Senator Gold: I’m not going to repeat the same answers that I already gave several times to the same question. With all due respect, honourable senator, blaming a minister or the federal government for the sad and tragic rise in violence in our cities, in our suburbs, and in the jurisdictions of municipal or provincial police, such as here in Ottawa, is really going too far. I don’t even know what to say to that.

I’m just going to sit here in silence, because, quite frankly, that is really going too far.

[English]

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 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 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 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 Gold: Thank you for your question.

I hesitate only when I’m interrupted in my response by the other side, as I will continue to do.

The government has confidence in Minister Mendicino’s handling of the files. Again, the allegations and insinuations you’re making are not based upon the facts.

[Translation]

Senator Gold: Again, thank you for your question, and for underlining this important issue. I’ll repeat: The government is engaged with the larger question, and is grateful for whatever assistance can be provided in fighting the wildfires. In that regard, Canada has provided assistance to others, and will be grateful for any help that is forthcoming.

I will make the appropriate inquiries, senator — it’s an important issue. Thank you.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question.

With respect, I do not accept the premises of your question. The minister said that he was shocked, appalled and that it was unacceptable, and that is exactly true. It is also the case that his office was briefed, though he was not, some months before about the possibility that a transfer was being contemplated. It is equally true, as the minister acknowledged, that he was aware of it some days before he made that announcement.

There are reasons of privacy and security in these matters that led the minister to only publicly express his shock at this when it became public. So in that regard, the premise that he was not telling the truth is not well-founded.

As you know, and as I have stated here and as the minister has said, he has asked the Commissioner of Correctional Service Canada to review that decision, and that review is under way.

We continue to expect that convictions for serious crimes will result in serious punishments. My understanding is also that the Prime Minister and/or the minister will soon be addressing the issues of how the office handled the information in the months leading up to the public disclosure.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question. As I just said, the government has confidence in the minister, and he will continue to serve Canada in accordance with the mandate given to him by the Prime Minister.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question, senator. Colleagues, administration detention is a matter of last resort. The government knows well that much more needs to be done. It’s for that reason I’m advised that, through the National Immigration Detention Framework, the government is doing several things to address this important issue: One, it is introducing a ministerial directive to stop the housing of minors; two, importantly, it is expanding health services and overall conditions in immigration holding centres and, also importantly, reducing reliance on provincial facilities.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question, and for making the important link between the important work that the Canadian Armed Forces do in so many areas and, in particular, the work that they’re doing here to help us deal with historically high levels of devastating wildfires.

The Government of Canada is aware that it has a challenge with both recruitment and retention. It’s been addressed in this chamber on previous occasions, and it’s a matter that is actively being considered. That would include all measures in order to both attract and retain those in the Canadian Armed Forces, or as they change locations within the country.

With regard to your question, I will certainly bring that to the attention of the relevant minister.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): No, the answer is neither one nor the other, senator. You continue to assert that there are police stations operating in our home province without any basis for saying that — other than media reports. There may very well be; they are the subject of an ongoing RCMP investigation, as I’ve said on many occasions, and I will continue to remind the Senate of that each and every time you raise the question.

I’m not impatient, but that’s the answer, and that’s the answer that I will continue to give until such time as the results of the investigation are made public.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question and for your suggestions. As all members of the chamber know, and as all Canadians know, discussions are under way between the leaders of the opposition parties and the government with regard to the mandate for a public process, as well as the determination of what the public process should be, how it should be structured and, of course, who might lead that process. The Government of Canada is encouraged that the members of the opposition are working together. My understanding is that bilateral meetings are taking place, or are scheduled to take place, between the leaders of the two major parties — and it is the hope of the Government of Canada that we will soon have a consensus emerge amongst the parties in the other place so that the work can continue.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): The answer is no. First, when it comes to invoking the Emergencies Act, the report clearly stated that it was entirely justified. It is also true that the government made this decision based on a whole array of information from various sources, including information about the inability of police forces and others to manage a situation that was out of control, especially here in Ottawa.

I think that is the gist of the statements from Minister Mendicino that you cited.