THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL FINANCE
EVIDENCE
OTTAWA, Tuesday, June 16, 2026
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance met this day at 9 a.m. [ET] to study Supplementary Estimates (A) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027.
Senator Claude Carignan (Chair) in the chair.
[Translation]
The Chair: Good morning and welcome to the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance. I wish to welcome the witnesses, all the senators, as well as the viewers across the country who are watching us on sencanada.ca.
My name is Claude Carignan, senator from Quebec and chair of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance.
I will now ask my colleagues to introduce themselves.
Senator Forest: I am Éric Forest from the Gulf division in Quebec.
[English]
Senator Pupatello: Good morning. Sandra Pupatello, Ontario.
[Translation]
Senator Gignac: Good morning. I am Clément Gignac from the Kennebec division in Quebec.
Senator Galvez: Good morning. I am Rosa Galvez from Quebec.
[English]
Senator Ross: Good morning and welcome. Krista Ross, New Brunswick.
Senator MacAdam: Jane MacAdam, Prince Edward Island.
[Translation]
The Chair: Today, we continue our study of the Supplementary Estimates (A) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027.
For our first panel, we are pleased to welcome, from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Annie Rémillard, Acting Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer; and Alanna MacDougall, Acting Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Service, Digital and Delivery Integration.
We also welcome, from the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, Nancy Fitchett, Vice-President, Corporate Affairs, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary; and Kelsey MacTavish, Senior Vice-President, Operations.
Finally, from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, we welcome Jean-François Tessier-Lafleur, Acting Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Management Sector; and Etienne-René Massie, Assistant Deputy Minister, Small Business, Tourism and Marketplace Services.
Welcome and thank you for accepting our invitation to appear today.
We will now hear opening remarks from Ms. Rémillard, Ms. Fitchett and Mr. Tessier-Lafleur.
Ms. Rémillard, the floor is yours. You’re used to this anyway.
Annie Rémillard, Acting Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer, Finance and Procurement, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: Good morning, Mr. Chair.
I would like to begin by acknowledging that we are meeting today on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe people.
Thank you for the opportunity to discuss IRCC’s 2026-2027 Supplementary Estimates (A).
[English]
The government’s priorities include restoring control over the immigration system and returning immigration to sustainable levels. As overall immigration levels decrease, we’re prioritizing newcomers with the skills Canada needs to complement our domestic workforce. Canadians expect our system to be well managed, sustainable and compassionate for those who need our protection.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, or IRCC, is proposing $91.1 million through the Supplementary Estimates (A) to modernize and improve services. This includes funding for the Digital Platform Modernization, or DPM, program to replace an aging system with modern infrastructure. The department proposes $74.9 million for the DPM program to improve the user experience for clients, as well as improve risk‑based processing. This project will reduce both manual processing and future organizational costs.
To support the demand of visitor visa applications for the FIFA World Cup, $5.6 million is sought to support temporary resources to expedite processing for critical participants, such as teams and FIFA personnel. Likewise, funds will support 60-day processing for fans coming to Canada and, in return, will support our tourism sector. These temporary resources will minimize the impacts on other clients during seasonal surges, including applications for skilled workers and international students.
Even as immigration levels decrease, Canada still faces labour shortages and skill needs in priority industries. To attract workers to complement domestic labour markets, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, or IRCC, will allocate $4 million to the 2026-27 Talent Attraction advertising campaign. The campaign will position Canada as a leading destination for global talent.
[Translation]
In addition, to maintain secure and reliable biometric data collection, which is essential for identification and security screening against identity fraud, criminality and other grounds of ineligibility, IRCC is requesting $4.1 million to modernize the Canadian immigration biometric identification system. IRCC wishes to design, procure and implement, through a competitive contract, a long-term, sustainable solution to replace its aging biometric data collection interface.
Lastly, funds are also included to complete the remaining activities required to procure and deploy future visa application centre contracts. The department is requesting $2.5 million to ensure the continuity of client service worldwide.
Visa application centres are the main collection point for all biometric registrations; these funds will therefore ensure that every effort is made to avoid any interruption in service.
These items make up all the items included in Supplementary Estimates (A).
Thank you for the opportunity to appear today. My colleagues and I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
The Chair: Thank you.
Nancy Fitchett, Vice-President, Corporate Affairs, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority: Good morning, Mr. Chair and honourable senators.
My name is Nancy Fitchett, Vice-President, Corporate Affairs, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary at the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority. I am joined by my colleague Kelsey MacTavish, Senior Vice-President of Operations.
Thank you for the opportunity to appear today to discuss the Supplementary Estimates (A) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027.
Established following the events of September 11, CATSA ensures the secure and efficient movement of people and goods across the air transportation system, contributing to national security and economic growth.
As a Crown corporation funded through government appropriations, CATSA reports to Parliament through the Minister of Transport.
[English]
The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, or CATSA, is responsible for pre-board screening, hold-baggage screening, non-passenger screening and the Restricted Area Identity Card program at 89 designated airports across the country. These services are delivered through a third-party screening contractor model.
We operate in a highly regulated and integrated domestic environment, in accordance with the direction set by Transport Canada, Canada’s designated authority overseeing civil aviation.
The 2026-27 Main Estimates allocated just over $562 million to CATSA. The Supplementary Estimates (A) allocate an additional $740 million to fully complete CATSA’s budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year. This amount includes $3.3 million to address increased security screening requirements associated with the FIFA World Cup 2026 soccer tournament.
With this critical supplementary funding, we will be able to continue executing on our mandated activities. These include the following: collaborating with partners to support an integrated aviation industry and advancing shared objectives; further improving the passenger experience through streamlined processes; maintaining an annual wait time service level where 95% of passengers wait less than 15 minutes to be screened at Class 1 airports; using AI, modern screening technology and biometrics, and stronger data systems to improve security and efficiency; and building a future-ready workforce.
Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today.
We look forward to answering any questions within our purview.
Jean-François Tessier-Lafleur, Acting Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Deputy Minister of the Corporate Management Sector, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada: Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s 2026-27 Supplementary Estimates (A). Before I begin, I would like to acknowledge that we are gathered on the unceded traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Peoples and recognize their enduring connection to this land.
[Translation]
My name is Jean-François Tessier-Lafleur, and I am the Acting Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Deputy Minister of the Corporate Management Sector at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. I am joined today by my colleague Etienne-René Massie, Assistant Deputy Minister, Small Business, Tourism and Marketplace Services.
[English]
The Government of Canada remains committed to managing public funds responsibly while making targeted investments that strengthen Canada’s economy, support innovation and help Canadian businesses succeed in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.
In the year ahead, ISED’s priorities are organized around three core objectives: first, strengthening Canada’s economic security and industrial competitiveness through support for strategic sectors, trade resilience, defence industries and small businesses; second, advancing Canadian innovation, science and technology leadership through investments in AI, life sciences, research excellence and commercialization; third, building an inclusive, connected and consumer-focused economy by expanding access to affordable connectivity, increasing competition and supporting under-represented entrepreneurs.
[Translation]
In short, our agenda is built on creating fair market conditions and leveraging Canada’s strengths to drive sustainable economic growth and innovation. Together with our federal partners, we are ready to meet the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
As part of these votes, ISED is requesting $140 million in additional authorities, which will bring the department’s total authorities to approximately $9 billion. The funding requested supports several key priorities that contribute to Canada’s long-term economic growth and competitiveness.
[English]
The new funding in ISED’s authorities includes $40 million for the Global Innovation Clusters initiative to support the renewed Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy. This investment will help Canadian businesses adopt and commercialize AI technologies, improve productivity, strengthen export capacity and reinforce Canada’s position in the global AI ecosystem.
It also includes $34.3 million for the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, which will provide financing, training and business support to women entrepreneurs across the country, helping them grow their businesses and access new domestic and international markets.
Additionally, $22.2 million is being requested for the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development Program, which supports entrepreneurs and small businesses as they start, scale and create jobs in communities across Canada.
It also includes $20.8 million for the ElevateIP program and $7.5 million for the Patent Collective Program, both of which help Canadian innovators and small- and medium-sized enterprises better protect and leverage their intellectual property as they grow and compete globally.
Other investments include $8 million for the Coordinated Accessible National Health Network initiative, which supports the adoption and commercialization of Canadian health technologies, and $6 million for Canada’s Trade Diversification Strategy, helping Canadian businesses expand into new international markets.
[Translation]
Taken together, these investments support innovation, entrepreneurship, commercialization and business growth, while ensuring Canadian businesses are well positioned to take advantage of opportunities in emerging sectors and global markets.
As Acting Chief Financial Officer, I also want to reaffirm ISED’s commitment to sound financial management, strong internal controls and transparent accountability. We remain committed to ensuring that public resources are managed responsibly and allocated to programs that deliver real results for Canadians.
[English]
Mr. Chair, thank you for the opportunity to appear before the committee today. My colleague and I would be pleased to answer any questions you may have at this time.
[Translation]
The Chair: Thank you very much.
Senator Forest: Thank you for joining us this morning and for shedding light on our concerns.
My first question is for Mr. Tessier-Lafleur.
In the supplementary estimates, there’s $40 million for the pan-Canadian artificial intelligence strategy clusters. I’m happy to note that you work closely with Mila, an internationally renowned centre in Montreal that I had the opportunity to visit. Can you give us some details on how the $40 million will be used?
Mr. Tessier-Lafleur: Thank you very much for the question.
It’s important to remember that investing in clusters helps many different investments supporting SMEs across the country. These investments target important areas of development. Whether it’s for AI, production lines or factories across the country, those are the areas where investments are being pushed.
Senator Forest: I’ll pick up on that. One of the AI clusters is Canada’s ocean supercluster, which aims to accelerate the development and commercialization of Canadian solutions in energy transition, food security and the future of climate change. The timing’s good, because Rimouski is a major international hub in resources, marine biotechnology research and marine science. Does this cluster work on projects with the research centres or universities in Rimouski?
Mr. Tessier-Lafleur: I’ll get back to you with the complete list of Rimouski establishments to make sure I answer your question correctly.
I appreciate you recognizing the work being done on clusters and oceans. It’s a very important economy in Canada. I’ll get back to you with the exact list of universities.
Senator Forest: Can you send that to the clerk?
Mr. Tessier-Lafleur: Absolutely.
Senator Forest: I will now turn to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority. An additional $740 million is planned for operational needs and capital expenditures, including $4 million for FIFA. Do you have funding to improve bilingualism? In your annual report, I read that your objective is for 75% of your employees to meet their positions’ language requirements. Why 75% and not 100%? Back when we were in school, we were trying to get 100%, not 75%.
Ms. Fitchett: Thank you for your question.
[English]
We actually have a short-term target of 75%, understanding that we still have a way to go at CATSA. We have very low attrition of CATSA employees across the country. Our medium-term target is actually 85%. We’ve made significant progress in the last fiscal year — 2025-26 — toward that. We do have funds for second-language training, which, as you can imagine, is a very small portion of the $740 million. We also have funds in there for services for the public in both official languages.
Senator Cardozo: I have two questions: one for immigration and one for CATSA. In terms of immigration, at the opening of your comments you talked about restoring control.
Has your department done a review of how you lost criminal? I’m interested to know whether it was because of excessive demands from provinces. Was it demands from colleges and universities? Or was it temporary farm workers? What system did you not have in place to keep control, and what system do you have now other than simply lowering the numbers overall?
In terms of CATSA, the third-party organization you mentioned who carries out most of your services, do the employees have the same rights and wage levels, and are they unionized employees of the department or the agency? Do they have the same level of security clearance as public servants in the agency?
Ms. Rémillard: I invited my colleague Pemi Gill to help me with the question.
When I talked about control at the beginning of my opening remarks, it was not to make a reference to a loss of control, specifically in terms of different business lines.
There have been significant increases in immigration levels over the past few years. Starting with our 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, that’s when we started seeing reductions to the Levels Plan, which is, essentially, the number of spaces that are available for immigration to Canada.
Senator Cardozo: I assume you had levels and then the levels were exceeded considerably. How did that happen?
Ms. Rémillard: I’ll turn to my colleague to speak more about that.
Pemi Gill, Assistant Deputy Minister, Service Delivery, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: Thank you. What I would highlight is that, over the last two years, we’ve expanded the Immigration Levels Plan to include admission targets for temporary residents as well. Historically, it has been focused on permanent residents, with temporary residents being allowed — across students and workers as well as visitors — to come in based on demand versus targets, which is how the Immigration Levels Plan is structured. That includes both admissions targets for new students as well as new workers to ensure that we are watching sustainable levels across all —
Senator Cardozo: I’m sorry, I don’t have a lot of time. I want to get a specific answer.
You had targets in the COVID and post-COVID years, and we exceeded those considerably in terms of the number of people who came in. How did that happen between the target and the larger number that was allowed in?
Ms. Gill: The target was not exceeded in the previous years. The target was for permanent residents. There was no target for temporary residents. Anyone who submitted an application who was approved could then come to Canada.
What has shifted in the planning and the structure is that we now also have admissions targets for temporary residents for both new workers and new students.
Senator Cardozo: We actually didn’t have targets or limits in terms of how many for a certain category.
Ms. Gill: Correct. Reforms to the student program have included caps on intake as well and reducing —
Senator Cardozo: There were no targets before?
Ms. Gill: Correct.
Senator Cardozo: Wow. It’s interesting to know that. If I have a minute, I will ask CATSA.
Kelsey MacTavish, Senior Vice-President, Operations, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority: Thank you, senator, for your question. If I understood it correctly, you’re asking about screening officer rights, unionization, wages and security clearances.
Senator Cardozo: Right.
Ms. MacTavish: The screening officers in the system are employed by these third-party screening contractors. However, it is a federally regulated employer. Therefore, federal labour laws apply to them.
In terms of their wages, these are negotiated — as they are represented by unions — between them and the employer on a periodic basis.
In terms of clearances, unlike federal employees — CATSA is Crown servants — they have a clearance that is offered in an airport context, which is known as a TSC, or a Transportation Security Clearance. This program is administered by Transport Canada.
Senator Cardozo: Thank you.
Senator Ross: Good morning. My question is for IRCC. It might not surprise you that I’m going to ask about the Digital Platform Modernization again.
In June 2024, in response to my question, you said that part of the requested funding was to support the planning of tranche 2. In September, we were told that the planning phase was concluded the previous fiscal year, and we were implementing online passport renewals and online temporary resident apps, and there was going to be a pilot on digital travel and immigration documents in 2025. In December, we heard that we were still planning on implementing the platform to modernize in the summer of 2025, and then, in March of this year, we heard that we’re still implementing tranches 1 and 2. We’re on the tail end of tranche 1, and that there are four tranches. It was originally a five-year project.
Are we over the scheduled timeline now, and can you confirm to me how much money has been spent on the Digital Platform Modernization to date, including the amounts in these supplementary estimates, as well as the current process on completion and planning of the next tranches? When is our estimated date of completion, as it was supposed to be this year?
Ms. Rémillard: Thank you for the question. That’s a fulsome question. I’ll pass it to my colleague Alanna to start, and I can complement that with any financial information required.
Alanna MacDougall, Acting Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Service, Digital and Delivery Integration, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: Thank you so much.
Yes, that is clearly a lot of information. You’re coming very prepared.
The Digital Platform Modernization is a large digital initiative with many components to it. The supplementary estimates are looking specifically at a package of projects that are about the client experience. We call them tranche 1, but you’ve asked about the program overall.
Our estimate is that the program and all of the initiatives that form part of it will be completed around 2030. That’s the expectation, keeping in mind that, while there was an initial announcement of funding for digital platform modernization in Budget 2021, the actual launch of the initiative happened in 2022. Our starting point was defining the future state. Then we went out and procured our new tools, and we have been in the process of rolling these out.
Looking at where we are in terms of rollout, exactly as you said, there were three initial projects that are part of this first tranche of work. The first was around a new online account for clients. It has been rolled out to visitors and to our adult passport renewal clients. We are in the process now, and we are here to continue this work this year to continue rolling it out to additional client groups.
The second project is around how we manage our client inquiries. We’re rolling out a new client relationship management platform that lets us manage how clients send us questions in a more streamlined, efficient and integrated way directly with their new online account. We have also begun rolling that out. We have a few thousand inquiries now that we have answered through the new platform, and this year, we will continue to expand that. So we’re scaling what has been rolled out.
The third project that was part of that initial tranche was a pilot for digital visas, and it was successful. We launched that pilot in November of last year, and it closed out in February and proved out the technology. Now going forward, we’ll be figuring out how to actually scale that out, but that project closed successfully.
Senator Ross: What are the overall costs so far?
Ms. MacDougall: For the program as a whole, again, there were different components of it: the early pieces that were around running the procurement, the tranche 1 cost for those three specific projects, and we have another tranche running right now looking at new data platforms and how we process efficiently. I don’t have the numbers of all those different pieces in front of me, but I’m certainly happy to come back to the committee with that.
Senator Ross: Thank you very much. While I appreciate the purpose of the ad campaign of $4 million for the Talent Attraction Strategy, I wonder if you can give us a sense of the application wait times and backlogs, and if you have concerns that this ad campaign may exacerbate that issue. I see on your website nearly 1 million applications are exceeding the service standards time, which is a target of a 20% backlog, and less than 50% of permanent resident applications are within the service standards. Are you concerned at all with an ad campaign that will perhaps exacerbate this?
Ms. Rémillard: That’s a great question. The advertisement campaign is in the context of the Talent Attraction Strategy. Its goal is to position Canada essentially to be able to attract top talent across the world, to be able to fill our labour gaps and also to support some of our high-growth industries and support innovation as well.
That advertisement campaign will be extremely targeted for that purpose, and the recruitment of those workers fit within our spaces in the Levels Plan. This is not in excess of the spaces that we have for permanent residents.
In terms of backlogs and inventories, I’ll turn to my colleague Pemi to address that question.
Ms. Gill: Under talent attraction, there are a series of different streams of programs that are structured to ensure that we are attracting top talent based on sector and occupational needs within Canada.
For example, for doctors applying for permanent residence through our Express Entry program, we’ve launched a new and faster process for PhD and graduate students who are transferring from international institutions into Canada, as well as Express Entry draws that are focused on in-demand transport occupations and researchers and such.
For each of these, because they are under different programs, there are different service standards and processing times. For the PhD and graduate students as well as the express entry, we are within service standards. The PhD program is 14 days for eligibility, and we have been consistently meeting that since the launch of that program.
The information on the website really speaks to the whole of the inventories. As everyone is aware, for permanent residents, Canada is a high-demand country, but we manage based on the number of admissions. That will skew the inventory numbers to look a lot higher for some lines of business where a lot of applicants are applying, but we are only approving a certain proportion every year in line with the levels plan.
Senator Ross: If I’m hearing you correctly, the people that will be targeted through this ad campaign will essentially jump the queue or get ahead of the larger volume of applications?
Ms. Gill: Correct. They would come in and be processed based on the application date for their program as opposed to everyone just getting in a queue across all programs.
Senator Ross: I want to confirm we are going to get the costs in writing.
Ms. Gill: Yes, we can provide that information.
Senator MacAdam: My first question is for Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.
In the Supplementary Estimates (A), you’re requesting $34.3 million to support the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy and $22.2 million to support the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development Program. It doesn’t look like these programs are in the Departmental Plan 2026-27.
Were these programs expected to sunset? Have they been renewed for one year only or for a longer period? Am I right that they were expected to sunset?
Mr. Tessier-Lafleur: Thank you for the question.
The Women Entrepreneurship Strategy has existed since 2018, and the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development Program has existed since 2020. They were subject to renewal, and the government has made a decision to renew both programs, which is why they were not in the Main Estimates, because the timeline did not line up with the funding decision. That is why there is a discrepancy, and that’s why we are asking for the funding in Supplementary Estimates (A).
The programs have both been renewed, and we are in the process of delivering that funding to organizations in order to continue the great work that women entrepreneurship and small business and entrepreneurship organizations have done across the country.
Senator MacAdam: How long will they be renewed for? Do you have that information?
Mr. Tessier-Lafleur: The Women Entrepreneurship Strategy has been renewed for five years, and the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development Program has been renewed for two years.
Senator Ross: In terms of those programs, how do you measure performance? What are the key performance indicators? I’m particularly interested in how they strengthen small businesses in rural and tourism-related areas.
Mr. Tessier-Lafleur: Thank you for the question.
We measure the success of these initiatives, which are meant to help entrepreneurs start, build or expand their ventures. For the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, it is an initiative that brings together approximately 10 or 14 departments. Since 2018, we’ve helped over 500,000 women build and grow their businesses. We look at the number of entrepreneurs served. There is also a loan program, so we look at the number of loans that we provide and the number of businesses that have started or are growing.
It’s the same thing for the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development Program. We fund the 2SLGBTQI+ initiative, so, again, we work with entrepreneurs on that front.
For tourism and rural, rural businesses are very much a part of the design of our programs. We ask organizations, when we do calls for proposals, to be able to demonstrate their capacity to serve both urban and rural. We have selected projects that work in rural areas. For example, under the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, there is the PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise in Thunder Bay that is focused on Northern Ontario. We also have women entrepreneurship organizations, such as NLOWE, in Newfoundland and Labrador.
In terms of tourism, it is part and parcel of small businesses. The majority of tourism businesses are small businesses. We have tourism and small business within our sector, so as we do design, we continuously work to ensure that tourism businesses are eligible for these programs.
Senator MacAdam: Looking at the number of businesses is important. It is an activity. But in terms of the success of the programs, do you look at things like how many businesses were successful and how many continue to exist: those kinds of outcomes, as opposed to just activities?
Mr. Tessier-Lafleur: Yes, we do look at activities. We are increasing our approach to see how we can look at success over the long term. We are trying to develop a project to be able to link our participation data in our programs with Statistics Canada data to be able to measure the success of these businesses over the long term.
Senator MacAdam: Thank you.
[Translation]
Senator Youance: Thank you to the witnesses.
My question is for Ms. Rémillard and concerns immigration.
As part of the immigration budget allocations, could you tell us what changes have been made to the resources allocated to processing citizenship applications? You talked about permanent and temporary residence. In particular, how do the measures related to Bill C-12 affect the department’s costs, processing times and capacity?
Ms. Rémillard: If I understand your question correctly, you’re asking what impact Bill C-12 had on costs, specifically with respect to citizenship?
Senator Youance: Yes.
Ms. Rémillard: I don’t think I have the information with me here to properly answer that question. If it’s okay, I’d like to come back to you with an answer.
Senator Youance: Absolutely. I’d appreciate it if your answer could also include the number of citizenship applications and the processing times.
Thank you.
Ms. Rémillard: Okay. Thank you.
Senator Galvez: My question is for Mr. Tessier-Lafleur.
It’s well known that Canada is behind in meeting its emissions reduction targets. It’s also known that the technology isn’t necessarily ready for this transition. Politicians say we don’t have the necessary technology. That’s the case for carbon capture and storage as well as for mini-nuclear reactors, for example.
However, we notice a substantial increase in technology budgets. As an example, $40 million will be invested in Canada’s national AI strategy. There’s $7.5 million for the patent collective program. We’re investing to diversify Canadian exports.
I’d like you to explain, in writing, how these budgets will impact climate change adaptation and mitigation. It’s costing Canadians a lot of money. We keep investing, but we’re not seeing any results.
You ended your opening statement by saying it’s important to show that all funds are managed responsibly and that we deliver real results for Canadians. Can you give us an example and explain what the impact is?
Mr. Tessier-Lafleur: Thank you very much for the question. It’s a great question because the environment is something we all care about. We want to keep our planet as long as possible.
We know technological innovation will be needed to protect the planet. The investments being made, for example in intellectual property, are helping to encourage innovators in finding new solutions and technologies to take on the world of tomorrow.
We all know it’s difficult to obtain and keep intellectual property. There are a number of regulations, and they’re all barriers to innovation.
You asked for an example. When it comes to intellectual property, we’re looking at breaking down those barriers to allow innovators to focus on innovation. Of course, the innovation department is working on all fronts, but climate is a critical topic in this country.
Senator Galvez: The World Federation of Engineering Organizations, with its 30 million members, has a seat at the U.N. Currently, there’s a petition calling for future developments in AI to help facilitate progress and reach sustainable development goals.
Are there any strings attached to the $40 million here in Canada? Are you directing the research towards prosperity and the well-being of Canadians, among other things?
Mr. Tessier-Lafleur: We are committed to investing in clean innovation. Each program has specific conditions for specific goals. Earlier, an honourable senator was talking about ocean clusters. We know the planet’s health depends on them. Whether we invest directly or indirectly in those areas, each program has its own desired outcome.
The Chair: Is it possible to have the list of programs with each of their objectives and criteria?
Mr. Tessier-Lafleur: Absolutely.
The Chair: That way, we can see if there’s a link. Thank you very much.
Senator Gignac: Welcome to the witnesses.
Let’s continue this fine discussion on intellectual property.
In Canada, there’s a lot of investment in research and funding in intellectual property. Is there a mechanism to ensure some control so we can keep Canadian ownership? Given that we heavily subsidize intellectual property, whether it’s our universities or businesses, is there a mechanism to allow us to recuperate what was financed when a foreign company acquires our intellectual property? How does that work? Are there any recall clauses for the financial assistance provided to these businesses?
Mr. Tessier-Lafleur: I’ll have to get back to you on the specific clauses. However, I can confirm the intellectual property program includes a national sovereignty element. It was designed to help keep intellectual property in the country.
Senator Gignac: Canada invests a lot in research, but isn’t good at commercialization. There are also several examples of large American companies that have obtained Canadian intellectual property, and all the related job and wealth creation left the country. I think that’s something we could look at, perhaps as a complement to the program list.
Another committee I have the privilege of chairing is studying access to credit and capital markets for SMEs to understand why we have a productivity problem in Canada. We’re pretty good when it comes to investment and research, but less so when it comes to commercialization and productivity.
Do you feel things have changed a bit in the last few years? Statistics show Canada doesn’t rank very well in terms of productivity. We rely heavily on your department to change our international rankings.
Mr. Tessier-Lafleur: I think there’s a wind of change among innovators. Looking at the Intellectual Property Strategy, we have a satisfaction rate of 92% when it comes to applications. People aren’t just asking for money; they’re asking for support, information, services and education. This is important if we want to continue to improve Canada’s position. I think it’s important across the country. The world is completely changing, so it’s important to change our position. That’ll take time, as we know.
The positive thing is that the programs are well received by the applicants. They confirm that it helps them continue their innovation efforts.
Senator Gignac: We’ll switch gears and turn to our friends at the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority.
I would like to talk to you about official languages.
I’ll start by complimenting you. I’m fortunate enough to travel often, and things are running much more smoothly at the airport. Those are my compliments.
However, I do believe that bilingual service is an issue, particularly in Ottawa. In your own 2024-25 results, you said that only 69% of employees in bilingual positions are truly bilingual. You may say that we’re going too far back. Yet in 2020, the Commissioner of Official Languages made some significant comments on this topic. Has any progress been made in the past two or four years towards true bilingualism? After all, we’re talking about the two official languages, and Ottawa is an important city. I would like to hear about this.
Ms. Fitchett: Thank you for your question.
[English]
I would like to first distinguish between the CATSA employees and the performance measure that is in the annual report with respect to CATSA employees, versus the front-line service to the public as they travel.
The statistic, or the KPI, in the annual report that honourable senators have referenced is with respect to the 512 employees who work primarily at our headquarters and not in the front-line service that is delivered through our screening contractors.
With respect to service in both official languages for 2025-26, 96% of passengers surveyed reported being served in the language of their choice. That is not 100, and 100 is what we’re aiming for. We have deployed, over the last two years, facilitators at the airports. You may see them in the blue vests. They are providing extra services in both official languages, as well as extra services to persons with disabilities or anyone else who requires additional assistance through screening.
[Translation]
Senator Gignac: Thank you for the clarifications.
[English]
Senator Pupatello: I have a question for both Ms. Fitchett and Ms. Rémillard. It is around the procurement of additional upgrades of biometric software, et cetera, and how that lines up with the new Canada Buy policy. You’ve identified the amount so specifically, so have you already targeted which companies you would employ for those contracts, and now you’re coming for the funding? Or is there still that opportunity to ensure that Canadian companies are receiving those contracts? I think both of you spoke about new equipment on its way.
Ms. MacDougall: For the biometrics procurement that IRCC is undertaking, we are right now seeking funds for this year to actually run that procurement. Our next step is to do an invitation to qualify, so we have not started the actual procurement. Absolutely, we will be abiding by the Buy Canada policy through PSPC, with which we work very closely.
Ms. MacTavish: I will nuance my response by saying that we have a long-time biometric program in place in terms of the Restricted Area Identity Card. That is not new; it has been in place for 20 years. In terms of what we’ve been doing recently, we have been supporting trials with industry and the department regarding the use of biometrics to help passengers experience a more seamless screening process, for example, presenting fewer pieces of ID when they come through.
We are not at the stage of procurement, as yet, but I can tell you — and my colleague can confirm for you — that the Buy Canadian provisions would apply at any point where CATSA was involved in a procurement of this nature.
Senator Pupatello: I’d like to take a moment to point out a couple of catch words in that policy, which are “. . . to the best that we are able to . . .” use Canadian companies. I hate that language.
As soon as you know you are doing a procurement, the sooner you get that out to the marketplace so they can prepare to respond, the less likely it’ll be that you’ll have to say, “Gosh, we don’t have Canadian companies that can do this.” The earlier those requests for quotes go out to market, the better.
Now, for my second question. Supplementary Estimates (A) are really interesting to the public because you add nuance to your budgeting process, since that budget was tabled in 2025. It allows you the opportunity to respond to market conditions. In CATSA’s case, you have to respond to baggage labelling being switched by employees in the back office so now I have to take a photo of my bag when I check it to ensure I get it back and there is nothing nefarious happening to it in the background.
How do you respond, perhaps through the supplementary estimates, when you see things in the media that identify problems for you in the back office? In this instance, it is not your employees but a contracted company that manages the bags.
I have the same question when it comes to immigration. When you see issues with people in the justice system who were supposed to be deported ages ago and that becomes a media story, how do you go into your ministry and use Supplementary Estimates (A) to better respond to those public issues?
Ms. MacTavish: In the airport environment, there are many players in the security ecosystem, so CATSA’s mandate is narrow. It’s from the standpoint of screening passengers and their checked bags, which goes to our point about bag tags. But there are other players in the system beyond the screening itself that have a role in making sure that people’s baggage is not being interfered with. I know what you’re referring to regarding the recent reporting on that.
What I can tell you is that the mandate we are looking at is focused on threats to aviation and, specifically, the kinds of threats that brought around 9/11 in 2001. From our standpoint, we are ensuring that there are no threats on people or in their baggage. We would, then, work within that broader ecosystem in terms of then presenting the baggage for other players to deal with further in the system.
Senator Pupatello: Is that your way of saying it is not your thing? Is that what you’re saying?
Ms. MacTavish: A bag is presented to us, and we screen the bag to ensure there are no threats in it. CATSA doesn’t know the identity of the person.
Senator Pupatello: Who is responsible for the employees who would be doing the switching when that happened in the news media reports?
Ms. MacTavish: There is no indication that it’s screening personnel. In Toronto, there are 50,000 people working in that environment, and screening officers are a small percentage of that total number of employees.
Senator Pupatello: So it’s the contracted company doing the baggage?
Ms. MacTavish: When you’re talking about baggage handlers, you’re talking about air carriers who either employ them directly or subcontract them. It has nothing to do with CATSA. We are screening for threats.
[Translation]
The Chair: I’ll continue with the topic of screening.
Obviously, there are a number of layers to this process. However, it isn’t clear where your responsibilities begin. I gather that, when I drop off my carry-on bag, it’s your responsibility. That said, where do you get involved in biometrics? When we arrive with our passport, the Canada Border Services Agency takes the photo. Where do you use biometrics?
Ms. MacTavish: For us, the biometrics currently concern the workers. We need an identity card to access the more critical restricted areas. This card must be used by employees to access these doors. It’s a hybrid system combining the card and the biometrics, either the eye or the finger.
The Chair: So it isn’t for the passengers?
Ms. MacTavish: No. Not at all.
At the same time, as I said, we’ve been carrying out trials to determine whether we can contribute to the movement of passengers using biometric systems. We’ve participated in this type of initiative before. However, it’s now a matter of obtaining a government mandate.
The Chair: I understand.
My other question is for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and it concerns francophone immigration.
You changed the target for francophone immigration outside Quebec in 2026. It’s 9%. The most recent results were 7.2%. What specific region or program do you have in mind to improve the percentage of francophone immigration? Is it simply a matter of mathematics, since you’re accepting fewer immigrants in total and maintaining the same number of francophone immigrants? Or is it both?
Ms. Rémillard: Good question. I’ll ask my colleague to help me with the response. The target for francophone immigration outside Quebec is 12% by 2029.
The Chair: In 2026, it’s 9%. That’s what I have.
Ms. Rémillard: Indeed. I’m looking for the exact result that we achieved in my notes. I think that we achieved 9% in 2026, but we’re aiming and well on track to achieve 12% by 2029.
We have a few programs that support this objective.
The Chair: And the regions.
Ms. Rémillard: The regions as well. Of course, as you said, we’re focusing on French-speaking minority communities outside Quebec.
Anyway, I’ll ask my colleague to chime in.
Ms. Gill: The program with the most involvement is the economic permanent residency program.
[English]
More specifically, we’re talking about the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
It’s part of the Express Entry draws, and that is the predominant means through which francophone immigration outside of Quebec sees applications.
[Translation]
The Chair: Is it possible to get details of the program and regions in writing?
Ms. Gill: Do you mean the regions of Canada?
The Chair: Yes, the regions where you plan to reach your target. I would also like to know more about the steps taken, the different regions involved and the details of the different programs to reach this target.
Ms. Gill: Absolutely.
[English]
As a point of clarification, the majority of new applicants for francophone immigration come from overseas, and then they settle in regions across Canada.
[Translation]
The Chair: Thank you.
Senator Forest: Thank you.
We know that the Prime Minister wants to develop a strong economy in Canada so that we can optimize our purchases of Canadian products. For the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, the Supplementary Estimates (A) show an amount of $740 million. Further to my colleague’s question about biometric recognition, do you have any benchmarks for determining the type of software or hardware that we’ll need to then coordinate the programs?
The issue is that, at a certain point, we get trapped by a family of computer programs and we get stuck. We’re talking here about a phase 3. We’re stuck with this same family and there’s no way out. We’re a bit trapped.
Is there any form of coordination to ensure that we can, as Senator Pupatello said, inform our Canadian suppliers in advance so that they can adapt their products to meet the current needs? In some places, biometric recognition is much more advanced than in our country. Is there some form of coordination? If not, do you think that we should coordinate in order to optimize the impact of our investments in this area?
[English]
Ms. Fitchett: That’s an excellent question. We can come back and see how we can work with the Canadian suppliers for a heads up.
[Translation]
The Chair: Good. Thank you for the written response.
Senator Ross, quickly, I think that you also wanted a written response. Go ahead with your question.
[English]
Senator Ross: My question is for Mr. Tessier-Lafleur. There is not enough time to answer it, so I wonder if I might get an answer in writing. Thank you.
Recently, I met with a number of exceptional global innovation companies in New Brunswick, and a point that they raised with me was that early-stage companies need more support for the patent process to afford the process and to understand and work through the process. They mentioned that the programs there were based on developing strategy, but that is just a small piece of the puzzle. There are costs in three or four different areas: the patent agent fees, which can run up to $20,000 per patent, government fees, maintenance fees and an extra global patent cost that could be up to $5,000. This is for one patent. It is somewhat unattainable for early-stage innovation companies, especially those that might be bootstrapping or funding themselves through these processes.
Can you give me a sense of the $7.5 million that you mentioned in the patent program: what it includes, what consultation is ongoing with industry to determine if it’s meeting their needs and how many companies are being helped? Please provide me with a whole overview of that.
[Translation]
Mr. Tessier-Lafleur: We can confirm the question with the clerk and provide a written response.
The Chair: Is two weeks enough time to obtain responses to the requests that you received in writing? Obviously, the parliamentary session will end this week. We don’t want to rush you and ask you to send them to us within 48 hours. Is two weeks enough time?
Ms. Rémillard: I would like to come back to the senator’s question. I had the wrong reference. It’s Bill C-3 on citizenship.
The Chair: Instead of Bill C-12? Thank you. This wraps up the panel.
For our second panel, we’re pleased to welcome, from Canadian Heritage, Véronique Côté, Chief Financial Officer, and Amy Awad, Director General, Digital and Creative Marketplace Frameworks Branch, Cultural Affairs; and Emmanuelle Sajous, Assistant Deputy Minister, Sport, Major Events and Commemorations.
From Public Safety Canada, we’re joined by Karine Paré, Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Management Branch; and John McKinley, Comptroller and Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Management Branch.
You’re regulars. We know each other well by now. We’ll hear brief remarks from Ms. Côté and then from Ms. Paré. We’ll then open the floor to questions.
Véronique Côté, Chief Financial Officer, Canadian Heritage: Thank you, Mr. Chair and committee members.
I would like to begin by acknowledging that we’re gathered on the traditional and unceded territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin nation.
I’m pleased to be here today along with colleagues from Canadian Heritage to discuss the 2026-27 Supplementary Estimates(A) for the department.
Canadian Heritage plays an important role in supporting a vibrant, united and diverse Canada. Through its programs, the department advances cultural and artistic expression, supports and strengthens official languages and Indigenous languages, reinforces diversity and inclusion, celebrates our history and heritage all while promoting sports at all levels across the country.
In Supplementary Estimates (A), Canadian Heritage is receiving $155.1 million in additional funding. The majority of this funding — $141.2 million — is going towards grants and contributions, which directly reach communities and organizations across the country. These estimates also include $12.9 million in operating funding and $1 million in statutory authorities.
From Supplementary Estimates (A), $96.5 million granted through Budget 2025 will serve to bolster Canada’s arts, culture, heritage and media sectors. This renewed funding will contribute to Canada’s economic growth, leverage our sense of shared identity and social cohesion, strengthen our cultural sovereignty and bring diverse Canadians together.
[English]
In Supplementary Estimates (A), Canadian Heritage is also accessing funding announced in the Spring Economic Statement 2026. This includes $17.9 million that will support the delivery of the Creative Export Strategy. This funding will help Canada’s creative industries succeed in global markets through the delivery of grants and contributions, trade missions, trade programming at targeted events and stakeholder engagement. It also includes $12 million to help make sport safer and create a more welcoming sport environment for athletes at all levels.
Part of these funds will support the Canadian Safe Sport Program. This program is the government’s main vehicle to prevent and address maltreatment in sport at the national level and is essential to meeting the government’s safe sport objectives.
Lastly, $5.6 million in funding announced in Budget 2025 is being accessed via Supplementary Estimates (A) to bolster federal activities that will support the hosting of the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026.
Taken together, these investments are about more than funding. They are about strengthening Canadian identity, supporting Canadian creators and athletes, and positioning Canada for success both at home and abroad. Thank you for the opportunity to discuss these supplementary estimates today.
[Translation]
Karine Paré, Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Management Branch, Public Safety Canada: Mr. Chair and honourable senators, thank you for the invitation to appear before you today to provide an overview of the 2026-27 Supplementary Estimates (A) for the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, commonly known as Public Safety Canada.
I would like to begin by acknowledging that I’m appearing before you this morning on the traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people.
My name is Karine Paré. I’m here as the Chief Financial Officer for the department.
I’m joined this morning by my colleague, John McKinley, Comptroller and Deputy Chief Financial Officer for the Corporate Management Branch.
[English]
Today, I will focus my remarks on the overall funding proposed in these supplementary estimates and on the key initiatives they support. The items before you reflect the department’s priorities, and they are intended to strengthen our capacity to prevent and combat crime, to detect and respond to national security threats and to enhance emergency management across the country. Taken together, these estimates support a common objective: to keep Canada safe from a range of safety and security threats.
The 2026-27 Supplementary Estimates (A) propose $351.1 million in additional authorities for Public Safety, representing a 15.6% increase over previous estimates to date. This would bring total proposed authorities to date to $2.6 billion, of which $2.3 billion is dedicated to the Grants and Contributions Program.
Allow me to highlight the three most significant items included in these estimates. First and most significant, $203.2 million is for the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program resulting from a re-profile of prior-year funding, aligning the funding with the delivery of the program. It will enable Public Safety Canada to complete the program, delivering on its objective of removing prohibited firearms from communities and contribute to keeping Canadians safe.
Second, the estimates include $54.4 million for the extension of the Building Safer Communities Fund, which will enable continued support to municipalities and Indigenous communities in their efforts to address gun and gang prevalence.
[Translation]
Lastly, $36 million is proposed for the extension of the Humanitarian Workforce Program. This funding will help to continue supporting non-governmental organizations and to build and maintain their response capacity so that trained emergency responders are ready during emergencies such as wildfires, floods, severe storms and other disasters.
[English]
Finally, I would like to underscore that Public Safety Canada is firmly committed to sound stewardship of public funds. This includes ensuring that the investments I have highlighted today are supported by strong controls and oversight mechanisms so that resources are managed responsibly, transparently and in accordance with Treasury Board policies while delivering on our own commitments to keep Canadians safe.
[Translation]
Mr. Chair and committee members, after this brief overview, my colleague and I will be happy to discuss these estimates with the committee members.
Senator Forest: My first question concerns Canadian Heritage.
In Supplementary Estimates (A), Canadian Heritage is asking for $96.5 million to support the arts, culture, heritage and media sectors in connection with the measures announced in Budget 2025.
Given the challenges faced by a number of cultural organizations, not to mention the vast majority of cultural and media organizations, how does this funding fit into a longer-term government strategy to sustain these organizations that play such an important role in our communities as a whole?
Ms. Côté: Thank you for the question, Mr. Chair.
The $96.5 million in Supplementary Estimates (A) from Budget 2025 actually renews several temporary funding initiatives that were needed to help the arts and media sectors that you mentioned. In particular, we’re receiving money for the Canada Arts Presentation Fund to help with professional arts presentations and with costs and inflation. It’s a way to help Canadian creators in a number of fields to keep delivering across Canada.
Senator Forest: You’re telling us that this will be used to renew a number of temporary programs to help ensure the predictability and sustainability of these organizations. So, are we talking about transforming temporary program measures into permanent programs, or will they remain temporary programs?
Ms. Côté: The programs themselves are inevitably permanent. It’s temporary funding to help with capacity and to continue to help with recovery. We’re still seeing some effects of the pandemic on these sectors. The programs themselves are permanent.
In Supplementary Estimates (A), we have the creative export program, which used to be temporary. With the renewal and the decisions made, this program constitutes an example of a program that became permanent. This program supports the stability of government efforts to promote Canadian arts and content abroad. It raises the profile of our arts and culture, propels our artists onto the international stage, stimulates our economy and makes export-oriented organizations more profitable. It’s a concrete example of a program that became permanent.
Senator Forest: Thank you.
Briefly, for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada, an additional appropriation of $162 million is earmarked for the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program. I gather that this money will be used in particular to compensate owners who voluntarily surrender their firearms.
Do you also compensate municipal police forces that participate in this program as official collection locations?
Ms. Paré: Thank you for the question.
The program has two components. These components are compensation for people or businesses that turn in their firearms and also compensation that appears in our budget as a contribution. We’ve made these contributions to certain police departments or municipalities to help them with the collection of firearms brought to police stations. This year, we have $48.9 million in total that will be used for this component.
Senator Forest: Why isn’t a police force the size of the Ottawa police force participating in the program? Do they think that it’s too complex? Does it concern you that a police force of this nature isn’t participating in the program?
Ms. Paré: We’re trying to find the most effective way to collect firearms. We’re limited by the possibility of working with the municipalities or provinces. However, we’ve developed another method of collecting firearms for the people who declared their firearms. We’ll take a mobile approach. It’s called the mobile collection unit. We use this other option when we can’t reach an agreement with certain police forces or certain municipalities.
Senator Forest: Thank you.
[English]
Senator Cardozo: I’ll focus my questions to Canadian Heritage.
First, I want to take the opportunity to thank you and congratulate you for the role your department played in the installation of the Governor General. I think it is a very important constitutional occasion that took place in the Senate Chamber. It is essential that senators are present, and I understand some 60 to 70 of us were there.
Ms. Sajous, a special congratulations to you for running the event. I think you did us proud.
My question is about three expenditures. The first one is on multiculturalism and anti-racism. What is your view on what the federal government can do and is doing in terms of the growing racism that we see?
Second, on the Creative Export Canada fund, I think it is wonderful. Cultural diplomacy is so important. I have a vision that we would gather 50 of our most important artists, take their wares around the world and show them some of our art.
In terms of the Canada Media Fund, could this program handle the funding that goes to the Local Journalism Initiative, which comes straight from the department? Could this be run by this arm’s-length body?
Amy Awad, Director General, Digital and Creative Marketplace Frameworks Branch, Cultural Affairs Sector, Canadian Heritage: If you’ll allow me, I’ll speak to the first two questions, and my colleague will come to the table to answer the question on multiculturalism.
The department was very happy to hear about the permanent renewal of the Creative Export Canada strategy. It really has been a success story in terms of helping promote and connect Canadian creative industries to markets around the world. Given the size of our small market, it’s not always possible to have the degree of growth that they want locally, so this is a very effective way of supporting our industries. It significantly leverages a small amount of government support for significant economic and cultural benefits.
In terms of cultural diplomacy, it’s not a key component of this version of the strategy, which is very economically focused. The focus is very much on economic outcomes. However, the reality is that it involves trade missions, so Canadian artists are having an opportunity to connect with markets around the world, and people are being introduced to Canadian artists through that. There is an important element here of diplomacy through economic outreach.
Senator Cardozo: Could it be something like the Biennale in Venice, for example?
Ms. Awad: I’m sorry, I’m not sure.
In terms of the role of the Canada Media Fund in administering the Local Journalism Initiative, it’s not something that is being considered at this time. The Local Journalism Initiative provides funding directly for journalists, while the Canada Media Fund generally provides funding for projects. The model and the approach is a little bit different between the two.
There is currently consultation being done on all of the government’s direct supports to journalism, including the Local Journalism Initiative, and thought is being given to the most effective means of delivering them, including some of the recommendations in your report around third party and consolidated delivery.
Senator Cardozo: Thank you.
Annalisa Bonardi, Acting Director General, Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Branch, Canadian Heritage: Thank you very much for the question.
I’ll start by saying that the Government of Canada is committed to diversity and inclusion and combating all forms of racism and hate, which is an unacceptable reality for far too many people in Canada. Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy 2024-28 is part of the Government of Canada’s plan to build a stronger, safer and more inclusive Canada by advancing multiculturalism and anti-racism, strengthening social cohesion and a sense of belonging. That strategy includes a $110.4-million investment, again aimed at driving action, employment, justice and law enforcement, housing, health care and immigration systems.
The government also most recently approved an additional $66 million over two years, starting in 2026-27, to continue the initiatives under this strategy. Thank you.
Senator Ross: My question is for Canadian Heritage.
I note in the supplementary estimates that there is $4 million for the Canadian Safe Sport Program. Can you explain the use of the specific funding and how it will possibly trickle down to communities in local or provincial sports bodies? What are the measures in place for measuring impact and effectiveness, accountability and performance? How would it be tracked? Does it include training, support services and reporting procedures?
Ms. Côté: Thank you for the question. I’ll say a few words and then turn it over to my colleagues.
The $4 million is actually for the Canadian Safe Sport Program to administer the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport. We also have $8 million in Supplementary Estimates (A) that is to increase safety and integrity in sport, and I feel that your question is maybe more about that funding, which is to be provided to national sports organizations. My colleague is better placed to provide the details.
Emmanuelle Sajous, Assistant Deputy Minister, Sport, Major Events and Commemorations, Canadian Heritage: Thank you for the question. You’re correct, Véronique.
The first $4 million is directed to sport safety in the former CES.
[Translation]
It’s for safe sport. It’s a special program.
[English]
It’s not going to the whole system. It’s for an organization.
Now, the other $8 million is something a little bit broader for safety in sport. A portion of it will go toward concussions and safety in sport, again, in the area of mental health, but it will be very specific. It’s not something that will flow to the whole system.
Senator Ross: How does the Safe Sport Program then get implemented to protect our athletes from coast to coast to coast?
Ms. Sajous: Athletes at the national level are protected by those programs. Both the $8 million and the $4 million protect national athletes.
Senator Ross: What about athletes at the local level, in our communities?
Ms. Sajous: They have their own programs at the provincial and municipal levels that are not managed by the federal government.
Senator Ross: Is it the same name: safe sport?
Ms. Sajous: Safe sport is a general term that we use for safety in sport, yes.
Senator Ross: Thank you.
Ms. Sajous: The majority of the provinces have their own safety programs.
Senator Ross: Thank you.
[Translation]
Senator Youance: My question is for Public Safety Canada.
In Supplementary Estimates (A), $54.4 million is earmarked for the Building Safer Communities Fund and $10.8 million for hate crime training at police colleges across Canada. Can you explain the difference between these two funds in terms of objectives and targets? How will police colleges in Canada use the requested funding to improve training on hate crimes? I checked, and this includes applying the recommendations of Bill C-9 on hate propaganda, hate crimes and access to religious or cultural sites.
Ms. Paré: I will begin with your first question regarding the Building Safer Communities fund. I will ask my colleague to elaborate.
This is a renewal of an existing grant program that is primarily aimed at municipalities and Indigenous communities. These communities can redistribute these funds to local non-profit organizations to support young people in their communities.
[English]
Carla St. Croix, Director General, Programs, Public Safety Canada: For the Building Safer Communities Fund, it is targeted to municipalities, Indigenous organizations and the Province of Quebec. In some cases, they further distribute the funds to non-governmental organizations to support, in many respects, youth to prevent them from entering into a life of gang violence. There are many different aspects funded by those municipalities, Indigenous organizations and the Province of Quebec. In the last iteration of the program, there were 88 contribution agreements across the country.
[Translation]
Ms. Paré: Now, regarding your second question about hate crimes, the funding is being used to develop training for police officers to ensure they are well equipped to address hate crimes as part of their duties. The majority of the funding will go to police academies, which are responsible for this training.
In addition, a portion of this funding will be allocated to the RCMP so that officers involved in policing operations also have access to this training.
This funding is in response to the consultations we held. I believe you said you want to ensure the training is delivered equitably and that both the format and content of the training meet the needs. This was designed based on the feedback we received following those consultations.
Senator Gignac: Welcome to our witnesses.
Before turning to Public Safety Canada, I would like to join my colleague, Senator Cardozo, in complimenting Canadian Heritage on the installation of the new Governor General. Francophone Quebecers are not big fans of the monarchy, but this was greatly appreciated. After hearing comments and seeing Radio-Canada’s viewership ratings, I believe it is good to have a bilingual Governor General. I appreciated the fact that you allowed interested senators to attend, since we are usually relegated to the senators’ anti-chamber. Thank you for your consideration. After all, this is our chamber. I was pleased to hear the Governor General’s remarks regarding the Senate’s role in Parliament.
That is the end of my aside and I turn now to the issue of public safety.
Let’s come back to the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program. This program was launched two years ago. This year, we are talking about $203 million, and, if I am not mistaken, last year it was $260 million. So, in total, are we looking at about $460 million for this program?
Ms. Paré: Thank you for your question.
This is a $742 million program, which was announced in the budget. Therefore, the funds we are requesting under Supplementary Estimates (A) are not additional funds. In fact, we need to realign the funding with the program’s implementation. There were delays in implementation, which meant we were unable to distribute the compensation funds we had planned to people who participated in the program last year. The application period ran from January 19 to March 31 for individuals wishing to participate, as well as a new phase for businesses. Since April, we have been processing applications, and the compensation payments will indeed be made this year.
These are not additional expenses, but rather a budget realignment caused by delays in implementation.
Senator Gignac: How will we measure the success of this program? Will we have achieved our goal once we have spent all the allocated funds? Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to use a key performance indicator that shows a reduction in Canada’s crime rate? I do not think criminals will readily give up their assault weapons. In your key performance indicators, I do not see one that measures a reduction in Canada’s crime rate as a result of this program.
Ms. Paré: That’s a good question.
As the Chief Financial Officer, it’s important for me to ensure that we manage the program within the allocated budget.
As for the program’s performance indicators, I will let my colleague speak on that.
[English]
Senator Gignac: I know it’s a question of 5,000 feet. It’s not really for Ms. Paré, but it’s just that I am trying to understand. It was emotional, and I know that the government has been under a lot of pressure to do something, but at the end of the day, what will the impact on the criminality rate in Canada be?
Marcia Jones, Director General, Policy, Governance and Engagement, Public Safety Canada: Thank you for the question. The program is one of a number of measures to address gun violence and combat crime. Our role at Public Safety is to provide access to the program for those that wish to participate. We have some measures in terms of, for example, issuing compensation payments to individuals to make sure that the program is running smoothly. We commit to providing payment within 45 business days of firearms being successfully validated.
In terms of the overall contribution to reducing crime, it’s one of the objectives of the program, but as you point out, that is a difficult metric to measure. It is aimed at reducing gun violence by removing firearms that are not considered suitable for civilian use. They have military-grade capacity and are semi-automatic weapons. Their qualities are such that they are not suitable, and they have been used in multiple mass shootings.
Senator Gignac: From 0 to 10, how do you rate the efficiency of such measures on gun crime control? I ask because people are quite skeptical regarding that. I know that you are an official, not a politician, but you know that they have other alternatives for crime reduction in Canada.
Ms. Jones: It is one of a number of measures to reduce gun crime. By offering this program and allowing individuals to safely and dispose of these types of firearms, whether through police collection or mobile collection, it is removing dangerous, assault-style firearms from Canadian communities.
Senator Gignac: Is the deadline is over now?
Ms. Jones: The deadline for participating in the program by declaring firearms is over now. That’s right.
The Chair: What about the contribution?
Ms. Jones: That is a question better placed to our minister. Thank you.
Senator MacAdam: I would like to clarify regarding the $3.9 million for enhancing flood resilience. I’m wondering if you can provide more details on how the $3.9 million will be spent as well as timelines and expected outputs. How does this funding align with, or differ from, related initiatives already funded in the Main Estimates? I’m trying to get a sense of whether this is an expansion, acceleration or reallocation of existing flood resilience or climate adaptation measures. Can you clarify whether these funds will be directed toward the development and integration of flood mapping programs? If so, what specific deliverables or improvements are expected?
Ms. Paré: Thank you for the question. I will start, and my colleague will be able to add.
There are two components to the funding. You wanted to know about the breakdown. There is a component that is linked to the flood insurance initiative, and then there is a component that is linked to the flood risk awareness portal. Both of those initiatives are being funded with the funds we are seeking today.
Perhaps Kenza can add a bit more.
Kenza El Bied, Director General, Policy and Outreach, Public Safety Canada: Thank you for your question.
As Karine indicated, this funding will have two components. The first component is the renewal for the FTEs to advance the flood insurance program. This program is still being advanced. We are working on developing the policy options.
The second component is the Flood Risk Finder portal. Part of the funding will be supporting the FTEs in place, and the other portion is actually for the maintenance of the flood portal and maintaining the work to advance and expand the Flood Risk Finder portal.
This funding will help us advance the work with the provinces and territories, and help them to make the decision on onboarding for the opt-in for the flood portal.
Senator MacAdam: Is the data that is available shared with insurance companies? How does that work with all the data you’re collecting?
Ms. El Bied: The data is not shared with industry, but it is shared with provinces and territories, and provinces and territories can share that data with the municipalities. It is our data, but it is being shared with provinces and territories, not with industry.
Senator MacAdam: How do you ensure sustained collaboration with the provinces and territories? How do you work together on these?
Ms. El Bied: We have ongoing work with provinces and territories, and that is through our bilateral conversation or through the governance structure we have in place. We work constantly with provinces and territories by informing them and providing information as to how we are advancing this work, and their input is very important for us to advance all these initiatives.
Senator MacAdam: Thank you.
[Translation]
The Chair: My question concerns FIFA’s funding. Public Safety Canada and Canadian Heritage are the two main contributing departments. According to data from the Parliamentary Budget Officer, Canadian Heritage is contributing $220 million. For its part, Public Safety Canada will spend $145 million, bringing the total federal budget to $473 million.
We are seeing additional funds coming in. Previously, at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, there were additional funds of a smaller amount, but still. Can you confirm that Canadian Heritage’s contribution for FIFA is $220 million, or has that amount increased?
Ms. Paré: We can confirm that the initial contribution was $220 million. In the Supplementary Estimates (A), we received an additional $5.6 million on top of that amount.
The Chair: At Canadian Heritage then, are we at $225 million?
Ms. Paré: Yes.
The Chair: At Public Safety Canada, according to the Parliamentary Budget Officer, you were at $145 million. Are you still at that amount?
Ms. Paré: That’s correct. Earlier this year, $145 million was announced to support the cities of Toronto and Vancouver in implementing the additional security measures they needed to host the games.
The Chair: I wonder if there is a difference, according to the chief financial officer, between the announcement and the actual amount.
Ms. Paré: The announcement was made, but this amount has not yet been included in the Supplementary Estimates (A). We will address this amount in the Supplementary Estimates (B). Under this program, expenses incurred by provinces or municipalities — in this case, the City of Toronto — will be reimbursed.
The Chair: The $145 million is an estimate then? Could it be more or less?
Ms. Paré: It’s an estimate. It could be less. It must be based on invoices. There is a rigorous process in place before reimbursing the cities of Vancouver and Toronto. The total budget was estimated, and we will have access to the full amount of funds in the Supplementary Estimates (B). However, as we receive invoices, we will only reimburse the amounts that are eligible under the program.
The Chair: Who is in charge of this initiative? Is it Canadian Heritage? We have several funds allocated across different departments or agencies, including $70 million for Public Safety Canada — which is not included in your $145 million figure — $79 million for the RCMP, $6.4 million for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and another $5.8 million for Canadian Heritage. There’s also the Canada Border Services Agency. I believe Canadian Heritage is the largest contributor. Are you the lead agency, and can you tell us the total cost of this 13-game event? How much will it cost?
Ms. Côté: At Canadian Heritage, we play a central role, with our secretary of state serving as the sherpa for this initiative. He also coordinates with the United States and Mexico.
As for government-wide coordination, I would refer you to my colleague.
Ms. Sajous: Thank you for the question.
Indeed, we play a central role. We have a secretariat for FIFA that is part of the Sport Canada team. We are the ones leading the project. The first $220 million is specifically for Toronto and Vancouver, the two host cities, to cover operating and capital expenses. As for the other funds we’ve received — namely, $145 million and $100 million — they are shared with federal partners to cover security and other matters.
The final $145 million was secured through other departments. Canadian Heritage was not involved, but we are keeping an eye on our total expenditures —
The Chair: For example, according to the Parliamentary Budget Officer, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency receives $1.2 million. Are you watching that?
Ms. Sajous: That’s right. We’re watching that, and it’s part of the $466 million in expenses we currently have for FIFA.
I know we have a discrepancy of $7 million and change with the Parliamentary Budget Officer. That’s because, at the start of the project, when it was awarded to Canada in 2018, there were feasibility-related expenses with Soccer Canada.
The Chair: Which the Parliamentary Budget Officer included in his calculation, correct?
Ms. Sajous: Exactly, he included them, but they are not related to the tournament. We are talking about $466 million.
The Chair: Could you send us the figures as of today?
Ms. Sajous: Yes. It’s still $466 million, but we could, of course, provide you the details.
The Chair: Please do.
[English]
Senator Cardozo: I will focus on a couple of more questions for Canadian Heritage.
Could you give me more information on what you will be focusing on with regard to the Canada Media Fund and the Canada Music Fund, more than what you are currently doing in terms of that funding?
With regard to Harbourfront, do you fund Harbourfront at all at the moment? I understand this $11.5 million is to help them diversify their funding base and their business model. In essence, that seems to be an approach that is equivalent to a push out the door, saying, “Here is $11.5 million. Figure it out from here on.”
Ms. Côté: Thank you for the question. In terms of what we are doing with the media fund, it is to support the audio-visual sector. In the Supplementary Estimates (A), we’re obtaining $42.5 million to help fill the gap with the revenue decline. It is to ensure that there is audio-visual content across Canada with Canadian content.
It is similar to music. We want to ensure that Canadians across Canada have access to Canadian music. We want to boost the artists’ potential and their abilities. There are different programs that help us do that.
On the Harbourfront question, this is a program that we have at Canadian Heritage. We have temporary funding in that one, and we want to help that venue — that is the waterfront in Toronto — to be able to continue its ongoing operations, programming and help with some of the essential capital repairs.
Senator Cardozo: Have you been providing Harbourfront with funds over the last few years?
Ms. Côté: We have.
Ms. Awad: We have provided funding on several different occasions. I don’t think it’s permanent funding, but it is frequently provided.
Senator Cardozo: Is that designed to get them on their way to being more diversified in terms of their funding model?
Ms. Awad: Yes, and they have done work to look for more sustainable streams of funding, but this is to help to ensure they can continue to provide the kind of programming they have provided and also to do some capital improvements.
Senator Cardozo: On the media and music funds, is there anything new with those dealing with innovation or is this just to fill the shortfall that artists have had in terms of their incomes?
Ms. Côté: That temporary funding is for sustaining them. It is not a new initiative that we’re putting forward.
Ms. Awad: This is a renewal of previous temporary funding that had been put in place to help manage price pressures and ensure they could continue to have the reach that they wanted.
Senator Cardozo: Thank you.
[Translation]
Senator Youance: My question is for Public Safety Canada.
In the budget, you are requesting $2.8 million to support the enforcement of Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act. How will these resources ensure the implementation, rigorous monitoring and effectiveness of compliance mechanisms, particularly those prohibiting the import of goods produced through forced or child labour?
Ms. Paré: Thank you for your question.
At Public Safety Canada, these funds allow us to ensure that the reporting requirements under this act are supported. We play a coordinating role. We ensure we have the tools and provide guidance to the department and to businesses so they can properly meet the requirements. Essentially, this is a renewal of funding — $2.8 million — that allows us to maintain the capacity to ensure legislative obligations are met as part of the reporting process. Public Safety Canada is responsible for coordinating this process, so we need resources to do so. This funding is for our employees. It is also intended to provide training for management, the reporting teams, the responsible entities and all personnel involved in publication and translation.
The Chair: Thank you.
We have five minutes left. Are there any other questions? It seems we have covered everything.
Thank you for your answers, which are as precise and thorough as ever.
Honourable senators, the next meeting will take place via conference call, so to speak. It will be for the clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-30. Stay tuned. We will share the details on short notice. It could be tomorrow, but it will likely be sometime on Thursday instead.
Thank you.
(The committee adjourned.)