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- Jun/21/22 2:00:00 p.m.
The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of the Honourable John Hogan, Q.C., Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General of Newfoundland and Labrador.
On behalf of all honourable senators, I welcome you to the Senate of Canada.
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- Jun/21/22 2:00:00 p.m.
Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): In order to answer both aspects of your question, I will have to make inquiries and will report back.
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- Jun/21/22 2:00:00 p.m.
Senator Martin: Leader, with respect to the credit card swipe fees consultations that I mentioned, small businesses are still waiting to hear when the next round will begin, as announced in the budget. Over a month ago, on May 14, the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers stated:
. . . there has been a deafening silence from the government as to when this additional consultation will be taking place and what it will be addressing.
Leader, when I asked you about this last month, you said you would make inquiries and report back. What response did you receive if you’ve received any? Will your government launch these consultations as soon as possible?
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- Jun/21/22 2:00:00 p.m.
Senator Gold: Thank you, senator. No, I do not know. My understanding is that they are running pilots and tests while, of course, the other system is still functioning as the pay system. I do not know at what stage the transition will be possible. I’ll make inquiries.
[Translation]
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- Jun/21/22 2:00:00 p.m.
Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question. Unfortunately, I didn’t understand your last sentence. Would you kindly repeat it?
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- Jun/21/22 2:00:00 p.m.
Senator Gold: Again, I do not know what steps the government will be taking, but I would assume that these steps will be the fruit of discussions and consultations with provinces and territories, which have primary constitutional responsibility and jurisdiction over the collection, management and protection of health data of citizens. I will try to get an answer and report back.
[Translation]
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- Jun/21/22 2:00:00 p.m.
Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, I rise in celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day. This day is part of the Celebrate Canada program, which also includes Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, Canadian Multiculturalism Day and Canada Day itself. National Indigenous Peoples Day is an integral part of the Celebrate Canada program in that it completes the recognition of Canada’s multi-faceted diversity. Collectively, these four days allow for a completely inclusive recognition of all the peoples who together have built our country.
From the earliest days of Canada, Indigenous peoples contributed to the defence of Canada, doing so in the War of 1812, in the two world wars fought during the 20th century, assisting in the defence of my homeland of Korea and contributing to Canada’s military efforts in the peacekeeping missions and conflicts that have occurred since that time.
One of the most decorated Indigenous veterans was Tommy Prince, who bravely served in both World War II and the Korean War. Too often the contributions made by Indigenous peoples have not been given the recognition they so justly deserve.
In this regard, I believe it is so important that the War of 1812 Book of Remembrance unveiled in Parliament’s Memorial Chamber just a few years ago incorporates a listing of individual Indigenous warriors who gave their lives in the struggle which preserved their own individual nations and Canada itself in the face of invasion.
We also recognize the countless number of Indigenous peoples in all walks of life who have contributed so much to bettering the lives of their own people and all Canadians. There are literally too many people to name, but in my own field of education, we have the inspiring contributions of people like Verna Kirkness, an educational trailblazer in Manitoba; Janet Smylie, associate professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto; and our very own former colleague, the honourable Lillian Dyck, who served as a professor in the neuropsychology research unit, Department of Psychiatry, at the University of Saskatchewan before serving in the Senate with distinction.
On this day, we recognize and acknowledge all of their contributions to the building of our country. The historical relationship between Indigenous peoples and Canada has often been difficult, but through the day that we celebrate today, we proclaim both our gratitude and our determination to move forward together as we build Canada.
Thank you.
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- Jun/21/22 2:00:00 p.m.
Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. I regret that you have not received an answer. I will certainly follow up to see whether it dropped off the list as a result of circumstances. I will make inquiries as to your question and report back on the status of the government’s response to those recommendations.
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- Jun/21/22 2:00:00 p.m.
Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!
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- Jun/21/22 2:00:00 p.m.
The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, when shall this bill be read the third time?
(On motion of Senator Moncion, bill placed on the Orders of the Day for third reading at the next sitting of the Senate.)
[English]
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- Jun/21/22 2:00:00 p.m.
Senator Gold: Thank you for the question. All I can tell you is that the government is working on it, both at the political level and at the level of deputy ministers, public servants and employees.
[English]
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- Jun/21/22 2:00:00 p.m.
Senator Carignan: Leader, I get the impression that there is no leadership. Where are the minister and the department in all this? Where is the Prime Minister? Bureaucrats seem to have been abandoned. Is there anyone flying this plane?
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- Jun/21/22 2:00:00 p.m.
Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Listen, this is a serious question and I will try to give a serious answer. I don’t understand all the reasons behind this problem. I am aware of it. I answered you based on the information I had. As for why things have not improved as quickly as we would have liked, I don’t have an answer to that question. I will try to find out. I’m inclined to say that when a solution is implemented it can take time for things to improve and start moving.
In all honesty, I don’t have the information to answer your questions about why there are still delays.
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- Jun/21/22 2:00:00 p.m.
Senator Bellemare: Don’t you find it interesting that, under the current procedure, the Senate can, on the one hand, study bills and, on the other hand, debate changes made later at the other place?
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- Jun/21/22 2:00:00 p.m.
- Re: Bill S-4
The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Senator Batters, so far I have three senators who wish to ask questions. Are you asking for a few minutes to answer some questions?
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- Jun/21/22 2:00:00 p.m.
The Hon. the Speaker: Anne-Frédérique Gour just completed her Bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Modern Languages at the University of Ottawa. She hopes to continue working in the public service after she graduates and completes her two years as a Senate page, during which she represented the province of Quebec. Anne-Frédérique would like to thank each and every one of you for making this such a rich, unique and memorable experience.
Thank you very much, Anne-Frédérique.
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- Jun/21/22 2:00:00 p.m.
Senator Gold: I will certainly make inquiries, because this is the first I have heard of this. Forgive me for not being familiar with or a regular reader of this newspaper.
Again, I will have to make inquiries before I can make any comments, including a response to your last question.
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- Jun/21/22 2:00:00 p.m.
- Re: Bill S-4
Hon. Paula Simons: Would Senator Batters accept a question?
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