Senator Gold: Thank you for your question. Canada is not turning a blind eye. Canada is doing its share in a responsible way — and will continue to do its share — to welcome those who seek to come here and those who flee from dangerous circumstances to come here. The world is not one of open borders, and, therefore, there will always be some rules and procedures regarding those who can come. That is the responsible thing to do — something every sovereign nation must do.

All of that being said, Canada continues to do its part, and will continue to be a safe place and a home for those who seek refuge from elsewhere.

Senator Gold: I am not in a position to tell you why the events unfolded as you have described, but I can assure you that the federal government will do what it can, in conjunction with the Government of Nova Scotia, to assist those in the communities affected by the tragedy.

[English]

Senator Gold: I’m not in a position to know exactly. I don’t know how these discussions are unfolding and therefore I really don’t know what the timetable may be. I’ll make some efforts to find out where things stand and report back when I get an answer.

Senator Gold: Senator Housakos, the issue of foreign interference is a serious one, and I only wish at least that both sides — both questioner and answerer — would be able to discuss it in a way that is absent the insinuations and smears that are implicit in your question.

The fact is that the world has changed, and our understanding of China has changed since 2015-16 and at present — and properly and understandably so. When banks engage in irregular behaviour, thank goodness we have institutions that call them out. In that regard, the system worked.

Senator Gold: What the government cares about is assisting Canadians who are going through very challenging times, as are citizens around the world. In fact, that’s what the government has done.

The government cares about Canadians; that’s why it is supporting Canadians, and that’s why it is investing in Canadians. This government cares about prudent fiscal management of the country, and I repeat, because the evidence demonstrates that: Of all the G7 countries, we are doing better than all by many indicators. In that regard, this government will continue to stay the course.

Yes, the government has invested in our future. Yes, that is necessary for our children and grandchildren to have careers and jobs in a sustainable economy and on a livable planet.

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question, senator, but I repeat: Ms. Richard is a career public servant and served this country honourably and with distinction through the Harper government years and through the current years and is eminently qualified to discharge these roles.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. I think actions speak louder than words, colleagues.

The fact is, as the government announced, its plans were designed in this budget to strike the appropriate balance between responsible fiscal management and an investment in our future.

At the same time, the government predicted that inflation — far too high and far too difficult for too many Canadians — would be brought under control, and, indeed, it is being brought under control.

At the same time, the government’s fiscal approach has supported the creation of over 830,000 new jobs, more jobs than existed before the pandemic.

Inflation continues to fall; it has been flat or falling for eight months in a row.

Our unemployment rate is at a record low. Our credit rating is high. Although you do not like to hear me quote the debt-to-GDP ratio, it is an important indicator of the overall vitality of our economy and our capacity to move forward.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question and for underlining the challenge that we face as a country and in order to both deal in a responsible way with those who seek to come here and do so in a responsible way with our important neighbour to the south. I think the government is doing what it can to find the right balance between those two. As you would know senator, as colleagues would know, Canada and the United States entered into discussions about renewing the Safe Third Country Agreement well over a year ago, signed statements of principle, as I described in the chamber before. A lot of work gets done between the statement of principle and the ultimate putting into place of regulations, which were done more or less around the President’s visit here.

Canada believes that the United States is a safe country for refugees and is defending that position. And, of course, when the court rules, the government will take account of its rulings and respect its rulings as it always does, but the government remains of the view that modernizing the Safe Third Country Agreement was the best solution to an intractable problem of providing security for those who arrive and seek asylum, but also being able to manage our border in an effective way for the benefit of Canadians and the communities that are affected.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. The Interim Ethics Commissioner is a career public servant, served in a senior role in the Ethics Commissioner’s office for over 10 years, predating this government. Indeed, to disregard her personal achievements and her competence only serves to undermine the important role that the Ethics Commissioner plays in our system.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. It’s an important one but a complicated one in our country. The government understands food insecurity is on the rise and it’s causing real, serious concerns for families and for their children. And strengthening our food supply and developing a national school food policy remain an important goal of this government. Indeed, this has been highlighted in mandate letters that were given to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, as well as the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. What the government is doing and will continue to do is to work with those jurisdictions which have primary responsibility here — the provinces and territories and municipalities and, indeed, Indigenous communities and stakeholders — to develop a national school food policy and to create a nutritious national school food program.

Senator M. Deacon: Thank you. Respectfully, do you see this coming to life in the next 6 to 12 months?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question, and, as I responded yesterday, our hearts and sympathies go out to the families and communities of Portapique and Truro, as well as all who are suffering and need help.

Senator, I simply don’t know the status of the discussions between the federal government and the Nova Scotia government, and, therefore, I’m not in a position to provide an answer regarding the timeline or the progress that’s being made on this initiative. I will make inquiries and try to provide an answer as quickly as I can.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question. As I just mentioned to our colleague, Senator Bernard, I will have to find out more about the progress made and the status of the discussions between the two governments to provide help to the communities involved. I will do my best to get an answer soon.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, I have the honour to table the answers to the following oral questions:

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on February 8, 2023, by the Honourable Senator Francis, concerning health care transfers.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on February 15, 2023, by the Honourable Senator Martin, concerning the fertilizer tariff.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on March 9, 2023, by the Honourable Senator Dalphond, concerning live horse exports.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Brian Francis on February 8, 2023)

Indigenous Peoples have the right to fair and equal access to quality and culturally safe health services free from racism and discrimination. That is why, on February 7, 2023, the Government of Canada announced $2 billion over 10 years to address the unique challenges Indigenous Peoples face when it comes to fair and equitable access to culturally safe health services.

This new Indigenous health equity fund is intended to be distributed on a distinctions basis. While it is still early days, the government will work with national and regional Indigenous partners to prioritize investments and define the implementation plan. The government will be able to provide further details on the list of Indigenous partners as the engagement takes shape.

Additional information on when and how the funding will be distributed will be shared as soon as these details have been finalized.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Yonah Martin on February 15, 2023)

The Government of Canada’s response to the illegal invasion was to revoke the Most-Favoured-Nation status for imports from Russia and Belarus, resulting in tariffs of 35 per cent on all goods entering Canada from these two countries. Approximately $34.1 million represents the value of duties collected on Russian fertilizer, historically a key source for imports of fertilizer in Eastern Canada.

Since 2020, fertilizer and lime expenses almost doubled, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine further impacted the global fertilizer market.

Canada recognizes the effect of increased prices of fertilizer on farmers. To help farmers manage cash flow challenges, the Government amended the Advance Payments Program in 2022 to increase the interest-free portion of cash advances from $100,000 to $250,000. Through Budget 2023, this limit was further increased to $350,000 for the 2023 growing season.

Furthermore, Budget 2023 allocated $34.1 million to the On-Farm Climate Action Fund to support adoption of nitrogen management practices by Eastern Canadian farmers, to optimize the use of fertilizer.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Pierre J. Dalphond on March 9, 2023)

The Government takes animal welfare seriously and is working to advance the mandate letter commitment to ban the live export of horses for slaughter. Under the Health of Animals Regulations, strengthened requirements on the humane transport of animals came into effect in February 2020. In Canada, humane treatment of livestock is protected by provincial and federal laws and regulations. Horses exported must meet all Canadian and international standards.

The Government is exploring legal and policy frameworks for a ban, including legal obligations, international trade commitments and relations, acts and regulations involving animals, and mechanisms for implementation and enforcement. The Government is performing its due diligence to minimize potential unintended consequences, taking into account international trade commitments, impacts on producers’ livelihoods, and interaction with existing laws or regulations.

The Government is consulting with relevant stakeholders. Stakeholder engagements include, but are not limited to, animal rights advocacy groups, provincial governments, industry representatives, and Indigenous business owners and organizations.

[Translation]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate) tabled the reply to Question No. 187, dated January 31, 2023, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding the Treasury Board Secretariat — Public Services and Procurement Canada.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate) tabled the reply to Question No. 187, dated January 31, 2023, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding the Treasury Board Secretariat.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable colleagues, I’ve said on many occasions — and here I’m repeating what he has said on many occasions — that the Prime Minister has no active involvement with the foundation. Once again, I think that to imply — as you did, Senator Housakos — that it is a scheme to bypass electoral laws countenanced by the Prime Minister does not do justice to the discourse that we should be having in this place.

The Prime Minister has been clear that he has no involvement with the foundation. The foundation, upon discovering the issue, has done the right thing. The foundation has also asked for itself to be audited by the Auditor General, who has an independence of government, and that is sufficient.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate) tabled the reply to Question No. 190, dated January 31, 2023, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding Environment Canada.