Senator Housakos: That is very sad, leader. Bill C-11 is another example of the centralizing measures of the Trudeau government, which imposes its laws on the provinces. It doesn’t consult with Alberta when its work impacts the oil industry. It doesn’t consult Quebecers when it meddles in Quebec culture.

Senator Gold, why did the Trudeau government not consult Quebecers before introducing a bill that specifically targets Quebec culture?

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of the Parliamentary Poet Laureate, Marie-Célie Agnant. She is accompanied by Dr. Heather Lank, Parliamentary Librarian.

On behalf of all honourable senators, I welcome you to the Senate of Canada.

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, I rise today to highlight two important milestone anniversaries in this banner year for Canada and Korea. This year, 2023, is the sixtieth anniversary of Canada‑Korea diplomatic relations, which was celebrated in January at a special event hosted by His Excellency Woongsoon Lim at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea. It was the first of many special events that the embassy will organize over the course of this year.

Canada’s relationship with the people of the “Land of Morning Calm” is over a century in the making, beginning with missionaries like Frank Schofield, a Canadian veterinarian and Protestant missionary. His support of the Korean people during the March First Movement for Korean independence from the Japanese empire sowed the seeds of a friendship that would grow and blossom between our two peoples. Canada would once again stand with Korea when Communist forces declared war against the South Korean people in 1950. Over 26,000 Canadians would serve in South Korea, sacrificing their youth and lives.

As a result of the war, 516 Canadians made the ultimate sacrifice, and nearly 400 Canadians are buried in the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan, South Korea.

On July 27, we will commemorate the seventieth anniversary of the signing of the armistice. Korea would not be the country it is today, and we would not be celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries if it were not for our brave men and women who served and sacrificed during the Korean War.

Not surprisingly, our bilateral relationship has grown from a shared concern over defence to incorporate trade and people-to-people linkages as well. On March 11, 2014, in Seoul, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President Park Geun-hye of South Korea announced Canada’s first and only free trade agreement in the Asia-Pacific region — the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement.

Canada and Korea’s people-to-people ties have grown exponentially in recent years, enhanced by increasing immigration and tourism flows, as well as business investments and joint ventures. South Korea has also long been and continues to be one of Canada’s top source countries of international students. Nearly a quarter million Canadians identify themselves as being of Korean origin. And over 27,000 Canadians currently reside in South Korea, including about 3,200 English language teachers.

Canada and the Republic of Korea are more than just two aligned international actors. Through sacrifice, understanding and mutual respect, our two nations have become more than friends; we are partners and allies. Please join me, honourable senators, in recognizing this banner year of Canada-Korea relations.

Hon. Rosemary Moodie: My question is for the Government Representative in the Senate.

Senator Gold, the pediatric health community was very pleased with the news of the planned $2-billion injection of funds into the system last week. That is a good response to the crisis we are facing, and it’s good news that the government has recognized that there is an issue and that it has a role to play in solving it.

That said, one-time funding is not enough to fix the long-term issues plaguing our system. Does the government plan to work with the provinces to secure ongoing earmarked funding for the pediatric health care system here in Canada?

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of His Excellency Akylbek Kamaldinov, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Canada. He is accompanied by Mr. Murat Rustemov and Mr. Nurlan Gabdyzhamalov. They are the guests of the Honourable Senator Oh.

On behalf of all honourable senators, I welcome you to the Senate of Canada.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, when shall this bill, as amended, be read the third time?

(On motion of Senator Boisvenu, bill, as amended, placed on the Orders of the Day for third reading at the next sitting of the Senate.)

Leave having been given to proceed to Motions, Order No. 101:

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.

An Hon. Senator: On division.

(Motion agreed to, on division, and report adopted.)

Senator Moodie: Senator Gold, I was troubled by the fact that the technical briefing on health system funding was offered to the media first, ahead of the meeting with the premiers. As the government is responsible to Parliament, not the media, why weren’t parliamentarians offered a similar type of briefing?

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question, senator.

My office, the Office of the Government Representative in the Senate, endeavours to keep parliamentarians, senators briefed on all relevant activities. I don’t have the answer to your question, but if there are specific questions that you or other senators might have that I’m able to answer, I would certainly bring them to the government’s attention.

[Translation]

Senator Gold: I’ll certainly make inquiries. Again, I do encourage senators who are truly interested in knowing the important work that’s being done in many sectors, whether in public transit, green infrastructure, broadband, clean power, trade and transportation or with respect to Indigenous communities across the country, please contact my office. I would be happy to give you a full briefing.

Senator Tannas: Thank you.

Hon. Ratna Omidvar: Thank you, Senator Tannas, for your question.

I note that this is the third time your group has asked the chair of the Senate Social Affairs Committee your question. I have to conclude you like my answers very much. In that spirit, let me try and answer your question.

Yes, we started our study on February 1. Today is February 15. We have already had three meetings on the bill. We have heard from the sponsor, who explained the principles of the bill and his concern that if the bill were amended, it could potentially delay or kill it. We have heard from immigration law experts and, very importantly, from the insurance industry, including representatives from the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association and Manulife. Questions have been raised about consumer protection and the issue of lapsed insurance, so we decided to go back to officials to try and gain further clarity. We’re still in the process, Senator Tannas, of gaining that clarity.

Given that government bills are coming to us now, we must give them priority, but it is still my hope that we will be able to report back to the Senate on the bill. I am not able to give you any assurances of dates.

The Hon. the Speaker: Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): This government has imposed serious sanctions under the Sergei Magnitsky Law. This is the government that passed the act, and it continues to take measures against all foreign nationals who are undermining our national security.

I’m not familiar with the details that you mentioned with regard to these three nationals. If they indeed are committing fraud or are wanted elsewhere, these are matters that the government will deal with in the appropriate way.

Hon. Ratna Omidvar, pursuant to notice of February 14, 2023, moved:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology be permitted, notwithstanding usual practices, to deposit with the Clerk of the Senate, no later than March 31, 2023, an interim report on issues relating to social affairs, science and technology generally, if the Senate is not then sitting, and that the report be deemed to have been tabled in the Senate.

Senator Martin: Transparency is one of the many serious problems with the Canada Infrastructure Bank. For example, it was revealed late last year that the $1.7‑billion Lake Erie Connector project had actually been cancelled in July. However, if you check the Canada Infrastructure Bank’s website today, you can still see a press release announcing this project. There have been no answers to legitimate questions surrounding the awarding of Canada Infrastructure Bank contracts to McKinsey, which has extensive ties to this bank from its creation to this day, and now we have what looks like a mostly internal review process. So, leader, why is there so much secrecy surrounding this process? Could you tell us if the contract given to McKinsey by the Canada Infrastructure Bank will be part of the five-year review?

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): My question also concerns the Canada Infrastructure Bank. In fact, it is legislated for a five-year review. Minister LeBlanc is required to bring forward a report to Parliament by the end of June.

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According to documents obtained through Access to Information and Privacy and released last week by the Canadian Union of Public Employees, this review began in June 2022 but has had no public engagement and no public information on the process being followed. Yesterday, a senior official from Infrastructure Canada told our National Finance Committee that they have opened some public consultation.

Leader, could you tell us when this consultation began and if it’s still open? Were all Canadians invited to comment or just those groups and individuals chosen by the Trudeau government?