Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you, colleague. As Government Representative, first of all, please let me repeat what I said and have tried to make clear on two occasions. The Government of Canada and the Prime Minister have said that he is not eliminating the possibility of intervening at the appropriate time, not that he has decided to intervene. With regard to the appropriate time, colleague, I don’t have the answer. However, the answer will be a function in part of how legal proceedings unfold in Quebec. They are currently before a lower court. Thereafter there would be other stages and legal proceedings, and at each stage the Government of Canada will consider its options and respond appropriately.

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question. There is no doubt that litigation is an expensive proposition. That is why this government has reintroduced and reinstated the Court Challenges Program, which was eliminated by a previous government. There are mechanisms to support litigants in their efforts to challenge laws — whether provincial or federal — on grounds of alleged Charter violations, and the government is pleased those measures are in place to assist any litigants who qualify.