Hon. Leo Housakos (Acting Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, my question is for the government leader in the Senate, Senator Gold. I would like to ask you a question about the crown jewel of your government, which is, of course, Senate reform and, more specifically, in regard to the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments.

It’s not the first time we asked this question in regard to this board, which has an obligation to be accountable and transparent and to file annual reports in terms of its activities and its financing of the board. Senator Plett, on May 5 of this year, asked the exact same question. You committed to inquire and get back to him. Later in the month of May, Senator Plett in writing tabled the same question on the Order Paper.

As you can appreciate, Senator Gold, in this institution, in order for us to be able to do one of our main responsibilities, which is holding the executive branch of government to account, we rely on the representative of the government to provide timely information. We will not relent on behalf of taxpayers until we get the answer.

Government leader, have you inquired at the Privy Council of Canada? Have you inquired at the Prime Minister’s Office? Have you asked Minister LeBlanc why it is that the Senate advisory board has not made public the information and expenses in a transparent and accountable fashion?

Senator Housakos: Senator Gold, I acknowledge your job is to be the government leader and the representative here, and I think it’s also acknowledged publicly that you’re a member of the Privy Council for a reason. It’s not just to have the title for fun; it’s to provide information in a timely fashion to this institution.

Senator Gold, I find it very curious that you don’t seem to be very interested in this matter because it’s been months that you haven’t taken the time to come back to us. I would think you’d be just as interested as we are, simply as an honourable senator, appointed under this very process. Furthermore, as government leader with a responsibility for getting answers here, as I said earlier, you have an obligation to the chamber and to taxpayers across this country.

Senator Gold, do you commit to finally getting us an answer on this missing report before we rise for the break? More specifically, will you also give us a precise date when you will get us that answer? After seven months of repeated questioning, I don’t think it’s much to ask of the government leader on what particular date this chamber can expect to get an answer.