Honourable senators, my question is for the government leader in the Senate.

According to reports published this week, there are several satellite police stations operating in Canada on behalf of the communist regime of China. It has been reported that there are at least three of them operating in Toronto under the guise of assisting Chinese expats in Canada with administrative tasks back in their homeland of China. That sounds like something for consular staff to look at, not the Fuzhou Public Security Bureau, a police force active in the Chinese metropolis of Fuzhou.

Senator Gold, the real function of these service centres is clear. The communist regime of China is freely operating on Canadian soil to intimidate Canadians and others whose security should be assured while in this country. Senator Gold, what is your government doing to put a stop to these operations? Have these centres been closed down by Canadian authorities? And if they haven’t been, why not?

Senator Gold, these stories have been highlighted by the National Post, The Globe and Mail and, it seems, everybody under the sun, except it hasn’t come to the attention of your government or our authorities in this country.

I believe that this is just the tip of the iceberg. If there has ever been a call or a need for a foreign registry act and action to be taken with laws that have consequences for those who come to this country and try to influence the democracy of our country, it is now.

In the past, you and Minister Mendicino have shown tacit support for Bill S-237, which, of course, calls for a registry of foreign influence. Will you concretely support that act? Will you support it going to committee for study? Will you support it becoming law to deal with this pressing issue?