Senator Plett: Well, yes, in fact, he is. It is similar to when the Prime Minister says that he isn’t aware of information — the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Katie Telford says that she ensures he receives everything that he needs and that he sees everything.

We have seen this before — as I just mentioned — from the Prime Minister and his government. Nothing is ever their fault — blame the victim, spread misinformation and never apologize unreservedly.

A few days after the SNC-Lavalin scandal was revealed in The Globe and Mail, the Trudeau government engaged in a smear campaign against Jody Wilson-Raybould. The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs rightly called it blatant sexism.

Minister O’Regan personally attacked veteran Sean Bruyea in a newspaper column. Vice-Admiral Mark Norman never received an apology for what the Trudeau government put him through.

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

Senator Gold: I will continue to make every effort to answer seriously the questions that raise serious issues, though it does somehow sometimes strain my creativity to do so in the face of some of the implications.

I’m about to answer it, colleagues, but you’ll at least allow me the small indulgence to comment on the rhetoric that surrounds these otherwise important issues that you raise for your purposes.

The Prime Minister was very clear that although his government was not made aware until The Globe and Mail published the leaked documents, he instructed CSIS:

Going forward, we are making it very, very clear to CSIS and all our intelligence officials that when there are concerns that talk specifically about any MP, particularly about their family, those need to be elevated.

He also said:

Even if CSIS doesn’t feel that it’s a sufficient level of concern for them to take more direct action, we still need to know about it at the upper government level.

That is what this government has instructed CSIS. That is the way in which it expects the intelligence services to go forward.

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 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.

Senator Batters: Senator Gold, Prime Minister Trudeau’s Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino plays fast and loose where facts are concerned. He recently claimed that the RCMP had ousted Beijing government police stations operating in Canada, but an article days later proved that wasn’t the case.

During last year’s convoy, Mendicino repeatedly insisted that police asked for the federal government to invoke the Emergencies Act, a claim that was flatly denied by police.

Now, after enduring opposition criticism on this issue, Minister Mendicino finally said last week that he has only known about the threats against MP Michael Chong since last Monday, even though the CSIS assessment was dated July 2021.

Whether the minister willfully failed to be informed, or whether his advisers failed to inform him, either way, it’s a firing offence. The question is who will be fired. If the Minister of Public Safety is so unaware of what’s going on in his portfolio, when will he finally be fired? If CSIS knew two years ago and failed to inform him until last week, who will lose their job there?

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.

Senator Plett: You started off by saying the Prime Minister was clear. He was, in fact, clear when he said something that wasn’t true.

Yesterday, the Trudeau government was repeatedly asked how many parliamentarians and their families were targeted by Beijing’s interference. The fact that they still refuse to answer this question shows their sheer incompetence, leader.

It’s also incredible that the People’s Republic of China diplomat, who CSIS says targeted an MP and his family, was only expelled from Canada yesterday. The Trudeau government was shamed into taking this decision, which should have happened two years ago, leader.

In two weeks, the Prime Minister’s made-up Special Rapporteur is supposed to make his initial recommendations. I don’t know how anyone who witnessed what has transpired just in the last week could conclude anything less than a public inquiry.

Now, of course, we’ll find out what this Special Rapporteur will suggest. The Trudeau government failed; they failed in their duty to protect Mr. Chong and his family against threats from Beijing. How many other parliamentarians has this government similarly failed? Why can this government not answer this basic question?

Senator Cotter: Thank you.

I thought this was an important bill for you to bring forward, and I think we are all appreciative of it, particularly for farmers who have real challenges in producing food for Canadians and the world market.

I appreciated your observation that this was really not a political point, although, with the greatest of respect, I thought Senator Batters evolved it a little bit in that direction, as she has on occasion done here.

Let me make a statement, which is that your point about price takers also means, in some respects, that they have to take the price in the market, and they are not the ones driving up grocery store prices, because that is part of what they take rather than influence.

One of the strategies around carbon pricing is to try to incentivize people to make other choices. It is clear that is a real challenge for farmers in this context, but removing this from the carbon pricing regime does kind of disincentivize that direction. Whether you are enthusiastic about carbon pricing or not, it is trying to use market-based tools to incentivize.

Do you have suggestions? Are there other options that can generate that kind of incentive in this area so that we will actually end up with successes, say, adopting this but doing some other things that can inspire hog producers and grain farmers in their initiatives?

Senator Wells: Thank you, Senator Cotter, and you are right. There are other things that can be done. There could be a rebate on equipment that is done towards moving away from technology that requires fossil fuel. There are also programs for that.

The idea is not for the farmers and growers and ranchers to take the margin and run and go, “That’s great; we have this.” Each of the ones I quoted has said, “Our plan is to use this to invest in innovative technologies, something different.”

If it wasn’t the case, I wouldn’t say, as I did a number of times in my speech, that there are currently no alternatives that are market-ready in either equipment or fuel.

That natural gas and propane are transition fuels is very positive; it is not coal. If you said, “Okay, we won’t give you a benefit for using natural gas or propane,” if there’s still a penalty, they are going to choose the cheapest fuel they can, which, in many cases, is coal and oil.

Senator Jaffer: Honourable senators, Edith is very much involved in B.C. communities, pushing for the empowerment of women and visible minorities, even attending the 1985 United Nations conference on the status of women held in Nairobi as a Canadian delegate.

Edith Nee and Patsy George were empowering women, ethnic women and women of colour, by founding the Vancouver Society of Immigrant and Visible Minority Women in British Columbia and the National Organization of Immigrant and Visible Minority Women in Canada. They have worked hard to make sure that all women were included.

By highlighting these few individuals, I wanted to remind everyone of the generosity of spirit demonstrated by the Chinese people towards British Columbia and their love for Canada as a whole, while celebrating their achievements and their public service.

Honourable senators, we are all aware of the debate that is going on around our country and especially on the Hill. I urge each and every one of you — in fact, I beg of you — to see that what happens between China and Canada is not the fault of Chinese Canadians. We have to be the leaders in making sure that what happens between governments does not affect our citizens. I urge you all to be aware of it and put a stop to it.

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.

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, on behalf of the opposition and the Senate Conservative caucus, I’m pleased to rise in this chamber and welcome our new colleague, who was sworn in just a few minutes ago.

Welcome to the Senate of Canada, Honourable Iris Petten. We look forward to working in a collaborative way with you in this chamber. I have no doubt that today will be busy, and yet it will also be humbling. When we welcome a new colleague, I find myself thinking back to the day when I was personally asked to serve in the upper chamber. It is a day, undoubtedly, that we all cherish, one filled with excitement and anticipation. For most of us, it is a day when we felt the weight of the responsibility which has been entrusted to us.

Senator Petten, I look forward to getting to know you. I look forward to hearing your unique perspectives in our debates and discussions, including your insights from your 35-plus years of experience in the fishing industry.

I trust that you will always keep in mind that our duty, as senators, is to protect the best interests of Canadians and, in your case, the best interests of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Canadians count on us to ensure that their voices are being heard and represented in Parliament. Together, in this chamber, we must strive to ensure the best path forward for Canadians across our beautiful country. This chamber must provide hope for Canadians, and we cannot forget that we are here to serve them.

Senator Petten, please know that the Conservative caucus will be pleased to work with you, and if ever you were inclined to join the most effective and focused team in this chamber, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I note that you are already well surrounded by wonderful senators from Newfoundland and Labrador.

On behalf of the opposition, as well as the Conservative caucus, I want to warmly welcome you as you embark on the journey with us in the Senate of Canada. Welcome to our Senate family.

Hon. Jane Cordy: Honourable senators, I am delighted to rise today on behalf of the Progressive Senate Group and join with other leaders in welcoming a new colleague to this chamber.

We recently heard from Minister LeBlanc when he was in our chamber for Question Period that we would soon have more Atlantic Canadians among us, and I hope this is only the beginning for our Atlantic region.

Senator Petten, as we’ve heard, your career trajectory is nothing short of impressive. Dedicating yourself to hard work, to community, to family and to entrepreneurship has served you well. You have proven that an attitude of, “Well, why can’t I do that” is a key ingredient to such success. When you received an honorary Doctor of Laws from Memorial University in Newfoundland, you told graduates how your mentors pushed you beyond your comfort zone. You said:

When they pushed me hard and expected me to learn more, to live up to the job at hand, I grew as a person. The best lessons I learned came from reaching beyond what I knew, and avoiding staying with what I was comfortable with.

Sometimes hard to do but really great advice, Senator Petten.

With your appointment, you have once again found yourself in a new situation. I suspect I speak for all senators when I say that we are looking forward to seeing how you meet this challenge. Based upon your track record, I know that we can expect great things.

Although you are not the first Senator Petten to represent Newfoundland and Labrador in this chamber, I do believe you will be the first senator to represent Port de Grave, and I am sure that they will be well served by your continued dedication to your home community.

Senator Petten, on behalf of the Progressive Senate Group, it is my pleasure to officially welcome you to the Senate of Canada.

By the way, I just found out that our very own Senator Audette was born in Labrador. I did not know that until this afternoon, just two minutes before I got up to speak.

Senator Petten, we look forward to working with you. Welcome.

Hon. Scott Tannas: Honourable senators, on behalf of my colleagues in the Canadian Senators Group, I welcome Senator Iris Petten to the Senate. Senator Petten is a resident of Port de Grave, Newfoundland and Labrador. She is a highly successful entrepreneur and a senior executive with over 35 years of experience in the fishing industry.

This announcement of your nomination was a particular delight for us, especially for Senator Black from our group, who up to now has been the only, lonely expert in food production in the Senate. The Senate desperately needs many strong voices from the food industry and especially those who know where food comes from. We will, no doubt, benefit greatly from your expertise as we review legislation and public policy.

Senator, you probably know this, but you are the third Petten to serve in the Senate. The first Petten was named to the Senate in 1949 with Newfoundland and Labrador joining Confederation. Then, interestingly, his son served as a senator until 1998.

I’m not sure if these are your family members, but we’re interested in finding out, and I look forward to hearing more about that. For close to half of the 20th century, a Petten has sat in this place. Now, as our 21st-century Senator Petten, this place seems a little more complete with your arrival.

Senator Petten, welcome to the Senate. My colleagues and I look forward to working with you.

Hon. Raymonde Saint-Germain: Honourable senators, it is my great pleasure to extend a warm welcome to the newest member of the Senate of Canada, Senator Iris G. Petten, and as well to your loved ones who are with us, present in the galley.

Her appointment to the chamber is a testament to her distinguished career as a businesswoman in a vital industry to Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as to Canada, and her proven commitment to her province as well as to our country.

Honourable Senator Petten, as a member of the Senate of Canada, you will have the opportunity to contribute your expertise and knowledge to the important work of this upper chamber of the Canadian Parliament.

Your experience in the fishing industry, as well as your service on Memorial University’s Board of Regents will, without a doubt, prove invaluable as we tackle the pressing issues for our regions, for our fellow citizens as well as for our country.

To quote you:

Growing up, you weren’t defined by how you looked like, what education you got, but you were defined by your work ethic.

Your proven work ethic, sense of duty and dedication to representing the interests of the people of your province and all Canadians will undoubtedly be a significant asset to the Senate’s deliberations.

For nearly a decade, you have devoted your time and effort to giving back to Memorial University, the place where you studied. Your unwavering dedication stems from your strong belief in the importance of education, for the resilience of your province and the creation of opportunities for younger generations.

As the eldest of a family with three brothers and two sisters, you always made an effort to help, whether it was in your home or, later, in your career. Despite being far from home here in Ottawa, you have now joined a large family — the Senate of Canada family.

In the conclusion of your role as board chair at Memorial University, you cited Mother Teresa when she said, “I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.”

As I am sure this phrase still resonates with you today, I am full of hope that, together, we will indeed do great things.

On behalf of all members of the Independent Senators Group, I extend our sincerest congratulations on your appointment. We look forward to working with you in the interests of all Canadians. Welcome.

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear.

Senator Boehm: — who, as we all know, will very soon be our dear former colleague. Long before being appointed to the Senate in 2016, Senator Bovey, as a gallery director, art historian and professor of the arts and culture, was a staunch proponent of cultural diplomacy.

That advocacy, for a largely misunderstood and grossly undervalued subject, has continued through her six and a half years as a senator, including appearing at the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Committee last Thursday, May 4, during the second of three meetings the committee is holding on cultural diplomacy and Canadian studies programs.

It is my sincere hope, colleagues, that this motion will be adopted today while Senator Bovey, whose last day in this chamber is Thursday, May 11, is still a sitting senator.

This would mean she will have spoken to and, most importantly, voted on a vital step in fulfilling her legacy piece — that is, the long-overdue adoption of Cultural Diplomacy at the Front Stage of Canada’s Foreign Policy.

Honourable senators, I noted at the outset of my remarks that practitioners and supporters of cultural diplomacy and Canadian studies programs place great significance on this report, despite its lack of adoption by the Senate. Committee members have heard this message loud and clear from the witnesses whom the committee welcomed recently on cultural diplomacy. On April 27, the committee focused specifically on Canadian studies and, on May 4, arts and culture. Tomorrow, on May 10, the committee will culminate its meetings on cultural diplomacy with appearances by senior officials from Global Affairs Canada and Canadian Heritage.

The executive summary of the 2019 report states the following:

Arts and culture are foreign policy assets. However, the Canadian government’s interest in cultural diplomacy has been inconsistent over the years: initiatives have been undertaken to only then be phased out. Regardless, Canadian artists, writers and cultural organizations have themselves never stopped projecting the country’s culture and arts internationally.

Colleagues, all of this remains true four years later. Advocates have not stopped their efforts, and the government has taken no real action despite explicitly stating its support for cultural diplomacy. In the Prime Minister’s mandate letter to the Honourable Mélanie Joly upon her appointment as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2021, the Prime Minister directed Minister Joly to:

Work with the Minister of Canadian Heritage to launch a new cultural diplomacy strategy to leverage the work of Canadian artists and cultural industries to support Canada’s diplomatic goals.

Similarly when the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez was reappointed as the Minister of Canadian Heritage in 2021, the Prime Minister mandated him to:

Work with the Minister of Foreign Affairs to launch a new cultural diplomacy strategy and ensure Canadian artists realize benefits from this initiative.

The COVID-19 pandemic notwithstanding, support for cultural diplomacy by the government has been, as the report stated, inconsistent. Actions speak louder than words, colleagues, and the lack of concrete action on this file is — while many Canadians may not realize it — quite detrimental to our global interests.

Colleagues, I will stop there because, as I said, this is the first step in adopting the report. Once this motion is adopted, we will then have the opportunity to debate the report.

Thank you, honourable senators, and a very special thank you to our colleague Senator Bovey for her steadfast support and advocacy for Canadian culture and for arts around the world.

Thank you.

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, on behalf of the opposition and the Senate’s Conservative caucus, I’m pleased to rise in this chamber and welcome our new colleague, who was sworn in just a few minutes ago.

Welcome to the Senate of Canada, Honourable Iris Petten. We look forward to working in a collaborative way with you in this chamber. I have no doubt that today will be busy, and yet it will also be humbling. When we welcome a new colleague, I find myself thinking back to the day when I was personally asked to serve in the upper chamber. It is a day, undoubtedly, that we all cherish, one filled with excitement and anticipation. For most of us, it is a day when we felt the weight of the responsibility which has been entrusted to us.

Senator Petten, I look forward to getting to know you. I look forward to hearing your unique perspectives in our debates and discussions, including your insights from your 35-plus years of experience in the fishing industry.

I trust that you will always keep in mind that our duty, as senators, is to protect the best interests of Canadians and, in your case, the best interests of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Canadians count on us to ensure that their voices are being heard and represented in Parliament. Together, in this chamber, we must strive to ensure the best path forward for Canadians across our beautiful country. This chamber must provide hope for Canadians, and we cannot forget that we are here to serve them.

Senator Petten, please know that the Conservative caucus will be pleased to work with you, and if ever you were inclined to join the most effective and focused team in this chamber, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I note that you are already well surrounded by wonderful senators from Newfoundland and Labrador.

On behalf of the opposition, as well as the Conservative caucus, I want to warmly welcome you as you embark on the journey with us in the Senate of Canada. Welcome to our Senate family.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Terry French and Darin King, former members of Newfoundland and Labrador’s House of Assembly. They are the guests of the Honourable Senators Wells and Ravalia.

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