Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Let me begin by expressing my condolences to our colleague Senator Seidman and her family as well.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you. I’m pleased to answer this in my capacity as Government Representative in the Senate. I appreciate, Senator Omidvar, your advance notice of this question.

I’ve made inquiries to the government, but have not heard back. When I do, I will report in a timely fashion.

I would like to add that, to date, the government has approved 9,800 people under the special immigration program, and of this number, more than 3,600 Afghan refugees have already arrived in Canada. Regrettably, the absence of stable conditions and the ever-changing circumstances abroad — regarding what exit documentation is required at checkpoints and international crossings with third countries — make it exceedingly difficult to get Afghan refugees out safely. The government remains committed to welcoming 40,000 Afghan refugees to Canada on the strength of our humanitarian resettlement policy.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate) introduced Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act and to make consequential and related amendments to other Acts.

(Bill read first time.)

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question and for underlining the real and important issue of helping those who helped us when we were on our mission in Afghanistan. The government has done everything that it can under extraordinarily difficult circumstances to assist all of those, whether interpreters or others, in Afghanistan who worked with our military and our presence in Afghanistan and will continue to do so.

Senator Gold: Thank you, senator, for raising this question and for your ongoing commitment to keeping this in the public eye.

As I reported in response to an earlier question, the government has invested tens and tens of millions of dollars in humanitarian aid to various international organizations working on behalf of those struggling and suffering in Afghanistan. It is complicated by the political situation, of course. Canada is doing everything it can. I won’t repeat the figures, but there are significant efforts by Canada in assisting in the humanitarian crisis that is facing too many in Afghanistan.

Senator Gold: The government is committed to doing everything it can both to help in the immediate term but, equally importantly, to take the steps with its partners — provincial and territorial — to build greater resilience into our supply chains and infrastructure. Indeed, Minister Blair underlined that in a recent pronouncement. The government will consider all possible measures, in consultation with its partners.

[Translation]

Senator Gold: I will be happy to get back to you with specific answers. I do want to emphasize, though, that the tragedies and devastation — not only in British Columbia but elsewhere in this country — underline the importance of a collective effort to fight climate change, to which this government remains committed.

Senator Gold: I think all senators would agree that under all circumstances, wherever possible, the most rigorous study and review of bills is appropriate.

That said, I can assure the honourable senator that it is the government’s view that the issuance of these payments will be done in accordance with the policy directives announced by the government in Budget 2021 and through the passage of Bill C-30, and seniors — and I address this to any and all who are watching — can be assured that these payments will be done in a correct manner.

Senator Gold: It’s the policy, principle and a value of this government, and I’m sure of all Canadians, that the access to safe drinking water for everyone is something we all deserve. It’s a priority for this government.

With respect to your question about providing funding for the new long-term water supply, I have been advised that Infrastructure Canada has received a request for funding and that the project is currently being assessed. The Government of Canada will continue to work with the Mayor of Iqaluit and territorial officials to move this forward as quickly as is reasonably possible.

[Translation]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question and for your ongoing commitment to the people of Iqaluit. I had the pleasure to visit there some few years ago, as you know.

I have been advised that the government has received a request for funding through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund’s large project stream for the City of Iqaluit for the Iqaluit water infrastructure improvement project. The project is currently being assessed. The government is of the view that a long-term solution is infrastructure based, and it is committed to working collaboratively with the city and the territory to arrive at a long-term and viable solution.

Senator Gold: Of course.

Senator Gold: The motion before us only contemplates hybrid committees, senator. There is nothing before us that contemplates virtual committees, even though it’s the position of the government that this would be a good additional element to allow more committees to sit for more hours. That said, it remains the case that in addition to the technological and room size limitations, there are human resource limitations, including translators and others.

This is a matter, as you know, which is overseen by the Speaker’s office and through the administration. My understanding is that this has been discussed at the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration and other places and will continue to be brought to this chamber. For the moment, this motion only contemplates hybrid committees.

(On motion of Senator Wells, for Senator Plett, debate adjourned.)

(At 4:07 p.m., the Senate was continued until tomorrow at 2 p.m.)

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you, senator, for your question. The government is very aware of the serious situation that’s posed by flooding and mudslides in British Columbia, as well as the impact on transportation networks and supply chains.

Transport Canada, I’m advised, is optimistic about the news of rail lines gradually restarting, and with key industry partners and members of federal and provincial governments, the Government of Canada has formed a joint Supply Chain Recovery Working Group to assess transport networks and plan for the prioritized movement of goods. I have been informed that the government continues to work closely with these partners to address the broader supply chain issues going forward.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question and for underlining the unacceptable situation that this young Canadian faces in Cuba. The Canadian government continues to make every effort to ensure that Canadians who are detained abroad receive equitable treatment. Every consular case is unique and the assistance we’re able to provide will vary with the circumstances.

I’m advised that the Canadian government is engaged with Cuban officials and continues to work to seek consular access to the individual, and that consular officials maintain regular contact and will continue to provide support to the individual’s family. I’m also advised that, due to privacy considerations, no further information may be disclosed at this juncture.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question and for raising this very important and troubling issue. Every country has the right to choose how to implement its international legal obligations, as Canada has done. The Government of Canada is committed to upholding human rights and international labour standards, and it is actively working to implement the ban on forced labour. I have been informed that officials at Employment and Social Development Canada are actively working with CBSA officials to monitor and search for evidence related to problematic supply chains. As for why Canada has chosen such a high burden of proof, if I can put it that way, I’ll have to look into that question and try to get an answer.

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question. I would respectfully submit that I cannot accept the premise that these standards are impossible to meet. As I said, we are working closely with the CBSA to ensure that goods produced by forced labour do not cross the border, because they are banned in Canada. We will continue to do just that.

Senator Gold: Thank you. That is a very good question, and I appreciate it.

My understanding is that from a technical infrastructure point of view, we share resources with the House of Commons. Therefore, our ability to chart our own course independently of what is happening in the other place is somewhat constrained.

My understanding, Senator Batters, is that at any given time there can be a limited number of hybrid committee meetings. That is why when the Committee of Selection, sometime in the course of the last Parliament, recommended and the Senate approved the system, it was to allow for completely virtual committee sittings so as to allow more of our committees, more of the time, to do the important work that we do here in the chamber.

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question. I’ve been advised that the government is providing $1.7 million to Journalists for Human Rights, Veterans Transition Network and Aman Lara in their efforts to provide support to vulnerable persons in Afghanistan, and is working with these organizations in extremely difficult and evolving circumstances.

Due to the volatility and the problems associated with the security situation in Afghanistan, I’m advised that the government is not currently funding the safe houses directly. However, on August 26 our country announced $50 million in humanitarian assistance to support a number of international organizations over the next 15 months, both inside Afghanistan and in neighbouring countries. This is in addition to the $27.3 million in humanitarian assistance already allocated to Afghanistan for 2021.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, Judith Keating was summoned to the Senate in January 2020. She passed away July 15, 2021, surrounded by her beloved family. Her wisdom and experience were taken from us, and from them, far too soon.

Senator Keating arrived in this chamber just weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic changed how the Senate operated. Soon after her arrival, we came to know each other. I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to meet with her privately just before her swearing in. In the short time that she served the people of New Brunswick in this chamber, and our country, she made an enduring impression on me, and on us, as colleagues.

[Translation]

Before Senator Keating arrived in the Senate, she served as chief legislative counsel and chief legal advisor to the Premier of New Brunswick. She also served as the provincial chair of the All Nations and Parties Working Group on Truth and Reconciliation.

She was a strong advocate for the equal and just treatment of women in the legal profession and for the equal status of both official languages in New Brunswick.

She had a long and impressive resumé, and her professional experience was admirable and inspiring.

[English]

Senator Keating and I had lengthy and very interesting discussions on many subjects of mutual interest. We continued those conversations from time to time when we would meet and a friendship formed out of that. She was an intelligent, hard-working, devoted senator. I will miss her as a colleague and as a friend.

[Translation]

New Brunswick and Canada have lost an extremely proud Canadian and the Senate has lost a powerful voice, but even more importantly, her family has lost a spouse, mother and grandmother.

[English]

May her memory be a blessing and may her family be spared further sorrows.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. The government is very much preoccupied with this situation, as are our allies and partners around the world. Canada continues to discuss this issue with our partners to ensure that decisions that are made are both effective and coordinated.