Honourable senators, my question for the Government Leader in the Senate today concerns illicit drugs in prisons and drones.

Leader, it was recently revealed that 37 inmates overdosed on opioids at the Donnacona federal penitentiary in Quebec in just a three-month period in late 2018. Reportedly, drones are being used to deliver drugs to inmates at this penitentiary by dropping them into prison courtyards or into window sills. This is not the only incident of drones being used to transport illicit drugs to prison. Last year, similar cases were reported at Stony Mountain Institution in Manitoba and Matsqui Institution in British Columbia.

Leader, could you please make inquiries and tell us what measures the federal government will take to keep these drugs out of Donnacona prison. What measures will be taken to address the use of drones in delivering illicit drugs to inmates at Donnacona and elsewhere?

Could the government leader also please make inquiries and let us know if Correctional Service Canada is aware of any similar cases involving drones providing drugs or contraband material to federal correctional facilities in my home province of New Brunswick?