Hon. Claude Carignan: My question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate.

Leader, on Monday, La Presse published an excellent investigative report on cannabis production. It quoted a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as saying that, far from having declined since legalization, illegal cannabis production is in fact on the rise. The article also reported that in 2021, U.S. customs seized immense quantities of cannabis, more than 40,000 pounds. In 2018, they seized only 1,600 pounds.

You will surely recall an historic trip that Senator Batters, Senator Boisvenu and I took to the United States in April 2018, during which the U.S. Attorney General raised concerns about the legalization of cannabis and the increase in illegal cannabis production.

One of the methods criminals are using to grow or possess cannabis is to obtain a medical certificate. There are 12,000 medical certificates, but no inspections have been done. Large plants are being subdivided into smaller sites through the use of fake addresses by simply tacking on letters of the alphabet: 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d.

What is the government doing to ensure maximum control over the illegal production of cannabis by organized crime?

The Hon. the Speaker: Are senators ready for the question?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate) tabled the reply to Question No. 31, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding COVID-19 research — Public Safety Canada.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Senator, the government takes this issue very seriously. It has spent over $27 billion on adaptation programs already. I’m advised that the government will be releasing Canada’s first-ever national adaptation strategy very soon. I am further assured that the strategy is going to consider building what we might call 21st-century homes and infrastructure, and to use climate data in its analysis for everyday businesses. That will help us build a more resilient and climate-ready Canada.

Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Government leader, last week during Question Period with Minister Miller, my colleague Senator Housakos and I asked a simple question, not once, not twice, but three times, and yet the minister helplessly tried to finesse his way out of answering the question. I do not believe he fooled anyone present with his bizarre attempt to portray that he didn’t understand the question posed to him three times.

On June 21, 2021, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act received Royal Assent, leader. That law was put forward by the Trudeau government as an important commitment. When it was debated in the chamber, many here will remember that I raised concerns about the legislation. Nevertheless, UNDRIP became law. It incorporates a constitutional duty to consult Indigenous people when considering measures that might potentially adversely impact established Aboriginal or treaty rights.

Senator Gold, did your government consult the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network before introducing Bill C-11?

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Chloé Tremblay‑Venneri, a childhood cancer survivor. She is the guest of the Honourable Senator Smith.

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

Senator Carignan: Leader, would you be able to tell us the number of Health Canada inspectors responsible for inspecting licences and facilities for certificates or production certificates in 2018, as well as the number today, in 2022?

Hon. Lucie Moncion, pursuant to notice of September 22, 2022, moved:

That the papers and evidence received and taken and the work accomplished by the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration relating to the study of the Long Term Vision and Plan from previous parliamentary sessions, be referred to the Committee so that it may then authorize the disclosure of certain presentations prepared for the committee to Public Services and Procurement Canada and the Office of the Auditor General of Canada.

Hon. Robert Black moved the adoption of the report.

Hon. Senators: Question.

Hon. Fabian Manning moved:

That the fourth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, entitled Peace on the Water (Advancing the Full Implementation of Mi’kmaq, Wolastoqiyik and Peskotomuhkati Rights-Based Fisheries), deposited with the Clerk of the Senate on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, be adopted and that, pursuant to rule 12-24(1), the Senate request a complete and detailed response from the government, with the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Coast Guard being identified as the minister responsible for responding to the report.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate) tabled the reply to Question No. 167, dated June 2, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding medical assistance in dying.

[Translation]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, pursuant to rule 5-10(2) I ask that government notice of Inquiry No. 1 be withdrawn.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate) tabled the reply to Question No. 31, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding COVID-19 research — Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate) tabled the reply to Question No. 31, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding COVID-19 research — National Defence.

Senator Gold: I will make inquiries with the minister and the department, and I will report back with answers when I receive them.

Senator Gold: Again, without agreeing with your characterization of what UNDRIP does and does not require, I will undertake to make those inquiries and report back to the house.

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, I rise today to pay tribute to a distinguished Canadian, the late Ed Odishaw who passed away on June 3, 2022.

Ed Odishaw grew up in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, and attended the University of Saskatchewan. He studied law and became an accomplished lawyer, working in firms in Regina and later in Vancouver, B.C. He had a passion for law and helping others which allowed him to impact so many lives.

From a young age, Ed was interested in politics and learning about our parliamentary system. He was a dedicated and loyal member of the Conservative Party of Canada and a tireless volunteer, serving on his local electoral district association and active on many campaigns. He was proud to be Canadian and proud to be a Conservative.

He also served on the board of directors for the Canada Chinese Business Council, the Canada-Japan Society of British Columbia and the Sunny Hill Health Centre for children. Additionally, he was a member of the Vancouver Board of Trade, The Vancouver Club, The Sir John A. Macdonald Historical Society, the Law Society of British Columbia and the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. Each of these groups represented a piece of him, his love for helping others, his hobbies, community and values. He was passionate, committed, loyal and genuine, and was a mentor, confidant and adviser to many.

Above all, he was a loving husband to his devoted wife of 40 years and life partner, Theresa. Together, they are doubly formidable and truly respected.

If— by Rudyard Kipling is a poem that encapsulates Ed Odishaw’s indomitable spirit perfectly. In fact, Theresa told me that he carried a laminated copy of it with him wherever he went. He had it in his pocket just in case someone needed a little help, motivation or reminder of life’s blessings.

It reads:

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,

And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise . . .

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,

And — which is more — you’ll be a Man, my son!

I would like to offer my deepest condolences to his wife, Theresa, and the entire Odishaw family. Although Ed is no longer with us, his legacy lives on in all those who were blessed to know him. He will be remembered as a kind man who lived his life with integrity, dignity and compassion.

Honourable senators, please join me in remembering and celebrating the life of the late Ed Odishaw. May he rest in peace.

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?