Some Hon. Senators: Hear, hear.

Senator Gold: Senator, thank you for your question. I will make sure to add those points to my inquiries with the government.

[Translation]

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question. I have no knowledge whatsoever of any such deliberate action. I will make inquiries as to why the public accounts were delayed, and I will report back to the chamber.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Colleague, thank you for your question. As your question implies, there is a requirement that it be tabled before the end of March. I have every confidence that that will be the case, but I will certainly make every effort to get that confirmed. I will try to get an answer back to you and to this chamber as quickly as I can.

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

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

[English]

Hon. Pierrette Ringuette introduced Bill S-239, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (criminal interest rate).

(Bill read first time.)

Senator Mockler: Honourable senators, as we know, Canada will be stronger when all regions are strong. Leader, we remember how the current government moved the goalposts as Energy East went through the review process in 2017. Does your government commit today to giving Saint John LNG a fair hearing in order to help Europe and to continue to position Canada as a major player?

Hon. Renée Dupuis: Would Senator Seidman agree to answer another question?

Senator Seidman: Certainly.

Senator Dupuis: I have a supplementary question, if Senator Seidman agrees to answer it.

Senator Seidman: Of course.

Hon. Rosa Galvez: Would Senator Seidman take a question?

Senator Seidman: Yes, of course.

[English]

Senator Seidman: I will say we’re terrible at data collection and a whole lot of other areas.

Senator Seidman: I’ll be quick. As far as the finance part of it, I’ll leave that to my colleagues who are much better skilled at understanding those numbers and have that expertise.

I would suggest that we can’t forget the importance of rapid antigen tests. I do think that’s the key thing here going into the future. We need them.

What was your second question? I’m sorry.

Senator Wallin: About data collection and its —

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Senator Tannas, we have a few senators that are in line to ask you some questions. Will you accept questions?

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?

Hon. Scott Tannas moved:

That, pursuant to rule 5-7(b), the question under debate be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs for examination and report; and

That the committee submit its final report no later than March 31, 2022.