Senator Gold: These are important issues. It is important that we, as parliamentarians, approach them in a responsible way.

Advice that is given, or information, from the security services of the Prime Minister is not something that the Prime Minister is going to divulge, and it is certainly not something that would be appropriate to divulge in this setting.

The fact is, the Prime Minister has announced that NSICOP — a committee of parliamentarians with security clearance — will be examining this issue, as they’ve examined in their important reports on foreign interference the question of the measures that are being taken by our institutions to protect ourselves. I commend to each and every senator to read the NSICOP report on foreign interference because you will see that the issue has been taken seriously by this government for a long time now.

In addition, colleagues, the imminent appointment of a special rapporteur will also have a role to play in advising the Prime Minister as to what further steps might be taken. I should add, again, that the former campaign chair of the Conservative Party recommended that the appropriate way in which to get to the bottom of this is indeed to empower NSICOP to do the work.

Hon. Senators: Agreed.

(Motion agreed to.)

(For text of speeches, see Appendix.)

Senator Gold: Thank you for those suggestions, senator. The government is always open to consider ways in which to improve its ability to disrupt. It’s far better to prevent than to have to cure, if I can use a health analogy.

I would be pleased to arrange meetings with you so that your recommendations can be put into the proper hands. Please contact me, and we will do that.

[Translation]

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

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

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Renata Woodward, Brice Caillie, Genevieve Gallant, Paul MacNair, Bianca McGregor and Jodi Joy. They are the guests of the Honourable Senator Galvez.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Renata Woodward, Brice Caillie, Genevieve Gallant, Paul MacNair, Bianca McGregor and Jodi Joy. They are the guests of the Honourable Senator Galvez.

On behalf of all honourable senators, I welcome you to the Senate of Canada.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Elsie Reford and Alexander Reford. They are the guests of the Honourable Senator Forest.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Elsie Reford and Alexander Reford. They are the guests of the Honourable Senator Forest.

On behalf of all honourable senators, I welcome you to the Senate of Canada.

Hon. Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu: My question is for Senator Gold. You spoke about the Prime Minister’s leadership. I would say that a real leader is also there to reassure citizens.

A recent poll showed that 90% of Canadians are concerned about the situation with the Chinese regime and that 60% of Canadians think that the Prime Minister’s leadership has been rather weak when it comes to dealing with China.

Many incidents that have occurred over the past several years are causing concern about the Prime Minister’s leadership, for example, the RCMP’s investigation into the presence of five Chinese police stations in Toronto.

In 2020, I asked you about the possible presence of the Chinese army on Canadian soil, and General Vance stated his position that it would not come here, because that would give China access to privileged information about Canada and the U.S. At the time, Mr. Trudeau objected to General Vance’s position.

Senator Gold, my question is this. Is Prime Minister Trudeau’s admiration for the Chinese regime an indication of naivety or complicity?

Hon. Yuen Pau Woo: Senator Gold, the media reports to which Senator Plett and Senator Housakos referred are based entirely on anonymous, unverified sources who are selectively leaking what appears to be classified information. I would point out that senior officials, when asked to comment on this kind of information, have described it as “not truth,” “incomplete” and “rumours.”

The government has gone ahead with the appointment of a special rapporteur, but what is the government doing to investigate not just who broke the law by leaking classified material, but also into the broader effort by elements in and around the intelligence establishment who are using clandestine methods to spread unverified information that subverts our political system and stigmatizes many Chinese Canadians?

Senator Woo: In the same vein, Senator Gold, the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency, NSIRA, recently released a damning report on the way in which CSIS can instruct third parties, such as private corporations, to take action against individuals based on a secret risk assessment without taking responsibility for the adverse effects on individuals and entities.

What is the government doing in response to the NSIRA report to rein in any overreach on the part of our intelligence agencies?

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, pursuant to the order of Thursday, February 16, 2023, I leave the chair for the Senate to resolve into a Committee of the Whole on the subject matter of Bill C-39, An Act to amend An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying). The Honourable Senator Ringuette will chair the committee.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, pursuant to the order of Thursday, February 16, 2023, I leave the chair for the Senate to resolve into a Committee of the Whole on the subject matter of Bill C-39, An Act to amend An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying). The Honourable Senator Ringuette will chair the committee.

On the Order:

The Senate in Committee of the Whole in order to receive the Honourable David Lametti, P.C., M.P., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P., Minister of Health, accompanied by a total of no more than three officials, respecting the subject matter of Bill C-39, An Act to amend An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying).

(The sitting of the Senate was suspended and put into Committee of the Whole, the Honourable Pierrette Ringuette in the chair.)

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question, senator. I don’t have specific information about the Copyright Act dimension of your question, but I will say that the government strongly condemns frauds and scams, both in the art world and in every context where they are perpetrated. Indeed, the government and law enforcement continually work to detect, disrupt and prosecute crimes, because that’s what these things are.

As we know, through Budget 2022, the government will establish the Canada financial crimes agency dedicated to investigating complex cases of a wide range of offences. It will work with law enforcement to ensure that criminals are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Hon. Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia: Honourable senators, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the report of the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association concerning the Bureau and Standing Committee Meetings, held in Athens, Greece, from April 9 to 10, 2022.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): I gather my opening comments had no impact on members of the opposition. These are serious matters that should be approached in a responsible way. Partisanship is one thing. Attributing and calling our Prime Minister a liar is an example of how irresponsible partisanship on serious matters that should concern Canadians contributes to undermining faith in the institution. I should add, it’s time for us to show real leadership in this debate.

It is time for all parliamentarians, including in this chamber, to show true leadership on this most important and delicate issue that involves several government departments and several agencies who are committed to keeping Canadians safe and secure. I commend them for their work.

We only have to look south, colleagues, to see how this kind of trash talking, whether it’s to our Prime Minister or to other leaders or institutions, can be corrosive and undermine the important fabric of our democracy.

I’m going to stop because there is more I could say, but, of course, the Senate Conservative opposition is independent of their leader, so we are told, so I will not take the opportunity to remind you of what the Leader of the Opposition has said about our Prime Minister, but I’m sure that you have all read it with interest. This is not the responsible way, colleagues, to deal with an important issue.

Her Excellency Ursula von der Leyen was welcomed by the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, by the Honourable George J. Furey, Speaker of the Senate, and by the Honourable Anthony Rota, Speaker of the House of Commons.

[Translation]

Hon. Anthony Rota (Speaker of the House of Commons): Your Excellency President von der Leyen, Prime Minister, Speaker Furey, party leaders, parliamentarians and honoured guests, let me welcome you to this extraordinary event.

[English]

It is a day marked by firsts: the first official visit by President von der Leyen to Canada; Her Excellency’s first address to Canada’s Parliament; and, on the eve of International Women’s Day, an address by the first woman president of the European Commission. As Speaker of the House of Commons, I have had the great honour, Madam President, to be among the first to welcome you to Canada’s Parliament.

[Translation]

I would now like to invite the Right Honourable Prime Minister to speak.

Hon. Dennis Glen Patterson: Honourable senators, I rise today to speak about the incredible work of the Muslim community of Iqaluit’s Arctic Food Bank.

The Muslim community in Iqaluit numbers around 100 but has an impact on the city that far outweighs its size. Every other week, the mosque opens the doors to its food bank, serving those facing food insecurity with the support of the Toronto‑based non‑profit Muslim Welfare Centre.

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the opening of the Arctic Food Bank. This past Saturday also marked the beginning of Project Ramadan, an initiative of the Muslim Welfare Centre, led by Vice President Muhammad Iqbal.

For Muslims, Ramadan marks a time of spiritual renewal through fasting and charity. Project Ramadan serves as a way for Muslims to be of greater assistance to their communities during this period. Fortuitously, the start of Project Ramadan, in anticipation of the beginning of the month of Ramadan, came at a time of increased need in Iqaluit as the city’s only other food bank was forced to shut last week after the building froze.

Although I could not be there myself, I am grateful to my colleague Senator Salma Ataullahjan, who journeyed to Iqaluit with me five years ago for the official opening of the food bank and who last week braved minus 55 degree Celsius temperatures and the Arctic winter to attend the event. She was joined by Premier P.J. Akeeagok. Fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs and dried goods were distributed to 93 persons from different households. A team of volunteers led by Muhammad Wani prepared and distributed the packages, serving a total of over 237 adults and 170 children in need.

But it is the women of the Iqaluit Masjid who serve as the foundation of the food bank’s work — women like Selma, a single mother, who, along with her three children aged just four to nine, worked from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday evening to pack bags and then returned to the food bank Saturday morning at 9 a.m. to prepare for distribution.

Because of the tireless work of the dedicated group of volunteers at the Iqaluit Masjid Arctic Food Bank — the youngest being just four years old — hundreds of Nunavummiut are able to put food on the table this week at a time of high inflation and food insecurity.

Honourable senators, please join me in thanking the Muslim community and — on this International Women’s Day — particularly the women volunteers like Selma, who are tireless supporters, for their commitment to helping support their neighbours in crisis.

Thank you. Qujannamiik.

Hon. Rosa Galvez: I rise in the Senate today to mark two important international days that take place in March: International Women’s Day and World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development.

[English]

International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on the efforts that still need to be done to attain gender equality but also to celebrate the achievements of women. Achieving gender equality isn’t just a moral issue. It also makes economic sense and is good for all aspects of life from access to health and education to political power and earning potential. The most important factor in a country’s competitiveness is its human talent — the skills and innovation of its workforce. That’s why the proper participation of half the world’s population is so important for the well-being of our economy, social fabric and environment.

World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development offers us the opportunity to highlight the achievements of engineers in our modern world and to improve public understanding of how engineering and technology are central to sustainable development. Engineers are at the forefront of developing innovative solutions to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to the impacts of climate change and build resilience in our communities. We need more women in STEM fields, and for that we must end gender stereotypes, welcome and celebrate young women in engineering and promote role models and mentoring.

It is important to acknowledge that women and girls are disproportionately affected by climate change, particularly in developing countries. Women are often responsible for providing food, water and energy for their families, and climate change can exacerbate the challenges they already face. Importantly, women also play a critical role in climate action as agents of change in their communities and as leaders in science, engineering and technology.

As we celebrate these two important days, let us remember that gender equality and sustainable development go hand in hand.

By working together and harnessing the skills of women engineers, we can create a better, more equitable and sustainable world for all.

Finally, I would like to take the opportunity to invite you all to a reception hosted by Nature Canada tomorrow evening across the street — you will have received an email to that effect. I hope to see you all there. Thank you, meegwetch.

Hon. Rose-May Poirier: Honourable senators, I rise today to recognize and celebrate International Women’s Day, a celebration that is shared by women all around the world.

International Women’s Day is a chance to celebrate the economic, political and social achievements of women, past, present and future. It is an occasion as well to remind and reinforce the important value of equity that we hold dear in Canada and one which we try to help to progress across the world.

[Translation]

The Government of Canada’s theme for International Women’s Day 2023 is “Every Woman Counts.”

To celebrate this year’s theme, I would like to tell you about some women from New Brunswick who exemplify the values of International Women’s Day and who represent three points in time: the past, present and future.

Émilie C. LeBlanc, an Acadian known as Marichette, was truly ahead of her time. Born in Memramcook in 1863 and a teacher by profession, she published a series of letters in the newspaper L’Évangéline under the pseudonym Marichette to denounce social injustice against Acadians and women and stand up for their rights, including the right to be heard, the right to education and the right to vote.

She was not afraid to speak her mind, as we can see from a letter in which she said that women were just dying to go to the polls to show seniors how to vote.

[English]

As for inspiring women of today, I just need to look around at the leaders in my community of Kent County. We’ve had amazing leaders such as Danielle Dugas, who was the first woman mayor in Saint-Louis-de-Kent. When I ran to be a member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick, an MLA, 24 years ago, I was asked if Kent was ready for a woman to be their member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick. Today, I can say women are certainly ready. For example, during my second term, the municipality of Rogersville was a great example of the progress that we had made. At that time, I, as the local MLA, myself a woman, served alongside Rogersville Mayor Pierrette Robichaud, also a female, and members of the local RCMP detachment — all women in that municipality.

Since 2021, the Government of New Brunswick has awarded the Minister’s Award for Excellence in Championing Gender Equality. The award was created as a way to highlight and acknowledge New Brunswick individuals who are forging paths and advancing equality. One of the awards is dedicated to youth champions: Vera Chen in 2022 and Emma Coakley in 2021. They both demonstrate remarkable values of inclusivity: in music for Vera Chen, and on living with a disability for Emma Coakley. These are important initiatives and acknowledgements to symbolize and strengthen our values as a society.

[Translation]

Between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 21st century, women began to make progress, going from having to publish under a pseudonym when demanding change to paving the way for change, both for their communities and for future generations of women.

Honourable senators, please join me in recognizing the tremendous work that has been done. May the journey towards progress continue.

Thank you.

Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Government leader, The Globe and Mail has reported extensively on the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, or CSIS, documents which reveal the extent to which the Communist regime in Beijing interfered in Canada’s 2019 and 2021 federal elections — through financing, threats, intimidation, the denial of visas, disinformation campaigns and more — all to arrive at their preferred outcome of a Liberal minority government and to defeat the Conservatives.

None of this would come as a surprise to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister and his office knew about it, did nothing to stop it and kept it hidden from Canadians. We all know why — it’s because he benefited from it, leader.

Two weeks ago, the Prime Minister claimed the reports about foreign interference in our election had “so many inaccuracies.” Leader, what were these inaccuracies?