The Hon. the Speaker: Actually, Senator Mercer, if you move the adjournment right now, it will preclude Senator Lankin from asking her question to Senator Omidvar when it’s called again. May I suggest that we just leave the matter as it is and when it’s recalled, Senator Omidvar will have the balance of her time and that will give Senator Lankin an opportunity to ask her question.

Senator Mercer: I agree, Your Honour. I want to hear what Senator Lankin has to say on this subject as well.

Senator Lankin: Thank you.

Hon. Terry M. Mercer: Your Honour, it was my intention to adjourn debate, but I see that Senator Lankin has a question. I would like to make that move after Senator Lankin’s question, if I could.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. I will refrain from commenting on your commentary to simply respond that I don’t have the answer to your question — or questions, I should say — and I’ll certainly make inquiries.

Senator Gold: I’m giving you the most honest and transparent answer that I can, and that is I do not have the answer, and if I did, of course I would provide it. I will make inquiries, as I’ve done in the past, and when I do get a response I will be pleased to share it with this chamber.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate) introduced Bill S-3, An Act to amend the Judges Act.

(Bill read first time.)

Senator Gold: I don’t know the amount, but I will do some research and get back to you once I have a answer.

[English]

Hon. Pamela Wallin: Senator Gold, in the wake of widespread public concern, the government finally set up so-called public consultations on their plan to deal with online harms, which of course included what we knew as Bill C-36 in the last session. Unfortunately, it was all carried out behind closed doors. The government has also decided not to release any of over 300 submissions or its report.

We spoke directly to many of the groups. They had no commercially sensitive information to protect, and most went ahead and made their submissions public regardless.

From open media to the internet society, there was powerful criticism of the legislation and of the consultation process itself. The criteria were too narrow, and the whole process risked being politicized by conducting it during an election campaign. This is an important issue that will impact how Canadians use the internet and just how free our speech will continue to be.

Will this report ever be made public, and will senators have access to it for committee study? If there is any commercially sensitive data, of course it could be redacted.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question, Senator Wallin. It’s an important one. I don’t know what the status of the publication of this report is and I will certainly make inquiries.

As members of this chamber would know, the issue of harmful material — including hateful material — is a matter that remains very much a preoccupation of this government. The government has announced that it intends to introduce new legislation in a timely manner that will require social media platforms to take action on illegal content, like child sexual exploitation, and remove it. I think we all look forward to receiving that bill and having the opportunity to study it.

Senator Wallin: We, of course, already have laws on the books regarding hate, and I’m wondering: If the government has continued to refuse to make any of this public, will they at least follow the guidance of the more than 300 submissions that consistently said this legislation is both “unliberal” and “creepily totalitarian”?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): The abuse and criminal abuse of CERB or any other program is unacceptable. Investigations are being pursued, and legal action will be taken where possible and where necessary.

[Translation]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question, Senator Martin.

The government knows that, in its efforts to assist all Canadians through the challenging pandemic, problems did occur in the design and implementation of programs, and it knows that the GIS adjustments have been hard on some seniors this year. I am advised that the government is working hard on this issue to find the right solution to benefit Canadians.

Although it perhaps goes without saying, I should remind this chamber that, notwithstanding some of the gaps in the programs that were developed and introduced with exemplary speed and efficiency, this government, with the support of other parties and with the support of us here in the Senate, managed to provide support for our economy, for our businesses and for Canadians that allowed us — and continues to allow us — to weather the storm in very good stead. For that I think all of us should be grateful — that we had the ability in this country to provide assistance to Canadians, old, young and in between.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, the time for Question Period has expired.

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

Hon. Senators: Agreed.

(Motion agreed to.)

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

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

(1430)

[English]

The Hon. the Speaker: Thank you kindly, Senator Mercer.

(At 4 p.m., pursuant to the order adopted by the Senate earlier this day, the Senate adjourned until 2 p.m., tomorrow.)

Appendix—Senators List

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you, Senator Omidvar, for your question and for giving me some time to inquire. Regrettably, I have not received an answer yet.

I have been assured the government desperately wants to see Mr. Badawi reunited with his family and remains committed to supporting him and them. When I do hear back from the government with particulars, I will report it in a timely manner.