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.

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: 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 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 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]

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 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.