Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): I thank you for your question.

Senators, protecting the public from the threat of foreign interference by China or any other country is precisely what Canadians have mandated this government to do, and that is what it is doing. I’m assured that Canada’s national security agencies are actively and proactively doubling down on threats from foreign bad actors such as China and Russia. I’m further assured that any harassment, intimidation or coercion by a foreign power will be investigated and appropriate charges will be pressed. Canadians can be reassured and assured that no stone will go unturned in the government’s efforts to protect the public’s safety and security.

Senator Gold: I am not in a position to make that engagement on behalf of the government. I will certainly take it under advisement and take advice accordingly.

Senator Plett: Well, yes, what are they, Senator Gold?

Senator Gold, you say you don’t have the names of the candidates. I trust you will get them for us. Senator Gold, this is a matter of national security and confidence in our democratic institutions. Parliament requires this information. Senator Gold, will you agree to a process where Parliament can have this information if required for an initial period and then in an in camera setting?

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question. I will answer again. The government is taking serious actions — targeted, focused, committed and sustained actions — to help Canadians with the challenges that the rising cost of living has imposed.

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question. I will make inquiries with the government and try to get back to you soon.

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Senator Gold, would you answer a question?

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

As you know, senator, Quebec has exclusive authority to select the majority of its immigrants. Under the Canada-Quebec Accord, Quebec receives funding to provide French integration programs to newcomers.

The government respects this agreement, which has worked very well for decades. However, the article to which you refer is still concerning. I have been assured that the government continues to work closely with Quebec and is committed to always respecting provincial jurisdiction in immigration matters.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the Fall Economic Statement 2022.

[Translation]

Senator Plett: Senator Gold, saying it does not make it a reality.

The government has not shown any of what you have just said. Leader, the urgency of this threat seems to be evident to our Canadian intelligence officials, to experts on China and to our allies, and yet not to your government.

We know that the Chinese regime is targeting our democratic process. We know that they are targeting Chinese Canadians through police stations operating on Canadian soil. And yet the Prime Minister continues, leader, to sit on his hands.

Leader, when will your government abandon its failed strategy of appeasement, which only emboldens this rogue regime in China?

Senator Gold: The Government of Canada is very awake, attentive and mindful of the threat that China poses and will continue to take the action that is necessary to protect Canadian interests.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, I give notice that, at the next sitting of the Senate, I will move:

That, notwithstanding any provision of the Rules, previous order or usual practice:

1.in accordance with rule 10-11(1), the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance be authorized to examine the subject matter of all of 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, introduced in the House of Commons on November 4, 2022, in advance of the said bill coming before the Senate;

2.in addition, the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples be separately authorized to examine the subject matter of those elements contained in Subdivisions A and B of Division 3 of Part 4 of Bill C-32;

3.the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples submit its final report to the Senate no later than December 5, 2022, and be authorized to deposit its report with the Clerk of the Senate if the Senate is not then sitting;

4.the aforementioned committees be authorized to meet for the purposes of their study of the subject matter of all or particular elements of Bill C-32, even though the Senate may then be sitting or adjourned, with the application of rules 12-18(1) and 12-18(2) being suspended in relation thereto; and

5.the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance be authorized to take any report tabled under point three into consideration during its study of the subject matter of all of Bill C-32.

[Translation]

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question.

The Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec have been collaborating for some time to advance and ensure respect for shared immigration priorities. The 1991 Canada-Quebec Accord defines the bilateral relationship between Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and Quebec, which is guided by the principle that immigration must help preserve Quebec’s demographic weight within Canada as well as its distinct identity. The agreement has provided Quebec with a lot of money, and that funding has gone up in recent years. Funding is not tied to the total number of new immigrants to Quebec in a given year. The amount of funding never goes down, and the amount established in one year becomes the baseline for the following year.

The Government of Canada will continue to work closely with the Government of Quebec to achieve the goal of bringing in as many immigrants as necessary to help our businesses thrive and ensure the vitality of French in Canada.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Senator, thank you for raising this issue. It’s a concern to all of us, parents, grandparents and citizens alike. You’re right; it’s not just money, even though the federal government has made enormous investments in health recently, as I’ve outlined on other occasions.

You mentioned the recent meetings of the federal health ministers. It was the first meeting since 2018. It did not result in the progress that the government planned or hoped for. Since the beginning of the year, the federal, provincial and territorial officials worked collaboratively to prepare concrete action plans to advance the use of health data and digital health for Canadians and to support health workers.

Regrettably, instead of allowing health ministers to do their work and engage in a constructive and meaningful collaboration and conversation about the future of health care in this country, the premiers forced them to speak only of money and not the means of improving the system. This is not a plan.

The Government of Canada calls on the premiers to allow their health ministers to do the work with Canada’s Minister of Health to ensure that the long-term survival of Canada’s universal and publicly funded health care system survives and flourishes.

Senator Gold: Of course.