Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate) moved second reading of Bill C-36, An Act for granting to His Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023.

She said: Honourable senators, I’m pleased to rise today to introduce the appropriation bill for the 2022-23 Supplementary Estimates (B).

The government is requesting Parliament’s approval of the planned voted spending that is detailed in the Supplementary Estimates (B) through the appropriation bill before us today.

As honourable senators will know, Parliament’s approval of the Minister of Finance’s federal budget does not authorize the government to spend funds.

Rather, appropriation bills serve as the vehicle through which payments from the Consolidated Revenue Fund are authorized for government programs and services.

Therefore, it is the responsibility of those of us in Parliament to authorize government spending through the estimates and their associated appropriation bills, like the one before us today.

I would note that the voted amounts in these supplementary estimates represent maximum “up to” ceilings or estimates.

Actual expenditures are published in quarterly financial reports, and total 2022-23 expenditures will be listed in the Public Accounts of Canada, which are tabled after the end of the fiscal year.

[English]

The estimates — together with the public accounts, Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports, which, I want to remind colleagues, were tabled on December 7 — provide important information and help us as parliamentarians scrutinize government spending.

Colleagues, this scrutiny is essential to a well-functioning democracy. Canadians must know and have access to a detailed breakdown of where their tax dollars are going. Accountability is achieved when the government is open and transparent about how taxpayers’ dollars are spent. Accountability and good governance go hand in hand. Good governance, therefore, builds public confidence and trust in government.

As honourable senators know, the supplementary estimates provide information on incremental spending requirements. These requirements were either not sufficiently developed in time to include in the Main Estimates or have been refined to account for recent developments.

To date for this fiscal year, the 2022-23 Main Estimates presented $397.6 billion in planned budgetary spending, composed of $190.3 billion in voted expenditures and $207.3 billion in statutory spending.

The 2022-23 Supplementary Estimates (A) proposed an additional $9.7 billion in planned budgetary spending, made up of $8.8 billion in voted expenditures and $860 million in statutory spending across 26 federal organizations.

These Supplementary Estimates (B) provide information on $25.8 billion in planned budgetary spending, which breaks down to $20.8 billion in voted expenditures and $5 billion in statutory spending.

Taken together, both these supplementary estimates propose roughly the same amount of new spending as last year. This year, however, many initiatives were not ready in time for the spring estimates, so they are included in the estimates this fall.

Although statutory authorities receive Parliament’s approval through separate legislation, they are included in these supplementary estimates to provide information on departments’ total estimated expenditures.

[Translation]

With these supplementary estimates, the government continues to invest in priority areas such as support for Indigenous peoples, disaster relief and affordable housing.

Notably, eight organizations are each seeking $500 million or more. They are: the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, requesting $6.3 billion; the Department of Indigenous Services, requesting $2.2 billion; the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, requesting $1.7 billion; the Treasury Board Secretariat, requesting $1.4 billion; the Public Health Agency of Canada, requesting $1.4 billion; the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, requesting $1.2 billion; the Department of Citizenship and Immigration, requesting $1.2 billion; and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, requesting $694.6 million.

Colleagues, allow me to go over a few of the major areas of spending in these supplementary estimates.

[English]

Let me first start with the government’s support for Indigenous peoples and their communities.

Colleagues, this government is deeply committed to a renewed nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous peoples — a relationship that is based on recognition of rights, respect, truth, cooperation and partnership.

Indigenous nations have the right to self-determination and self-government and rightfully aspire to restoring strong and healthy communities. As part of Canada’s ongoing journey toward reconciliation, the government is making necessary investments to support Indigenous peoples and their communities.

Honourable senators, these investments are making a real difference. They are helping settle long-standing claims, they are building important infrastructure and they are supporting services that are vital to the physical, mental, social and economic health and well-being of Indigenous communities.

[Translation]

Honourable senators, I would also note that the government is continuing the important work of improving housing infrastructure, supporting education and child care, and responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

It goes without saying that important progress is being made. For example, with the help of $5.6 billion in new funding announced since 2015, 137 long-term drinking water advisories have been lifted on reserve as of December 1. These new funds also prevented 230 short-term drinking water advisories from becoming long-term advisories.

In these Supplementary Estimates (B), $6.3 billion is allocated to the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs. That represents an 86% increase over the department’s estimates to date for 2022-23. Allow me to provide a breakdown of some of the major items in this total.

[English]

As this chamber knows, the government is in active discussions with various Indigenous groups related to legal challenges.

Honourable colleagues, I want to assure you that the government is committed to resolving these challenges through respectful dialogue and mediation.

There is $3 billion being proposed in these supplementary estimates for out-of-court settlements to ensure that the department can quickly implement negotiated settlements should agreements be reached.

An additional $677.6 million in funding would go toward replenishing the Specific Claims Settlement Fund, and $673.5 million is earmarked for the settlement of the Blueberry River, Doig River, Halfway River and West Moberly First Nations’ Treaty 8 Land Entitlement specific claims.

It is important to note that specific claims are grievances against the federal government regarding alleged failures to fulfill our historical treaty obligations or mismanagement of Indigenous lands and assets.

Claims and tribunal awards valued at up to $150 million are paid from the Specific Claims Settlement Fund. The fund is therefore being replenished based on anticipated payments for negotiated settlements and tribunal awards.

[Translation]

Specifically in these supplementary estimates, the government is proposing $673.5 million for compensation and administration costs for the Federal Indian Day Schools and Sixties Scoop settlement agreements.

Childhood claims refer to a broad category of past and ongoing legal actions against the Government of Canada. This includes experiences Indigenous claimants had relating to residential schools, boarding homes, Indian hospitals, adoption, and foster care. The funding will be used to make compensation payments related to the Federal Indian Day Schools Settlement Agreement and to cover the cost of the ongoing management of childhood claims, including payments for existing agreements.

Lastly, $458.2 million is allocated for First Nation, Inuit and Métis housing. The funds would be used to support site planning and preparation, new construction, major and minor repairs, land and lot development, operations and maintenance, capacity support, and other housing-related needs.

Honourable senators, it will indeed take time to address the legacy of these historical wrongs and vital needs, but the government’s investments are making a difference. They are helping address inequalities that exist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada.

[English]

I would now like to address the second major spending item in these supplementary estimates: funding for disaster assistance. From coast to coast to coast, Canadians have experienced various natural disasters brought on by climate change. The science is clear: These destructive events will continue, and without continued action to address climate change, their frequency will only increase.

As the government works to achieve a comprehensive climate plan, it also realizes that individual Canadians affected by natural disasters need support and relief.

In the event of a large-scale natural disaster, the government provides financial assistance to provincial and territorial governments. As honourable senators well know, federal funding to provinces and territories is based on a cost-sharing formula, with a wide range of eligible expenses. Those include items like cleanup and repairs to public infrastructure, property of individuals, small businesses and farms.

These supplementary estimates propose $1.5 billion — that is out of $1.7 billion — for disaster financial assistance to assist British Columbia with its response and recovery costs from recent natural disasters, including the 2020 flood and landslides as well as the 2021 fires, floods and landslides.

In its study, Treading Water: The impact of and response to the 2021 British Columbia floods, the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry shed light on challenges faced in southwestern British Columbia with flood control and emergency preparedness. I would like to commend the committee for their excellent work.

[Translation]

Honourable senators, although we have come a long way in our battle against COVID-19, we all know the pandemic is not over yet.

This is particularly the case in developing countries, which have struggled to obtain the proper testing and therapeutics.

The government believes Canada has an important role to play in vaccine equity around the world.

That is why these supplementary estimates propose allocating $732 million to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development to provide developing countries with vaccines, testing and therapeutics to fight COVID-19.

This funding will be used to procure and distribute COVID-19 vaccines, diagnostic tests, and therapeutics, as well as to build capacity in developing countries’ health systems.

In countries with low vaccination rates, the funding will support COVID-19 vaccine delivery, vaccine production, and outreach and awareness campaigns to increase vaccine confidence.

We all also know that COVID-19 is not done with us yet. As the virus continues to evolve, Canada will be prepared.

With this in mind, $696.2 million is proposed for the Public Health Agency of Canada.

The funding would support the continued development and acquisition of vaccine doses, including new formulations to provide the best protection against COVID-19.

With these investments, we will continue to address the impacts of COVID-19 both in Canada and abroad.

[English]

Honourable senators, we also know that Canada’s housing shortage is making it difficult for Canadians to find affordable housing. Budget 2022 proposed measures that, in partnership with actions taken by other orders of government, will put Canada on the path to double the construction of new housing and meet Canada’s housing needs over the next decade.

The Supplementary Estimates (B) include funding for the following housing measures in Budget 2022: $750 million to provinces and territories for transit and housing, which was authorized under Budget Implementation Act, 2022, No. 1; as mentioned earlier, $458.2 million for self-governing and modern treaty First Nation, Inuit and Métis housing; $441.6 million for the Rapid Housing Initiative, which aims to create new affordable housing for people and populations who are vulnerable; and $10.3 million to co-develop an urban, rural and Northern Indigenous housing strategy.

These supplementary estimates further build on those measures. In addition to funding announced in Budget 2022, I’m pleased to say that these estimates also contain funding for a number of other Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation programs, such as $91.8 million for the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund; $38 million for the Federal Lands Initiative, which supports the transfer of surplus federal lands and buildings to be developed or renovated for use as affordable housing; and $27 million for the Rental Construction Financing Initiative.

At the end of the day, every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to live and raise their families.

Honourable senators, the proposed funding in these estimates demonstrates the government’s commitments to priorities at home and abroad, from investing in Indigenous communities to providing disaster financial assistance and providing programs for affordable housing.

[Translation]

If there is one thing that world current events have taught us, it’s that we are all in the same boat. The estimates show that the government is responding to immediate needs while continuing to make long-term investments that benefit all Canadians.

Before I conclude, I would like to thank, once again, the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance for its study. Thank you for your hard work. I appreciate the time you have devoted to studying the various financial bills throughout the year and especially during supply periods. Your input is greatly appreciated. Esteemed colleagues, I urge you to pass this bill without delay.

Thank you.

[English]

The Hon. the Speaker: It is moved by the Honourable Senator Loffreda, seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson, that the bill be read a second time. Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?

The Hon. the Speaker informed the Senate that each of the honourable senators named above had made and subscribed the Declaration of Qualification required by the Constitution Act, 1867, in the presence of the Clerk of the Senate, the Commissioner appointed to receive and witness the said declaration.

[English]

Senator Plett: Well, without question, I would like to tell the government what to do — they just aren’t listening.

Senator Bovey, you may well be right; I don’t think this is a national program when you pick three provinces and title the act “An Act respecting the building of a green economy in the Prairies.” A national program would be an act respecting a green economy in Canada. So why don’t we do that? Then it should be a federal project.

They are asking to come in and dialogue with Manitobans, Saskatchewanians and Albertans in helping us develop a green economy when natural gas in Alberta, for example — and Saskatchewan has the greenest development of potash in the entire world. This was not done by the federal government. This was done by the Province of Saskatchewan.

Senator Plett: Certainly.

Hon. Leo Housakos: Government leader, I have frequently risen through the years to ask you, and your predecessor, regarding Minister Mélanie Joly’s electoral commitments in a number of elections and, actually, even in writing. She has committed in writing and promised the Canadian-Armenian community — on many occasions — to open up an embassy in Armenia. Despite the fact that your predecessor Senator Harder once said to me that electoral promises are not the basis upon which a government determines where they open up an embassy, in September, with great fanfare, we saw Prime Minister Trudeau, with great enthusiasm, announce to the community that he would be opening up an embassy in Armenia. Yet, just a couple of weeks ago, in the middle of the night, with a lot less fanfare and a lot less enthusiasm, the department announced that it won’t be an ambassador, and it won’t be an embassy; it will be a consul. There is a big difference.

Government leader, can you explain to us why is it that Prime Minister Trudeau continues to backtrack on promises made to the Canadian-Armenian community?

Senator Housakos: I appreciate that, government leader. I want to remind this chamber that in September when the Prime Minister made the announcement, it was on the day commemorating Armenia’s independence, and celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and Armenia. The Prime Minister, again with great fanfare, talked about how we need to strengthen people-to-people relationships, diplomatic relationships, economic relationships and so on and so forth between our two countries. But, again, we see that, when it counts, the Prime Minister says one thing and does another.

We see a pattern with this Trudeau government where their priority seems to be in making grand announcements and running victory laps — rather than taking action and getting things done. My question is very simple: Can we get a commitment from the government that they will honour their ongoing electoral promise and open up an embassy — and stop putting on a show and take action?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, on behalf of my colleagues in the Government Representative Office, I would like to welcome our newest colleague to the Red Chamber, Senator Sharon Burey.

Senator Burey has been a practising pediatrician in the Windsor region for more than 20 years. She has also provided care for the smallest patients in northern Ontario. Her list of accomplishments is a long one. She attended the University of Western Ontario, received a Bachelor of Science in Biology, got her medical degree from Dalhousie University and completed a residency in pediatrics at the IWK hospital in Halifax. She served as the president of the Pediatricians Alliance of Ontario. She is a member of the Health Policy Committee of the Ontario Medical Association, or OMA, a former pediatrics delegate to the OMA Council and a former committee member of the OMA Outreach to Women Physicians Committee. She is also an adjunct professor of pediatrics at Western University.

[Translation]

When Senator Burey was appointed, the Windsor Star published an article proudly announcing that a Windsorite had been appointed to the Senate of Canada for the first time in 40 years. What is even more remarkable is that she is the first woman and the first person of colour from Windsor to hold such a position.

Senator Burey, your hometown is very proud of you.

[English]

Senator Burey’s impressive professional and personal experience, her work in the health care field and her perspectives and passion on issues relating to diversity and inclusion are welcome additions to this chamber.

Senator Burey, I hope you’re looking forward to your time here, because we are certainly looking forward to your input and your wisdom as we deliberate, review and study the issues most affecting Canadians.

Senator Gold: Honourable senators, I rise again today on behalf of the Government Representative Office, this time to welcome Senator Rebecca Patterson to our midst.

Senator Patterson comes to us after a stellar career in the Canadian Armed Forces. As someone who holds a diploma in nursing from Niagara College Canada and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing — summa cum laude — from the University of Ottawa, she is the first person with a military nursing background to ever lead at the rank of Flag (General) Officer as Rear‑Admiral. She is a Canadian Armed Forces leader and Defence Champion for Women and, just prior to joining us, she served as Director General, Culture Change, Chief Professional Conduct and Culture, where she coordinated the whole-of-defence policy approach to support Canada’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.

[Translation]

She has also had international experience on military deployments to the Persian Gulf, Somalia, and Afghanistan.

[English]

Senator Patterson was named a Global News Edmonton Woman of Vision, was granted the Ontario Premier’s Award for excellence in health sciences for Ontario college graduates, received recognition for “Breaking Down the Barricades” in the highlights of the Esprit de Corps magazine and was presented with a Niagara College distinguished alumni award.

[Translation]

The accomplishment that she is most proud of is being the founder and director of Soldiers Helping Soldiers, a volunteer‑based organization that connects veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with service providers who can help them.

[English]

We are lucky to be welcoming to our Senate ranks someone whose life experiences will help inform us on the timely issues that are so relevant to our studies and deliberations.

Welcome, Senator Patterson.

Hon. Raymonde Saint-Germain: Honourable senators, I am also pleased to rise today to welcome two new colleagues, the Honourable Senator Sharon Burey and the Honourable Senator Rebecca Patterson.

[English]

Honourable Senator Sharon Burey, today in the Senate you are officially opening a new chapter of your life, and as this chapter is beginning, I wish to express how eager all members of the Independent Senators Group are to work with you.

Colleagues, Senator Burey has demonstrated tremendous leadership and earned so much respect in the field of children’s health. Her work as a health advocate has been recognized with numerous honours. She has been bestowed with the Ontario Chapter Excellence Award and a Special Achievement Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics, as well as an Excellence in Health Care Award from the North American Black Historical Museum & Cultural Centre. She was notably recognized for her outstanding service to the Council For The Prevention Of Child Abuse in Windsor-Essex County, where she was the co-chairperson of the medical issues committee. Despite all those experiences and awards, Senator Burey has proven her continuous pursuit of professional development, and she has recently completed a Physician Business Leadership Program at York University.

Honourable Senator Burey, even though you were appointed 23 days ago, you have been dedicated to improving the well‑being of Canadians from a very young age when you decided to pursue your medical studies and became a renowned, engaged and seasoned pediatrician.

At one of the conferences of the Ontario Medical Association related to the impact of COVID-19 on mental health, which took place in August 2021 and at which you presided, you stated, “Children and adolescents make up roughly 20% of our population, but they are really 100% of our future.” As we all face the challenge of leaving future generations with a world worth living in, your credentials give me high hopes that we will do a much better job with the contributions and leadership of colleagues like you.

Colleagues, we are privileged to have with us here the first woman of colour to ever hold the position of President of the Pediatricians Alliance of Ontario. Senator Burey, it is now no secret that you know how to break a glass ceiling, and today we are pleased to have among us another senator to inspire future generations to dream big.

We wish you every success.

Senator Saint-Germain Respect: That is what I feel when I think about the career of our new colleague Senator Rebecca Patterson. Her career culminated in her rise to the high office of Rear-Admiral of the Canadian Armed Forces — an office that, you will agree, is grounded in excellence.

[English]

Your military career, Senator Patterson, is nothing short of remarkable. I won’t enumerate the long list of your important leadership positions with the military, but I will note that you devoted your life to the service and protection of others, and for that, we are very grateful.

A nursing practitioner by training, you have risen through the ranks in the Armed Forces by your talent, hard work and natural leadership. You were deployed in key areas at crucial moments for Canada. In 1991, you served at a Canadian field hospital in Saudi Arabia during the Persian Gulf conflict. You also supported the efforts of the Canadian Airborne Regiment in 1993 in Somalia. More recently, you assisted the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police with re-establishing their medical education and training system — an impressive list of achievements, to say the least.

For your outstanding service, you were inducted as an Officer of the Order of Military Merit and received the Governor General’s Meritorious Service medal, just two of the many awards you have earned. Your strong military experience guarantees an added value as well as a unique perspective for our work here at the Senate. It will be highly useful when tackling contemporary issues and forming public policy.

Immediately before your appointment, you served as Director General, Culture Change, Chief Professional Conduct and Culture. In this role, you led and supported efforts to change the culture in the Canadian Armed Forces and bring it closer to a future where it is free of sexual harassment and other harmful behaviours that largely target women and vulnerable people. The Canadian Armed Forces trusted you — and rightly so — with this vital role for their credibility. I am glad that, from now on, such a trusted figure as yours will be associated with the Senate of Canada in the minds of Canadians.

As you may know, in the Senate of Canada, we have also taken steps toward instilling a culture of excellence. We know that you will contribute to keeping us on the right path. Senator Patterson, in my name as well as in the name of every single senator in the Independent Senators Group, I congratulate you on your merit and wish you every success during your tenure in the Senate of Canada.

Hon. Jane Cordy: Honourable senators, on behalf of the Progressive Senate Group, I’m pleased to once again join other leaders in what feels like a now regular and indeed very positive occurrence. Today, we have another two senators taking their places in this chamber, and I would like to extend the same warm greetings to them as I have to those who came before.

With your arrival, Senator Burey, we are gaining a champion for equality and justice, particularly for those in marginalized communities. I dare say that will make for a seamless transition to working in the Senate, although you’ll be surrounded by fewer children in this place.

As has been noted, you were the first woman of colour to become president of the Pediatricians Alliance of Ontario. In this place, it’s been over 40 years since we have had a senator representing your city of Windsor, and you are the first woman — and the first person of colour — to fill that role. We all know that being able to see oneself reflected in particular positions can have a tremendous impact, and I know that so many people — and especially children — will benefit from seeing you take your place in this chamber.

Being from Nova Scotia, I was very pleased that you were a graduate of Dalhousie University and that you worked at the IWK Health Centre.

Senator Patterson, with your arrival, we are gaining a champion for women — a Defence Champion for Women, to be more precise. As we’ve heard, you were the first person with a military nursing background to lead at the rank of Flag (General) Officer. Your work has taken on many different directions, but always in the service of others. One of your most recent efforts — helping seniors in long-term care facilities during the pandemic — is particularly commendable.

In a committee in the other place, you said that “Establishing a culture of belonging, dignity and justice will help unite us.” You were, of course, speaking about the Canadian Armed Forces and the work you’ve done there, but I think it’s a fitting statement for many places, including our own chamber. We work best when we are working under the right conditions, and I’m pleased to have more new faces to help us with that task here.

By the way, my brother-in-law, Dennis Hearn, who worked with you in the military, said that I would love working with you because we both have similar personalities. So if you see me staring at you or listening intently, I’ll be checking out your personality.

Senators, through your respective careers to date, you have both faced tremendous challenges, and you have both tackled them admirably. With this new chapter in your lives, I am certain that you will equally rise to the occasion.

On behalf of the Progressive Senate Group, it is my pleasure to officially welcome you both to the Senate of Canada. We look forward to working with you both, Senator Burey and Senator Patterson.

Hon. Scott Tannas: Today, we welcome two new senators to this chamber, Senator Burey and Senator Patterson.

As a strong leader in the field of health and well-being of children and as a pediatrician, professor and advocate for those living in poverty and marginalized communities, Senator Burey has been an inspiration. Her participation in our debates, both in this place and in committee, will no doubt provide us with unique insight.

Senator, one of your predecessors from the city of Windsor in this chamber was Paul Martin Sr., who is widely famous for being one of the principal architects of the Canadian health care system. As a health care practitioner, your views on improving our system will be very timely. No pressure.

I heard a particularly touching story about how you inspired a Dalhousie Medical School graduate. When she was 6 years old, her mother brought her to your office and she saw a doctor that looked like her: a female and a person of African heritage. She said that she knew then that she too wanted to become a doctor because “seeing you that day opened my eyes to opportunities for myself that I had not yet imagined.”

Now as a senator you will have the opportunities to continue to inspire young people to imagine something they might not have thought possible.

We also welcome Senator Patterson from Ontario. This is Senator Patterson from Nunavut. You’ll forever be bracketed.

Rear-Admiral Patterson is a highly decorated and highly accomplished Flag Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces, and the 222nd senator appointed with previous military experience, and now we welcome you to our ranks.

A registered nurse by training, she has served in numerous leadership positions, promoting mental health and supporting servicewomen and servicemen with mental injuries. She is the founding director of Soldiers Helping Soldiers, an organization which assists homeless veterans.

Senator Patterson, looking at your parliamentary record, you have appeared before parliamentary committees, and I assume that this place will become second nature to you very quickly. I hope you will more enjoy asking the questions instead of answering them.

Senators Burey and Patterson, on behalf of the Canadian Senators Group, I welcome you to the Senate, and my colleagues look forward to working with you.

Hon. Mary Jane McCallum: Honourable senators, I give notice that, at the next sitting of the Senate, I will move:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples be authorized to examine and report on the misrepresentation of Indigenous ancestry, inadequate self‑identification standards and the profound effects that such identity fraud has on further marginalizing Indigenous people, in particular Indigenous women; and

That the committee submit its final report no later than December 31, 2023.

Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Senator Gold, over the past months, my Conservative colleagues and I have repeatedly asked you and your government questions on the serious ongoing issues at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, or IRCC.

Now, just when you think the situation couldn’t get any worse, think again, colleagues, because the Liberals have again reached a new low.

Every day that goes by is another day when human lives are destabilized due to the uncertainty brought forward by the never‑ending issues at IRCC.

Yesterday, Senator Gold, we learned via CBC that the immigration department has been assigning applications to immigration officers or placeholder codes that are inactive and no longer working within their systems — not just a couple dozen files, but 59,456 files sitting dormant to 779 former employees or inactive computers. That is unheard of, Senator Gold.

Canadians need more than words of reassurance by your government. They need leadership, and they need it now, more than ever. This has become an issue of trust, Senator Gold.

Does your government realize the seriousness of the job that they have to do?

Senator Plett: Well, as I said, that is being done on computers that aren’t active, with employees that haven’t worked for IRCC for years.

Basic government services aren’t being provided by your government. Files are falling through the cracks, and 60,000 individuals and their families are on standby in limbo because of this ordeal. Backlogs have increased rather than improved — so much so that people are having to seek judicial orders to ensure that immigration processes their applications.

Yesterday, Minister Sean Fraser said that what transpired is — listen to this — “an ordinary process” and “part of our triage strategy.” Wow.

So according to those comments, this is normal and acceptable. Is that your position, Senator Gold? Is this normal, and is it acceptable?

Hon. Jane Cordy: Honourable senators, I rise today on behalf of our colleague Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard.

I rise to pay tribute to the former executive director of the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women, Stephanie MacInnis-Langley. Stephanie is known most for her fierce advocacy for women in the gender-based violence and non-profit sector. Her unwavering commitment to social justice, women’s rights and women in politics has contributed to systemic change in Nova Scotia.

I first met Stephanie back in the 1990s while I was facilitating a workshop on unpacking White privilege. At that time, she was ahead of the curve when it came to applying an intersectional lens. Stephanie’s advocacy work is complex and multi-faceted.

In addition to promoting justice for women experiencing violence, she has been creating change within politics. She could see the unique challenges faced by women running for public office and how the community could benefit from seeing more women in office. Her vision for change led to the development of the Campaign School for Women. That work also led to an emphasis on diversity within the campaign school. This campaign school has supported many women to run for politics on every level, and some of those women have been successfully elected.

The success of the Campaign School for Women inspired the office of African Nova Scotian Affairs to use their blueprint to run a Campaign School for African Nova Scotians. I attribute the success of the program to the work centred around a key tenet to name the barriers and to break the barriers.

Stephanie has done so much to protect and promote women. What many people do not recognize about advocating for women’s rights is that the positive impact resonates throughout the entire community. What is good for women is good for everyone.

Stephanie, I have always admired your willingness to swim upstream and lead the change you want to see in Nova Scotia. Enjoy your well-earned retirement, although I suspect this retirement is just the close of one chapter, and the opening to the next.

Colleagues, please join me in celebrating and thanking Stephanie MacInnis-Langley. Thank you.

Hon. Fabian Manning: Now, on to Chapter 70 of “Telling Our Story.”

There are many Christmas traditions that are unique to Newfoundland and Labrador, such as “mummering” and leaving Purity syrup for Santa instead of milk. Another tradition is known as “Tibb’s Eve.”

Although the term itself is quite old, according to Dr. Phil Hiscock of the Memorial University’s Department of Folklore, the idea of Tibb’s Eve as a particular day on the calendar — one day before Christmas Eve — is specific to Newfoundland and Labrador. He explained that some time around the Second World War, people along the south coast of Newfoundland began to associate December 23 with the phrase “Tibb’s Eve” and deemed it to be the first occasion that it would be acceptable to have a few Christmas drinks. In many of our outport communities, it became a day where the men would visit each other’s homes for a taste.

Because Christmas Eve was still part of the Advent, and that observance was almost as sober as the Lenten season, Dr. Hiscock indicated that most traditional Christians would never consider taking a nip before Christmas Day prior to World War II. Tibb’s Eve became a lighthearted means to extend the season, much like workers in the 19th century would lengthen their weekends by taking Saint Monday off from work.

Tibb’s Eve is sometimes known by several different names, depending on what community one comes from. In some places it is called “Tipp’s Eve” or “Tipsy’s Eve.” As Dr. Hiscock said, “For someone who thinks of it as a day to get tipsy, then Tipsy Eve is perfect.”

He said:

. . . it’s all based in the kind of humour that people have had for hundred of years. So, there’s no reason why people should not make humorous adjustments to it in the present.

Several hundred years ago in England, “tib” was slang for a woman who — shall we say — was loose on her morals. Historians believe that may be the reason there is not a “St. Tibb’s Day,” similar to a St. Patrick’s Day or St. Brigid’s Day. There were many English plays throughout the 1600s that would feature roles with the name “Tibb.”

A very popular drink on Tibb’s Eve in Newfoundland is known as “slush.” It is a mixture of vodka, Purity syrup, club soda or sparkling wine, with a splash of freshly squeezed lime juice served over a full glass of crushed ice. Once again, the ingredients vary in different communities of the province, but wherever it is poured, it is a great way to kick off the Christmas season.

That explains how Tibb’s Eve became associated with December 23 along the south coast of Newfoundland, but the phrase itself holds the key to its Christmastime connection. Dr. Hiscock also said that Tibb’s Eve became an old-fashioned way to say “never,” as in “the day that does not exist.” Because it did not exist, Tibb’s Eve was a non-time, similar to several other silly phrases in the English language, such as “the twelfth of never” or “when two Sundays fall together,” just to name a couple.

So, friends, during the holiday season, when someone asks me, “Would there ever be a time when you would leave Newfoundland to live somewhere else?” my reply will always be, “On Tibb’s Eve.”

Merry Christmas.

Hon. Fabian Manning: Honourable senators, as I was saying, I was once told by a very intelligent lady that you are a product of your environment. When I think of the Newfoundland dog and the Labrador retriever, I truly believe that statement pertains to both of them as well. Having their start in Newfoundland, they learned very early on to jump in, swim and not be afraid to face whatever challenges the day would bring. They are well known throughout the world for their loyalty, kindness and willingness to help others whenever the need arises. They are great ambassadors for our province.

Thank you.