Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Welcome, Minister LeBlanc.

Minister, the Prime Minister’s made-up Independent Special Rapporteur on Foreign Interference has been silent since being named to this post on March 15.

This is, of course, just what the Prime Minister wanted by naming an old family friend, neighbour and Trudeau Foundation member to the position. The terms of reference for the made-up Special Rapporteur say that he is “to provide reports on a rolling basis.” Minister, think about all the serious revelations about Beijing’s interference in our country that have been reported in the last six weeks. It is obvious that a public inquiry is required, yet we have heard nothing from the Special Rapporteur.

Minister, what communication has taken place between the Special Rapporteur and your government since March 15? Have any reports or recommendations been brought forward? Has he interviewed any ministers or their staff?

Hon. Julie Miville-Dechêne: Mr. LeBlanc, you are the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities and therefore Quebec City’s third link project concerns you directly.

The Government of Quebec has just announced that it is abandoning the idea of a road link in favour of a tunnel for public transit only. We still know little about this project: We don’t know the route, the mode of transportation, the volume of traffic or the cost estimates. To be frank, we don’t even know if Coalition avenir Québec is going to move forward on this.

I know it is impossible for you to say whether the federal government will finance this hypothetical project, but could you indicate what criteria will be used by your government? Specifically, how will the issue of social licence be evaluated?

Hon. Wanda Thomas Bernard: Thank you, Minister LeBlanc, for being here today. My question is going to follow up on questions that Senator Cormier and Senator Cordy voiced about vacancies in this chamber, specifically from Atlantic Canada. I thank you for your very promising response; however, I want to ask something more specific.

Although I have witnessed and welcomed a number of senators from more diverse communities during the last six years since I’ve been here, I see a glaring gap in the Senate when it comes to two historically under-represented groups: First, there are no representatives in the Senate from the Acadian-Nova Scotian community. This is a gap. Secondly, for the first time in Canadian history, we actually have six African-Canadian senators here in this chamber, but there are no African-Canadian men.

Mr. Minister, what is the selection committee doing to ensure the applications of historically under-represented groups are considered, especially from the Atlantic provinces?

Hon. Dominic LeBlanc, P.C., M.P., Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities: Senator, thank you for the question.

You’re right that the legislated review of the Canada Infrastructure Bank after five years was properly mandated by the legislation that created the bank. It did not mandate a wide public review. It was a review that Infrastructure Canada was to undertake. It is one that, from my regular updates, has been extensive and has included interactions — and I’m going by memory, because I don’t have the notes in front of me, but it was something that we talked about with the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, the CEO of the Canada Infrastructure Bank and the chair very recently.

I will be tabling in Parliament the results of that review by the end of June. I will find for you, senator, the precise dates in terms of when the public consultation began. We have received dozens and dozens of submissions from provincial authorities, municipal authorities and institutional pension funds, for example.

I’m encouraged by what I have been told the uptake has been so far, but I will ensure that you have the precise details of when those windows opened and how people were able to access it. I think within less than two months you will have a very transparent and, I think, thoughtful review based on the information that we have received and that, of course, we would share with parliamentarians and look forward to discussing at the appropriate committees, either of this chamber or in the other house.

Hon. Dominic LeBlanc, P.C., M.P., Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities: Your Honour, it won’t surprise you that I don’t share Senator Plett’s pessimism.

Again, this is the Catch-22. We have an independent Special Rapporteur in whose integrity, independence and judgment I have full confidence, and I think most Canadians do.

The government shouldn’t proscribe the details of how he executes the function that the government gave him. However, his ability to receive information from interested persons is, as Senator Plett properly identified, a fundamental part of his terms of reference.

You’ll forgive me, senators; I don’t micromanage the website of the Special Rapporteur, or whom he hires to help him with his work. That is properly done in his independent judgment — that was a term of reference.

When the Right Honourable David Johnston was the Governor General, he opened up and made Rideau Hall accessible in a way that, I think, made all Canadians proud. I would think he would be sensitive to the importance of the transparency of the important work that he’s doing.

I will be sure that officials at Privy Council share with the independent Special Rapporteur Senator Plett’s concern regarding how these persons would properly access or be able to submit information to him. I’m very confident that the Right Honourable David Johnston will have the judgment to do what is appropriate with that request.

Hon. Nancy J. Hartling: Minister LeBlanc, welcome to our Senate.

First of all, I want to acknowledge the very welcomed federal contribution for our new recreational complex centre in my home community of Riverview; it’s excellent news.

Today, my question relates to New Brunswick in regard to better access to high-speed internet, especially in rural areas. I understand that the responsibility for implementing the government’s Universal Broadband Fund is the mandate of your colleague Minister Hutchings. However, you may have some intel about this.

Specifically, New Brunswick is proudly one of Canada’s most rural provinces with 50% of people living in rural areas. Although access to high-speed internet in our province is improving, there remains a large digital divide.

Many communities just 20 minutes from Riverview — my home — continue to have service levels well below the 50‑megabyte target. High-speed internet is essential for many reasons, such as for our economy and our education system, but also, as frequently mentioned in recommendations, for reducing the risk of intimate partner violence for women in rural areas, as well as services, which concerns me greatly.

What can you tell me about the government’s efforts to improve rural internet connectivity in New Brunswick? Thank you.

The Hon. the Speaker: The time for Question Period has expired, and I’m certain senators will want to join me in thanking Minister LeBlanc for being with us today.