Hon. Senators: Hear, hear.

Senator Bovey: As a quick follow-up, you used the word “optional.” I’m delighted to hear that citizenship ceremonies will continue. Yes, I appreciate there are online virtual ceremonies for when people couldn’t attend because of COVID, but are you saying that there might be another option whereby they don’t have to do either, but that the citizenship ceremony will stay?

Senator Gold: Currently, applicants have the option to attend in person or virtually, as I said. There is consultation going on now with regard to other proposed changes to the Citizenship Act that may be appropriate — in terms of other processes — but that is an ongoing process, as I described.

Senator Gold: The Prime Minister has put in place processes that he has deemed appropriate. He has appointed the Right Honourable David Johnston to examine the matter and provide advice. The government believes this is the appropriate process under the circumstances.

[English]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Again, thank you for alluding to the significant increases in investments in our military and in procurement — an ongoing issue of importance for Canada generally and for our North in particular. I’ll add that to my questions and report back when I can.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you, senator, for your question. I don’t know. I’ll have to inquire. I’ll try to get an answer as quickly as I can in the hope that it will be useful to your study.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Ronide Casséus and Roberson Berlus. They are the guests of the Honourable Senator Boisvenu.

On behalf of all honourable senators, I welcome you to the Senate of Canada.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): I can’t answer your question. I can’t answer for an anonymous source, despite the fact that it was published in The Globe and Mail. The processes the government has put in place to address the situation you described are appropriate to answer these questions.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): I’m sorry that the answer you received, senator, was unsatisfactory to you. I’m not responsible for the answer when I’m not able to give one; I request it. If you would be kind enough to share the answer with my office, I’d be happy to inquire as to what additional information may be available, and I’d be happy to provide it.

Senator Gold: I agree with you entirely. The government is serious, and the CRA will be rigorous. But if I understand your question correctly, senator, you’re asking whether the deadline into the investigation will be extended in matters of ineligibility and potential fraud. In that regard, the deadline in the bills to which you referred doesn’t apply to cases of fraud or suspected fraud; therefore, there’s no need for an extension and the work will continue.

Senator Loffreda: As you know, when Parliament adopted the bills that allowed for the creation, administration and distribution of various emergency COVID benefits, we also legislated timelines for the verification of eligibility. In some cases, it was only 36 months, and that deadline is fast approaching. Will the government consider extending this deadline in order to give the CRA the necessary time to adequately verify the distribution of its payment support to Canadians? I think it’s important to send the right message to Canadians that we value their hard-earned money and that the agency is serious and rigorous about this undertaking.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Senator, thank you for raising this. It’s an important issue, and an issue that some of us appreciate less because of living in urban environments. I now live in a rural environment, but it is not as difficult as the situation you described for too many Canadians. I will have to look into what Canada Post is continuing to do and what the government’s responsibility or role in that is. I don’t have an answer to your question, but I’ll certainly look into it.

The Hon. the Speaker: Is leave granted, honourable senators?

Senator Carignan: Leader, an old sage in provincial politics in Quebec once said that in politics, if you can’t be trusted, you’re toast. With that in mind, before the Prime Minister becomes burnt toast, don’t you think it’s time he created a public commission of inquiry?

Senator Gold: Well, there was a question at the end, was there not? I am proud to work as the Government Representative, and to serve the Senate in that capacity, and I will continue to do my best.

[Translation]

The Hon. the Speaker: Thank you, Senator Plett.

I understand that a number of senators have been complaining of headaches and other discomfiture with this odour that we can all smell while we are here in the chamber. I understand it is not just in the chamber, but it is in other parts of the building as well.

The Black Rod has just left to check with our security people to see if there are complaints coming in from other areas.

I understand there is little or nothing we can do about the actual odour right now. In fairness to our colleagues, especially those who are not here because of this particular problem, we should suspend to a five-minute bell and ask the leadership if they can get together and discuss this to see if they can come to any kind of an agreement with respect to what we do for the rest of the day, whether we continue, suspend or adjourn until tomorrow.

We will suspend. There will be a five-minute bell to reconvene. I would ask the leadership of the various groups and caucuses if they would convene and discuss the matter.

Thank you very much, colleagues.

(The sitting of the Senate was suspended.)

[Translation]

(The sitting of the Senate was resumed.)

(1520)

Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, with leave of the Senate and notwithstanding rule 5-13(2), I move:

That the Senate do now adjourn.

Hon. Senators: Agreed.

(At 3:25 p.m., the Senate was continued until tomorrow at 2 p.m.)

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, we were all shocked and saddened to learn of the tragedy in Amqui, Quebec, on March 13, which left three people dead and eight others injured.

Our thoughts are with their friends and families as we express our condolences for those lost and our hopes for a full recovery by the injured.

Honourable senators, please join me in rising for a minute of silence in memory of those who did not survive this tragic incident.

(Honourable senators then stood in silent tribute.)

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Elder Barbara Cameron. She is accompanied by a group of Indigenous executives working with and on behalf of Indigenous communities impacted by the residential school system. They are the guests of the Honourable Senator Francis.

On behalf of all honourable senators, I welcome you to the Senate of Canada.