Senator Cotter: I think it is difficult to do the latter. I think it requires a motion and a resolution in the legislature of Alberta. Alberta’s situation is slightly more complicated because, based on my understanding, constitutional amendments relevant to the Province of Alberta require a referendum first. I leave you to imagine the complications.

Notwithstanding that, this is an argument that advances the question of millions and millions of dollars — how many millions for Alberta is still not clear — that the people of Alberta are being asked to pay unfairly. It seems to me that if a referendum costs a little money, it would be well worth it.

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: It is moved by the Honourable Senator Griffin, seconded by the Honourable Senator White, that further debate be adjourned to the next sitting of the Senate. If you oppose adjourning debate, please say “no.”

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Those in favour of the motion and who are in the Senate chamber will please say “yea.”

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: “Yea” that you agree to adjourn the debate? The motion is to adjourn the debate, to which, Senator Plett, you said, “No.” Now we are asking the chamber.

Those in favour of the motion to adjourn the debate and who are in the Senate chamber will please say “yea.”

Some Hon. Senators: Nay.

Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate), pursuant to notice of February 9, 2022, moved:

That, when the Senate next adjourns after the adoption of this motion, it do stand adjourned until Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at 2 p.m.

Hon. Ratna Omidvar, pursuant to notice of February 8, 2022, moved:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, in accordance with rule 12-7(9), be authorized to examine and report on such issues as may arise from time to time relating to social affairs, science and technology generally; and

That the committee submit its final report on this study to the Senate no later than June 12, 2025.

Hon. Leo Housakos: Honourable senators, with leave of the Senate and notwithstanding rule 5-5(j), I move:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications be authorized to examine and report on the impacts of climate change on critical infrastructure in the transportation and communications sectors and the consequential impacts on their interdependencies, and measures needed to increase resiliency to those impacts;

That the committee also examine the impacts of critical infrastructure in the transportation and communications sectors on climate change, and measures to reduce those impacts; and

That the committee submit its final report no later than November 30, 2023, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

Hon. Marie-Françoise Mégie: Honourable senators, the 2022 theme for Black History Month in Canada is “February and Forever: Celebrating Black History today and every day.”

This theme focuses on recognizing the daily contributions that Black Canadians make to Canada. This year, I want to highlight their contributions at the municipal level in Quebec.

When Jean Alfred was elected as a city councillor in Gatineau in 1975, it set the stage at the municipal level in Quebec. It was not until 1994 that four new Black municipal officials were elected, two of whom became mayors for several terms. They were the late Ulrick Chérubin in Amos and Michel Adrien in Mont-Laurier. That same year, Kettly Beauregard would become the first Black woman elected to Montreal city council.

Four Black people were elected between 1998 and 2017.

The entire province of Quebec had six Black municipal officials going into the 2021 municipal elections.

An analysis of the November 7, 2021, election results by Councillor Josué Corvil of the Saint-Michel district in Montreal found that 27 Black people, including 19 women, were elected in more than 1,100 municipalities in Quebec. I want to recognize Gracia Kasoki Katahwa, who was elected mayor of the Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough. Colleagues, please join me in congratulating them.

According to Statistics Canada projections, the Black population will continue to grow and could reach 5% of the total population of Canada by 2036. By then, if not sooner, I hope to see that same representation of Black people on city councils.

I want the Black population to see themselves reflected in our democratic institutions and to feel represented by the members of our community.

As Myrlande Pierre, a researcher with the UQAM Centre de recherche en immigration, ethnicité et citoyenneté, wrote:

Promoting the full participation of Black communities will help legitimize our democracy, for a more just and equitable society.

I urge Black people to get involved in politics at all levels. Yesterday I spoke about this to a group of teens from Calixa Lavallée high school in Montreal at an event organized by S’Engage.

If we want Black communities to be well represented, Black people will have to run for office, go vote and make their voices heard, which will contribute to a more harmonious society. Thank you.

[English]

Hon. David M. Wells (Acting Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, I rise today to mark a very important milestone for the Republic of Kazakhstan. This past year marked the thirtieth anniversary of Kazakhstan independence and diplomatic relations with Canada. This anniversary commemorates the development, peace and prosperity it has achieved since then.

Kazakhstan is the largest country in Central Asia and the ninth largest in the world. In an historically short period of time, Kazakhstan has made great progress in the improvement of living standards, the development of a modern legal system and strengthened sovereignty, security and stability. Over the past 30 years, Kazakhstan has established diplomatic relations with 186 countries and transformed into one of the dynamically developing countries of Eurasia and a reputable diplomatic voice on the world stage.

Colleagues, like Canada, Kazakhstan has a bicameral parliament composed of the Majilis, which is the lower house, and a senate.

Kazakhstan’s notable accomplishments include their significant contribution to the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and nuclear disarmament and their contributions to UN Peacekeeping. Kazakhstan has also contributed to the establishment of a Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone.

Colleagues, Kazakhstan’s culture is ancient but their democracy is young. Please help me in celebrating this very important milestone for the Republic of Kazakhstan and the important bilateral relations between our two countries.

Thank you.

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

Last week, the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, announced that funding would be extended for the LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund and granted to two specific LGBTQ2 projects. Obviously, I applaud this announcement, which will help many LGBTQ2+ organizations in Canada continue their activities.

This fund is especially important for organizations working in rural regions. For example, Rendez-vous de la fierté Acadie Love, an organization on the Acadian Peninsula in New Brunswick, is doing outstanding work. Thanks to this fund, this organization recently contributed to the creation of a new francophone provincial group: Alter Acadie NB, the New Brunswick association of queer francophones, which focuses on LGBTQ2+ issues.

That being said, I am very concerned about the fact that the LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund was extended for only one year for $7.5 million, which is approximately the same amount as in previous years.

How does the federal government assess the growing financial needs of the LGBTQ2+ organizations that are eligible for this fund? How does it plan to ensure that they receive ongoing financial assistance?

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

LGBTQ2+ organizations are essential in Canada’s communities and are a lifeline for Canadians. They need our support to keep their doors open and to continue to develop. That is why the funding for the LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund is being extended for another year. This funding will enable organizations to build stronger infrastructure to advance LGBTQ2+ equality across Canada.

I’m sorry to say I don’t have any details on how the eligibility criteria for the fund are assessed. I will find out from the government and get back to you as soon as possible.

Hon. Wanda Elaine Thomas Bernard: Honourable senators, I join you today from the unceded territory of Mi’kma’ki, the traditional land of Mi’kmaq people.

For African Heritage Month, I want to pay tribute to a national treasure, Wanda Robson, who passed away last Sunday at age 95. You may know her as the sister of Viola Desmond. I knew her as Wanda, a dear friend and mentor.

Wanda Robson was a fierce advocate for human rights and education. For most of her life, she had held on to a very shameful memory of Viola’s time in jail after being dragged out of the White-only section of the movie theatre. This changed when she arrived at university in her seventies and a professor spoke to the importance of examining critical moments in Nova Scotian history. She learned to re-examine her sister’s story as a justice issue. Wanda successfully advocated, with allies, to have Viola’s charge posthumously pardoned. In this process, she shifted a story of shame to one of pride, pride that Viola had stood up for her rights and pride for African Nova Scotian history.

In February of 2020, I invited Wanda and her husband, Joe, to Ottawa to visit the Senate. That evening, Wanda and I enjoyed a wonderful fireside chat at the Museum of History. Despite the large audience, it was like we were chatting in her living room in North Sydney. She shared memories of her sister, of African Nova Scotian history and we even discovered that we had the same childhood nickname.

Honourable colleagues, please take a moment with me to honour the life and legacy of Wanda Robson and offer deepest sympathy to her husband, children, grandchildren and all who knew and loved her.

Thank you, asante.

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question, senator.

The government recognizes that organizations across the country urgently need support to provide vital community resources. The government intends to uphold its commitments.

I would add that, in the past, I have had a great deal of experience and involvement with not-for-profit organizations. I saw that stable and predictable funding is important. That said, I must point out that the government invested $7.1 million in the 2021 budget to support the work of the LGBTQ2+ Secretariat and $15 million for projects in these communities.

As for the funding, I will endeavour to follow up on the previous question.

[English]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. The government values the advice of the Privacy Commissioner, advice that is always well received and taken into consideration. The government also values the privacy of Canadians and their right to control their data. In that regard, it will continue to do so.

I do not have information, senator, with regard to whom the government has consulted to the extent that information would be publicly available and disseminated. I’ll make inquiries and will be happy to report to the chamber.

Hon. Peter M. Boehm: Honourable senators, I give notice that, at the next sitting of the Senate, I will move:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade be authorized to examine and report on the Canadian foreign service and elements of the foreign policy machinery within Global Affairs Canada, and on other related matters; and

That the committee submit its final report no later than March 30, 2023, and that it retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

[Translation]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): I thank the honourable senator for the question. Canada and the Government of Canada are proud of the measures taken since the beginning of the pandemic to protect Canadians. We are proud of the ability of the government to procure vaccines and for Canada to be a world leader in its degree of vaccination. This pandemic is causing enormous frustration and difficulty for individuals and for the sectors and companies to which you refer. The government is very much aware of that. It is constantly evaluating the appropriate policy adjustments to make in light of the evolution not only of scientific understanding but the evolution of the pandemic and the wave or waves that may still come. This chamber should rest assured that the government is constantly evaluating and reassessing what its policy positions will be going forward, and announcements, when appropriate, will be made.

Senator Plett: It is sad that we can’t at least touch on the answers and say “I don’t know” if the answer isn’t known. That would be an appropriate answer.

The Leader of the Opposition in the other place said to the Prime Minister:

Prime Minister, you can’t take science and put it on the table when it suits you and take it off when it doesn’t suit you.

The Prime Minister has constantly been saying that everything he is doing is scientific. Science now says that what we’re doing is not right, and he doesn’t change. You don’t have an answer. You hardly even touch on the question. That was as bad as the minister yesterday when he didn’t even touch on the question.

Senator Gold, WestJet, Air Canada and Toronto Pearson Airport are also calling for an end to mandatory quarantines for asymptomatic travellers awaiting test results upon arrival. Leader, most families can’t afford lengthy quarantines. They don’t want to hear that the government cares about them. They want to see what you are doing to show you care about us.

When, leader? Give us a date. If not today, give us a date when we come back. When will this Trudeau government end these ineffective and costly restrictions?

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question. I’m sorry that my answers are not satisfactory to you.

The fact remains that the government is in ongoing consultations and discussions with its scientific advisers and others. Science is not a monolithic answer. This is not Grade 3 arithmetic. There is a diversity of views within the scientific community. Science, one might say, is more of an art than a science.

That said, the government remains committed to making the appropriate policy choices based upon the best scientific advice that it receives and will announce whatever changes, if any, in due course when appropriate.

[Translation]