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

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 Batters: Senator Gold, now that the Special Rapporteur has resigned, the bills will be flooding in for work done on his report.

First, there are the likely eye-watering legal fees for Liberal Party donor Sheila Block and her legal team from Bay Street firm Torys, especially given that, for some unknown reason, they are continuing to rack up sky-high billable hours until the end of June. There will also be money owed to Orchestra for their media relations advice. Taxpayers also are on the hook for paying Navigator, the crisis communications firm for their “communications advice and support.” I sure hope it wasn’t them who advised putting George Washington in a report about Beijing election interference and keeping the Trudeau Foundation out.

The bills are piling up, Senator Gold. How much has Trudeau’s failed attempt to crisis manage this election interference scandal cost Canadians in total? How much? Just the number, please.

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

[Translation]

Hon. Julie Miville-Dechêne: Senator Gold, according to a disturbing investigative report published in La Presse this weekend, 45% of the videos on Montreal-based Pornhub contain depictions of assault, choking or gagging, and 97% of the targets of these acts are women. The reporter interviewed a young man who became addicted to pornography at the age of eight and another whose sexual behaviour was impacted by his consumption of pornography in which girls were being beaten.

Senator Gold, why isn’t the government publicly supporting my Bill S-210, An Act to restrict young persons’ online access to sexually explicit material? This bill, now before the House of Commons, would require age verification.

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): 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.”.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, the question is as follows: It was moved by the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson:

That, in relation to Bill S-5, An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, to make related amendments to the Food and Drugs Act and to repeal the Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Virtual Elimination Act, the Senate agree to the amendments made by the House of Commons; and

That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that house accordingly.

Motion agreed to on the following division:

On the Order:

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Loffreda, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boehm, for the second reading of Bill C-47, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 28, 2023.