Senator Jaffer: Senator Dean, I will be speaking on this at some point, and I don’t want to belabour it, but even Ms. St. Germain said that she would accept the threshold because that was the general threshold the Customs Act used. Would you agree with that?

Senator Dean: Senator Jaffer, I will check the record. It is my recollection, because it stood out to me, that this was the only witness who was supportive of the original bill as written. So I took from that that she was leaning toward “reasonable general concern.” But we’ll both check the transcripts, and we’ll know when you deliver your statement next week.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Of course.

Senator Richards: If this bill is passed, will all artistic or creative platforms, no matter where they are in Canada, be monitored by government officials on a regular basis?

Senator Gold: I thank the honourable senator for his question.

We all have a role to play in ensuring that these people feel safe and are supported. I don’t know the details of the situation in Ukraine, but I will ask the government for clarification on this matter to answer this and the previous question, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

[English]

Senator Richards: The first question is: How hard will it be for writers dealing with Canadian Heritage and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, or CRTC, to deliver their own original work that does not fit the CRTC’s position or Canadian Heritage’s new mandate?

Hon. Leo Housakos: Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate.

Senator Gold, from its inception, your government’s mandatory use of the ArriveCAN app has caused problems for Canadians because of its inefficiency and unreliability, oftentimes resulting in people ending up in two weeks of forced quarantine because the app simply wasn’t working properly. It’s a tool that never lived up to its hype, and should never have been mandatory to begin with.

Senator Gold, when will your government get rid of this intrusive, ineffective tool, or will they get rid of it at all? Could it be that this isn’t the temporary measure your government claimed and promised that it would be?

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question. Regrettably, colleague, I don’t have the answer to that question.

Happily, though, pre-study on the bill in the Senate has begun. I have every confidence that question, and the answer to that question, will be clear as the committee continues its work.

Hon. David Richards: Senator Gold, I know that Bill C-11 hasn’t come forward yet, but I wonder if I could ask two quick questions about it, if you would indulge me.

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

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

Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.

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

Hon. Peter Harder moved third reading of Bill S-8, An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, to make consequential amendments to other Acts and to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, as amended.

Some Hon. Senators: On division.

(Motion agreed to, on division, and report adopted.)

The Hon. the Speaker informed the Senate that a message had been received from the House of Commons with Bill C-14, An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (electoral representation).

(Bill read first time.)

Hon. Stan Kutcher introduced Bill S-251, An Act to repeal section 43 of the Criminal Code (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s call to action number 6).

(Bill read first time.)

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

(On motion of Senator Kutcher, bill placed on the Orders of the Day for second reading two days hence.)

Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, I give notice that, at the next sitting of the Senate, I will move:

That, notwithstanding any provision of the Rules, previous order or usual practice, the sitting of Wednesday, June 22, 2022, continue beyond 4 p.m., and the Senate adjourn at the earlier of the end of Government Business or midnight, unless earlier adjourned by motion.

[Translation]

Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, pursuant to rule 4-13(3), I would like to inform the Senate that as we proceed with Government Business, the Senate will address the items in the following order: third reading of Bill S-4, Bill S-6, Bill C-24, Bill C-25, followed by the consideration of the third report of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence, followed by all remaining items in the order that they appear on the Order Paper.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu on February 8, 2022)

The government has launched an appointment process for a new Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime and the work to fill the position is ongoing. In the meantime, the office remains operational and accessible to victims of crime across Canada requesting their services.

On March 29, 2022 the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights began their study of the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights.

Victims’ rights remain a priority for the government. Significant policy and programmatic investments and various law reforms have been introduced since 2015 to address the needs and concerns of victims and survivors of crime.

Key examples include:

•Investing over $48 million to support the development and enhancement of independent legal advice and independent legal representation programs for victims of sexual assault and intimate partner violence.

•Committing $37.68 million in support of victim services for families of missing or murdered Indigenous women and girls.

•Legislative measures bills to support victims of gender-based violence (i.e. former Bills C-51, C-75, C-3 and C-4).

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Donald Neil Plett on April 5, 2022)

The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) works with all orders of government and private partners, including Indigenous investment partners, to help transform how infrastructure is planned, funded and delivered to Canadians.

The CIB is involved in more than 30 infrastructure partnerships and has committed over $7.2 billion in capital, attracting over $7.6 billion in private and institutional investment.

Budget 2022 announced measures to increase the CIB’s impact by broadening the types of private sector-led projects it can support. Further, under the Emissions Reductions Plan, it is expected to invest $500 million in large-scale zero-emission vehicle charging and refueling infrastructure.

The CIB is supporting key projects like High Frequency Rail, helping to transition Atlantic Canada off coal through clean power transmission and supporting Manitoba Fibre’s plan to provide broadband access to households and businesses.

On compensation

The CIB’s compensation framework is disclosed via the annual report in compliance with the Financial Administration Act and applicable Treasury Board policies. Compensation expenses for each fiscal year are also reported in its annual audited financial statements.

The government and the Crown corporation abide by the Privacy Act and Access to Information Act provisions concerning employee compensation. Any information concerning individuals and their compensation is personal and therefore protected.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Brian Francis on May 5, 2022)

Over the past 23 years, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has invested over $630 million in fishing licences, vessels, gear and training to help increase and diversify participation in commercial fisheries, and to advance the implementation of the right to fish in pursuit of a moderate livelihood for the 35 Mi’kmaq, Wolastoqey and Peskotomuhkati communities (Treaty Nations). These investments resulted in meaningful economic benefits which increase year over year. For example, annual landed value among these Treaty Nations has increased from $3 million in 1999 to nearly $170 million in 2019. Additionally, approximately $100 million of annual revenue is being generated through fisheries-related businesses (e.g., processing, aquaculture) owned and operated by Treaty Nations.

DFO works with Treaty Nations through numerous tools to implement and recognize their treaty right, and ensure a stable and predictable fishery for the benefit of all Canadians.

I am pleased to report that an interim understanding was reached with Lennox Island First Nation. Community members will conduct moderate livelihood fishing (with up to 300 traps) in Lobster Fishing Area 24 off PEI during the remainder of the spring 2022 commercial lobster season, and an additional 700 traps in Lobster Fishing Area 25 once the season opens.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Donald Neil Plett on May 19, 2022)

Financial close occurred in August 2021 and construction has commenced, along with CIB funding. The project is expected to cost approximately $328 million and be completed by the end of 2024 with a target of approximately 48,500 underserviced households in 53 rural municipalities.

The CIB has been working closely in an advisory capacity with the Kivalliq Inuit Association and their subsidiaries on advancing the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link. The work includes providing advice on selection of a private sector partner(s), commercial arrangements with suppliers and customers, completion of the project business case and advancing the routing, permitting, environmental work, design and engineering of the project. Once these development activities and due diligence are completed, the CIB will determine if an investment will be made.