Hon. David M. Wells: Honourable senators, today I rise to pay tribute to William “Bill” Saunders, who served in the British Royal Navy during the Second World War and was a pillar of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 1 in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. After a long life of dedicated service, Bill Saunders passed away at the age of 101.

At 18 years old, Bill joined the navy and served from May 1940 to July 1946. He was a ship’s gunner during the war, including the D-Day Allied invasion of Normandy, and was in the convoy when the first Allied vessels arrived to liberate Hong Kong in August 1945.

Bill followed in the footsteps of his father, William Saunders Sr., who was a member of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment during World War I and fought in the Battle of the Somme.

Bill joined the Royal Canadian Legion in 1949 and served as their Sergeant-at-Arms until he was 98. As its longest-serving member, Bill spent almost every day at the Legion Branch 1 and was always around for a chat or to give advice. As a mentor to many young men and women, Bill is remembered as a quiet personality who loved reading and sharing his knowledge with others.

As Branch 1 President Colin Patey said:

If you needed to know something, Bill was the one to go to because he had either seen it, done it or could tell you which direction to go in.

As part of his volunteer work, Bill helped advocate for the needs of the elderly veterans confined to their homes and was instrumental in bringing to schools educational programming around remembrance.

His photo hangs on the wall at the entrance to the Legion Branch 1 members’ lounge in St. John’s. It was Bill Saunders and people like him who helped to protect our freedoms and the way of life we enjoy today.

Bill is predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth Brenda. They were married for 69 years. He is remembered by his community and his loving family: three devoted children, Denise, Diane and David; as well as his three grandchildren, Jennifer, Rhys and Stephanie; his sister, Jean Chafe; as well as nieces and nephews. And, of course, a legion of friends.

Hon. Marty Klyne: Honourable senators, I rise to pay tribute to Joseph Hildebrand, a soldier, rancher and family man from Saskatchewan who was killed while fighting for freedom in Ukraine.

Joseph died while helping to retrieve casualties near the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, an epicentre of fighting in eastern Ukraine. For him, however, this was no ordinary mission, nor was Joseph an ordinary soldier. He was a volunteer, a man who chose of his own free will to go overseas and to put himself in harm’s way by joining the fight, to stay true to his beliefs and to help others.

Being a soldier was Joseph’s calling. Shortly after high school, he served two tours of duty in Afghanistan, where he saw combat and helped train Afghan forces. When he returned home, he worked as a rancher and raised a family, whom he loved dearly. Joseph was a true country boy and he loved his home, but he was always a soldier at heart. It’s hard to believe, but this was not Joseph’s first effort at serving overseas on a volunteer basis. He previously went to great lengths to join the battle in Syria when the conflict broke out there some years ago.

As his family members have described it, Joseph’s desire to serve in the Armed Forces was “an itch he couldn’t scratch” while working as a civilian. When the war in Ukraine broke out, he felt compelled to do his part. For him, it wasn’t a choice — he had to go. Joseph knew that he was doing the right thing by going to Ukraine, even if that meant putting himself in danger.

As senators will know, while Canada has provided support to Ukraine in the form of military aid, supplies and training, our country has not taken an active combat role. Yet a small but brave number of Canadians have gone anyway, and Joseph was one of them. His memory is a testament to those who have died in the ongoing battle for freedom.

Joseph Hildebrand lived and died in service to others. We will never forget his sacrifice. Our hearts are with his friends and family as they endure this difficult time. I hope they take comfort in knowing that he is a hero. Thank you.

Hon. Leo Housakos: Honourable senators, I rise today to give thanks to the Macdonald-Laurier Institute for their work earlier this week in hosting a very distinguished panel of guests to discuss Canada and Cuba in the world of expanding authoritarianism and for inviting me to be part of the discussion.

Those distinguished guests included none other than the pro‑democracy activist and defender of human rights Rosa María Paya, who has dedicated her life to promoting international solidarity with the people of Cuba and seeking justice for her father, Oswaldo Paya, a name many of you may be familiar with.

Rosa is the founder of an organization called Cuba Decide. She was joined by other freedom fighters and defenders of human rights: Michael Lima, Sarah Teich of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, Dr. Angel Omar Vento and Josefa Vento.

During the event, we discussed the ongoing struggle of the Cuban people for freedom, dignity and basic human rights. The Cuban people have long suffered under generations of vicious dictators who have curtailed the rights and freedoms of the citizenry with oppressive acts of violence, murder and detention. And never has their struggle been more apparent than in the events we have seen unfold in the past few years.

But we also spoke about how that fits into the rise of authoritarianism around the world and what countries like Canada need to do to fight it.

Even now, the continued calls by freedom-loving Cuban Canadians to support those leading the peaceful struggle for human rights and democracy in Cuba have thus far been ignored by our government, whose policy toward Cuba has been based on silence and, even more worrisome, inaction.

Given the new reality that the world is living with, it is more important than ever that Canada supports unity among defenders of democracy at a global level in the face of accelerated expansion of authoritarian regimes around the world.

The world is entering a new era that requires new strategic thinking to redefine international relations between democracies and autocracies. Canada should take a significant step in that direction by denouncing the illegitimacy of the Cuban regime, whose system and representatives have never been freely elected by the people.

Instead of supporting and legitimizing the same Cuban regime that justifies the invasion of Ukraine with Kremlin propaganda, Canada should recognize the pro-democratic opposition in Cuba as a valid interlocutor in our relationship with the island.

Long live democracy. Thank you.

Hon. Brian Francis: Honourable senators, I would like to begin by acknowledging that we are gathered on the traditional unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe people.

I rise today on behalf of our colleague Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard, who could not be with us today. Her words are as follows:

I wish to pay tribute to an incredible person, Mi’kmaw Elder Dr. Daniel Paul. I have known Dan Paul for many years and have always admired his drive for social change and his fierce dedication to bringing justice to the Mi’kmaq.

Daniel Paul has been instrumental in expanding our collective understanding of Mi’kmaq history and helping to dismantle colonialism in Nova Scotia. His book We Were Not the Savages is essential reading for all Nova Scotians. In his own words, “it’s our history.” His attempts to achieve a more just society have benefited all Nova Scotians, including African Nova Scotians.

Dan Paul advocated for the critical re-evaluation of Halifax’s founder, Edward Cornwallis, as a celebrated figure in Nova Scotia. Dr. Paul has been a long-time advocate, informing the public about Cornwallis’s violent history of scalping proclamations and cultural genocide.

The Cornwallis statue in downtown Halifax was finally removed in 2018, and I will always attribute that triumph largely to his 30 plus years of public education.

During my time teaching social work at Dalhousie University, Dr. Paul regularly appeared as a guest speaker in my classes. Dan Paul has advocated for contributions of Indigenous people to be recognized in Nova Scotia. Today, I invite Canadians to learn more about his contributions to social change.

His impact is significant, and he continues to inspire many social work students who have had the privilege of learning through reading the fourth edition of his book.

Elder Daniel Paul, thank you for all you have done for Nova Scotia. Your commitment to social change is admirable and will continue to inspire me for years to come.

Asante, wela’lin, thank you.

Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, I give notice that, at the next sitting of the Senate, I will move:

That the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance be authorized to examine and report upon the expenditures set out in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023; and

That, for the purpose of this study, the committee have the power to meet, even though the Senate may then be sitting or adjourned, and that rules 12-18(1) and 12-18(2) be suspended in relation thereto.

Hon. Elizabeth Marshall: My question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate.

Senator Gold, last July the government and the Assembly of First Nations reached an agreement in principle to compensate First Nations children and families harmed by the on-reserve child welfare system. To support the agreement in principle, the appropriation bill — approved in June — provided Indigenous Services Canada with $20 billion to compensate those children and their families. But, last month, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal would not approve the agreement in principle, and the government still has the $20 billion approved.

My question is about the $20 billion. It is a significant amount of money. It is in the fiscal framework. At this point in the fiscal year — which ends in four months — it is unlikely to be spent. If it is not spent, it could be used to reduce the deficit.

My concern is that the government will use it for some other purpose and spend it. Since the agreement in principle has not been approved, what is the government planning to do with the $20 billion?

Senator Marshall: Could you give us more details with regard to how the government is proceeding? We are looking at $20 billion that, most likely, won’t be spent this year. Are they working on it now, or is it something that has been earmarked for the next fiscal year? I would like to know exactly where they are in the process, because it seems as though they are back to square one. Could you provide us with a further update?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question and for recognizing the historic initiative — the first ever — Intellectual Property Strategy introduced in 2018, with investments of over $250 million. Budget 2021 invested $90 million to create ElevateIP, a program to help accelerators and incubators provide startups with access to intellectual property expertise. The government is finalizing the structuring of this program with leading business accelerators across the country so as to provide maximum effectiveness for this program.

Moreover, Budget 2021 also invested $75 million to the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program to provide high-growth client firms with access to expert intellectual property services through IP assist; indeed, many companies are already benefiting from that assistance.

On the issue of the timelines, senator, I’ll make inquiries with the government and report back to the chamber as soon as I have an answer.

Senator C. Deacon: Thank you, Senator Gold. A further question perhaps that you could give to the government. They recently announced that Nokia will receive $40 million through the Strategic Innovation Fund. However, the IP generated from that investment will flow to Nokia’s head office in Finland. While there are no restrictions on the transfer of IP for foreign companies, this is not the case for Canadian companies.

Senator Gold, why are the Strategic Innovation Fund funding terms for IP transfer different for Canadian companies versus foreign companies? Is there not a concern that these restrictions will strategically disadvantage Canadian companies?

Senator Gold: Thank you. I’ll certainly add that to the questions I pursue with the government.

[Translation]

Senator Francis: Senator Gold, your government announced on Monday that a foreign supply of children’s acetaminophen had been secured and would be “. . . available for sale at retail and community pharmacies in the coming weeks.” Parents in more urban or suburban settings have been scouring pharmacies to find these needed pain relievers for their children as we’re facing a pediatric care crisis. However, families in northern and remote communities where supply is low or non-existing cannot simply search dozens of stores. In order to ensure that First Nations children have an equal chance to thrive as other children, Canada has a moral and legal obligation to ensure sustainable quality in the provision of services.

Senator Gold, can you please let us know how much of the foreign supply of children’s medication will be provided to First Nations people and communities? I’d like to see a detailed breakdown of the distribution.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question, senator. The government recognizes the importance that fairs and exhibitions have and the contribution they make in communities across the country. I understand the challenges that have been brought about in recent years especially by the pandemic. The government remains committed to ensuring that such fairs, tourism events, cultural and community sectors have the support they need and recover from the impacts they suffered because of the pandemic. That’s why the government launched the Major Festivals and Events Support Initiative to help major Canadian festivals survive and adapt to the pandemic.

I understand that the government — notably Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada — continues to engage with some of the largest fairs and exhibitions through the AgriCompetitiveness and AgriCommunication programs. The government — notably Agriculture and Heritage — is always open to further discussions on how it can improve its services and be of assistance.

Senator Gold: Again, thank you. I don’t have the answer to that. I’m not punting it to Agriculture and Heritage, although that is the primary place to go. I will certainly make inquiries, and, when I get an answer, I’ll communicate it to you directly as well as to the chamber.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. I certainly cannot answer your question directly based simply on the assertions and assumptions you’re making about what was known or not known at the time of the minister’s appearance.

I have every confidence in the minister’s integrity and transparency, as he demonstrated here before the chamber. I’ll certainly make inquiries based upon your question, as I always do when I don’t have the answer, but I’m simply not in a position to comment on the assumptions and assertions that informed your question.

Senator Plett: Assertions, possibly; but assumptions, no. They are facts, leader Gold, not assumptions.

The member of Parliament for the area Scot Davidson had been advocating for his constituents for months on the issue of the aerodrome. He has tried on numerous occasions to get answers on the status of the proposal and to advise the minister’s office of the many issues with it, but the entire process has lacked any transparency or communication.

The fact that the Minister of Transport did not present the facts accurately when specifically asked here is very concerning, Senator Gold, but seems to be part of a pattern regarding this file and, indeed, many others. Senator Gold, what is the minister trying to hide?

Hon. Leo Housakos: My question is for the government leader. Yuesheng Wang, a researcher employed by Hydro-Québec, appeared in court in Longueuil yesterday, after being arrested on Monday by the RCMP, accused of economic espionage for the benefit of China. La Presse reported that Tina Zhu was there to support him.

Ms. Zhu said she was a representative of the Canada-China Friendship Promotion Association, an organization whose exact workings are nebulous. Ms. Zhu said she does not work for the Chinese government and that it’s a coincidence that she advocates for Chinese officials in Canada and peddles the same messages as Beijing.

A bill I introduced in the Senate last February, Bill-237, would have allowed us to determine whether Ms. Zhu is working for the Chinese government. Unfortunately, that bill was blocked by a senator appointed by the Trudeau government.

Senator Gold, why does the Trudeau government oppose Bill S-237 and the creation of a foreign influence registry? The provisions of that bill would easily apply to authoritarian countries such as China, Iran and Russia.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question, Senator Housakos. I am not doing anything to block the bill. Every bill introduced in the Senate must be properly examined, step by step, and your bill will be treated the same as every other bill.

Senator Housakos: Senator Gold, we have seen many examples of the Leader of the Government in the Senate exerting his power. When you have an interest in a bill, you have influence. Right now, Canada is in a situation where it is truly threatened by a number of countries that are trying to influence it.

The charges against Mr. Wang are very serious and unprecedented in the history of Canada. Senator Gold, can you reassure Canadians and confirm that the Trudeau government will see the proceedings against Mr. Wang through to the end and will not come to an agreement with the Chinese government to bury the matter, as it often does?

Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Government leader, on Tuesday, the Auditor General released a report that referenced significant delays in procuring Arctic‑capable vessels and icebreakers. When it comes to the icebreaker fleet, that fleet is now between 35 and 53 years of age. It’s urgent that the vessels be replaced since, given the age of the ships, a major failure could occur at any time, leader, yet no replacement vessel has been ordered, let alone construction started.

Why has this government failed so completely in addressing the issue — an issue that is so vital for Canada?

Senator Plett: Government leader, in 2019, the government announced that it would add a third shipyard to the National Shipbuilding Strategy specifically for the purpose of building icebreakers. That shipyard was to be Davie Shipbuilding in Quebec.

In 2020, the government indicated that an agreement with Davie, adding it as a third shipyard, would be initiated by the end of 2020. Nothing happened, government leader.

In 2021, the government publicly stated that an agreement with Davie, adding it as a third shipyard, would be initiated by the end of 2021. Again, nothing happened.

Now, this past June, the government said once again that an agreement with Davie would be reached by the end of this year. Government leader, is something actually going to happen this year or will there just be another promise next year?