The Hon. the Speaker: I’m sorry, minister, but your time as expired.

[Translation]

Hon. Victor Oh: Honourable senators, I would like to apologize to former MP Kenny Chiu, Senator Leo Housakos and to all my colleagues here in the chamber for making an unsupported claim during my questioning of Senator Housakos yesterday.

I disagree with Mr. Chiu and Senator Housakos about the issue of disinformation during the last general election but should not have said that Mr. Chiu lied. I recognized my error as soon as I made it. I am taking the earliest opportunity to offer this retraction. Thank you, colleagues.

Hon. Robert Black: Honourable senators, I rise today to highlight the Grain Growers of Canada’s newly announced Road to 2050 initiative.

On Monday, the Grain Growers of Canada released their Road to 2050 initiative, which proposes the development of a path forward that focuses on innovation, research and beneficial management practices.

I met with representatives of the Grain Growers of Canada, or GGC, in my office in East Block yesterday, and they shared their hopes that the initiative will help boost productivity while continuing to enhance soil quality and reducing emissions. GGC also shared their hope that the government will collaborate with them on this initiative. I am hopeful that we will see the government continue to engage with the agricultural industry, just as they have in the recently released discussion paper on reducing emissions arising from the application of fertilizer.

As stewards of the land, the Grain Growers of Canada — along with all farmers, producers, and processors across the country — are heavily invested in the fight against climate change. Their announcement earlier this week represents a practical and proactive approach to tackling climate change.

I am pleased to share that while this initiative is part of the Grain Growers’ long-term plan, their work begins now. In addition to identifying opportunities for the sector to continue its contributions to greenhouse gas, or GHG, emission reductions, the Road to 2050 is intended to guide government policies and programming directed at Canada’s grains sector.

Although many farmers have already introduced innovative ways to reduce their emissions and practices that can help fight the effects of climate change, they still need our support. As Grain Growers of Canada’s Chair, Andre Harpe, said:

The farmer-driven path to net zero must reflect what farmers have done and can sustainably do in the future . . . .

We know that one of the main challenges for the agriculture and agri-food sector will be to mitigate greenhouse gases without jeopardizing food security. And to do so, Canadian agriculture producers and food processors will need government, private sector and the Canadian public’s support in transitioning their operations to be more sustainable.

Honourable colleagues, Canada is a leader in the agricultural and agri-food sectors. We must work collaboratively to address the effects of climate change to ensure that our farmers, producers and processors, as well as our grocery stores, can continue putting food on Canadians’ plates. Thanks to the Grain Growers of Canada for taking another step forward in agriculture’s fight against climate change. I look forward to further supporting this initiative as it progresses in the future.

Thank you. Meegwetch.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, pursuant to the order adopted by the Senate on December 7, 2021, Question Period will begin at the later of the end of Routine Proceedings or 2:30 p.m.

Senator Gagné, I apologize in advance, but I will have to interrupt you when the minister arrives, which will be in approximately five minutes.

(Pursuant to the order adopted by the Senate on December 7, 2021, to receive a Minister of the Crown, the Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Public Safety, appeared before honourable senators during Question Period.)

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, we welcome today the Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Public Safety, to answer questions relating to his ministerial responsibilities. Pursuant to the order adopted by the Senate on December 7, 2021, senators do not need to stand. Questions are limited to one minute and responses to one and a half minutes. The reading clerk will stand 10 seconds before the expiry of these times. Question Period will last one hour.

Hon. Marie-Françoise Mégie: Minister, the Government of Canada’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory states that the RCMP reported 98 kilotonnes of GHG emissions in fiscal year 2020-21 from national safety and security operations. This is a 56% increase over fiscal year 2005-06. How do you plan to ensure compliance with Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, taking into account existing green technologies and the financial and operational capabilities of the RCMP?

Senator Wells: Excuse me. Your Honour, I asked a simple question and he is answering a question that I certainly didn’t ask. It was a very simple question, minister, it’s under your portfolio.

Hon. Marty Klyne: Minister, as the former CEO of the RCMP Heritage Centre in Regina, I’m proud that the force is an iconic Canadian symbol around the world. At their best, Mounties serve us with the core values of honestly, integrity, professionalism, compassion, accountability and respect. It is a credit to Canada on the world stage that the RCMP will be supporting war crime investigations of Russia’s actions in Ukraine. However, Canadians are aware that deep cultural changes are required within the RCMP to consistently uphold core values, both internally and for all Canadians the force serves.

Minister, what cultural change is afoot within the force, and could you also update us on your support for First Nations policing?

Hon. Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Public Safety: Thank you for the question, senator. As I’ve mentioned before, I spent a decade as a prosecutor on the front lines of the criminal justice system. Victims’ testimony is essential to ensuring that justice —

Hon. Jane Cordy: Welcome to the Senate of Canada. Minister, your government has committed to create an independent review body for the Canada Border Services Agency. This change will help to uphold people’s rights at our federal borders and should be a priority for Parliament.

This change has been in development for a long time. In 2016, the Senate passed former senator Wilfred Moore’s Bill S-205 to legislate CBSA oversight. The government introduced bills on this subject in 2019 and in 2020.

Minister, can you update us on the plans to establish CBSA oversight? Are you confident that this Parliament will finally achieve what I think is an extremely important policy?

Hon. Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Public Safety: Senator, I look forward to introducing a buyback program, which is the back-end brace to a prohibition of AR-15 and other assault-style firearms that have just had devastating impacts on our communities. Whether it’s the Quebec City mosque shooting, where I just visited the mosque, or, in my own hometown, the 2018 Toronto Danforth shooting, the examples are far too often and replete. These particular firearms have no place in our society.

We have, therefore, put in place an amnesty period, because in fairness to those who purchased them, we wanted to be able to put forward a system that will allow for fair compensation. I can assure you that my department is working on that, and the introduction of the buyback program will happen as quickly as it possibly can so we get that particular firearm out of our community.

It is only one of a number of strategies that we are deploying. As I mentioned earlier, we also have to make sure that we are investing in law enforcement so that we can stop illegal guns from getting into our country at the border, which we are doing. Last year, we had a record year of arrests and seizures, which shows progress. It also means we’ve got to introduce more resources to prevent gun crimes from occurring. We announced a $250 million Building Safer Communities Fund less than two weeks ago. We need to do all three things, and of course, I look forward to working with the PBO so that we can be transparent about the costs of those investments.

[Translation]

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Ratna Omidvar on November 24, 2021)

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

IRCC recognizes that many at-risk Afghans remain in Afghanistan, and are unable to leave. Our officials are working tirelessly to secure new partnerships and address constraints that limit the mobility of vulnerable groups. Due to the precarious security situation in Afghanistan, Canada does not have a presence in Afghanistan and is unable to collect biometric information in-country at this time. This has impacted our ability to complete a full admissibility screening of individuals prior to departure from Afghanistan. However, innovative screening approaches are being considered to address this issue.

Crossing Afghanistan’s border is also dangerous. IRCC has established partnerships to find avenues for the resettlement of individuals from within Afghanistan. IRCC is working closely with our referral partners, Front Line Defenders and Protect Defenders, who have been able to facilitate the movement of some human rights defenders to neighbouring countries. IRCC is also in contact with the Veteran’s Transition Network (VTN) regarding their operations on the ground in Afghanistan.

The government continues to benefit from lessons learned from Operation Syria relating to large-scale refugee initiatives in order to effectively leverage support from partner organizations.

The Government of Canada remains committed to bringing as many vulnerable Afghans as possible to safety.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu on November 25, 2021)

CSC, as part of its mandate, strives to ensure that victims of crime are treated with compassion and respect. The death of Marylène Lévesque was a terrible tragedy. CSC has offered its condolences to the Lévesque family, and has reached out to the family to inform them of the conclusion of the joint board of investigation. Out of respect for the family, it would be inappropriate to comment further.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Marilou McPhedran on November 30, 2021)

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

Afghan refugees, both government assisted and privately sponsored, have been arriving in Canada on regular commercial and charter flights since September 2021. In December 2021, two incoming flights of privately sponsored refugees (PSR) arrived in Toronto, carrying approximately 535 persons. IRCC is expecting a significant number of arrivals throughout 2022 as conditions allow.

IRCC, with the support of Global Affairs Canada, aims to facilitate the safe passage and resettlement of at least 40,000 vulnerable Afghan nationals. Emphasis continues to be placed on persons and their families who supported Canada and our allies over the past two decades, as well as women, LGBTQI people, human rights defenders, journalists and members of religious and ethnic minorities.

The Government of Canada does not ask a person’s occupation as part of this humanitarian initiative, and therefore is unable to provide data on the number of female athletes resettled, but remains firm in its commitment to welcome refugees and vulnerable Afghans to Canada.

As of January 18, 2021, approximately 7,140 Afghan nationals arrived in Canada: approximately 4,292 under the Special Immigration Measures, and approximately 2,850 under the humanitarian program. All key statistics, updated regularly, may be found on IRCC’s website at: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/afghanistan/key-figures.html

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Jane Cordy on December 2, 2021)

CSC has zero tolerance for harassment, violence or racism of any kind. All allegations of misconduct are thoroughly investigated regardless of the source and disciplinary actions are taken when appropriate.

CSC takes very seriously the results of the 2021 National Employment Equity Survey of Women Employees. As stated in the minister’s mandate letter, we will ensure that federal correctional institutions are safe and humane environments free from violence and sexual harassment for offenders and employees.

As part of its efforts, CSC created its first National Working Group for Women Employees to identify the barriers faced by women in CSC, and to develop an action plan to address the challenges identified. Additionally, CSC continues to offer a number of support services to employees and has launched a Respectful Workplace Campaign to promote awareness and educate employees on the different ways to disclose inappropriate behaviour.

Commissioner Kelly also held six virtual town hall discussions on the results of the survey earlier this year. The National Working Group will review the issues, ideas, and suggestions raised at the town halls to identify issues and initiatives for further action. An action plan, based on the input heard, will be forthcoming as well.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Salma Ataullahjan on December 2, 2021)

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

In anticipation of new Afghan arrivals, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is working to ensure that the capacity and resources are in place to address the immediate needs of Afghan newcomers, as well as the longer term supports required.

Upon arrival to Canada, government-assisted refugees are housed in hotels for the two-week quarantine period. During this stay, they benefit from many on-site social services made possible by both government and service provider organizations, including the provision of essentials, meals, toiletries, clothing and sundries. A variety of orientation and information sessions in their dominant language (Dari and Pashto) and medical services, including COVID-19 monitoring and vaccinations are available.

Post-quarantine, clients are settled in permanent accommodations, in some cases they may continue their stay in designated hotels until permanent accommodations that meet the needs of the family (e.g. large family size) become available. While in temporary accommodation (including hotels), they continue to receive services, such as building on those received during the quarantine period, including basic orientation to Canada, life skills training, language training, employment-related services, financial orientation and help finding permanent housing. Dozens of organizations and individuals have provided an array of help to new Afghan nationals arriving in Canada.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Paula Simons on December 7, 2021)

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

IRCC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Manmeet Singh Bhullar Foundation (MSBF) in August 2021 to support the resettlement of Afghan Sikhs and Hindus currently in India.

The last of the applications under this MOU were received in November 2021 and it is anticipated that a significant proportion of the referred cases will arrive in Canada in early 2022.

IRCC continues to update MSBF on a regular basis to provide the latest information on the status of cases under this MOU.

We have also expanded our partnership with MSBF to resettle hundreds of additional Afghan Sikhs and Hindus within and outside of Afghanistan. IRCC is working hard to put the required measures in place for this increased effort.

We must also strike a balance in how we process applications from all of our clients while we contend with the demands that the situation in Afghanistan as well as the COVID-19 pandemic have placed on IRCC. These situations have also caused varying country conditions. As such, departures may be delayed or may not be possible from all locations. However, IRCC will continue to take quick action to ensure that Canada can uphold its humanitarian tradition and commitment to resettlement.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Ratna Omidvar on December 8, 2021)

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

Afghan refugees, both government assisted and privately sponsored, have been arriving in Canada on regular commercial and charter flights since September 2021. In December 2021, four incoming flights of privately sponsored refugees arrived in Toronto, carrying approximately 1,015 Afghans, and approximately 265 government-assisted refugees arrived in Halifax.

On January 11, 2022, 252 Afghans arrived in Calgary, on a charter flight from Pakistan. Of these, 170 clients were Human Rights Defenders. IRCC continues to plan for charter flights in the near future.

Parliament approves the annual immigration levels plan, which allocates targets and associated funding to each immigration program line of business. The department establishes application caps for some streams in the privately sponsored refugees program as a way of managing application intake, resulting inventories and processing times. At the same time, we welcome the support of many Canadians who want to lend a hand.

IRCC is continuing, with the support of the whole of the Government of Canada, to facilitate resettlement of at least 40,000 vulnerable Afghan nationals, emphasizing individuals who supported Canada and our allies over the past two decades, women, LGBTQI people, human rights defenders, journalists and members of religious and ethnic minorities.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu on December 9, 2021)

The CRA is committed to ensuring that individuals receive only the benefits to which they are entitled, while protecting the integrity of the COVID-19 support program. Safeguards are embedded within the CERB application process to verify an applicant’s eligibility and the CRA has implemented additional controls requiring closer scrutiny of certain applications before they are processed. In terms of suspicious and ineligible benefit claims, as the analysis work is still ongoing, the CRA is not able to provide the number of suspicious claims related to CERB or the amounts associated with them.

Dealing with complex suspected cases may require several months of review and verification. In some cases, the CRA will ask taxpayers to provide documents and information that will need to be authenticated before they can continue with audits. In other cases, the CRA will identify suspicious transactions and take other preventive measures.

To ensure effective coordination of identity theft prevention, detection and response activities, the CRA works with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center and local police to investigate suspicious incidents.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu on December 9, 2021)

CSC remains diligent in the prevention of fraudulent financial transactions by inmates.

In addition to the protocol established with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), CSC has a Deposit Validation Protocol that prescribes comprehensive procedures for the authentication and verification of funds that originate from outside sources and are sent to inmates.

In order to confirm inmates’ eligibility to receive such funds, CSC has signed an information sharing protocol with ESDC.

If it is determined that an inmate is not eligible to receive such benefits, the cheque is returned to the issuing department or agency.

As of January 4, 2022, there have not been any reported cases of federal inmates who have been recently released from a federal institution and who have engaged in such criminal activities. Regardless, CSC has zero tolerance for such behaviour and should any cases be brought to the Service’s attention, it will take appropriate action.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Chantal Petitclerc on December 17, 2021)

CSC works to provide equality of access so that incarcerated individuals of all abilities, to the extent possible, have access to programs and services deemed necessary to their rehabilitation and wellbeing.

In all of its institutions, CSC works to accommodate the mobility and health care needs of its inmates. Local health care providers assess incarcerated individuals who require health and mobility assistance on an ongoing basis, while the services and devices that are provided to them meet community standards.

At Grand Valley Institution (GVI), accessible options for bathing exist in all levels of security, which include the use of ramps, access to roll-in showers or tubs with grab bars and bathing stools. Additionally, GVI offers the option of bathing with assistance from a registered nurse (RN) or personal support worker (PSW).

GVI currently has wheelchair-accessible cells that are available and offered to those with accessibility needs. Incarcerated individuals may be offered an alternative cell if the conditions of their current arrangement do not meet their accessibility needs.

CSC’s accessibility teams are currently developing an accessibility strategy and the Service will undertake an accessibility audit of its portfolio.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Claude Carignan on February 10, 2022)

The Government of Canada remains committed to delivering on the Canadian Coast Guard’s fleet renewal plan. This includes selecting a third shipyard as a strategic partner under the National Shipbuilding Strategy to support this work.

The evaluation team continues to rigorously assess the proposal Chantier Davie submitted against the request for proposal. This is a complex, multi-step qualification process and it is imperative that we get it right. We are making every effort to finalize this process as soon as possible, while ensuring best value for the Government of Canada and all Canadians. Contracts and delivery dates for the icebreakers will be negotiated with the shipyard should it be successful in the qualification process.

Hon. Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Public Safety: Senator, you and I both. I often go back to the many items in my mandate letter just to fully embrace the ambitious agenda which I have the honour and privilege of advancing. I believe very firmly that we need to address this lacuna around the absence of an oversight mechanism specifically for the CBSA.

I know that in the past there has been an effort to try and put forward legislation. My commitment to you is to try to bring something back as quickly as we possibly can. You’ve heard me speak earlier in this chamber about the progress that we’re making in the context of the RCMP and strengthening oversight and other transformations which are necessary to ensure that there is transparency and accountability within that branch of law enforcement, but I totally agree with you that work has to be done in companionship with CBSA reform.

Having spoken with President Ossowski, who leads that agency, I know that he and his officials are fully on board and we hope to have something very soon.

On the Order:

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Gagné, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., for the third reading of Bill C-15, An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022.

Hon. Pierre J. Dalphond: Welcome, minister. My question is about handguns, the tools that are designed to kill or harm people, and how they limit people and are of limited social value.

In the previous Parliament, the government introduced Bill C-21, An Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments (firearms), which included measures to support local prohibitions on handguns. Much criticism has been expressed regarding the implementation of local prohibitions instead of a national one.

Minister, do you see merit in a national ban on handguns? When are we going to see action on this issue? Thank you.

The Hon. the Speaker: Order, please. Senator Wells, you asked your question. The minister is answering. If you do not like your answer, you can take it up with the minister afterwards.

One of those powers allowed the RCMP, in conjunction with financial institutions, to seize assets, but it was for the purposes of restoring public safety, which we were able to do with the least amount of force, the least amount of injuries and certainly no fatalities. I think that is something we should be grateful for given the challenge of the situation.

I know that since we’ve revoked the Emergencies Act that the RCMP and financial institutions have been taking steps to appropriately render those accounts that were frozen and —

Hon. Claude Carignan: Minister, I had several questions for you. Things don’t seem to be going very well in your department. I had to stick to one question, out of all the areas that concern me. This question is very important for the Montreal region, and it concerns firearms trafficking.

(1450)

Huge numbers of illegal firearms are coming across the border, especially across the St. Lawrence River through the Akwesasne reserve, and they end up on the streets of Montreal. There is a big problem with illegal guns in Montreal.

In a radio interview with Paul Arcand on September 16, 2021, Prime Minister Trudeau said, “We are working on tougher penalties for those who resell their weapons illegally.”

The host asked if that meant he was prepared to increase prison sentences, and Mr. Trudeau replied, “Absolutely.”

Mr. Trudeau was campaigning at the time, under the banner of the Liberal Party in those days. Once they came to power, however, not only did the Liberals not increase penalties, they actually reduced them by eliminating some mandatory minimum penalties in a bill.

What do you have to say to the listeners of Mr. Arcand, the most listened-to host in Canada, the ones who voted for the Liberals at that time?

Senator Carignan: For sentencing, you are doing the opposite.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, time for Question Period has expired. I’m sure that all senators would like to join me in thanking Minister Mendicino for being here with us today. We look forward to seeing you again here in the near future.