Senator Dagenais: Look, what I want to know is, what is Canada going to do in Haiti that it hasn’t necessarily been able to do in Canada? I know you’re a reasonable person, so do you honestly think Minister Joly can do any better in Haiti? After all, last April she promised to sell Russian assets seized in Canada to fund Ukrainian reconstruction, but now she has to admit she can’t do that because it would violate international law.

I would remind you that Ms. Joly is Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Hon. Salma Ataullahjan: Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. Last week, The Globe and Mail reported on the case of Mohammad Salim Saberi, a former guard at Canada’s embassy in Kabul who was attacked by the Taliban earlier this month leaving him with a broken thumb. Mr. Saberi believes that they are also tracking and following him. Since then, he has gone into hiding as he waits to be approved for resettlement by IRCC.

It has been more than a year since he first started asking to be rescued. This is not the first Trudeau government failure to secure the safety of Afghans in need of help. What is taking so long? What steps, if any, is your government taking to bring Mr. Saberi, and others who find themselves in this situation, safely home to Canada?

Hon. Éric Forest: Honourable senators, as you know, I devoted part of my career to hockey. I have always believed that it is a great developmental tool for our youth because it instills the values of responsibility, solidarity and respect.

In addition, hockey is an excellent way to develop pride and a sense of belonging in our communities. Like many Canadians, I am shocked that Hockey Canada has betrayed our youth and deliberately violated the values that should guide this Canadian organization.

Our hearts go out to the victims of sexual violence who have been doubly betrayed by Hockey Canada, which has failed to mentor its players and has been more willing to cover things up than hold perpetrators accountable. At the very least, Hockey Canada owes it to the victims to make sure that they clean house.

Over the past few months, the management team has failed to live up to Canadians’ expectations. In their two public statements and two appearances before parliamentary committees, they have repeated half-truths about the use of the funds they manage and have been unapologetic. Hockey Canada’s governance needs a fundamental change in culture.

Paying to prevent abusers from being held accountable, using minor hockey registration fees to buy silence, not being transparent with parliamentarians and Canadians, developing an action plan with public relations experts rather than sexual violence prevention experts, and blaming the media and politicians rather than acknowledging their own shortcomings is totally unacceptable.

However, it is reassuring to hear that Hockey Québec and the Ontario Hockey Federation will no longer transfer funds to the national organization, and that several major sponsors, such as Tim Hortons, TELUS, Canadian Tire and Scotiabank, have pulled their support. Hockey Québec says it no longer has “confidence in the ability of Hockey Canada to act effectively to change the culture of hockey with the structure in place.”

I salute the Quebec and Ontario federations for their leadership, and I invite other members and sponsors to do their part. We need to pressure Hockey Canada to adopt an accountability and transparency framework. For the sake of the victims of sexual assault and our young hockey players, we need to put an end to toxic management and restore confidence in our national sport and its governing body.

Thank you. Meegwetch.

[English]

Hon. Peter M. Boehm: Honourable senators, I give notice that, at the next sitting of the Senate, I will move:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade be designated to conduct a comprehensive review of the provisions and operation of the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law) and the Special Economic Measures Act, pursuant to section 16 of the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law);

That, in accordance with subsection 16(2) of the Sergei Magnitsky Law, the committee submit its report on this review no later than June 23, 2023.

Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate.

Senator Gold, yesterday, YouTube launched an awareness campaign warning Canadians about the impact of Bill C-11 that is currently before our Senate Transport and Communications Committee.

As reported in The Globe and Mail, YouTube’s Chief Product Officer, Neal Mohan, has very significant concerns about the bill, including the insidious danger of vaguely worded clauses.

In his blog, he also adds that Bill C-11 could “. . . change the personalized experience of millions of Canadians who visit YouTube every day.”

Senator Gold, can you please share with this chamber whether you believe it is appropriate that the Minister of Heritage — your government’s lead on Bill C-11 — is trying to discredit the voices of concern by claiming that YouTube is engaged in a “little scare campaign”?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question. No, I do not agree. This is an important bill for the artistic community, for content producers and, indeed, for all Canadians. It is the subject of robust study and a fair bit of over-the-top rhetoric.

This bill is currently being pre-studied by the committee. I hope that all speakers who are scheduled — or intend — to speak on second reading will do so quickly so that the committee can turn to its study, properly seized with the bill, and conclude the study in a timely and effective fashion so that we have the opportunity for a full and fulsome debate in this chamber.

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!

Hon. Fabian Manning: Honourable senators, I am pleased to present Chapter 63 of “Telling Our Story.”

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are people of the sea. While we have reaped the bounties of the ocean that surrounds us for more than 500 years, our history is full of sad stories of lives lost to stormy seas, hurricane winds and treacherous, rocky coastlines. Today, I want to tell you a story of courage and bravery that had a happy ending and, in turn, produced one of our province’s most famous heroes.

Captain William Jackman was born on May 20, 1837, in the community of Renews on the southern shore. As a boy, he was taught the ways of the cod and seal fisheries by his father. At a young age, he became a sea captain and began commanding sealing vessels for the Bowring Brothers company of St. John’s.

On October 9, 1867, while anchored at Spotted Islands in Labrador, Captain Jackman and a friend went for a walk along the shoreline, and as they approached a headland, Jackman noticed that the sealing vessel Sea Clipper had run aground on a reef about 600 feet from shore. The 30-year-old captain quickly realized that the ship was not going to last long in those conditions and that all souls on board — later counted at 27 — were facing certain death.

Captain Jackman wasted little time. He sent his companion for help and, without hesitation, pulled off his heavy clothes, plunged into the icy Labrador waters and swam towards the stricken ship.

Once aboard the Sea Clipper, Jackman took a man on his back and swam back to shore. By the time extra help arrived, Jackman had made 12 trips out and back to the vessel, and he had carried 12 fishermen to the safety of the land. After taking a rope and tying it around his waist, he dove into the water once again and made 15 more trips to the ship, bringing all 27 sailors to dry land. A short time later, the Sea Clipper was torn apart by the waves.

Following what many believe was one of the greatest feats of heroism ever recorded in the annals of marine history, Captain Jackman was awarded the prestigious silver medal by The Royal Humane Society in Britain in 1868.

Other notable recognition was granted as well, including the naming of the Captain William Jackman Memorial Hospital in Labrador City, the W. Jackman Canadian Coast Guard rescue vessel and the 1992 Canada Post Legendary Heroes stamp that honoured Captain William Jackman. His legacy continues to be honoured through poetry and music in our province today.

For nine years after his heroic deed, Captain Jackman continued to command ships and men. Sadly, the ordeal of 1867 had taken its toll, and on February 25, 1877, one of Newfoundland’s greatest heroes passed away at the young age of 39.

As a sign of respect, on the day of his funeral all the businesses in St. John’s closed their doors and all the flags in the province flew at half-mast as the hero from Renews was laid to rest in the Belvedere Cemetery.

No other person better represents the determination and selflessness of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians like Captain William Jackman.

John F. Kennedy once said, “One person can make a difference, and everyone should try.” Captain Jackman surely did.

Thank you.

Hon. Colin Deacon: Honourable senators, it’s often said that knowledge is power. I don’t agree — it’s the application of knowledge that is powerful. The application of knowledge creates opportunities, jobs and prosperity. Those who master its application maintain robust growth in an increasingly complex world.

Why? Because increasingly complex products, systems and services are more difficult to imitate and deliver much greater customer value than alternatives. The ability to manage increasing complexity relies on the capacity to protect and commercialize intellectual property, or IP.

How is Canada doing in this global race to discover, protect and commercialize the globally competitive IP that will deliver increasing prosperity to future generations? Not good, according to Harvard University’s Economic Complexity Index.

Since 1995, Vietnam’s economic complexity has improved from one hundred and seventh in the world to fifty-second. China has moved from forty-sixth to seventeenth. Over that same period, Canada has slid from twenty-second to forty-third.

One of our challenges is that we have a historical reliance on unprocessed resources and products. Consider agriculture, where the Dutch are — pardon the pun — eating our lunch. Their complex value-added systems generate 74 times more export value per arable acre of land than in Canada.

Despite being a nation of innovators with a globally competitive research engine, far too much of our IP is commercialized elsewhere. Over the past 20 years, the number of Canadian-invented patents transferred to foreign firms has tripled from 18% to 56%. Think about it. Half of our IP is commercialized outside of Canada.

What do we get in return? Over the last six years, Canada’s annual investment in university-based research has only returned 1.2% per year in cumulative income on licensed IP. Something isn’t working.

While countries around the world have been increasingly monetizing their IP for decades, Canada has been going backwards. We’ve yet to master the skills needed to systematically compete in an increasingly complex global ideas economy.

One group that’s helping is called Innovative Asset Collective. They have temporary funding from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada as a pilot project in the clean technology sector. Over the past 18 months, the Innovative Asset Collective has successfully modelled global leaders like the Fraunhofer Institutes in Germany, the sovereign patent funds of South Korea, Japan and Singapore and the Office of International Intellectual Property Enforcement in the U.S.

The Innovative Asset Collective’s expertise and strategic partnerships address a long-standing weakness in our innovation economy — one that we must overcome if we’re to achieve our global potential. We have no time to waste. American businesses invest three times more per worker in IP than Canadian businesses, further widening the productivity gap. We must reverse this trend. We have the ability. We must find the determination to make it happen.

Thank you, colleagues.

Hon. Peter M. Boehm, Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, presented the following report:

Thursday, October 6, 2022

The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade has the honour to present its

EIGHTH REPORT

Your committee, which was authorized by the Senate on Thursday, February 24, 2022, to examine and report on the Canadian foreign service, respectfully requests funds for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023, and requests, for the purpose of such study, that it be empowered:

(a) to engage the services of such counsel, technical, clerical and other personnel as may be necessary;

(b) to adjourn from place to place within Canada;

(c) to travel inside Canada; and

(d) to travel outside Canada.

Pursuant to Chapter 3:06, section 2(1)(c) of the Senate Administrative Rules, the budget submitted to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration and the report thereon of that committee are appended to this report.

Respectfully submitted,

PETER M. BOEHM

Chair

(For text of budget, see today’s Journals of the Senate, Appendix B, p. 902.)

Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, with leave of the Senate and notwithstanding rule 5-5(j), I move:

That, notwithstanding the order adopted on March 31, 2022, the deadline for the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying to submit its final report on its review, including a statement of any recommended changes, extended on May 4, 2022, be further extended from October 17, 2022, to February 17, 2023; and

That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that House accordingly.

Senator Plett: Thank you for sharing with us where the bill is. I do not think that anyone in this chamber had any doubt about where the bill is at this point.

Senator Gold, your government’s attempt to discredit voices they do not agree with is alarming. Sadly, this is not the first and only occurrence.

Yesterday, YouTube said:

We have a responsibility to our Canadian viewers and creators to inform them of changes to their online experience. And we think it’s worth standing up for our viewers’ interests and creators’ livelihoods.

You say that this is a little scare campaign. That is what you agree with the minister about.

Senator Gold, do you agree that YouTube has not only a right but a responsibility to inform its viewers and creators about the potential impact of Bill C-11?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. It is an important one. Indeed, our Armed Forces are an important institution upon which we all rely.

The government knows that our success as a country — in defending ourselves and our interests — comes down to having a military with the right numbers, the right training and the right resources to sustain our regular operations and to step up during times of crisis. That is why the government is looking at both short-term and long-term ways to increase recruitment.

To answer your question, in the short term, the government has been maximizing staffing of recruitment centres and training schools, as well as temporarily shortening basic training. In the longer term, the government is continuing to work on building an institution where everyone feels safe, protected and respected in order to reach their full potential.

In this regard, the work that has been done — to expose and address the military’s problems and toxic culture — is of fundamental importance in making the Canadian Armed Forces an attractive option for all Canadians.

I have also been advised and assured that recruitment to our Armed Forces is a priority for Minister Anand — as it is, of course, a priority for the Canadian Armed Forces.

Senator Gold: Of course, as more information becomes available, I will certainly share it with this chamber, either proactively or in response to questions.

I would also encourage us in this chamber to perhaps take advantage of ministerial Question Period and invite Minister Anand, at the appropriate time — and our office would be happy to facilitate this — so that you can ask her questions directly. That said, I will make my own inquiries.

[Translation]

Hon. René Cormier: My question is for the Government Representative in the Senate.

Senator Gold, in preparation for the renewal of the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-28, yesterday the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada, the FCFA, published a brief entitled Éviter le point de rupture or “Avoiding the breaking point,” describing an exceptionally critical situation within francophone minority organizations.

This brief, based on a poll of 188 organizations, reveals, in a very worrisome way, the precariousness of Canadian francophonie organizations. It reveals that 90% of the organizations offer a lower salary than the Canadian average and that more than half the organizations consider the lack of competitive salary critical to achieving their mission.

The FCFA estimates that your government will need to invest an additional $300 million for francophone minority organizations in the next action plan.

How does your government plan respond to the data and findings of this brief, especially in the context of the renewal of the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-28?

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

The brief published by the FCFA identifies a number of challenges, and I am told that the minister had a chance to review the brief during the recent Canada-wide consultations on official languages.

As part of the Action Plan for Official Languages 2018-23, the government increased funding for official language minority community organizations, or OLMCs, by 20%. However, it’s clear that several issues remain.

As you pointed out, the government is currently working on a new action plan for official languages to support OLMCs, implement our language reform, and protect and promote French across the country, including in Quebec.

The government is grateful for the contributions made by community members and advocates in the discussions on the action plan. It intends to respond to the challenges raised, which are described in the brief and which you mentioned. It will respond in greater detail in the action plan to be announced shortly.

Senator Cormier: Senator Gold, as I’m sure you would agree, Canada’s francophone organizations, in all regions of the country, are tireless leaders when it comes to defending and promoting our two official languages. How does the government plan to respond to their grievances in the context of the current modernization of the federal language regime?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): I sometimes pause, and perhaps my body language betrays me, because I am trying to ensure that my answer is factual, responsible, that it isn’t misleading and certainly doesn’t contain assumptions which I regularly have to remind you I do not accept.

I do not accept that this government cannot count. I do not accept what I think is a rather irresponsible allegation of deliberately trying to deceive Canadians.

The ArriveCAN app was designed and implemented to protect Canadians, to make sure that we had the best tools available in as quick a time as possible to be aware of and track cases of people infected with COVID coming into Canada.

As is the case with so many measures that were introduced quickly — both by the government and, in some cases, through legislation that we passed quickly in this house — it was imperfect. There is no question that this will be true of this app and many other apps.

The government still believes that it played a useful purpose, and the money invested in it was money invested for the safety of Canadians.

Senator Housakos: Senator Gold, the only people who feel betrayed in this country are Canadian taxpayers who have been betrayed by this government for a number reasons.

Senator Gold, now that the mandatory use of the ArriveCAN app has finally and rightfully been scrapped by your government — that is how useful it has been — why does the CBSA still expect to use the full amount that has been budgeted for this fiscal year, which doesn’t end until March 31, 2023? It’s a simple question.

Also, will your government do the right thing and forgo enforcing financial penalties wrongfully levied against Canadians because of their inability to use this flawed app?

There have been a number of hard-working Canadians who reached out to my office and who have been fined up to $18,000 for the simple fact that there was a glitch or they did not have access to ArriveCAN. At the end of the day, don’t you think it is only responsible to remove these fines, or has this flawed app become another tax grab at the expense of these betrayed Canadian taxpayers?