Hon. Mary Jane McCallum: I can understand why people may want to request assisted dying, but I don’t think that any of us in this chamber can say that it will not be used as a coercive tactic. I have had calls from elders and disability communities. One elder in particular told me that, when he went to his medical doctor, he was offered it. He didn’t request it, nor did he want it. Now he’s afraid. He’s an Indigenous elder.

When you look at the vulnerable populations, we can say it’s coercive. When we look at the issue of forced sterilization that’s occurring with Indigenous women today, there is no choice. There’s no option for them: It has been taken away from them.

What safeguards will be put in place for Aboriginal people and the disability community — that is, those who are looked upon as subordinate by many people in Canada? What safeguards will be put in place for them?

Senator Audette: Thank you very much for sharing and explaining your arguments for this bill. Many of the women here — perhaps all women — know one or more people affected by human tragedy. Indigenous women are certainly among them. I understand that we’re talking about intimate partner and family violence, but might it be possible for the provisions to include women who have repeatedly reported individuals who aren’t current or former partners so that they can be kept safe too? Is this only for partners and ex-partners?

Senator Dalphond: Thank you, senator, for this question, which allows me to clarify. I may not have been clear enough in my speech. Anyone who is accused of violence against another person can be forced to wear a bracelet, whether it is a case of intimate partner violence or domestic violence. It doesn’t necessarily have to be the individual’s spouse. It can be a lover, a former partner, and so on.

Senator Omidvar: Thank you very much, Senator Wallin.

I want to commend you for your ongoing and consistent advocacy for advanced requests. Your comments brought back a rush of memories going back to 2016-17 when we debated and studied Bill C-14. There was a lot of emotion. There was also a lot of substance.

This issue of advanced request, I want to ask you, is it unique or new in Canada? There are other jurisdictions — most famously, the Netherlands, but also Belgium and Switzerland — that have physician-assisted dying laws.

Is there anything that you can share with us from your study of this issue from other jurisdictions and what can we learn? Have they had some experience here that could inform us?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): I really don’t know specifically what the government may be doing with regard to CRA delays on audits. Thank you for the question, and I will certainly look into it. I won’t take up time to underline and agree with you how important small business is for the economy, not only post-pandemic but 12 months a year, year in, year out.

Hon. Josée Verner: Honourable senators, I give notice that, at the next sitting of the Senate, I will move:

That, in light of the reports of the Senate Ethics Officer dated March 9, 2017, and June 28, 2019, concerning the breaches by former Senator Don Meredith of the Ethics and Conflict of Interest Code for Senators as well as the statement made in the Senate on June 25, 2020, by the chair of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration expressing regrets to the victims of Mr. Meredith’s misconduct, the Senate call upon the Prime Minister to advise Her Excellency the Governor General to take the necessary steps to revoke the honorific style and title of “Honourable” from former senator Don Meredith.

Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Senator Gold, earlier this month, the Minister of Diversity and Inclusion, Ahmed Hussen, told Parliament that he had been alerted to the anti-Semitic tweets of Laith Marouf, a consultant hired by your government, a month before he even acknowledged the situation publicly. MP Hussen characterized the delay as a matter of procedure, saying it took time to consult with the legal department to cut off funding for Mr. Marouf.

Leader, even if that were the case and the minister had to wait for legal approval to cancel the funding, this still does not justify the timeline of your government’s silence on this issue. Surely your government doesn’t need weeks to put together a statement.

Leader, I would like an honest answer here, please. Why did your government wait an entire month until mounting media reports and public pressure forced you to finally say something?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. Keeping Canadians safe is the responsibility of every government, this government included.

The government knows that the situation of missing foreign criminals facing deportation is completely unacceptable. I’m assured that the government is working closely with CBSA to address and remedy the situation.

The government is committed and will continue to be tough on crime, putting the safety of Canadians first.

Hon. Peter M. Boehm, pursuant to notice of October 6, 2022, moved:

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.

Senator Audette: I want to ensure I understand. If it’s not a former partner or lover, but someone whom the woman doesn’t know but who has already had a complaint lodged against them, someone that has gone to prison, been released and come back to harass, intimidate or assault the woman in question, is it possible that the individual could be forced to wear a monitoring device?

Senator Dalphond: Based on my understanding of the amendment to Bill C-75, the person must have been convicted of intimate partner violence. This time, the onus will be on the offender to show that they can be released without jeopardizing the safety of any person. It will be up to the offender to convince the judge, who may propose that the offender be ordered to wear a device in order to secure their release.

(On motion of Senator Martin, debate adjourned.)

[English]

The Senate proceeded to consideration of the seventh report of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (Budget—study on foreign relations and international trade generally—power to hire staff and to travel), presented in the Senate on October 6, 2022.

Senator Batters: Is there a definition that already exists under Bill C-7 or Bill C-14 or something that it’s referring to or is this an extra definition? That’s what I’m wondering about. Maybe you can find that out and let me know if you’re not sure, because there could be a few different definitions. It might be that that person is not entitled to benefit under the estate, or it also might be someone who is not related to that person. I’m wondering about that because it’s an important definition.

I’m also wondering if it would be correct that under your bill it would be the “medical practitioner” who certifies that under subparagraph 3.22(e)(iii), “each witness is an independent witness as described in subsection (5).”

What I’m wondering there is: How would a medical practitioner be able to determine that? By the way, it’s important to recall that such a medical practitioner under the medical assistance in dying laws could be a doctor or a nurse practitioner. I’m wondering how a medical practitioner would have that level of knowledge. Thank you.

Senator Gold: Thank you. Let me, in answering this question, provide a little bit more clarity on your first question. I apologize that I didn’t do it on the spot.

First of all, the CRA employees are highly experienced professionals, and they are proud of the service they provide to Canadians year-round. The government continues to invest in the improvement of CRA services and the government is looking forward to positive results. I’m assured from the CRA perspective that they are working diligently to put people first and provide high-quality services in a timely fashion.

Senator Plett: Leader, this mess just points to yet another government failure in ensuring the smooth functioning of basic government services. Not only are our passport offices in a shambles, your government can’t even keep immigrant workers in Canada amidst a severe labour shortage.

Leader, we are talking about highly skilled individuals with Canadian work experience who could help fill these shortages, grow our economy and strengthen our communities. It isn’t like these shortages — or this backlog, for that matter — were created overnight.

What exactly has your government been doing?

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question. One of the things that this government is doing is continuing to attract skilled immigrants from around the world. The government, notwithstanding the pandemic, was able to make over half a million decisions and welcomed over 405,000 new permanent residents in 2021 — the greatest number of newcomers in one year in Canadian history.

In addition, the government is prioritizing workers in specialized essential occupations such as health care, and is investing over $3.5 million to support the labour market integration of internationally trained nurses by providing employment support and work experience, as well as improving the foreign credential recognition processes.

The government continues to work toward a more integrated, modern and centralized work environment in order to help speed up the application process globally.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question and for highlighting the issue, the problem and the challenge, as you have done a number of times, much to your credit.

As I have noted several times, certain sections of the Criminal Code prohibit several aspects of this shocking practice. You have also introduced a private bill that we are considering.

That said, the federal government has a limited number of tools at its disposal to enact legislation governing everything that happens or appears on the internet.

However, I will ask the government for a progress update on this.

Hon. Fabian Manning: Honourable senators, today I’m pleased to present Chapter 64 of “Telling Our Story.”

On Sunday, October 9, 2022, Newfoundland and Labrador lost one of our province’s greatest humanitarians. John Crosbie Perlin passed away peacefully at his home in St. John’s at the age of 88 years.

Mr. Perlin had a long and outstanding career serving the people of his own province and throughout Canada. For many years he was the Director of Cultural Affairs for Newfoundland and Labrador, appointed to that position by our very first premier, Joseph R. Smallwood. His responsibilities included the management of all the province’s arts and culture centres while at the same time developing and showcasing the province’s cultural community to the world.

He was arguably our province’s foremost expert on the Royal Family and the monarchy, having served as the Canadian Secretary to Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the only Newfoundlander and Labradorian ever to do so. He served as an adviser to many of our province’s Lieutenant Governors and coordinated and oversaw many royal visits to the province. One of his last public acts was to offer commentary on the passing of The Queen.

On a personal note, I was fortunate to be in John’s company on several occasions, but I fondly remember our interaction in 2009 as we waited for then Prince Charles and his wife Camilla to arrive at the airport in St. John’s. At that time, I was asked to represent the federal government to officially welcome the royal couple on their arrival to Canada.

As we waited for the plane to arrive, John gave me the Royal Family 101 protocol lesson on what to do and say and, more importantly, on what not to do and say. In a lighthearted way, I said to John, “Do you think the Prince would mind if I called him Charlie?” John quickly replied, “The Prince may not mind, but if you do that, I expect they will have to carry me out of here in an ambulance.” I decided to follow John’s advice, and everything worked out quite well.

John Perlin was so much more than an expert on all things royal. He was heavily involved in many different aspects of our community. He served with distinction on numerous boards of charitable and non-profit organizations, such as the National President for the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, President of Wildlife Habitat Canada, Vice-Chair of the Salvation Army Territorial Advisory Board, Chair of the Salvation Army’s Advisory Board in St. John’s, Chair of the Community Sector Council Newfoundland and Labrador, Chair of the Rising Tide Theatre and as Chairman Emeritus of the Quidi Vidi Rennies River Development Foundation, having served as its founding chair for more than 20 years. The foundation operates the Fluvarium, which means “windows on a stream.” It is a beautiful public centre dedicated to environmental education, and John remained actively involved with the foundation until his passing.

John was also an active member of the Canadiana Fund, whose purpose is to enhance our country’s official residences through public donations of furnishings, paintings and objets d’art, or the funds to purchase such. There were many other organizations that John gave freely of his time and talent, all in an effort to preserve, protect and enhance what we have been given. If you walked on one of the trails surrounding the city of St. John’s, visited an arts centre or took in one of our many theatre productions, you have benefitted from John Perlin’s community involvement.

John’s dedication to public service and community involvement was heavily influenced by his parents, Albert Perlin, a legendary journalist, editor and commentator, and Vera Crosbie Perlin, a social activist for children long before “social activist” was a term used in our society. For their years of service, John Perlin and both his mother and father received the Order of Canada. I am not aware of any other family who has been the recipient of this honour.

Along with the Order of Canada, John also received the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador and was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order. John also received an honorary doctor of laws from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador.

While he epitomized duty and public service with an unequalled passion, John is fondly remembered and beloved by numerous people for his kindness, friendship, mentoring and support he gave to others. His professional accomplishments are many, and I hope I have done justice to them here today, but it is John’s warmth and decency that far surpasses the multitude of accomplishments he had. In a world where you can be anything you want to be, John Perlin chose to be kind, generous, authentic and unique.

I ask all senators to join with me today in sending our sincere sympathies and condolences to John’s family and friends. He has left an incredible legacy to our province and country, one that we can all be proud of.

May he rest in peace.

Hon. Larry W. Smith: Honourable senators, just before the break I had the privilege and honour of visiting Iqaluit with my colleagues Senator Downe and Senator Black. In addition to attending National Day for Truth and Reconciliation marches, we met with community members, elders and business leaders and took part in the Arctic Sovereignty and Security Summit organized graciously by Senator Patterson. The only thing more inspiring than the rugged beauty of the vast tundra was the passion, determination and pride of the Inuit people themselves.

In particular, I would like to highlight the work of Kirt Ejesiak, who operates Arctic UAV, a 100% Indigenous-owned business specializing in aerial photography, video surveillance and data mapping using remotely piloted aircraft systems.

Located on the shores of Baffin Bay inside a former Hudson’s Bay trading post, we were in awe of the equipment Kirt and his team had invested in and were testing and operating in the harsh and often unforgiving northern climate. This included using drone technology to map major mine sites, study the effects of shipping on marine migration and detect thermal hot spots at waste sites, just to name a few.

Like many young Inuit leaders, Kirt’s knowledge of the land on which he grew up, coupled with his desire for creating a better Nunavut, was evident in our discussions with him. Kirt was bursting with ideas and practical solutions to many challenges facing communities in Nunavut by underscoring that policies for the North must be developed in the North and by the North.

As an example, Kirt and his team have proven to be nimble, retaining the expertise needed to respond to the issue of Arctic surveillance, a critical area of focus for policy-makers today.

Honourable senators, please join me in recognizing Kirt and Arctic UAV for the extraordinary work they do in Nunavut and across the North.

Thank you.

Hon. Tony Loffreda: Honourable senators, I rise to draw your attention to the 25th International Metropolis Conference held in Berlin last month.

I was honoured to attend in a personal capacity this forum that reunited experts, policy-makers and business leaders to discuss issues related to migration, mobility, integration and inclusion.

Our very own Senator Omidvar was a keynote speaker. I was proud to join her for various events and workshops, and I must admit she was welcomed like a rock star in Germany. When Senator Omidvar spoke, people listened. Her expertise is second to none, and Canada is lucky to have her in the Senate.

For me, the conference was an opportunity to immerse myself more fully in matters of migration and integration. There are two things I took away from the conference. One was that Canada has a lot to share with our international counterparts in terms of best practices. Our immigration system is not perfect, but it’s still the envy of the world and we should be proud.

Two, the global competition to attract immigrants is on. Canada is in a good position because we’ve always been an attractive destination with successful integration policies. However, we need to accelerate; otherwise we risk losing ground to other nations.

[Translation]

Canada’s prosperity will depend heavily on increased immigration. We need new Canadians to fill current and future labour shortages.

Immigration already accounts for almost 100% of Canada’s workforce growth.

[English]

As our population ages and retires, this pool of talent will be front and centre as we grow our economy. Right now, about 6 in 10 immigrants are selected for their positive economic impact.

Inflation and labour shortages are top of mind these days, and there is a correlation between the two. Immigrants can help address these shortfalls. As the Century Initiative recently reported, “Growing our population through immigration contributes to a larger GDP” and could also increase GDP per capita if we adequately leverage the talent and skills of immigrants.

Honourable senators, “business as usual” is no longer acceptable. Our meetings in Berlin confirmed the urgency for Canada to do better and faster.

As the Century Initiative reminds us:

Canada is ranked as the world’s most accepting country towards immigrants, its policies to integrate migrants are considered among the best in the world, and immigration has widespread public and political support.

We must capitalize on this stellar reputation. Our economic prosperity literally relies on it. Thank you.

Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Leader, I trust that you had a great Thanksgiving and are in good spirits and will answer some questions today.

Leader, a recent article in The Globe and Mail reported that, due to a backlog created by federal government policy decisions, thousands of highly skilled immigrants are being forced to return to their home countries as their work permits expire. In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw a steep drop in the number of immigrants being granted permanent residency in Canada, and your government introduced measures to supposedly reverse this trend, except the opposite happened, leader.

Canada’s immigration bureaucracy wasn’t able to keep up with the influx of applications, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, or IRCC, imposed a year-long pause on new applications from people who already lived and worked in Canada. Now thousands of immigrants with Canadian work experience are waiting in limbo and may very well have to leave Canada if their work permits expire before they get their invitation to apply to become permanent residents — for many, this is happening very soon.

Leader, why isn’t your government doing everything in its power to clear the backlog and fix the mess that it created?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. I hope as well that everybody had a nice Thanksgiving.

Yes, I’m happy to answer your question. The answer is that the government is doing everything they can. Immigration clearly plays a key role in combatting our labour shortage, and I’m advised that the government is prioritizing its work permit processing for in-demand occupations — over 394,000 new work permits from January to August this year, which is more than double the number of work permits processed during the same period last year. That’s important and good news for our economy.

The government is also taking measures to reduce wait times, and I’m assured that the government will be doing even more to tackle the backlog in the short term while making our system more sustainable in the long term.