Senator Gold: There’s no question there.

Again, it’s quite clear: There’s a big difference between an obligation to submit reports to Parliament — which is important and healthy and demonstrates good governance — and asking a minister to get involved if, in fact, the legislative framework doesn’t allow such involvement.

[English]

Senator Gold: I do not know the answers. Again, I would hope that as we address the important issue of foreign interference, we can do so — as responsible parliamentarians — without continuing to tag the participants with adjectives such as “made-up,” “cover-up” and the like. It’s a serious matter. I would hope that we could address it seriously going forward.

Senator Gold: Thank you for your questions. As I have stated before in this chamber, there’s no doubt that the allegations that have swirled around the issue of foreign interference have caused harm and discomfort, to say the least, to members of the diaspora community. That is the reason why the government is proceeding in a prudent and responsible way. By having proper investigations by the RCMP — which works at arm’s length from the government — matters can be dealt with on the basis of facts, and not allegations and innuendoes. The Government of Canada is committed to doing the right thing for those organizations if it turns out that the allegations are unfounded. I’m not in a position right now to know, much less respond, with regard to the issue of potential remedies.

[Translation]

Senator Gold: Thank you for the questions. I’ll certainly add that to the inquiries I undertake to make.

Senator Gold: I thank the senator for his suggestion. I will bring it to the minister’s attention.

That being said, I’d simply like to point out that the Canada Pension Plan and the public sector pension plans are subject to their own acts of Parliament, which have been amended many times by various Parliaments.

[English]

Senator Gold: Again, the Government of Canada appreciates the work that the Honourable David Johnston did, regrets the degree to which his integrity was impugned and —

Senator Plett:  — to the Prime Minister.

Senator Gold: I will certainly make inquiries as to why there has been a delay in providing the information to which you referred. The government has no intention of cancelling the price on pollution. It is, as I’ve said, an important part of a multi-pronged, serious policy to address climate change, a policy which Canadians require if we’re going to face the future with confidence.

Senator Gold: I will certainly make inquiries as to why there has been a delay in providing the information to which you referred. The government has no intention of cancelling the price on pollution. It is, as I’ve said, an important part of a multi-pronged, serious policy to address climate change, a policy which Canadians require if we’re going to face the future with confidence.

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question. With all due respect, the government is not silent. The government is taking this matter very seriously and considering possible courses of action. As I said, once debate on your bill begins, the government will make its position known.

[English]

Senator Gold: Again, thank you for the question and for reminding us that the cost of living and the basic necessities of life — food, housing, all the basics — are much more expensive in the North and remote areas of this country. I’ll certainly add that to my questions and follow-up with the minister.

[Translation]

Senator Gold: — looks forward to the constructive engagement of the opposition parties to chart a path forward.

[Translation]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question. First of all, the government appreciates the work that the Honourable David Johnston did in providing a report that raises important issues and provides a roadmap forward for a public process.

As Minister LeBlanc has stated publicly, the government is open and, indeed, inviting all members of the opposition to work together with him to chart a path forward in order to determine the best form of public process that will address these important issues. Echoing the words of Minister LeBlanc, as we move forward with the cooperation of all parties in the other place, I hope that the rather disturbing tone of the debate will be reduced.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question. I’m glad that you received your answer a few short months after the question was posed. I’m not in a position to know the answer to your question, nor do I know whether the information was communicated in the context of cabinet confidence. I will certainly make inquiries, and that is all I can undertake to do at this juncture.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question, senator. As I’ve mentioned on several occasions in this chamber, the RCMP is actively investigating. When those investigations have been concluded, I’m sure the results of those investigations will be communicated to the government and to the public, as appropriate.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question and for your commitment to this important issue. Congratulations on your hard work and on the publication of the document, which I read with interest. As you said, esteemed colleague, Bill S-210 is now in the other place and will be on the Orders of the Day for consideration. I’ve no doubt there will be an interesting and thorough debate, at which point the government will be in a position to share its stance on the matter. In the meantime, the government has communicated its intentions in the context of our study of Bill C-11. The Government of Canada is committed to continuing to deal with the online safety issue, including through legislation. As details become available, I will update this chamber.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question. The government agrees that corporations that do business in Canada must pay their fair share of taxes. A solid national tax base is essential to the strength and effectiveness of Canada’s social safety net. As far as the Canada Pension Plan is concerned, it is administered by an independent board of directors that operates at arm’s length from the government.

The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board’s board of directors establishes the investment policies in accordance with the board’s mandate. This involves investing funds in the best interest of the 20 million Canadian contributors and beneficiaries. The board of directors establishes the strategic direction and makes critical operational decisions. The board’s 2022 report indicated that the CPP was solid and that the resilience of the investment fund should build confidence in Canada.

If I could add something, the government has taken a certain number of measures to improve fairness within the Canadian economy, including the introduction of the temporary Canada Recovery Dividend for banks and insurance companies so that they pay a one-time 15% tax on taxable income above $1 billion for the 2021 tax year. That measure could bring in $4.05 billion over the next five years. The government also proposed to permanently increase the corporate income tax rate by 1.5% on the taxable income of life insurance groups above $100 million. I have a long list of measures that the government has taken to ensure that our system is fairer.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question and for raising the important issue of air linkage with the North upon which so much depends, as those of us who have travelled north understand. It’s important.

Equally important, of course, are rules to make sure that flight crews and the passengers who rely upon those flights are safe. In that regard, I’ll certainly bring your suggestion to the attention of the relevant minister.

Senator D. Patterson: Thank you for that answer.

Senator Gold, these price increases aren’t just hurting us internationally and competitively, but our neighbours in the U.S. and Europe do not have such, in my opinion, overzealous high standards. The new regulations have also hit us hard domestically, particularly in remote and northern regions.

To further aggravate the situation — and no doubt, in part, driven by these restrictive changes — on April 25 this year, the Transport Minister and Canadian North announced the lifting of conditions on their merger agreement with First Air, which had been put in place by the minister during the pandemic to protect northern consumers from price increases. This alarming new agreement will allow Canadian North, a virtual monopoly carrier in most of Nunavut, to increase cargo costs and passenger airfares by a staggering up to 25% per year for each of the coming four years. This could be crippling.

What concrete actions will your government take to help drive down the cost of northern air travel, especially considering the already sky-high cost of living?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. As I have stated earlier, Minister LeBlanc has reached out to all of the opposition leaders. My understanding is that your leader and others have said that they would cooperate with the minister to work together to chart a path forward. As Minister LeBlanc also said, a public inquiry was not and is not off the table, but it remains the work of the government, with the opposition parties, to identify the right public process going forward that achieves the results of getting to the bottom of the issues while still respecting the importance of protecting sensitive national security information.

The Government of Canada is pleased that the opposition parties have agreed to work together on that. When they reach an agreement as to the steps forward, that will be announced.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question and the suggestion, senator. I also want to thank you for pointing out that we do have legislation that governs the actions and the independence of these bodies.

I’ll bring your suggestion to the minister’s attention, and we will monitor this subject as it develops.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): No. Thank you for your question.

The government is not hiding things from the premiers nor dismissing their concerns. Of course, it is a legitimate concern for all Canadians as to what costs they might be called upon to assume.

The price on pollution is an important market-responsive mechanism to address climate change. It is an important part, though not the only part, of this government’s commitment to address a serious existential issue for our country, for our economy and for our future. The Government of Canada has also respected the Parliamentary Budget Officer’s analysis, although it does not necessarily agree in all respects with every aspect of it.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, in amendment, I move:

That the motion be amended:

1.by replacing the words “at 3 p.m. on” by the words “at the later of 3 p.m. or the start of the Orders of the Day on”;

2.by replacing the words “65 minutes” by the words “45 minutes”; and

3.by replacing the last paragraph by the following:

“That, once the Senate starts sitting on June 14, 2023, committees not meet until the earlier of 5 p.m. or 15 minutes after the adjournment of the Senate, provided that the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs have power to meet as of 5 p.m. if the Senate has not adjourned by that time, with the provisions of rule 12-18(1) being suspended in relation thereto.”.