The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, there have been consultations and there is an agreement to allow a photographer in the Senate Chamber to photograph the introduction of a new senator.

Is it agreed, honourable senators?

The Hon. the Speaker having informed the Senate that there was a senator without waiting to be introduced:

The following honourable senator was introduced; presented His Majesty’s writ of summons; took the oath prescribed by law, which was administered by the Clerk of the Senate; and was seated:

Senator Boisvenu: When the bill is studied in committee, you’ll no doubt come to defend it. Is the government open to making a major change, through which recidivists who leave a penitentiary are automatically tried and we can go after them in the community?

[English]

Senator Busson: I’m not sure that I totally understand the question, but if you’re asking whether or not the proposals in this regime will better help the police to identify, track and make compliant these offenders, I believe that is taking place. It’s not my government, but I would hope there could be amendments that make this even more effective.

Hon. Senators: Agreed.

(Motion agreed to.)

Senator Dalphond: Senator Wells, will you accept another question?

Senator Wells: Yes, Senator Dalphond.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I have the honour to inform the Senate that the Clerk of the Senate has received a certificate from the Registrar General of Canada showing that Iris G. Petten has been summoned to the Senate.

Senator Gold: Senator Batters, colleagues, my job is to answer questions, and I will. It is not to try to school this chamber on the basic elements of how security information is transmitted from CSIS or other agencies through various levels. Nor is it my obligation or desire to remind you that we are still dealing with leaked material, of which we actually have no notice how nuanced it was or wasn’t — published and leaked information that has been taken seriously by this government and acted upon by this government upon its receipt.

With regard to the rest of your question, Senator Batters, the fact remains that this government is taking the steps necessary to protect Canadians from foreign interference. The actions it took in expelling the diplomat and declaring the individual persona non grata sends a strong signal not only to China but also to other countries who seek to interfere with our democratic processes.

The Hon. the Speaker informed the Senate that the honourable senator named above had made and subscribed the Declaration of Qualification required by the Constitution Act, 1867, in the presence of the Clerk of the Senate, the Commissioner appointed to receive and witness the said declaration.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, there have been consultations and there is an agreement to allow a photographer in the Senate Chamber to photograph the introduction of a new senator.

Is it agreed, honourable senators?

Hon. Iris G. Petten, of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, introduced between Hon. Marc Gold, P.C., and Hon. Fabian Manning.

Hon. Iris G. Petten, of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, introduced between Hon. Marc Gold, P.C., and Hon. Fabian Manning.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I have the honour to inform the Senate that the Clerk of the Senate has received a certificate from the Registrar General of Canada showing that Iris G. Petten has been summoned to the Senate.

Senator Plett: Now we see Michael Chong being discredited by the Trudeau government, including by your parliamentary secretary.

Will the Trudeau government stop hiding the truth about foreign interference, stop blaming Michael Chong and apologize to him, or are we going to hear the Prime Minister’s infamous excuse — that people experience things differently — for his own bad behaviour?

Senator Gold: The answer is yes. It is a priority, as are jobs, as is supporting Canadian workers, as is supporting our transition to a green economy. A government has responsibilities to all Canadians, to all regions and to all sectors. Governments and the art of governing is making choices.

The Government of Canada makes those choices and enjoys the confidence of the House of Commons. We have our job to do in evaluating the choices that they make when they come to us in the form of legislation when it is our role to do so.

Senator Jaffer: Thank you. Let us also take this opportunity to remember that diversity makes this country stronger. It is the key to our shared prosperity. There is no room in Canada for intolerance or hate. Never again should we pass an act such as the Chinese Exclusion Act. Never again should we treat Chinese Canadians any differently from any other Canadian. They belong to Canada. Thank you.

Senator Carignan: Leader, last week, Toronto media showed images of several hundred people lined up outside of a food bank.

Given the answer you just gave me, what do you have to say to the hundreds of people who were waiting in line at the food bank so they could feed themselves?

Senator Miville-Dechêne: The public is still scared, however, and some people are happy to take those fears and exploit them. I don’t think we can try to make them go away.

That was the point of my question. Is the federal government considering strong action to positively counter or correct the fearmongering about immigration? Unfortunately, the immigrants themselves are the ones who suffer from prejudice.

Senator Plett: Well, I find it strange. He is your parliamentary secretary, and you don’t know about claims that he has made.

Senator Gold: Well, that’s quite the tour d’horizon, Senator Plett.

The government has put into place serious measures to address the issue of foreign interference. We are waiting, and it will only be a few short weeks until the report of the Right Honourable David Johnston — at which point Canadians will understand the next steps that the government may be advised to conduct in its continued effort to protect Canadians from foreign interference.

Senator Black: For my clarity, and for the clarity of our colleagues, is agriculture a priority for your government? Yes or no.