Senator Martin: According to the documents released through the access to information request, Accenture built the CEBA website, ran the call centre and supported the day-to-day operations, and it is currently building the loans-collection infrastructure. However, over the course of this program, multiple government press releases stated that “CEBA is administered by Export Development Canada.”

Who made the decision to keep these contracts hidden? In addition to that inquiry, can you tell us whether $146 million is the total amount given to Accenture? If not, what is the actual total amount?

Senator Plett: — and so Liberal. The 2020 report co-authored by Jennifer Robson from Carleton University estimated that 10% to 12% of Canadians don’t file their taxes. And although there are non-filers across all income groups, they are most heavily concentrated in lower income brackets.

In a recent letter to the Minister of Finance, Stephen Buffalo, President and CEO of the Indian Resource Council, noted that non-filers include the majority of First Nations people. I quote:

The majority of people living on reserve do not file returns because they are exempt from paying income taxes. Most First Nations people living off reserve are low-income who do not file a tax return either. . . . These facts are not in dispute.

Associate Minister Boissonnault’s depiction of non-filers is despicable. It shows how out of touch this government is with reality. Because make no mistake about it colleagues — this benefit will not provide a single cent to those who need it most.

Going back to Ms. Robson’s report, 10% to 12% of Canadians, the majority of whom are in lower income brackets, are by design being entirely left out of this benefit. It is a cost-of-living relief bill that provides no relief from the cost of living for the most vulnerable — zero.

Regrettably, colleagues, there is nothing that we in this chamber can do about that. We cannot initiate money bills, so we are stuck with approving, amending or defeating the junk legislation that this government sends over here. Yet, the government consistently pressures us to rush deficient bills through, and if we do not move quickly enough, they have now decided to use the hammer of time allocation because that is easier than having a conversation, apparently.

Senator Batters: Or answering questions.

Senator Plett: In fact, leader, yesterday, you said these questions were for our purposes. We can check Hansard on that, leader.

Last month, the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, Katie Telford, told a committee of the other place, “. . . nothing is ever kept from the Prime Minister, certainly not by me.”

Yet no one in the Trudeau government can admit they saw an intelligence assessment from CSIS two years ago regarding Beijing’s threat against a member of Parliament and his family.

Again, I have a written question on the Senate Order Paper asking how the Trudeau government handles classified or protected documents. It has remained on the Order Paper, unanswered, since September of 2020 — well over two and a half years.

I would suggest, leader, you have a large enough budget that you could have somebody get us these answers. The reason I haven’t received an answer to my question seems pretty obvious. Does the Trudeau government have a management system for sensitive documents? If so, why can’t it figure out who saw this CSIS report in July of 2021?

Senator Housakos: I do take the recommendations very seriously, senator. I wholeheartedly agree that it is an essential element that needs to be looked at carefully. We need to study this in a very robust manner so that we don’t fail a second time when it comes to implementing this legislation, and I do agree that the more you hear from stakeholders the more likely we are to get it right. I will take it to our steering committee and I will take your recommendations; feel free to email me with specific witnesses and ask our steering committee to acquiesce to this demand. I think there is enough time and a willingness to be able to study Bill C-18 and simultaneously look at this important issue before we rise.

Senator D. Patterson: Thank you.

Senator Boisvenu: Senator Gold, filling 600 vacancies is perfectly normal. I should hope you’ve filled some vacancies.

The absence rate for judges in courthouses in Canada is currently 15% because of vacancies.

Again, it is rare for a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to make a public and political statement. I will again quote Chief Justice Wagner, as follows:

Despite their best efforts, stays of proceedings are pronounced against individuals accused of serious crimes, such as sexual assault or murder, because of delays that are due, in part or in whole, to a shortage of judges.

Senator Gold, you must see that your arguments do not hold up. This is a failure of justice.

My question is pretty simple. As Chief Justice Wagner asks in this article, will the Prime Minister give this issue the importance it deserves rather than constantly travelling abroad?

Senator Plett: I’m not sure how to respond to that. It’s my job to ask questions, not to answer questions. It is your job to answer questions. You are asking me to answer a question for you about what happened in the House of Commons. Senator Gold, at least look at your job description. Did you get a mandate letter? At least look at it. It is your job to find me an answer, not to tell me to go to the House of Commons to get one. It’s your job to get me an answer right here, Senator Gold.

In the spring of 2020, legitimate questions were asked about the costs and the reasons for moving, rebuilding and expanding a residence called the farmhouse at Harrington Lake. First, the Trudeau government denied it, and then they ridiculed — as they so commonly do — anyone who dared ask a question.

The Trudeau government has failed for almost three years to answer my question, and you are suggesting that I go and get the answer myself. They failed to answer whether the Prime Minister or his staff were involved in this decision. Canadian taxpayers can judge for themselves whether three years of silence is, in fact, a confirmation.

Leader, why should Canadians ever believe a single word the Prime Minister has to say about transparency and accountability?

Hon. Senators: Agreed.

(Motion agreed to and bill read third time and passed.)

[Translation]

On Government Business, Motions, Order No. 100, by the Honourable Raymonde Gagné:

That, notwithstanding rule 3-1(1), when the Senate sits on Thursday, May 11, 2023, it sit at 1:30 p.m.

Hon. Jane Cordy: Honourable senators, isn’t it amazing how artists capture us — how they capture the world? We need art. We need the beauty, the truth and the points of view that are reflected back to us. Art is everywhere; it surrounds us, and sometimes we somehow manage to miss it. Art defines us and shapes us — it helps to shape what we do here, and it defines and influences debate on public policy and government. The importance of art in public discourse is too often minimalized or taken for granted.

Artists sometimes need champions — those who know their value and advocate tirelessly on their behalf. Senator Bovey has been one of those champions. Throughout the entirety of her career as an art historian, museologist, gallery director, professor and arts consultant, she has spent a lifetime working on behalf of Canadian artists in her home province of Manitoba, across Canada and throughout the world.

This continued with her appointment to the Senate of Canada in 2016. As a senator, she made it a focus to promote, celebrate and protect Canadian artists. This included introducing bills such as Bill S-208 and Bill S-202, as well as bringing Canadian art within the walls of the Senate of Canada building. Most notably, she curated the first ever installation of works by Black Canadian artists to be displayed in the Senate of Canada. She’s also been a tireless promoter of Indigenous artists and protecting their livelihoods from the counterfeit trade.

Colleagues, Senator Bovey has been a strong voice for Manitobans in Ottawa, and has been an invaluable member of our group. As we — the Progressive Senate Group, or PSG — were finding our footing as a new group, Senator Bovey was the first to decide to join our small but mighty group. In many ways, her optimism was a big part of the early and continued success of the Progressive Senate Group.

I, for one, have appreciated being able to lean on her and bounce ideas off her — always assured that I would receive her honest, measured thoughts. I will miss our dinners together where we had many discussions and many laughs, and solved many problems.

As you take your retirement from this place, you can take comfort knowing that you have served your province and Canadians well. You have been a wonderful colleague. We will miss your presence in the Senate.

You are so deserving of this time with your family, particularly your grandchildren, and they are deserving of the energy and time that you have so generously shared with us over the past seven years. Knowing you, I imagine that your days will remain as full as ever, promoting and championing Canadian art, artists and the Senate.

I hope that you will also allow yourself some time to rest. Enjoy this fresh canvas for this fresh new adventure. I wish you the very best.

Hugs!

Hon. Raymonde Gagné (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, I rise today to pay tribute to our esteemed colleague Senator Pat Bovey.

Since 2016, Senator Bovey has made important contributions to our debates here in the chamber, and in serving on the Standing Committees on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Rules, Transport and Communications, and Official Languages, as well as on the Special Committee on the Arctic.

As the first art historian and museologist to be appointed to the Senate, Senator Bovey has not only brought to our attention some of the pressing issues that Canadian artists face, but she has also been instrumental in showcasing the representations and visual voices of Canadians here on Senate premises. For example, she was the first to showcase the work of Black Canadian artists whose art is too often neglected in Canadian society. When visitors come to tour the Senate of Canada building and admire its art, their experience is very much enhanced by Senator Bovey’s leadership.

During the Forty-second Parliament, Senator Bovey served as the Senate sponsor of Bill C-55 — which brought forward important changes to the Oceans Act to create more marine protected areas off our coastlines, and was critical in advancing key components of the Government of Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan. Thanks to her leadership and advocacy, our country has made incredible strides in better protecting our precious marine and coastal areas, which are vital to our environmental health.

Over the years, Senator Bovey has been equally engaged in her home province of Manitoba. For example, she led the way in launching an inquiry into the 2018 tragic train derailment in northern Manitoba, which took the lives of two men from The Pas. And I am aware that she participates in walks with the Bear Clan Patrol on the streets of Winnipeg, lending a hand in picking up needles and helping some of the most vulnerable Winnipeggers, who are in distress and face hardships.

[Translation]

Our paths crossed many times over the years, whether at the Université de Saint-Boniface, where she worked as an arts management consultant, at St. Boniface Hospital’s Buhler Gallery, where she worked as the director and curator, or at the University of Manitoba, where she chaired the board of governors. However, I am grateful for the fact that we became fast friends in the Senate of Canada and in airports — yes, airports.

Pat, you are a passionate, caring woman, an experienced historian, a relationship builder and a strong and inclusive voice for artists.

[English]

Thank you, Pat, for your contribution to the Senate of Canada.

Senator Gold: Again, your question about what was seen two years ago has been answered time and time again. You continue to reject the answer that both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs have made. I have nothing to add except to repeat what the Prime Minister said: He received the information, but became aware of it only when it appeared in The Globe and Mail.

[Translation]

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I received a notice from the Leader of the Progressive Senate Group who requests, pursuant to rule 4-3(1), that the time provided for the consideration of Senators’ Statements be extended today for the purpose of paying tribute to the Honourable Patricia Bovey, who will retire from the Senate on May 15, 2023.

I remind senators that, pursuant to our rules, each senator, other than Senator Bovey, will be allowed only three minutes and they may speak only once.

Is it agreed that we continue our tributes to our colleague Senator Bovey under Senators’ Statements? We will therefore have up to 33 minutes for tributes, not including the time allotted for Senator Bovey’s response. Any time remaining after tributes would be used for other statements.

Senator Klyne: I look forward to the additional information.

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question.

The government’s position, which I’m sure you share, is that it’s very important to have sufficient judges in place to meet the needs of the system, regardless of the nature of the cases before the courts.

The government is working hard. Filling vacancies is a priority. I have been advised that the minister has spoken with members of the judiciary and the bar to encourage more people to apply, to ensure that the pool of candidates can adequately meet the justice system’s needs. I have also been told that the government continues to make appointments at a steady pace and that the number of vacancies will continue to decline.

[English]

Senator Plett: At the National Finance Committee on Tuesday, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Associate Minister of Finance, spoke disparagingly of these individuals, saying that non-filers were people who were “hiding from the tax system.”

Hon. Jane Cordy: Honourable senators, isn’t it amazing how artists capture us — how they capture the world. We need art. We need the beauty, the truth and the points of view that are reflected back to us. Art is everywhere; it surrounds us, and sometimes we somehow manage to miss it. Art defines us and shapes us — it helps to shape what we do here, and it defines and influences debate on public policy and government. The importance of art in public discourse is too often minimalized or taken for granted.

Hon. Jane Cordy: Honourable senators, isn’t it amazing how artists capture us — how they capture the world. We need art. We need the beauty, the truth and the points of view that are reflected back to us. Art is everywhere; it surrounds us, and sometimes we somehow manage to miss it. Art defines us and shapes us — it helps to shape what we do here, and it defines and influences debate on public policy and government. The importance of art in public discourse is too often minimalized or taken for granted.

Artists sometimes need champions — those who know their value and advocate tirelessly on their behalf. Senator Bovey has been one of those champions. Throughout the entirety of her career as an art historian, museologist, gallery director, professor and arts consultant, she has spent a lifetime working on behalf of Canadian artists in her home province of Manitoba, across Canada and throughout the world.

This continued with her appointment to the Senate of Canada in 2016. As a senator, she made it a focus to promote, celebrate and protect Canadian artists. This included introducing bills such as Bill S-208 and Bill S-202, as well as bringing Canadian art within the walls of the Senate of Canada building. Most notably, she curated the first ever installation of works by Black Canadian artists to be displayed in the Senate of Canada. She’s also been a tireless promoter of Indigenous artists and protecting their livelihoods from the counterfeit trade.

Colleagues, Senator Bovey has been a strong voice for Manitobans in Ottawa, and has been an invaluable member of our group. As we — the Progressive Senate Group, or PSG — were finding our footing as a new group, Senator Bovey was the first to decide to join our small but mighty group. In many ways, her optimism was a big part of the early and continued success of the Progressive Senate Group.

I, for one, have appreciated being able to lean on her and bounce ideas off her — always assured that I would receive her honest, measured thoughts. I will miss our dinners together where we had many discussions and many laughs, and solved many problems.

As you take your retirement from this place, you can take comfort knowing that you have served your province and Canadians well. You have been a wonderful colleague. We will miss your presence in the Senate.

You are so deserving of this time with your family, particularly your grandchildren, and they are deserving of the energy and time that you have so generously shared with us over the past seven years. Knowing you, I imagine that your days will remain as full as ever, promoting and championing Canadian art, artists and the Senate.

I hope that you will also allow yourself some time to rest. Enjoy this fresh canvas for this fresh new adventure. I wish you the very best.

Hugs!

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I received a notice from the Leader of the Progressive Senate Group who requests, pursuant to rule 4-3(1), that the time provided for the consideration of Senators’ Statements be extended today for the purpose of paying tribute to the Honourable Patricia Bovey, who will retire from the Senate on May 15, 2023.

I remind senators that, pursuant to our rules, each senator, other than Senator Bovey, will be allowed only three minutes and they may speak only once.

Is it agreed that we continue our tributes to our colleague Senator Bovey under Senators’ Statements? We will therefore have up to 33 minutes for tributes, not including the time allotted for Senator Bovey’s response. Any time remaining after tributes would be used for other statements.

Senator Gold: Canadians, I think, will judge as they judge. However, I didn’t tell you, and I thought that you would have taken my response in the spirit in which it was offered. I simply said that you obviously have an answer, and I was inviting you to share it.

The Prime Minister and this government are serving this country well. In that regard, questions about his residency, 24 Sussex and Harrington Lake, relevant though they may be, are not ones that I am in a position to answer at this juncture. I’m sorry.

Senator Gold: I will certainly add those to my inquiries. Thank you.

Senator Plett: Shame is right. This is so far from the truth it would be laughable if it were not so condescending and belittling —

Senator Batters: Elitist.

Senator Plett: We know that the most vulnerable will not receive anything under this bill. So who will receive a payment? Well, that is also a bit of a mess, but let me try and break it down for you.

The so-called grocery rebate is going to send payments to about 11 million people, 44% of whom make less than $20,000 a year. They are the ones who need the help the most and yet those 44% will only receive 32% of the money. Compare that with the 40% of recipients who have a net income of between $20,000 and $40,000 a year. This cohort will receive 48% of the money.

So rather than sending more money to those who are earning less, this bill does the exact opposite. Here are the numbers: On average, those who earn between $30,000 to $35,000 will receive $263. Some will receive more and some less, but on average, the government is claiming to bring them cost of living relief with a cheque of $263.

Those in the next lower bracket who earn between $25,000 and $30,000 a year will receive an average of only $258. Although they earn less, this program will provide them with less relief.

That trend continues. Those in the $20,000 to $25,000 bracket will receive an average of $245. For the $15,000 to $20,000 bracket, the average is $244. The $10,000 to $15,000 bracket will receive an average of $206. For those recipients who earn between $5,000 and $10,000 a year will receive $174 from this initiative.

Colleagues, this is Liberal math: The less money you make, the less money you need.

But there’s more. While this government is going to provide an average of only $174 to people making between $5,000 and $10,000 a year, they will still manage to send 70,000 cheques to people whose net income is $60,000 or more a year. They will also send another 8,000 cheques to people who do not even live in Canada.

Any way you slice this payment, the distribution is inequitable. Consider, for example, what the benefit will buy. If you live in Nunavut and you receive a $400 payment, that will buy about one quarter of the groceries that the same payment would buy in the South. Groceries in Nunavut are almost four times higher than what the rest of the country pays, but there is no recognition of that fact — the benefit is exactly the same.

In the past, the government has tried to give the impression that this money is largely going to help single moms with small children. But in reality, out of the approximately 11 million cheques that will be sent out, only about 1 million will go to households with children and less than half of those will go to single-parent homes. The other 10 million cheques will go to households with no children.

Using the GST credit program as a cost-of-living relief benefit is an extremely inefficient, inequitable way to distribute assistance. It’s a bit like fixing a watch with a hammer: It is the wrong tool for the job. But today, it is once again the only option that we have in front of us.

Colleagues, there are nights when I cannot sleep and I trust there are nights when you cannot sleep. Instead, I find myself lying awake because I am troubled by the never-ending stream of bad legislation that this government forces through Parliament.

While many Canadians are facing real challenges just to put food on the table and pay the rent, the best this government can do is recycle old programs that did not provide relief from the cost of living the first time and will not provide it this time.

It’s shameful, colleagues.

We will be supporting this bill today because it appears to be the best that this government is capable of. However, as I have said before, the day is coming, and we look forward to that day when Canadians will be given the opportunity to elect a common sense, Pierre Poilievre-led Conservative government that can begin implementing real solutions to make the lives of Canadians better instead of simply papering over the problems.

Thank you.