Senator Martin: Speaking of joint exercises, NATO is conducting its annual nuclear deterrent training exercise, known as Steadfast Noon, despite threats from Russia. At a time when Canada’s sovereignty in the North may be challenged, Canada needs to be more prepared than ever to counter aggression from Russia. We are told that 14 of the alliance’s 30 member states are taking part in Steadfast Noon.

Senator Gold, is Canada taking part in this exercise, and if so, what role is Canada playing?

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Government leader, the war in Ukraine is rekindling fears of nuclear war, and Canadians are right to wonder what Canada is doing to protect our nation. The vast expanse of Canada’s North, larger than the whole of Europe, is now gripping the attention of government and security experts. At a time when tensions are high in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, they warn that North America’s Arctic may be vulnerable.

What is the federal government doing to protect Canada’s interests in the North?

Senator Martin: Yes, but on a week we should be celebrating small businesses, the Bank of Canada has announced the worst drop in business outlook since 2020. Many businesses expect slower sales growth as interest rates rise and demand slows. Many think a recession is likely within the year, and fewer businesses are planning to hire. With the central bank’s indicators falling, if the government is still determined to heap more taxes on small businesses, will they at least consider providing some relief by delaying these hikes until the economy improves?

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Government leader, this week is Small Business Week. Small‑business owners are the grease in the Canadian economy. They employ nearly two thirds of the Canadian workforce. They are moms and dads. They are friends and neighbours. They love their communities and give back every day, yet this government continues to punish them with higher payroll and carbon taxes, leaving them with higher costs for families that rely on that business for a paycheque.

Will the government commit to reviewing their planned tax hikes on small-business owners?

Senator Martin: Mr. Ken Sim, the mayor-elect, did make history: he is the first Asian and Chinese-Canadian mayor of Vancouver. He brings renewed hope for the future to one of the greatest cities in Canada and the world.

Senator Gold, what exactly will the Trudeau government do to concretely help Mayor Sim reduce crime and build more affordable housing?

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): My question is also for the Leader of the Government. This weekend, the voters of Vancouver sent a clear message: They are done with the radical policies of the Prime Minister and the NDP mayor. They are fed up with the violence, the overdose deaths and the overpriced housing market. Voters in Vancouver have said, “Enough.” They have fired the NDP mayor and rejected the radical policies — and, instead, they voted to remove the gatekeepers, build more affordable homes and bring in common sense laws to restore safe streets.

Senator Gold, will your government get the message and correct the failed policies that have contributed to the growing concerns of safety and security in the streets and communities of Vancouver and Metro Vancouver?

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): My question is for the government leader. Canadians who use natural gas or electricity to heat their homes can expect their bills to rise between 50% to 100%, on average, this winter. Some consumers could see their bills rise by as much as 300%. While the war in Europe and seasonal demand are two of the factors driving up costs, so, too, are inflation and increases in the federal carbon tax.

Leader, with respect to the latter, will the government ensure Canadians will be warm this winter and freeze their tax hike?

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Government leader, 99.8% of businesses are small- and medium-sized businesses, or SMEs. SMEs drive Canada’s economy by employing 88.3% of Canada’s private labour force and accounting for more than half of the nation’s GDP.

Healthy SMEs are vital in any post-pandemic recovery plan, yet at this critical time, the Canada Revenue Agency is putting undue stress on businesses by taking almost a year on average to complete audits.

What is the government doing to address the delays at the CRA?

Senator Martin: While Canadians will struggle to heat their homes, the impact of rising fuel costs and, by extension, food prices in Indigenous communities will be staggering. Food prices in remote Indigenous communities are already up to 2.5 times higher than the national average, and rising fuel prices will compound inflation’s toll on Indigenous families. While the minister monitors the situation, Indigenous families will have to get by with less food and heat this winter.

Senator Gold, what plans does the government have to address the increased pressure facing Indigenous communities this winter?

Senator Martin: More than half of Canada’s businesses, 55.3%, have fewer than four employees. Many are family-owned and -operated. While these families struggle to keep their doors open, they are also dealing with rising costs due to inflation and tax increases. Now they must wait for a year on average to have their CRA small business audits completed. This is causing unnecessary stress for owners of small businesses across Canada. If resources are a problem at the agency, what plans does the government have to address this?

So this is a really dire issue, senator.

Senator Martin: Government leader, to quote military doctrine:

The ultimate role of the armed forces is to apply force, or the threat of force, in the furtherance of the interests of the state. . . .

To achieve that goal and follow in the footsteps of the heroes in uniform who came before them, key trades in the Armed Forces need to be filled with exceptional personnel. They need to have the capacity to fight and to respond to emergencies if our nation calls upon them to do so.

Senator Gold, you did list some of the efforts that are being made, but would you commit to informing the Senate about the government’s exact plan to recruit and retain the personnel required to defend our country and respond to national emergencies?

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Government leader, our men and women in uniform have always stood tall when our country needed it. Whether it was advancing under the barrage of artillery fire to take Vimy Ridge, landing on the beaches of France under the hail of gunfire or standing their ground while surrounded on the hills of Korea, our soldiers have always done what was expected of them, and we will be forever grateful.

However, according to an article in today’s issue of the Toronto Star, the military faces lagging recruitment and a shortage of experienced personnel. The Chief of the Defence Staff, General Eyre, has stated that these problems are so acute that they:

. . . imperil our ability to recruit, train, employ and retain diverse Canadian talent, thus jeopardizing the readiness and long-term health of Canada’s defence capabilities.

Senator Gold, what specifically is the government doing to address this problem of lagging recruitment and the retention of experienced personnel?

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Minister, my question for you is in the context of your role as vice-chair of the cabinet committee on Canada and the World.

Today, we are confronted with an unprecedented rise of a totalitarian axis of countries — that includes Russia and China — clearly prepared to use military force to achieve their ends. Most democratic states — Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, India and Japan — are responding to this threat by refocusing on national security and building up their defence capabilities. Apart from a long-overdue and inadequate announcement on the North Warning System, Canada is doing absolutely nothing. Minister, what accounts for this total inaction?

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): I have a question for the government leader as well. Life is returning to normal after the COVID pandemic. Children are back at school. People are back at work. Canadians are travelling again — well, they would be if they could get their passports, that is.

Canadians are facing these unprecedented backlogs at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, or IRCC, to get their passports so they can travel. Miscommunication and contradictory information from Service Canada have only exacerbated the problem. Senator Gold, when will the minister responsible apologize to Canadians and clear the backlog?

Senator Martin: Senator, excuses and further delays are unacceptable. The government knew that the 10-year passports were expiring and knew there would be demand once the pandemic was over.

Passports aren’t the only issue at IRCC. While life has returned to normal for millions of Canadians, new Canadians still cannot take their oath of citizenship at an in-person ceremony. As an immigrant myself, I know that for a new Canadian taking their oath, alongside dozens of other excited new Canadians, is among the most important moments and memories.

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Senator Gold, why is the minister continuing to deny new Canadians this once-in-a-lifetime experience?

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Government leader, last year, the Prime Minister stated on the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation that 80% of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action were completed or well under way. Yet, according to the Yellowhead Institute, a national watchdog on Indigenous reconciliation, only 8 of the 76 Calls to Action under federal jurisdiction have been completed. That’s barely 10%.

When will the Prime Minister stop the rhetoric and deliver on the promises he made to Indigenous people?

Senator Martin: Yes, but the numbers just don’t add up, leader. According to the government’s own website, only 17 Calls to Action have been completed, yet Indigenous Watchdog calculates that only 7 are completed. And the CBC gives them credit for just eight. So regardless of where you get your figures, it’s clear that the government has fallen way behind on their promise to deliver on reconciliation.

When will the Liberal government pick up the pace and finally deliver on their seven-year-old promise?

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, I have just one quick question.

Government leader, Indigenous communities have grown tired of the inaction on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report. In fact, it took the horrific discovery of 215 unmarked graves to get the government to complete just three of the TRC’s Calls to Action. Yet even then, the Prime Minister chose to go surfing on the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Leader, when will the Prime Minister finally admit that he has no real plan to deliver on the TRC’s Calls to Action?

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, I rise today to pay tribute to a remarkable organization, Ratanak International, based in my home province of B.C.

For over 33 years, Ratanak International has been dedicated to bringing awareness to the horrific issue of human trafficking in Cambodia and has helped so many individuals and families restore the freedoms they were robbed of.

Ratanak International began in 1989 when a little girl by the name of Ratanak died in post-genocide Cambodia. The organization was created in her memory and has since become a powerful movement and organization advocating against child abuse, human trafficking and slavery. Ratanak International is fighting to protect some of the most vulnerable members of our global community and ensuring that they have a voice. They provide essential support to these individuals as they journey down the long and painful road to recovery and finding a way forward.

Last night, Senator Bev Busson and I had the honour of co‑hosting Ratanak International on Parliament Hill along with MP Elizabeth May, MP Arnold Viersen and MP Judy Sgro. It was a truly inspiring and enlightening event, giving each of us a clear call to action as Canadian parliamentarians and the legislative work we can do.

Our newest colleague, Senator Ian Shugart, was also part of the event as he graciously introduced Brian McConaghy, Founding Director of Ratanak International, whom he has known personally for over 40 years. Brian was an RCMP officer at the time of Ratanak’s death and began to work in the midst of a civil war. With his extensive policy knowledge and forensic expertise, he was able to help investigate Canadian sexual predators abusing children throughout Asia and founded Ratanak International. Brian’s leadership and tireless efforts — and that of the entire Ratanak team in Canada and Cambodia — are truly commendable.

Each year, thousands of young women, young men, girls and boys are trafficked and exploited in Cambodia. Their childhood is taken from them and replaced with the fear of being sold into slavery, facing unimaginable circumstances and treatment.

Ratanak International has spent three decades working and building relations and a strong partnership with the Cambodian government to protect these vulnerable individuals in Cambodia. Now, it is our turn to do what we can as legislators to support organizations like Ratanak.

Honourable senators, please join me in acknowledging the work of Ratanak International as they continue to bring light and hope into the lives of many. Thank you.

Senator Martin: Senator Gold, it seems like your government thinks that the fix-all solution to this problem is to simply throw money at issues as they arise rather than to address the root cause.

Former minister Perrin Beatty has said that your government has tended to measure infrastructure spending in terms of job creation, as opposed to what the “problem in need of a solution” is and what the economic returns are. This short-sighted approach is evidence of a lack of long-term planning by your government on this issue.

Senator Gold, when will your government start to get serious about the development of a long-term national plan to strengthen and secure Canada’s infrastructure and supply chains?