Senator Gold: Thank you for your question. Let me be perfectly clear: This government is very proud of Canada’s history. The decision to move forward to the current passport design reflects the feedback that the government heard from an extensive process of consultation.

Every 10 years, colleagues, the government continually changes themes and designs of passports to make them harder to counterfeit and to protect Canadians from fraud. This is not and should not be a partisan issue. This is about ensuring that Canadians get the most secure and reliable travel document that they can use around the world.

To the other points that you raised, this government is very concerned with the challenges that Canadians face with regard to cost-of-living issues. That is why the government has provided support on many different fronts for those most in need. I’m glad that the Senate saw fit to pass Bill C-46 as it did, which will provide yet another measure of support.

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