Senator Woo: Thank you, Senator Omidvar, for the question. The definition of consensus is a general agreement. It is not unanimous agreement. If it were, there wouldn’t be the word “consensus.”

Now, the way in which consensus can be reached —

Senator Woo: We are accountable to the oath that we took when we became senators.

With respect to the point about the House having a bearing on whether we are with the government or not, it does not. Clearly, we are here as unelected members. Those of us who are independents do not belong to the government or to a political party.

You make endless references to the Westminster system as if there is just one version of Westminster. In fact, our own chamber, through the Special Senate Committee on Senate Modernization in its study of Westminster systems, has determined that there are multiple styles of Westminster parliamentary democracy, and asserted clearly that our Senate is a unique form of Westminster parliamentary democracy, and that our upper house has the power to determine its style of Westminster parliamentary democracy. For you to somehow deny that is the case — when we have endorsed that report, we have said that to be true, we have taken decisions in this chamber that give us a different way of operating — is disrespectful to our institution.

Senator Plett: You actually said that with a straight face. The Prime Minister — and you, Senator Gold — talk a good game about the independence of the Senate, but this Liberal Prime Minister has appointed 70 so-called independents, and none of them have joined the Conservative caucus. What a coincidence. What a surprise. It seems the only criteria needed to be appointed as a senator is not to be a Conservative.

However, Albertans elected three Conservatives to represent them in the Senate. Justin Trudeau does not tolerate opposition. We’ve seen that with his refusal to name a Conservative senator to the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians, or NSICOP, and we see it again here. Leader, is that why the people of Alberta will be snubbed again by Justin Trudeau because they dared to elect Conservatives?

Senator Gold: The availability of properties, whether federally owned or otherwise, is only one element in the process which is sometimes complicated to bring a project to light. I can speak with some experience, having worked for 20 years, in part, in this space.

With regard to your question, again, the federal government is doing its part. More can be done by all levels of government. All levels of government should continue to work together to address this very important crisis and challenge for all Canadians.

Senator Gold: Thank you for the question. The report by the late and honourable Jules Deschênes was an important one that did shed light on many things. It is my understanding that some of it was public, but there were parts that were redacted for reasons that undoubtedly include those to which you referred. I’m not aware of what the status is of the reflection and the calls that have been made publicly — as you’re aware — recently for the release of the redacted portions. I will add that to the inquiries I will make.

Senator Plett: In 2019, the Trudeau government ended the previous federal surplus property program and, instead, created its own Federal Lands Initiative. The website for the Federal Lands Initiative says it’s “. . . a $200-million fund that supports the transfer of surplus federal lands and buildings to eligible proponents” at discounted cost or even at no cost to be developed for use as affordable housing.

If you were to look at this website right now, Senator Gold, you would see that it says in big, bold letters, “There are currently no properties available.”

Leader, how is that possible? The CBC alone owns over $400 million worth of property. How can a $200-million fund not find even one federal property to be turned into housing?

Senator Gold: Thank you again for the question. Again, regretfully, I don’t know. I have no information about the state of the collaborations and consultations. Again, I will certainly look into the matter.

Senator Cotter: Given the urgency for so many people, I hope that inquiry is an urgent one, Senator Gold.

I have a brief supplementary question. Part of the government commitment was that the regulations to give effect to that benefit would be developed in a deeply collaborative process with the disability community. The leadership in the disability community advised that, despite earlier commitments to this richly collaborative process, which is unique to this benefits development, the government approach is neither unique nor richly collaborative. It’s more of the same old thing. Can you inform us on this?

Senator Carignan: Your government has been in power for eight years, but your answer to me today is that the RCMP is calling for bids for language classes. Are you kidding me?

Senator Housakos: Senator Woo, I have two short questions. First, how could you profess that the government — that is, the elected Prime Minister who appoints in this parliamentary chamber and simultaneously appoints the government senators who will also serve in the opposition — could appoint government representatives and opposition representatives simultaneously?

Second, how could this chamber, despite being an appointed body — and there are few left in our modern parliamentary democracies — completely ignore the will of the democratic choice in the other house in choosing the government on one side of this chamber and the opposition on the other, as has been the tradition since 1867?

Senator Gold: The information I was given is that the Government of Canada expects the RCMP to take responsibility and meet its obligations under the Official Languages Act. That is what the government expects, and those are the RCMP’s obligations.

[English]

The Hon. the Speaker: Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?

Senator Woo: I would like to if colleagues agree to grant me more time.

The Hon. the Speaker said:

Usher of the Black Rod,

You will proceed to the House of Commons and acquaint that house that it is the pleasure of Her Excellency the Governor General of Canada that they attend her immediately in the Senate chamber.

The House of Commons being come,

Their Speaker, the Honourable Greg Fergus, said:

May it Please Your Excellency,

The House of Commons has elected me their Speaker, though I am but little able to fulfil the important duties thus assigned to me. If, in the performance of those duties, I should at any time fall into error, I pray that the fault may be imputed to me, and not to the Commons, whose servant I am.

The Hon. the Speaker of the Senate answered:

Mr. Speaker, I am commanded by Her Excellency the Governor General to assure you that your words and actions will constantly receive from her the most favourable construction.

[English]

The House of Commons withdrew.

Her Excellency the Governor General was pleased to retire.

The Hon. the Speaker of the Senate answered:

Mr. Speaker, I am commanded by Her Excellency the Governor General to assure you that your words and actions will constantly receive from her the most favourable construction.

[English]

The House of Commons withdrew.

Her Excellency the Governor General was pleased to retire.

Their Speaker, the Honourable Greg Fergus, said:

May it Please Your Excellency,

The House of Commons has elected me their Speaker, though I am but little able to fulfil the important duties thus assigned to me. If, in the performance of those duties, I should at any time fall into error, I pray that the fault may be imputed to me, and not to the Commons, whose servant I am.

Hon. F. Gigi Osler: Honourable senators, I am pleased to welcome a group of inspiring women representing Athena Leadership.

Athena Leadership is a Manitoba-based non-profit organization that is dedicated to empowering and advancing women in leadership. They strive to build personal and professional capacity through mentorship, networking opportunities and peer collaboration. At the community level, Athena has a dedicated scholarship that addresses the urgency in building leadership among women, girls and gender-diverse people. Each year, their Leader of Tomorrow Award recognizes and supports one outstanding young woman who makes a difference in other people’s lives through exceptional community involvement and leadership.

I am especially delighted to welcome them here today as October is Women’s History Month in Canada. I encourage everyone to take the time to explore this year’s theme of “Through Her Lens,” and celebrate the achievements and contributions of women from diverse backgrounds in your own community.

One of Athena’s guiding principles is to provide education in a supportive environment. As a physician, I have seen the benefits of providing science-based information to empower people and improve health. October is Women’s History Month, and this week — October 1 to 7 — is HPV Prevention Week. Did you know that in 2017, Canada was the first country to devote a week to raising awareness about HPV, or human papillomavirus, and the diseases and cancers it can cause? Around the world and in Canada, HPV-associated cancers are on the rise and can affect anyone of any gender. After declining for over 20 years due to decreased tobacco use, cancers of the tongue, mouth and oropharynx have increased sharply due to HPV, which is now associated with 50% to 70% of these cancers.

Whether it is providing information in a health care setting, education in a professional environment or a statement in the Red Chamber, knowledge empowers. Thank you to the women of Athena Leadership for empowering people and enriching lives. Meegwetch.