Senator Housakos: The Trudeau government’s inaction always speaks volumes. The fact is that Hamas is a designated terrorist organization in Canada — isn’t it, Senator Gold? — yet, we have Hamas operatives in this country waving terrorist flags on our streets without fear of reprisal from authorities. So even if we did list the IRGC in actual terms, it’s not like anyone in this government is prepared to do anything about it; isn’t that true, Senator Gold? If it is not true, explain to me where I’m wrong. Are you okay with having Hamas operate on campuses, recruiting —

Senator Boisvenu: Senator, the carbon tax appears to be practically sacred within Justin Trudeau’s government. However, when you look at the numbers with respect to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, British Columbia, the province with the highest carbon tax, increased its emissions by 4% from 2008 to 2019. Meanwhile, Nova Scotia, the province with the lowest carbon tax, reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 36% over the same period.

Can you explain the logic in that?

Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Government leader, we received word just before the Senate began sitting this afternoon that you will be reordering Government Business to put Inquiry No. 5 ahead of Government Bills. Inquiry No. 5 is about the budget the Trudeau government handed down way back in March.

Senator Gold, is it correct that you are reordering business today? If so, why are you doing it?

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Government leader, the Trudeau government has yet to fulfill a promise — another promise — made during the 2021 federal election campaign to create a new federal transfer to the provinces and territories called the Canada Mental Health Transfer, with an initial investment of $4.5 billion over five years.

In March, after the federal budget failed yet again to put this transfer in place, the Canadian Mental Health Association said that your government was out of touch with the mental health crisis in our country.

When the previous minister of health was asked about this a year ago, he would only say that he’d continue to engage with the provinces. Leader, what is the current status of the Canada Mental Health Transfer?

Hon. Leo Housakos: Senator Gold, it’s getting cold outside. Even here in Ottawa, there is no denying that winter is on its way. However, yesterday, your Liberal colleagues in the House of Commons chose to further punish hard-working Canadians by voting against our motion to remove the carbon tax from all home heating in Canada. The gimmick announced by Justin Trudeau a couple of weeks ago does nothing to promote the use of cleaner forms of home heating fuel, but does leave 97% of Canadian households out in the cold. Those Canadians are struggling not only to keep the heat on this winter but also to fill up their cars to get to work, keep food on the table and keep their barns warm to produce food that the rest of us eat. Do they not matter because not enough of them voted Liberal? Is that what this is all about, Senator Gold? Is this a bribe, Senator Gold, or a threat? Which of these two is it?

Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Well, again, government spokesperson, yesterday — as Senator Housakos already pointed out — Liberal MPs, together with Bloc MPs, voted against supporting Canadians. Instead, they continue to support Prime Minister Trudeau’s carbon tax as punishment for not voting Liberal — and they had help, as I said, from the Bloc.

Yesterday, La Presse reported that the Bloc MPs have told Liberal cabinet ministers they will be patient about triggering an election, which is scheduled two years from now. They have Jagmeet Singh, and now they have a group that is sworn to breaking up our country supporting the Prime Minister.

What did the Prime Minister promise the separatist Bloc to vote with him against carbon tax relief for all Canadians and support him for another two years?