Senator Quinn: Senator Gold, can you give some assurance that you will submit to those decision makers on who will attend by requesting the Port Saint John to be in attendance?

Hon. Jim Quinn: Honourable senators, the members of this chamber have heard many comments over the past few weeks regarding climate change from various senators, in the Speech from the Throne and, last night, from the Minister of Finance. There is no doubt that climate change has a dramatic effect on our economy and on jobs associated with that sector.

It’s excellent to learn that the Government of Canada will be convening a summit of industry and transportation officials to discuss critical infrastructure supply chain in early 2022. Having broad representation is extremely important in such a summit. Atlantic Canada plays an important role in transportation in this country, and sometimes representation from Atlantic Canada in such endeavours is thin.

When we are looking at who will be invited, we need to ensure that Atlantic Canada is well represented, particularly from the port sector. One of those ports is Port Saint John, the third-largest volume port in Canada and the only port in Atlantic Canada serviced by our two national rail lines. Can the government ensure that Port Saint John will be invited to the table?

Senator Quinn: Thank you, Senator Gold. A supplementary, if I may.

Other countries are making significant investments in critical infrastructure to alleviate supply chain disruptions. Their investments will no doubt put competitive pressures on our seaports, railways and trucking industries.

What assurances do we have that appropriate investments will be made in New Brunswick and other Maritime provinces where critical infrastructure is vital for enhancing Canada’s competitive position and for providing necessary options for the smooth delivery of goods to all areas of Canada?

Hon. Jim Quinn: Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate.

As noted in the Speech from the Throne, our country is witnessing significant disruptions associated with severe weather events due to climate change. These have crippled our supply chains, as is evident from ongoing weather events in British Columbia and now in Atlantic Canada. Local marketplaces, and even those across Canada, are experiencing disruptions in Canada’s supply chain management which, of course, have a direct impact on the availability of essential consumer goods in local and national marketplaces. Global experts at COP26 outlined that our global community will experience more frequent and severe weather events that will disrupt the movement of these essential consumer goods.

Senator Gold, my question is this: What assurances can the government give Canadians that they are looking to provide made-in-Canada transportation options to safeguard the secure supply of essential goods for our country, given the reality of supply chain disruptions that will continue to occur due to climate change?