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. 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]

Hon. Ratna Omidvar: Honourable senators, I continue on a sombre note and wish to give voice to the brave Iranian women, men, girls and boys who are facing down a brutal regime in Iran. What better way to do this than to use their own words. These words, which I will read out shortly, were crowdsourced by 25‑year-old musician Shervin Hajipour who captured their essence and put them to music.

On release of the song, he was, of course, immediately jailed and tortured before being released again. He has gone silent, but the song has gone viral — not just in Iran but, in fact, globally.

I am fortunate enough to understand Persian, and every time I listen to this piece, I go weak in the knees. I am struck by how inclusive the words are, and how they are a musical cry for justice. So here goes.

The song is titled “Baraye” or “For.”

For dancing in the alleys

For breaking the taboo of kissing in public

For my sister, your sister, our sisters

For changing rusted minds

For the shame of poverty

For the longing for a normal life

For the dumpster diving children and their wishes

For getting rid of this planned economy

For this polluted air

For the dying Tehran’s landmark trees

For the Persian cheetah about to go extinct

For the unjustly banned street dogs

For the unstoppable tears

For the scene of repeating this moment

For the smiling faces

For students and their future

For this forced road to paradise

For the imprisoned elite students

For the neglected Afghan refugee kids

For all these “for”s that are beyond repetition

For all of these meaningless slogans

For the rubbles of the bribe-built buildings

For the feeling of peace

For the sun after these long nights

For anxiety and insomnia pills

For men, fatherland, prosperity

For the girl who wished to be a boy

For women, life, freedom

Thank you.

Hon. Dennis Glen Patterson: Honourable senators, I’m pleased to be able to rise today and pay tribute to Mr. Yoanis Menge and Mr. Ruben Komangapik. These gentlemen are the friends and business partners behind Reconseal Inuksiuti. As the clever portmanteau suggests, they have developed a new hunting project that aims to bring about reconciliation through understanding the importance and significance of the Inuit practice of hunting seals, while also bringing traditional country food to the Inuit in Ottawa and Montreal.

Mr. Menge is a photographer, and his black-and-white photographs of seal hunting are meant to challenge viewers to see the beauty in a tradition that brings a source of sustenance, clothing, income and spirituality to families throughout the North.

Mr. Komangapik is originally from Pond Inlet, although he now describes himself as a nomad.

In a CBC article that was published on October 30, Mr. Komangapik describes how this project advances reconciliation:

We’re just not talking, we’re actually doing the actions of reconciliation (between) the sealing industry, the animalist and all those people that (hunt) the seal the wrong way. They made a big, big rift between the South and the North seal hunters.

To avoid taking from Nunavut’s Inuit, who are among the most food-insecure Canadians in the entire country, this team has decided to hunt in the Magdalen Islands where there is a healthy seal population.

Colleagues, the fact is that Canada is home to over 400,000 grey seals which are the type being hunted. It is a true delight that these gentlemen can take a few of those seals and bring the meat back to the Inuit living in the South who, like Manitok Thompson of Ottawa, believe the meat “tastes like happiness.”

As an aside, I would say it’s a bonus that they’re helping to alleviate some of the huge pressures on fishing stocks caused by adult seals that consume up to 1,500 pounds of food each per annum. Given that there are approximately 8 million grey and harp seals in Canada, I’ll leave you to do the math.

I applaud Mr. Komangapik’s and Mr. Menge’s efforts to break down the stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding the Inuit seal hunt — all done without any government funding or support.

So qujannamiik for pushing for reconciliation in this way, and thank you for bringing nutritious, omega-3-rich country food to Ottawa and Montreal’s Inuit populations. Qujannamiik. Taima.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question and the advance notice.

The death of Queen Elizabeth II was a significant and tragic event for all Canadians. Canada was represented by former prime ministers and the Governor General to pay respects to the monarch who oversaw almost half of our time as an independent country.

As reported in the media, colleagues, the price of hotels surged significantly ahead of the Queen’s funeral. Many hotels were sold out in London because of high demand. Availability was limited, given the unexpected nature of the event and the high demand for accommodations from the 500 heads of state and foreign dignitaries, their staff and official delegations.

The Canadian delegation, which totalled 56 individuals, was larger than the typical delegation due to the significance of representing Canada at this historic event. The official delegation stayed at one single hotel in London in order to effectively participate in official events at Canada House and state funeral events. All members of the official delegation stayed at the same hotel, including the Governor General, former prime minister Stephen Harper, former prime minister Paul Martin, former prime minister Kim Campbell and former prime minister Jean Chrétien, as well as their staff members.

Senator Gold: I do remember vinyl records, Senator Plett, and I remember the innovation of vinyl records where depending on where you dropped the needle, you could get a different ending.

Senator Plett: Why don’t I go get one for you?

Senator Plett: Not Trudeau.

Senator Gold: Then without the —

Senator Plett: Not for you to make statements.

Hon. Mary Coyle: Honourable senators, I rise today with a broken heart and profound respect as I join millions of people in India, and worldwide, mourning the loss of Ela Bhatt — Elaben — our sister, a world leader, a lawyer, a cooperator, a trade unionist, a banker, a promoter of fair trade and the green economy, a CBC “Ideas” fan, a devoted Gandhian, a feminist, as well as a gentle, powerful and effective revolutionary, and the founder — 50 years ago — of SEWA, the over 2 million strong Self Employed Women’s Association of India.

Elaben passed away yesterday in Ahmedabad, India.

A founding member of The Elders, a group of world leaders initiated by Nelson Mandela to promote human rights and peace, Elaben was a woman of vision, wisdom and curiosity with an unwavering dedication to improving the world.

In today’s tribute to Ela Bhatt, the headline in the Hindustan Times read, “Ela Bhatt sparked a fire that ignited a global movement.” The article continues, “Out of nowhere, cart pullers, vegetable vendors and petty workers became an economic brigade with Ela’s leadership.”

Elaben founded SEWA Bank, India’s first women’s bank, and the Indian School of Microfinance for Women. She was a co-founder of Women’s World Banking. She was a member of the Indian Parliament and headed the National Commission for Women there. Ela Bhatt was a trustee of The Rockefeller Foundation.

In recognition of her work to improve the status of women and the working poor, Ela Bhatt was awarded the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development, the Global Fairness Initiative Award, the Ramon Magsaysay Award, the Right Livelihood Award and the Légion d’honneur from France, as well as numerous honorary degrees, including from Harvard, Yale and Nova Scotia’s St. Francis Xavier University.

Colleagues, I had the good fortune of knowing Elaben for more than 30 years. Our common work with women and microfinance brought us together. The Coady International Institute and SEWA remain strong partners to this day.

Honourable colleagues, I wish I could sit on Elaben’s porch swing one more time to discuss our beloved families, and her views on our world and the future. But I can’t, so I will conclude this tribute with a quote on peace from Ela Bhatt so that you can know her better:

Absence of war is not peace. Peace is what keeps war away, but it is more than that; peace disarms and renders war useless. Peace is a condition enjoyed by a fair and fertile society. Peace is about restoring balance in society; only then is it lasting peace.

Honourable colleagues, let’s honour Elaben by continuing her work for peace and justice. Thank you.

Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Senator Gold, yesterday during Question Period you said:

. . . in the interests of those who have other questions to ask, no doubt of insignificant importance compared to your question, I have nothing further to add to my answer.

Those comments, Senator Gold, are outrageous, and yet they directly reflect one of the core principles of this Trudeau government, which is contempt for the Canadian parliamentary process.

Our parliamentary system, Senator Gold, was built on the premise of a governing party and an opposition party. The opposition has a responsibility, and that is to keep the government in check. We do so by asking questions. Although your government claims to be more transparent and accountable, the reality is quite different, Senator Gold, and your non-answers to our questions make that point very clear.

Senator Gold, let me try this again, and I gave you notice of this question. I trust you will thank me for that, as you usually do when somebody gives you notice.

Who stayed in the infamous River Suite at the Corinthia hotel in London?