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.

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): 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.

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.