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.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question. The Government of Canada is proud of the financial support it has provided to Canadians during the pandemic. The report you quoted clearly demonstrates that inflation was caused by multiple factors, the vast majority of which had nothing to do with the decision to provide assistance to individuals and businesses during this period, a decision that was supported by the opposition parties and the Senate. The Government of Canada remains proud and confident that it made the right decision in helping Canadians during this difficult time.

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!

Senator McCallum: In the speech that I gave the other day, I was setting up the context for this speech about the pre-studies and about how fast legislation is going through. That is part of the problem. It needs to be noted that proper attention was not given. It was rushed through.

Senator McCallum: I am bringing these issues to the floor from MKO. I know that they have been talking to the land board, but they still want to express this. They’re still expressing their concern. So they’re not working together. Everyone has concerns about this bill, especially because it involves two other acts that need to be addressed if this is there.

People have always said people are collaborating; they’re working together. Yet, we continually hear that they only speak to specific groups. My concern is that this has been brought forward for MKO. This is their voice. I think we need to appreciate that and not lessen or silence their voice.

Senator LaBoucane-Benson: I thank the honourable senator for her comment. However, it’s outside of my purview to decide pre-studies. I’m just a lowly liaison standing here. It’s outside of my purview.

Senator Gold: Well, thank you. Canada is clear-eyed about the threats that certain countries, including Russia, pose to our democracy.

It is not evident from your question, and I certainly do not have the facts, whether the children to whom you refer obtained their citizenship by fraud. As I said, I do not want to presume that which I do not know. I will make the inquiries, and to the extent that I am able to report back, I shall.

Some Hon. Senators: Hear, hear.

Senator Moncion: But I heard “adjournment of the Senate.” That’s what she said.

The Hon. the Speaker: My apologies. She can move the adjournment. She is on debate once I call upon her.

Senator Moncion: She said “adjournment.”

The Hon. the Speaker: Senator Moncion?

Hon. Mary Jane McCallum: Thank you, Your Honour.

I move adjournment of the Senate.

Hon. Senators: Question.

The Hon. the Speaker: Senator McCallum?