to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

While PHAC provides recommendations on individual public health measures that all people in Canada should continue following, regardless of vaccination status, PTs are responsible for implementing more restrictive public health measures, including business and school closures, inter- and intra-provincial/territorial travel restrictions, gathering size limits, and curfews. PTs are also responsible for mask mandates and proof of vaccination requirements within their jurisdictions.

PHAC signalled its commitment to improving health data collection, sharing, and use for the wellbeing of Canadians by establishing a Pan-Canadian Health Data Strategy, supported by an external Expert Advisory Group (EAG), who released the Building Canada’s Health Data Foundation report in November 2021. Improving data collection and sharing will enable us to design the right evidence-based interventions at the right time to improve uptake of public health measures and reduce risks.

PHAC also developed a set of short-term COVID-19 data priorities to address critical data gaps. Once key foundational issues around data collection are addressed, work on these data priorities will continue.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Marilou McPhedran on December 7, 2021)

The Government of Canada is deeply concerned about the health and safety of Peng Shuai and continues to monitor the situation closely.

Allegations of sexual assault must be thoroughly and transparently investigated. Canada condemns all forms of violence against women and girls. Gender equality is at the heart of everything we do as a Government, and Canada supports the efforts of women’s rights organizations and women human rights defenders across the globe.

Canada calls upon China to comply with its human rights obligations under international law.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Yonah Martin on December 8, 2021)

Veterans Affairs Canada

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) provides case management services to support veterans facing complex challenges, to identify needs, set goals, and create a plan to help clients achieve their highest level of independence, health and well-being.

The Minister of VAC met with the President of the Union of Veterans Affairs Employees (UVAE) on December 13, 2021; and on behalf of the minister, the deputy minister responded in writing to the President of the UVAE on January 5, 2022, on improvements to case management services.

The government committed to more than $192 million over two years in additional funding (2020-2022). This additional funding was used to extend resources from Budget 2018, and to hire 300 temporary staff to work on the most common disability benefit applications and an additional 50 ancillary staff to provide further support. The new staff have been making disability benefit decisions since January 2021.

On February 23, 2022, the government announced funding of $139.6 million to extend the temporary staff until March 31, 2024, as part of action to reduce processing times for disability benefit applications at VAC. These trained staff will continue to help reduce processing times for Veterans who are applying for disability benefits.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Vernon White on December 8, 2021)

The Government of Canada is committed to expanding access to, evaluating, and supporting the programs that provide pharmaceutical grade substances as a safer supply to the contaminated drug supply. This includes investments of over $60 million in direct financial support for 17 projects delivering safer supply services in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick, as well as a national community of practice. These innovative projects, funded through Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program, will help people at risk of overdose access safer alternatives to the toxic illegal drug supply in order to save lives.

The federal government has also taken other steps towards reducing barriers to safer supply including:

•Making prescription opioids used in the treatment of severe opioid use disorder more easily accessible to health care practitioners;

•Reducing regulatory barriers so that medications used for the purposes of safer supply can be more easily transported where needed to provide access to much needed medications;

•Funding national clinical guidelines for injectable opioid agonist treatment in 2019; and

•Publishing a toolkit for health care providers with guidance on providing prescription medications as an alternative to the highly toxic street drug supply, for those most at risk of overdose.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Rose-May Poirier on December 8, 2021)

The Fish Harvester Benefit and Grant (FHBG) Program supports self-employed harvesters and self-employed crew affected by COVID-19. To expedite first payments, applicants attested to their status, income, and estimated COVID-related losses when filing their phase-one applications. That information was subsequently compared to applicants’ Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) information when it was available near the launch of phase two.

The program issued overpayment letters to phase-one applicants that had attested to being self-employed, but whose tax information indicated they were wage-earning employees, and therefore ineligible for the monies they had received. Recipients of those overpayment letters were given until October 15, 2021 to appeal.

It has always been explicit that wage-earning employees are not eligible for the Program.

For appellants who felt that their CRA data did not reflect their employment status, the program worked with CRA to implement a process to enable appellants to work with employers, CRA, and the program to seek an adjustment to their tax information while simultaneously advancing their FHBG file.

In addition, the program is waiving interest payments on overpayment amounts owing until January 1, 2023.

There are no plans at present to expand the scope of the Fish Harvester Benefit and Grant Program to include wage‑earning employees.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Leo Housakos on December 8, 2021)

The use of ArriveCan has been mandatory for air travellers since November 2020, and for land travellers since February 2021.

To be considered fully vaccinated, travellers entering Canada are required to:

1.Follow pre-entry testing and entry requirements.

2.Declare their vaccination status.

3.Submit information via the ArriveCan application or website.

Travellers who do not meet these requirements must quarantine for a full 14 days and undergo two COVID-19 tests, one on the day they arrive in Canada and one on day 8.

No changes have been made to requirements related to ArriveCan. However, there are exemptions in place from the use of ArriveCan for persons with a disability, service disruptions, inadequate infrastructure, and natural disasters. To accommodate persons who do not have access to, or are not comfortable using technology, information can be submitted in ArriveCan by someone on their behalf, up to 72 hours before entering Canada.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Julie Miville-Dechêne on December 9, 2021)

When the World Health Organization classified Omicron, as a variant of concern on November 26, 2021, there was little known about its transmissibility, potential severity of disease or vaccine effectiveness. Given the rapid spread of Omicron in South Africa and evidence of spread in some neighbouring countries, as well as high border testing rates for some of these countries, the Government of Canada put forward a cautious approach to help slow the spread of the variant.

Temporary border measures were implemented for travellers who had been in countries where there was an outbreak, or a risk of an outbreak, of the Omicron variant, including the requirement for pre-entry molecular testing in a third country. This requirement was introduced so that the risk of a traveller being exposed to the variant between the time of testing and boarding the plane was reduced. Now that the variant has been detected in many countries, as of December 19, 2021, these country-specific measures are no longer in force. Canada’s border measures will continue to evolve as new science and evidence becomes available.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Marilou McPhedran on December 9, 2021)

Insofar as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is concerned:

IRCC’s humanitarian commitment includes a focus on priority vulnerable groups, including women leaders, human rights advocates, persecuted religious minorities, LGBTI individuals, and journalists. Individuals in these groups are targeted by the Taliban and are at high risk of persecution, including torture and death. These individuals experience multiple and intersecting identity factors relevant to Gender‑based Analysis Plus (GBA+).

In respect to the resettlement of these vulnerable groups, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will continue working with existing and new partners to identify and refer these at-risk individuals, including the UNHCR, and Front Line Defenders/Protectdefenders.eu. Such organizations collectively focus on human rights defenders, including journalists, LGBTI defenders, and women leaders who are human rights defenders.

GBA + is built into all of the work that IRCC does, including the current initiative in respect to resettling vulnerable Afghans.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Yonah Martin on December 9, 2021)

Canada and its Coordination Group partners are focused on holding Iran accountable in accordance with international law. With respect to the International Court of Justice, Canada and the Coordination Group’s position is that Iran committed violations of international law in the downing of Flight PS752 and, as a result, has an international legal obligation to make full reparations to the affected states. There are specific rules of international law that parties must follow in the context of available dispute settlement mechanisms. After many good faith attempts to negotiate with Iran, the Coordination Group determined on January 6, 2022, that further attempts to negotiate on the matter of reparations with Iran at this time are futile. The Coordination Group is now focused on subsequent actions to take to resolve this matter in accordance with international law.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Renée Dupuis on December 14, 2021)

The Government of Canada is committed to reliable access to safe drinking water in First Nations communities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has extended completion timelines of infrastructure projects, including projects aimed at addressing long-term drinking water advisories. Other challenges common to infrastructure projects have also impacted timelines.

The settlement hearing for the Safe Drinking Water Class Actions has concluded and on December 22, 2021, the courts approved an agreement to settle. The appeals period of approximately 60 days has commenced. The number of First Nations included in the settlement will be determined through the claims process.

The class action settlement includes:

•$1.5 billion in compensation for individuals;

•$400 million for Economic and Cultural Restoration Fund;

•renewed commitment towards long-term drinking water advisories;

•First Nations Advisory Committee;

•support for First Nations safe drinking water by-laws and governance initiatives;

•$6 billion for reliable access to safe drinking water on reserve; and

•planned modernization of legislation.

Any unallocated compensation for individuals will be distributed for the benefit of class members. The $6 billion is for all First Nations across Canada.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Yonah Martin on December 15, 2021)

Canada and Bulgaria enjoy excellent bilateral relations, including as allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization committed to preserving peace and security in Europe, and as members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie. Defence cooperation includes Royal Canadian Navy ship visits to Varna, on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, as well as joint land and air force exercises.

Canada’s Ambassador to Bulgaria, Annick Goulet, resides in Bucharest, Romania. Ambassador Annick Goulet is active in working with Bulgarian partners, including during her visit to Sofia in January 2022 to attend the inauguration of Bulgarian President Rumen Radev. Engagement with Bulgaria, and consular services for Canadians, are supported by our Honorary Consul in Sofia.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Jane Cordy on December 15, 2021)

The Government of Canada has successfully pursued a strategy to engage and encourage other countries and international partners to recognize Canadians who have received mixed vaccine schedules as fully vaccinated.

Initial engagement focused on national health and scientific decision-making authorities with whom we have close, trusted relationships, including with the United States, United Kingdom, and the European Union.

Following these engagement efforts, the Government of Canada has confirmed that at least 40 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan and Australia, as well as most popular sun destinations, consider individuals who have received mixed doses as fully vaccinated. This list is not exhaustive, and the Government of Canada continues to monitor and engage, as needed.

The Government of Canada has also engaged with the World Health Organization (WHO), given its global influence. On December 16, 2021, the WHO released interim recommendations for heterologous COVID-19 vaccine schedules. The WHO recommends a flexible approach to mixed vaccine schedules and considers two mixed doses of any Emergency Use Listing (EUL) COVID-19 vaccine as a complete primary series. The Government of Canada has also successfully added supportive commitments to recognizing mixed-dose recipients in recent G7 and G20 Health Declarations.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Salma Ataullahjan on February 8, 2022)

Insofar as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is concerned:

IRCC has been made aware of complex cases of Afghan citizens currently in Ukraine, seeking resettlement to Canada. IRCC streamlined the application process for Afghan applicants, and processed these cases as quickly as possible. Depending on an individual’s circumstances, however, every step of the process can bring unique challenges.

We cannot comment on specific cases, but can say that a full admissibility assessment – including security screening – must be completed before a decision can be reached on any application. Some cases are complex, thus the screening aspect of the process can take additional time to ensure rigorous assessment.

Canada is working to bring as many vulnerable Afghans as possible, as quickly as possible, to safety in Canada.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Tony Loffreda on February 10, 2022)

Insofar as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is concerned:

IRCC is identifying key positions to be filled and to develop the necessary capacities to recruit, onboard, and train these new hires.

Ongoing pandemic-related challenges, including limitations in the labour market and office equipment supply chain issues, have required comprehensive efforts to ensure that the Department can hire as quickly as possible and also ensure that new staff have the necessary support in place once they are hired.

We are currently finalizing plans for hiring additional staff in total using this additional funding throughout fiscal year 2022-23.

Each year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducts stakeholder consultations to inform the development of the Immigration Levels Plan. Stakeholder consultations typically include: a national online consultation survey, public opinion research, and direct engagements with the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship or the Parliamentary Secretary.

This engagement includes outreach to a wide range of organizations, including from non-governmental organizations, settlement/resettlement organizations, educational institutions, economic development organizations, First Nations, Métis and Inuit serving and/or representing organizations to industry/sector councils, regional or municipal government and academia.

Separately, IRCC also undertakes extensive annual engagement with provincial and territorial representatives on levels planning, as required by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Marilou McPhedran on February 10, 2022)

Canada is concerned by the escalating violence against civilians in Myanmar and protracted Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh, and has unequivocally condemned the military coup in Myanmar, including through high-level statements and multilateral fora including the UN General Assembly.

Canada announced its intention to intervene with the Netherlands in support of The Gambia’s case of Genocide against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice. These efforts on accountability also include repeated calls for the UNSC to refer the situation to the International Criminal Court (ICC), support for the ICC’s investigation into the forced deportation of the Rohingya people and support for human rights monitoring, evidence collection, and holding perpetrators accountable.

Canada has imposed four rounds of targeted sanctions since the coup and is working with partners to stem the international flow of arms to Myanmar. The 2nd phase of Canada’s Strategy to Respond to the Rohingya Crisis dedicated $288.3 million (2021-2024), for aligned programming in Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Canada will continue to call for an end to violence, release of those arbitrarily detained, restoration of democratic rule, and unhindered humanitarian access in Myanmar. Canada stands with the people of Myanmar, who continue to fight courageously for democracy.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Michael L. MacDonald on February 10, 2022)

The Public Health Agency of Canada’s (PHAC) internal privacy assessment on this initiative determined that the mobility data in question did not contain personal information. PHAC did brief the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) in April 2020 to provide assurances that it had undertaken a privacy analysis, which determined the data was not personal information. PHAC routinely kept the OPC apprised of various files on a biweekly basis, including mobility data.

The commissioner’s statement appears to refer to interactions between his office and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada — Communications Research Centre in April 2020.

Pursuant to the related motion adopted in the House of Commons on Feb 8, 2022, PHAC determined that it was not possible to suspend the mobility data Request for Proposal (RFP). It would have had to be either cancelled, and then reissued, or closed. As such, the RFP closed on February 18, 2022. PHAC will take into account the study findings of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in its decision on whether it is in the public interest to award the contract.