Hon. Pat Duncan: Honourable senators, I am grateful to the creator for this day, humbled to be speaking from the traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe and honoured to be of service to the people of Canada.

The Yukon Regional Chief Kluane Adamek shared with me that during strategy discussions with her team and the Yukon chiefs, they coined the phrase “A Yukon that Leads” to describe our region and the First Nations leadership and advancement.

We lost one of our leaders. Paul Birckel was born on the shores of Kluane Lake in the traditional territory of the Kluane and Champagne and Aishihik First Nations. His father, Paul Eugene Birckel, came from Rombach-le-Franc in the Alsace region of France. His maternal grandfather, Hutshi Allen, was Upper Tanana near Tetlin and Tanacross, Alaska.

Honourable senators, Elijah Smith and a delegation of Yukon chiefs, the authors of the document Together Today for our Children Tomorrow, tapped Paul Birckel to be the first Executive Director of the Council of Yukon First Nations, or CYFN, during the amalgamation of three organizations: the Council for Yukon Indians, the Yukon Association of Non-Status Indians, and the Yukon Native Brotherhood. The document Together Today for our Children Tomorrow, accepted by Canada in 1973, became the basis for the Umbrella Final Agreement, signed in 1993.

Paul went on from CYFN to serve as chief of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations. Elected for five terms, he led his nation to be among the first to finalize a land claim agreement under the Umbrella Final Agreement. In 1996, he successfully negotiated an agreement to co-manage the Tatshenshini-Alsek Park, which covers over 6,000 square miles and spans the border of Yukon and British Columbia.

Instrumental in establishing the Yukon Native Language Centre and negotiating a child welfare agreement between his First Nation and the Government of Yukon, Paul was also an astute businessman, leading his First Nation and others to key business purchases and developments. In 1995, the Yukon Chamber of Commerce recognized Paul as Businessman of the Year.

Yukoners and Canadians are indebted to Paul’s family and friends for sharing with us his time, energy and dedication to ensuring a better future. Love, tolerance, patience and collaboration were the hallmarks of his own path to reconciliation. His family also said the most enduring legacy that Paul bestowed were a few simple teachings: give more than you take, treat people and animals kindly and trust that there are no limits to how much you can love.

On July 8, 2021, Paul Birckel travelled to the spirit world followed shortly after by his wife of 61 years, Kathy Birckel.

Honourable senators, Paul Birckel, a Yukoner who helped to blaze a trail in a “Yukon that leads,” has led us, the Yukon and Canadian society to a better place.

To quote the memorial service program, “gunalchéesh.” Thank you. Mahsi’cho.

Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, with leave of the Senate and notwithstanding rule 5-5(j), I move:

That, for today’s sitting, and notwithstanding any provision of the Rules, previous order or usual practice:

1.the Senate not see the clock at 6 p.m.;

2.motion No. 14 under Other Business be called immediately after the Senate has completed consideration of Government Business;

3.when the Senate completes Government Business and proceedings on motion No. 14 under Other Business it adjourn; and

4.if the Senate has not completed Government Business and its consideration of motion No. 14 under Other Business by 9 p.m., the sitting continue until those items have been completed.

Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, with leave of the Senate and notwithstanding rule 5-5(j), I give notice that, later this day, I will move:

That, when the Senate next adjourns after the adoption of this motion, it do stand adjourned until Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at 2 p.m.

Hon. Leo Housakos (Acting Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, my question is to the Government Representative in the Senate. It’s in reference to Minister Joly, who, before a committee in the other place, was responding to questions in regard to the government’s work in fighting back misinformation and propaganda. I quote what the minister said before that committee:

We’ve banned Russia Today and Sputnik on the broadcasting side. We’ve pushed digital platforms to also ban them, but we need to do more. . . .

Our mandate, and my mandate as foreign minister, is really to counter propaganda online. . . . They need to make sure that they recognize that states have jurisdiction over them, that they are not technological platforms but they’re content producers. It is our way, collectively, to make sure that we can really be able to have strong democracies in the future.

Government leader, in the letter to Minister Joly from Prime Minister Trudeau, where does it give her the mandate to push back on online propaganda in this country?

Senator Housakos: Government leader, there is absolutely no direct reference in Minister Joly’s letter from the Prime Minister that her mandate is to counter propaganda online. As I said in my speech on Bill S-237 the other day, the first job of the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Canada is to defend the national interest and values we hold as Canadians, which include free speech. The answer to combatting foreign interference isn’t to censor our own citizens — not at all.

Leader, seeing as how Minister Joly thinks her mandate is to counter propaganda online, could you tell us this: How exactly does the minister in your government define propaganda? Does anyone in the NDP-Liberal government even know how Minister Joly defines it herself? How will we have assurances that there won’t be a line crossed here?

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question. This government — as all governments in Canada, I assume — is devoted to the principles of free speech as enshrined in our constitutional traditions and in our Charter. Any limitations on Canadians’ rights need to be prescribed by law, satisfy rigorous standards as applied by the courts and be subject to the scrutiny of Parliament as well when such laws come before us. If and when such laws come before us, I’m sure we will do our constitutional duty to make sure they respect our constitutional rights.

Hon. Rose-May Poirier: Honourable senators, my question is for the Government Representative in the Senate. Senator Gold, yesterday the government announced the closure of Atlantic mackerel and commercial bait fisheries without any consultation with the fishermen.

Weeks before the fishing season is about to begin, the government blindsided fishermen. As the Maritime Fishermen’s Union said, this announcement illustrates a lack of respect for the expertise of the inshore fishermen and a lack of interest in the economy of rural Atlantic communities. Senator Gold, why did the government not consult with the fishermen before making a major decision that will affect their livelihood?

Senator Poirier: Senator Gold, according to Martin Mallet, Director of the Maritime Fishermen’s Union, additional costs for fishermen could be as high as $10 million. Minister Joyce Murray also said there were no current plans for financial compensation — no consultation and no financial compensation weeks before they were set to hit the water. Senator Gold, why is the government not even considering financial compensation for potential loss to fishermen due to the government’s decision?

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question. I’m not in a position to confirm that the government is not considering it. It certainly has not made a decision, and if any such decision were made, it would be announced.

It is important to remind this chamber that this is a temporary moratorium. It was made because the situation was deemed urgent. Despite the impact in the short term, it was necessary to take this decision to protect the long-term viability of the fish stocks upon which the fishery depends.

[Translation]

Hon. René Cormier: My question is for the Government Representative in the Senate.

Senator Gold, currently in Canada, male blood donors who report having had sex with one or more other men in the past three months cannot donate blood.

This practice, which contributes to the stigma attached to HIV, is outdated, since it is clear that sexual behaviour, not a person’s sexual orientation, is what determines the level of risk of HIV transmission.

With that in mind, on December 15, 2021, Canadian Blood Services made a submission to Health Canada recommending a new approach to screen all donors for high-risk sexual behaviour that would replace the current practice of a three-month donor deferral period for all sexually active men who have sex with men.

The department’s target for the review of this submission was 90 days, so in theory, around March 15. However, we still have not received Health Canada’s decision.

Senator Gold, when can we expect Health Canada to announce its decision regarding this submission from Canadian Blood Services?

I understand that the actual review time may vary, depending on the completeness of the data provided and discussions with the organization, but please explain why the review of this submission is taking longer than the planned 90-day time frame.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): I thank the honourable senator for the question.

As I have mentioned several times, the Government of Canada continues to invest significant sums in improving defence capacity and resources, and it will continue to do so.

I have also mentioned several times that the agreement or deal — take your pick — between the Liberal Party and the NDP has nothing to do with the government’s commitment, which is clearly described in its 2017 document, to improving our military capacity in order to protect ourselves at home and defend our interests abroad.

As for the question, I do not have any information to suggest a link with military spending. We are awaiting the tabling of the budget to spell out exactly what the government has decided to do and clarify the issue of welcoming Ukrainian refugees.

Hon. René Cormier: Senator Gold, last week Reuters News Agency reported that bombing in Ukraine has led to the closure of many clinics specializing in the treatment of HIV/AIDS and that the distribution of antiretroviral drugs is at risk.

My question for you is the following. What kind of assistance for health care is the Government of Canada providing to the Ukrainian people at this time, and how is it helping to ensure that Ukrainians with HIV/AIDS can continue their treatment?

Hon. Marty Klyne: Senator Gold, my question is about gene‑edited seeds — an important and controversial topic in the realm of crop farming.

For those who are not familiar with the concept, gene editing refers to a set of genetic engineering techniques that can be used to add, remove or alter genetic sequences at precise locations in an organism’s genetic code. In other words, gene editing can be used to alter the DNA of seeds used in crop production.

It’s a bit different from genetically modified organisms, typically the result of adding foreign DNA into an organism’s genome.

There are benefits associated with gene editing. For example, using gene-editing tools can allow plant developers to improve the existing qualities of a seed and shorten the growth cycle of a given plant or crop.

However, Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency have faced questions regarding a proposal to adjust how the use of gene-edited seeds is monitored and regulated. Many farmers and other organizations in the agricultural sector are concerned that the regulations should regard forward research and, in the absence of that research, may not go far enough to protect farmers or the natural environment.

For my part, I can certainly understand apprehension about unintended consequences and risk management where forward research may be warranted.

Senator Gold, this is a very complicated issue. Can you update this chamber on the status of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s plan to monitor the use of gene-edited seeds and if changes to these regulations to enhance transparency and accountability are forthcoming?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. I’m advised that Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has in fact nine sector science strategies, including one specific to agri-food, to set priorities for our science activities.

The agri-food specific strategy aims to focus research and innovation investments, bring value to Canadian producers, including the agri-food sector, by outlining the research, development and technology transfer needs related to the agri‑food sector. This will include food, beverage and food ingredients, processing, packaging, distribution and consumption.

One key aspect of this strategy is the contribution toward food innovation and food safety. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada provides expertise, leadership and infrastructure research, development and technology transfer in the areas of food innovation and food safety in many ways. For example, developing greener, alternative agri-food processing and preservation techniques, including approaches to improve resource management, reduce waste and reduce losses due to spoilage during production, processing and distribution. The government is committed to continuing to support the agri-food sector through its sector science strategies.

[Translation]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question and for underlining the complexity of the issue, as you very well expressed.

The government is committed to science-based decision making and keeping food, feed and our environment in Canada safe, while at the same time supporting an innovative and sustainable agricultural sector. In that regard, all seeds, foods and feeds, whether developed using conventional methods or by technology, are regulated in Canada and must comply with all relevant standards and regulatory requirements for both safety and quality.

I’m advised that when it comes to gene editing, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, CFIA, is proposing guidance updates to help explain which plants require authorization from the CFIA before being grown or planted in Canada. I further understand that CFIA has launched consultations last fall to bring changes to the regulations relating to genetically engineered seeds.

The government is notably consulting with stakeholders to keep pace with technology to improve transparency and is carefully considering relevant scientific information about the use of gene-editing technologies in agriculture.

Colleagues, updated guidance will make regulatory decisions clearer, while allowing Canadians and the agricultural sector to benefit from the advances offered by new technology.

Hon. Leo Housakos (Acting Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, the NDP-Liberal government is committed to more taxes, more inflation and higher cost of living. That’s what this government is committed to.

Government leader, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association, just in the Montreal area alone, home prices have gone up over 20% in the last year and by almost 60% since 2019. Housing inflation is even worse in other parts of the country, yet I don’t get the sense that your government truly understands the housing affordability crisis that Canada is facing. After all, the NDP-Liberal government plans to make energy audits mandatory before Canadians can sell their homes. Last month, the Ontario Real Estate Association said:

. . . quite frankly, a crazy thing to do in the middle of a historic housing-affordability crisis. . . . We have historic lows in inventory listings on the market currently. Another piece of red tape on a home seller will depress listings even more, making it even more costly to go find a home.

Will Canadians looking for a home see more actions like this from the NDP-Liberal government next week in their budget? Is this going to be the strategy of fighting inflation and making middle class and poor Canadians poorer?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. Again, the budget will speak for itself and we will see what measures are there to help Canadians, to help our economy and otherwise to move our country forward.

It is simply not the case that this government, and indeed no government, colleagues, if we are to be fair, ignores the impact of the economy, whether it be inflation or the cost of living, on the well-being of Canadians.

Our governments, regardless of the partisan stripes and orientations to the left, centre or right, are better than that. We can disagree about the policy tools that governments deploy. We can disagree about the priorities that governments choose to bring forward, whether it’s climate change, the economy, reconciliation or the like. Canadians will judge and have judged, and this government will continue to act in the best interests of Canadians.

[Translation]

Hon. Marilou McPhedran: Honourable senators, in introducing my question about Rohingya people, I want to thank Senator Ataullahjan for her question and statement today on desperate Afghans.

Senator Gold, following the theme of Canada stepping up and leading on human rights, when will Canada follow the United States in its declaration last week that the murder, rapes, torture and destruction of entire Rohingya communities amount to genocide and crimes against humanity?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, with leave of the Senate, I move that the message be considered later this day.