Senator Busson: Thank you, Minister Blair. As you know, many spouses, both male and female, face difficult financial distress, even homelessness, because of this rule. I hope you will take a personal commitment to make sure that this is properly addressed by your government and by Veterans Affairs.

Senator Housakos: With all the questions being asked, and with the RCMP’s investigation and the Auditor General’s investigation being launched on this issue, you’re telling me that you’ll look for the information. How many outsourcing firms run programs for the Department of National Defence? For example, who runs the medical services for the Department of National Defence? Is that done in-house, or is that contracted out? If it’s contracted out, can you please tell us to whom, minister? When you do contract out our services at National Defence, how many are awarded without tender or through selective tendering? These are questions that should be easily answered by a minister of the Crown. How many contracts have been awarded to Dalian by the Department of National Defence either without tender or through some kind of selective tender?

If you have questions about any particular contract that National Defence may be involved in, I’ll make sure that you receive that information. I didn’t bring with me today and do not have direct knowledge of the contracts that you speak of, so I don’t want to speculate. I certainly wouldn’t give you any information of which I was uncertain.

Senator Loffreda: Minister, does your biggest concern lie in recruitment? How imperative or arduous is the task of fleet renewal given what we are experiencing with the budget cuts?

The priority is all of those things.

You mentioned the fleet. Making sure our people have the right equipment, access to the appropriate kit and in circumstances where there is an aging fleet, for example, either a motor vehicle or air platform —

On the Order:

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson, for the third reading of Bill C-48, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (bail reform), as amended.

On the Order:

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Downe, seconded by the Honourable Senator Black, for the third reading of Bill C-42, An Act to amend the Canada Business Corporations Act and to make consequential and related amendments to other Acts.

Senator Plett: You, in fact, have been very clear, minister. Thank you.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs still hasn’t taken down her statement about the bombing of the hospital in Gaza, which she posted when the media was reporting that Hamas claimed that Israel was responsible. I would hope that Minister Joly is aware of her government’s findings and your statement by now.

Minister, why do you think she has not retracted this statement? She has had 12 days to do so. Failing to delete this post is a deliberate choice on her part, minister — is it not?

Senator Marshall: On March 8 — so that was eight months ago — officials from your department told the Senate National Finance Committee, of which I am a member, that the updated policy would be released very soon. That was the term we were told. They said, “very soon.” However, we have yet to see it. The Parliamentary Budget Officer has also reported that the Trudeau government has underfunded the policy’s capital investment plan, which accompanies Strong, Secure, Engaged.

Will you commit to releasing the updated defence policy and the capital investment plan before the end of 2023?

On the Order:

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson, for the third reading of Bill C-48, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (bail reform), as amended.

Senator Loffreda: In a letter to your staff on July 27, you committed to establishing a meaningful culture change where people in uniform feel protected, respected and empowered to serve. Beyond commemorative events and modernizing the application process, I believe recruitment and retention success for the forces depends heavily on this culture change. Can you speak about your efforts in this area and what you have undertaken more precisely to improve the diversity of the Canadian Armed Forces?

Diversity is a priority for me, and we are taking significant steps. I have been working closely with the External Monitor — I met with her this morning for almost an hour — and I have had conversations with Madame Arbour with respect to the implementation of her 48 recommendations. I want to also assure you that in all of my work with the Chief of Defence Staff and his staff, they are resolute and committed to cultural change and to creating an inclusive, respectful and safe work environment for every member of their service. We have much more to report on it.

On the Order:

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Gold, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson, for the third reading of Bill C-48, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (bail reform), as amended.

Hon. Victor Oh: Honourable senators, I rise today to speak at third reading of Bill C-42, An Act to amend the Canada Business Corporations Act and to make consequential and related amendments to other Acts.

This bill aims to safeguard Canadians from the threats of money laundering and terrorist financing, discourage tax evasion and avoidance and maintain Canada’s reputation as a favourable destination for conducting business. To meet those objectives, the government is implementing a publicly accessible beneficial ownership registry of corporations governed under the Canada Business Corporations Act, or CBCA.

Experts believe that this legislation will have a substantial impact on discouraging money laundering within the country. Internationally, among anti-corruption organizations, and notably among facilitators and criminals, Canada has gained a reputation as the “snow-washing” destination of the world. Right now, according to a Canadian Security Intelligence Service 2020 report, it’s estimated that $45 billion to $113 billion is laundered annually in Canada.

Bill C-42 will dispel that perception and will deter criminals who wish to take advantage of corporations governed under the CBCA. Transnational criminal groups will need to reconsider their shareholding structures or their strategies before infiltrating Canada’s economy. We need to put an end to those who seek to exploit Canada as a haven for their criminal activities.

The publicly available beneficial ownership registry proposed in Bill C-42 aligns with the practices of the G20 and Five Eyes nations. If Canada were to pass this legislation, as indicated by experts in committee, the country would make substantial progress on the global stage regarding beneficial ownership regulation.

Similar actions have already been taken in jurisdictions around the world. Among the Five Eyes nations, the implementation of this registry would place Canada on the same level as the United Kingdom and New Zealand, both of which are establishing publicly accessible registries. Additionally, Australia is also committed to developing a publicly accessible registry. Canada’s new public registry would be on par with what our allies have developed. This would ensure interoperability.

Bill C-42 is critically necessary to make a true difference in the fight against illicit financial activities around the world. However, there are some issues to consider when implementing a system of this nature.

First, the public disclosure of an individual’s information can raise concerns regarding privacy and the protection of personal security rights. I highlighted this issue as one that needed to be examined in committee during my previous speech. In fact, privacy and personal security rights were the reason a similar public registry in Europe was held to be invalid by the Court of Justice of the European Union in 2022. This highlights the implications that a public registry can have on beneficial owners’ rights and the balance between the public’s right to information and an individual’s right to privacy.

Second, interoperability on an international scale is important to detect the complex structures used by criminals. However, we need to make sure the registry is truly pan-Canadian with the inclusion of provincially and territorially incorporated corporations. If provinces and territories are not included, bad actors can incorporate under their laws and escape the proposed national registry altogether.

At this time, there seems to be no set agreement with any provinces or territories to adhere to the new system or to enable provincially or territorially incorporated corporations to transmit beneficial ownership data directly to the federal registry. Ministers Champagne and Freeland have written to their provincial and territorial counterparts urging them to take part in the system. However, I am not aware of any confirmation that the provinces or territories will do so.

Bill C-42 represents a pivotal step in ensuring the integrity of our financial system and safeguarding our nation against the misuse of corporate structures for illicit activities. With this legislation, Canada can further align itself with global standards in the fight against money laundering, tax evasion and corruption.

We will be supporting this bill at third reading. Thank you.

Hon. Patti LaBoucane-Benson (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, I give notice that, at the next sitting of the Senate, I will move:

That, when the Senate next adjourns after the adoption of this motion, it do stand adjourned until Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at 2 p.m.

Hon. Robert Black: Honourable senators, I rise to highlight that today marks the one hundred and tenth anniversary of 4-H in Canada and Global 4-H Day. It’s also Show Your 4-H Colours Day, their biggest annual event in this country. Every November, the 4-H community comes together to celebrate their accomplishments and the positive impact that they have had, not only in Canada, but around the world. This month-long campaign is a testament to the incredible contributions 4-H youth are making in their communities and the transformation that the 4‑H program is fostering by producing responsible, compassionate and engaged young people.

I can’t help but reflect on my own journey of more than 50 years with this incredible organization and program. I’m a proud alumnus, a former staff member at both the provincial and national levels, and even had the privilege of serving as the president of the Canadian 4-H Council. Moreover, I’m honoured to have been recognized as an honorary lifetime member of 4-H Canada. It is with profound gratitude that I declare that 4-H is the cornerstone upon which my life’s trajectory was set, ultimately leading me to the position I hold here in the Senate of Canada.

The impact of 4-H on young Canadians cannot be overstated. For over a century, it has provided youth with unique opportunities to learn essential life skills that go beyond traditional education. Through hands-on projects, leadership development and community engagement, 4-H empowers our youth to become active and responsible citizens. It instills values of hard work, dedication and the importance of giving back to the community. As we look to the future, the significance of organizations like 4-H in shaping responsible and caring leaders becomes even more evident.

Our world is facing an array of complex challenges, and the leadership and problem-solving skills instilled by 4-H are exactly what our society needs. The resilience, compassion and commitment fostered within the 4-H community are qualities that are essential to addressing issues such as environmental sustainability, social justice and economic development.

Show Your 4-H Colours Day is not merely an event; it’s a celebration of positive effects created by 4-H in our communities, an acknowledgement of the hard work and dedication of countless young Canadians who have committed themselves to making a difference — and a reminder of the potential that lies within each young mind.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to 4-H Canada for the profound influence it has had on my life and countless others. Colleagues, please join me in taking a moment to recognize and celebrate the transformative power of 4-H, and the promising potential it holds for our nation, with the 4-H pledge:

I pledge

My head to clearer thinking,

My heart to greater loyalty,

My hands to larger service,

My health to better living,

For my club, my community, my country, and my world.

Thank you.

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear.

[Translation]

Hon. Sharon Burey: Dear colleagues, I rise today to highlight problems that are affecting millions of Canadians and to draw your attention to the fact that October was Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, Awareness Month.

[English]

My remarks will focus on the cost to Canadian society and highlighting a few recent efforts to improve children’s literacy across Canada.

Although attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, and learning disabilities such as dyslexia — which are often seen together — are highly heritable, we know that racialized and marginalized individuals and those facing social adversity experience poorer outcomes. Education is a social determinant of health and economic outcomes, so if we as a country are serious about decreasing health care costs, increasing productivity and improving lifelong health, this issue requires our full attention. In fact, according to the Centre for ADHD Awareness, Canada, ADHD is estimated to cost Canadian society $7 billion annually.

Frontier College, a national charitable literacy organization, reported in 2021 that:

Studies have consistently shown that improving the literacy of a country’s workforce increases both GDP and productivity. In fact, literacy scores are a better predictor of long-term growth of OECD countries than educational attainment. Increasing the literacy skills in the workforce by an average of 1% would, over time, lead to a 3% increase in GDP, or $54 billion per year, every year, and a 5% increase in productivity.

In 2019, the Ontario Human Rights Commission undertook a public inquiry entitled Right to Read. The Ministry of Education adopted most of its substantial recommendations, and science‑based, evidence-based, structured literacy is now part of the language curriculum in all Ontario schools.

A 2023 Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission report entitled Equitable Education for Students with Reading Disabilities points to provincial reading scores that indicate 25% of all students and a staggering 45% of students identifying as First Nations, Métis and Inuit were not meeting provincial standards for reading. In closing, colleagues, it is hoped that this report will lead to systemwide changes to the literacy and language curriculum in Saskatchewan schools. Our children and families are depending on us. Thank you.

[Translation]

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, 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: Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?

Hon. Senators: Agreed.

(At 3:51 p.m., the Senate was continued until tomorrow at 2 p.m.)