The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Donald Kennedy, husband of the Honourable Senator Hartling.

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

The Hon. the Speaker: Pursuant to the order adopted by the Senate on December 7, 2021, Question Period will begin at 2:30 p.m.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of participants of Take Our Kids to Work Day.

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

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, it is now 2:30, and the Senate will proceed to Question Period. The minister has taken his seat, so we will now proceed.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, today we have with us for Question Period the Honourable Bill Blair, P.C., M.P., Minister of National Defence. On behalf of all senators, I welcome the minister.

Honourable senators, let me remind you that during Question Period with a minister the initial question is limited to 60 seconds, and the initial answer to 90 seconds, followed by one supplementary question of at most 45 seconds and an answer of 45 seconds. The reading clerk will stand 10 seconds before these times expire. Pursuant to the order adopted by the Senate, senators do not need to stand. Question Period will last 64 minutes.

[English]

The Hon. the Speaker: Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, the minister has arrived, and we will suspend until he is seated.

(The sitting of the Senate was suspended.)

(The sitting of the Senate was resumed.)

The Hon. the Speaker: Thank you, minister.

The Hon. the Speaker: Thank you, minister.

The Hon. the Speaker: Thank you, minister.

Honourable senators, the time for Question Period has expired.

[English]

I am certain you will join me in thanking Minister Blair for joining us today.

[Translation]

We will now resume the proceedings that were interrupted at the start of Question Period.

The Hon. the Speaker: Is leave granted, honourable senators?