Senator Gold: As I said, the government engaged in a consultation with Canadians and stakeholders, and it was the position of the government that it was the appropriate way in order to address this important issue.

It is now taking further steps to draft government legislation, and that will be drafted carefully, with the support of the resources of government, and that will be tabled — my understanding is that we can expect that legislation — within the coming months.

Senator Gold: Once again, colleague, I’m not sure I fully understood your question, but I will repeat what I just said.

Resolutions at political conventions, whether for the Liberal Party or, I assume, the Conservative Party, are brought forward by party supporters who want to express their views.

They have no bearing on the decisions the government must make for the well-being of Canadians. Once again, the Prime Minister and the minister have stated very clearly that the Liberals have no intention of pursuing this.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question.

Our passport is the most trusted travel document, not only for the images on it, but because it defines the strength of Canada’s relationship with so many countries. It also proves who we are as people.

The new passport was indeed redesigned from cover to cover, with new features and with new artwork, and it maintains its status as one of the most secure and universally accepted travel documents in the world for all Canadians.

This update will reflect Canada’s diversity and inclusion, and it will strengthen the safety and security of Canadian travellers. This new passport will not only be more secure and reliable for Canadians, but it shall also continue to instill pride in the hearts of those who carry it.

Hon. Lucie Moncion: My question is for Senator Gold, the Government Representative in the Senate.

It concerns Canada’s financial cooperative sector. The 2023 budget announced changes to the current definition of “credit union” in the Income Tax Act. These changes will guarantee that credit cooperatives can continue to provide a full range of financial services to more than 10 million Canadians and remain competitive in order to prevent Canadian banks from having a monopoly on financial services.

Having spent 38 years in the sector, I am pleased with Canada’s commitment to financial cooperatives. However, these amendments are not found in Bill C-47, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 28, 2023.

Senator Gold, what is the government’s intention with respect to this measure announced in the 2023 budget? Why wasn’t it included in Bill C-47, and when will it be included in a budget implementation bill?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question, and for underlining the important contribution that our veterans have made, as well as the important support that they deserve.

The government continues to work assiduously to provide appropriate benefits to veterans. The pacing and timing of expenditures are a function of many variables. In that regard, I would certainly be happy to take your concerns and transmit them to the appropriate minister.

Hon. Andrew Cardozo: As I am the person who used those words, I think there is some lack of clarity about whether Senator Gold should be referred to as the Government Representative or the government leader. I would suggest that those two terms are both acceptable, but it’s when we ascribe partisanship to him that it is perhaps quite inaccurate. I think he’s made that point clearly.

Whether it is leader or representative, the word “government” stays. Both terms are used because, as I understand, he was appointed leader to be styled as representative. To me, if people want to use one word or another, that’s fine, but to use words beyond those two are inaccurate. We shouldn’t come up with all sorts of titles for each other. That is my main point.