Senator Dalphond: I can repeat it. Is it true that the difference between the grain producers in Ontario who will benefit from your bill and those who will not benefit from it, the majority, is, according to the witnesses, maybe 1%, more likely less?

Senator Wells: Thank you, Senator Dalphond.

I would have to say that in the enormous outpouring we received from farmers, ranchers and growers and their associations that speak for their total amounts, including mushroom producers and others, it would appear to me that there will be a greater benefit than 1%. I think we would all agree that of all the emails and outreach and phone calls, if it were a 1% question, I don’t think we would have received that much.

Of course, the Parliamentary Budget Officer said that a billion dollars taken from the industry would be reinvested in the things we want for businesses: to be more productive, have a greater volume of goods for the price, upgrade their infrastructure, which would actually make an impact on the environment. A billion dollars back into the sector is significant enough that it would take care of that 1% you referenced.

Senator Gold: Thank you. I will certainly communicate to the minister. Again, I repeat: I have been advised that more information will be forthcoming in the weeks to come. We look forward to that.

[Translation]

Senator Clement: Your honour, I move adjournment of the debate.

Senator Boisvenu: Senator Gold, this scathing report on dysfunction within the RCMP, which comes on the heels of an equally scathing report on dysfunction within the Canadian Armed Forces, points to glaring shortcomings with respect to national security.

This report is an indictment of the Trudeau government’s management. When will the government take this seriously and recognize that the RCMP and the Canadian Armed Forces are in urgent need of in-depth reform?

Senator McCallum: I was supposed to ask for leave, and Senator Klyne has withdrawn his motion. So I am maintaining the vote should go ahead at 5:30. It is done.

Senator Gold: It is not the intention of this government to implement that which you suggest. The government continues to believe that maintaining the price on pollution on a national basis remains the most effective way forward to combat climate change.

Senator Gold: The Government of Canada is taking the reforms needed within both of these important entities very seriously. That’s why the reports to the government are being taken seriously. In fact, many of the recommendations in those reports have been accepted already.

[English]

Senator Batters: Justin Trudeau’s Minister of Rural Economic Development said that if the Prairies also want the carbon tax carve-out, they should elect more Liberals. Thanks, but no. This sure does not say much for Ralph Goodale’s years at the Trudeau cabinet table when the carbon tax was created. Regional discrimination is no way to run a country. When will this Trudeau government cut the hot air and axe this unfair tax on home heating for all Canadians?

Senator Plett: The Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Pierre Poilievre, asked the Prime Minister to explain this discrepancy three times during yesterday’s Question Period in the House of Commons. He also can’t tell us anything; it seems like you and him are alike there. The Prime Minister did not come close to answering, which is, sadly, what Canadians have come to expect from him, Senator Gold.

Can you explain the discrepancy here, leader? Are the U.K. and Canadian governments not sharing intelligence anymore?

Senator Plett: What is there that you can share — the time of day?

Senator Petten: Senator Gold, only two thirds of long-term care homes use the interRAI, the leading resident assessment tool connected directly to the Canadian Institute for Health Information. Will the government commit to dedicating resources to facilitate the usage of the long-term care facility interRAI tool by every Canadian long-term care home?

Senator Gold: Canada works closely with the U.K. and other Five Eyes partners, and we share intelligence and work collaboratively to defend our citizens.

It is obvious to all parliamentarians that neither the Prime Minister nor the Government Representative in the Senate is going to be disclosing what intelligence information is shared between countries, including the extent of it or the nature of it.

Senator Plett: Well, first of all, you should not make comments about whether people are here or not, but there are other speakers on the list.

Senator Gold: These are allegations and are not substantiated. For whatever reasons this promotion was given, I’m sure it was for similar reasons that the previous government gave promotions to that very same person on a number of occasions.

Senator Gold: I’m sure that the committee will do its work in the spirit of honouring the veterans, and will do so with dignity, integrity and a non-partisan approach to our veterans’ demands. I’m sure that they will have the appropriate level of cooperation from the government in that regard.

Senator Miville-Dechêne: Since I am not an accountant and you may not be one either, we will have to agree to disagree. I think that different numbers are making the rounds on refundable tax credit repayments and on what all that is really creating. Thank you.

Senator McCallum: Honourable senators, with your leave, I would like to withdraw the motion and have the vote at 5:30.

Senator McCallum: No, I’m not.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Jasper, Hanna, Noa and Lucille, Senator Boyer’s grandchildren, as well as Norman Fleury, a Michif interpreter.

On behalf of all honourable senators, I welcome you to the Senate of Canada.