Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Government leader, in his November 15 report, Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux identified $14.2 billion in new measures announced in the Fall Economic Statement for which no specific details were provided.

This spending represents 17% of all new measures in the Fall Economic Statement. As Mr. Giroux testified at the House of Commons Finance Committee, “This lack of transparency presents challenges for parliamentarians and the public in scrutinizing the Government’s spending plans.” He also said that “The government knows quite well the measures that are going to be funded, but is not disclosing them.”

Again, let me repeat: “The government knows quite well the measures that are going to be funded, but is not disclosing them.”

Senator Gold, why won’t your government come clean and tell Canadians what this $14.2 billion of new spending is for?

Senator Plett: It’s surprising how many things the government believes in but does not carry through with, and this would be another one.

At the core of the role of parliamentarians are the review and the approval of spending. Senator Gold, senators and members of Parliament cannot properly scrutinize the government’s spending plan if 17% of it remains secret.

Senator Gold, when will the government stop treating Parliament like a rubber stamp and provide parliamentarians with the information that they need to do their jobs?

Senator Gold: It is simply not the case, senator, that the government treats Parliament, the Senate or the House of Commons as a rubber stamp. There are a number of measures through which the government regularly reports to this chamber and the other place so that we can discharge our responsibilities.

Monthly financial results are reported in The Fiscal Monitor. Departments provide quarterly financial reporting. Audited financial statements are published in the Public Accounts, and the government tables an annual Departmental Plan and Departmental Results Report. Most importantly, measures like the Fall Economic Statement embodied in Bill C-32 come before this house for study and debate.

Hon. Salma Ataullahjan: Government leader, yesterday, the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights began hearing testimony on Canada’s anti-terrorism rules that bar aid groups from working in Afghanistan. Committee members heard from lawyers, professors and charity organizations, but none of the three Liberal cabinet ministers accepted our invitation. Instead, Ministers Lametti, Mendicino and Sajjan sent bureaucrats from Public Safety Canada, Department of Justice Canada and Global Affairs Canada.

Senator Gold, we were told repeatedly during yesterday’s hearing that the government is seized — I repeat, because we heard it five times, seized — with this issue, but nothing is being done. I shudder to think, when the government is not seized with certain issues, what happens with those issues. Meanwhile, our allies have modified their rules to allow humanitarian aid to reach Afghanistan.

What are they hiding? Why send us bureaucrats limited by red tape and who, in some cases, have been in their current positions for only six months?

Senator Ataullahjan: Senator Gold, we heard from Professor Kent Roach from the University of Toronto, who took the time to explain to the Human Rights Committee that, in his professional opinion, this government is misinterpreting its own laws and that the needless suffering in Afghanistan could be avoided with solutions such as exemptions on non-prosecution agreements.

Senator Gold, Professor Roach offered three solid and simple solutions to put an end to the restrictions on humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. Why has the government not explored these avenues sooner?

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question. Professor Roach is, indeed, a notable expert, and the government and the country have benefited from his engagement with these and many other issues over the years. The government will look seriously at his recommendations as it values the work that the committee does and those witnesses that come before it.

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question.

I have not been advised of a timeline, as such. With the consultations having been finished, I have been advised that the analysis is ongoing and the work will proceed with dispatch.

I will certainly pass on your observation. The government would be receptive to the point that the system has to be adapted to the different industries, regions and circumstances that workers and businesses find themselves in.

At such time as there is a predicted date for release of more information, I will be happy to share it.

Hon. Jane Cordy: Honourable senators, I would like to speak about someone who has contributed greatly to my city of Dartmouth and to my province of Nova Scotia: well-known and well-respected business person Al MacPhee.

Al was determined to stand out on his own from an early age. As the tenth of 14 children, he left the family farm in French Road, Cape Breton, for the city, where he found a part-time job at a local car dealership.

Before long, he was selling cars and found he really enjoyed it. By 1983, Al owned his own dealership and eventually turned it into the third-largest General Motors dealership in Canada.

Success in the car business provided Al the means to support his community of Dartmouth and to really make a difference. He has contributed greatly over the years to the Dartmouth General Hospital and was chairman of the capital campaign to build Alderney Landing in Dartmouth — a convention centre, art gallery, market, theatre and events plaza that has helped to revitalize Dartmouth’s waterfront.

Al’s generosity to his community does not stop there. Al and his wife, Mary, have been long-time supporters of a non-profit youth education centre in downtown Dartmouth, which was established to help bridge the learning gap for youth in marginalized and disadvantaged circumstances who are underperforming in the conventional school environment and who are at serious risk of abandoning their schooling entirely.

In recognition of their generosity, the school now bears their name and is known as the MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning.

In 2018, Al was a recipient of the Ford Motor Company’s prestigious Salute To Dealers, which is presented to a select number of dealers worldwide in recognition of their outstanding contributions to their community during their career.

When asked about his involvement in community projects, Al was quoted as saying, “I don’t need fancy things. I’d rather put my money back into my community.”

Turning 80 this week, Al can still be found at his dealership in Dartmouth, Monday to Saturday, working 10-hour days doing what he loves and making a difference in the city that he loves. Happy birthday, Al.

Hon. David M. Wells: Honourable senators, as you may know from my Question Period interventions over the past eight months, in April a Canadian flight crew working for Pivot Airlines was arbitrarily detained in the Dominican Republic, having discovered and reported 210 kilograms of cocaine on their aircraft during a pre-flight check.

The crew was detained, jailed with drug traffickers, received death threats and had their passports seized. A dead body was left outside their cell and they were told they would be next.

Following their release, the crew had to move from safe house to safe house. In August, video evidence came to light that showed the drugs had been loaded onto the aircraft by a third party early on the morning of departure while the crew was at their hotel.

Colleagues, after multiple interventions and continuous pressure — as you may have heard — I’m pleased to report that, after eight months, the crew has finally returned home.

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!

[Translation]

Senator Wells: I was invited to welcome the crew on their arrival in Toronto late last week. I was able to meet the crew and their families and witness the emotional homecoming. While I am relieved that our Canadian crew has returned safely to Canada, I am disappointed that it has taken this long for the government to act for their rightful release. While they are back on safe soil, the emotional ordeal is not over.

As Pivot Airlines President Eric Edmondson stated, “The crew languished for months unnecessarily because of inaction of the government.” Transport Canada has committed to a full investigation of this, and I will be asking the government leader in the Senate about this in the coming months. The crew asked me to pass along their gratitude to all those who advocated on their behalf, including the Air Line Pilots Association, Canadian Union of Public Employees, or CUPE, Unifor and, of course, Pivot Airlines. The pilot, Captain Rob Di Venanzo said this was the best Christmas gift he could ever receive. Thank you, colleagues.

Hon. Nancy J. Hartling: Honourable senators, today I rise to congratulate and honour my friends from the Elsipogtog First Nation in New Brunswick. Elsipogtog means “river of fire” in the Mi’kmaq language and is located on the beautiful Richibucto River about one hour from my home in Moncton.

This year, the Elsipogtog Mi’kmaq Cultural Center Tours & Artisan Gift Shop, which runs the Mi’kmaq Heritage Path Tour, won the Tourism Industry Association of Canada’s prestigious Indigenous Tourism Award. The award recognizes Indigenous businesses that demonstrate a commitment to the development, promotion and delivery of authentic, innovative experiences that promote Indigenous culture and tourism growth in the region.

This award is well deserved, and we welcome you to our Senate. I understand you have an invitation from the other Senators to attend their game in Ottawa tonight and set up a booth to display your products.

Last summer, my husband and I had the pleasure of visiting Lynn Francis, director of the Elsipogtog Economic Development and members of her staff, as well as Chrissy Guitard, co-owner of SheBuilds construction company.

We met with Lynn’s team to learn about the various economic development projects at Elsipogtog First Nation. Our meeting began with a smudging ceremony by an elder, after which we had a chance to learn about the Mi’kmaq Heritage Path Tour, which is a guided walk through the traditional lands of the community.

The tour features historical, cultural and spiritual teachings designed for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. It includes an authentically constructed wigwam, longhouse and sweat lodge made by their local elder and knowledge keeper.

The tour ends inside the cultural centre where we were greeted by a group of young women wearing traditional ribbon skirts. It provides visitors a safe place to ask questions about Mi’kmaq culture, which is an excellent way to connect for folks who may not know about this profound history in New Brunswick. The Artisan Gift Shop offers very beautiful products for sale. We also enjoyed a special treat of bannock and fresh blueberries.

Later we had a chance to see several new buildings in the community such as a new hockey arena and to visit one of the SheBuilds construction sites. SheBuilds, in partnership with Elsipogtog Economic Development, provides opportunities for Mi’kmaq women to learn skilled trades while building houses in their own community. The carpenters and apprentices we met were very proud of their work that will help tackle the housing shortage in the community while increasing career opportunities for their skilled workers.

I was so grateful to have the opportunity to visit the Elsipogtog First Nation after so many years. It’s a very progressive place and definitely a tourist destination. Mark it on your calendar for a visit when coming to New Brunswick.

Friends, again, congratulations on your achievement in creating a wonderful cultural experience to share with us, and thank you for joining us today. Wela’lioq, thank you.

Hon. F. Gigi Osler: Honourable senators, today I am proud to welcome six members of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly Internship Program to the Senate. These inspiring young interns are Alina Hart, Bea Basaran, Tayla Gudnason, Cheta Akaluka, Dane Monkman and Hannah Drudge. Accompanying them is Academic Director, Professor Kelly Saunders.

The Manitoba Legislative Assembly Internship Program was established in 1985 by the Manitoba Legislative Assembly and is intended to serve three broad purposes.

First, the program provides graduates of Manitoba’s universities, or graduates of other universities who are lucky enough to be permanent residents of Manitoba, an opportunity to experience the legislative process. Interns are assigned to work with government and opposition caucuses where they perform a variety of tasks. In addition to being directly involved with the legislative process, the interns participate in a series of seminars designed to enhance their knowledge of government operations, the economy, media, journalism and the not-for-profit sector in Manitoba.

Second, the program provides MLAs with competent and educated assistance in policy research and constituency matters. The program enables MLAs to delegate some of the work to the interns, which then allows them to deal more efficiently with specialized legislative issues.

Finally, a long-term goal of the program is to develop a group of young Manitobans who understand the parliamentary system and the role of elected representatives. By fostering a knowledge of, and an appreciation for, our political system, the program brings value to both the province and to these future leaders.

Each cohort of interns can decide on a study trip to Westminster or a study visit to two Canadian jurisdictions. This year they chose Ottawa. The purpose of the visit is to familiarize the interns with the parliamentary process at the federal, provincial and/or territorial level. The visit consists of an intense program of seminars, meetings and tours with leading government and political figures, parliamentary and legislative officials, journalists, academics, community organizations and with parliamentary or other legislative interns.

With them here today are Madeleine Martin and Sarah Rollason-MacAulay, who are both interns from the Parliamentary Internship Programme here in Ottawa. I am particularly delighted to welcome Sarah, as she is from Winnipeg and I first met her years ago through her remarkable family.

The interns all shared with us how the program is an invaluable learning experience and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Honourable colleagues, please join me in welcoming them to the Senate of Canada. Thank you, meegwetch.

Hon. Judith G. Seidman: Honourable senators, it was a cold Wednesday afternoon when a young man walked into l’École Polytechnique de Montréal armed with a .223-calibre rifle. The date was December 6, 1989. He entered a classroom of engineering students and instantly ordered all six women to the back and the men to leave. Lining the women up side by side, he yelled, “You’re all a bunch of feminists. I hate feminists.” He lifted his rifle, pointed it toward the first woman’s head and shot her in the forehead. He would go on to do the same for the other five standing alongside. The shots echoed through the hallways. Students nearby heard the horrifying screams and scrambled for help.

On that dark day, 14 women lost their lives. The gunman’s suicide note stated that women had no place in engineering because they would take jobs from men, that feminists were ruining his life, and that his intention was to end the lives of all women in the Department of Engineering.

Today is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, and I wish to pay tribute to these 14 brave women who lost their lives 33 years ago. Their only sin was that they had dared to dream they could be engineers. Michèle Thibodeau-DeGuire was the first woman to graduate from the civil engineering program at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal. When asked about a possible solution to gender-based violence, she said one way to move forward after an event like this is to continue encouraging girls and women to stay in fields like engineering.

Women continue to be under-represented in engineering, but in 2020, Polytechnique’s Department of Engineering reached an important milestone. That year, just over 30% of undergraduate engineering graduates were women.

Honourable senators, remarkably, violence against women remains all too common today. According to the World Health Organization, one in three women experience some form of violence in their lifetime, and most of this is by their partners. It doesn’t take much thinking to remember the assaults and abuses against young women recently all over the world. No doubt you yourselves are remembering, perhaps even someone you know.

December 6 is an opportunity for Canadians to reflect on the phenomenon of violence against women in our society and to commemorate women such as those 14 students in Montreal who died on that Wednesday afternoon 33 years ago. They are: Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne‑Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St‑Arneault and Annie Turcotte. Thank you.

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!

Hon. Rosa Galvez: Honourable senators, I rise today to commemorate the tragedy that occurred on December 6, 1989, at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal.

Thirty-three years ago, Quebec was horrified to learn of this crime that occurred in a place of higher learning. This multiple femicide was committed by a misogynistic killer who silenced the voices and quashed the wonderful potential of 14 female engineering students.

Since then, the rate of femicide has risen, according to the Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability. In 2021, 173 women and girls were killed violently in Canada. On average, a crime is committed against a woman in Canada every two days, which is an increase of 26% since 2019.

[English]

Still today, Indigenous women and girls are victims of atrocious violence, leaving communities across the country in mourning and feeling vulnerable. Just last week, we learned of another deranged man taking the precious lives of several young women. This must stop.

Since 1991, we commemorate December 6 as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. This day was created to encourage us to continue raising our voices to find solutions to prevent this kind of violence. This resonates at home, but also abroad. In September, Iranian women and human rights activists gathered in nationwide protests to denounce the death of a young woman at the hands of Iran’s morality police because she did not comply with the country’s strict dress code for women.

[Translation]

Let us remember the pain that is inflicted on women just for being women. Let us not forget that being a woman should not be an obstacle to freedom of expression, the freedom to choose what to do with her body, to equality and the right to exist.

I want to thank Senators Pate, Audette, Boisvenu, Bernard, Miville-Dechêne, McPhedran, Ataullahjan and all the others who fight in this chamber against all forms of violence against women and girls.

Today we honour the memory of all the victims of the tragedy at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal. This is a very emotional time for me. Let us remember all the missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and all those who are victims of femicide around the world. We will never forget them.

Thank you. Meegwetch.

[English]

Hon. Senators: Agreed.

(Motion agreed to.)

(At 4:55 p.m., the Senate was continued until tomorrow at 2 p.m.)

Hon. Larry W. Smith: Honourable senators, as this is my first opportunity, I rise to address my unfortunate attempt at a triple salchow in the chamber last week.

While the audible thump that you may have heard was a lot harder on my ego than it was on my head, I can guarantee that I had not taken a knock as hard as that in the more than 200 games I have played in my amateur, collegiate and professional football career. I would like to thank Senators Ravalia, Osler, Kutcher and Mégie, as well as Greg Peters and others who came to my immediate assistance.

In addition to quickly assessing my condition, these remarkable physicians routinely followed up with me over the phone, as well as in person, throughout the evening and into the following day. My visit to Senator Kutcher’s makeshift clinic on the first floor of the Château Laurier that evening was indeed a highlight. I was in awe of the teamwork exhibited by these outstanding individuals, and I am indebted for their lightning-fast response.

Colleagues, my unsuccessful performance last week further highlights the importance of being conscious of your surroundings and your environment, especially during the winter months, which can be unforgiving for many of us in this place. In closing, I would like to thank all of you for your kind messages and care that you have demonstrated over the last few days. I am extremely grateful. Thank you.

Hon. Dennis Glen Patterson: My question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate.

Senator Gold, we continue to face issues created by fallout from the pandemic, particularly in the North where the most severe lockdowns in the country were imposed to successfully prevent the spread of COVID.

Recently, I have been advised that the Qikiqtani Inuit Association is facing major cost overruns with regard to the building of infrastructure that was promised through the Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement, or IIBA, due to pandemic-related delays and increases in materials and labour shortages. Other infrastructure flowing from that IIBA has not been able to begin because the original budgets would require adjustment in order to enable contractors to properly bid on them.

On the other side of the territory, the Kitikmeot Inuit Association has had to pause their progress on the Grays Bay road and port project in order to focus on COVID response programs. It was important to prioritize those programs, but it meant that just over $20 million in funding received through the National Trade Corridors Fund is about to expire at the end of this fiscal year before they can put it to its intended use, namely the finalization of environmental assessment submission to the Nunavut Impact Review Board.

Recognizing that those issues are well beyond the control of the two regional Inuit associations, my question is this: Will your government be willing to both add additional funding to address the cost overruns of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association infrastructure and to extend the deadline on the National Trade Corridors Fund spending?