Senator Moncion: I believe that it is similar.

Senator Dalphond: I do not know if Senator Wells will take another question from me.

Senator Wells: Senator Dalphond, it is my policy to take questions until my time is up.

Senator Simons: This is the editor and fact checker in me. Senator Quinn asked you a question about whether this would lower costs for off-site grain drying.

To clarify for everyone, is it not true that this bill does not apply to off-site commercial grain dryers but only, in fact, applies to farmers using grain dryers on their own farms?

Senator Wells: Thank you, Senator Simons. You are right. This only applies to on-site grain drying. But having been in business and having done quite a bit of production costing in my life, I would make the assumption that it would be more expensive per unit for the off-site grain dryer, regardless of the tax, only because they would have less volume. They would still have their drying costs but less volume. Perhaps I should not assume, but normally the higher the volume you have, to a certain point, the less costly your per-unit costs are.

Senator Batters: Isn’t it true that brand-new grain dryers that are the most efficient do have a saving on the energy costs; however, the substantial cost is that a brand-new very efficient grain dryer could be $150,000 or more? Isn’t that correct?

Senator Wells: Thank you, Senator Batters.

A grain dryer is a huge cost. If you have a larger farm, you are going to require more drying capacity. That would either be multiple dryers or a dryer that has that higher capacity. I can only imagine that will be a higher capital cost. Certainly, if it is on‑farm, then at least you have some of the benefit of not having to pay the tax on the drying operation.

Senator Moncion: Yes, I will.

Hon. Yvonne Boyer: Honourable senators, today I will be delivering my statement in Michif, the language that the Métis grandfathers and grandmothers spoke. Elder Norman Fleury helped me write this speech; he is my teacher and will be interpreting for you. As I stand here in this chamber, there are children across the homeland who are learning the Michif language and culture in schools. This gives me hope that our language will survive through the generations, for its protection and revitalization must come through the young people. I speak Michif today to honour my kin and their resilience, and to show it is a living language. This statement is for the ancestors and our future, the children . . .

[Editor’s Note: Senator Boyer spoke in Michif — interpretation follows.]

Honourable senators, I am Yvonne Boyer. I am a member of the Métis Nation. My roots are in Saskatchewan and the Red River in Manitoba. I am the great-granddaughter of Narcisse Boyer, who was an American Michif from the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Band in North Dakota. And I am related to Alexis L’Esperance, who was the leader of the La Loche Boat Brigade, which were military boatmen who supported Louis Riel during the Red River Resistance of 1869-70. I also have family in Northern Ireland in the province of Ulster.

This language that I am speaking is called Michif. The Michif language has been around for a long time. From us — we made it ourselves. It is our language. Our old people are working hard so that our language doesn’t die. I am trying to speak my language. If we lose our language, we will lose who we are and our nation.

Today, as I speak my Michif language with all of you, I would like to say who we are as Michifs, and also that it is important that we keep what was given to us by the Creator and we don’t lose our way of life.

It’s for our children and future generations. I say thank you to Norman Fleury for the Michif language.

[English]

I urge everyone here to support the preservation and revival of Michif and other Indigenous languages. It’s crucial for us to embrace our culture, to empower our communities and to ensure that the Michif voice, once quieted, echoes through generations to come.

Senator Gold: I have been advised that the government takes all appropriate and possible measures to ensure that the aid reaches those whom it is designed and intended to assist: civilians in Gaza or, indeed, elsewhere in the world where many citizens are subject to non-democratic — sometimes autocratic — governments.

Senator Gold: I will certainly transmit those concerns and the Globe and Mail article to the attention of the minister.

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!

Senator Plett: A response that I received in 2021 to my written question about the $196-million loss said:

The government is unable to provide more details on this specific transaction, as it would result in making public confidential information about a private company.

Senator Gold, this $196 million belongs to Canadian taxpayers. They deserve better than eight long years of the Trudeau government saying, “Take our word for it.”

What company was involved?

Senator Gold: Thank you. The passion with which you ask the question still does not change the fact that in matters of this kind — as it is in business — there are confidentiality agreements understood, regulated and protected by law that do not make it appropriate, necessarily, to provide the information that you are seeking.

I am not assuming any more than that about the circumstances.

Senator Plett: And you recognized Senator Wells as well, on debate.

Senator Plett: The Chaplain General also reportedly said that “. . . a committee will be formed to review the new directive . . . .” The Trudeau government wouldn’t be forced to backtrack and promise a committee review if they did nothing wrong, would they? They clearly have no moral compass.

Leader, will you offer an apology for your response to Senator MacDonald on October 19, when you accused him of misleading in this chamber? Also, who gets to sit on this committee and who will appoint them?

Senator Gold: Thank you for your questions. I did not mislead the committee in my answer previous to your question nor am I misleading anyone now, and no, I don’t have an apology to offer at this juncture.

Senator Batters: Senator Moncion, there was an amendment that I believe was similar to this that was proposed at the Agriculture Committee at clause by clause and it was defeated. Is this the same amendment?

Senator Housakos: You can avoid some RCMP investigations if your government were forthcoming with transparent information.

During testimony in the House of Commons last week, we heard that the order to go with GC Strategies was given from above. We also heard that the person who carried the water for the government and gave this order got a promotion without any public tender or any public or competitive process.

My question is very simple: Did this promotion happen because this person helped Liberal insiders line their pockets? At the end of the day, why should decent, law-abiding citizens always get caught up in Liberal scams?

Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, I rise today in this chamber ahead of Remembrance Day to recognize the bravery, sacrifice and heroism of our veterans and those who are currently wearing the uniform with honour in defence of this great nation and the freedoms we all cherish so deeply.

My home province of Manitoba has provided some great heroes of both world wars, as has every other province from coast to coast to coast. Today, I want to acknowledge some of their contributions.

I will first mention Major William Barker from Dauphin, Manitoba, who served in World War I as a flying ace and in the Royal Flying Corps. As part of his distinguished service, he was credited for having provided air support to our troops at the Somme and destroying 52 enemy aircraft and nine enemy balloons. His contributions earned him a Military Cross with bar, a Distinguished Service Order and the Victoria Cross, presented to him by King George V.

Another great Manitoban and highly decorated war hero was Sergeant Tommy Prince from the Brokenhead Band at Scanterbury, Manitoba. In World War II, Prince served in the Canadian First Special Service Force — a joint Canadian and American unit that became a versatile assault group with a reputation for specialized reconnaissance and raiding. Following his service in southern France, Sergeant Prince was summoned to Buckingham Palace, where King George VI decorated him with the Military Medal and — on behalf of the U.S. President — the Silver Star.

Colleagues, these two Manitobans served their country with the highest distinction. They have inspired other Canadians through their self-sacrifice.

We honour their service and that of so many others. Collectively, these Canadians have ensured that we can continue to live in peace and freedom.

In doing so, we must never forget what they themselves sacrificed. They have had experiences that changed them forever. Many have come home plagued by demons we cannot even imagine — and many never came home at all.

As Canadians, we must never forget what they sacrificed on a personal level.

We are also being increasingly reminded that the freedoms they fought for are facing new threats. We have a profound obligation not only to remember, but also to be ready to defend the freedoms that they won and secured for us. If we as parliamentarians value the serving men and women of today, then we have an obligation to ensure that we prepare and provide for them tools, training and support to protect them in the face of the terrible struggles they will have to endure.

To all of those in uniform in the service of Canada, who fought for a selfless cause on behalf of their country: We owe you our lives and our freedom. As a nation, we are eternally grateful and will always remember. We promise to do our utmost to remain vigilant.

May God bless all of them, and may God bless Canada.

Senator Dasko: Senator, how can the government ensure that this country remains the most welcoming country in the world? Thank you.

Senator Gold: The government and Canadians will continue in the spirit and practice of welcoming newcomers into our communities. The government’s policies on immigration reflect that policy and the aspiration that I believe we all share as Canadians.