Hon. Ratna Omidvar: Honourable senators, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the second report of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, which deals with the subject matter of Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Canada Labour Code.

(Pursuant to the order adopted December 2, 2021, the report was placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration later this day.)

[Translation]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, I give notice that, two days hence:

I will call the attention of the Senate to the Economic and Fiscal Update 2021, tabled in the House of Commons on December 14, 2021, by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P., and in the Senate on December 15, 2021.

[English]

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

The Government of Canada is very concerned and mindful of the rise of the cost of living to all Canadians and is focused on measures to soften the impact of those increased costs. It remains focused on issues of affordability and the cost of living.

Canada was fortunate that we entered the pandemic in a strong fiscal position. It allowed the government to take the measures necessary to help us through that. The government has put forward a prudent plan that sets out a new fiscal anchor, and it is committed to reducing the federal debt as a share of the economy over the medium term and to unwinding the deficits from combatting COVID-19.

In addition, the programs and plans around early childhood learning and child-care policies are important policies that will help Canadians weather the economic storm as they are implemented and rolled out.

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question. Indeed, each province is sovereign within its jurisdiction as to how it will deploy the tests provided and supported by the Canadian government. The Government of Canada is in regular contact with the Minister of Health and with his provincial counterparts, and I am confident that this issue is a regular part of the agenda for these meetings.

Senator Kutcher: Senator Gold, sadly, the widespread availability of free rapid tests has been uneven across the country. Does the federal government have any thoughts about how to nudge those jurisdictions that have fallen behind in making these tests widely available?

Hon. Percy E. Downe: Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. Senator Gold, we noticed last week that two Canadian ministers informed U.S. officials that if certain trade irritants were introduced in the United States — I am referring here to the Buy American electric vehicles tax credit — the Canadian government would take trade action against those measures.

I’m wondering why the Canadian government hasn’t taken any action against the trade irritant that has already been introduced regarding the ban on P.E.I. potatoes?

Some Hon. Senators: Hear, hear.

Senator Cordy: Thank you. That was a good message for Canadians — that we should avoid travel if possible — in light of what’s happening. We understand that things can certainly change in a heartbeat, because one week we’re congratulating ourselves on how well we’re doing and the next week we’re discovering that travel will be limited if not non-existent.

Senator Gold, I guess my question then would be: Is Canada working with other countries to help develop uniform global guidelines? Because, as you rightfully said and I said earlier in my previous question, there are differences in international organizations on what they think about mixed vaccinations, and most people try to follow the laws and the rules — which, I guess, are more important than the laws — so what are the rules? And what are the guidelines? I’m curious to know if we’re sharing our information and our guidelines with international health organizations. Are they sharing their knowledge and their best practices with us?

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question. The impact of trade irritants on Prince Edward Island transporters, producers and all associated is as preoccupying to the Government of Canada as the impact on the auto industry in Ontario or the forestry industry throughout this country. Different problems require different responses. The Canadian government is not remaining inactive; it is simply using the tools and the channels appropriate in each specific case.

Senator McPhedran: I wish to thank Senator Gold for his assurances and wish everybody the best of the season.

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear.

The Hon. the Speaker: With leave of the Senate, can we revert to a question from Senator Batters? If you are opposed to leave, please say “no.”

Senator Batters, your question.

The Hon. the Speaker: For clarity, Senator Gold is asking for leave to withdraw.

Is leave granted, honourable senators?

Hon. Senators: Agreed.

(Motion agreed to.)

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

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

Senator Martin: Thank you for making that inquiry. As we mark this fifty-fifth anniversary, I think that, at a minimum, what should be done — if it is not being done already — is a feasibility study. If there are details on the feasibility of establishing a Canadian embassy in Bulgaria, that would be very helpful. Leader, would you also check whether such a study has been conducted and, if not, is this something we could request at this time?

Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.

Senator Marshall: Yes.

[Translation]

Hon. Brian Francis: Honourable senators, pursuant to rule 12-26(2) of the Rules of the Senate, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the first report of the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples, which deals with the expenses incurred by the committee during the Second Session of the Forty-Third Parliament.

(For text of report, see today’s Journals of the Senate, p. 174.)