QUESTION PERIOD — Justice
Consultations that Preceded and Followed the Tabling of Bill C-15
June 1, 2021
Senator Gold, you’re from Montreal. My first question has to do with a sporting event between Winnipeg and Montreal — I’m sorry, those are the wrong notes.
Senator Gold, as the Trudeau government’s representative in this chamber, you are responsible for ensuring that information requested by honourable senators is provided by your government in a timely manner.
With respect to Bill C-15, your government has repeatedly been asked to provide the full list of who it consulted with, both before the bill was brought forward and after it was tabled. Senator Patterson and his office have asked for the full consultation list multiple times.
During an Aboriginal Peoples Committee meeting on May 7, Senator Stewart Olsen again asked for the full consultation list. Each time, they received assurances it would be provided, but they are still waiting.
Leader, we’ve been told the full list exists. Why is the Trudeau government unwilling to provide it?
Thank you, senator, for your question. As the honourable senator may be aware, the Government of Canada has already published a detailed consultation report online as to what was heard from various stakeholders, which helped inform the basis of Bill C-15, which is now in this chamber.
The government, as part of its constitutional duties, will continue to consult with Indigenous peoples and Indigenous organizations as to the implementation of UNDRIP in the context of Canadian law.
Indeed, when the minister appeared before our committee, to which you made reference, also indicated that he would listen to the perspectives of the Senate in order to inform the implementation and direction of the action plan, which will be the driving force in this regard. I will certainly inquire, honourable colleague, as to the status of any additional consultations, but this chamber can rest assured that the government takes its obligation to consult very seriously and this has been fully exercised.
Well, this should be quite simple then. In my opinion, this is yet another example of the Trudeau government’s long list of broken promises. You say it’s listed: balanced budgets, electoral reform, clean drinking water on reserves, not fighting veterans in court, a government open by default, transparency and accountability. Clearly, these promises were just words to the Trudeau government.
Leader, you could make a small step towards changing this pattern of secrecy by your government. Do you commit today, leader, to provide this chamber with a full consultation list, as promised, before clause by clause and third reading of Bill C-15; yes or no?
I’ve been advised that the list that has been provided is what the government has in its possession, but I will certainly make inquiries and report back to the chamber.
