Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. The government is well aware of the challenges in the application process. It is doing what it can to welcome those families to be reunited and refugees to arrive. The department has made some considerable progress, but is very aware that the challenges remain and is working as hard as it can to address them.

Senator Gold: The government continues to assess the needs for these mandates and what adjustments need to be made, and as I said, we’ll continue to be guided by not only public health considerations but what is in the best interests of Canadians.

Hon. Frances Lankin: Honourable senators, my question is to the Government Representative in the Senate. Senator Gold, I want to return to the matter of the back-to-work legislation for the longshore workers’ strike at the Port of Montreal. We know at the time — I highlighted this in my question last week — that the minister said this was literally a matter of life and death — that’s relating to COVID measures at the time and COVID provisions that might need to transit through the port. If I may, I will quote one of our fellow senators at the time, Senator Michael MacDonald. I pay tribute to him on this. He said:

We were repeatedly told that we have to pass this legislation because of the COVID situation. . . . this is a false flag. . . . COVID fearmongering is not a valid or compelling argument . . . .

I wouldn’t have used the word “fearmongering” myself. I think it was a very tense time for government decision making at all orders of government in Canada, but I note that we know at the time that workers were committed to move any of the provisions. We know that the labour department did an audit and counted only five containers of COVID-related products. We know that there were no vaccines contained in those containers, and we also know that the CEO refused to make public the actual number of masks and syringes withheld by the port “due to confidentiality required.”

So the argument shifted to the impact on the economy, which must also be something that is taken into account when looking at the strike and looking at the abrogation of workers’ rights under the Constitution and Charter of Rights of this country.

I want to read to you another departmental note and the advice that was given. It says:

The full shutdown of the port prevents the movement of $270 million of cargo per day. It is important to recognize that this is the value of goods being delayed and does not translate into direct permanent loss.

It goes on to suggest that the diverted freighters and containers went to Halifax, Saint John and Hamilton with a week’s delay.

Senator, I would like you to inquire of the government to review all of this documentation and to provide to both the other place and to this Senate Chamber the answer to how these facts amount to sufficient reasons to meet the test of a section 1 abrogation of workers’ constitutional right to freedom of association.

Hon. Paula Simons: Would the senator take a question?

Senator Wells: Yes.

Senator Gold: Again, thank you for your question. I repeat that I will make inquiries to understand the sources that fed into the expert opinion. I have every assurance that I’ll have answers that I can provide in a timely fashion.

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Joe Dietrich. He is the guest of the Honourable Senator Black.

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

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question, senator.

The Government of Canada does recognize the strategic importance of Africa. As you know, Canada and Africa have enjoyed a significant relationship for quite some time. For example, the recent visit of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs to Senegal and Nigeria in April also helped strengthen these ties. In Dakar, he met with key government representatives to discuss Canada-Senegal relations and the priorities of the African Union.

Senator Gerba: I understand, Senator Gold, that the Government of Canada is currently making efforts to reach out to Africa, but what is the Government of Canada doing in concrete terms to rally Africa to its cause within international entities?

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question.

As I mentioned, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs recently went on a visit to Africa. In Nigeria he met with parliamentarians to discuss trade, the repercussions of COVID-19 and the invasion of Ukraine, as well as the importance of ties between our peoples.

The Government of Canada remains determined to develop these important ties with our African partners and to continue building on its commitments with respect to regional priorities and international issues.

[English]

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!

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

Hon. Robert Black: Honourable senators, I rise today to highlight Wellington County’s Green Legacy Programme.

In 2004, the Green Legacy Programme was a simple idea in my home community to plant 150,000 trees to celebrate Wellington County’s one hundred and fiftieth anniversary. I’m proud to share that today, this initiative has become the largest municipal tree-planting program in North America. I myself have been using the Green Legacy Programme since its inception, during which time I have planted thousands of trees on my property. This year, I planted 250 trees, with another 25 or so to go next weekend, and then I’ll be done. If you’re interested in seeing this program in action, you can find photos of this season’s trees on my social media.

At this time I’d like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere congratulations to Wellington County and the Green Legacy Programme on reaching an amazing milestone of 3 million trees distributed, free of charge, to county residents and community groups since it began 18 years ago. Through education and involvement in the program, the people of Wellington County have contributed to increasing our county’s forest cover to a healthy level and creating a green infrastructure, which will ensure an ongoing environmental benefit and help the county to adapt to climate change.

In fact, the Green Legacy Programme caught the attention of the United Nations. In 2010, the program was recognized under the Billion Tree Campaign for their help in fighting climate change.

At this time, I would also like to thank the team behind the program, including county councillors who annually commit funds: Rob Johnson, program manager, and his staff; and the many volunteers who pack trees throughout the winter in preparation for distribution at the Bradford Whitcombe Green Legacy Tree Nursery, located in Puslinch, Ontario, and the Northern Green Legacy Tree Nursery, located in Damascus, Ontario. Their efforts to help make Wellington County greener are truly making a difference.

In Canada, we are lucky to have a robust tree canopy, not only in rural communities but also in towns and cities. Trees provide beauty and shade for communities and improve water, soil and air quality, supporting natural resource conservation and increased wildlife habitats. According to Natural Resources Canada, our forests have already moderated climate change by absorbing about one quarter of the carbon emitted by human activities such as burning of fossil fuels and changing of land uses over the past four decades.

Honourable colleagues, there’s a popular Chinese proverb that says, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” We know the environment remains a significant political, social and economic issue that involves all levels of government. Tree planting is an easy and effective way to improve our environment from coast to coast to coast.

This weekend, for your information, I planted a tree for each of you, having planted 89 trees this Saturday. If you come for a visit, I’ll be happy to show you your tree. With that, I encourage all of you to consider taking the time to plant a tree or trees, whether it is through a municipally organized program like Green Legacy or on your own. We can all contribute to the fight against climate change.

Thank you, meegwetch.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for that question and for underlining the unacceptably tragic situation affecting women in Afghanistan under the Taliban.

As you point out, it is very challenging to work in that environment, and Canada continues to work with many human rights organizations and women’s organizations to do its best. I don’t have the specific answer to your question. I will certainly make inquiries, colleague, and get back to you as soon as I can.

Senator McPhedran: Senator Gold, is Canada doing what most other donors around the world are doing? Other donors are creating exemptions and other workarounds to allow the delivery of their humanitarian aid directly into organizations in Afghanistan without going through the Taliban. Are we doing the same thing?

Senator Gold: Again, I will add that to my inquiries. The Government of Canada does not recognize the Taliban as a government, and therefore I assume that that extends to the work that they are doing to try to ensure that humanitarian assistance is provided to the people. I will make those inquiries and report back.

Hon. David Richards: Senator Wells, I’m wondering about a “reasonable indicator.” Do you have any idea what that might be? It is a very subjective thing by border guards. Running into them in Norway and Spain, I know what it can be like. Sometimes they are not very objective. What would be a reasonable indicator in your mind in Canada?

Hon. senators: Hear, hear!

[English]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the Departmental Results Report of the Leaders’ Debates Commission for 2019-20.

[English]