Hon. Pierrette Ringuette moved, seconded by Senator Petitclerc:

That Bill S-236, an Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act and the Employment Insurance Regulations (Prince Edward Island), as amended, be not read a third time, but that it be referred back to the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry to hear from the Parliamentary Budget Officer concerning his office’s fiscal analysis on the bill; and

That the committee report to the Senate no later than November 15, 2022.

She said: Thank you very much.

The Hon. the Acting Speaker: Senator Ringuette, you have 26 seconds left.

Hon. Scott Tannas: Yes.

The Hon. the Acting Speaker: Senator Tannas, do you have a question?

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators were all deeply saddened and shocked by two recent incidents of killings of police officers on duty. On October 11, South Simcoe Police Service Constables Morgan Russell and Devon Northrup were killed in Innisfil, Ontario, and on October 18, RCMP Constable Shaelyn Yang was killed in Burnaby, British Columbia. We offer our condolences to their families, friends and fellow officers. I would ask you to rise for a minute of silence in their memory.

(Honourable senators then stood in silent tribute.)

Senator Patterson: Thank you for that answer, Senator Gold.

Would you agree that removing this relic of colonialism could not only be called decolonization, which we all aspire to, but that it would also mark a progressive step on the path to reconciliation?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question and for pointing out this issue. I don’t have an answer to your question today, but I’ll inquire with the government and endeavour to obtain one as quickly as possible.

Senator Boisvenu: I would ask you to also inquire about the number of investigations that the agency has conducted and the number of dangerous illegal immigrants with criminal records who have been deported from Canada since 2020.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): The security and sovereignty of the North are of great concern to all Canadians and this government. The government has made landmark investments to increase our ability to operate in and defend the Arctic.

I have given much of this information during previous questions, but I will remind honourable senators that there is a $38.6-billion plan to modernize continental defences and a $122‑million contract to strengthen CFS Alert, and the government is conducting joint exercises in the Arctic, purchasing six Arctic and offshore patrol ships and is enhancing our surveillance and intelligence capacities with 88 fighter jets.

The government also welcomes the recent trip of senators to the North to further assess the security and other needs in that important part of our country.

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question. I will have to make inquiries about the specific involvement of Canada in this regard, and I will report back when I can.

Senator Gold: I will do that. Thank you for the question.

[English]

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear.

[Translation]

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Mr. Andreas Souvaliotis and Mr. Joseph Gisini. They are the guests of the Honourable Senator Omidvar.

On behalf of all honourable senators, I welcome you to the Senate of Canada.

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!

[English]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question. I will have to make inquiries and report back to the chamber. I don’t have the answer that you are seeking.

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!

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

That the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry be authorized to meet on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at 6:30 p.m., even though the Senate may then be sitting and that rule 12-18(1) be suspended in relation thereto.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Mr. Ben Foster. He is the guest of the Honourable Senator McPhedran.

On behalf of all honourable senators, I welcome you to the Senate of Canada.

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question. I have enormous respect for our committees and their ability to propose studies to the chamber. If and when such a study is proposed, I’m sure all of us in the chamber will consider it with dispatch.

[Translation]

Senator Ringuette: Thank you, Senator Tannas.