Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. The government appreciates the work done by LGBTQ2+ organizations, and is committed to continuing to work alongside the community and those who support it to create a Canada where everyone in the LGBTQ2+ community can live authentic lives. I am assured that the government welcomes any collaboration to advance equality for the LGBTQ2+ community.

Hon. Robert Black: My question is for the Government Representative in the Senate. As you may know, an immediate export certificate was approved by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, or CFIA, on December 1 that will allow chicken products from certain Ukrainian producers to be brought into Canada without tariffs and quotas under the Ukrainian Goods Remission Order.

I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the speed with which the CFIA approved this certificate, despite the fact that the Agriculture and Agri-Food Committee in the other place was still examining the issue. While I appreciate that moving nimbly in volatile situations is sometimes necessary, it is difficult to imagine that the CFIA had enough time to consider witness testimony, especially remarks from representatives from the Ukrainian Canadian Congress that highlighted the destruction of civil infrastructure targeted by Russian missiles.

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Honourable colleagues, the United States, which conducted its audit of the Ukrainian poultry and meat system in 2018-19 alongside Canada and our CFIA inspectors, has decided to delay its decision regarding Ukraine’s export permit until the war is over and it is possible to reassess the state of Ukraine’s food safety infrastructure.

Senator Gold, with the knowledge that one of our greatest allies is delaying their own decision based on their ability to reassess Ukrainian infrastructure, can you confirm that your government is confident that the inspection, and critical infrastructure, that was in place in 2019 is still valid today?

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Senator Burey’s children, John Burey, Tecla Burey Vernon and Marie-Louise Burey, as well as her brother, Omar C.C. Burey. They are accompanied by other family and friends.

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

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Senator R. Patterson’s spouse, Lieutenant-Colonel Shane Patterson; her children, Olivia Patterson and Corporal William Patterson; her sister, Rosemary MacDonald; and the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Wayne Eyre. They are accompanied by family and friends.

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

The Hon. the Speaker: Senator Marshall, I apologize. I must interrupt you. It is now 6 p.m. Pursuant to rule 3-3(1), I must leave the chair until 8 p.m. unless it is agreed that we do not see the clock. Is it agreed that we do not see the clock?

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Senator Cotter’s partner, Professor Elaine Gibson, as well as Klara Doelle, Diane Pinet and Sudhir Nagpal.

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

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Senator, thank you for your question. I will certainly have to look into the change in status of our Canadian presence in Armenia. I’ll be happy to report back when I get a proper answer.

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: It was moved by the Honourable Senator Gagné, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gold, that this bill be read a second time.

Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?

Senator Gold: Senator, I will simply repeat my answer because I do not agree with, nor accept, your characterization of the government’s actions, or its motivations. As I said, I will make inquiries regarding the status of the Canadian diplomatic presence in Armenia. As soon as I have an answer, I will report back to the chamber.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the 2021-22 Annual Report of the Taxpayers’ Ombudsman, entitled Service Matters: Numbers Speak Volumes.

The Hon. the Speaker informed the Senate that a message had been received from the House of Commons with Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Judges Act.

(Bill read first time.)

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

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

Senator Gold: As I have responded to your question, Senator Black, I have been advised and assured that all measures are in place, and continue to be in place, to protect the health and safety of Canadians when it comes to imported products from anywhere, including Ukraine. I think Canadians can be proud of the standards that we have in place to protect the integrity of our food supply — as they can also be proud of the efforts Canada has taken to assist Ukraine during this unjustified war waged on them by Russia.

[Translation]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): The answer to your question is no.

This doesn’t mean that the commissioner’s recommendations are not important or that the government and the departments identified in the report can’t do better, but the answer is no.

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

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

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Senator Wallin, did you have a question in there?