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. 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 Gold: Again, thank you for the additional information in your question. I will add that to the inquiries that I plan to make.

Senator Coyle: Senator Gold, there were many reports tabled two days ago. The Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development’s Report 7 on protecting aquatic species at risk found that delays, knowledge gaps and a bureaucratic approach undermined the government’s ability to protect aquatic species at risk. The report found that Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s approach to protecting aquatic species assessed as being at risk under the Species at Risk Act contributed to significant listing delays and decisions to not list species with commercial value. Furthermore, the audit found that the department did not have enough staff to enforce compliance with legislation aimed at conserving and protecting biodiversity.

Senator Gold, how will the government rectify Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s approach in order to ensure that the biodiversity crisis is taken seriously and aquatic species at risk are protected?

Senator Carignan: Now that we see the disaster caused by the Trudeau government’s legalization of cannabis looming on the horizon, what does the government plan on doing to reduce youth’s access to cannabis products, improve Canadians’ health, prevent criminals from pocketing profits and stop drug trafficking?

Senator Dalphond: Why do you propose sending it back to the Agriculture Committee when what is at stake is a financial issue? Perhaps we should send it to the National Finance Committee.

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

Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate), pursuant to notice of October 19, 2022, moved:

That, when the Senate next adjourns after the adoption of this motion, it do stand adjourned until Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at 2 p.m.

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

Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate): Therefore, honourable senators, in amendment, I move:

That the motion be not now adopted, but that it be amended by adding the words “to hear from any Minister of the Crown” between the words “the committee be authorized to meet” and “even though the Senate may then be sitting” in the last paragraph.