Hon. Denise Batters: Senator Gold, last September, I asked you about the horrific stabbing mass murders at James Smith Cree Nation in my province of Saskatchewan. Your answer then — as you say almost daily during Senate Question Period — was that you would make inquiries with the minister and the department, and report back with answers when you received them.

The delayed answer came back five months later, solely with information that was already relayed in a televised RCMP press conference four months ago. This response completely ignored my question regarding what steps the government and RCMP would take to ensure this immense tragedy never repeats itself.

Senator Gold, these killings have scarred Saskatchewan. This region is still reeling from the magnitude of this catastrophe. For the Government of Canada to only offer this pathetic, much-too-delayed response to Canadians’ serious concerns is a dereliction of duty.

Why are you helping this government dodge accountability?

Senator Batters: Yes, Senator Gold, the Government of Canada is the one who is responsible for providing those answers. You are the Senate government leader — and you have a $1.4-million office budget and the large team of staff that entails. You also have the huge resources of the Government of Canada at your disposal. Yet, you still have to run down the halls of the Prime Minister’s Office looking for an answer when you’re asked basic questions on topical issues in this chamber.

Since those at the Trudeau government’s highest levels are currently embroiled in a massive scandal, they’re clearly too distracted with this cover-up to do their jobs. The Prime Minister takes no responsibility or accountability for his actions; his cabinet ministers are the same. In September, I asked a question about one of the worst mass murders in Canadian history, and I got a written response from the government five months later — signed by an MP who isn’t even in cabinet — with information that was public four months ago, while entirely failing to answer what they could do better.

Senator Gold, Canadians expect and deserve answers that are prompt and complete. As the Leader of the Government in the Senate, when will you demand better of your own government?