Hon. Amina Gerba: Welcome, minister. I have a question for you on behalf of our colleague, Senator Audette:

In June, the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples released its report entitled Not Enough: All Words and No Action on MMIWG.

I would note that the Government of Canada ordered the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and that the commissioners, together with the families, submitted their report on June 3, 2019. Several of the Calls for Justice, including 4.1 and 4.6, urge the government to build and repair housing so that Indigenous women and girls have access to housing that is safe, appropriate to geographical and cultural needs, and available wherever they reside, whether in urban, rural or remote communities.

Minister, what have you done to ensure a safe environment for Indigenous women and girls?

[English]

Hon. Gudie Hutchings, P.C., M.P., Minister of Rural Economic Development: Thank you for the question, senator.

As I alluded to earlier, we were just through terrible times. We are just coming through a pandemic, and some would say we’re just at the tail end of the pandemic, along with the impacts of the war.

I can tell you that inflation is not one number, because it varies whether you’re in a remote community, an Indigenous community or what I call a really rural and remote community. The inflation number will change depending on where you go.

It’s a challenging time for people, but we have to think outside the box, too. I don’t have many food banks in my riding, but we have community kitchens, where people work together. How can we support and help by other means, not just what the Ottawa bubble would say is a food bank? What else can we do to support rural communities to help folks in need in these trying times?

I’ll be there every step of the way, sir.

Hon. Gudie Hutchings, P.C., M.P., Minister of Rural Economic Development: Senator, when the Prime Minister asked me to take this role, I was so excited because it’s breaking down those silos. It’s not only breaking down the political silos but breaking down the departmental silos.

We must have had some impact because in June I had a call that the clerk wanted to speak with me. I don’t know how you folks feel, but when the clerk wants to see you, your heart goes in your throat.

She called me in and said, “Look, good news; we now have another deputy coming to your department, and the deputy is going to be focused on rural economic development and tourism and small business.”

That’s incredible. For the work that we’re doing on the rural part with the political side of things, she is also doing the work with the departments. So we are making headway. That was a huge thing.

Also — and you alluded to this — my mandate letter covers many departments. Our government used to put an LGBTQ lens on things. Then we were the first government to put the gender lens on. Then we put on an Indigenous lens. Now we put a rural‑reality lens on all programs and policies and legislation that we put forth.

I’m now having ministers come to me and say, “Oh, before I send this up, will you look at it? I need to sit down and talk. How is this going to work? Do we need to change it to work in rural communities?”

We are having an impact.

Sadly, I need your help, too. When you see legislation come here in this Red Chamber, I need you to push back as well to say, “What impact will this have in rural, remote and Indigenous communities?”

On tourism, sir, I can talk tourism all day long because I know that we have what the world wants and we all need to work together to welcome everybody to Canada. I think during the pandemic we all had an opportunity to explore our backyards, and people saw what we have in Canada. We need to do that more. We all need to be proud of the tourism product and grow.

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, on behalf of the opposition and the Senate Conservative caucus, I am pleased to rise in this chamber to welcome our newest colleague, the Honourable Margo Greenwood. Senator Greenwood, I wish to extend to you a very warm welcome to the Senate of Canada.

As a fellow senator from our beautiful province of British Columbia, I look forward to working with you to support and advocate for British Columbians. As former educators, we also share a love of teaching and mentoring bright, young minds who may one day themselves become senators or whatever they so choose.

Senator Greenwood is certainly a role model for many, as a respected Indigenous scholar of Cree ancestry with notable achievements and a stellar record of leadership and community service. There is much written about her professional achievements, including the following on the National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health site:

While her work crosses disciplines and sectors, Dr. Greenwood is particularly recognized — regionally, provincially, nationally and internationally — for her work in early childhood care and education, and in Indigenous public health.

Senator Greenwood, I am certain that your knowledge, expertise and passion for helping others will be useful and relevant in your work as a senator. As you embark on this new journey in the Senate of Canada, you will soon realize that you are not only making friends but that you have joined a new family — the Senate family. It is a family that has various opinions, perspectives and experiences but that together will serve a common purpose, which is to work for Canadians. We are here for them. We serve here, in the heart of Canadian democracy, in order to promote their best interests.

I speak not only for myself when I say we look forward to collaboratively working with you not only in this chamber but also at committee. Canadians are increasingly looking at the Senate to not only bring sober second thought and due diligence, but they are looking at the Senate for hope — hope that their voices are heard, that their concerns become ours and that together this chamber ensures the best path forward for everyone — especially minority groups — across our vast country. I trust that you will do just that.

On behalf of the opposition and the Conservative caucus, I welcome you once again to the Senate of Canada.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of the Honourable Senator Greenwood’s three sons, Jacob Hanley, Reid Church and Aaron Neilson, as well as her granddaughter, Everly Church. They are accompanied by family and friends, including the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health.

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

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

(On motion of Senator Gagné, bill placed on the Orders of the Day for second reading two days hence.)

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

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

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

[Translation]

On the Order:

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Plett, for the second reading of Bill S-221, An Act to amend the Governor General’s Act (retiring annuity and other benefits).

The Hon. the Speaker: Senator Plett, did you want to ask a question? There are 40 seconds left. In order to have time to answer, Senator Kutcher would have to ask for five minutes.

Are you asking for five minutes to answer questions, Senator Kutcher?

The Hon. the Speaker: Is it agreed, honourable senators?

The Hon. the Speaker: I’m sorry, Senator Kutcher, but your time has expired. Are you asking for more time?

The Hon. the Speaker: I hear a no. Extra time is not granted.

(On motion of Senator Martin, debate adjourned.)