Senator Bovey: Thank you, Senator Gold. I really appreciate that response. We all know that Senator Sinclair often said, in words I have quoted many times, that art validates culture.

Does the government support this view, and will these actions taken thus far be increased in order to bring culture to this core aspect of reconciliation?

Senator Gold: Thank you again for the question. The government understands that we all have a responsibility in this journey toward reconciliation, and that includes repatriation by Indigenous peoples of their culture, history, languages and artifacts. These artifacts belong in Indigenous communities. The government fully supports Indigenous partners in this process. For example, I understand that Beothuk remains were successfully returned to Newfoundland after 191 years in Scotland.

There is still work to be done and progress to be made. The government is determined to be on that track with its Indigenous citizens.

Hon. Paula Simons: Honourable senators, last April, when the Edmonton Oilers were on their first real Stanley Cup run in eons, Edmonton journalist Courtney Theriault tweeted out a photo of a small boy standing on the ice of Rogers Place holding hands with a big, tall hockey player. The tweet read:

One is the most dominant force in Edmonton #Oilers history.

The other is Connor McDavid.

For a few magical months, the little boy in the photo, Ben Stelter, really was the most dominant force in Oilers history and in the hearts of Edmontonians. Ben had been diagnosed with a brain tumour called a glioblastoma shortly before his fifth birthday. When Edmonton philanthropist Ashif Mawji learned about Ben and how much he loved Connor McDavid, he arranged for the two to meet. Ben Stelter’s parents say there was an instant, special bond between the Oilers’ captain and his young fan. The whole team began inviting Ben to come to the games as their guest, and that was when the magic started. When Ben Stelter was in the house, it seemed the Oilers could not lose. Indeed, they won 10 home games in a row with Ben in attendance.

For a city desperate for a return to hockey glory, Ben’s story and his capacity to inspire the team were irresistible. We all fell in love with the giggling kid who gave a gleeful press conference alongside Oilers star Zach Hyman. How could your heart not melt at the sight of the determined joyous boy who called out, “Play ‘La Bamba,’ baby!” every time his team won. Through March, April and May, he was there to cheer as the Oilers first defeated Los Angeles then Calgary.

It wasn’t easy for the Stelters to bring him to so many games, with COVID an ever-present risk. But knowing how short his son’s life would inevitably be, his dad, Mike, told me they didn’t want him to miss out on any possible experience.

“It was a beautiful distraction for us,” his mom, Lea, told me. “It was worth it. The whole city was so sweet and so kind and so generous. It helped lift us up, on the hard days.”

And there were hard days — too many hard days. Last month, Ben Stelter died. He was 6 years old. He leaves to mourn his dad, Mike; his mom, Lea; his sisters, Dylan and Emmy; and the entire city of Edmonton. The Stelter family now hopes to establish a foundation in his name to research glioblastoma and other pediatric cancers. I already know his memory will forever be a blessing in Edmonton and whenever they play “La Bamba,” baby.

Hon. Salma Ataullahjan: Honourable senators, I have the honour to inform the Senate that pursuant to the orders adopted by the Senate on March 3, 2022, and June 2, 2022, the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on July 14, 2022, its fourth report (Interim) entitled The Scars that We Carry: Forced and Coerced Sterilization of Persons in Canada — Part II and I move that the report be placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting of the Senate.

(On motion of Senator Ataullahjan, report placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting of the Senate.)

Senator Plett: If you check the record, I think the minister said that information may be available. He didn’t promise to make it available. I’m asking that it be made available.

Those unserious answers and empty promises are putting into question the authenticity and genuineness of the Trudeau government. It’s no wonder that Canadians are losing hope.

Senator Gold, will you commit to providing a detailed list of Indigenous organizations that your government consulted with before Bill C-11 was tabled? May I remind you, Senator Gold, that this is a bill that you want passed? We need answers. The Indigenous communities have not been consulted. If they have been, before this bill becomes law and before we are asked to vote on it, will you provide us with a list of the Indigenous organizations that were consulted as per UNDRIP?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question. If I recall, I think the minister did undertake to provide information to the chamber in response to that question. I do not subscribe to your characterization of his understanding of it.

I will simply follow up and provide that information when it becomes available.

Hon. David M. Wells: Honourable senators, my question is for Senator Gold, the Government Representative in the Senate.

Over the weekend, the Atlantic provinces were hit by Hurricane Fiona. You heard my statement. Many homes have been washed away in Port aux Basques in Newfoundland and Labrador, and, after the storm battled through, the infrastructure in other outport towns has been devastated. Port aux Basques and other towns in the area are still under state of emergency orders.

With the storm now passed, what is the government doing to assist the rebuilding of both federal infrastructure and personal property? Senator Gold, I’m speaking specifically about farmers who have lost much of their crop and fish harvesters who have lost not just some of their gear but a lot of the infrastructure they rely upon to land their catch.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question. I read the La Presse+ coverage with interest.

As you mentioned, the origin of the problem is the right that Canadians have been granted by our courts to access cannabis for medical purposes. The government has been informed of the situation and is seized with this matter. As for details regarding research conducted by police or other stakeholders, I am not in a position to answer you.

Senator Gold: I will do my best to get that information and provide it to the chamber.

[English]

Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, pursuant to rule 5-7(k), I move that the item concerning the Supplementary Estimates (A) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023, be discharged from the Order Paper.

(Order withdrawn.)

[English]

On Government Business, Inquiries, Order No. 1, by the Honourable Marc Gold:

That he will call the attention of the Senate to the Economic and Fiscal Update 2021, tabled in the House of Commons on December 14, 2021, by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P., and in the Senate on December 15, 2021.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, when shall this bill, as amended, be read the third time?

(On motion of Senator Duncan, bill, as amended, placed on the Orders of the Day for third reading at the next sitting of the Senate.)

On the Order:

Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Pate, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dean, for the second reading of Bill S-233, An Act to develop a national framework for a guaranteed livable basic income.

The Hon. the Speaker: Is leave granted, honourable senators?

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

The Hon. the Speaker: Senator Woo, you will run out of time in 10 seconds. Will you be asking for more time to answer the question?