Senator Cordy: Senator Plett, the Speaker is standing.

[Translation]

Hon. Marty Deacon: Honourable senators, I rise to speak about the twenty-fourth annual memorial service for parliamentarians who passed away over the last sitting year. Last Monday morning, 29 parliamentarians were honoured, and I was honoured to learn of this memorial service and attend after three years of no in-person memorial.

It was amazing to read and listen to the contributions of every one of those 29 individuals. Within an hour, their lives were shared and their families were acknowledged for the important part each parliamentarian played as they travelled to Ottawa and spent time away from home — the cost of serving Canadians in public service.

For me, there were a few special moments. First, our new Speaker delivered a wonderful, warm message for and on behalf of families. The Ottawa Children’s Choir performed four beautiful pieces, with their last piece being the singing of the royal anthem, “God Save The King.” It made me reflect on the new leadership of the monarchy, and it was sung so wonderfully. The Central Band of the Canadian Forces brought six of their fine string musicians, and they were joined by their piper for a few pieces. They also performed from the balcony alongside the Ottawa Children’s Choir.

Equally remarkable was the opportunity just to observe family and friends. With chairs lined up in the middle of the Senate and our Senate seats absolutely full, it was clear that most, if not all, had never been in this Red Chamber. They were taken by the decor, the traditions and the history. The Usher of the Black Rod, our pages and our staff were all there to ensure every protocol was followed, and this memorial went on as a top-notch event. I was reminded that yes, this is June. While we run about to do our work in the Senate, and while we embark on this silly season, our staff continues with so many other events — not just us. Today, I thank all of you who put this very special event together.

Following the memorial, a reception was held in the senators’ lounge. Again, there were many questions and many opportunities to meet families and learn more about their lost loved ones. It was not lost on me that one day everyone sitting here in the Senate will pass through this life as these 29 parliamentarians have. It is a very special moment at the end of the service when each name is called and the family members stand — one that I will never forget.

To finish, I would like to share words spoken by the daughter of MP John Mercer Reid that closed this memorial, originally spoken by Lord Minto, Canada’s eighth Governor General:

Canadian men and women have made history and are still making history every day, but the present generation have more time than of the old to write and to read it. I hope they will do this over and over again. They will find something in it to be proud of and now the time has come when they can afford to embellish the inheritance of their cities, to help that of which is struggling to the surface in art and literature, cherishing I hope all that is so characteristically Canadian and preserving it from levelling influences of a struggling world.

Thank you, meegwetch.

Senator Cardozo: Thank you for that, Senator Gold. I’d like to follow up by saying that I think it is vital that the inquiry be comprehensive in at least two ways: It looks at foreign interference from any and all countries, whether it’s China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, Venezuela or any others. And it looks at all forms of interference, whether it’s political, economic, academic, scientific, communications, hi-tech or matters of immigration and international affairs.

Can you encourage the government to ensure that we have a broad and comprehensive review that looks at not only the issues that we face right now, but also the future of a problem that is increasingly becoming an issue for all countries to be concerned about in the years ahead?

Senator Gold: Respectfully, there’s a difference between a straight answer and an answer that doesn’t suit your desires. I’ve given the answers on many occasions.

With regard to the allegations about illegal police stations, as I said on other occasions, it may very well be the case, and we will not know until the investigation is completed and made public that certain activities taking place in one or more places, whether in Quebec or elsewhere, were indeed illegal and were indeed shut down and may or may not have returned. I never heard it said, honourable colleague, that every person and every program and every room in every one of these places were all dedicated to illegal activities.

Second, if you are implying that it would have been appropriate for the Minister of Public Safety to direct Correctional Service Canada as to how to deal with the incarceration of Mr. Bernardo or anyone else, that would be to betray — with all due respect, either a misunderstanding of the appropriate independence of Correctional Service from direction from the minister or a desire to see political manipulation of the Correctional Service, which would be inappropriate in a democratic country.

[Translation]

Senator Plett: Your Honour, if I could, please. First of all, it is not allowed to make a point of order during Routine Proceedings.

Hon. David M. Arnot: Honourable senators, in Saskatchewan and many other provinces, reference is often made to specific treaty territories and the homeland of the Métis. One can, however, have a homeland but not a home. Adequate and affordable housing is often out of reach for many Indigenous people in Canada. I am pleased to report that there is a Métis-led organization working to put adequate housing within the grasp of people who all too often have been marginalized based on their Indigenous identity, income and disability.

On May 26 in Saskatoon, Camponi Housing, in partnership with the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan, broke ground for a brand new community housing complex. Camponi’s mission is to provide, “Healthy homes supporting strong communities.” This community housing is much more than creating a building; the investment is about the people that will live in this new complex — 150-plus families.

The United Nations International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights asserts that the right to housing should be seen as the right to live somewhere in security, peace and dignity, and be linked to the inherent dignity of the human person.

Because this is a Métis-led project, it is also about responding to old policies, practices and beliefs that limited, hurt and harmed Métis and Indigenous people. Fundamentally, this project partnership is a demonstration of reconciliation and inclusion. This vision is intentional. Uniquely, the residents and stakeholders have been part of the planning process right from the beginning. Individual and family needs are being considered in a holistic fashion.

Where necessary, people who have never been a tenant or who have had struggles renting will be offered a renter’s education program to learn about their rights and responsibilities. Wraparound social supports will be available to those who need them.

This is the essence of community building. It is about the responsibility to others, respect for others and honouring the rights of others. It is about affirming citizenship through a restorative justice approach, one that re-establishes and affirms the relationship between peoples and communities.

Honourable senators, Camponi has a great track record of providing housing to Métis and Indigenous people for over 50 years in Saskatchewan. The secret to that success is having strong, dedicated leadership. I acknowledge and thank the trustees for their committed stewardship: Angela Bishop, Doug Richardson and Ron Rivard as well as the chair, Mercy Ohirko.

Senators, please join me in recognizing the new Camponi multi-housing complex as an exemplar of Indigenous-led reconciliation in Saskatchewan.

Thank you.

Senator Dupuis: I have a supplementary question. There is a list of recognized community media for every region of Quebec on the Government of Quebec site. It is possible that similar lists exist in the other provinces and territories. Will the committee follow up with the company selected to ensure the media services in order to check whether these communication tools are available elsewhere in the country?

Senator Pate: Thank you for that response, Senator Gold.

What timeline do you see for the end of the use of the provincial jails for immigration detention?

Senator Housakos: First and foremost, it’s the minister himself who has confirmed that these stations are operating in Canada, and he’s been misleading Parliament about what he has or hasn’t done about it. That is what the problem is here. Again, I repeat, it’s either incompetence on the part of the minister or his staff, or he’s deliberately misleading Parliament.

The next question that bears to be asked is whether this is the reason why the minister is dragging his feet in putting into place a foreign registry, a foreign registry that if the minister and government were serious about would have already been put in place. There’s a piece of legislation sitting in this very chamber that the government is dragging its feet on and doing nothing about. It’s very simple.

Either way, when will someone be fired for the absolutely disgraceful handling of numerous files by this minister? We see a foreign registry not in place. We see illegal police stations operating in our land. We see a brutal murderer in this country being sent to a minimum-security situation just because the minister isn’t doing his job and protecting the interests of public security in this country. We can’t get a straight answer in this chamber from the Government Representative/leader.

Senator Boisvenu: Senator Gold, I have to say that I no longer have any confidence in the minister, especially when it comes to his dealings with victims of crime. In recent months, I asked Minister Mendicino about his commitment to respecting the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights as it pertains to the families of the victims of the massacre in Portapique, Nova Scotia.

I met with those families and the Savoie family from New Brunswick, whose only daughter was killed. All I got from the minister were empty words. Worse still, he did not respond to any of the letters that I sent him. Minister Mendicino is incapable of working with victims of crime and has not shown any sympathy for or interest in the victims and their families. Why is he still the minister?

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of the team from the Dollywood Foundation of Canada and North America, The Waltons Trust and the NWT Literacy Council. They are the guests of the Honourable Senator Ravalia.

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

Senator Gold: Thank you for that question.

I don’t have an answer to that. I’ll certainly make inquiries in an effort to determine how things are progressing.

Senator Moncion: Thank you for the supplementary question. Thank you for your suggestions. I will bring them to the attention of the communications service to ask it to expand access and check capabilities. I will then come back to you with an answer. I sincerely thank you for the question.

[English]

Senator Gold: Again, thank you for your question and suggestions. Both the Government of Canada and the intelligence agencies have been aware — for some time — that this is a problem that is growing and a matter of great concern. That’s evidenced in reports issued by NSICOP statements and other statements, and, of course, it was also noted and underlined in the Honourable David Johnston’s report.

This stage of the process is one in which the representatives of all political parties of the other place are seized with the obligation to arrive at a common understanding of the mandate in the process, and the government hopes that it will bear fruit as soon as possible.

Senator Plett: I’m sorry.

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question. I repeat that he was appointed as minister by the Prime Minister, who has confidence in him, and he will continue to serve as minister according to the terms of his engagement and mandate.

Senator Plett: Your Honour, if I could make one comment, not with regard to what I did.

Senator Downe: The Speaker is standing. Sit down.

Senator Carignan: Leader, the problem is that he lied to the House of Commons and to Canadians. What is more, Canada is seeing a record number of police officers killed in the line of duty, shootings in the middle of the day, senseless killings on public transportation, in parks and on the streets, a record number of femicides and a rising crime rate. What is the minister doing? He is just shrugging his shoulders. We have a minister who lied to the House of Commons, who is lying to Canadians and who has also shown that he is incompetent. What is the Prime Minister waiting for? When will he dismiss the minister?

Hon. Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia: Honourable senators, I rise today to recognize the meaningful work of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library as well as the very exciting expansion of this initiative to my home province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Imagination Library is the main program provided by Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Foundation, which was founded by the legendary musician in 1995 to honour her father who could not read or write. The program seeks to promote early childhood literacy and a love for reading by gifting children a book at no cost every month during their first five years of life. The books are carefully selected by developmental professionals and are age appropriate for the children receiving them. Since the program’s initiation, over 174 million books have been mailed to children in five countries, with 1.9 million books being mailed to children every month.

After learning that Newfoundland and Labrador had not yet been involved in the Imagination Library program, Carolyn Clarke, a member of my community and a devoted educator, championed the efforts herself to find sponsors in the Twillingate, New World Island and Boyd’s Cove areas. It is now reported that 90% of children in our communities have been successfully registered for the program and have already received their first book. She has received invaluable support from Renee Sherstobetoff, who is also a fellow Newfoundlander.

The Imagination Library program in Newfoundland and Labrador is now set to expand across the province after The Waltons Trust provided a generous gift that will make it possible for the children all across my province to have access to these gifted books. This is made possible with the integral support of Senior Regional Director Jeanne Smitiuch and her team.

Honourable senators, I know we can all agree on the importance of childhood literacy development and encouragement of reading habits early on in a person’s life and health. I encourage everyone who is interested in exploring the work of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to visit their website to learn more.

I’d like to thank and recognize our former Senate colleague Diane Griffin, whose passionate advocacy led to Prince Edward Island being the first in Canada to launch this program as a province-wide initiative. Her tremendous efforts continue to impact the lives of many as she writes her next chapter, and we miss her dearly. Thank you to Nora Briggs from The Dollywood Foundation U.S.A., The Waltons Trust and the Northwest Territories Literacy Council for your ongoing commitment to childhood literacy, development and to our future.

Perhaps what saddens me the most today is that “Jolene” could not be here; she, unfortunately, did take off with her man. Thank you, meegwetch.