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

The government is aware of the studies done by the professors you mentioned. I am friends with Professor Gold. We are not related, by the way.

As I’ve said many times, the government is working with its partners and with international organizations to ensure that everyone in the world can get vaccinated quickly. There are several possible ways to get there, and looking at intellectual property rights is one of them. The government is in talks with its partners to, quote, unquote, “change the rules” on intellectual property, in particular with respect to the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, which was signed under the auspices of the World Trade Organization.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, with leave of the Senate and notwithstanding rule 5-5(j), I move:

That, when the Senate next adjourns after the adoption of this motion, it do stand adjourned until Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at 2 p.m.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Senator, thank you for your question and for raising her case, which is unfortunately emblematic of far too many.

Yes, indeed, the mandate letter reaffirms or concretizes a commitment that this government has already made, about which I’ve spoken, to welcome at least 40,000 Afghan refugees. There have been close to 10,000 already processed, and over 5,000 are here. Much more needs to be done, and as quickly as it can be done it will be done. I will be pleased to communicate your questions and concerns to the appropriate ministers.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question and for quoting what I said in this chamber.

The government’s position that I shared with you remains the same. The government’s priorities for this period were well established and properly communicated. Fortunately, we are doing our part to ensure that the government’s legislative priorities are implemented.

[English]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Senator Quinn, thank you for your question. The government was very pleased to announce a national supply chain summit to discuss the challenges and strategies which you referred to, and importantly the next steps that will enable recovery for Canada’s transportation supply chain.

With regard to your specific question, the government is very aware of the importance of the port to Canada as a whole, much less the Atlantic provinces and your province in particular. I have been advised that the details of who will be invited and attending have not yet been finalized. I have been advised that different levels of government and different representatives of the industry that have an interest in supply chains and notably — and this was made explicit — ports, rail companies and trucking alliances will be in attendance.