Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate.

Senator Harder, Crown corporation Destination Canada is sponsoring a Canada Day gala dinner next week in, of all places, Beijing, China. The invitation for the gala dinner states that more than 200 people will gather to celebrate Canada Day. The party boasts that they will be serving the finest Canadian lobster, beef and wine. No great party would be complete without a draw for some wonderful prizes. All of this is at the expense of a Crown corporation.

My question is: Have Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor been invited? Will they be attending this party, or have they sent their regrets?

Senator Harder, all we have been getting back is cynical answers from this government on a very serious question. I cannot fathom that you think feasting on Canada’s finest lobster and wine, while a few feet away we have Canadian citizens being illegally detained, and have been for a number of months, and have a Crown corporation paying for that party in Beijing — I think that is what is cynical here, and it is cynical on the part of our government.

I will give you the benefit of the doubt, though, because I’m sure that if we are using taxpayer money to lavish galas in China’s capital, there must be something to celebrate. I want to point out that this terrible situation is highlighting the ineptitude of this government in dealing with a very serious issue.

Has Prime Minister Trudeau’s office secured confirmation of a bilateral meeting with the President of China at the upcoming G20 meeting? If that has not been secured, why not?