An Hon. Senator: Yea.

An Hon. Senator: A 10-minute bell.

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Do we have agreement on a bell? A 15-minute bell?

Senator Gold: No, that is not the problem. Thank you for your question. The minister has apologized and the Prime Minister has accepted the apology.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for raising the issue, and for your question. I will have to make inquiries with the government with regard to this. Normally, as you would know, even if I had the answer, I am not sure that it would be appropriate to deal with matters regarding individual cases. I do not know the situation, and I will have to make inquiries.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, I don’t know the answer to that. I am glad the funds were allocated. I will make inquiries.

Senator Gold: Well, it must be comforting to be able to offer simplistic analyses on complex issues. As everyone in this chamber knows, or I think should know, many measures are taken beyond introduction of legislation to protect our institutions. This includes, as I have said, the robust work of our intelligence agencies, the robust work of our law enforcement agencies and the diplomatic efforts that continue to take place. Canadians should be assured that this government takes those responsibilities seriously, and it’s using all tools available to protect Canadian institutions and interests.

Some Hon. Senators: Yes.

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

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: A 10-minute bell.

Call in the senators for 11:59 a.m.

Motion agreed to and bill read third time and passed on the following division:

On the Order:

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Gagné, seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson, for the third 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.

An Hon. Senator: On division.

(Motion agreed to and bill read third time and passed, on division.)

The Hon. the Speaker: All those opposed will please say “nay.”

Hon. Senators: Question.

The Hon. the Speaker: Are senators ready for the question?

The Hon. the Speaker: Is leave granted, honourable senators?

Hon. Raymonde Saint-Germain: Honourable senators, with leave of the Senate, and notwithstanding rule 5-5(j), I move:

That, notwithstanding any provision of the Rules or usual practice, for today’s sitting, the duration for Senators’ Statements be 45 minutes, to be used for the purpose of paying tribute to our colleague the Honourable Senator Christmas, not including the time for his response.

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear.

[Translation]

Hon. Senators: Agreed.

(Motion agreed to.)

(At 3:19 p.m., the Senate was continued until Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at 2 p.m.)

Hon. Claude Carignan: My question is for the Leader of the Government.

Maine has adopted new regulations that prohibit the spreading of municipal sewage sludge. We are talking about sludge from municipal water treatment plants. To get rid of these substances, the sludge and biosolids are exported to Canada and spread on farmers’ fields in Quebec.

International trade experts say that there is no rule prohibiting the import — or export, as the case may be — of municipal sewage sludge. What is the government planning to do to stop the importing of municipal sewage sludge? You can imagine what it contains.

The Hon. the Speaker: Every motion needs a seconder, Senator Housakos.