Hon. Ratna Omidvar moved second reading of Bill S-262, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (Oath of Citizenship).

(On motion of Senator Omidvar, debate adjourned.)

On Other Business, Senate Public Bills, Second Reading, Order No. 19:

Second reading of Bill S-263, An Act respecting the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking.

Hon. Dennis Glen Patterson: Honourable senators, I have the pleasure to rise today on Senator Klyne’s inquiry, which calls the attention of the Senate to the ongoing business and economic contributions made by Indigenous businesses to Canada’s economy.

I would like to begin by thanking Senator Klyne for the work he is doing to highlight the progress Indigenous people have made — and continue to make — across the country.

From coast to coast to coast, I have had the distinct pleasure of meeting many successful and pioneering Indigenous entrepreneurs. There is not enough time for me to highlight everyone, so I’d like to focus instead on Inuit firms and Inuit leaders who are blazing a trail in Nunavut.

We are lucky in our territory that the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, under Article 24, has clear requirements for the federal and territorial governments to “. . . provide reasonable support and assistance to Inuit firms . . . .”

On December 20, 2019, the Treasury Board issued a directive that ensures all government contracts, including real property leases, meet the government’s obligations under this article. The practical upshot of all of this has been the growth and development of Inuit firms that now have the resources and capacity to diversify their portfolios and ventures.

In each of the three regions, there is a regional Inuit association, or RIA, and each RIA has a development corporation. Each corporation serves as a conglomerate with a variety of subsidiaries that offer a variety of services from training and professional development to development of the fisheries. They offer services in support of mining and construction. All of these corporations also focus on renewable energy projects and telecommunications, and that is by no means an exhaustive list.

In the Baffin region — where I live — Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, or QC, is the development corporation. Under the visionary leadership of Mr. Harry Flaherty, QC is currently commissioning a new fishing vessel to add to their fleet — worth well over $100 million — from a shipbuilding contractor in Spain. They will continue to expand their fisheries and bring quality products, such as shrimp, char and turbot, to domestic and international markets.

The Inuit also own the Aqsarniit Hotel in Iqaluit, a striking hotel and conference centre that features large, well-appointed rooms and state-of-the-art conference delivery capacity in the territory’s capital. Those of you who have recently travelled to Nunavut may be aware of how difficult it is to book a room there, as it is always sold out.

With regard to energy, QC continues to pursue renewable energy solutions, such as the Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation’s current project to install 10 100-kilowatt wind turbines — which is anticipated to displace half the diesel fuel used annually for power in that windswept community in lower Hudson Bay — while also managing the Nunavut Petroleum Corporation in cooperation with another Inuit-owned firm, Nunasi Corporation.

In the central region, Sakku Investments Corporation is the development corporation for the Kivalliq Inuit Association. They have been focusing on major endeavours, such as pursuing the development of the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link to Manitoba through their subsidiary, Nukik Corporation.

In 2022, Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal stated:

The Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link is always top-of-mind as a key northern infrastructure priority. . . . The Government is well-positioned to deliver on its ambitious climate agenda and to build on the momentum that the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link project has made to date. . . .

This is a 100% Inuit-owned project that is projected to support the region by creating 13,650 person-years of employment during the construction phase. It will unlock the vast mineral potential of the region, including critical minerals, as reliable and cost-effective energy infrastructure is key to making these types of projects more economical.

Currently, the mining sector in this region alone generates more than $100 million in tax revenue annually, creating an added incentive to further projects that would grow that sector significantly. In 2019, Agnico Eagle, the major mining company in that region, spent $630 million on Inuit-owned businesses. According to Nukik Corporation, the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link project is estimated to generate revenues upward of $8 billion over 50 years, and would contribute $3 billion to the GDP during construction alone.

Headed by President and CEO David Kakuktinniq, Sakku bought and refurbished the Clarion, a former hotel in Winnipeg, and repurposed it as a medical boarding home. This 139-room building also boasts 40,000 feet of commercial space, event areas, a pool, spa and more. The amenities do much to support Kivalliq Inuit who must travel to Winnipeg for specialist appointments, surgeries, births, testing and other medical needs. It’s a major improvement over the former 44-room facility that hosted 120 beds.

The discomfort and displacement of Inuit who must travel for medical care is a tragic reality that all three regions face. This innovative solution is one that other regions are closely watching with the hopes of replicating it.

Here in Ottawa, another Inuit-owned facility, Larga Baffin, will soon begin construction on Hunt Club Road. The six-storey medical boarding home will have 220 rooms and 350 beds.

Last, but definitely not least, we come to the western region of Kitikmeot. I’ve always looked at this region as one with innovative leaders who have shown great vision through the years.

Last October, I had the pleasure of working alongside Inuit partners to host the Arctic Security and Sovereignty Summit in Iqaluit, which was attended by many of my Senate colleagues. Every speaker — from academics, to representatives of Inuit‑owned Nasittuq and Nunavut Tunngavik, to Natan Obed, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, or ITK — noted the same thing: that we need to make bold investments in support of the territory and Inuit.

More than once, we heard about the importance of multi-purpose, multi-user legacy infrastructure that would not only lead to better defence capabilities in the Arctic but support local entities and build strong, healthy communities throughout the North.

In the Kitikmeot region, the long-talked-about Grays Bay Road and Port Project is one such example. It is the continuation of a decades-long trend of visionary advocacy for the Bathurst Inlet Port and Road Project and now its new route to Grays Bay.

Colleagues, you have heard me waxing poetic about this project. I’m excited about it because of what it means to community resupply. An all-weather road that, once connected to its sister project in the Northwest Territories, would be Nunavut’s first connection to Canada’s highway system, making this a truly nation-building project. It would be the first deepwater port on Canada’s western Arctic coast, meaning better year-round access to essential goods, breaking the reliance of Kitikmeot communities on cargo planes — which can become unreliable due to weather — and barges that must be booked far in advance and increasingly have trouble navigating the Mackenzie River, which is drying up due to climate change.

Most important, it will provide a deepwater port for our navy and allied navies on the Arctic coast, and a road to tidewater through the resource-rich Slave Geological Province will make numerous base metal and critical mineral projects at known deposits viable.

Inuit partners are currently working with a new proponent to bring this project to life, and I look forward to sharing more news about this nation-building project in the near future.

The RIA’s development corporation, Kitikmeot Corporation, or KC, is ably led by Mr. David Omilgoitok; he has helped KC develop an impressive and diverse portfolio. They are currently exploring potential wind energy in the territory and have built strategic partnerships to advance these initiatives. They have also partnered with southern firms to proactively train Inuit youth so they can take on jobs that will become available in the next few years, once both of the mines being developed become operational.

Honourable senators, one of the things I greatly admire about Inuit is the way they work collaboratively toward a shared goal or vision. The Nunavut Construction Corporation, or NCC, is 100% Inuit owned, and its shareholders include Nunasi Corporation, Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, Sakku Investments Corporation and Kitikmeot Corporation. NCC works on development projects across the territory and has recently partnered with the Government of Nunavut on its ambitious and laudable Nunavut 3000 initiative. The Government of Nunavut has contracted NCC to build 150 public housing units for $600 per square foot — for a total of $105 million — in the coming year. Over the years, via Nunavut 3000, NCC will build 2,000 of the 3,000 much-needed new housing units planned for Nunavut. This will cover everything from transitional and supportive housing to elder care facilities to affordable and market housing.

We are all keenly aware of the housing crisis facing all Canadians. It is more acute and pronounced in Indigenous communities that already struggle with overcrowding.

Inuit-owned businesses are also servicing Nunavut’s rapidly growing mining sector, a main driver of Nunavut’s economy, and GDP growth is forecast to increase by over 13% in the coming year.

Since its start, Baffinland’s Mary River Mine on north Baffin Island has provided over $1 billion worth of business to Inuit‑owned businesses and joint ventures in the region of Qikiqtaaluk, Baffin.

Colleagues, I’ve outlined a massive contribution of Nunavut Inuit to the Canadian economy, and it’s only the tip of the iceberg. There is no way I could highlight all the deserving and noteworthy accomplishments of Inuit businesspeople in only 15 minutes, so I will end there but invite you to keep your eyes on Nunavut and, whenever you have a chance, speak to Nunavummiut if you are interested in learning more about their amazing accomplishments and the exciting new initiatives they are leading.

Thank you. Qujannamiik.

(On motion of Senator Clement, debate adjourned.)

Hon. Robert Black rose pursuant to notice of September 26, 2023:

That he will call the attention of the Senate to the ongoing concerns with respect to Canadian agricultural, wetland, and forest land reallotments, as well as potential food, economic, and social insecurities as a result of reduced capacity for farming, pasture, forestry, and food production both domestically and internationally.

He said: Honourable senators, I rise today to speak to my Inquiry No. 16, calling the attention of the Senate to ongoing concerns regarding Canadian agricultural, wetland and forest land reallotments, as well as potential food, economic and social insecurities as a result of reduced capacity for farming, pasture, forestry and food production — both domestically and internationally.

Colleagues, this is a critical issue that affects people all over the world: land-use management for food security and agricultural use.

In a world grappling with the challenges of feeding a growing population, Canada has the unique opportunity and responsibility to not only sustainably feed its own people but contribute to the global effort to eradicate hunger.

As we navigate the complexities of supply chains, the rising cost of food and the pressing need for housing, it is crucial that we take decisive action to ensure the optimal use of our land resources.

Canada continues to be an agricultural production powerhouse, with vast stretches of fertile land capable of producing abundant crops and sustaining livestock. In recent years, however, we have witnessed significant changes in our agricultural landscape. Urbanization, industrialization and changing climate patterns have impacted our traditional agricultural regions, highlighting the need to lay the groundwork for a thoughtful and strategic pan-Canadian approach to land-use management.

First of all, fellow senators, let us consider the issue of food security. While Canada has enjoyed a relatively stable food supply, we must not become complacent. Food costs are rising. Population numbers are increasing, placing demand on our agricultural industry. This increasing global population combined with unpredictable weather patterns and the degradation of arable land post significant challenges to food production worldwide. As a nation, we must seize the opportunity to ensure and enhance our food security and become a global leader in sustainable agriculture. Removing land from agriculture will only decrease food security.

To achieve this, we must prioritize the protection of agricultural land and promote its efficient use. Preserving our prime agricultural areas from growing urban development is essential. We need to implement strong land-use policies and zoning regulations to ensure the protection of our agricultural heritage while providing the necessary framework for sustainable growth and fulfilling the needs of our own increasing population.

Honourable colleagues, I am not the only one concerned about the removal of prime agricultural lands, wetlands and forest lands for development. In a May 30 viewpoint, Ontario Federation of Agriculture President Peggy Brekveld says:

We understand — and support — the need to increase the housing supply in Ontario, but we also want to ensure that housing is developed without encroaching on Ontario’s farmland, which is our most precious natural resource.

Across Canada, colleagues, we are losing our arable, fruitful agricultural land due to a variety of factors, but urban development has been a serious concern for the industry for many years. In fact, in our Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry soil study, we’ve heard time and again that when topsoil is destroyed, it’s basically gone forever because it can take thousands and thousands of years to build back up. With a growing population and growing economy, removing arable farmland for development is a cost we just cannot afford.

I want to acknowledge that land-use planning falls under the provincial jurisdiction in Canada. However, from an agricultural perspective, it is imperative that we protect our farmlands and production capabilities. We need to cohesively collaborate among federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments to address the challenges we face in securing our food supply both domestically and globally. This cross-jurisdictional collaboration will also help with future land-use planning, development and urban sprawl.

As we acknowledge the importance of respecting our various jurisdictions, we must also recognize the interdependence of our provinces and territories in ensuring a robust and sustainable agricultural sector. We must foster cooperation, share best practices and implement cohesive policies that address the varying agricultural needs and challenges across this nation. This collaborative approach will ensure that our collective efforts are aligned, reinforcing the protection of our farmlands, wetlands and forest lands while securing our food production capacities for future generations and still ensuring growth and development for a rising population.

Furthermore, we need a comprehensive agricultural policy that takes into account the diverse agricultural landscapes and production capacities across Canada. Our nation encompasses a range of climatic conditions, soil types and farming practices, from the orchards of British Columbia to the fertile plains of the Prairies to the dairy farms of Quebec and the potato farms in P.E.I. Recognizing these unique regional characteristics, the federal government can play a pivotal role in coordinating efforts to maximize the potential of our agricultural sector, while at the same time preserving our natural resources and meeting the needs of our growing and increasing population.

Moreover, the adoption of innovative farming practices that maximize yields while minimizing environmental impact would aid in food security, and the increase in yields equals more productive land. Embracing technological advancements such as precision agriculture, hydroponics and vertical farming can significantly increase productivity while reducing resource consumption. By investing in research development and implementation, we can ensure our farmers will adopt these practices and thus empower them to produce more food with fewer resources.

However, sustainable agricultural practices alone are not enough to ensure food security. We must also address the challenges presented by the intricate web of supply chains. Canada is a vast country, and the efficient movement of goods from farm to table is crucial. We must invest in infrastructure and transportation networks that facilitate the timely and cost‑effective delivery of agricultural products to consumers. By bolstering our supply chains, we can reduce waste, minimize spoilage and ensure that fresh and nutritious food reaches every corner of our nation. Additionally, we need to consider the rising cost of food, which has become a significant concern for many Canadians.

A combination of factors, including inflation, transportation costs and global market forces, among other factors, have contributed to the escalating prices of essential food items. As legislators, it is our duty to address this issue and alleviate the burden on Canadian households. One way of addressing the rising cost of food is by enhancing local food production. By supporting small-scale and urban farming initiatives, we can reduce our reliance on imported goods and services and create a more resilient food system. Encouraging community gardens and rooftop farms and promoting farmers’ markets can help strengthen local economies, foster social cooperation and provide affordable fresh produce for all Canadians.

Furthermore, we must work towards eliminating barriers in the supply chain that contribute to higher food prices. By reducing unnecessary regulations, promoting fair competition and encouraging cooperation among stakeholders, we can create a more efficient and transparent system that benefits both producers and consumers.

While prioritizing food security, I understand that we must also recognize and act upon the need for housing in our rapidly growing urban centres. As our population expands, and cities become denser, we face the challenge of balancing the demand for housing with the need to preserve agricultural land. We must adopt innovative land-use strategies that promote densification, mixed-use development and sustainable urban planning. Vertical housing is feasible as opposed to creating more urban sprawl that affects farmland across the country. By creating vibrant and livable communities, we can strike a balance between housing needs and the preservation of agricultural land. However, this can only be done when land-use planning takes into account food security, land fertility and other things — and only when all levels of government are involved in decisions and discussions.

In conclusion, colleagues, Canada has a pivotal role to play in securing global food supplies while meeting the needs of its own citizens. By effectively managing our land resources, protecting prime agricultural areas and embracing sustainable farming practices, we can enhance our food security and contribute to the feeding of the world. Simultaneously, we must address the challenges posed by complex supply chains, rising food costs and the need for housing. Through collaborative efforts, innovation and strategic policy interventions, I am confident we can forge a path towards a prosperous, sustainable and food-secure future in Canada and around the world.

We must do all we can to stop the removal of farmable, arable land for urban development, and I hope this inquiry will spark further discussion here in the chamber, among my honourable colleagues, in the other place and among all levels of government. After all, as described by the Honourable Senator Gold in a response to my question on May 9, 2023, on urban land sprawl:

 . . . the government recognizes the vital importance of a resilient agricultural and agri-food sector, including the need to preserve and protect farmland.

It’s time, colleagues, for the government to put up and start recognizing this need indeed.

Thank you, honourable colleagues, for your attention and dedication to this vital matter that will affect you and me, our families, our children, our grandchildren and our great‑grandchildren if we don’t do something now. Together, let us rise to the occasion and shape a brighter future for our nation and the world before we lose more agricultural land to ill-conceived plans regarding land-use planning across this country.

Thank you. Meegwetch.

(On motion of Senator Burey, debate adjourned.)

(At 4:59 p.m., the Senate was continued until Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at 2 p.m.)