Hon. Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu: Good afternoon, minister. According to data obtained from Statistics Canada, 190 Indigenous people were victims of homicide in Canada in 2021, including 45 women. This number represents 25% of murder victims in Canada. The homicide rate of Indigenous victims was six times higher than that of non-Indigenous people. This is a tragedy, and it happens year after year. Nevertheless, the Liberal government seems to have no plan to protect Indigenous communities from this endemic violence. Instead, it is adopting measures like Bill C-5, which will encourage crime. As usual, your government is turning its back on victims.

Minister, what concrete action is your government taking to reduce the number of Indigenous women, children and men who are murdered in Canada?

[English]

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, the time for Question Period has expired. I’m sure you will join me in thanking Minister Hajdu for being with us today.

We look forward to seeing you again in the future. Thank you, minister.

Hon. Pierre J. Dalphond: Welcome to the Senate of Canada, Minister Hajdu.

Addictions and suicide are serious concerns, especially amongst Indigenous communities. In your mandate letter from the Prime Minister, you were asked to:

. . . co-develop and invest in a distinctions based Mental Health and Wellness Strategy . . . including culturally appropriate . . . services for addictions and trauma, suicide and life promotion . . . .

Where are we now on this pressing and urgent goal?

The Hon. the Speaker: I’m sorry to interrupt you, Senator Kutcher, but the time has expired. Are you asking for five more minutes?

The Hon. the Speaker: I’m sorry, minister, but your time has expired.

Some Hon. Senators: Hear, hear.

(On motion of Senator Martin, debate adjourned.)

On the Order:

Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., calling the attention of the Senate to the role and mandate of the RCMP, the skills and capabilities required for it to fulfill its role and mandate, and how it should be organized and resourced in the 21st century.

The Hon. the Speaker: Senator Tannas, my apologies, but your time has expired.

Minister, would you like to respond?

Hon. Denise Batters: Would Senator Klyne take a question?

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Minister, this question is from my colleague Senator Mary Jane McCallum.

As the forgotten generation, Sixties Scoop survivors are still waiting for both acts of recognition and reconciliation from the federal government. Survivors were denied the right to share their stories as part of an independent assessment program. As there is no Sixties Scoop foundation, they have not received support for issues surrounding trauma, family reunification or language loss. The 60s Scoop Legacy of Canada has called repeatedly on the federal government to commission a national inquiry, but with no result.

Will the Liberal government commit to a Sixties Scoop national inquiry and provide reparations for those survivors today?

Hon. Senators: Agreed.

(Motion agreed to.)

On Government Business, Inquiries, Order No. 2:

Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Gagné, calling the attention of the Senate to the budget entitled Budget 2022: A Plan to Grow Our Economy and Make Life More Affordable, tabled in the House of Commons on April 7, 2022, by the Minister of Finance, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P., and in the Senate on April 26, 2022.

Senator Dean: I will do my best.

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Senator Plett, do you have a question?

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: No, but we’re looking for a question from you, Senator Plett.

Senator Plett: I’m going to do that, but not before I have visited as many zoos and aquariums as I think will help to educate people here about the zoos. Is Senator Dean’s time up?

The Hon. the Speaker: I’m sorry, Senator Batters, but Senator Klyne’s time is about to expire.

Are you asking for five minutes to answer questions, Senator Klyne?

Hon. Marty Klyne: Honourable senators, this item is adjourned in the name of Senator Busson, and I ask for leave of the Senate that, following my intervention, the balance of Senator Busson’s time to speak to this item be reserved.

Senator Kutcher: I am.

Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate), pursuant to notice of November 23, 2022, moved:

That, when the Senate next adjourns after the adoption of this motion, it do stand adjourned until Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at 2 p.m.

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?