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

Senator Harder, when Prime Minister Trudeau appointed you as Leader of the Government in the Senate, you were sworn in as a Privy Councillor. When you attended the Senate's Internal Economy Committee meeting on April 14 to request a significant budget increase for your office, you told us this about one of your important duties:

. . . I am invited, as appropriate, to cabinet committees. Obviously, "appropriate" would be interpreted as where the work of the Senate is important and the voices of the Senate's concerns are important to be conveyed directly. I have already attended such committees and look forward to continuing as appropriate and as invited.
So, Senator Harder, from April 14, 2016, to today, how many times have you attended cabinet committees?

Hon. Peter Harder (Government Representative in the Senate): As appropriate and as invited.

Senator Plett: How many times? A number.

Senator Tkachuk: That's not an answer.

Senator Batters: Actually, Senator Harder, my question was from this past April 14 to today — so this is a question in the past, not in the future — how many times have you attended cabinet committees?

Senator Tkachuk: You brought it up. Answer the question.

Senator Harder: As appropriate and as invited.

Senator Tkachuk: Oh, come on.

Senator Batters: Senator Harder, that answer does not respond to the question.

Senator Plett: That's right.

Senator Batters: I'm talking about the last seven months in time. From April 14 to today, how many times have you attended cabinet committees? Can you please provide us with that information in a timely manner?

Senator Harder: I have already responded.

Senator Tkachuk: So he never attended any.