Senator Gold: Far from it. It means that a caucus as broad and diverse as the caucus of this government includes diverging interests and an openness to discussion aimed at reaching an appropriate solution under the circumstances.

Senator Gold: Of course, there are norms of international law and norms of humanitarian law. There are also norms that prohibit human shields or hidden weapons factories in schools and hospitals.

The Israeli army is facing an enemy that does not respect any norms of humanitarian or international law. This is a tragedy for all those who are victims of this war. However, we must be realistic and well informed before drawing conclusions.

[English]

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!

Senator Gold: Again, I am not really able to answer that question except to underline, as we all know, how challenging this particular circumstance is, given the position that the government and those in control of Afghanistan have taken — not only toward the outside world, but also with their citizens.

Senator Simons: I think it’s a matter of public record that the current Premier of Alberta does not intend to nominate people because she believes in the previous government’s senators-in-waiting election process. Does that mean that Albertans will be denied representation in the Senate until there is a change of government in Alberta, or does the government intend to do something to fill those seats?

Senator Klyne: That alert system is great for alerting some, but there’s a coordination of resources, communities and families that needs to take place. That is a void. We experienced that in Saskatchewan during that mass murder.

If the impasse with Meta is not resolved, does the government have ideas for the medium-term and long-term to fill the dire gap in local news access for these communities?

Senator Housakos: Well, you have axed the tax. You’ve paused it, but for a certain segment: Atlantic Canada regarding home heating. Your minister — Minister Hutchings — was on Question Period this weekend, and she said clearly that the only reason they’re doing the segmented cut is because they’re only helping Liberal voters in Liberal sectors of the country, and if the other parts and sectors of the country want the same kind of relief, they should be voting Liberal. Is that the position of this government, or will the Prime Minister and your government reel in this minister for either lying or telling the truth?

Senator Wells: Thank you. Let me explain.

The opportunity to defeat a report, and the amendments that came with it, at committee is part of the normal rules — you would know that. This is one avenue we can take. I think, if your amendment is valid and worthy of consideration by the chamber, it should be debated on that merit. If you would like to bring that amendment back at third reading, where everyone can have a chance to debate and discuss it, I think that’s the appropriate place to do it.

Hon. Bev Busson: Honourable senators, I give notice that, at the next sitting of the Senate, I will move:

That, notwithstanding the order of the Senate adopted on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, the date for the final report of the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans in relation to its study on Canada’s seal populations and their effect on Canada’s fisheries be extended from December 31, 2023, to March 31, 2024.

Hon. Salma Ataullahjan: Honourable senators, I rise today to speak on the lasting friendship between Canada and Bahrain. Bahrain is a Persian Gulf country, an island country that comprises 50 natural islands.

Our countries have enjoyed a collaborative relationship on issues such as regional security, trade and investment. In fact, our commercial relationship has grown in the past few years, as Bahrain is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Last June, I had the pleasure of launching the Canada-Bahrain Friendship Group, alongside a number of fellow senators and members of Parliament. His Excellency Shaikh Abdulla bin Rashed Al Khalifa, Ambassador of Bahrain, took this occasion to commend Canada’s stance in support of global peace and security and our commitment to security of maritime navigation through our participation in the joint forces.

I’m also happy to share that this year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Canada and Bahrain and a mutual desire for both our countries to foster deeper ties. I believe the new Friendship Group will prove to be a valuable space to achieve these goals. I look forward to our future collaboration.

Thank you.

Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Government leader, last Thursday, after eight long years, Prime Minister Trudeau finally admitted that he is not worth the cost. Common-sense Conservatives have been saying all along that the Prime Minister’s carbon tax makes everything more expensive. He finally agrees. The Prime Minister says he’ll axe the tax, but only on home heating oil and only until after the next election and only to try to save Liberal seats in Atlantic Canada.

Leader, why not go all the way? Why not axe the entire carbon tax so families all across Canada can afford to heat their homes, drive to work and feed themselves?

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of His Excellency Shaikh Abdulla bin Rashed Al Khalifa, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain. He is the guest of the Honourable Senator Ataullahjan.

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

Hon. Tony Loffreda: Honourable senators, I rise today to pay tribute to the Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association, or CIBPA.

Many Italian immigrants and their families, not unlike other immigrants, often struggled when they first reached our shores. Many would have difficulties fulfilling basic human needs such as finding appropriate shelter, buying groceries or securing employment.

It is against this backdrop that the first CIBPA chapter was founded in Montreal in 1949. Like its successors, including the Toronto chapter, the CIBPA’s main goal was to offer support for Italian immigrants who desperately wanted to integrate into Canadian society.

Today, with 10 chapters across the country, the CIBPA continues to promote and cultivate its members’ business, professional, cultural and social interests and serves as their local voice.

[Translation]

The Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association’s contributions extend well beyond the business community. It has a generous bursary program through which it invests in future generations of Italian Canadian leaders. The Montreal branch is holding its annual reception next month.

Suffice it to say that the association has been an integral part of the lives of Italian Canadians for more than seven decades, and its reputation as a pillar of our community is undeniable.

[English]

And on Friday evening, for the seventy-first time, the Toronto chapter hosted its annual President’s Ball. I had the honour of joining hundreds of guests for this black-tie event that gave us the opportunity to pay tribute to our rich history and to celebrate the many accomplishments of Italian Canadians.

One of the highlights of the evening was the awards ceremony, which saw six outstanding Canadians being recognized with a 2023 CIBPA award.

I wish to take a moment to congratulate the recipients.

The President’s Award was given to Dr. Gianluigi Bisleri, the Director for Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery at St. Michael’s Hospital.

Rocco Rossi received the Business Excellence Award for his work as President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

Professor Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano, Provost and Vice‑President of academic affairs at Toronto Metropolitan University, was awarded the Professional Excellence Award.

Victoria Mancinelli, Director at LiUNA, is this year’s Woman of the Year, while Carmen Principato, Assistant Business Manager at LiUNA, was honoured with the Community Award.

Finally, this year’s Next Generation Award went to Anthony Ricciardi, a multidisciplinary artist.

Honourable senators, please join me in congratulating this year’s recipients of the CIBPA awards and in extending our very best wishes to the entire CIBPA family for everything that they do for Canadians of Italian descent.

As the saying goes, what you do for yourself is forgotten and dies with you, but what you do for others is immortal and lasts forever.

Congratulations and thank you. Grazie.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Well, thank you for your question. It is not the intention of the government to axe the tax, as I’ve said on many occasions.

As many of us know, there are many challenges facing Canadians, and one of them is the cost of heating with oil. The cost is higher to heat with oil than other sources. Prices are more volatile, and folks don’t have the ability to switch to a heat pump. It’s a reality for many Canadians across the country, including Atlantic Canada. As you know if you live in the east, the percentage of folks in Atlantic Canada who heat with oil, as opposed to other sources, is much higher. That’s why the government is providing a 20% rural top-up to the Climate Action Incentive payments, giving people time and financial support to transition to more sustainable choices, such as heat pumps.

The Hon. the Speaker: Order. Senator Simons has the floor.

Please continue.

Hon. Marty Deacon: Honourable senators, last Wednesday was the two hundred and thirty-ninth anniversary of the Haldimand Treaty. On behalf of Chief Hill, this question goes to the Government Representative in the Senate.

Senator Gold, the Ontario Superior Court has rejected the motion of the Haudenosaunee Development Institute, or HDI, to intervene in the Six Nations of the Grand River band’s long‑standing action against Canada and Ontario. The Ontario Superior Court has also endorsed a timetable for the remaining pretrial steps in this action, which should see it ready to begin trial in early 2024.

Given that it has now been determined that the HDI will have no role at all in this litigation and given that the action is going to trial in the coming year, why has the federal government not yet taken any meaningful steps to enter into negotiations with the Six Nations of the Grand River to resolve this claim?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you. I don’t have the answer as to why all the seats are vacant, but I do know, as senators, of course, would know, that each province’s committee is made up of seats both nominated by or brought forward by the federal government and by the provincial government. In that regard, we all regret the delay in filling all vacant seats, and, indeed, I personally regret the fact that seats in certain provinces, those to which you have made reference, have not been fulfilled.

As colleagues would know, it is part of my regular representations to government to encourage that those seats be filled, and I’ll continue to make those representations.

Hon. Paula Simons: Honourable senators, I’m delighted to learn that five new colleagues will soon be joining us here in the Senate. I am delighted. They look like extremely qualified people to join us here in the Senate. I cannot help but notice, however, that there are still five vacancies in the Western Canadian block of senators, including two from Alberta. Alberta has not had a full complement of senators now for three and a half years. I’m not going to ask you today, Government Representative —

The Hon. the Speaker: Senator Gold.

Hon. Denise Batters: Senator Gold, we in Saskatchewan have long been keenly aware of the fundamental unfairness to rural Canadians of Trudeau’s punitive carbon tax scheme. We have fought against it for seven years. Now, the Trudeau government is giving a carbon-tax break only to those who use home heating oil, which, essentially, only applies in Atlantic Canada. Is this climbdown rooted in logic or common sense? Of course not. Even your so-called Minister of Rural Economic Development admits it’s for crass politics: They voted Liberal.

The Trudeau plan is to quadruple the carbon tax. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister thinks rural Canadians should be happy with the measly extra 10 bucks a month he just announced.

Saskatchewan has had enough. If Justin Trudeau won’t exempt Canadians who heat with natural gas, Premier Moe vows he will no longer collect the carbon tax for the federal government.

Senator Gold, when will your government do the right thing and axe the carbon tax on home heating for everyone on everything?