Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question. I will inquire with the government to better understand the issue and the direction the government plans to take on this. I will come back to the Senate with a response as soon as I have one.

Senator Gerba: Senator Gold, thank you for your response. In 2020, our women’s soccer team won gold at the Olympics.

On December 5, two former Canadian women’s soccer players, Christine Sinclair and Diana Matheson, announced the creation of a professional women’s soccer league in Canada in 2025. What kind of support can women’s soccer expect from the government to develop the sport in this country?

Hon. Jane Cordy: Honourable senators, for 68 years, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission worked in partnership with Ontario, with eight Great Lakes states and some 40 Indigenous governments, with countless academic stakeholders and with the federal governments here and in the United States. Their objectives are mandated in a binational treaty, but now this positive legacy is under threat. Canada has failed to fund this work at the agreed-upon levels, and our U.S. partners are very frustrated with Canada.

Last month, the U.S. section walked out because Canada has failed to deliver on its promises. The U.S. section said it would not return until Canada funds the commission at the agreed-upon levels. The Great Lakes Fishery Commission is an essential tool for our binational relationships.

Senator Gold, the government promised $19.6 million in Budget 2022, which we passed and voted on, to fund the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, but why has the Department of Fisheries and Oceans withheld the promised funds to the commission? Thank you.

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: In amendment, it was moved by the Honourable Senator McCallum, seconded by the Honourable Senator Patterson (Nunavut):

That Bill C-32, An Act to implement certain provisions of the fall economic statement tabled in Parliament on November 3, 2022 and certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 7, 2022, be not now read a third time, but that it be referred back to the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance for further study.

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: I believe the “yeas” have it.

And two honourable senators having risen:

The Hon. the Speaker: The default position is one hour. I hear Senator McCallum saying one hour.

The vote will take place at 2:02 p.m.

Call in the senators.

(1400)

Motion in amendment of the Honourable Senator McCallum negatived on the following division:

Senator Carignan: Could you also ask whether there are existing studies on the potential impacts of using sludge from municipal treatment plants on the products consumed? Should we not exercise caution, given the uncertainty around the situation?

The Hon. the Speaker: Just to clarify, colleagues, rule 5-13(2) says you must be on debate to move the adjournment of the Senate. Debate has started on Bill S-11. When I called upon Senator McCallum, I was calling upon her on debate on Bill S-11. It is, therefore, quite permissible for her to move the adjournment of the Senate.

I am now asking if there is a seconder for Senator McCallum’s adjournment motion? If there isn’t, then it cannot be entertained.

Senator Housakos, are you seconding this?

Senator LaBoucane-Benson: Thank you for that question. My understanding is that this very important issue will be resolved between First Nations in their own negotiations at the land management board setting. The whole idea of this bill is to give them full force of law and the power to make those decisions. From my understanding, the government has been walking beside them in their desire to make the changes that they need.

Having talked to Chief Louie, I feel comfortable that the executive of the Lands Advisory Board understands the issue. They’re working with MKO. They’re in discussions with them. The problem has to be resolved for the enforcement of First Nations laws, with the provinces, with the RCMP and with the federal government as well. From my understanding, they’re bringing all those people to the table, with MKO and other First Nations that have the same issue, to talk about the enforcement of land code.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. The allegation that this government is corrupt is unacceptable and not worthy of His Majesty’s loyal opposition, even in this chamber.

That said, I have said on many other occasions that the government is taking all measures necessary to protect Canada from foreign interference. That includes appropriate investigations not only by the RCMP but also by our security forces. The leaders of those governments are being held to account through the imposition and escalation of sanctions, through demanding answers from their representatives in this country. It will continue to do that which is necessary to protect our institutions.

Happily, Canada has a very robust security system, and measures are in place to protect the integrity of our elections and our institutions. This government will continue to work to strengthen those institutions and apply them with their full vigour to protect the interests of Canadians.

Hon. Brian Francis: Honourable senators, I rise to pay tribute to Senator Dan Christmas. A proud Mi’kmaw from Membertou First Nation, Dan is a devoted family man and friend to many. He is also a known leader and advocate for his community and our Mi’kmaq nation.

As the first Mi’kmaw to be appointed to the Senate, Dan is a source of inspiration, pride and hope to me and countless others who never saw themselves represented on Parliament Hill. I am honoured to have followed in his footsteps two years later. More than a colleague, Dan is a friend and mentor whom I greatly respect and admire. I am fortunate to have worked closely with him to ensure the rights, interests and aspirations of the Mi’kmaq begin to be heard and acted upon in Ottawa.

We, for example, encouraged colleagues to join us in calling the federal government to advance the full implementation of the rights-based fisheries of the Mi’kmaq and other First Nations after more than two decades of failure.

I often joked that people call us “double trouble” due to our vocal critiques. It is also not uncommon for some to mix us up. While not all of us look alike, I take it as the highest compliment. Who would not want to be confused with someone as intelligent, handsome and charismatic as Dan?

Senator Francis: Colleagues, Carol, who worked for Dan for the past six years, told me she is blessed to have crossed paths with such an exceptional person. In reference to his retirement, she quoted a proverb that states, “We can make plans but the Creator determines or directs our steps.” As Dan begins this next chapter in life, I know the Creator will continue to guide and protect him.

Colleagues, I will greatly miss Dan’s presence and influence in the Senate but know that we will continue to work together for the benefit of our nation and all who live in Mi’kma’ki and beyond.

Wela’lin, Dan, for everything. You are one of a kind, and your contributions will continue to be felt. I wish you, your children, your grandchildren and the rest of your family all the best today and always. In the Mi’kmaw language, we do not have a word for goodbye. We say, “See you later.” So, Dan, nemultes nitap. See you later, my friend.

Hon. Yuen Pau Woo: Senator Gold, in recent days, National Security and Intelligence Advisor Jody Thomas, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities Dominic LeBlanc and other senior officials have confirmed that they are not aware of any alleged interference by China with respect to 11 candidates in the 2019 election. Even so, there is a witch hunt going on for the names of the 11 candidates as well as the identities of an unspecified number of campaign workers and political staffers who are also alleged to have been funded by the Chinese government.

It is no surprise that Chinese Canadians are among those who are most likely to be put under a cloud. What is the government doing to draw a line under this kind of irresponsible speculation?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. First of all, the government would like to thank the commissioner for his important role in ensuring the transparency and accountability of our institutions. As the report indicates, Minister Ng has taken full responsibility for her actions. She has stated that she should have recused herself and she has apologized for not doing so.

I am assured that at no time was there any intention for anyone to benefit inappropriately. The minister has high personal standards for transparency and accountability, and Canadians have every right to expect that. The minister has apologized, and it will not happen again.

Senator Housakos: Senator Gold, I am happy that the government thanks the commissioner for doing his work. All of Parliament thanks the commissioner for doing his work.

Now, we do not need the Prime Minister to thank the commissioner for doing his work. We need the Prime Minister to start doing his work. At the end of the day, in Parliament, we have a responsibility to ensure that ministers behave in the most ethical fashion. When they don’t, this is not kindergarten, where you show up to the principal’s office and apologize and promise not to do it again. We’re talking about taxpayers’ money and the code of ethics of this Parliament and this government.

When will this government start doing its job? Or is the real problem here that the Prime Minister can no longer hold ministers to account because he has breached the code on a couple of occasions, and it would be rather hypocritical for him to get rid of ministers for breaching a code that he has breached? Is that in itself the problem, government leader? How do we address that problem?

Hon. Leo Housakos: Clearly, we acknowledge that this government is corrupt and is unwilling to take responsibility for its egregious behaviour.

My next question, to which I hope to get an answer, has more to do with incompetence. It is a follow-up question to Senator Downe’s question, and we have asked this on a number of occasions. We have seen how the world has become more and more dangerous. We see how democracy is more at risk today than it has ever been. Foreign influence is a real problem on social media. Our institutions are being influenced, academic, political, cultural and otherwise. What is your government doing to combat foreign influence in our institutions and in our country? What are your concrete actions?

Senator Housakos: Senator Gold, it is not me calling this government corrupt. It is the Ethics Commissioner, who on a number of occasions has spoken about the Prime Minister and ministers breaching the code. For that matter, it is the former Minister of Justice, who had to resign when she tried to hold the government to account. It seems that Minister Wilson-Raybould was the only minister who was held to account because she spoke the truth and she got fired.

Back to your weak answer in regard to foreign interference and foreign influence, the truth of the matter is that this is a problem that has been festering and growing over the last two years, government leader. Up until a week ago, it has not been addressed at all by your government. We have legislation in this chamber that has been lingering, and the government has put it on ice.

The government has not taken any legislative action in order to combat foreign influence, other than a statement a couple of weeks ago by the Minister of Public Security saying that it is something that they will study and review in the new year. Your minister said that in a press conference.

Why has it taken so long for this government to take concrete action? The only promise we have received is, “We’re going to review it in the new year.” That is the question. The question is when we will see action rather than talking points.

Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, pursuant to rule 4-13(3), I would like to inform the Senate that as we proceed with Government Business, the Senate will address the items in the following order: third reading of Bill C-32, Bill C-36 and Bill S-11; followed by all remaining items in the order that they appear on the Order Paper.

Hon. Raymonde Saint-Germain: Colleagues, I want to begin by greeting our colleague Dan Christmas’s visitors who are with us today: his three children and two grandchildren. I also want to tell them how proud they should be of their father and grandfather.

It is with a heavy heart that I rise today to pay tribute to my esteemed colleague, Senator Dan Christmas, on his last day in this chamber.

[English]

It is indeed with a heavy heart that I speak today — heavy, because everyone who got to know Senator Christmas throughout the years can testify to the greatness of his spirit and his profoundly human character.

Dear Dan, for this, as well as for your undeniable qualities as a senator, you will be greatly missed. Since your appointment to the Senate in 2016, you have proudly represented the Mi’kmaq community as well as your province of Nova Scotia. However, we all know that your commitment to both go back far beyond your years as a senator.

Prior to your life in the Senate, you were already a leader and an organizer for the Membertou community and your people of Cape Breton Island. Indeed, they are happy to have you back full-time, and so are your three children and two grandchildren, who have many reasons to be proud of you as their dad and granddad.

If I had to describe Senator Christmas in only a few words, it would be as a man of heart and family. Due to fate, you had to make the choice to stay close to your people and fulfill your most important responsibilities — those to your family. While we are saddened to see you go, we can only admire the decision that you are formalizing today. As a very committed member of the Independent Senators Group, you have been a great pedagogue, a man of dialogue and mediation who, with a good reading of the environment, helped us work towards reconciliation and the understanding, as well as recognition, of important Indigenous issues.

Always a team player, a sound advisor and a very patient senator, it was truly a pleasure working alongside you. Please know, Senator Christmas, that you will be remembered within our group as a great connector between peoples.

As a member and Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples, you have contributed to impactful studies that are more than necessary on the difficult road to reconciliation in this country. You will have left your mark on this committee, and we will do our best to pursue your legacy, knowing full well that we have big shoes to fill.

Senator Christmas, while we understand and respect your decision, it is still a loss for the Senate. However, I would rather see it as a gain for your family and your community. Today, they regain a natural leader and a great family man. I wish you, on behalf of all of the members of the Independent Senators Group, a happy retirement from the Senate of Canada.