The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Mr. Otto Edward Makmot, former member of the National Parliament of Uganda. He is the guest of the Honourable Senator McPhedran.

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

Senator Batters: Minister Oda also repaid her infamous $16 orange juice bill. I am curious, Senator Gold: Was a complimentary breakfast included in that $7,300-per-night price tag for Prime Minister Trudeau’s luxury River Suite? If not, how much are Canadian taxpayers on the hook for that orange juice?

Senator McPhedran: Thank you for the reminder, Your Honour.

Senator Gold, Canadian MPs led by the Honourable Judy Sgro visited Taiwan a few weeks ago, joining lawmakers there who have publicly called on Canada to declare support for this self‑governing democracy in the event of an attack or blockade by China as a way to deter any such aggression. What is the government response to this clear and pressing request on behalf of Taiwan?

Hon. Marty Klyne: Senator Gold, in September and October, this chamber heard from Minister Miller and Minister Lametti on the government’s work to prepare and implement an action plan by June of next year to uphold the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, known as UNDRIP. We heard that funds have been dispersed to support capacity in consultations. We also heard that the government is looking to Indigenous leadership groups to inform the mechanics of the consultation process.

Senator Gold, is the government confident on delivering a thoughtful and effective action plan on time next year, and is there anything the Senate as a collective can do to support this work?

Senator Gold: I’m not sure I can answer the specific question, but I can underline the government’s interest in and ongoing consideration of expanding relationships with Taiwan in the trade area. The government has agreed to begin these exploratory discussions on a foreign investment and protection arrangement with Taiwan and will continue to do so.

Senator Gold: The evidence and testimony at committee, in my respectful opinion, demonstrated that this bill would make a real difference, even if it didn’t go as far as others would want, and even if it — as no bill could — went so far as to eliminate systemic discrimination and racism in our system. In fact, there are so many social causes and determinants that are beyond the reach of any piece of legislation.

The government has made significant investments in providing and empowering Indigenous communities to take greater control of their justice processes, including policing but not limited to that, and working with communities to fund and support pilot projects in a number of areas.

The fundamental point — and let’s return to Bill C-5 — is that this bill addresses a real problem, provides a real solution, and I underline it’s not only with regard to mandatory minimums, but also with regard to the diversion away from drug offences. This is especially important for people to not be caught up in the justice system at an early age. Rarely does it do anybody any good to be caught up in the justice system, often provincial to start with, and removed from their families and their ability to maintain proper social ties.

This bill will make a difference. It’s a step in the right direction. It’s the product of a long-standing effort by this government, along with other parties in Parliament, to finally begin to reverse the failed policies of a previous government in the matter of criminal justice, and it’s worthy of our support.

[Translation]

Hon. Mary Coyle: My question is for the Government Representative in the Senate. Senator Gold, last week, the United Nations Environment Programme released its Emissions Gap Report for 2022. This report highlights inadequate action by a number of countries on the global climate crisis. The report shows that, given its existing policies, Canada is not projected to meet its Nationally Determined Contribution, or NDC, to the Paris Agreement — the national target of 40 to 45% greenhouse gas emissions reduction below 2005 levels by 2030.

This serious gap was identified by independent studies. Analysis by Climate Action Network Canada and Ecojustice Canada supports that conclusion. With COP 27 just around the corner, Senator Gold, could you tell us how and when the government plans to strengthen its climate plan in order to get us on track to meet those crucial 2030 targets?

Senator Coyle: Thank you, Senator Gold. I do hope, though, that gap will be closed. It’s good that we have good things happening, but there is a gap and so we need to find a way to close it.

Senator Gold, speaking of meeting those targets, last week, the International Energy Agency released its World Energy Outlook 2022. The report suggests that Canada should explore ways to enhance the federal government’s role in strengthening its interprovincial connectivity and accelerating key projects of grid modernization and electrification.

We recently heard Senator Mockler speak about the proposed Atlantic Loop, referring to it as a nation-building project. The report also suggests that the federal government should increase funding to support the acceleration of research, development and innovation of clean energy technologies to achieve the 2050 targets.

My question for you, Senator Gold, is: Will these recommendations regarding grid modernization; interprovincial connectivity, including the Atlantic Loop; and research, development and innovation of clean energy technologies be responded to with the forthcoming clean electricity standard and perhaps today’s mid-year budget update? Do we have any more clarity on when the clean electricity standard will be announced?

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question. The government is, as I said, taking action to meet not only our 2030 targets, but also to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Currently, senators, you will know, I assume, that our electricity grid is over 80% non-emitting, and the clean electricity standard will allow Canada to decarbonize other parts of the economy like transportation and the heating of buildings.

The clean electricity standard will result in good and better jobs, cleaner air, existing electricity generation facilities transitioning to non-emitting sources and will ensure that any new power generation built in Canada is clean. The government remains committed to these goals.

On the clean electricity standard itself, to your question, I’m advised that implementation should start in 2024-25.

Hon. Marilou McPhedran: The importance of the Canada-Taiwan relationship goes beyond Beijing-Taipei cross-strait security. Over 60,000 Canadians live in Taiwan, and more than 200,000 Canadians are of Taiwanese ancestry. Regrettably, Canada ended official recognition of Taiwan as a nation in 1970. Many governments adhere to the “One China” policy, declaring Taiwan independence an out-of-bounds internal issue. Canada trades with Taiwan to the tune of about a combined $10 billion annually, but what do we do when Chinese aggressions, economic manipulations or military threats are issued regarding this democratic island state?

Senator Gold, in my time working at the UN in Geneva, I witnessed how China uses back channel political clout and insinuations that amount to economic threats to work against Taiwan. Taiwan set a high standard for prevention and protection during this COVID pandemic using public health and economic metrics. China has increased its aggressive posture toward Taiwan.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question. Canada’s relationship with China, which implicates our relationship to Taiwan, is a complicated one, as we all know. It is one that Canada is not alone in having to manage.

With regard to Taiwan, which Canada values as an important partner, and with regard to your question about Chinese aspirations, aggressions and sabre rattling, I will remind you that, in October 2021, Canadian warships joined U.S. warships in sailing through the Taiwan Strait that separates China and Taiwan. Canada is managing its challenging relationship with China in a way that is also deeply respectful of the important ties we have with Taiwan.

Senator McPhedran: In January 2022, Canada announced exploratory discussions with Taiwan on a foreign investment protection agreement, an evidence-based decision. You know the evidence, but I can’t go into it in this short period of time.

Senator Gold, Minister Freeland recently called for a re‑evaluation of global partnerships and alliances and breaking with autocrats. Does the government see greater partnership with Taiwan as an example of the Freeland doctrine of friend-shoring?

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: second reading of Bill C-31, followed by all remaining items in the order that they appear on the Order Paper.

On the Order:

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Yussuff, seconded by the Honourable Senator LaBoucane-Benson, for the second reading of Bill C-31, An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housing.

Hon. Denise Batters: Senator Gold, in 2012, former cabinet minister Bev Oda was hounded by opposition parties for a London hotel stay. Her room cost $665 per night. Fast forward, and Prime Minister Trudeau just dinged Canadian taxpayers more than 10 times that amount: $7,300 per night for his opulent 900‑square-foot suite in London.

Last week, you tried to “LaurentianSplain” this PM’s outrageous expense with, “When’s the last time you tried to rent a good hotel room in London?” Yikes. Minister Oda reimbursed her hotel costs. When will this silver spoon Prime Minister reimburse his?

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question. I think in my third-reading speech, in which I referred to testimony, we had evidence before us that it would, in fact — though it doesn’t go all the way to eliminating all mandatory minimums — address a significant number — half of the cases — for which mandatory minimums were actually imposed.

We also heard testimony, to which I also referred, that this would have a significant impact on the overrepresentation of Indigenous women, Black people and other marginalized groups, who are caught up in the system.

Therefore, although it doesn’t go as far as many witnesses would want — and as far as you and many senators, perhaps, would want — it will make a real and tangible difference. In that regard, again — not to repeat the third-reading speech — this is a positive step forward, which you and many other witnesses acknowledged. It will make a real difference and will be a step toward addressing this overrepresentation.

I was at pains to mention, toward the end of my speech, that much more needs to be done to address the underlying causes. Much more needs to be done to provide the resources to communities to take full advantage of the repeal of these mandatory minimums and the creation of possibilities for diversion and for better integration and helping to rehabilitate those who don’t pose a risk to public safety. This will make a real difference. That’s what we heard at committee, and that’s why I support this bill.

Senator Pate: Thank you. We certainly heard that. We also heard, though, from scholars like Professor Debra Parkes and PhD candidate Elspeth Kaiser-Derrick — leading scholars in this area — that, in fact, it will make virtually no difference in terms of the incarceration rates of Indigenous women, in large part because of the context in which they are incarcerated and the fact that mandatory minimum penalties drive so many guilty pleas. I believe the figure that Elspeth Kaiser-Derrick quoted was 77% of the Indigenous women’s cases that she looked at. In addition, Debra Parkes mentioned that approximately half of the Indigenous women who are being jailed for life sentences are women who have responded to violence.

It strikes me that the evidence presented at committee actually shifted much further toward the need to go further. I’m curious, what are the next steps that the government is proposing to address these issues to create what you describe as the need for more compassionate and safe environments?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Immigration to Canada, whether to Quebec or elsewhere, is essential to the well-being of our society and our future. As you know, Quebec has a wide range of powers unique in Canada when it comes to how immigrants are selected. Quebec also has full jurisdiction over the implementation of francization and integration programs for newcomers. Furthermore, the Government of Canada is a steadfast partner of the Government of Quebec in supporting its efforts to better receive and integrate francophone immigrants.

In my view, as a Quebecer born in Montreal and now a resident of the Eastern Townships, I am convinced that the vast majority of Quebecers who have daily contact with newcomers would agree that immigration to Quebec, like elsewhere, is a good thing, not only for Quebec and our society, but for the future of the French language, which is very important to us.

[English]

Hon. Jane Cordy: Honourable senators, I rise today to acknowledge Remembrance Day and Indigenous Veterans Day, both taking place next week.

It would be very difficult to find someone who is not in some way connected to one of these days. Most families have had someone in service, or have lost someone who has served in some capacity or another. In my family, both my father, Private Lauchie MacKinnon, and my brother Commander Charlie MacKinnon served in the Armed Forces. I am proud of the contributions they have made in their service to Canada.

As we honour and remember those who have lost their lives, let us not forget those who have returned from war with scars, both visible and invisible. We must keep veterans at the forefront of our minds throughout the year — not just in November.

I would like to highlight, once again, the wonderful work done by VETS Canada. VETS Canada offers many programs and services from coast to coast to coast in support of veterans across the country. What began as assistance for homeless veterans has evolved into providing support to those facing difficulties of any kind. This can include anything from help in affording a grocery or power bill, to help for those facing an emotional or mental health crisis. The organization consists of just shy of 1,500 active volunteers, most of whom are ex-military or RCMP.

Of particular interest is the Guitars for Vets program that puts gently used guitars in the hands of veterans or still-serving members suffering from PTSD or other service-related disabilities. This program also arranges access for them to free lessons, and the opportunity to participate in songwriting workshops. Past guest teachers have included Alan Doyle and Séan McCann of Great Big Sea. Alan Doyle and Premier Andrew Furey have also generously contributed to Guitars for Vets through their Dollar A Day program.

I would also like to acknowledge the sacrifice made by military families as they live for so long without their loved ones near. Though times and technology have changed from the days of letters across the Atlantic, and we can more easily connect, it is still never the same as a physical hug, or seeing a smiling face in the stands of a hockey arena or in the audience of a school play.

Honourable senators, when you take a moment of reflection — on November 8 and November 11 — to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to Canada and to Canadians, I hope you will also take a moment to think about those who continue to live their life in service, despite the indubitable toll it takes, not only on their physical bodies, but on their mental health too.

While I have mentioned VETS Canada, there are many ways to contribute and many programs that offer support to veterans. I am pleased that the Senate is once again taking part in the national Poppy Campaign.

Thank you.

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!

[Translation]