Hon. Colin Deacon: Your Honour, I would like to thank you for taking on the responsibility of being our Speaker; it is wonderful to see you in that chair.

My question is for the Government Representative. Senator Gold, entrepreneurship is fraught with challenges, some of which are particularly challenging for under-represented groups, including women.

Consider Sampler, a technology platform that helps companies to launch new products. Sampler has 1,000 companies that it works with, 45 employees, is on track to get $10 million in revenue and just acquired a New York–based company to expand its business further into the United States and Europe. It is the sort of level of success that we want to see more of. Imagine the surprise of Sampler’s founder and CEO, Marie Chevrier, when she went on maternity leave and found her application for parental benefits was declined, even though she had been paying into the Employment Insurance system, EI, for years.

I was shocked to learn that the Canada Revenue Agency declined her application on the belief that as a business owner she “would not truly be able to take a maternity leave.” Ms. Chevrier was left with no government support at a time when she needed it the most, and she is far from alone, as I understand.

Senator Gold, what is the rationale behind this arguably anti-feminist policy? Are there any plans for its review in the near future in order to allow entrepreneurs, and especially women, to feel more confident about building their families without fear of financial uncertainty?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question. As the minister said yesterday, investigations into the alleged police station activities in this country are under way through the RCMP, which operates independently of the government. Therefore, I’m not in a position to tell you what the results of those investigations will be, nor what action will be taken once the investigations have been completed and the information communicated.

Second, with regard to the foreign registry, as the minister said yesterday, considerable progress has been and is being made, and the government is committed to bringing forth legislation. I believe that he has said publicly that will be in the fall. He wants to make sure that all relevant input is properly considered in the bill because there is a serious, important requirement that the establishment of this does not inadvertently create more burden on those diaspora communities that are affected.

I will also take the opportunity, however, with respect, to correct you in your assertion that the government has done nothing to address foreign interference. Again, this is laid out very clearly in the Special Rapporteur’s report.

The mandate for the Minister of Democratic Institutions and a policy framework were established; the Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections Task Force was created; the Critical Election Incident Public Protocol was created; the Rapid Response Mechanism was established in coordination with the G7; the Digital Citizen Initiative was created. We also had the constitution and mandating of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians, NSICOP, and the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency, NSIRA; the 2022 policy framework; and the 2023 initiatives, including those that are ongoing now. This government is taking it very seriously and is doing the work that needs to be done on behalf of Canadians to protect us from foreign interference.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for this important question. The government understands and believes that maternity and parental benefits need to be both fairer and more flexible.

Currently, the government is analyzing what it has heard from parents, workers, employers, unions and other partners, including entrepreneurs, to ensure that the changes to our EI system are informed by those who feel their impact the greatest. With respect to entrepreneurs, I will raise your concerns with the relevant minister, but I can assure you, honourable colleague, that the government is and continues to be attentive to issues of this kind, to feminist policy concerns. Women hold the top ministerial portfolios in this government’s cabinet, and I can assure you that they look at all issues through a lens that does not ignore the realities and needs of women.

Senator C. Deacon: The government states that the empowerment of women is a top priority, and, to its credit, we now have a gender-balanced Senate, a gender-balanced cabinet and a federal Women Entrepreneurship Strategy.

Policies across government departments, like the CRA decision, often contradict what the government says it cares about. Women entrepreneurship is a top government priority. How do we get through this issue of having a whole-of-government approach around these top priorities? It seems there is no horizontality in so many different areas. They are siloed into one decision or another, but the priority does not permeate across government. I see this as being a constant challenge. What do you see us being able to do in the Senate or the government doing in terms of addressing that problem with horizontality?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question and for underlining the importance of Bill C-22 and of getting it to Royal Assent so that those who stand to benefit and who need the benefits will receive them and the framework — once in place — can then give rise to the programming that follows.

It remains a government priority. This is a minority Parliament. There are days that are not devoted to government business. This chamber should rest assured that the government has taken the time to consider the Senate amendments, is giving them due consideration and is working with the other parties in the house such that this bill can go through the final phases and receive Royal Assent.

Hon. Jane Cordy: Senator Gold, Indigenous women are four times more likely than non-Indigenous women to be victims of violence. Indigenous women make up 16% of all female homicide victims and 11% of missing women, yet Indigenous people make up only 4.3% of the population of Canada.

Last month in the other place, a motion declaring the continued loss of Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people a Canada‑wide emergency passed with unanimous consent. The motion also called on the federal government to provide immediate and substantial investment including a red dress alert system to help alert the public when an Indigenous woman, girl or two-spirit person goes missing.

Senator Gold, this motion received unanimous support in the House of Commons, and this includes support by the government.

My question will be to the point: Does the government intend to act on this motion and will the government work to develop an alert system for missing Indigenous women?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question, Senator, and congratulations on your French. It is nice to hear and an example to us all. I would therefore like to answer the question like a proper Montrealer: in both official languages.

[English]

The government continues to work hard to support businesses across this country, along with the provinces, territories and, in some cases, the municipalities, in order that Canadian businesses can profit from the changes that are taking place as we transition and move towards a greener and more sustainable economy.

The government has responded to the changes in the economic environment that was brought on by the Inflation Reduction Act in the Fall Economic Statement, where Minister Freeland put forward tax credits in a number of areas for clean energy, capital costs and hydrogen production.

The federal government plays a role, and, as I said, so do other levels of government. I’m advised the Government of Canada continues to evaluate ways in which to assist Canadian businesses, such as the one to which you referred, so as to benefit from the changes in the economic environment that, without question, were brought on by the introduction of the Inflation Reduction Act in the United States.

[Translation]

That altered the playing field with respect to the level of support the federal, provincial and territorial governments need to contemplate. The economic power differential is massive. That said, when it comes to Volkswagen and other issues before Parliament and in the press, the government needs to pitch in and make sure Canadian companies benefit from increased support on the part of the federal government.

[English]

Hon. Robert Black: My question is for the Honourable Senator Gold, the Government Representative in the Senate.

[English]

Senator Gold, earlier in the chamber I mentioned the great entrepreneurship and charity of organizations like Dairy Distillery. Not only are they supporting and growing Canada’s economy, they are giving back in times of need and pitching in to support the greening of Canada. Despite their hard work, the company continues to be inhibited by red tape and the lack of governmental support in expanding their work.

As a result, Dairy Distillery has begun construction on an ethanol production facility using dairy permeate to produce some of the greenest ethanol in North America. For every tonne of permeate they process into ethanol, they displace 1.2 tonnes of carbon. They’ve identified 50,000 tonnes of available permeate in Eastern Canada that, if converted to ethanol, would offset 60,000 tonnes of carbon a year.

[Translation]

The thing is, they’ll be building their plant in the state of Michigan.

[English]

This Canadian company has had little government support or any level of regulatory assistance, and could only financially succeed in the United States with support from programs like the Inflation Reduction Act.

[Translation]

If Canada can’t be competitive for its small businesses, we will lose Canadian businesses to the United States.

[English]

My question, Senator Gold, is: How will the Canadian government continue to support Canadian businesses that are competing with companies in the U.S. being supported by the American Inflation Reduction Act, and what will your government do to reduce regulatory red tape that forces Canadian companies out of the country, taking innovative progress and countless jobs with them? Thank you, meegwetch.

[Translation]

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for the question. I don’t accept the premise of the last part of your question.

I absolutely share your disappointment, because for so long, there’s always been a gap between what we want as a country and the reality on the ground. You cited several examples. With Bill C-13, colleague, the government has introduced changes and improvements, a modernization, even, of our official languages regime. These changes mean that the government has a greater obligation to ensure that the substantive equality of the two languages is respected.

We hope that once this bill receives Royal Assent, there will be improvements on the ground in terms of respect for both official languages in all areas of federal jurisdiction.

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): My question is for the government leader in the Senate.

Leader, you often accuse the opposition in the Senate of asking questions where facts are exaggerated. I will read you excerpts from an article in yesterday’s Prince George Citizen:

What is suspected to be a particularly deadly amount of fentanyl, as well as possible cocaine, methamphetamine, drug trafficking paraphernalia and cash, were seized from a home in the Hart two weeks ago.

“Police have identified the fentanyl seized as extremely potent and it is believed to be responsible for several drug overdose deaths in Prince George in the last month,” Cpl. Jennifer Cooper said in a statement issued Wednesday.

A suspect was arrested and later released pending charge approval.

Leader, this is exactly what was written in the newspaper: A drug dealer, believed to be responsible for several drug overdose deaths, was arrested and later released. Isn’t this the very definition of a catch-and-release policy? How is this helping the community of Prince George?

Hon. Patti LaBoucane-Benson (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate) tabled the reply to Question No. 120, dated February 8, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding honorary consuls.

Hon. Patti LaBoucane-Benson (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate) tabled the reply to Question No. 226, dated March 30, 2023, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.

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

Our legal system, which involves the exercise of judicial discretion consistent and coherent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, is such that decisions whether or not to imprison and detain in prison someone who is charged with an offence are considered by a judge weighing all relevant considerations both constitutional and in law.

Unless I misunderstood your question, Senator Martin, I do not assume that anyone in this chamber would assume that it would be appropriate in a free and democratic society with a constitutional regime of rights to simply take everyone charged with an offence and lock them up until such time as they are tried.

This is not an example of catch and release. This is an example of the administration of justice doing its job properly, as it should.

Hon. Patti LaBoucane-Benson (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate) tabled the reply to Question No. 205, dated February 2, 2023, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding Library and Archives Canada.

An Hon. Senator: Hear, hear.

Hon. Patti LaBoucane-Benson (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, I have the honour to table the answers to the following oral questions:

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on December 1, 2021, by the Honourable Senator Wallin, concerning online harm.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on December 16, 2021, by the Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne, concerning online harm.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on September 28, 2022, by the Honourable Senator Klyne, concerning the RCMP Heritage Centre.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on November 17, 2022, by the Honourable Senator Black, concerning the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on February 7, 2023, by the Honourable Senator Cordy, concerning federal public service jobs — Statistics Canada.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on February 7, 2023, by the Honourable Senator Cordy, concerning federal public service jobs — Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Pamela Wallin on December 1, 2021)

The Government of Canada is committed to continue efforts to develop and introduce legislation as soon as possible to combat serious forms of harmful online content to protect Canadians and hold social media platforms and other online services accountable for the content they host. Per the mandate letter for the Minister of Canadian Heritage, this legislation will be reflective of the feedback received during the recent consultations.

The government designed this consultation to allow stakeholders and industry to submit business information in confidence and to allow victims groups, equity deserving communities and other parties to share their experience with harmful content online privately. As such, the submissions were not made public.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Julie Miville-Dechêne on December 16, 2021)

The government remains committed to taking meaningful action to address child sexual exploitation content and other harmful content online. Harmful content overall discourages certain groups from speaking, prevents valuable voices from being heard, and undermines our democratic values. Child sexual exploitation and abuse specifically have lifelong consequences and are among the most egregious harms we see online.

On July 29, 2021, the government launched a public consultation seeking Canadians’ views on a detailed technical discussion paper, which outlined a proposal for regulating online platforms and combating certain types of harmful content. The government’s consultation was an important step in establishing a regulatory framework that ensures Canadians are safe when they participate in social media activities. We will continue our work to develop and introduce legislation as soon as possible to protect Canadians, including minors and victims of child sexual exploitation online, and hold social media platforms and other online services accountable for the content they host.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Marty Klyne on September 28, 2022)

The RCMP Heritage Centre falls under the purview of the Minister of Canadian Heritage. In September of this year, the RCMP Heritage Centre launched a series of national engagements to seek the views of Canadians regarding a possible national RCMP Museum. The RCMP Heritage Centre is gaining valuable insights as to how Canadians, particularly Indigenous peoples and people from equity‑deserving groups, feel about it and its future. The government looks forward to learning more about these and how they will be addressed going forward, particularly as the government considers the Heritage Centre’s future as a possible national museum.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Robert Black on November 17, 2022)

Canadian Heritage’s (PCH) Building Communities through Arts and Heritage program (BCAH) funds arts and heritage festivals, Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning, Intersex (2SLGBTQI+) events, and Indigenous cultural celebrations such as pow-wows.

BCAH Local Festivals component supports eligible events that demonstrate sufficient arts and heritage activities and present local performing artists, cultural carriers, the work of local creators, or aspects of local heritage as a primary component. Agricultural fairs and exhibitions remain eligible for funding should they meet all eligibility criteria.

Activities that cannot be supported include any events of a commercial nature, including markets and tradeshows; sports or recreational activities; and fundraising and competitions.

BCAH supported 29 agricultural fairs in 2019-20 and 28 in 2020-21 which demonstrated sufficient arts and heritage activities to meet program criteria.

While some CAFE members may not be eligible for support through BCAH, it is possible they may draw on Innovation, Science and Economic Development programs.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Jane Cordy on February 7, 2023)

Statistics Canada reports on the labour market experience of Black Canadians using data from both the Labour Force Survey and the Census of Population. Data is publicly available in the following tables:

•Labour Force Survey — Table 14-10-0373-01 Labour force characteristics by visible minority group, three-month moving averages, monthly, Canada, provinces and territories

•2021 Census of Population — Table 98-10-0446-01 Labour force status by visible minority, immigrant status and period of immigration, highest level of education, age and gender: Canada, provinces and territories

Data from the Labour Force Survey can be disaggregated to measure the total number of Black employees in the federal government public administration.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Jane Cordy on February 7, 2023)

The government has launched a suite of initiatives to support departments in improving diversity, equity and inclusion and to help equity-seeking employees, including Black employees, to advance to leadership roles. Every department manages its own human resources, program and initiatives. Centrally, the Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer (OCHRO) collects and publishes qualitative and quantitative data to better understand employment equity representation gaps and the perceptions of equity-seeking employees through the Public Service Employee Survey. These unprecedented levels of disaggregated enterprise data on the composition of 21 employment equity subgroups, including Black, Métis and Inuit employees, enable more granular analysis and is a foundation for tracking progress. OCHRO also has developed tools such as the Maturity Model on Diversity and Inclusion to help departments measure their level of advancement in diversity and inclusion and measuring progress thereafter.

The 2021-22 Management Accountability Framework (MAF) included three questions regarding hiring goals and initiatives for Employment Equity groups. Two questions specifically asked the 34 assessed departments to include any hiring goals for Black candidates, for the general workforce and the EX cadre. In this cycle some departments also began developing initiatives to remove barriers to employment for equity-seeking groups, including Black employees.

Hon. Claude Carignan: My question is for the Leader of the Government. Leader, the government’s official languages track record is a disaster. We saw further evidence of that when the Commissioner of Official Languages tabled his 2022-23 annual report a few days ago.

The report shows that, between 2013-14 and 2022-23, there was an increase of over 300% just in the number of admissible complaints about institutions that serve the travelling public. Compared to the previous year, it is an increase of 500%.

The reason for this is not just that there have been more complaints about Air Canada. There have been more complaints about all of the other services, including the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, the airports, VIA Rail and the Canada Border Services Agency.

Can you explain why this government is doing such a terrible, disastrous job on official languages?

Hon. Patti LaBoucane-Benson (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate) tabled the reply to Question No. 216, dated March 8, 2023, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding the National Capital Commission.

Hon. Patti LaBoucane-Benson (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate) tabled the reply to Question No. 158, dated May 5, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding the National Monument to Canada’s Mission in Afghanistan — Canadian Heritage.

Hon. Patti LaBoucane-Benson (Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate) tabled the reply to Question No. 158, dated May 5, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Plett, regarding the National Monument to Canada’s Mission in Afghanistan — Veterans Affairs Canada.