Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): The short answer is yes, of course, the RCMP, other law enforcement and securities — all of these were sources of information and guidance as the government assessed on an ongoing basis the situation with which it was confronted here in Ottawa. The government, benefiting from the information that it received, reached the conclusion that the act was necessary and invoked it — as we know — and revoked it when it was no longer necessary.

Senator Gold: I will certainly add those questions to my inquiry and I will get back to you as soon as I get an answer.

[Translation]

Senator Wallin: Perhaps you could ask members of the government who are participating in the committee to ensure that these joint committees don’t treat senators as second-class citizens. Schedules are determined by members of Parliament, and their behaviour tends to be more partisan. We even have different speaking times for senators.

Moving forward, can you assure us that, on these kinds of joint committees dealing with such profound matters, senators are treated more equitably?

Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate), pursuant to notice of May 11, 2022, moved:

That, when the Senate next adjourns after the adoption of this motion, it do stand adjourned until Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at 2 p.m.

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

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

[Translation]

Hon. Éric Forest: Honourable senators, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the report of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie concerning the Conference of Branch Chairs of the Americas Region, held by videoconference on April 4, 2022.

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Mark Farrant, CEO and founder of the Canadian Juries Commission. He is the guest of the Honourable Senator Moncion.

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

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Professor Gregory Tardi, Executive Editor of the Journal of Parliamentary and Political Law. He is the guest of the Honourable Senator McPhedran.

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

Senator Gold: I will certainly pass that on to the government.

Senator Gold: Good work it is, indeed. Thank you for the question.

I am advised there is no cap on the CUAET. The government has provided new funding of $111 million over five years, with $6 million in future years, to implement these new immigration measures. This funding will help to set up the new immigration pathways, expedite the processing of applications and provide support to Ukrainians once they arrive in Canada.

The government continues to engage with our partners in the settlement sector on how to best support Ukrainians fleeing Putin’s war.

Hon. Marilou McPhedran: Honourable senators, it is Manitoba Day. It has been mentioned already, and I have a question to Senator Gold.

Could you explain to us, please, the significance of Chief Peguis for Manitoba?

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!

Hon. Diane Bellemare: Honourable senators, I have already spoken about this report, but I would simply like to conclude debate so that people will know about it. It is not a bill requiring formal passage. It is a report that was tabled.

Hon. Senators: Question.

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

Hon. Diane Bellemare: I move adoption of the report.

Senator Kutcher: There have also been concerns raised by the Canadian Immigrant Settlement Sector Alliance that the sheer numbers of displaced persons who have applied to come to Canada is such that the current settlement sector may not have capacity to provide the needed assistance for a successful integration. Is there a plan for the Government of Canada to introduce a cap to this program or to provide immediate additional financial support to immigrant-serving agencies across the country who are doing such good work to assist these newcomers to Canada?

Senator Lankin: Senator Gold, a year and a half of review by the Canada Industrial Relations Board — 82 pages of reasoning — summed up the results, remarking that, “In light of the evidence presented,” — and they say over and over again that the employer did not present hard evidence to back up their claims —

. . . the Board is not satisfied that it would be necessary to maintain all longshoring activities, as requested by the employer . . . .

They also say:

Free collective bargaining is seriously compromised if the right to strike may not be exercised by employees to counteract the employer’s economic power.

I pulled the Charter Statement that was filed at the time by you on behalf of the government. It is such a thin and flimsy document. It gives no rationale as to why section 1 is being used; it only says that section 1 can be used. Then it talks generally about economics.

The internal documents from the government show that there is a minimal economic impact of this, that there are alternatives and that the kind of heightened concern we had about medical supplies and COVID-related medical supplies are without evidence. Would you please ask the government to review their decision in this matter and not leave it to the courts to decide whether the rights of workers have been taken away? Rather, it’s the government, which is responsible for governing, that ensures the rights of workers. Ask them to review this and, if appropriate, withdraw their opposition and their defence in this court case.