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.)

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.

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!

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Senator Christmas’ children Peter, Lacey and Gail, as well as his grandchildren Rawlin and Arya.

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

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.