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. Stan Kutcher: Honourable senators, I rise to draw our attention to the scourge of neglected tropical diseases, or NTDs, terrible illnesses which affect almost two billion of the poorest and most disadvantaged people globally and which can be largely eliminated with available treatments and prevention. With concerted global effort, we can be successful; without concerted effort, these diseases will continue unchecked, creating even more poverty, disadvantage and disparity.

NTDs include but are not limited to elephantiasis, a swelling of limbs due to a parasitic worm infection; trachoma, a bacterial infection causing blindness; intestinal worms that cause anemia and stunted growth; leprosy, another bacterial illness which causes disfigurement and blindness.

For these and other NTDs, effective treatments are available including antibiotics, ivermectin, antifungal medications and others. Better personal and community sanitation helps prevent the spread of these diseases.

Global initiatives are underway with notable success; however, the pandemic has significantly slowed progress. Global partnerships that include the World Health Organization, governments, researchers, the pharmaceutical industry and civil society organizations have had a great impact in many parts of the world. Some NTDs such as Guinea-worm disease and river blindness have been eliminated or substantially reduced over the last decade.

January 30 was World NTD Day, raising awareness about these terrible yet treatable illnesses and reinvigorating the global community in conquering them. In June 2022, Commonwealth heads of state will be meeting in Rwanda. Hopefully, Canada, along with all other members of the Commonwealth, will sign on to the Kigali Declaration, promising to end NTDs altogether.

Great impact can be made with relatively little. For example, Canada, working through the Pan American Health Organization could, by itself, fund the elimination of blinding trachoma from the region of the Americas within five years. The estimated cost, less than $15 million; the impact, incredible.

The Canadian Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases has been a strong, science-driven advocate in the global fight against NTDs. Recently, three members of this chamber — Senators Boehm, Ravalia and myself — have joined an independent international group of parliamentarians addressing NTDs. Together with colleagues in the other place, we are nudging our government to step up to the plate and hit a home run by helping erase NTDs from the world.

We can do this if we act. I hope that every member of this chamber will support Canada becoming part of the promise of Kigali. Thank you, meegwetch.

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. 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]

Senator Gold: Thank you. I will add those questions to the others.

Hon. Tony Loffreda: Honourable senators, my question is for Senator Gold, the Government Representative in the Senate. My question today focuses not so much on Canadians but those who may wish to become Canadians. It’s no secret that there are massive backlogs at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. This has been going on for years. In some ways, it’s a good problem to have because it shows how attractive Canada is to foreigners. However, it is completely unacceptable that visa applications can take up to three years to process. These applicants deserve an answer, whether it’s yes or no. The least we can do is show them the respect they deserve and make a decision in a timely manner.

Last year, the government announced in its Fall Economic Statement that $85 million would be spent to hire more public servants to address the backlogs, among other things.

Can you tell us if the government has started to spend this money and if new immigration officers have been hired to help address the processing issues?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you, senator, for raising this important issue.

The government continues to shift resources in this area to focus on priorities, to increase digitization of applications, to streamline its processes and resume in-person operations while, of course, respecting public health and safety guidelines.

Furthermore, I’m advised that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has already hired approximately 500 new processing staff, are digitizing applications and reallocating work amongst their offices around the world.

With regard to your question on spending of the allocated funds under the Fall Economic Statement, I have been advised that an outline for the funds has been released. Unfortunately, I don’t have an itemized list of the expenditures. I shall, however, inquire with the government and report back to the chamber with an answer.

Hon. Jane Cordy: Senator Gold, I raise this issue with you today on behalf of a Canadian couple who reached out to me and shared their experience of the barriers they faced as a same-sex couple starting their family.

During the last two elections, the current government campaigned on a promise to remove barriers for LGBTQ2+ people who wanted to start a family. These changes would also help heterosexual couples who have fertility challenges.

As well-intentioned as these promises are, they fail to take into account the realities of surrogacy and the differing family law systems across the provinces and territories.

More often than not, the intended parents cover the expenses of in vitro fertilization, IVF; and because neither of the intended parents are the “patient,” they are not eligible to claim the expenses from a tax perspective. The egg donor, or surrogate, cannot claim the expenses, as it would be claiming an expense for which they did not pay.

This requires a review of the structure of the tax credit system and how it defines a “patient” for the purposes of the tax credit.

Access to 15 weeks of leave is available to those parents who adopt their child following surrogacy. The government failed to understand that in several provinces with more progressive family law systems, the child born through surrogacy is not adopted. That would mean that these families would not be entitled to leave, as neither of the intended parents are the birth mother; nor would they be eligible for adoptive leave, as they have not, in fact, adopted the child.

Senator Gold, this couple’s experience is not unique. It is the same situation faced by parents starting their families through surrogacy, regardless of sexual orientation, across Canada. Mark Foley and Shelly Maynard from Dartmouth made their case public in 2019.

I know it’s not a simple issue, which is why I shared this couple’s concerns with your office in advance. I know I have provided a lot of information in a short period of time. Senator Gold, my question is this: Did you have an opportunity to raise these concerns with the responsible ministers; and if so, have you received a response?