Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Minister, your mandate letter says that you must “work with the Minister of Natural Resources in moving forward with legislation and comprehensive action to achieve . . .” your hated “just transition,” as you don’t like “JustinFlation.” “This work will be guided by consultations with workers, unions, Indigenous Peoples, employers, communities, and provinces and territories . . . .”

Minister, could you tell us what consultations you have made with provinces, specifically Alberta and Saskatchewan? Will you listen to the oil-and-gas-producing provinces and put this ridiculous notion of just transition where it belongs, in the garbage bin?

Senator Wells: It is about the emissions and the cost.

The Hon. the Speaker: Minister O’Regan.

Hon. Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia: Thank you, minister, for being here today.

Canada is facing an unprecedented shortage of doctors, nurses and many other health professionals. In our home province of Newfoundland and Labrador, our government has recently announced new measures to recruit internationally educated registered nurses, who can fill health care vacancies. Our government has also introduced legislation that will make medical licensing more streamlined.

Recognizing the provincial-federal jurisdictional divide, can you speak to what measures the Government of Canada is taking to help address these critical labour shortages, including in health care but also other sectors?

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Thank you, minister. The mandate letter of your colleague Minister Freeland says that you are to assist her with the creation of a career extension tax credit of up to $1,650 for seniors. As you know, that was a promise your government made in the 2021 federal election campaign. Many were expecting to see it in last year’s budget; instead, it only contained a promise to engage with experts on the role this tax credit could play in boosting the labour force participation of seniors who want to continue working later in life.

Minister, since Budget 2022, have you engaged with experts on the creation of this tax credit, and, if so, who did you meet with? Did formal consultations with stakeholders take place? If not, why not? If so, were you involved? What is the current status of this promise to our seniors?

The Hon. the Speaker: Sorry, minister, but your time has expired.

Senator Bernard: We look forward to that report in the spring. Thank you.

Senator Duncan: Thank you.

[Translation]

Hon. Julie Miville-Dechêne: I will be brief. I admire your rather purist vision of journalism. You are right in saying that it is dangerous to take money from large, extremely powerful platforms, but I think we are already beyond that point since journalism in this country is receiving funding from the government. The government is no doubt the most heavily criticized entity in Canada, and now it is giving the media money.

As far as principles go, how is it any different to accept money from platforms that earn some money through journalism?

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Senator Simons, your time has expired. Are you requesting five minutes to answer more questions?

Senator Miville-Dechêne: Certainly.

Hon. Senators: Agreed.

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Senator Cotter, I have three more senators who want to ask questions. Are you willing to answer questions?

Senator Cotter: I’d be pleased to, yes.

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Do we have an agreement for five minutes?

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Honourable senators, do we have an agreement for five minutes?

Hon. Leo Housakos: Would Senator Miville-Dechêne take a question?

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

Hon. Kim Pate: Would you take another question, Senator Cotter?

Senator Cotter: I certainly would, Senator Pate.

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Senator Cotter, I have three senators on the second round. Do you wish to ask for five more minutes to answer these questions?

Senator Cotter: I’d be happy to ask for five more minutes and I’ll try to provide briefer answers.