Senator Gold: The government is well aware of the challenges facing applicants in the immigration process. Minister Miller is known for his frankness and for not mincing his words, if I can put it that way. I will speak with him about Mr. Croz’s case.

Senator Gold: Thank you, senator, for the question.

I was informed that this program provides refugees with income support and settlement assistance for 12 months through the Resettlement Assistance Program, and that the Rainbow Railroad is one of the organizations involved in this effort.

The government is open to improving its intake process, and I will be happy to pass along your comments to the government.

Senator Gold: I am not a part of the government, though I represent them here in the Senate. I really have no comments to make as to what is done in the other place vis-à-vis controlling members of any caucus, Liberal or otherwise.

The fact remains, as I said, that the policy of the government remains and it’s one that the government will continue to pursue.

[Translation]

Senator Gold: As the minister announced today, we are expecting concrete action from the five major chains with proposals to lower the cost of groceries for Canadians. The minister has also been in touch, as he was encouraged to do so by business groups, with other important players in the chain. This is about concrete action with those responsible for food prices, and that’s what the government is doing.

Senator Gold: Again, the government will work in partnership with Saskatchewan to address this. It is in the interest of all Canadians regardless of where we all live. Indeed, the Government of Canada knows that carbon management technologies — and there are a range of such approaches — are important tools in the broader toolbox that we all need to work with to reduce or remove emissions. Canada’s Carbon Management Strategy, released just last month, aims to support the deployment of such strategies, and the government will work with the province to that effect.

Senator Gold: I take your suggestion seriously, and we will discuss it quickly.

Senator Gold: Again, I’ll simply repeat. The government is taking its management of the economy — to the extent that it has a role, which it does — seriously and responsibly, and that’s why Canada continues to perform well in these very tumultuous times. Importantly, the government is doing its part to help Canadians who — despite macroeconomic indicators and all the responses — are suffering, the government knows Canadians are suffering and the government is there to assist in the best way it can.

Senator Gold: Thank you.

I understand the concern. It’s an important program and important that the money be flowing. I will communicate the specifics of your request.

I don’t have information on the timeline, but the government shares the common goal of having the Canada disability benefit running as soon as possible. The government knows that the disability community is counting on it to deliver.

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question. The government is pursuing policies, programs and investments to help Canadians through these difficult times. I have outlined them on many occasions in this chamber, and, with the time allocated to me, I will not repeat myself. I will leave it for you to repeat the same question over and over again. I’m afraid that the facts and my answers will speak for themselves.

Senator Gold: Thank you for your supplementary question. I’m not in a position to answer the specific question, but I can assure you and those in this chamber that the government knows how fundamentally important it is that data be collected and analyzed in order to inform the next steps going forward.

Senator Gold: Well, I certainly hope, Senator Plett, before you and I both have to leave this august chamber that more of your questions will be answered. I am doing what I can do to bring this issue to the attention of the government. It does not serve any of us well for the Senate to be frustrated in that regard. As a representative of the Senate to the government, I will continue to pass that message on.

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question. I cannot, of course, comment on specific cases, but I will certainly take your concerns and legitimate questions to the attention of the minister.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. The problems of food insecurity facing Canadians are very serious, and that’s why the government has put in place many measures in order to address this, such as an initial commitment from Canada’s five top grocers to take concrete action to stabilize prices. The government is taking measures to strengthen the Office of Consumer Affairs. The government is also calling on all grocers to adopt a grocery code of conduct to improve transparency in the industry, and it will also improve the availability and accessibility of data on food prices and a cost breakdown throughout the food chain.

Indeed, as I think I’ve mentioned before and I will mention again, we will be studying Bill C-56 in due course, where important improvements to the competition law are being introduced. All of these measures will be important steps towards helping Canadians deal with this crisis.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you, senator, for raising this question.

I’m advised that the ongoing consultations that the government is and continues to do build upon the government’s work over the past several years. This work included — and continues to include — collaboration with the provinces and territories, as well as extensive, high-quality engagement with organizations and persons with disabilities from a wide variety of backgrounds and circumstances.

In the spirit of Nothing Without Us, the government is committed to meaningful engagement that allows all offices to be heard.

So, with regard to your question, I will raise that particular concern with the minister and am sure it will be well received.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): The assurance I can give you, Senator Housakos, is that all measures the government has in place were designed to protect Canadians, to facilitate entry into Canada and provide security for both those who enter and those who receive them. It is inappropriate and unseemly to allege or insinuate that this was about lining pockets. This was about protecting Canadians and doing the responsible thing in times of great crisis.

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

Every province has unique challenges, as we all know, in terms of contributing to our transition to a cleaner economy. Thank you for underlining the commitment the federal government has made — $80 billion — to support this.

What the Government of Canada has been and will continue doing is work with its partners — the provinces. It is not the intention of this government to unilaterally assume it knows best, whether for the government or people of Saskatchewan or those of any other province.

The Government of Canada looks forward to working collaboratively with the Province of Saskatchewan and the sectors within the province who have the expertise close to the ground in order to deliver on the promise, premise and importance of cleaner, more sustainable energy for the people of Saskatchewan.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you, Senator Tannas, for the question and for the very interesting suggestion.

I will certainly discuss it, not only with my team but with other leaders — you, of course, being one of them. We will see where we land on that. Thank you for that. I appreciate it.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question, senator, and thank you for continuing to raise this issue, having sponsored Bill C-47 — which you did in exemplary fashion.

I understand the pilot project was based upon the report of the Supply Chain Task Force from late 2022 that was aimed at supporting shippers in the Prairie provinces. My understanding is also that the pilot was expected to begin in September 2023, but I don’t have more details on it at this juncture. When the results of the pilot project are known, I’m sure that the results will inform the next steps taken nationally.

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

Canada is concerned about the treatment of people who identify as 2SLGBTQI+ and who are fleeing violence in their country or living in unacceptable conditions. That is why the Government of Canada is working closely with organizations such as Rainbow Refugee, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other organizations to help sponsor 2SLGBTQI+ refugees from abroad.

I’m told that Canada supports at least 55 service providers that help refugees feel at home in Canada. Canada will continue to ensure that 2SLGBTQI+ refugees are safe and supported.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): The Government of Canada continues to believe that the price on pollution is a necessary and important component in its overall strategy to address climate change. It has put into place measures that provide returns to individuals, depending on their province and their circumstances, that offset the impact of the price on pollution. In this regard, the Government of Canada remains committed to doing everything that it can do in partnership with the provinces, the territories and with industry to address the existential crisis that carbon-driven emissions pose to our well-being and, indeed, to our planet.