Senator Gold: I thank the honourable senator for his question. As you know, at the beginning of this Parliament, the government and the new cabinet made fundamental changes with respect to victims of sexual assault in the Armed Forces.

With regard to your question, I will ask the government about its intentions, and I will get back to you as soon as I receive an answer.

[English]

Senator Gold: I will look into it further, even though, to my knowledge, the request has not been formally received. However, I apologize in advance if I am wrong. I will do more research with the information I was provided.

[English]

Senator Gold: I will make inquiries and report back. Thank you.

[Translation]

Senator Gold: Thank you, I most certainly will make those inquiries.

Hon. Marilou McPhedran: Honourable senators, my question is to Senator Gold.

I ask this question in the midst of the international 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. My question to the government is about Canada speaking out of concern for the safety and freedom of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai, which has been in serious doubt since the beginning of November when she accused a powerful former Chinese Communist Party official of sexual assault. Senator Gold, in a recent statement, Human Rights Watch criticized the International Olympic Committee’s, or IOC, eagerness to ignore the voice of an Olympian who may be in danger and to support claims of state-sponsored media in China. Why has Canada not spoken out about this case and called for an independent investigation as other governments have?

Senator Gold: Although I’m aware of many things, Senator Griffin, this was one of the many of which I was not. I look forward to receiving my bag of potatoes.

Senator Gold: Thank you for the follow-up question. I will add that to the inquiries I make to the government and will attempt to report back in a timely manner.

Senator Gold: Yes. Thank you for your question, and for the opportunity to clarify.

That is exactly our understanding. It is the understanding, and shared with COPO, that ministers will sit in the aisle. As the motion indicates, neither the ministers nor senators questioning will be obliged to stand when asking or answering a question. That is the understanding.

Senator Griffin: Senator Gold may be aware that tomorrow a large truckload of Prince Edward Island potatoes will arrive in Ottawa for free distribution — just down the street here. If anyone wants a 10-pound bag of potatoes, that’s the place to get them tomorrow. I don’t know if you were aware of that.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, I give notice that, at the next sitting of the Senate, I will move:

That, notwithstanding any provisions of the Rules, previous or usual practice:

1.the Senate resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 9, 2021, to consider the subject matter of Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act and to make consequential and related amendments to other Acts, with any proceedings then before the Senate being interrupted until the end of Committee of the Whole;

2.if the bells are ringing for a vote at the time the committee is to meet, they be interrupted for the Committee of the Whole at that time, and resume once the committee has completed its work for the balance of any time remaining;

3.the Committee of the Whole on the subject matter of Bill S-2 receive the Honourable Mark Holland, P.C., M.P., Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, accompanied by no more than three officials;

4. the Committee of the Whole on the subject matter of Bill S-2 rise no later than 65 minutes after it begins;

5.the witness’ introductory remarks last a maximum total of five minutes; and

6.if a senator does not use the entire period of 10 minutes for debate provided under rule 12-32(3)(d), including the responses of the witnesses, that senator may yield the balance of time to another senator.

[English]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): The government remains committed to making sure that our infrastructure and networks are kept safe and secure and do not compromise our national security. The examination of the existing technologies, 5G technologies and the associated security considerations remain ongoing. The Government of Canada is working with Public Safety Canada; the Communications Security Establishment; the Department of National Defence; the Canadian Security Intelligence Service; Global Affairs; and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada together on this important issue. It also includes the important advice we receive from our allies.

I note and am advised that the Prime Minister has indicated a decision on Huawei is expected within the coming weeks.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): I thank the honourable senator for his question and for pointing out just how important these companies are to Canadian society.

With respect to the specific issue you mentioned, the Government of Canada and authorities connected to the government are responsible for assessing the offers and opportunities to change ownership. They are doing their job and will continue to do it to protect Canadians and Canadian companies as best they can.

[English]

Senator Gold: Thank you, honourable senator, for your question. The Government of Canada, as we all do in this room, understands how important transportation is for Canada generally, not only to our history but also to our well-being and economy. This chamber should rest assured that the Government of Canada will continue to keep the best interests of Canadians at heart when it reviews these matters.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. The government was pleased to provide the funding to the organizations, and I’m happy that it has been received in your area.

With regard to your question, though, I don’t have an answer. I will make inquiries and be happy to report back.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Canada continues to encourage Haitian authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the assassination of President Moïse and bring the perpetrators to justice. Canada has not yet received a formal request from Haitian authorities for support in this matter.

As for the creation of a UN international commission of inquiry into the assassination of President Moïse, with all due respect for Haiti’s national sovereignty, Canada would support such an initiative as a staunch defender of the fight against impunity. Currently, Canada’s total aid budget for Haiti is about C$89 million per year. We are attentive to the needs and aspirations of Haitians, so we remain flexible and ready to work with Haiti and the international community toward a more stable, democratic and prosperous future.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate), pursuant to notice of December 2, 2021, moved:

That, notwithstanding any provision of the Rules or usual practice:

1.the Senate invite any minister of the Crown who is not a member of the Senate to attend the Senate at least once every second week that the Senate sits, during Question Period at a time and on a date to be determined by the Government Representative in the Senate, after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition and the leaders and facilitators of all recognized parties and recognized parliamentary groups, and take part in proceedings by responding to questions relating to their ministerial responsibilities, subject to the rules and orders then in force, including those relating to hybrid sittings, if the Senate is then holding such sittings, except that neither senators when asking questions nor the minister when answering need stand;

2.the Government Representative in the Senate, in consultation with the Leader of the Opposition, and the leaders and facilitators of all recognized parties and recognized parliamentary groups, determine the minister to appear during such Question Period;

3.at the beginning of Orders of the Day, the Government Representative in the Senate or the Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate inform the Senate, as soon as possible in advance, of the time and date for Question Period with a minister, and the designated minister, but no later than the sitting day that would precede the day on which the minister would appear;

4.senators only have up to one minute to ask a question, and ministers have up to one minute and thirty seconds to respond, with this process continuing until the time for Question Period expires; and

5.the Question Period last a maximum of 60 minutes.

He said: Honourable senators, I rise today to speak briefly to government Motion No. 7, which will re-establish a process for a minister to participate in the Senate’s Question Period every second Senate sitting week.

While I deeply regret that this motion will relieve me, from time to time, of the pleasure of attempting to answer your questions, I am most happy to propose it because it constitutes yet another step in restoring a sense of normalcy to the Senate’s operations. I am also pleased to propose this motion because it establishes a new format for ministerial Question Period that is based upon meaningful consultation and agreement with the leadership of all groups and informed by the Senate’s extensive experience hosting ministers in this chamber over the course of two Parliaments.

So while this may be a government motion, as is so often the case, it bears the fingerprints of all groups.

For example, the Progressive Senate Group proposed that the motion specify that ministerial Question Period be held every second week in order to ensure some regularity for ministerial Question Period while maintaining some flexibility on the specific dates.

In addition, it was quite important to the opposition in the Senate that the questions of senators and the answers of ministers be subject to time constraints so that more senators may have the opportunity to ask questions. On the other hand, it was important to us in the Government Representative Office that the Senate’s ministerial Question Period not simply be a mimic of that which takes place in the other place, where the length of time for questions and answers is limited to 35 seconds. We felt that would not suit the Senate’s historic identity as a more sober and less politically charged environment.

What we have before us, one minute for questions and one minute and 30 seconds for answers, is a reasonable approach that balances the various legitimate concerns around the leadership table.

[Translation]

With respect to the process, under the terms of this motion, I commit to consulting my colleagues extensively to determine which ministers should be invited to Question Period in the Senate, and I will prioritize their appearance accordingly.

[English]

I would note that Senator Harder, during his time as Government Representative — and you look very good in that chair, Senator Harder — successfully ensured that senators were satisfied with the timing and identity of the ministers appearing before this chamber. I am absolutely committed to doing the same.

Colleagues, this innovation of having ministers appear on a regular basis has proven beneficial for both senators, who have had the opportunity to ask direct questions relating to the specific responsibilities of the minister, and to the ministers, who have become better acquainted with the priorities of their Senate colleagues.

While Canada, and, indeed, the world, is still battling COVID-19, we recognize that the business of governing the country does not stop. This motion demonstrates to Canadians a new level of cooperation between our chambers.

Outside of the legislative work being undertaken, the practice of holding ministers’ Question Period in the Senate has given us the opportunity to pose questions relating to the portfolios of ministers. Ministers’ Question Period will offer senators the opportunity to ask relevant questions, highlight the concerns of their province or region and request information as appropriate.

Therefore, I ask that honourable colleagues pass this motion quickly. As we move into 2022, and before the resumption of Parliament after the holiday break, I would like to be able to begin the invitation process for those ministers that the Senate leadership has chosen to appear before us.

In the past, ministers Question Period has proven to be a mutually beneficial undertaking — not always agreeable for some, ministers or senators perhaps, but as is always the case here in the Red Chamber, a respectful one.

Thank you, colleagues.