Senator Gold: Thank you for your question. In law, we had an expression called res ipsa loquitur. That is probably the best answer that I could give to your question.

This government is very engaged in helping Canadians get through this very difficult time. It is taking real, tangible and concrete steps grounded in real-world people’s needs and in real-world approaches to issues that in many cases transcend our borders.

We have enhanced the Canada workers benefit at a cost of $1.7 billion in new support for workers this year. It puts up to $2,400 into the pockets of low-income families. That’s real help for Canadians, and that’s the government acting responsibly.

There was a 10% increase in Old Age Security for seniors over 75; a $500 payment this year for nearly 1 million Canadian households that are struggling with the cost of housing; child care costs cut by 50%; dental care for Canadians who are earning less than $90,000; the indexation of benefits for the Canada Child Benefit, GST credit, Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement; and the federal minimum wage increased to $15 an hour.

These are concrete examples of this government acting responsibly — not looking for scapegoats for political purposes.

[Translation]

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(Order withdrawn.)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?