The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, when shall this bill be read the second time?

(On motion of Senator Griffin, bill placed on the Orders of the Day for second reading two days hence.)

Senator Gold: I will do my very best. Thank you.

[Translation]

Senator Carignan: Leader, I heard you say that you are not worried. Canada dropped seven spots in the global Democracy Index and now sits just ahead of Uruguay, even though the Prime Minister claimed that Canada was back. Doesn’t it worry you that Canada has dropped from fifth to twelfth on the Democracy Index and now sits just ahead of Uruguay?

Hon. Michael L. MacDonald: Honourable senators, I would like to take this moment, my earliest opportunity in this chamber, to address the comments I made last week.

Last Wednesday evening, while walking back to my hotel after a late supper with my colleagues, I was approached by a man who wanted to speak to me about the protests in Ottawa. I said yes — but only on the condition that it was off the record and not recorded. He agreed. I later discovered that was not the case.

I left the impression that I agree with trucks being illegally parked downtown, and I made some mangled remarks about the sentiments of people in Ottawa regarding the protest.

First, I want to apologize to the people of Ottawa for my clumsy language. It was not my intention to disparage anyone. Like many Canadians, I’m mentally exhausted after two years of lockdowns and a third year facing more of the same. I support the desire to open this country up — a sentiment that was stated initially by the truckers and later supported by many Canadians across the country who showed up on Parliament Hill.

I appreciate how frustrating this has been for the people of Ottawa. Over the past 12 years, I have experienced many noisy demonstrations on the lawn in front of Parliament, directly below my office. I don’t always agree with the causes being advanced, but I strongly believe in the right of peaceful protest. When I arrived for work over three weeks ago and saw the trucks all over Wellington Street, I could not believe that this was allowed to occur. Ottawa has a professional, well-trained, modern police force, which — if properly directed — is more than capable of preventing a situation like this from developing. This failure is the responsibility of city hall.

Yes, I am one of the many fortunate people in this country who didn’t have to worry about the pandemic affecting my regular paycheque because I am paid by the taxpayer. Politicians and bureaucrats at all three levels of the government nationwide, academics, teachers, employees of the military, anyone drawing a good pension and anyone directly or indirectly paid by the taxpayer across this country endure the restrictions put on people’s lives with little worry. But over half the people in this country don’t have that security. That’s what I was trying to express. That those of us in secure positions should put ourselves in the shoes of those in Canada who don’t have income security and certainty.

It is time we stand up for those working men and women who only get paid when they create their own income. In today’s Canada, families are being destroyed, businesses are being lost, depression is rising and children are falling behind in their education. I have never seen this country so unhappy and divided, and people so stressed. A lot of people are falling through the cracks. And if this unfortunate episode brings some attention to this unacceptable truth, then my present embarrassment will have accomplished something positive.

I assure all my colleagues that I am contrite. I have always tried to be a responsible and actively engaged senator. I love this city and working toward the betterment of my country. I’m sorry to those I disappointed. I particularly want to apologize to my wife, who is the salt of the earth and the rock of my family. I expect better from me and I will do better going forward.

Thank you.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Senator Jaffer, first of all, thank you for your very kind words. My mother raised me well. She said always accept a compliment even when it’s not quite deserved, and I feel in this case it isn’t deserved but it’s much appreciated.

I certainly will make inquiries. This is a situation that is troubling, not only to Canadians like you and others who are working hard on behalf, but most importantly for those either still in Afghanistan or in other countries waiting to be processed. I will do my best to get answers.

Senator Gold: I infer from your statement that you would like me to inquire as to whether the government is pursuing this, and I would do so gladly.

Senator Plett: Thank you.

Some Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!

[Translation]

Hon. Robert Black: Honourable senators, I rise today to highlight Canada’s sixth annual Agriculture Day, which takes place tomorrow on February 22. Since 2016, this annual celebration marks a time to engage in and support discourse around Canada’s agricultural community and the important role it plays in our domestic food supply chain.

First and foremost, tomorrow’s event celebrates our agricultural and agri-food industry, as well as the pride we share in growing food, but it also presents an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the producer and consumer. I am immensely proud of our agricultural community, especially in light of the challenges agricultural workers have all faced over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. They have adapted quickly, worked to keep their employees safe and healthy, kept our grocery store shelves full and continued to support vulnerable members of our communities by donating their products to those in need.

While tomorrow is a time to celebrate this historic industry, it is also a time to reflect on and consider the challenges currently facing Canada’s agricultural sector. As many of you know, I have previously called attention to the challenges facing the agricultural community — from labour shortages to the work required to make the industry greener and more sustainable. Across the board, it is clear our farmers, producers, processors and everyone involved along the supply chain are working tirelessly to ensure they can overcome these challenges and continue feeding not only Canadians but the world. However, it is also clear that they need our support. Canada’s Agriculture Day represents an opportunity to learn how we can offer that support to our farmers and to thank them for their dedication to their land, their livestock and our communities.

That being said, I encourage you to take the time to thank the hard-working individuals of the Canadian agriculture and agri‑food industry every day, since without them, we would not have the same access to the safe, nutritious food that we do today.

Honourable colleagues, the organizers of Canada’s Agriculture Day are once again asking Canadians to put their “forks up for Canadian ag.” I encourage everyone from coast to coast to coast to celebrate Canada’s Agriculture Day by using local ingredients to prepare your meals, engaging with members of your local agricultural communities or even by virtually touring farms around the country to learn more about where your food comes from.

However you chose to celebrate, make sure to do so by raising your forks to our great Canadian food system and using the hashtag #CdnAgDay.

Thank you. Meegwetch.

The Hon. the Speaker: Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?

The Hon. the Speaker informed the Senate that a message had been received from the House of Commons with Bill C-10, An Act respecting certain measures related to COVID-19.

(Bill read first time.)

Senator Gold: Yes. I was asking leave of the Senate, notwithstanding the appropriate rules, so that we could have clarity as to when we come back and how the sitting will proceed.

Senator Gold: Honourable senator, thank you for the question. This is obviously a question that preoccupies us all. Indeed, we are to begin debate on this very question tomorrow. That is very much the focus of the task with which we are seized. I look forward to sharing my views and answering, in the most fulsome way I can, your question and every other question that senators may have during the debate. I also look forward to hearing your views and those of my colleagues on this most important question.

[Translation]

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question. Again, I will have occasion tomorrow to speak to this issue, to elaborate at greater length and to take further questions. Let me simply say that the decision to invoke the Emergencies Act was taken after consultation with all provinces. Not all provinces agreed. The Premier of Ontario — because you cited him — did indicate that he needed the support and that with the plenary tools that he would have at his disposal, he was not one of those provinces that opposed the application and invocation of the act. I think we here in Ottawa and the residents of Ottawa are very happy indeed with the results so far.

Senator Ataullahjan: Senator Gold, Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency on Friday, February 11, which expires on Friday, February 25. Senator Gold, why subject the rest of the country to emergency measures when Ontario had already declared a state of emergency?

Senator Jaffer: Senator Gold, can you please also ask — when the trouble started in Afghanistan, many of us were told to work with NGOs to help the fleeing Afghans to arrive at other places, and we did. And now these people are without funds in other countries. This was done specifically by instructions from people in the government that they would be processed quickly.

May I please ask, what is holding up this process? I work with many women peace builders, and it breaks my heart that I assured them, our government assured them that their visas would be processed quickly. Now they are in Mexico and Portugal and many other areas waiting for our government to process their documents, so may I please also ask you to find out about that? Thank you.

Senator Gold: Senator, I cannot comment on the assumption behind your question, but I certainly will make inquiries and report back.

The Hon. the Speaker: Is leave granted, honourable senators?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question. The issue is a serious one, and one that engages responsibilities of the province, which has ownership of the natural resources. It also engages, of course, the role of the federal government, that works with provinces to assist wherever it can and to provide funding where it can for those efforts.

The Government of Canada appreciates the work of the Parliamentary Budget Office and the report. I will certainly make inquiries as to your specific questions and report back in due course.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Yonah Martin on December 7, 2021)

November’s flooding had a devastating impact on many communities in British Columbia, and our government is committed to being a strong federal partner in the response and into recovery. In the immediate aftermath of the event, the Government of Canada announced that we would match all individual and corporate donations to the Canadian Red Cross for the British Columbia Floods and Extreme Weather Appeal. Close to $30 million has been raised during the matching period, which ended on December 26. With the province also matching donations, this has meant that almost $90 million will be provided to support British Columbians as part of this appeal.

As of Jan. 17, 2022, the Red Cross has distributed more than $17 million in evacuation-related emergency financial assistance to more than 7,200 eligible households.

The Government of Canada recognizes and commends the efforts of other charitable organizations on the ground. The Canadian Red Cross is working closely with community leadership and all levels of government to support emergency response and recovery efforts to these unprecedented and devastating events.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Tony Loffreda on December 14, 2021)

The CRA will be undertaking post-payment verification activities for emergency, recovery and lockdown benefits recipients starting in 2022. These compliance efforts are planned for the next few years. Note that the CRA introduced additional controls over the lifespan of these benefit programs. For instance, in October 2020, the CRA implemented more upfront verification measures, and in May 2021, the CRA expanded these verification measures and focused on applications made by individuals who do not meet the income eligibility requirements.

The CRA began Phase 1 of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) Post-Payment Audit Program in summer 2020 with approximately 700 files selected for audit. Phase 2 was launched in November 2021 and involves approximately 2,500 files. Note the CRA designed the CEWS to include upfront verification. Prior to payment, the CRA validates information in an application against existing data holdings, and may also follow up by phone to verify certain elements of claims upon prepayment review. Additionally, high-risk accounts are referred to officers for manual validations (which may include employer contact) to verify information included in the application.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Tony Loffreda on December 14, 2021)

•Service Canada takes the integrity of its programs very seriously.

•Ensuring that Canadians receive the benefits to which they are entitled is a priority for the government.

•To ensure the effective stewardship of our programs, the department investigates suspected cases of fraud, abuse and error.

•In the context of these investigations, individuals who abuse the programs are subject to monetary penalties and/or prosecution.

•Service Canada has well-established links with key partners such as law enforcement, financial institutions and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to help address fraudulent activity in its programs.

•The department uses computer tracking, data analytics and linked data systems to detect fraudulent activity.

•Given that many cases remain under investigation, we cannot provide additional information on fraudulent individual and business claims.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Chantal Petitclerc on December 16, 2021)

The Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion’s mandate letter commits to “Move forward with the design, introduction and implementation of a Canada Disability Benefit Act and Canada Disability Benefit for low-income working age persons with disabilities.”

While the proposed act has not yet been tabled, the government continues to engage the disability community on aspects of the benefit’s design to ensure that, upon the Bill’s passage by Parliament, the development of regulations can start without delay. Starting last summer and continuing into 2022, the government is holding a series of roundtables with Canadians with disabilities and other stakeholders and researchers. The feedback from these roundtables along with the online survey conducted between May and September 2021 and the community-led consultations will support the development of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan, including the proposed benefit.

Our government is also engaging with P/T partners on the benefit to ensure it augments rather than replaces existing P/T benefits and supports. In support of this work, on July 21, 2021, Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers Responsible for Social Services tasked officials with developing a work plan on how jurisdictions can work together to support the development of this important benefit for Canadians with disabilities.