Hon. Stan Kutcher: Welcome, minister. I am asking this question on behalf of Senator Moodie, who is ill and not able to be with us today.

Minister, your mandate letter acknowledges the need to ensure municipal priorities are reflected in the federal agenda. Indeed, municipalities play an important role in ensuring that Canadians have access to crucial services and a good quality of life.

Minister LeBlanc, what is the Government of Canada willing to do to support large municipalities — like Senator Moodie’s hometown of Toronto — who are currently under the strain of providing key services without the resources to do so? Specifically, she would refer to social services, of which they are in dire need, such as mental health and addictions care.

Hon. Stan Kutcher: Honourable senators, I give notice that, at the next sitting of the Senate, I will move:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology be authorized to examine and report on the negative impact of health disinformation and misinformation on Canadian society and what effective measures can be implemented to counter this impact; and

That the committee submit its final report on this study to the Senate no later than May 31, 2024, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report.