Senator Plett: You are right, Senator Gold; I received the same information about 12 minutes ago. That does not preclude the fact that this was done. They have now suspended it because of, clearly, pressure being put on them by people who are doing due diligence — which clearly is not the government.

Senator Gold, there is absolutely no excuse for this gross negligence when it comes to protecting our national security. The government has — and had — a responsibility to use the tools at its disposal to screen and vet its bidders. Why did your government choose not to do this?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): First of all, the government is grateful for the Senate’s study to shine a light on the issues that are affecting the communities in Canada. The government takes these issues very seriously, and is pursuing its investigation diligently.

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question.

Senator, I’m advised that the process will follow the process that was laid out online publicly and that has been operating successfully since the new open merit-based appointments process came into effect in 2015. It will include relevant representatives on the selection committee who will ensure there is a diversity of perspectives around the table. However, senator, as you know, those selection processes are confidential, and it would be inappropriate for the government to advise who will be part of them.

Senator Gold: — from the opposition, and they deserve serious responses from the Canadian government. That’s what they’re getting with this government — a responsible and prudent management of difficult times for Canadians.

Targeted support is being provided to Canadians to help them get through the rising costs whether of rent or of food. There is responsible management of our economy, and there is a respect for the independence of those institutions responsible for managing and trying to wrestle to the ground the inflation that has affected our country and many others.

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question. Measures that have already been taken include suspending the contract. The Prime Minister announced that the government will carry out a more comprehensive inquiry into infrastructure security and integrity as a whole. Minister Champagne also made similar announcements.

As I said, the government is taking this very seriously and will do whatever it takes to safeguard the integrity of our infrastructure and our information and to protect Canadians’ security.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question.

With regard to the challenges facing citizens and organizations seeking information, as I’ve said on many occasions in this chamber, the bottlenecks and delays are serious matters and the government is doing everything it can in an attempt to put into place the human resources, which remains a big challenge — recruitment and retention — and other measures to address the backlog.

Regarding the question surrounding the monies that are under investigation regarding the payments of CERB, that is a matter that the CRA is dealing with appropriately and prudently, as has been announced and recorded briefly. I have every confidence they will continue to do the work in an appropriate, rigorous and responsible fashion.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question and for your ongoing commitment to the issue of arts and culture in this country.

I understand that the search for the permanent director is under way and is online now with an open posting. The successful candidate for the full-time role will be approved by the Governor-in-Council process as proposed by the Minister of Canadian Heritage, and I’m confident that it will be someone qualified and talented — someone who will help unite the gallery and the visual arts community around its most treasured national institution.

As well, I note that the minister is alive to the concerns raised. I understand that Minister Rodriguez recently wrote a letter to the chair of the board of directors expressing his deep concern and asking that action be taken swiftly once solutions have been put forward by the board of directors.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): I thank the honourable senator for the question.

Canada’s maritime domain awareness in the Arctic is absolutely critical to ensure that we can manage risks and respond to incidents that may have an impact on our security, on our environment and on our economy. That’s why National Defence is making historic, landmark investments to increase our ability to operate in and to defend the Arctic. These include an investment of approximately $38.6 billion over 20 years to modernize NORAD, to improve our space capabilities, to acquire remotely piloted aircraft systems, to purchase six Arctic offshore patrol ships and to enhance our surveillance capacity and our intelligence capability in the Arctic with 88 fighter jets. As well, the planned Nanisivik Naval Facility will play an important role in enhancing the Royal Canadian Navy’s presence in the North and help secure our Arctic.

The government remains committed to continuing to make the necessary investments to ensure that Canada’s Arctic remains secure.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question.

No, I do not agree. The government takes foreign interference very seriously. As previously indicated by the Prime Minister, the government is looking into the concerns, including the awarding of the contract, and will take all measures to ensure the integrity of our critical infrastructure.

As colleagues may know by now, my understanding is that Minister Mendicino has confirmed that the RCMP has suspended the procurement contract at issue.

Senator Gold: The government is looking into the circumstances under which this contract was awarded to an Ontario-based company in which there is an ownership stake by a Chinese company. The government will take all steps to protect our critical infrastructure from foreign interference. The suspension of the contract is but the first step.

[Translation]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question, but I disagree.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question and for underlining the challenges that all families in Canada are facing in this flu season.

I don’t need to remind the honourable senators or Canadians of the steps that they can take to protect themselves, whether masking, covering their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, staying home when sick and washing their hands.

The Government of Canada continues to work with the provinces and territories to address the challenges they are facing in the funding, management and organization of their health care services. For its part, the Government of Canada has taken significant steps by establishing the Coalition for Action for Health Workers to inform immediate and long-term solutions to address these challenges, including challenges in the workforce; introducing measures to facilitate the entry of foreign national physicians as permanent residents; and announcing a Chief Nursing Officer for Canada to provide strategic advice from a nursing perspective to Health Canada on priority, policy and program areas.

The government’s priority remains to do its part to work with provinces and territories and, as the Minister of Health has said on previous occasions, invite the provinces and territories and the leaders of those provinces and territories to allow the Ministers of Health to work with the Minister of Health of Canada to find durable solutions for the challenges that face us all.

Senator Loffreda: Thank you for that reassurance, Senator Gold.

In a column published last week, Stephen Van Dine wrote that:

. . . Canada’s influence at that table —

— that of the Arctic Council, which was created in 1996 in Ottawa —

— has begun to wane, especially in comparison to financial commitments made by other nations including Norway and Denmark as well as the United States and Russia.

We know that Canada has made important investments and commitments to addressing domestic issues for northern residents and Indigenous peoples in the Arctic, but with the increasing traffic in the region and the interests of other nations in this part of the world, I feel that Canada needs to do more to reestablish itself as an Arctic powerhouse. We need to take this issue more seriously.

What is the government doing to advance and protect our foreign interests in the region?