Senator Gold: I’ll have to make inquiries and report back.

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: Senator Mercer, we all, of course, wish the same for all of our brave men and women who serve our country and are in harm’s way.

Canada has taken a series of steps with its NATO allies to ramp up sanctions against Russia for its illegal acts. Even more were announced today, as you would know. Canada is in constant contact and in consultation with its NATO allies with regard to the lethal and non-lethal assets and supports we’re providing to Ukraine and will continue to be so.

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

[English]

The current situation in Ukraine, as you point out, and I think we all would understand, underscores the importance of energy security of our allies in Europe and, indeed, around the world. The news of companies interested in investing in Canada is, of course, welcome news. As we work with our European allies to address the geopolitical and socio-economic challenges that are presented by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the government is considering all measures to preserve energy supply chains in Canada and, where possible, worldwide.

Canada is well positioned to become a major player in the global LNG industry. The government is taking action to become the world’s cleanest producer of LNG. Now, on specific projects, such as the one that may emerge in Saint John, the government oversees and is committed to fair and thorough impact assessments grounded in science and traditional knowledge. The government remains committed to addressing the potential impacts of development, while ensuring that good projects go ahead.

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

As I explained many times last week, the government was convinced that all of the measures that were put in place and the invocation of the emergency measures were necessary to respond to the crisis.

Fortunately, the state of emergency is over, and the measures that were put in place are no longer in effect.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you, senator, for the question. Let me also add my voice to congratulate Senator Griffin on her contributions over the years.

The situation where Ukrainians are seeking to leave, and Afghans and others, is a tragic one. I can’t answer your question definitively. I’ll make inquiries at each level, but I can tell you this: For over a month now, the government has been giving priority to processing applications from Ukraine and bolstering Canada’s operational capacity in the region. Since January 19 the IRCC has approved nearly 2,000 applications from Ukrainian nationals and other peoples residing in Ukraine across various programs. The government has announced — I won’t go down the list, colleagues — additional measures to support Ukrainian and Canadian citizens in the region, including establishing a dedicated service channel for Ukrainian inquiries and so on. As the situation unfolds, the government is preparing additional measures and will increase our efforts to welcome Ukrainians in Canada.

Senator Gold: Thank you, senator. I hope the sound quality was not a function of my voice. I hope you can hear me.

I will make inquiries with regard to your request. I should have added in answer to your earlier question that Canada is home not only to those Ukrainians who have settled here but also to many Ukrainians here not as citizens or permanent residents. I want the chamber to understand that Canada is taking steps to make sure Ukrainians currently in Canada don’t have to leave, notably by extending temporary status, issuing open work permits, waiving fees for passports, permanent resident documents, proofs of citizenship, visas and permits.

Senator Marshall: Thank you for that response, Senator Gold.

We’re seeing a worrying trend: Government either withholds certain information while other information, such as the Public Accounts of Canada and the Departmental Results Reports, are being released very late. They’re really not relevant by the time we get those reports; they are almost historical information.

The impression that’s being given is that government is deliberately withholding certain information and reports. So is the government deliberately withholding and delaying the release of accountability information?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. The Government of Canada is committed to defending the sovereignty of Canada, and the Arctic in particular. It is aware of the issues you raised, and is working to provide the necessary physical assets and collateral support to ensure that our sovereignty is not compromised.

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

As you mentioned, the current Action Plan for Official Languages is in effect until 2023. I am told that the government will be launching consultations on the next action plan shortly and that details should be announced in the coming months.

Senator Downe: Thank you, Senator Gold. I appreciate that and look forward to hearing what you find out.

To appreciate the positive impact of decentralization of government departments and the jobs connected to them, we need to look no further than Charlottetown, where having over 1,600 employees of Veterans Affairs — still today the only departmental national headquarters located outside the Ottawa area — adds $122 million in payroll to the Prince Edward Island economy every year.

When will the Government of Canada start to provide similar benefits to other regions of Canada, particularly as the last two years have demonstrated the ability of many federal public servants to work from just about anywhere, not just office towers in downtown Ottawa? In other words, when will the rest of Canada be able to enjoy what Prince Edward Island and Ottawa are currently enjoying?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Will the senator take a question?