Senator Plett: Well, hope springs eternal.

Leader, last April, I asked you why the Canada Infrastructure Bank was paying millions in taxpayer dollars in short- and long-term bonuses to its employees. In fact, it is quite innovative how they found a way to do so, when not a single project had been delivered at that point.

Just to jog your memory, leader, in 2021 alone, the Canada Infrastructure Bank paid out over $5.7 million in short-term incentives to 79 employees. That works out to an average bonus of over $73,000 per employee. Where do we apply?

Leader, could you make inquiries and tell us how much was paid out in bonuses to the Canada Infrastructure Bank employees in 2022?

Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Leader, my next question concerns the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

The Canada Infrastructure Bank CEO, Mr. Ehren Cory, appeared before the Senate’s National Finance Committee yesterday. Mr. Cory previously worked at McKinsey for 11 years. I’m sure the Trudeau government will tell us that is just a coincidence.

Honourable senators who were here in 2017 will remember that we were told repeatedly by the Trudeau government that for every dollar in federal investment, the Canada Infrastructure Bank would attract $4 to $5 from the private sector. Instead, it has failed to do so, and currently has a 1-to-1 ratio.

Mr. Cory told the committee yesterday:

. . . it will over the long term that we move toward that 4‑to-1 ratio. That’s an objective to move toward . . . That’s over decades.

I’ll repeat that, leader: It will take decades. Will you get rid of the failed and wasteful Canada Infrastructure Bank, and if so, when?

Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Leader, I want to return to the answer that you gave Senator Miville-Dechêne last week regarding your government’s refusal to list the IRGC as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code. I have raised this with you many times, leader, and I will continue to raise it until either your government does it or we have a new Conservative government that will honour the promise that all parties made in the House of Commons in June of 2018. You stated, leader:

. . . this decision must be . . . based on the counsel and advice of our international security agencies. To date, that isn’t what our experts have recommended that we do. . . .

Leader, I have asked in a written question for information on the process to list the IRGC. The response I received did not answer my questions. Now you are saying our security experts don’t recommend it. Did they produce a report? When did this occur, leader? It’s almost five years. Did any Minister of Public Safety bring a recommendation to cabinet?

Senator Plett: Leader, many Iranian Canadians, including family members of the victims of Flight PS752, have been targeted by members of the Iranian regime right here in our country. In October, the Prime Minister said:

We know there are people in Canada now who have benefited from the horrific regime in Iran to live a good life in Canada — well, we say no more.

Leader, since the Prime Minister said “no more,” what actions have been taken to give meaning to these words? How many criminal investigations have been opened, and how many people have been jailed? How many people with ties to the Iranian regime have been expelled from Canada since the Prime Minister said “no more”?

Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Senator Gold, let me start off by offering my sincerest condolences to you, your family and the family of your friend who passed away very suddenly and very unfortunately. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I’ll be kinder in my questions to you.

Senator Gold, in June 2021, Royal Assent was given to Conservative MP Larry Maguire’s Bill C-208, which reduces the taxes paid when transferring family farms or small businesses to family members. The Trudeau government never supported it and, instead, created a lot of confusion around the bill after it was passed.

First, the Finance Department issued a press release saying they weren’t going to implement the legislation. Then, Minister Freeland changed her mind, and said she would introduce amendments in November 2021. When that didn’t happen, last year’s budget indicated they would consult on changes to Bill C-208. We have heard nothing since the consultation process ended in June of last year.

Senator Gold, will you give certainty to our farmers? What is the Trudeau government planning to do with Bill C-208?

Senator Plett: Leader, about six weeks from now, the carbon tax will once again increase, going from $50 to $65 per tonne. By 2030, it will reach $170 per tonne. Late last year, the annual food report from Dalhousie University, Canada’s Food Price Report 2023, stated that “by 2030, a typical 5,000-acre farm could see taxes of over $150,000 . . . .” Farmers have to dry their grain, and they have to heat and cool their livestock barns. This isn’t an option for them; they have no choice in the matter. Yet the Trudeau government continues to hurt them financially for that necessary work.

Leader, on this Agriculture Day, why should farmers believe that the Trudeau government understands and supports their work when there is so much evidence to the contrary, especially with regard to the carbon tax?