Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the second report of the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying entitled Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada: Choices for Canadians.

Senator Martin: In addition to higher costs caused by inflation and higher interest rates, the government will hurt small businesses by increasing energy costs and payroll taxes. It seems the government is either deaf to the demands of the business community or has no interest in helping small businesses.

Leader, why won’t the government cancel its planned hikes of carbon and payroll taxes that will hurt small businesses?

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): I have a few questions if Senator Audette will accept them.

Senator Audette: Of course.

Senator Martin: Do you think that the government is open to potential amendments to this bill from our chamber based upon your conversations?

[Translation]

Senator Audette: In my heart, officially, yes, it must be open to that. If I agree to participate in an initiative, I don’t want to be someone who just rubber stamps everything. If we can improve things, or if we can disagree and still do so in this place, that has to be honoured, Senator Martin.

[English]

Senator Martin: Government leader, not everyone has an inflation-proof job. The number of Canadian families seeking debt relief is increasing. In September alone, the number of insolvencies rose by 3.1% — and they are not alone.

In the third quarter, the total number of Canadian business insolvencies increased by 48.5% compared to last year: almost 50%. Increased borrowing costs, inflation, production and labour issues, as well as a government that won’t cap its own spending have created the perfect storm. Leader, when will the government cap their spending and cancel their planned tax hikes?

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Government leader, this week is Small Business Week. Small‑business owners are the grease in the Canadian economy. They employ nearly two thirds of the Canadian workforce. They are moms and dads. They are friends and neighbours. They love their communities and give back every day, yet this government continues to punish them with higher payroll and carbon taxes, leaving them with higher costs for families that rely on that business for a paycheque.

Will the government commit to reviewing their planned tax hikes on small-business owners?

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Minister, my question for you is in the context of your role as vice-chair of the cabinet committee on Canada and the World.

Today, we are confronted with an unprecedented rise of a totalitarian axis of countries — that includes Russia and China — clearly prepared to use military force to achieve their ends. Most democratic states — Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, India and Japan — are responding to this threat by refocusing on national security and building up their defence capabilities. Apart from a long-overdue and inadequate announcement on the North Warning System, Canada is doing absolutely nothing. Minister, what accounts for this total inaction?

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, I rise today to pay tribute to a distinguished Canadian, the late Ed Odishaw who passed away on June 3, 2022.

Ed Odishaw grew up in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, and attended the University of Saskatchewan. He studied law and became an accomplished lawyer, working in firms in Regina and later in Vancouver, B.C. He had a passion for law and helping others which allowed him to impact so many lives.

From a young age, Ed was interested in politics and learning about our parliamentary system. He was a dedicated and loyal member of the Conservative Party of Canada and a tireless volunteer, serving on his local electoral district association and active on many campaigns. He was proud to be Canadian and proud to be a Conservative.

He also served on the board of directors for the Canada Chinese Business Council, the Canada-Japan Society of British Columbia and the Sunny Hill Health Centre for children. Additionally, he was a member of the Vancouver Board of Trade, The Vancouver Club, The Sir John A. Macdonald Historical Society, the Law Society of British Columbia and the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. Each of these groups represented a piece of him, his love for helping others, his hobbies, community and values. He was passionate, committed, loyal and genuine, and was a mentor, confidant and adviser to many.

Above all, he was a loving husband to his devoted wife of 40 years and life partner, Theresa. Together, they are doubly formidable and truly respected.

If— by Rudyard Kipling is a poem that encapsulates Ed Odishaw’s indomitable spirit perfectly. In fact, Theresa told me that he carried a laminated copy of it with him wherever he went. He had it in his pocket just in case someone needed a little help, motivation or reminder of life’s blessings.

It reads:

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,

And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise . . .

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,

And — which is more — you’ll be a Man, my son!

I would like to offer my deepest condolences to his wife, Theresa, and the entire Odishaw family. Although Ed is no longer with us, his legacy lives on in all those who were blessed to know him. He will be remembered as a kind man who lived his life with integrity, dignity and compassion.

Honourable senators, please join me in remembering and celebrating the life of the late Ed Odishaw. May he rest in peace.

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, my question is for the government leader in the Senate. General Wayne Eyre, the Chief of the Defence Staff, recently said the cost of living and challenges in finding affordable accommodations are the top issues he is hearing from Canadian Forces members around the country. The lack of available housing in British Columbia has gotten so bad that last month Royal Canadian Air Force members at CFB Comox on Vancouver Island were told to consider contacting Habitat for Humanity if they were having significant difficulty finding adequate housing.

Leader, Habitat for Humanity has helped thousands of Canadian families in need, but it’s the Government of Canada’s responsibility to support our military families. Why were they referred to a charity to find housing?

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, with leave of the Senate and notwithstanding rule 5-5(b), I move that the bill be read the third time now.

Senator Martin: I have one more question, then. It seems that this is something the government should be focusing on to achieve such a goal. I am wondering if you have had conversations with the minister’s office. Perhaps this is something the government should be putting forward.

Senator Patterson: As I said, no, I haven’t had an opportunity to speak to the minister about it, Senator Martin. But it’s in his mandate letter, so I want to help him achieve his mandate. There are many other things, no doubt, on his plate. I think we can help him achieve his mandate with this bill. It’s precisely what the mandate letter says, and what other parties’ policies say. I like the phrase “use it or lose it.” I think it has meaning. Let’s help the minister achieve one of the bullets in his mandate letter. I will speak to him about this at your suggestion. Thank you.

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Will the senator answer a few questions?

Senator Patterson: Gladly.