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Decentralized Democracy

Senate Volume 153, Issue 101

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 15, 2023 02:00PM
  • Feb/15/23 2:00:00 p.m.

Hon. Andrew Cardozo: Honourable senators, I am pleased to rise today on the occasion of National Flag of Canada Day.

This day marks the fifty-eighth anniversary of the Canadian flag bearing the maple leaf, and it is an opportunity to stop and reflect on what the flag means to Canadians.

[English]

Fifty-eight years ago today, the flag was first raised on Parliament Hill, on a temporary flagpole just to the left of the Peace Tower, in the presence of thousands of celebrating Canadians.

A new Canadian flag was a long-time ambition of former prime minister Lester B. Pearson — one that would be free of any colonial symbols, and that would help national unity.

Canadians enthusiastically participated in the work of a special House of Commons committee, and they sent in thousands of contributions and suggestions. They sent in drawings and paintings with everything: the beaver, the moose, the Mountie, prairies, mountains and, indeed, maple leaves. Through that participatory process, the red and white flag was developed.

The political debate lasted many months, and was one of the most raucous in Canadian history. Changing the flag was vigorously opposed by former opposition leader John Diefenbaker. But, to his credit, once the debate was over, Diefenbaker accepted the result and went with Pearson to Buckingham Palace to witness the Royal Assent by Queen Elizabeth II.

Since then, the flag has come to be a symbol of a modern united Canada, where we value equality, harmony and prosperity. Indeed, every new Canadian gets a small flag at their Canadian citizenship ceremony, and adopts it with the greatest of pride. The flag is recognized positively around the world.

While my preference today would have been to speak of this anniversary only in positive terms, I have to say that over the past year the Maple Leaf flag has been appropriated by those who oppose many basic Canadian values — those who believe that a few hundred people can arrive in our capital city and, by brute force and intimidation, replace the elected government. For some, the flag has come to be a symbol of opposition to the Canadian state and government; opposition to all vaccines, including measles and polio; and opposition to many values that we, normally, believe to be basic Canadian values.

Some folks even feel free to deface the flag with messages of hate and anger, and to use the Maple Leaf to replace the letter “u” in the F-word on their protest flags. I don’t believe that is what Parliament intended back in 1965.

And here’s a troubling trend: We know that too many fair‑minded, peaceful Canadians have taken down their flags on the front of their homes so they are not mistaken to be supporters of the angry mobs. This should not be happening.

[Translation]

Colleagues, it’s time for the Canadian flag to once again become a symbol of respect, equality and unity. Long live the Canadian flag.

[English]

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Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!

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Hon. Bev Busson: Honourable senators, I rise today to mark National Flag of Canada Day. It’s a day to remind ourselves of the values for which we all stand.

Fifty-eight years ago today, on February 15, 1965, our new national flag was raised on Parliament Hill during a ceremony made official by Queen Elizabeth II, just in time to be showcased to the world two years later at Expo 67, celebrating Canada’s one-hundredth birthday.

While the design of the flag was new, it featured a familiar symbol. The maple leaf emerged in the 19th century as a symbol of Canadian identity and was being seen everywhere, from books to coins. It was during the First World War when the maple leaf was first used as the cap badge worn by members of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and became the most widely recognized emblem of our nation. More poignantly, it is a single maple leaf that is carved upon the many headstones of Canadian servicemen and servicewomen who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars. It became a symbol of courage and sacrifice.

Today, we continue to drape our flag on the caskets of those in the Armed Forces and other first responders who have given their lives in service of our country, both abroad and at home. This act is a jarring reminder that the preservation of our shared values comes at a tremendous cost. We then give the flag to the family members of our fallen as a symbol of respect and strength, to convey our nation’s collective condolences.

While the Canadian flag is a symbol of peace, hope and respect around the world, provincial flags pay homage to their respective histories. Based on an 1896 design, the flag of British Columbia was officially adopted in 1960. The top of the flag depicts the Union Jack, reflecting B.C.’s British heritage, with a crown in the centre. Below is a setting sun, representing B.C.’s position as Canada’s westernmost province. The wavy white and blue lines symbolize B.C.’s location between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains, signifying the vast diversity of the landscape.

I should have started today with the flag of the very first peoples to occupy and shape the territory I now represent. The flag of the Secwepemc, or Shuswap, people, whose traditional territory is a vast part of the interior of British Columbia, is filled with symbolism and meaning. It consists of red and black bars of a cross, which represent the intersection of the great spirit and of human beings. In the centre of the bars are blue wavy lines to signify the great rivers, the Fraser, the Thompson and the Columbia, which define this territory. The crossing point depicts the dwelling site and the sun, the creator’s life force. There are two fawns and two salmon on the white background to signify the traditional food of the Shuswap people and our collective obligation to be stewards of the earth. At the ends of the cross are the four colours — red, black, yellow and white — a reminder of the circle of life. With respect, it is now flown in significant places in both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities throughout the Secwepemc territory.

On this Flag Day, we must honour our past. We must be grateful for the blessings of the present. And in the spirit of reconciliation, we must look to a brighter shared future for generations to come.

Kukwstép-kuc. Thank you.

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Hon. Victor Oh: Honourable senators, I rise today to speak about my trip to the beautiful country of Kazakhstan in November 2022. It was my honour to be invited by the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Canada, by Ambassador Akylbek Kamaldinov, who is here with us today in the chamber. It was also a privilege to travel alongside my dear friend and honourable colleague Senator Jean-Guy Dagenais.

The purpose of the trip was to observe Kazakhstan’s presidential election as independent international observers and to partake in the Kazakhstan Canada Business Council meeting. As a Canadian, it was inspiring to witness the foundation of their democratic process in this young country.

As the voters walked to their private booths and cast their ballots into the boxes, I could sense the thrill and excitement of this monumental election and for the country’s bright future ahead.

This trip opened my eyes to the beauty and rich culture of this Central Asian country. As the ninth-largest country in the world, it encourages diversity and modernism while continuing to honour and celebrate its rich nomadic history.

The generosity and kindness we experienced from the Kazakhstani people were also a warm welcome after our long flights.

As Kazakhstan is rich in natural resources, including minerals and uranium, fostering ties at the Kazakhstan-Canada Business Council meeting was beneficial.

It is a great honour to have the ambassador join us here in the chamber today. I kindly invite everyone, if you have a chance, to please visit beautiful Kazakhstan.

Thank you.

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Hon. Julie Miville-Dechêne: Next Wednesday, February 22, is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Human trafficking violates the fundamental rights of human beings and is unworthy of our civilization.

The number of victims of modern slavery has increased significantly over the past five years. It is estimated that 28 million people are subjected to forced labour and 22 million are trapped in forced marriages. Women and children are more vulnerable to human trafficking, which is increasingly moving online with growing sexual exploitation of children. The pandemic has made matters worse.

Unsurprisingly, human trafficking is more prevalent in poor and unstable countries. In contexts of war or extreme poverty, children become assets that can be sold and young girls are forced to marry, as a so-called solution to rape.

However, Canada is not immune to the scourge of human trafficking. There have been calls here in Canada to prohibit marriage for youth between the ages of 16 and 18 to limit forced or arranged marriages by families. The phenomenon is difficult to measure but some countries, like France and the United Kingdom, have already chosen to minimize the risks by raising the legal age of marriage to 18 almost without exception.

The fact that the number of images of the sexual exploitation of children online is doubling yearly, according to police, is another tragedy. We’re talking millions of images and tens of thousands of reports of child sex crimes every year. In a major investigative report by La Presse, a police officer summed up the situation like this:

We don’t have time to arrest everyone. The number of people who like to look at images of kids being raped is staggering. That is just a fact.

According to the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, 80% of the victims are under 12. Over half are under three.

At noon today, I met with a broad coalition of groups and survivors headed up by Courage for Freedom, whose mission is to eradicate the trafficking of girls and boys. Young migrant girls are particularly at risk because of their unfamiliar surroundings.

What can we, as individuals, do? Our laws prohibit these practices, but they are happening anyway. It is therefore everyone’s responsibility to pay attention to what is going on around us, be proactive and listen to survivors. That’s what the February 22 awareness day is all about.

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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?

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Senator Gold: Thank you for the question. Regarding the imposition of sanctions, as I have said on many occasions, honourable colleague, the decisions to list additional entities under the Criminal Code are all decisions that are taken by the government upon due deliberation, reflection and input from national security or law enforcement, as the case may be.

I will not comment on what investigations are being done with regard to any of these matters as it would be inappropriate in this chamber. I understand the importance of the issues as does the government. I understand your interest in continuing to raise them as it is your privilege. The government is doing everything that it can do to protect Canadians, but not everything that the government does in the area of national security or law enforcement is something that will be disclosed publicly in Senate Question Period.

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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?

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Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question and for giving me the opportunity to respond — and I assume you were quoting my exact words.

It was never my intention to comment on what advice might have been given to the government. That would have been inappropriate and if I did, my apologies to this chamber. I simply said and will repeat that decision is based upon — must be based upon and should be based upon — input from the national security agencies. The fact that the government has not yet listed that does not mean that it is not a subject of concern or consideration by this government.

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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”?

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Senator Gold: Thank you for your question. Again, you are asking questions that are inappropriate to be answered notwithstanding the importance of the issues that underlie the question.

This gives me the opportunity to remind senators, because memories fade, that Canada has very robust measures in place to hold Iran accountable. Indeed, it has some of the toughest and most comprehensive sanctions in the world against Iran. The IRGC Quds Force is listed as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code, as are three Iranian-backed regional militias. In addition, the government has designated the Islamic Republic of Iran — the Republic of Iran, including many senior officials and the IRGC — as a regime that is engaged in terrorism and gross human rights violations and has made them inadmissible to Canada. That is not to exclude other measures that the government may take upon due consideration.

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Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, I give notice that, at the next sitting of the Senate, I will move:

That, when the Senate next adjourns after the adoption of this motion, it do stand adjourned until Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at 2 p.m.

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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?

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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?

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Senator Gold: Thank you for the question.

First of all, the government has done and will continue to do everything it can to support farmers and the related industries that support us, feed us and that are important components of our economy. I spoke to that aspect of it in a recent response to our honourable colleague Senator Black.

With regard to the carbon tax, as has been said many times in this chamber and far more eloquently and directly by Minister Seamus O’Regan recently here, the carbon tax is a necessary tool in this government’s effort to reduce emissions and to put a price on pollution.

The way the government has designed it puts money back into Canadian hands. That includes all Canadians across the country, as well as industries. The government is committed to continuing to assist Canadians as we make the transition to a more sustainable and greener economy.

[Translation]

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Hon. Leo Housakos: My question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate.

Yesterday, the Quebec National Assembly unanimously passed a motion condemning Bill C-11. The members of the National Assembly join millions of Canadians who oppose Bill C-11. Senator Gold, will the Trudeau government hear the voices of these Canadians in Quebec’s National Assembly? Will it throw Bill C-11 in the garbage so it can try again?

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Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question. The answer is no.

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Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question. The Government of Canada is committed to strengthening the resilience of our critical minerals supply chain and all aspects of our supply chains. Canada continues to welcome foreign direct investment, but the government will take decisive action when investments threaten our national security and our critical minerals and materials supply chains.

As you noted, senator, last year our government announced that large transactions involving foreign state-owned enterprises in this sector will only be approved on an exceptional basis. All foreign investments will be subject to a national security review under the Investment Canada Act. Every investment is examined on a case-by-case basis.

In regard to procurement, Public Services and Procurement Canada is primarily responsible for these contract procurements within the federal government. The procurement process includes national security and public safety mechanisms. I would add that Minister Champagne made an announcement in the media today concerning additional measures to provide assurances to Canadians that national security in all areas, whether research or contracts, is fully protected.

[English]

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Hon. Scott Tannas: My question is for Senator Omidvar today.

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, of which you are chair, was referred Bill C-242, an act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (temporary resident visas for parents and grandparents) back on December 14 of last year. I understand your committee began its study on February 1 of this year.

Could you please advise the Senate on the committee’s work plan relating to this study and if the committee has determined a date for which clause-by-clause consideration might happen?

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Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. Frankly, it’s the position of this government that the Canada Infrastructure Bank is an important and, indeed, innovative approach to help get more infrastructure built. Though it is disappointing that the private sector has not responded to the degree that was initially hoped, it is not the role of the government to direct how private capital and private enterprise direct its funds. I’m sure that you will appreciate that position of principle, Senator Plett.

The fact is, the bank has attracted billions of dollars of private investment and is funding dozens of important projects. I would be happy to provide a full list to senators if they are interested. Please contact my office. I don’t want to take the time from Question Period to list them all.

There are a considerable number of important projects benefiting Canadians across this country, and it’ll continue to do that in the hope that private industry will step up to an even greater degree as partners.

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