The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I have the honour to inform the Senate that the Clerk of the Senate has received certificates from the Registrar General of Canada showing that the following persons, respectively, have been summoned to the Senate:

Judy White

Paul Prosper

[Translation]

Senator Dasko: Thank you for your comments. I appreciated them.

You expressed doubt about the value of a commission. Clearly, the two times they have run the election, debates have been problematic. Do you feel there should continue to be at least one major English-language and one major French-language debate televised and online? Because it’s not just television; there is online access too. Do you feel that’s an important thing for the future of elections or just not at all?

[Translation]

Senator Gold: Honourable senators, on behalf of the GRO, I’m also pleased to welcome Senator Paul Prosper from Nova Scotia to our chamber.

Senator Prosper was regional chief for the Assembly of First Nations, representing the Mi’kmaw chiefs of Nova Scotia after having served as chief of Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation from 2013 to 2020. He is a proud graduate of the IB&M Initiative at the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University. In 2020, he was inducted as a member of the Bertha Wilson Honour Society at the Schulich School in recognition of his exceptional service to the legal profession and his community.

[Translation]

Senator Prosper has a wealth of experience in Indigenous legal issues, whether in the areas of research, disputes or negotiation. His main focus has been advocating for the rights of the Mi’kmaw people. He taught Mi’kmaw history, Indigenous and treaty rights, and Mi’kmaw governance at Cape Breton University. Over the years, he has worked for various Mi’kmaw organizations in areas such as oral history, studies on the use and occupation of land by the Mi’kmaw people, and research on claims, citizenship, consultation, First Nations governance, justice, community development and nation membership.

[English]

Senator Prosper, your background and experience make you a very welcome addition to the Senate of Canada. We all look forward to working with you and, indeed, benefiting from your great experience.

Senator Batters: Thank you very much for your comprehensive speech and for bringing this important matter forward. I think it’s something that many of us who have been concerned about this topic are thinking about, and then seeing the barrage of ads, as you described, that have been constant in the last several months.

I was wondering about the Ontario situation because I did read a little bit about that and you referenced it briefly. Could you please explain the difference between what the Ontario government is proposing to do in their limiting regulations that they announced late last month and what your bill would actually do? Thank you.

Senator M. Deacon: Thank you for that question, Senator Batters.

For several months, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has come out to say, “Listen, we want to tighten this up; we’re not happy with what is happening in Ontario.” So they have set a date in the new year, in February, and they are looking at some pieces. One is about ensuring celebrities are no longer in front of the screen. There are standards that define what celebrities are.

On some other pieces that I would say are considerations, but not to the degree that I’m referring to in this bill, there are two things: It’s the “what” and the “who” that Ontario is considering. “Who” means that I want to make sure we know, whether I’m living in Tuktoyaktuk, Prince Rupert or Halifax, that the standard is common and the expectation is really clear, which is a national jurisdictional piece. Looking at some of the other pieces, what about the time of day? There is a concept called five before and five after in some countries — and Canada could consider this — where you can’t do any advertising five minutes before a competition starts until five minutes after a competition is over.

There are a lot of pieces that have not been considered at this moment in the Ontario package but could be considered in a national framework that just tightens it up. We’re not cancelling gambling; we’re inquiring as to what makes sense to pull in the reins in every part of this country on the advertising. Thank you.

[Translation]

Senator Gold: No. As I explained, the Prime Minister looked at the needs, analyzing the committee and the diversity of skills and experience required when the committee was created. He also considered the issues facing Canada and the work the committee would have to do.

Senator Dalphond: Thank you for presenting your bill. This is a very interesting topic.

[English]

I read the bill as you were speaking. I was trying to understand which federal jurisdictions this will rest on. Is it criminal law? Is it within the power to regulate CRTC and broadcasting? Or is it something else? That is not clear to me. Thank you very much.

Senator M. Deacon: Thank you for the question, Senator Dalphond.

When we’re looking at this national framework, it would go to the Minister of Canadian Heritage. If you read through the bill, as you indicated you are doing right now, there will be work done with the CRTC also, and other partners.

I can’t guess. I can’t even look into the crystal ball to see how far the framework will be recommended in a jurisdiction, but those are the two big important pieces that I elaborate on in the bill.

Senator Simons: According to Little Red River chief, Chief Conroy Sewepagaham, their federal allocation is $1.1 million per year — a number that hasn’t gone up since 1997. The community of Fox Lake, with almost 3,800 people, has no doctor; they have four nurses and two paramedics. The community also needs federal support to build a bridge and to expand its airstrip. After this immediate crisis is over, will your government commit to meeting with the Little Red River Cree Nation and to addressing the long-term health and infrastructure needs of Fox Lake?

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question. I hope that the efforts of the new president, including what you just mentioned, will have a positive impact on travellers and their experience. This is essential to the Montreal airport.

[English]

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question. As the Minister of Immigration has remarked in the past months, the government is hoping to attract increasing numbers of skilled immigrant people who can, in fact, contribute to make up the shortfall in our skilled labour force in this particular area. Indeed, there is a labour shortage in many sectors.

It is a challenging and delicate balancing act when all the factors need to be combined in a rational, prudent and sensible policy. The government is committed to doing its part to meet that need.

Senator Cordy: I am glad that we agree that it has to be a coordinated effort of all governments and all sectors of the population who have concerns, like the people that our group met with yesterday.

Housing must be built as quickly as possible to meet the needs of Canadians. There is a critical shortage of non-market housing and supportive housing. A major hurdle to building 5.8 million homes over eight years is Canada’s labour shortages.

Senator Gold, there are simply not enough skilled tradespeople to build the number of homes that we need quickly. What steps is the government taking to bolster the construction labour market in Canada?

Senator Carignan: Apparently the issues don’t really affect francophones, and they don’t fundamentally affect the Atlantic provinces either. Not one of the 11 committee members comes from the four Atlantic provinces. Again, the Liberals are treating people from Atlantic Canada as second-class citizens, whereas five committee members are from Ontario. I know that during the previous rounds of committee appointments, two senators from Atlantic Canada were put forward as candidates but were rejected by the Prime Minister. Was that because those senators were Conservatives?

Senator Plett: And by one party in the Senate.

Canadians know full well why Prime Minister Trudeau never took Beijing’s interference in our democracy seriously. He refused, Senator Gold, to announce a public inquiry, long after it was glaringly obvious that we need one. Why is that? Because it suits him and his office and his party to not have Beijing’s interference examined too closely, Senator Gold, as he benefited from it.

Leader, what is the rationale for Prime Minister Trudeau to continue to exclude the Senate’s official opposition from NSICOP? Please, leader, don’t tell me it is the Prime Minister’s prerogative and wash your hands of it. There must be a reason why he keeps refusing to name a Conservative senator. What is it?

Senator Gold: Senator, thank you for your question. I regret that the answers have not been received yet, and I will certainly make further inquiries, as I undertook and did, in fact, do.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, I would like to welcome our newest senators, starting with Senator Judy White. She is a Mi’kmaq member of the Flat Bay Band in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. She completed a Bachelor of Laws degree from the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University with an emphasis on Aboriginal law. She also completed the Intensive Program in Indigenous Lands, Resources, and Governments at Osgoode Hall Law School, the Leading People and Investing to Build Sustainable Communities certificate program at Harvard Business School, and the Chartered Director program at McMaster University.

Senator White has extensive board and governance experience and has served many agencies in a variety of capacities.

[Translation]

She served as the Assistant Deputy Minister of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation in the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and, through an interchange arrangement, served as Director of Engagement for Distinctions-based Legislation with the Government of Canada.

[English]

She served as the Chairperson of the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission, Chair of the Inuvialuit Arbitration Board, as well as Co-Chair Indigenous of Equal Voice — Newfoundland and Labrador. This organization brings men and women together in order to elect and support women at all levels of political office.

[Translation]

In 2022, Senator White received the Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the advancement of gender equality. More importantly, she is a proud grandmother.

[English]

Senator, the Senate is very fortunate to benefit from your knowledge and experience. On behalf of the Government Representative Office, or GRO, I am pleased to welcome you.

Hon. Paul J. Prosper, of Hants County, Nova Scotia, introduced between Hon. Marc Gold, P.C., and Hon. Mary Coyle.

[English]

The Hon. the Speaker informed the Senate that each of the honourable senators named above had made and subscribed the declaration of qualification required by the Constitution Act, 1867, in the presence of the Clerk of the Senate, the Commissioner appointed to receive and witness the said declaration.

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 to welcome our new colleagues, the Honourable Paul Prosper of Nova Scotia and the Honourable Judy White of Newfoundland and Labrador. I’m truly pleased to extend to both of you a very warm welcome to the Senate of Canada.

Senator Prosper, as a Mi’kmaw lawyer with over 25 years of experience in Indigenous legal issues as well as the former chief of the Paqtnkek — Afton Station — Mi’kmaw Nation, I am certain that your knowledge and expertise will be beneficial in this chamber and at committees. Your advocacy work and leadership will continue in this next chapter as a senator of Nova Scotia.

Senator White, as a member of the King’s Counsel and a lawyer with experience in human rights issues and Indigenous governance, as well as with your previous role as Assistant Deputy Minister of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation in the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, I am certain that your knowledge and experience will contribute greatly to your work as a senator. Your work on the advancement of gender equality and dedication to ensuring that all persons are given an equal voice apply directly to our role as senators to be the voice of the voiceless.

Canadians have increasingly been looking to the Senate to not only bring sober second thought and due diligence, they are looking at the Senate for hope — hope that their voices are heard and that the severity of the affordability issues faced by Canadians are a priority for all parliamentarians. Canadians across our beautiful country need reassurance right now. They need to see common sense in Ottawa. They need to see parliamentarians take on their duty to work and fight for their very best interests.

Senators Prosper and White, please know that Conservatives look forward to working in collaboration with you both on ways to improve the lives of Canadians. On behalf of the opposition and the Conservative caucus, I want to warmly welcome you to the Senate of Canada.

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!

Hon. Scott Tannas: Honourable senators, it is with great pleasure that we welcome two new senators to this chamber: Senators Prosper and White.

First, we have Senator Prosper, who is a Mi’kmaw lawyer with vast experience in the field of Indigenous law. He’s a former chief, regional chief and, more importantly, a teacher. He taught governance and treaty rights at Cape Breton University. To share knowledge and wisdom is a noble gift and a great responsibility.

Senator Prosper, your appointment to this place was greatly celebrated. The current chief of the Paqtnkek, Cory Jullian, said that you are a “role model for [your] community.” He said that they are proud of you for assuming this new role. The praise is felt across the country with Grand Chief Cathy Merrick of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs adding:

Regional Chief Prosper’s appointment to the Senate is a testament to his remarkable leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing the rights of First Nations Peoples across Turtle Island.

These comments are a tribute to your impact on your community, and we hope that you will have the same impact here.

We also welcome Senator White. As a King’s Counsel lawyer with a background in human rights issues and Indigenous governance, the Senate will greatly benefit from your experiences in government and with Newfoundland and Labrador’s Human Rights Commission.

I read — with great interest — the article in iPolitics about your appointment, and your desire to change the face of the Senate and to be a voice for Indigenous people, visible minorities and women. The challenge that you have set up for yourself in that interview, I believe, is both lofty and honourable, and I am confident that you will be successful. You mentioned that you only have 15 years to make your mark. You had better not waste a moment because time does go by very fast in politics.

Senator Prosper and Senator White, your professional and personal experiences are most welcome and needed here. As a colleague, and in the service of all of Canada, on behalf of the Canadian Senators Group, I welcome you to the Senate, and my colleagues look forward to working with you.