Hon. Pierre J. Dalphond: I thank you and the entire government for supporting the provinces in their fight against the pandemic, for example by providing vaccines and implementing complementary health care measures, especially at the borders.

According to scientists, including federal experts, we are transitioning from pandemic to endemic, so wouldn’t this be the time to review the federal measures that may no longer be necessary?

Hon. Claude Carignan: Minister, MP Joël Lightbound made an extremely important statement yesterday. For one thing, he said that the government is using the pandemic for partisan purposes. For another, he is a key witness who was present behind closed doors and participated in developing strategies to use the pandemic to sow partisan division.

When was that strategy developed, and who was involved in developing it?

Hon. Éric Forest: Thank you, minister, for being with us during this pandemic.

The pandemic has revealed the fragile state of our health care systems, which have been crippled by years of underfunding. While waiting for the necessary reinvestment in transfers to the provinces — which we hope will increase the federal government’s contribution to health care costs to 35% — Canadians are wondering what has happened to the government’s election promise to hire 7,500 physicians and nurses.

My question is twofold. We understand that it is the responsibility of Quebec, and accordingly the provinces and territories, to hire health care workers. However, given the urgency of the situation, can you tell us if the funding of $3.2 billion or so has been disbursed to the provinces? If yes, how many physicians and nurses have been hired?

Hon. Michael L. MacDonald: Minister Duclos, your home province of Quebec has said that it will take at least two years to reduce their backlog of surgeries to pre-pandemic levels. In my province of Nova Scotia, the senior director of the cancer care program recently said that even if COVID-19 went away tomorrow it will take years to catch up on the backlog of patients needing care and to rebuild the system.

This past Friday, the provincial premiers asked your government to increase the Canada Health Transfer. What are you going to do to help Nova Scotia and all provinces to overcome these challenges?

Hon. Claude Carignan: You didn’t answer my question earlier, minister. You responded like a true politician. The Olympic Games are going on right now in Beijing. That’s where the skating should be happening.

I’ll ask my question again. When was that strategy developed and by whom?

The Hon. the Speaker: Minister Duclos, you have 20 seconds to finish your response to Senator Moodie.

The Hon. the Speaker: I’m sorry, minister, but your time is up and I have to move on to the next speaker on the list.

Senator Gold: I aim to please.

The Hon. the Speaker: I should inform all honourable senators and the minister that the clock stopped so we will have our full hour for Question Period.

[Translation]

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!

Hon. Senators: Agreed.

(Motion agreed to.)

[Translation]

Hon. Diane F. Griffin: I wish to ask a question, Your Honour.

The Hon. the Speaker: Senator Gold, would you take a question?

Senator Gold: Of course.

Hon. Pierrette Ringuette: Senator Gold, if I understood you correctly, you said in your speech that, in the Constitution, Canadian Pacific was given an exemption from paying municipal, provincial and federal taxes. Is that correct?

Hon. Mobina S. B. Jaffer introduced Bill S-235, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

(Bill read first time.)

The Hon. the Speaker: Senator Griffin, did you wish to enter debate or ask a question?

Hon. Pamela Wallin: I wanted to ask you, Senator Gold, if you wanted to speak briefly to the fact that the lobbying around this issue has been going on for the entire 20th century and into the 21st, and that Alberta and Manitoba were very much a part of that effort to end this constitutionalized tax, and that what has really provoked all of this and prompted this more current discussion is a decision rendered by the Federal Court in September 2021. That is what has brought this issue to the fore again in an urgent way.

Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P., Minister of Health: Thank you, Senator Kutcher. The question is good but quite broad, so I’m afraid I’m going to be unfair and incomplete in answering it.

First, human resources in health care are a key priority for all of my colleagues, the health ministers across Canada. We’ve spoken to each other and met many times since December. The topic is high on their agendas.

Second, it’s a crucial topic in my mandate letter, and the Prime Minister has signalled it’s a key aspect of our relationship with the provinces and territories as we repair and prepare our health care system for the future.

Third, yes, education and the recognition of international credentials are critical. We need to be mindful and respect jurisdiction while doing that, but if we can find ways to do that effectively and respectfully with your support and that of others, we’ll certainly do that.