Senator Gold: Thank you, senator. I will make inquiries and try to provide you with an update on what government plans may be going forward.

Senator Gold: Honourable senator, it is an important question. I will certainly add this to the inquiry I’ve already made. I will try to get an answer as quickly as I can.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. The Government of Canada, in its relationships with China and, indeed, generally, works with and in constant consultation with its allies. The government — and I’ve expressed this on many occasions, as have ministers in the other place — remains deeply concerned about human rights violations in China and other breaches of international norms.

The government has announced the diplomatic boycott, joining its allies in this effort. This was a result of ongoing discussions held by the Minister of Sport with a number of our partners and allies as well as being in constant communication with the Canadian Olympic Committee.

Like many of our allies, Canada faces the same kinds of challenges dealing with our relationship with China. The government will continue to act in the best interests of Canada and in concert with its allies.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for raising this important question. The Port of Vancouver is a critically important port and has been badly affected by both the worldwide supply chain disruptions due to the pandemic and, of course, the catastrophic flooding that has hit your province, senator. The Government of Canada continues to work closely with its provincial counterparts and others to respond in a responsible and timely fashion to the requests that are being made of it.

Senator Gold: I will undertake to do so.

Senator Gold: Yes, thank you. There is no minister specifically tasked in that regard. However, I do repeat my offer. I will reach out to you and other Saskatchewan senators. Perhaps we can meet and figure out a way — in the absence of a minister as such — to make sure that your concerns and the expertise of you and your colleagues are properly transmitted to the government.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you, honourable senator, for your questions. I will have to make inquiries and report back to the chamber.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, pursuant to rule 5-10(2) I ask that the government notice of motion number 8 be withdrawn.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you, senator, for raising this very important public health issue. Although it is true that problematic substance use and abuse can be tackled through treatment, the government acknowledges that there must be new tools to address the problem, in particular those related to drug supply tainted by lethal drugs like fentanyl.

I’ve been advised that the government has invested over $33 million to expand access to a safe supply of prescription opioids. It has also increased access to life-saving naloxone across the country, including making it available to remote and isolated Indigenous communities. Finally, I have been assured that the government will continue to use every tool at its disposal to attempt to turn the tide on what is clearly a national public health crisis.

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question.

The Government of Canada recognizes that seniors and all Canadians are struggling with the problems brought about by both the pandemic and the measures implemented by the government to keep them safe, and it takes these problems very seriously.

The government is also aware of the communication challenges that exist in this and other areas. It will do its best to ensure that all Canadians are informed of any changes to the procedure or rules in a timely manner.

[English]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question and for raising this important issue. I don’t have the details of the programmed response that the government may implement. I will certainly make inquiries and try to provide an answer as quickly as I can.

Senator Gold: I will certainly be pleased to communicate your concerns and your requests to those instances.

Senator Gold: The Government of Canada takes the security and well-being of its citizens — and its athletes in this particular case — very seriously and will be taking all appropriate measures to ensure their security.

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

The challenges and problems facing our veterans are serious and important, and the government is committed to improving the situation. The government is experiencing an increase in demand for case managers, due to more veterans receiving rehabilitation and an increase in medical releases that have more than doubled the number of case managers since 2015. As the minister has said publicly, we know that more needs to be done in the coming months to ensure we meet the 25-to-1 ratio — veterans to case managers — to which you made reference, and the government has committed in its electoral platform to making the necessary investments.

The government places the highest priority on ensuring veterans and their families have the support and services when and where they need them.

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

The Government of Canada understands very well the importance of delivering levels of service to Canadians that they expect in this digital age. It is of note that there are currently 33 federal departments managing over 270 government online programs and services where identity verification is required. The Digital Identity project, which aims to improve the security and ease of use of existing federal Digital Identity services, as well as supporting provincial services, is under way and advancing. It is ongoing. I have been assured it will continue.

With regard to a specific implementation timeline, I will be pleased to make inquiries and report back to the chamber.

Senator C. Deacon: Thank you for your response, Senator Gold.

It is interesting to note that according to a survey in 2020, 9 out of 10 Canadians want to have access to Digital Identity once they understand how it increases their personal security and control. Could you ask the government to explain why they have not prioritized this foundational legislation in the last five years? Please bring back to us a date by which they intend to cause this to occur — simply acting on their own five-year-old strategy. Thank you.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question and your comments. Thank you to all in the private sector who have facilitated or helped with the arrival of this first plane.

I also appreciate having been given some notice of this question, which allowed me to make inquiries. Alas, I have not yet received an answer. When I do hear back, I will be happy to report.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you, senator, for the question. The government takes very seriously all issues that are raised, regardless of the region and by whom. It is here to serve Canadians.

I want to note, for example, the important initiatives undertaken by both the federal government and the Province of Saskatchewan — notwithstanding being in the midst of a worldwide pandemic — on making life more affordable with the agreement on reduced child care fees. I also know that the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and several senior ministers continue to exercise good bilateral relationships with their provincial counterparts in Saskatchewan on a considerable range of public policy initiatives.

The recently announced Cabinet Committees on Economy, Inclusion and Climate mandated to look at issues including the environment, the post-pandemic recovery and economic development, also include several ministers from Western Canada.

I should also state the obvious that there are five Saskatchewan senators across four distinct Senate groups. We just welcomed a new senator from that province. These provincial voices in our chamber can contribute in a significant manner, individually and through committee studies, on government legislation.

Finally, as a representative of the government, I offer my services as a conduit for these concerns to ensure that the views of Saskatchewan are transmitted through my office to the government.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the questions. There were many.

The government is aware that there are some challenges with the technology designed to keep Canadians safe. I have been informed that, over the weekend, Minister Mendicino spoke with the CBSA on these and related issues to ensure that proper and additional guidance is provided to front line officers.

With regard to your other questions, I will have to make inquires and report back.

[Translation]

Senator Gold: Thank you, senator. I’m aware of these challenges. They affect everyone in Canada who relies upon goods shipped through the Port of Vancouver or through other ports in Canada. Again, the government takes its responsibilities to work alongside provincial and territorial governments seriously and, where appropriate, other bodies such as port authorities, to try to improve the situation, which is regrettably, in some respects, beyond any government’s control.