Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): If I understand your question correctly, and if I understand the government’s decision to pull the app, it is for national security reasons. There have been concerns that TikTok can capture user data. There are fears that TikTok is sharing data.

I don’t know the details as to how much money was invested in advertising, when it was done or why it was done. I will inquire and give you an answer.

Senator Gold: Once again, colleague, I don’t know the details of the expenses you mentioned. This is the first I’m hearing of this. I’ll have to find out more before I can give you an honest and appropriate answer.

[English]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate) tabled the reply to Question No. 194, dated January 31, 2023, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding international trade.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate) tabled the reply to Question No. 195, dated January 31, 2023, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding a video released by the Minister of Transport.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate) tabled the reply to Question No. 67, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding ministerial exemptions granted under COVID-19 quarantine rules — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): I am not in a position to make such an assertion for several reasons. Besides, that is not what I said. I cited the findings of independent expert analyses that were endorsed by several colleagues, including the House leader of the official opposition, showing that the results of the election were not compromised.

As for the status of candidates, I imagine that that will be one of the things reviewed by the designated individuals, who will have the appropriate security clearance to access all relevant information on this issue.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate) tabled the reply to Question No. 181, dated December 13, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding international aid to Russian or Belarusian organizations.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate) tabled the reply to Question No. 201, dated February 2, 2023, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding Health Canada.

Senator Gold: I will certainly make inquiries as to what resources are being dedicated to the open banking file, and I have confidence that the CRA is going to do its very best to treat all taxpayers — and all Canadians — fairly as we approach this happy time of the year when we have to face the music in our taxes. Thank you for your question.

[Translation]

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question.

According to my information, Minister Alghabra recently met with the authorities at Bathurst Regional Airport to reassure them that the government will continue working with representatives of the airport and other regional airports to help support them.

I do not know the details of that conversation, but I will reach out to the government to seek further information, if there is any.

[English]

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question. I would like to explain, for those who have less experience than you, honourable colleague, that just because I am a member of the Privy Council it does not mean that I have access to the information on national security that was provided to the Prime Minister or parliamentarians. I thank you for the confidence you have in my role, which I am pleased to fulfill to the best of my abilities.

However, I simply do not have access to that information. Even if I did have access to information concerning national security, I would not be allowed to share it publicly, as you are well aware.

[English]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate) tabled the reply to Question No. 67, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding ministerial exemptions granted under COVID-19 quarantine rules — Public Health Agency of Canada.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate) tabled the reply to Question No. 67, dated November 23, 2021, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding ministerial exemptions granted under COVID-19 quarantine rules — Public Safety Canada.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, I have the honour to table the answers to the following oral questions:

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on March 24, 2022, by the Honourable Senator Housakos, concerning the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on May 17, 2022, by the Honourable Senator Martin, concerning credit card merchant fees.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on May 18, 2022, by the Honourable Senator Martin, concerning the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on June 21, 2022, by the Honourable Senator Martin, concerning fees to small businesses — Export Development Canada.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on June 21, 2022, by the Honourable Senator Martin, concerning fees to small businesses — Department of Finance Canada.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on June 21, 2022, by the Honourable Senator Martin, concerning fees to small businesses — Farm Credit Canada.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on June 21, 2022, by the Honourable Senator Martin, concerning fees to small businesses — Business Development Bank of Canada.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on June 21, 2022, by the Honourable Senator Martin, concerning fees to small businesses — Corporations Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on October 6, 2022, by the Honourable Senator Omidvar, concerning the Special Economic Measures Act.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on November 22, 2022, by the Honourable Senator Marshall, concerning the Departmental Results Report.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on December 13, 2022, by the Honourable Senator Housakos, concerning the Embassy in Armenia.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on February 7, 2023, by the Honourable Senator Wells, concerning a Canadian airline crew detained abroad.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Leo Housakos on March 24, 2022)

In Budget 2017, the government committed to invest $256 million to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). This represents the estimated Canadian dollar cost to purchase paid-in shares worth US$199.1 million. The government has made four payments to date, each valued at US$39.8 million.

The government remains committed to promoting strong and inclusive economic growth in Canada and around the world. As part of this, Canada is a member of several Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), including the AIIB. Canada’s investment in this MDB is made alongside many like-minded shareholders, including Australia, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Yonah Martin on May 17, 2022)

As announced in the 2022 Fall Economic Statement, the government is working with the payment card industry and businesses to lower credit card transaction fees for small businesses in a manner that does not adversely affect other businesses and protects existing reward points for consumers.

The government is moving quickly and has initiated discussions with payment card networks, financial institutions, acquirers, payment processors and business associations.

Concurrent with the Fall Economic Statement announcement, the government released draft legislative amendments to the Payment Card Networks Act and indicated that should the industry not come to an agreement in the coming months, it would introduce this legislation at the earliest possible opportunity in 2023 and move forward with regulating credit card transaction fees.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Yonah Martin on May 18, 2022)

The First-Time Home Buyer Incentive, which launched in 2019, allows eligible first-time home buyers to lower their borrowing costs by sharing the cost of buying a home with the government.

In response to feedback from Canadians, in 2021 the Government of Canada expanded the eligibility criteria of the program to help Canadians seeking to purchase a home in the higher priced markets of Toronto, Vancouver, and Victoria.

Budget 2022 extended the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive by three years to March 31, 2025. The Government continues to assess options noted in Budget 2022 to make the program more flexible and responsive to the needs of first-time home buyers, including single-led households.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Yonah Martin on June 21, 2022)

Export Development Canada does not charge fees for any of our advisory services.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Yonah Martin on June 21, 2022)

As announced in the 2022 Fall Economic Statement, the government is working with the payment card industry and businesses to lower credit card transaction fees for small businesses in a manner that does not adversely affect other businesses and protects existing reward points for consumers.

The government is moving quickly and has initiated discussions with payment card networks, financial institutions, acquirers, payment processors and business associations.

Concurrent with the Fall Economic Statement announcement, the government released draft legislative amendments to the Payment Card Networks Act and indicated that should the industry not come to an agreement in the coming months, it would introduce this legislation at the earliest possible opportunity in 2023 and move forward with regulating credit card transaction fees.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Yonah Martin on June 21, 2022)

Farm Credit Canada does not currently charge fees for business advisory services such as mentorship and training.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Yonah Martin on June 21, 2022)

The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) offers a range of advisory services, such as mandates focusing on sales & marketing, operational efficiency, and digital technology, and charges fees for services that are delivered by consulting professionals. In addition, BDC offers tools, articles and advice free of charge on its website. BDC continues to revise its activities, including fees, to ensure alignment with current market conditions and the needs of Canadian small and medium sized businesses. More information regarding BDC’s advisory services is available at the following website: https://www.bdc.ca/en/consulting.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Yonah Martin on June 21, 2022)

Corporations Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada continue to explore ways of making it easier and more affordable to start and grow a business in order to support small and medium-sized businesses in Canada. Corporations Canada conducts a fee review every 5 years and these have led to beneficial fee reductions in the past. For example, the last fee review process in 2019 led to a reduction of 40% in Annual Returns fees in 2020. As part of the next fee review process, Corporations Canada will assess the impact of an incorporation fee reduction with stakeholders and partners and seeking new ways to reduce business start-up costs, particularly for entrepreneurs where the cost of incorporation represents a systemic barrier.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Ratna Omidvar on October 6, 2022)

Canada is horrified by the Iranian regime’s actions, which have culminated in the tragic killings of Mahsa Amini and hundreds of brave protestors.

Canada announced new measures to go even further, this includes:

•banning the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officials from Canada, forever;

•creating a new sanctions bureau and keep increasing sanctions on Iran;

•expanding ability to seize and freeze assets.

Canada has some of the toughest measures of any country in the world against the Iranian regime. Impunity is not an option. Canada stands with the Iranian people.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Elizabeth Marshall on November 22, 2022)

The department has prepared its Departmental Results Report (DRR) for the year ending March 31, 2022. The 2021-22 Departmental Results Reports were tabled by Minister Fortier, President of the Treasury Board, in the House of Commons on behalf of all departments, on December 2, 2022.

As required by the Financial Administration Act, the Debt Management Report must be tabled in each House of Parliament annually within 30 sitting days of the tabling of the Public Accounts in the House of Commons. The Public Accounts were tabled on October 27, 2022 and The Debt Management Report 2021-2022 was tabled in both houses of Parliament on December 14, 2022, which was within the legislative deadline.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Leo Housakos on December 13, 2022)

On June 29, 2022, the Minister of Foreign Affairs announced an expansion of Canada’s diplomatic presence and capacity in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as the Caucacus.

Following work and a report by Stéphane Dion, Canada’s Special Envoy to the European Union and Europe, on ways to increase Canadian support for Armenian democracy, our government committed to open a full embassy with a resident ambassador in Yerevan, Armenia’s capital. This will help build stronger bilateral ties and support Armenia in its democratic development.

As a step towards this commitment, and in light of the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of Canada – Armenia relations, it was further announced by Canada’s Ambassador to Armenia, Alison LeClaire, on November 24, 2022, that a new consulate in Yerevan would be opened as of December 15, 2022, headed by Honorary Consul Vardges Avagyan. This consulate will offer essential consular services to Canadians living, studying, working, and travelling in Armenia, including emergency consular assistance and passport and citizenship services.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable David M. Wells on February 7, 2023)

Transport Canada takes all allegations of incidents involving aviation safety and security seriously. The responsibility for aviation security at Punta Cana International Airport rests with the Dominican Republic.

The incident involving the Canadian crew that was detained occurred at the general aviation or private terminal of the airport, not the main terminal building where scheduled commercial flights to Canada operate.

The main terminal and commercial aircraft area are protected by several more layers of security, and are separate from the general aviation area. Transport Canada does not have the legal authority or mandate to conduct a criminal investigation in a foreign State and has respected the due process of the Dominican Republic criminal justice system.

Transport Canada made arrangements with the Dominican Republic’s Cuerpo Especializado en Seguridad Aeroportuaria y de la Aviación Civil (CESAC) (Specialized Corps in Airport Security and Civil Aviation) to conduct an assessment of the airport. This was completed in February 2023.The assessment focused on commercial flights to Canada, and included a tour and review of the general aviation area.

No major security issues were discovered during this assessment. Transport Canada continues to collaborate with the civil aviation authority to encourage the continuous improvement of aviation security.

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

Part of the preamble to your question was a quote that the Prime Minister “must have known” of the origins of the deal behind this gift, and that is an assumption you’re making and, frankly, somewhat of a smear because you don’t know what the Prime Minister was told or knew.

Indeed, as soon as the report became public, the Trudeau Foundation did the right thing and returned it. That’s what Canadians know and should understand.

As the Prime Minister has said, the minute that he took office — if not, indeed, immediately before that, but certainly since the time he’s been Prime Minister, if not before — he removed himself from any involvement with the foundation. A foundation which, I should add, has done and does important work supporting and mentoring students.

Chinese interference in our elections is an important issue. I know it is the topic that the opposition in the House and here is prosecuting vigorously. That is your right to do. That is how you see your role, and I respect your right to play that role.

However, the fact is that the attempt to focus attention on the serious issue that the government is dealing with in a serious way — to draw everything into the Laurentian elite and the Trudeau Foundation, and that the government or the Prime Minister must have known — does a disservice to the seriousness of this issue and, in my opinion, a disservice to this chamber.

Senator Gold: Well, no one could ever accuse you, honourable colleague, of not doubling down, despite my response.

You mischaracterized and misdescribed my answer completely with regard to the Trudeau Foundation. The record will show that and I won’t repeat what I said.

You are now continuing to focus, not on the steps that the government is taking to investigate — properly and responsibly — the allegations of interference, but now, as your leader and others have done, to impugn the impartiality and, indeed, the integrity of the Governor General appointed by Stephen Harper — to Stephen Harper’s honour — and who served this country admirably.

In an effort to appeal to those for whom both the Prime Minister and the Laurentian elite — and anybody who happens to be friendly — as somehow on the wrong side of integrity or the best interests of Canada is, once again, a disservice to this chamber and to the importance of this debate.

[Translation]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question, and thank you for your continuing advocacy and for drawing this chamber’s attention to this issue and other important issues of innovation, both generally and in the financial sector in particular. I will have to make inquiries to answer the specifics of your question — in regard to how they are embarking — but I would say this: The government is determined and committed to ensuring that our financial sector operates with the highest regard for privacy and security; it’s primordial. And that’s why the government launched its Advisory Committee on Open Banking to review the potential areas of new financial technologies, and how they can best and safely be used.

The government is reviewing the advisory committee’s recommendations. It’s developing its next steps regarding moving forward with a made-in-Canada model of open banking, but I don’t know more than that, and I will have to make inquiries.

Senator C. Deacon: Thank you, Senator Gold. It’s great to hear that — looking for the button to be pushed at some point. One of the reasons is the CRA has 55,000 employees, and I think you may agree that freeing up some of those resources — from an entirely preventable administrative burden — could help the government focus on delivering on its important commitment, as reaffirmed in September 2020, to implement free, automated simple tax return filing for Canadians, as well as deal with problems like offshore tax evasion and fraud — I think Senator Downe might agree with me on that one. The freeing up of the resources might be useful.

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

The Government of Canada recognizes the critical importance of all well maintained airports for connecting regional communities across the country, including the Bathurst Regional Airport. These airports support essential air services, including the resupply of remote communities.

As you know, the Bathurst Regional Airport is managed by the Northern New Brunswick Airport Authority.

Over the past three years, the Government of Canada has provided significant financial support to the operator of the airport to compensate for the impact of COVID-19. This funding includes more than $2 million in financial aid for operating and capital expenditures through the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, the Airports Capital Assistance Program and the Regional Air Transportation Initiative.

The minister met with the Bathurst airport authority to discuss the situation and he will continue to support the regional airports across Canada. He is working with the airlines and other companies to improve regional routes, because increasing the number of passengers in regional airports is vital to their survival.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your questions. The fact that a grievance was brought and the positive response to the grievance are deeply troubling and disappointing, especially given the context of the institution that is involved. Canadians deserve to be free from racism everywhere in our country and in every space they inhabit, especially in their workplace. Racism has no place in our institutions.

As you know, the government is working to appoint new leadership to the commission, as the chief commissioner’s position is vacant. Dealing with the outcome of the findings of the Treasury Board will be an important part of the responsibilities of the new leadership of the commission.

I’m also informed, colleague, that Minister Lametti had a frank conversation with interim Chief Commissioner Malischewski earlier this week to discuss the steps the CHRC is taking to address this very important issue.

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question. This is important to the government and is a priority for the government.

To answer your question directly rather than speak in more general terms, in addition to the steps I have already described, one way the government is taking action in terms of working towards the appointment of a new leadership and making that a priority for the leadership is through the Federal Anti-Racism Secretariat. The secretariat combats discrimination and tackles the effects of discrimination on people and communities across the country, including in the workplace and health care spaces. This is another measure the government is taking more broadly to do its part to reduce — and, ideally, eliminate — racism in the workplace and other spaces in this country.

[Translation]