Order Paper and Notice Paper
The Order Paper and Notice Paper is a document that guides the deliberations of the Senate and lists items of business currently before it. These items are listed in several different categories and in a priority according to an arrangement adopted by the Senate as stipulated in the rules. The majority of these items constitute the Orders of the Day which are called following Routine Proceedings. These items are themselves divided into two principal categories - government business and other business. Within each of these two categories are items for bills, motions, inquiries and reports of committees.
The Notice Paper contains the text of motions and inquiries not yet called for debate.
The Order Paper and Notice Paper is prepared every day in advance of the actual sitting.
Order of Business
(The following is an outline of a typical sitting day in the Senate. Variations are possible subject to the Rules and to the decisions of the Senate.)
Senators' Statements (18 minutes)
ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS (30 minutes)
1. Tabling of Documents
2. Presenting or Tabling Reports from Committees
3. Government Notices of Motions
4. Government Notices of Inquiries
5. Introduction and First Reading of Government Bills
6. Introduction and First Reading of Senate Public Bills
7. First Reading of Commons Public Bills
8. Reading of Petitions for Private Bills
9. Introduction and First Reading of Private Bills
10. Tabling of Reports from Interparliamentary Delegations
11. Notices of Motions
12. Notices of Inquiries
13. Tabling of Petitions
Question Period (30 minutes)
Delayed Answers
ORDERS OF THE DAY
Government Business
• Bills — Messages from the House of Commons
• Bills — Third Reading
• Bills — Reports of Committees
• Bills — Second Reading
• Reports of Committees — Other
• Motions
• Inquiries
• Other
Other Business
• Bills — Messages from the House of Commons
• Senate Public Bills — Third Reading
• Commons Public Bills — Third Reading
• Private Bills — Third Reading
• Senate Public Bills — Reports of Committees
• Commons Public Bills — Reports of Committees
• Private Bills — Reports of Committees
• Senate Public Bills — Second Reading
• Commons Public Bills — Second Reading
• Private Bills — Second Reading
• Reports of Committees — Other
• Motions
• Inquiries
• Other
NOTICE PAPER
• Notices of Motions
• Notices of Inquiries
Orders Of The Day
Government Business
Bills – Messages from the House of Commons
Nil
Bills – Third Reading
Nil
Bills – Reports of Committees
Nil
Bills – Second Reading
No. 1.
December 3, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Dalphond, seconded by the Honourable Senator Galvez, for the second reading of Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Judges Act and the Criminal Code.
No. 2.
December 14, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Petitclerc, seconded by the Honourable Senator Gagné, for the second reading of Bill C-7, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying).
Reports of Committees – Other
No. 3.
December 10, 2020—Consideration of the second report of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs (Subject matter of Bill C-7, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying)), tabled in the Senate on December 10, 2020.
Motions
No. 1.
November 3, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Gagné, seconded by the Honourable Senator Petitclerc:
That the following Address be presented to Her Excellency the Governor General of Canada:
To Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order of Canada, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Military Merit, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY:
We, Her Majesty’s most loyal and dutiful subjects, the Senate of Canada in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Excellency for the gracious Speech which Your Excellency has addressed to both Houses of Parliament.
Inquiries
Nil
Other
Nil
Other Business
Rule 4-15(2) states:
Except as otherwise ordered by the Senate, any item of Other Business on the Order Paper and any motion or inquiry on the Notice Paper that have not been proceeded with during 15 sitting days shall be dropped from the Order Paper and Notice Paper.
Consequently, the number appearing in parentheses indicates the number of sittings since the item was last proceeded with.
Bills – Messages from the House of Commons
Nil
Senate Public Bills – Third Reading
Nil
Commons Public Bills – Third Reading
Nil
Private Bills – Third Reading
Nil
Senate Public Bills – Reports of Committees
Nil
Commons Public Bills – Reports of Committees
Nil
Private Bills – Reports of Committees
Nil
Senate Public Bills – Second Reading
No. 1. (ten)
September 30, 2020—Second reading of Bill S-201, An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 and the Parliament of Canada Act (Speaker of the Senate).—(Honourable Senator Mercer)
No. 2. (ten)
September 30, 2020—Second reading of Bill S-202, An Act to amend the Assisted Human Reproduction Act.—(Honourable Senator Moncion)
No. 3. (four)
November 3, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne, seconded by the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C., for the second reading of Bill S-203, An Act to restrict young persons’ online access to sexually explicit material.—(Honourable Senator Martin)
No. 4. (three)
November 19, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Ataullahjan, seconded by the Honourable Senator Ngo, for the second reading of Bill S-204, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs).—(Honourable Senator Duncan)
No. 5. (four)
November 17, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Bovey, seconded by the Honourable Senator Munson, for the second reading of Bill S-205, An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate).—(Honourable Senator Martin)
No. 6. (ten)
September 30, 2020—Second reading of Bill S-206, An Act to change the name of the electoral district of Châteauguay—Lacolle.—(Honourable Senator Dalphond)
No. 7.
October 27, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Pate, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boehm, for the second reading of Bill S-207, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (independence of the judiciary).—(Honourable Senator Duncan)
No. 8. (six)
November 3, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Pate, seconded by the Honourable Senator Galvez, for the second reading of Bill S-208, An Act to amend the Criminal Records Act, to make consequential amendments to other Acts and to repeal a regulation.—(Honourable Senator Duncan)
No. 9.
November 5, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator McPhedran, seconded by the Honourable Senator Loffreda, for the second reading of Bill S-209, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and the Regulation Adapting the Canada Elections Act for the Purposes of a Referendum (voting age).—(Honourable Senator Black (Ontario))
No. 10.
October 27, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Moodie, seconded by the Honourable Senator Mégie, for the second reading of Bill S-210, An Act to establish the Office of the Commissioner for Children and Youth in Canada.—(Honourable Senator Duncan)
No. 11. (eight)
October 27, 2020—Second reading of Bill S-211, An Act to establish International Mother Language Day.—(Honourable Senator Jaffer)
No. 12. (one)
October 29, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Boisvenu, seconded by the Honourable Senator Dagenais, for the second reading of Bill S-212, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (disclosure of information by jurors).—(Honourable Senator Duncan)
No. 13. (one)
November 3, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator McCallum, seconded by the Honourable Senator McPhedran, for the second reading of Bill S-213, An Act to amend the Department for Women and Gender Equality Act.—(Honourable Senator Pate)
No. 14. (seven)
October 29, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Patterson, seconded by the Honourable Senator Batters, for the second reading of Bill S-214, An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (property qualifications of Senators).—(Honourable Senator Duncan)
No. 15. (seven)
October 28, 2020—Second reading of Bill S-215, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.—(Honourable Senator Jaffer)
No. 16.
November 5, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Miville-Dechêne, seconded by the Honourable Senator Pate, for the second reading of Bill S-216, An Act to enact the Modern Slavery Act and to amend the Customs Tariff.—(Honourable Senator Jaffer)
No. 17. (five)
November 5, 2020—Second reading of Bill S-217, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code (successive contracts for services).—(Honourable Senator Dalphond)
No. 18. (three)
November 19, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Sinclair, seconded by the Honourable Senator Pate, for the second reading of Bill S-218, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (great apes, elephants and certain other animals).—(Honourable Senator Martin)
No. 19. (one)
December 3, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Boisvenu, seconded by the Honourable Senator Seidman, for the second reading of Bill S-219, An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (disclosure of information to victims).—(Honourable Senator Pate)
No. 20. (one)
December 2, 2020—Second reading of Bill S-220, An Act to amend the Department of Public Works and Government Services Act (use of wood).—(Honourable Senator Griffin)
No. 21.
December 8, 2020—Second reading of Bill S-221, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (mischief related to memorials to first responders).—(Honourable Senator Housakos)
Commons Public Bills – Second Reading
Nil
Private Bills – Second Reading
Nil
Reports of Committees – Other
Nil
Motions
No. 1. (five)
November 5, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Housakos, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications be authorized to examine and report on the causes for the declining number of viewers for the English television service of the CBC, despite increased funding with taxpayer dollars, including but not limited to a review of the level of adherence to the requirement to provide uniquely Canadian content, and the use by CBC of public funds to unfairly compete with other media outlets with its digital service, when and if the committee is formed; and
That the committee submit its final report no later than February 28, 2021.—(Honourable Senator Housakos)
No. 2. (five)
November 5, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Housakos, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade be authorized to examine and report on the situation in Hong Kong, when and if the committee is formed; and
That the committee submit its final report no later than February 28, 2021.—(Honourable Senator Dasko)
No. 3. (three)
November 5, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Housakos, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin:
That the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence be authorized to examine and report on the prospect of allowing Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. to be part of Canada’s 5G network, when and if the committee is formed; and
That the committee submit its final report no later than February 28, 2021.—(Honourable Senator Dasko)
No. 4. (seven)
October 29, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Housakos, seconded by the Honourable Senator Smith:
That the Senate of Canada call upon the Government of Canada to impose sanctions, pursuant to the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law), against Chinese officials in relation to the human rights abuses and systematic persecution of Uighur Muslims in China.—(Honourable Senator Omidvar)
No. 5. (six)
October 29, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Housakos, seconded by the Honourable Senator Oh:
That the Senate of Canada call upon the Government of Canada to impose sanctions, pursuant to the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law), against Chinese and Hong Kong officials for the violation of human rights, civil liberties and the principles of fundamental justice and rule of law in relation to the ongoing pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong.—(Honourable Senator Jaffer)
No. 6. (two)
November 5, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Housakos, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin:
That the Senate of Canada call upon the Government of Canada to conduct and publish an analysis, no later than March 30, 2021, on Iran-sponsored terrorism, incitement to hatred, and human rights violations, emanating from Iran and to identify and impose sanctions, pursuant to the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law), against Iranian officials responsible for those activities.—(Honourable Senator Dasko)
No. 8. (five)
November 5, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Housakos, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin:
That the Senate call upon the Government of Canada, in accordance with the Federal Framework on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Act, which requires that a federal framework on post-traumatic stress disorder be laid before Parliament by December 21, 2019, to provide to the Senate a report on the implementation of such a framework.—(Honourable Senator Housakos)
No. 10. (five)
November 5, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Housakos, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin:
That, notwithstanding any provision of the Rules or usual practice:
1.for the duration of the current session, at the start of Orders of the Day on every third Tuesday that the Senate sits after the adoption of this order, the Senate resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole in order to receive a minister of the Crown to respond to questions relating to his or her ministerial responsibilities, with the minister to be designated by the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate following consultation with the leaders and facilitators of the other recognized parties and parliamentary groups;
2.the committee report to the Senate no later than 125 minutes after it starts sitting;
3. the minister be given five minutes at the start of the Committee of the Whole for any declaration; and
4. if the designated minister is unable to attend on a particular Tuesday:
(a)the Leader or Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate advise the Senate of this fact as soon as possible by making a brief statement to that effect at any time during the sitting; and
(b)the designated minister’s appearance be then postponed to the next Tuesday that the Senate sits, subject to the same conditions.—(Honourable Senator Housakos)
No. 11. (one)
November 5, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Housakos, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade be authorized to examine and report on Turkey’s increased aggression and acts against international law, including but not limited to the Exclusive Economic Zone of Greece and other nations in the Mediterranean, under the provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, when and if the committee is formed; and
That the committee submit its final report no later than March 28, 2021.—(Honourable Senator Dasko)
No. 12. (three)
November 5, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Housakos, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin:
That the Senate call upon the Government of Canada to condemn President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s unilateral actions relating to the status of the Hagia Sophia and to call on Turkey to adhere to its legal commitments and obligations in accordance with Hagia Sophia’s inclusion on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. —(Honourable Senator Dasko)
No. 13. (six)
November 3, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Housakos, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights be authorized to examine and report on the ongoing persecution and unlawful detention of Uighur Muslims in mainland China, when and if the committee is formed; and
That the committee submit its final report no later than February 28, 2021.—(Honourable Senator Omidvar)
No. 14.
November 5, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Housakos, seconded by the Honourable Senator Martin:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages be authorized to examine and report on the Government of Canada’s decision to award a contract for a student grant program to WE Charity, a third party without the capacity to do so in both official languages, in apparent contravention of Canada’s Official Languages Act, when and if the committee is formed; and
That the committee submit its final report no later than February 28, 2021.—(Honourable Senator Dupuis)
No. 17. (one)
October 27, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator McCallum, seconded by the Honourable Senator Loffreda:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources be authorized to examine and report on the cumulative impacts of resource extraction and development, and their effects on environmental, economic and social considerations, when and if the committee is formed; and
That the committee submit its final report no later than December 31, 2021.—(Honourable Senator Tannas)
No. 18. (two)
November 19, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Bellemare, seconded by the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C.:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce, when and if it is formed, be authorized to examine and report on the need to review the Bank of Canada Act in order to:
(a)specify that the Bank of Canada’s mandate covers not only price stability, but also the pursuit of maximum employment or full and productive employment, as is the case in the United States, Australia and, recently, New Zealand;
(b)provide for transparency measures regarding the procedure and choice of indicators for the setting of the key policy interest rate, as well as analyses of how the conduct of monetary policy affects the inflation rate, employment and income distribution, and report to Parliament; and
(c)propose to the Minister of Finance items to be included in the five-year agreement between the Bank of Canada and the Government that is to be signed in 2021; and
That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than March 31, 2021.—(Honourable Senator Martin)
No. 27.
October 27, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Deacon (Ontario), for the Honourable Senator Lankin, P.C., seconded by the Honourable Senator Pate:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, when and if it is formed, be authorized to examine and report on the future of workers in order to evaluate:
(a)how data and information on the gig economy in Canada is being collected and potential gaps in knowledge;
(b)the effectiveness of current labour protections for people who work through digital platforms and temporary foreign workers programs;
(c)the negative impacts of precarious work and the gig economy on benefits, pensions and other government services relating to employment; and
(d)the accessibility of retraining and skills development programs for workers;
That, in conducting this evaluation, the committee pay particular attention to the negative effects of precarious employment being disproportionately felt by workers of colour, new immigrant and indigenous workers; and
That the committee submit its final report on this study to the Senate no later than September 30, 2022.—(Honourable Senator Dagenais)
No. 29. (two)
November 19, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Boyer, seconded by the Honourable Senator Woo:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights be authorized to examine and report on the forced and coerced sterilization of persons in Canada, particularly related to Indigenous women, when and if the committee is formed; and
That the committee submit its final report on this study to the Senate no later than December 30, 2021.
No. 31. (one)
October 28, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Pate, seconded by the Honourable Senator Boehm:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights be authorized to examine and report on issues relating to the human rights of federally sentenced persons in the correctional system, with reference to both national and international law and standards, as well as to examine the situation of marginalized or disadvantaged groups in federal prisons, including Black and Indigenous Peoples, racialized persons, women and those with mental health concerns, when and if the committee is formed;
That the papers and evidence received and taken and work accomplished by the committee on this subject during the First Session of the Forty-second Parliament be referred to the committee; and
That the committee submit its final report no later than June 30, 2021.—(Honourable Senator Martin)
No. 33. (five)
October 29, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Moncion, seconded by the Honourable Senator Cormier:
That the Senate of Canada call upon the Government of Canada to introduce legislation that would freeze the sessional allowances of parliamentarians for a period that the government considers appropriate in light of the economic situation and the ongoing pandemic or for a maximum period of three years.—(Honourable Senator Martin)
No. 39.
December 1, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Brazeau, seconded by the Honourable Senator Harder, P.C.:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology be authorized to examine and report on suicide prevention and mental health needs among Canadian boys and men, and the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in suicide statistics, when and if the committee is formed; and
That the committee submit its final report no later than December 31, 2021.
No. 40.
November 5, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Francis, seconded by the Honourable Senator Pate:
That the Senate affirm and honour the 1999 Supreme Court of Canada Marshall decision, and call upon the Government of Canada to do likewise, upholding Mi’kmaw treaty rights to a moderate livelihood fishery, as established by Peace and Friendship Treaties signed in 1760 and 1761, and as enshrined in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982; and
That the Senate condemn the violent and criminal acts interfering with the exercise of these treaty rights and requests immediate respect for and enforcement of the criminal laws of Canada, including protection for Mi’kmaw fishers and communities.—(Honourable Senator McCallum)
No. 41. (three)
November 5, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator McCallum, seconded by the Honourable Senator McPhedran:
That the Senate of Canada call on the federal government to adopt anti-racism as the sixth pillar of the Canada Health Act, prohibiting discrimination based on race and affording everyone the equal right to the protection and benefit of the law.—(Honourable Senator McPhedran)
No. 43. (three)
November 5, 2020—Resuming debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Marwah, seconded by the Honourable Senator Woo:
That, notwithstanding any provision of the Rules or usual practices, and taking into account the exceptional circumstances of the current pandemic of COVID-19, the Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration have the power to meet by videoconference or teleconference;
That senators be allowed to participate in meetings of the committee by videoconference or teleconference from a designated office or designated residence within Canada, that they be considered, for all purposes, to be meetings of the committee in question, and senators taking part in such meetings be considered, for all purposes, to be present at the meeting;
That, for greater certainty, and without limiting the general authority granted by this order, when the committee meet by videoconference or teleconference:
1. members of the committee participating count towards quorum;
2. such meetings be considered to be occurring in the parliamentary precinct, irrespective of where participants may be; and
3.the committee be directed to approach in camera meetings with all necessary precaution, taking account of the risks to confidentiality inherent in such technologies;
That, subject to variations that may be required by the circumstances, to participate by videoconference senators must:
1.use a desktop or laptop computer and headphones with integrated microphone provided by the Senate for videoconferences; and
2. not use other devices such as personal tablets or smartphones;
That, when the committee meet by videoconference or teleconference, the provisions of rule 14-7(2) be applied so as to allow recording or broadcasting through any facilities arranged by the Clerk of the Senate, and, if a meeting being broadcast or recorded cannot be broadcast live, the committee be considered to have fulfilled the requirement that a meeting be public by making any available recording publicly available as soon as possible thereafter; and
That, pursuant to rule 12-18(2), the committee have the power to meet on any day the Senate does not sit, whether the Senate is then adjourned for a period of more or less than a week.
Inquiries
No. 1. (seven)
October 27, 2020—Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Plett, calling the attention of the Senate to the presence of racism and discrimination within Canadian institutions.—(Honourable Senator Martin)
No. 2.
December 1, 2020—Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Plett, calling the attention of the Senate to the Province of Manitoba’s one hundred and fiftieth anniversary.—(Honourable Senator McCallum)
No. 5.
October 27, 2020—Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Seidman, calling the attention of the Senate to weaknesses within Canada’s long-term care system, which have been exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.—(Honourable Senator Dasko)
No. 7. (three)
November 3, 2020—Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Wallin, calling the attention of the Senate to:
(a)a September 2019 Quebec Superior Court ruling, which declared parts of federal and provincial law relating to medical assistance in dying (MAiD) to be too restrictive;
(b)the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on MAiD recipients and practitioners, including restrictions to access, shortages of personal protective equipment and a surge in demand;
(c)the ongoing and tireless work of Dying with Dignity Canada, a non-for-profit organization that advocates for vulnerable Canadians regarding their right to die;
(d)the findings of the federally mandated, December 2018 Canadian Association of Academies report relating to advance requests in medical assistance in dying; and
(e)the urgent need for the Senate to study and propose new rules pertaining to advance requests for medical assistance in dying.—(Honourable Senator Black (Ontario))
No. 9.
December 1, 2020—Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Moodie, calling the attention of the Senate to the career of former senator the Honourable Landon Pearson.—(Honourable Senator Munson)
No. 10.
December 1, 2020—Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Omidvar, calling the attention of the Senate to the link between Canada’s past, present and future prosperity and its deep connection to immigration.—(Honourable Senator Loffreda)
No. 12.
December 10, 2020—Resuming debate on the inquiry of the Honourable Senator Cordy, calling the attention of the Senate to the career of former senator the Honourable Lillian Eva Dyck.—(Honourable Senator Dalphond)
Other
Nil
Notice Paper
Motions
No. 20. (seven)
By the Honourable Senator Dalphond:
September 30, 2020—That, notwithstanding any provision of the Rules, previous order or usual practice, upon the adoption of this order, and for the remainder of the current session, no Senate committee be considered a standing or special committee for the purposes of paragraphs 62.1(1)(g) and (h) of the Parliament of Canada Act.
No. 21. (seven)
By the Honourable Senator Martin, for the Honourable Senator Frum:
September 30, 2020—That the Senate recognize and support the Abraham Accords, an historic peace agreement between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain that formally establishes diplomatic relations between those three countries; and
That the Senate further encourages other Arab countries in the Middle East to build on this agreement and restore diplomatic relations with Israel.
No. 22. (seven)
By the Honourable Senator Martin, for the Honourable Senator Frum:
September 30, 2020—That the Senate, which would not exist without him, recognize the signal and historic contribution that Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, made to the founding of this country, which remains one of the world’s greatest democracies; and
That the Senate recognize that, while Sir John A. Macdonald’s legacy is not without flaw, judging him by the standards that apply today is a disservice to not only the ongoing march of history but to the parliamentary system of government he helped create that allowed progress to take place.
No. 23. (seven)
By the Honourable Senator Martin, for the Honourable Senator Frum:
September 30, 2020—That the Senate unreservedly condemn the state-sanctioned torture and murder by the Iranian regime of Iranian national champion wrestler Navid Afkari, and the continuing torture and imprisonment of his brothers and others, all for their role in peaceful protests against the corruption of the same regime; and
That the Senate recognize that these flagrant human rights transgressions are consistent with a long history of human rights abuses by an outlaw regime that is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism and the biggest obstacle to peace in the Middle East.
No. 24. (seven)
By the Honourable Senator Martin, for the Honourable Senator Frum:
September 30, 2020—That, in light of the public mistrust of charities generated by the scandal that enveloped the WE Charity, the Senate affirm its faith in the charitable sector in Canada and laud the efforts of the many volunteers and staff that devote their time and energy to worthy causes at home and abroad to make this world a better place while seeking little or no attention or reward for themselves or their efforts.
No. 25. (seven)
By the Honourable Senator Martin:
September 30, 2020—That the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence, which in previous Parliaments conducted comprehensive studies on Canada’s emergency preparedness, including pandemic preparedness, be authorized to examine and report on the management and mismanagement by the current government of Canada’s National Emergency Strategic Stockpile system in the years and months leading up to the outbreak of COVID-19, when and if the committee is formed; and
That the committee submit its final report no later than March 31, 2021.
No. 26. (seven)
By the Honourable Senator Ngo:
September 30, 2020—That the Senate urge the Government of Canada to actively support the genuine autonomy of Tibet and, consequently, to also call for the People’s Republic of China to:
(a)renew the Sino-Tibetan dialogue in good faith and based on the Middle Way Approach;
(b)respect the religious rights of the Tibetan people and stop interference in the process of recognizing a successor or reincarnation of the 14th Dalai Lama;
(c)respect the linguistic rights, freedom of movement, thought and conscience of the people in Tibet;
(d)free all Tibetan political prisoners, including the youngest political prisoner Gendhun Choekyi Nyima (Panchen Lama), and cease all arbitrary detention of dissidents;
(e)grant Canada reciprocal diplomatic access to Tibet without limitations; and
(f)protect the Tibetan Plateau that serves as Asia’s water tower, feeding over a billion lives in Asia; and
That the Senate urge the Government of Canada to raise Tibetan issues at every opportunity with China with a view to taking the additional steps necessary to deescalate tensions and restore peace and stability in Tibet.
No. 28. (seven)
By the Honourable Senator Tannas:
October 1, 2020—That, notwithstanding any provision of the Rules, previous order or usual practice:
1.except as provided in this order, the question not be put on the motion for third reading of a government bill unless the orders for resuming debate at second and third reading have, together, been called at least three times, in addition to the sittings at which the motions for second and third readings were moved;
2.when a government bill has been read a first time, and before a motion is moved to set the date for second reading, the Leader of the Government in the Senate or the Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate may, without notice, move that the bill be deemed an urgent matter, and that the provisions of paragraph 1 of this order not apply to proceedings on the bill;
3.when a motion has been moved pursuant to paragraph 2 of this order, the following provisions apply:
(a)the debate shall only deal with whether the bill should be deemed an urgent matter or not;
(b)the debate shall not be adjourned;
(c)the debate shall last a maximum of 20 minutes;
(d)no senator shall speak for more than 5 minutes;
(e)no senators shall speak more than once;
(f)the debate shall not be interrupted for any purpose, except for the reading of a message from the Crown or an event announced in such a message;
(g)the debate may continue beyond the ordinary time of adjournment, if necessary, until the conclusion of the debate and consequential business;
(h)the time taken in debate and for any vote shall not count as part of Routine Proceedings;
(i)no amendment or other motion shall be received, except a motion that a certain senator be now heard or do now speak;
(j)when debate concludes or the time for debate expires, the Speaker shall put the question; and
(k)any standing vote requested shall not be deferred, and the bells shall ring for only 15 minutes.
No. 34. (five)
By the Honourable Senator Dalphond:
October 27, 2020—That the Senate recognizes that it would be unbecoming of a public institution, particularly at this time of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic hardship for Canadians, to use taxpayer funds to increase the salaries of senators by creating additional paid positions on Senate committees, beyond the positions provided for in the Rules of the Senate.
No. 45. (one)
By the Honourable Senator Bovey:
November 5, 2020—That the Rules of the Senate be amended by:
(a)deleting the word “and” at the end of rule 12-7(16) in the English version; and
(b)replacing the period at the end of rule 12-7(17) by the following:
“; and
Arctic
12-7. (18) the Standing Senate Committee on the Arctic, to which may be referred matters relating to the Arctic generally.”.
No. 49. (one)
By the Honourable Senator Cormier:
November 19, 2020—That the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages be authorized to study and to report on the application of the Official Languages Act and of the regulations and directives made under it, within those institutions subject to the Act;
That the committee also be authorized to study the reports and documents published by the Minister of Canadian Heritage, the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, the President of the Treasury Board and the Commissioner of Official Languages, and any other subject concerning official languages;
That the documents received, evidence heard and business accomplished on this subject by the committee since the beginning of the First Session of the Forty-second Parliament be referred to the committee; and
That the committee submit its final report no later than December 17, 2021, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report.
No. 50. (one)
By the Honourable Senator Griffin:
November 19, 2020—That the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, in accordance with rule 12-7(10), be authorized to examine and report on such issues as may arise from time to time relating to agriculture and forestry; and
That the committee report to the Senate no later than December 15, 2021.
No. 52.
By the Honourable Senator MacDonald:
December 1, 2020—That the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications be authorized to examine and report on the elements related to its mandate found in the ministerial mandate letters of the Minister of Transport, the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and the Minister of Canadian Heritage; and
That the committee submit its final report no later than September 30, 2022.
No. 54.
By the Honourable Senator Wells:
December 1, 2020—That, for the remainder of the current parliamentary session, the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight have the power to meet even though the Senate may then be sitting, and that rule 12-18(1) be suspended in relation thereto.
No. 55.
By the Honourable Senator Wells:
December 1, 2020—That the papers and documents received or produced by the Audit Subcommittee of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration from the First Session of the Forty-second Parliament and the First and Second Sessions of the Forty-third Parliament, be referred to the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight.
No. 56.
By the Honourable Senator Duncan:
December 1, 2020—That, until the Speaker is satisfied that health and safety is not at risk, having reference to public health guidelines issued by local authorities, all senators present in the Senate Chamber during its sittings, or in one of its committee rooms during a committee meeting, be required to wear a mask at all times, except when intervening in debate or another proceeding of the Senate or one of its committees.
No. 57.
By the Honourable Senator Ataullahjan:
December 2, 2020—That the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights be authorized to examine and monitor issues relating to human rights and, inter alia, to review the machinery of government dealing with Canada’s international and national human rights obligations; and
That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than September 30, 2023.
No. 58.
By the Honourable Senator Wetston:
December 3, 2020—That the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce be authorized to examine and report upon the present state of the domestic and international financial system; and
That the committee submit its final report no later than September 30, 2022, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings until 180 days after the tabling of the final report.
No. 60.
By the Honourable Senator Christmas:
December 8, 2020—That the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples be authorized to examine and report on the federal government’s constitutional, treaty, political and legal responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples and any other subject concerning Aboriginal Peoples;
That the documents received, evidence heard and business accomplished by the committee since the beginning of the First Session of the Forty-second Parliament be referred to the committee; and
That the committee submit its final report no later than December 31, 2021, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report.
No. 61.
By the Honourable Senator McCallum:
December 8, 2020—That, as the actions of Senator Lynn Beyak have brought the Senate into disrepute, and notwithstanding any provision of the Rules or usual practice, she be expelled from the Senate and that her seat be declared vacant;
That, notwithstanding any provision of the Senate Administrative Rules, and the Senators’ Office Management Policy, the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration be authorized to determine the resources, if any, to be made available to Senator Beyak as a departing senator; and
That a copy of this order be communicated to Her Excellency the Governor General.
No. 63.
By the Honourable Senator Manning:
December 10, 2020—That the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans be authorized to examine and to report on issues relating to the federal government’s current and evolving policy framework for managing Canada’s fisheries and oceans;
That the papers and evidence received and taken and work accomplished by the committee on this subject during the First Session of the Forty-second Parliament be referred to the committee; and
That the committee submit its final report to the Senate no later than December 31, 2022, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report.
No. 64.
By the Honourable Senator Omidvar:
December 10, 2020—That, in light of a recent Nanos poll demonstrating strong support amongst Canadians to provide a way for temporary foreign workers to remain in Canada, the Senate call on the Government of the Canada to create pathways to citizenship or permanent residency for essential temporary migrant workers across all sectors; and
That the Senate call on the Government of Canada to table a status report on this issue within 100 days of the adoption of this order.
Inquiries
No. 3. (five)
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 30, 2020—That he will call the attention of the Senate to the rising mental health challenges being faced by Canadian farmers.
No. 4. (five)
By the Honourable Senator Dalphond:
September 30, 2020—That he will call the attention of the Senate to the use of parliamentary privilege in the context of employee relations and inquiries of the Senate Ethics Officer.
No. 6. (four)
By the Honourable Senator McPhedran:
October 1, 2020—That she will call the attention of the Senate to parliamentary privilege, the Ethics and Conflict of Interest Code for Senators and options for increasing accountability, transparency and fairness in the context of the Senate’s unique self-governance.
No. 8. (one)
By the Honourable Senator Jaffer:
November 3, 2020—That she will call the attention of the Senate to the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security.
No. 11. (one)
By the Honourable Senator Sinclair:
November 19, 2020—That he will call the attention of the Senate to realizing Canada’s Council of Elders.
No. 13.
By the Honourable Senator Moodie:
December 8, 2020—That she will call the attention of the Senate to childcare in Canada and its impact on children, women, families and the economy.
For Wednesday, December 16, 2020
No. 14.
By the Honourable Senator Simons:
December 14, 2020—That she will call the attention of the Senate to the pandemic-related fiscal crisis facing NAV CANADA and its impact on levels of air traffic control and public safety services at regional airports across Canada.
Written Questions
No. 1.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding 24 Sussex Drive:
In May 2016, Mélanie Joly, then Minister of Canadian Heritage, said a plan to renovate 24 Sussex was forthcoming. Four years later, could the Government answer the following questions:
1.What is the timeline for delivering a plan?
2.Which departments and agencies are working on the plan?
3.How much has been spent to date on developing a plan?
4.Are all options, including tearing down the building, being considered?
No. 2.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding the potential privatization of Canadian airports:
In fall/winter 2016, the Government of Canada engaged Credit Suisse to provide financial advice regarding the privatization of Canadian airports.
1.How much did Credit Suisse receive under this contract, which ended on January 31, 2017?
2.In May 2017, the government revealed that the Credit Suisse report was titled “Project Eagle—Scoping Study”. Why has this Credit Suisse report never been publicly released? Who made this decision?
3.Did Credit Suisse give its report to the Minister of Transportation, the Minister of Finance, or any other cabinet minister? If so, which Minister(s) received the report, and when did they receive it?
4.Does the Government of Canada have any current plans to privatize Canadian airports? If so, what is the timeline associated with these plans? If no, why not?
No. 3.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding government appointments:
1.Currently, how many vacancies are there in Governor in Council (GIC) appointed positions?
2.Currently, what is the percentage of vacancies compared to the total number of GIC positions?
3.The Auditor General’s 2019 special examination of the Standards Council of Canada released in July 2020 stated: “There were 13 positions on the Governing Council, including 10 for members appointed by the Governor in Council. At the end of August 2018, 4 positions were vacant (1 since June 2017), and 3 positions were held by members after their terms had expired. The Audit Committee and the Corporate Governance Committee were at risk of losing quorum because of these vacancies. As permitted by the Financial Administration Act, members with expired terms agreed to continue their duties on the Governing Council until they were reappointed or replaced. The Governor in Council appoints members to these vacant and expired positions on the recommendation of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. Therefore, these appointments were outside of the Corporation’s control. Despite the Governing Council’s proactive approach to communicating its needs to the Minister, there was a risk that 7 of the 13 positions on the Governing Council could become vacant.”
(a)While the Standards Council agreed with the Auditor General’s recommendation to continue to engage the Minister on the need for timely appointments, what was the Minister’s response to this recommendation?
(b)Why did the Minister fail to recommend timely appointments to the Governing Council?
4.The Auditor General’s 2019 special examination of the Canadian Commercial Corporation released in July 2020 stated: “The Corporation is governed by a Board of Directors, which consists of the Chairperson and nine directors. The Governor in Council appoints the Chairperson, while the Minister of International Trade Diversification appoints the nine directors with the approval of the Governor in Council. The Governor in Council also appoints the Corporation’s President and Chief Executive Officer. At the start of the period covered by the audit, all nine director positions had expired. By the end of the period, the Minister had appointed six directors, including three who were reappointed to their positions.”
(a)Why did the Minister fail to make timely appointments to the Board of Directors?
(b)As the position of President is currently vacant, how is the government ensuring a timely appointment to fill this position?
No. 4.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding the cultural sector:
On April 25, 2018, Mélanie Joly, then Minister of Canadian Heritage, and the Canada Council for the Arts announced changes to operational policies to ensure respectful workplaces in the cultural sector.
1.The press release from Minister Joly and the Canada Council for the Arts stated: “Now, when accepting grants, recipients must commit to fostering a workplace free from discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct. Failure to respect this commitment could result in the Council initiating a process to review and potentially reverse a grant decision where there are serious concerns about the recipient, the funded activities, or the soundness of the Council’s investment of public funds.”
(a)How many allegations of discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct have been brought forward against grant recipients since April 2018?
(b)What is the process by which allegations are reviewed, and how is this process initiated?
(c)Has the Council initiated any reviews since April 2018? If so, how many?
(d)Have any grants have been reversed since April 2018? If so, how many?
2.Canadian Heritage and the Canada Council for the Arts announced close to $552,000 to the Cultural Human Resources Council “to support a series of initiatives to equip the cultural sector with the tools, practices and training for building and maintaining respectful workplaces under the title Respectful Workplaces in the Arts”.
(a)Has this funding been fully distributed?
(b)Which groups received this funding?
No. 5.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding infrastructure:
In its 2016 budget, the Government of Canada signaled its intention to: “Where it is in the public interest, engage public pension plans and other innovative sources of funding — such as demand management initiatives and asset recycling — to increase the long-term affordability and sustainability of infrastructure in Canada”.
1.Could the government please list the asset recycling projects that have been realized since Budget 2016?
2.Since Budget 2016, have any government departments or agencies studied asset recycling within their portfolios? If so, which ones and when?
3.Is the government still pursuing asset recycling? If so, what is currently being done on that front? If not, when and why was this idea abandoned?
No. 6.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding the automotive sector:
In an interview with CBC Windsor on March 23, 2016, Minister Chrystia Freeland said with respect to a national auto strategy: “We’re going to take our time to build our strategy right and to do it carefully… I want Windsor to really understand we’re committed and we’re working on it. It will be a fully fleshed out and elaborate plan.”
1.What is the current status of the federal government’s national auto strategy? When is the strategy expected to be released?
2.Why hasn’t the national auto strategy been brought forward by the federal government to date?
3.How has the federal government worked to implement each of the recommendations of the January 2018 report Drive to Win from Mr. Ray Tanguay, the former Automotive Advisor to the federal Minister of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development and the Ontario Minister of Economic Development and Growth?
(a)Were any recommendations rejected by the federal government, and if so, why?
4.Who is the current Automotive Advisor to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry? When was this person appointed, and how long is their term?
No. 7.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding the Black Entrepreneurship Program announced on September 9, 2020:
1.What are the eligibility criteria for the National Ecosystem Fund? How were the criteria developed? Were consultations involved in developing the criteria, and if so, with which groups/individuals?
2.If the eligibility criteria for the National Ecosystem Fund has not yet been determined, when is it expected to be in place?
3.Which partner organizations will work with Canada’s Regional Development Agencies to deliver the National Ecosystem Fund? How and when were they selected?
4.Who will determine the eligibility of applications to the National Ecosystem Fund?
5.What is the timeline for the development and delivery of the National Ecosystem Fund? When will the funding be distributed?
6.What are the eligibility criteria for the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund? How were the criteria developed? Were consultations involved, and if so, with which groups/individuals? Who will determine the eligibility of applications?
7.If the eligibility criteria for the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund has not yet been determined, when is it expected to be in place?
8.What is the timeline for the development and delivery of the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund? When will the funding be distributed?
9.The Black Entrepreneurship Program announcement also mentioned the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA). A survey of its members by the Black Business and Professional Association in Spring 2020 found that 80% of respondents couldn’t be helped by the CEWS and four out of five Black businesses didn’t believe they would qualify for the CEBA. Does the Government of Canada know how many Black businesses received the CEWS and the CEBA? If not, does the government have an estimate? How did the Government of Canada promote/advertise these programs with Black business associations? Were the views of Black businesses and business associations sought or taken into account when making changes to these programs?
No. 8.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Concerning Global Affairs Canada’s Private Sector Investment Champions Speaker’s Program:
In 2019, Mr. Kyle Kemper, brother of Prime Minister Trudeau, was awarded a $12,430 grant from the Government of Canada. The grant was to attend a conference in Switzerland on Blockchain technology. Mr. Kemper was quoted in the Globe and Mail as saying it was his extensive work in the field that led to his invitation to speak at the conference: “That’s my expertise and I’d love to talk to you all about how blockchain can radically transform Canada and bring about a golden age.” However, Mr. Kemper’s presentation, which was entitled Think Canada seemed decidedly out of place at a conference where the rest of the presentations were of the character of the one entitled: “The Importance of Multi-Signature, Time-Locked Bitcoin Transactions in Custody Solutions.”
Mr. Kemper was selected as part of Global Affairs Canada’s Private Sector Investment Champions Speaker’s Program (PSICSP). That program is run by the Trade Commissioner and involves identifying and recruiting senior executives from the private sector to be champion speakers at events organized by Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates in priority markets to promote Canada as an investment destination of choice.
1.Was the Canadian Embassy in Switzerland the organizer of the Crypto Valley Blockchain Technology Conference in Zug, Switzerland that Mr. Kemper spoke at on June 24, 2019? If not, why did he qualify for a PSICSP grant of $12,430 to participate in what was clearly a technical/scientific conference?
2.The Private Sector Investment Champions Initiative (PSICI), which the Champion Speaker’s Program is a part of, was created to attract foreign investment in key sectors in Canada, such as the satellite and telecommunications industry. When was blockchain identified as a key sector for foreign direct investment in Canada? Can you please provide the documentation that can substantiate this?
3.One of the management tools for the PSICI is a champions database. Could the government please provide the 2019 database that included champions for the blockchain sector in Canada?
4.The Champions Initiative includes regular training consisting of an orientation and coaching program for Champions to familiarize themselves with government policies and investment trends. On what dates did Mr. Kemper participate in orientation and coaching programs prior to his participation in the June 2019 conference?
5.How many Champions Speaking events took place in 2019, who were the champions speakers at each of them? What events/venues did they speak at, and what were the individual costs for each of those champion speakers that were covered by the PSICSP?
6.Where did the idea to have Mr. Kemper speak at the Crypto Valley Conference come from? Did it originate with the organizers of the conference? Did it originate with Global Affairs Canada? Or did it originate from Mr. Kemper? Was there PMO involvement? How did this all come about?
7.Besides Mr. Kemper, how many Champions has Global Affairs Canada engaged in the blockchain sector?
8.In the Crypto Valley Conference program, Mr. Kemper is identified as representing the Canadian Blockchain Association, however he was no longer the Executive Director of that Association. Why wasn’t Ms. Tanya Woods, the Executive Director of the Association, selected as the Champion Speaker for the Crypto Valley Conference? Were other experts considered, and if so, who were they?
9.Champions are paid nominal honoraria. What was the amount of honoraria that Mr. Kemper was paid?
10.Champions are expected to generate investment prospects. What investment prospects did Mr. Kemper generate as a result of his participation in the Crypto Valley Conference, and what is the value to Canada of those investments he generated?
11.Did Mr. Kemper participate in any other sector specific events either prior to or after the Crypto Valley conference, and if not why not?
12.In a recent video available on You Tube, Mr. Kemper is asked about the last protest he attended. His response is: “My life seems to be a constant protest against central banking.” In another video interview he argues that modern communication and the internet have made representative democracy as we know it obsolete. Given these statements, why was Mr. Kemper chosen by the government to represent Canada at an international conference to drum up foreign direct investment in this country?
No. 10.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program:
1.How many small businesses in Canada have a federal government department, agency, Crown corporation, or any other federal entity as their landlord?
2.Does the Government of Canada know how many of these small businesses had their federal government landlord choose not to participate in the CECRA program? If so, how many? If not, does the Government of Canada have an estimate of this number?
3.Does the Government of Canada know if any small businesses with a federal government department, agency, Crown corporation or any other federal entity as their landlord have gone bankrupt since March 2020?
4.Since the CECRA program was launched, how much rent relief has been provided to small businesses which have a federal government department, agency, Crown corporation, or any other federal entity as their landlord?
5.Was any directive issued by the Government of Canada to its departments, agencies, Crown corporations or any other federal entity to require them to make use of the CECRA program if their small business tenants requested rent relief? If not, why not?
No. 11.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding registered charities:
1.Have any registered charities had their charitable status revoked since October 2019? If so, how many, and why is this information not contained in the Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) online database as of September 2020?
2.Have any registered charities been sanctioned with a financial penalty from CRA since October 2019? If so, how many, and why is this information not contained in CRA’s online database as of September 2020?
3.Have any registered charities had their charitable status suspended since October 2019? If so, how many, and why is this information not contained in CRA’s online database as of September 2020?
4.How many CRA staff currently work on the auditing of registered charities? Since October 2019, how many of these staff have been made surplus, and how many have been moved to other CRA divisions? If staff have been moved to other CRA divisions, when did this occur, and why?
5.Have audits of registered charities continued to be conducted since October 2019? If so, how many audits are currently underway? Were any of these audits suspended or cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic?
No. 12.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding app-based voting in the House of Commons:
1.How much money has been spent to date on the development of a smartphone app for voting by Members of Parliament in the House of Commons?
2.Since July 6, 2020, have any outside contracts been awarded in relation to the development or implementation of a smartphone app for voting by Members of Parliament in the House of Commons? If so, who received these contracts, and what is the total amount awarded? When were the contracts awarded, and what are their duration?
3.What has been the involvement of the Communications Security Establishment in the development and testing of this app? How many CSE personnel have been assigned to work on this project?
4.How does this app ensure the authentication of the Member voting? Is this verification biometrics-based, such as facial recognition or fingerprint?
No. 13.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding the COVID Alert app:
1.How many times has the Government of Canada’s COVID Alert app been downloaded to date?
2.How many active users are there currently of the COVID Alert app?
3.What is the estimated percentage of all active phones which have downloaded this app?
4.What is estimated percentage of phones capable of downloading this app which have done so to date?
5.Is the number of people applying updates to the COVID Alert app tracked? If so, how many people have updated the app to the latest version?
6.How many exposure notifications have been sent to date?
7.How many people have entered one-time keys into the app after confirming their COVID-19 diagnosis?
8.How much has been spent to date on advertising to promote the use of the COVID Alert app, and what forms of advertising have been used?
9.Did the Government of Canada ask Bell, Telus, Rogers or any other carrier to send text messages inviting their customers to download the app? Were these messages bilingual? Did the Government of Canada ask carriers to ensure the text messages were bilingual?
No. 14.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding government consultations:
1.Which business groups and organizations did the Department of Finance or any other department consult with respect to each of the government’s new emergency programs in response to COVID-19? What form did these consultations take, and what process was followed?
2.What specific advice was accepted by the government, and why? What advice was rejected, and why?
3.Did the Department of Finance or any other government department consult with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business prior to the government’s two announcements on the wage subsidy program for small business, on March 18 and March 27, 2020, respectively? If yes, what form did that consultation take? If not, why not?
No. 15.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding flights in Canada containing COVID-positive passengers:
1.To date, how many flights in Canada have contained at least one passenger who tested positive for COVID-19?
2.How many of these flights were domestic, and how many were international?
3.How many passengers who tested positive for COVID-19 were arriving or in transit from international destinations?
4.Have public health authorities been able to contact all impacted fellow passengers to inform them of the positive case on their flight?
No. 16.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding COVID-19 vaccinations:
1.Has Health Canada or the Public Health Agency of Canada developed a protocol surrounding the order in which different groups in the Canadian population will receive a COVID-19 vaccination, when it becomes available? If so, what is it?
2.Are any other federal government departments or agencies involved in the decision-making surrounding the distribution amongst our population of a COVID-19 vaccine(s)? If so, which ones?
3.Are provincial health authorities responsible for developing such a protocol in their own jurisdictions, or will the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine follow national rules or guidelines?
4.The Public Health Agency of Canada’s guidance document Canadian Pandemic Influenza Preparedness: Planning Guidance for the Health Sector was last updated in August 2018. Is it being updated? If so, when will the update be released, and will it be specific to the COVID-19 pandemic?
No. 17.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding Global Affairs Canada:
1.Please indicate total imports from the People’s Republic of China during each of the past four years of the following health-related materials:
•Anthraquinone
•Steroidal hormones
•Azelaic acid
•Vitamin D
•Vitamin B6
•Vitamin B12
•Naphthols
•First-aid boxes
•Hydantoin
•Resorcinol
•Acetylsalicylic acid
•Lysine
•Choline
•Vitamin B1
•Coenzyme Q10
2.Please indicate total Canadian imports from the People’s Republic of China during each of the past four years of the following metals and industrial products:
•Manganese
•Scandium and yttrium
•Magnesium
•Alkali metals
•Tungsten
•Steel and iron grinding balls
•Shipping containers
•Piezoelectric quartz
•Iron and steel nails
•Carbon electrons
•Sodium metasilicates
•Magnets
•Hydraulic jacks
•Laptops
•Mobile phones
•Video recorders
•sound recorders
3.Please provide the total imports of each of the same materials during each of the past four years from other countries, and please provide total sourcing of the same materials from Canadian suppliers in each of the past four years.
4.Does Global Affairs or any other department or agency of the Government of Canada identify categories of goods deemed necessary for the support of critical national infrastructure in Canada? If so, please outline how those categories are determined and how critical national infrastructure — or the equivalent term used in government — is defined.
5.What measures or policies does the Government of Canada have in place to ensure that Canada’s critical national infrastructure has secure chains of supply?
No. 18.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding Correctional Services Canada:
1.Please provide the numbers and percentage of all offenders currently incarcerated who were identified, either at intake or as part of another assessment, as unemployed prior to their incarceration.
2.Please provide the numbers and percentage of all offenders currently incarcerated who were convicted of trafficking, illegal drug importation or possession for the purpose of trafficking and who were identified, either at intake or as part of another assessment, as unemployed prior to their incarceration.
3.Please provide the numbers and percentage of all offenders currently incarcerated who were convicted of sexual interference or sexual assault and who were identified, either at intake or as part of another assessment, as unemployed prior to their incarceration.
4.Please provide the numbers and percentage of all offenders currently incarcerated who were identified, either at intake or as part of another assessment, as in receipt of any form of social assistance from any level of government prior to their incarceration.
5.Please provide the numbers and percentage of all offenders currently incarcerated who were convicted of trafficking, illegal drug importation or possession for the purpose of trafficking and who were identified, either at intake or as part of another assessment, as in receipt of any form of social assistance from any level of government prior to their incarceration.
6. Please provide the numbers and percentage of all offenders currently incarcerated who were convicted of sexual interference or sexual assault and who were identified, either at intake or as part of another assessment, as in receipt of any form of social assistance from any level of government prior to their incarceration.
No. 19.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding the Defence Capabilities Blueprint:
The mandate letter of the Minister of National Defence instructs the Minister to: “Ensure the Canadian Armed Forces have the capabilities and equipment required to uphold their responsibilities through continued implementation of Strong, Secure, Engaged, including new procurements and planned funding increases”. Under Strong, Secure, Engaged, the Defence Capabilities Blueprint (DCB) contains general project timelines for approximately 240 major capital information technology and infrastructure projects, and significant in-service support contracts.
1.Can the Minister explain how these projects are prioritized?
2.Can the Minister please provide timelines for initiating the request for proposal (RFP), letting a contract and completing delivery for each of these 240 projects?
3.Can the Minister identify the government’s twenty most important capability projects within the DCB, and the current timelines (initiating the RFP, letting a contract and completing delivery) for completing priority projects?
4.How many of the 240 major projects are currently funded?
No. 20.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding Defence Procurement Canada:
The mandate letter for the Minister of National Defence instructs the Minister to: “Support the Minister of Public Services and Procurement to bring forward analyses and options for the creation of Defence Procurement Canada, to ensure that Canada’s biggest and most complex National Defence and Canadian Coast Guard procurement projects are delivered on time and with greater transparency to Parliament. This priority is to be developed concurrently with ongoing procurement projects and existing timelines”.
1.Can the Minister provide the currently envisaged timeline and key milestones for bringing forward “analyses and options for the creation of Defence Procurement Canada”?
2.Since December 2019, how many meetings has the Minister held with the Minister of Public Services and Procurement specifically concerning this matter?
No. 21.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding Global Affairs Canada:
Could the government please list all Canadian diplomats who currently receive a remuneration higher than the official pay scale, and provide the position and salary range of these individuals?
No. 22.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—With respect to the Department of National Defence:
The mandate letter for the Minister of National Defence instructs the Minister to: “Continue to improve support for the women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces and to ensure a workplace characterized by professionalism, inclusion and valuing diversity: Work with senior leaders of the Canadian Armed Forces to establish and maintain a workplace free from harassment and discrimination; Create a new $2,500 tax-free benefit every time a military family relocates, to help with retraining, recertification and other costs of finding new work; and Achieve the goal of 25 per cent of Canadian Armed Forces members being women by 2026”.
1.Can the Minister please outline the status of each of the components of this initiative?
2.What is the current percentage of women in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) at present? What are the targets for each year up to 2026?
3.Within the 25% overall target, have sub-targets been set for the employment of women in the various elements of the CAF, including the combat arms? What are those targets?
4.What measures are being taken to ensure that targets are being met on an annual basis?
5.Have training or operational standards, or practices, in any element of the CAF been adjusted in any way to facilitate meeting the set targets? If so, please explain the specific nature of the adjustments that have been made?
6.Could the Minister please outline each of the recruitment objectives for every designated group? What is the current level of designated group membership in the CAF at the present time? What are the targets for each year up to 2026?
7.How are the various designated group recruitment objectives balanced against urgent operational recruiting needs in the CAF that may arise?
8.When an urgent operational recruiting requirement related to a particular trade arises (for instance with respect to pilots in the RCAF), does such a requirement ever take any form of precedence, even temporarily, over designated group objectives?
9.What are the current manning requirements for each frigate in the RCN, each submarine and each MCDV? To what extent are these requirements being met?
10.How many RCN frigates, submarines and MCDVs are currently manned up to the full requirement?
11.What is the current authorized strength level for each CF-18, Aurora and Cyclone squadron in RCAF in terms of numbers of operational aircraft, pilots and personnel? How many CF-18, Aurora and Cyclone squadrons in the RCAF are currently manned up to their full requirement?
12.What is the current authorized strength level for each Regular Force armoured, infantry and artillery regiment/battalion in the Canadian Army? How many of these units are currently manned up to their full requirement?
No. 23.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding classified or protected documents:
1.Across the Government of Canada, from January 1, 2020 to date, how many documents have been handled or stored in a manner which did not meet the requirements of the document’s security level?
2.Which government departments or agencies have seen the most incidents of improperly handled or stored documents in 2020?
3.Have any security clearances been revoked in 2020 in relation to the treatment of these documents? If so, how many?
4.What guidance regarding the treatment of documents has been given to public servants working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic?
5.How do government agencies and departments conduct security checks to monitor the proper handling of documents remotely?
6.Have any “Protected C”, “Confidential”, “Secret”, and “Top Secret” documents been worked on from home during the COVID-19 pandemic? If so, how many, and from which departments or agencies?
No. 24.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding Export Development Canada (EDC):
1.How has EDC worked to implement each of the recommendations contained in a 2018 report from the Office of the Auditor General of Canada?
2.The Auditor General found significant deficiencies concerning Board appointments. Does EDC have a plan to ensure timely appointments or reappointments to the Board?
3.How does EDC’s new Transparency and Disclosure Policy released in March 2020 address all the deficiencies identified in a 2019 review from Global Affairs Canada and International Financial Consulting Ltd.?
No. 25.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding fighter aircrafts:
The mandate letter of the Minister of National Defence instructs the Minister to: “Work with the Minister of Public Services and Procurement to manage the competitive process to select a supplier and enter into a contract to construct Canada’s fighter aircraft fleet”.
1.Can the Minister please explain how this process is being managed on a day-to-day basis?
2.Since December 2019, how many meetings has the Minister held with the Minister of Public Services and Procurement specifically concerning this project?
3.Can the Minister confirm that the plan is to sign a contract for a new fighter aircraft in 2022? Can the Minister outline the key milestones over the next two years in order to meet that objective?
4.Can the Minister confirm that all aircraft manufacturers, including Boeing, Saab and Lockheed Martin, are participating in this competitive process?
5.What is the currently estimated date of delivery for the first new fighter aircraft? What is the currently estimated date for the first front-line squadron to be operational? What is currently estimated date of delivery of the final aircraft?
6.Can the Minister confirm that it remains the intent of the Government of Canada to procure 88 new fighter aircraft in total?
No. 26.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding Global Affairs Canada:
The mandate letter of the Minister of Foreign Affairs calls on the Minister to “Expand Canadian diplomacy on global issues and in international institutions. We must maximize the Canadian advantage of being a member of the world’s most vital multilateral institutions, continuing to be a strong voice for the rules-based order” and to “lead Canada’s United Nations Security Council campaign”.
Please outline:
•Funding and full-time equivalents (FTEs) allocated within Global Affairs Canada to support this initiative since March 2016;
•Total value of funding provided to date to “Security Council Report” to address thematic and country priorities of interest to Canada in its preparation for a seat on the council;
•A list of all contracts entered into by the Government of Canada or the Department with any organization related to the preparation of Canada’s bid for a Security Council seat;
•The individual value of each such contract;
•Number of meetings held by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs with foreign ambassadors/high commissioners or other senior foreign officials since March 2016 where this initiative was a principal issue on the proposed agenda;
•Number of meetings held by the Deputy Minister of International Trade with foreign ambassadors/high commissioners or other senior foreign officials since March 2016 where this initiative was a principal issue on the proposed agenda;
•Number of meetings held by the Deputy Minister of International Development with foreign ambassadors/high commissioners or other senior foreign officials since March 2016 where this initiative was a principal issue on the proposed agenda;
•Number of meetings held by the Associate Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs with foreign ambassadors/high commissioners or other senior foreign officials since March 2016 where this initiative was a principal issue on the proposed agenda;
•Number of meetings held by the Minister of Foreign Affairs with other Foreign Ministers, foreign ambassadors/high commissioners or other senior foreign officials since March 2016 where this initiative was a principal issue on the proposed agenda;
•Number of meetings held by the Minister of International Development with other Foreign or Development Ministers, foreign ambassadors/high commissioners or other senior foreign officials since March 2016 where this initiative was a principal issue on the proposed agenda;
•Number of meetings held by the Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade with other Foreign or Development Ministers, foreign ambassadors/high commissioners or other senior foreign officials since March 2016 where this initiative was a principal issue on the proposed agenda;
•Number of international visits undertaken by any Minister, Deputy Minister or Associate Deputy Minister from the Department of Global Affairs since March 2016 where this initiative was a principal issue on the proposed agendas.
•A list of countries visited by any Minister, Deputy Minister or Associate Deputy Minister from the Department of Global Affairs since March 2016 where this initiative was a principal issue on the proposed agendas.
•List, nature and value of individual funding commitments made by the Government of Canada to development, or other initiatives, in Barbados or any other member state in the Caribbean Community since March 2016;
•List, nature and value of individual funding commitments made by the Government of Canada to development, or other initiatives, in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Somalia, Mauritius, Madagascar, Senegal or any other member state in the African Union since March 2016;
•List, nature and value of individual funding commitments made by the Government of Canada to development, or other initiatives, in any member state in the Organization of American States since March 2016.
No. 27.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding the residences situated at Harrington Lake:
1.When was the “Caretaker’s House”, originally built in 1850, moved and renamed the “Farmhouse”?
2.Was the Prime Minister, the Prime Minister’s Office and/or the Privy Council Office involved in the decision to move the Caretaker’s House?
3.What are the detailed costs of moving the Caretaker’s House and renovating the Farmhouse?
4.What is the budget for renovating the main cottage?
5.What is the timeline to complete the renovations?
No. 28.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding icebreakers:
The entire Coast Guard icebreaker fleet is to reach the limit of its anticipated life expectancy in the current decade. With respect to the Louis S. St-Laurent, that estimated life expectancy has already passed.
1. What is the current estimate for how long the Louis S. St-Laurent can be maintained in service? What is the estimated cost for maintaining the Louis S. St-Laurent through the 2020s? Does the Louis S. St-Laurent have a planned retirement date?
2.The Government has asked for an RFI from Canadian shipyards on their ability to build the Diefenbaker icebreaker as a replacement for the Louis S. St-Laurent. For what reason did the Government remove the Diefenbaker from the Seaspan yard in June 2019 only to issue an RFI, including Seaspan, eight months later? Why did it take the Government eight months to issue this RFI, after removing the Diefenbaker icebreaker from the Seaspan yard, when the project is clearly extremely urgent? What explains the fact that it has taken the Government four years, since taking office in November 2015, to issue this RFI related to the replacement of the Louis S. St-Laurent?
3.The Government has indicated that it wishes to see the Diefenbaker icebreaker enter service by December 2029. Please outline the critical path and milestones currently envisaged to ensure that this objective can be achieved. When is it anticipated that construction must begin in order to meet the December 2029 objective?
4.Please provide the current cost estimate for building the Diefenbaker icebreaker. Will the Government commit to building an icebreaker at the Polar 2 class level or, if not, what level of icebreaking capability is envisaged for the Diefenbaker?
5.Will the Government please provide the envisaged schedule for building six medium icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard to replace the vessels currently reaching their estimated maximum life expectancy? When is the first medium icebreaker anticipated to enter service and when will the sixth vessel enter service?
6.Does the Government remain on track to negotiate an umbrella agreement with Davie Shipbuilding this year? When will construction of the first medium icebreaker begin?
7.Can the Government confirm that the interim icebreakers currently entering service will be sufficient to provide icebreaking capability in the St. Lawrence river and in all Canadian waters through the 2020s and until the new medium icebreakers are in service? If not, how will these essential icebreaking requirements be met?
8.How many times has the Minister responsible for the Canadian Coast Guard met with the Minister of Public Services and Procurement since 2015 to discuss either the Polar icebreaker or medium icebreaker projects?
No. 29.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding immigration removals:
1.Report 1 of the Spring 2020 Auditor General’s report states: “In April 2019, we determined that there were about 50,000 individuals with enforceable removal orders. Two thirds of these — 34,700 cases in the wanted inventory — involved individuals whose whereabouts were unknown.” What is being done to determine the whereabouts of these 34,700 missing individuals?
2.As of September 2020, how many individuals were there with enforceable removal orders? How many of these are individuals whose whereabouts are unknown? How many of these involve individuals with criminality? How many have criminal convictions in Canada? How many have served sentences in provincial prisons? How many have served federal sentences? How many were released from correctional institutions with deportation orders whose whereabouts are now unknown?
3.The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) stopped carrying out immigration removals in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When does CBSA intend to resume removals? Does it anticipate doing so in the current calendar year?
4.What is the Government of Canada doing to improve the data quality issues across the immigration removals system, as identified in the Auditor General’s report? How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted CBSA’s plans during the current fiscal year to improve the input of information to support removals, through systems upgrades and additional training measures?
5.What is CBSA’s target for removals for the 2020-21 fiscal year? Has the target been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic?
No. 31.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding the Parliamentary Precinct:
The mandate letter for the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations instructs the Minister to “work with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation leadership, with the support of the Minister of Public Services and Procurement, to conclude the Government’s contribution to the space for Indigenous Peoples in the Parliamentary Precinct.”
In relation to this mandate item, please provide:
1. (a)Total spending (in dollar amount) by the federal government on this project since 2015, and a breakdown of all principal expenditures to date.
(b)Percentage of funding to date — capital and operating — provided by the federal government for the creation of this space.
(c) Percentage of funding to date — capital and operating — provided by First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation organizations for the creation of this space.
(d)Funds currently estimated to be required over the next five years to support this project. As well, please provide breakdown of projected capital and operating costs over the next five years.
2. Is there a current plan for making this space self-sustaining, with no contribution by federal taxpayers required? If so, please explain that plan.
No. 32.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding interprovincial trade:
1.What is the current annual cost to the Canadian economy of interprovincial trade barriers, in both dollar figures and as a percentage of GDP?
2.What are the concrete measures taken by the Government of Canada since 2016 to improve internal trade within the country?
3.Can the government identify specific barriers to trade between provinces that have been taken down within the last year?
4.Has the Government of Canada implemented any recommendations from the 2016 report Tear Down These Walls: Dismantling Canada’s Internal Trade Barriers from the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce? If so, which recommendations? If not, why not?
5.Which provinces allow interprovincial alcohol shipments under amendments to the Importation of Intoxicating Liquor Act in 2012 and 2014?
6.The Canadian Free Trade Agreement’s Regulatory and Reconciliation Cooperation Table had planned to complete work in 11 areas by the end of 2020. What is the current status of each of the identified areas below? If the work has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has a new timetable been set for each area?
Occupational Health and Safety
(a)Workplace First Aid Training
(b)Fall Protection
(c)Occupational Exposure Limits
Transportation
(d)Size and Weight Restrictions (Except Spring Weight Restrictions)
(e)Electronic Logging Devices
(f)Truck Driver Certification — Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) for Commercial Drivers
(g)Autonomous Vehicles Testing
Agriculture / Agri-Food / Aquaculture
(h)Food Inspection
(i)Meat Inspection
Registration Requirements
(j)Workers’ Compensation Board
Technical Safety
(k)Gasfitter/Gas Technician Licensing/Certification
No. 33.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding the Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF):
1.How many companies and industry associations have contacted Minister’s offices and/or departments identifying problems with/requesting changes to the LEEFF? In particular, how many have contacted the following Ministers and/or their offices/departments since the LEEFF was launched?
(a)Prime Minister
(b)Deputy Prime Minister
(c)Minister of Finance
(d)Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
(e)Minister of Transport
(f)Minister of Natural Resources
2.Could the government break down the number of companies and industry associations which contacted the Government of Canada regarding changes to the LEEF by each economic sector listed below?
(a)Aerospace
(b)Airlines
(c)Manufacturing
(d)Oil and Gas
(e)Retail
(f)Tourism/Hospitality
3.How many applications under the LEEFF program have been received since May 20, 2020?
4.How many applications under the LEEFF program have been approved since May 20, 2020?
No. 34.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding long-term care facilities for people with disabilities:
During Committee of the Whole in the Senate on May 1, 2020, Minister Carla Qualtrough was asked if she knew how many facilities for people with disabilities across Canada have experienced COVID-19 outbreaks, and if this is something the Minister was tracking. The Minister responded: “In terms of tracking, unfortunately, no, I couldn’t tell you with any certainty. I could tell you anecdotally, but there is no rigour attached to the numbers I would give you. I have heard some horrible stories.”
1.Has any Government of Canada department or agency tracked the number of outbreaks of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities for people with disabilities across Canada? If so, how many have occurred, in total and by province?
2.How many COVID-19 cases are tied to outbreaks at long-term care facilities for people with disabilities, amongst staff and/or residents, in total and by province?
3.Which government department or agency is responsible for tracking these outbreaks? Is that information communicated to Employment and Social Development Canada?
No. 35.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding a December 18, 2017, Department of Justice contract awarded to McCarthy Tétrault:
1.What was the total amount paid under this contract?
2.Who authorized this contract?
3.What was the contract for?
4.In 2019, a Justice Department spokesperson said this contract was in relation to the department’s legal risk-assessment strategy. What work was provided? Could the department provide a copy of any reports or other work provided by McCarthy Tétrault in relation to this contract?
5.Why did the Department of Justice initially attempt to sole-source this contract? Why did the department later reverse course and allow other bids?
No. 36.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding International Trade:
The first round of formal negotiations on a free trade agreement between Canada and MERCOSUR (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay) was held in March 2018, and a seventh round of negotiations took place in August 2019.
1.What is the current status of negotiations of a free trade agreement with MERCOSUR?
2.Has the next round of negotiations been scheduled? If not, why not?
3.Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s 2020-21 Departmental Plan states the department “will continue advancing agricultural interests in trade negotiations in 2020–21, such as those currently taking place with MERCOSUR countries”. What does the department will believe would be the impact on our agricultural sector of a free trade agreement with MERCOSUR?
4.Does the Government of Canada agree with the findings of a report released by the Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil (CNA) in July 2020 regarding the potential benefits for Brazil agricultural exports to Canada under a concluded Canada-MERCOSUR free trade agreement?
No. 37.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding Canada’s missions abroad:
1.How has Global Affairs Canada responded to each of the recommendations in the November 2018 report of the Auditor General of Canada regarding security in Canada’s missions abroad?
(a)Have threat assessments been completed for all missions? If not, is there a plan in place to do so? By what date?
(b)How many threat assessments were scheduled to be updated in fiscal year 2019-2020, and how many were completed?
(c)Have vulnerability assessments been updated for all missions? If not, is there a plan in place to do so? By what date?
2.Has Global Affairs Canada provided personal protective equipment (PPE) for diplomatic staff working at Canada’s embassies, High Commissions, consulates, missions and trade offices abroad in response to the COVID-19 pandemic? If so, how much PPE has been provided?
No. 38.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls:
1.Since the release of the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in June 2019, has the RCMP reopened any related cases? If, so how many? Have these reopened cases resulted in arrests or charges laid?
2.Has the RCMP reviewed any related investigations since the release of the final report?
3.Is the Government of Canada aware of any other related cases reopened by other police forces in Canada in the time since the release of the final report?
4.What is the Government of Canada’s response to the recommendation to all levels of government and all police forces to create a national task force of investigators to review, and if required, to reinvestigate related cases?
No. 39.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding defence capabilities in Canada’s North:
The mandate letter for the Minister of National Defence instructs the Minister to: “Work with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Northern Affairs and partners through the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework to develop better surveillance (including by renewing the North Warning System), defence and rapid-response capabilities in the North and in the maritime and air approaches to Canada, to strengthen continental defence, protect Canada’s rights and sovereignty and demonstrate international leadership with respect to the navigation of Arctic waters”.
1.Since December 2019, how many meetings has the Minister of National Defence held with the Ministers concerned on this matter?
2.What is the Government’s current timeline for renewing the North Warning System?
3.Have discussions been initiated with the United States on this matter?
4.What level of funding has been set aside by the Government of Canada to renew the North Warning System?
5.What does the Government assess as the most important military capabilities that will require renewal in: a) the next five years, b) the next ten years, and c) the next twenty years to ensure “better surveillance, defence and rapid-response capabilities in the North and in the maritime and air approaches to Canada”?
6.Please provide the currently envisaged timeline for each project that will be required to renew “surveillance and defence” capabilities in the North and in the maritime and air approaches to Canada, a description of each project and the level of funding set aside for that project.
7.Please provide the currently envisaged timeline for each project that will be required to renew “rapid-response” capabilities in the North and in the maritime and air approaches to Canada, a description of each project and the level of funding set aside for that project.
No. 40.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding government contracts:
In Spring 2019, the Privy Council Office gave two sole-sourced contracts to WE Charity.
Government contract reference number C-2018-2019-Q4-00145, from March 19th to March 31st, was for $17,050.34. The information in the government’s contracts database states that it was for “Other professional services not elsewhere specified” and “Honoraria”.
Government contract reference number C-2019-2020-Q1-00011 for “management consulting” was worth $24,996.00, just a few dollars under the threshold to advertise the contract for tendering. The contract ran from May 1st to May 3rd, 2019 and some of the only information about this contract in the database states: “conference/workshop services”.
1.Could the government please provide the following information on these two contracts:
(a)Who authorized these contracts?
(b)What were these contracts for?
(c)What work was provided?
(d)What was the location where the work was provided?
(e)Who received the money?
(f)Why were these contracts sole sourced instead of tendered?
2.With respect to PCO contract C-2018-2019-Q4-00145, no individual’s name was attached to this contract, as is the case with other “Honoraria” contracts in the government’s database. Why?
No. 41.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding the Privy Council Office (PCO):
In January 2016, Mr. Matthew Mendelsohn was appointed Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Results and Delivery) in the Privy Council Office. On March 4, 2020, the Prime Minister announced Mr. Mendelsohn had stepped down from his position.
1.What was Mr. Mendelsohn’s salary or salary range?
2.Did Mr. Mendelsohn receive severance pay or any amount after leaving his position?
3.Who replaced Mr. Mendelsohn as Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Results and Delivery)?
4.How many PCO employees were assigned to Results and Delivery between January 2016 and March 2020?
5.What results were delivered by the Results and Delivery section of the Privy Council Office between January 2016 and March 2020?
No. 42.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding the Privy Council Office (PCO):
1.When did PCO’s Security Operations Division begin its investigation of the leak to former CBC journalist James Cudmore of Cabinet deliberations and decisions regarding the interim supply ships? When did PCO’s Security Operations Division end this investigation?
2.Were any outside investigators hired to assist in this PCO probe? If so, how many, and at what cost?
3.How many individuals were interviewed during the course of this investigation? Could a list of their names be provided?
4.Was a final report submitted from PCO’s Security Operations Division regarding this investigation? If so, when, and who received it? Did PCO’s Security Operations Division recommend asking the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to investigate the leak?
5.On what date was the RCMP asked to investigate the leak? How was the request made, and who made the request?
6.How many investigations into leaks from Cabinet or any other government leaks have been conducted by PCO’s Security Operations Division since 2016?
(a)Was it asked to investigate the leak surrounding the judicial selection process of the 2017 Supreme Court appointment?
(b)Was it asked to investigate the leak of Statistics Canada’s labour force survey for April 2020?
No. 43.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding human rights:
1.Did the Prime Minister raise China’s crackdown on human rights in Hong Kong during any of his telephone calls with over 40 world leaders in the run up to the United Nations Security Council seat vote? If so, which world leaders did the Prime Minister speak with about this issue?
2.Did the Prime Minister raise China’s unlawful detention of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor during any of his telephone calls with over 40 world leaders in the run up to the United Nations Security Council seat vote? If so, which world leaders did the Prime Minister speak with about this issue?
3.Did the Prime Minister raise China’s treatment of the Uyghurs during any of his telephone calls with over 40 world leaders in the run up to the United Nations Security Council seat vote? If so, which world leaders did the Prime Minister speak with about this issue?
4.Did the Prime Minister raise LGBTQ2 rights during any of his telephone calls with over 40 world leaders in the run up to the United Nations Security Council seat vote? If so, which world leaders did the Prime Minister speak with about this issue?
5.Did the Prime Minister raise gender equality during any of his telephone calls with over 40 world leaders in the run up to the United Nations Security Council seat vote? If so, which world leaders did the Prime Minister speak with about this issue?
6.The Prime Minister has said: “The tragic violence that Indigenous women and girls have experienced (in Canada) amounts to genocide”. Was this issue raised during any of the Prime Minister’s telephone calls with over 40 world leaders in the run up to the United Nations Security Council seat vote? If so, which world leaders did the Prime Minister speak with about this issue?
7.The Prime Minister has said: “Systemic racism is an issue right across the country, in all our institutions, including in all our police forces, including in the RCMP”. Was this issue raised during any of the Prime Minister’s telephone calls with over 40 world leaders in the run up to the United Nations Security Council seat vote? If so, which world leaders did the Prime Minister speak with about this issue?
No. 44.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding political fundraising:
1.How many political fundraising events in total have been attended by Cabinet Ministers since May 31, 2017?
2.Could the government list the number of political fundraising events attended by each Cabinet Minister since May 31, 2017, including former Ministers no longer serving in Cabinet?
No. 45.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding the delivery of government programs:
1.Since 2016, how many programs worth $543 million or more have been delivered by departments or agencies of the Government of Canada?
2.Since 2016, how many Government of Canada programs have been run by outside administrators? Of these, how many of Government of Canada programs worth $543 million or more have been run by outside administrators?
3.Since 2016, how many Government of Canada programs were administered under a sole-source contract and did not go to tender? Of these, how many of Government of Canada programs worth $543 million or more were administered under a sole-source contract and did not go to tender?
No. 46.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding Canada’s public service employees:
In June 2016, former Clerk of the Privy Council stated at the APEX symposium: “We have now reached a point where almost 40 per cent of the public service are over the age of 50” and “Baby boomers, it’s time to go… myself included”.
1.What percentage of indeterminate employees currently in the public service is over the age of 50? How does this compare to 2016? How does this percentage compare to Canada’s current labour force overall?
2.What percentage of indeterminate employees currently in the public service is under the age of 35? How does this compare to 2016? How does this percentage compare to Canada’s current labour force overall?
3.How many current executive-level public servants are over the age of 55? What is this in terms of percentage of the executive-level public servants? How does this compare to 2016?
4.What is currently the average age of entry of new hires into the public service? How does this compare to 2016?
No. 47.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP):
1.For each RCMP division, how many RCMP officers received training to be drug recognition experts in 2018, 2019 and 2020 (to date)?
2.Does the RCMP have an estimate or a target for the number of drug recognition experts that will receive training in 2021?
No. 48.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Concerning the Canada Research Chairs program:
In 2019, the Canada Research Chairs Program Tri-Agency Institutional Programs Secretariat increased institutional targets within the program for four groups: 50.9% for women, 22% for visible minorities, 7.5% for persons with disabilities, and 4.9% for Indigenous peoples.
1.What is the current amount of Tier 1 chairs for each of these four groups, in both percentage and numbers?
2.What is the current amount of Tier 2 chairs for each of these four groups, in both percentage and numbers?
3.Universities were given until December 2019 to meet targets. Did any universities fail to do so? If so, how many? Has any Canada Research Chairs funding been withheld as a result of universities failing to meet targets?
No. 49.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding the Canada–United States Safe Third Country Agreement:
On April 22, 2020, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) revealed that refugee claimants eligible for exemptions under the Canada–United States Safe Third Country Agreement can enter Canada through designated land ports of entry.
1.How many claimants have applied for asylum in Canada since this directive was announced?
2.Have all claimants who have entered Canada since April 22 been tested for COVID-19? If so, how many have tested positive?
3.Why did the Government of Canada issue this directive, given that the Canadian border is closed and claimants at irregular border crossings are being returned to the United States?
4.Why did CBSA communicate information regarding this change from its French Twitter account only?
No. 50.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding appointments to the Supreme Court of Canada:
1.In March 2019, information regarding the judicial selection process of the 2017 Supreme Court appointment process was leaked to the media by government sources to deflect from the SNC-Lavalin scandal. The next scheduled retirement from the Supreme Court of Canada will occur in less than a year, when the Honourable Rosalie Abella retires on July 1, 2021. What enhanced security measures have already been taken to ensure the confidentiality of information and deliberations related to the selection of the next Supreme Court justice? Are any other security measures which have not yet been implemented under consideration?
2.On March 27, 2019, the Manitoba Bar Association released a statement which said in part: “It is vital that any deliberations leading up to any appointment remain confidential. The recent breaches of confidentiality where the suitability of other candidates are discussed is highly disconcerting. It demeans the entire selection process and is harmful to the privacy of individual applicants.” Will applicants under the next Supreme Court appointment process be expressly promised privacy of their personal information, along with confidentiality of the deliberations? If this privacy/confidentiality is violated, what penalties will be applied? If none, why not?
No. 51.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments:
On March 9, 2020, Order in Council 2020-0120 re-appointed “Vianne Timmons, O.C., of Regina, Saskatchewan, as a special adviser to the Prime Minister, to serve as an ad hoc provincial member of the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, to hold office during pleasure for a term ending on April 30, 2020.”
1.Why did the government re-appoint Dr. Timmons as a Saskatchewan member of the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments when the Board of Regents of Memorial University of Newfoundland announced in December 2019 that Dr. Timmons would become its president and vice-chancellor, effective April 1, 2020?
2.Are provincial members of the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments required to be residents of the province they represent? If not, why not? How many other provincial members of the Advisory Board are not residents of the province they represent?
3.According to the government’s Senate appointments website, applications are only supposed to be retained for two years. Have there been instances where a list older than two years has been used to fill a Senate seat for any province? If so, how many? When was the last list for the province of Saskatchewan submitted?
No. 52.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding shipbuilding:
The mandate letter of the Minister of National Defence instructs the Minister to: “Work with the Minister of Public Services and Procurement on the renewal of the Royal Canadian Navy Fleet, continuing the revitalization of the shipbuilding industry, creating middle class jobs and ensuring Canada’s Navy has the modern ships that it needs”.
1.Can the Minister please explain how this process is being managed on a day-to-day basis?
2.Since December 2019, how many meetings has the Minister held with the Minister of Public Services and Procurement specifically concerning the National Shipbuilding Strategy?
3.Can the Minister please confirm:
(a)The planned in-service dates for the two Joint Support ships under construction?
(b)The planned in-service dates for each of the six Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships?
(c)The planned date (year and month) for the start of construction of the future Canadian Surface Combatant?
No. 54.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding superclusters:
1.Could the government please provide the names of the businesses or organizations which have received funding under each of the following superclusters, including the amount awarded and the date?
(a)Ocean supercluster
(b)Scale AI supercluster
(c)Next Generation Manufacturing supercluster
(d)Protein Industries supercluster
(e)Digital Technology supercluster
2.In February 2018, the Government of Canada claimed the superclusters investment of $950 million “is expected to create more than 50,000 middle-class jobs and grow Canada’s economy by $50 billion over the next 10 years.” Does the government still stand by these claims? How many middle-class jobs have been created through the investments to date? How much economic growth have been generated to date, and how has that been determined?
3.Are businesses or organizations which receive funding under the supercluster initiative required by their funding agreements to demonstrate the number of jobs created and/or amount of economic activity generated? If not, why not?
4.Which companies or organizations have received funding dedicated in response to COVID-19 from the Digital Technology and Next Generation Manufacturing superclusters? What were the amounts awarded, and the dates?
No. 55.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding the creation of a Director of Terrorism Prosecutions:
1.What is the timeline for the creation of this position? When is it expected to be operational?
2.What is the anticipated budget for the Director of Terrorism Prosecutions?
3.How many staff are anticipated to work in this office?
4.Will the Director of Terrorism Prosecutions be housed under the Attorney General of Canada, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, or another office?
5.How many times have the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness met to discuss the creation of this office?
No. 56.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project:
On June 3, 2018, the former Minister of Finance, Bill Morneau, told CTV’s Question Period: “We have investors who are already expressing interest.”
1.How many investors had expressed interest in purchasing Trans Mountain at the time the former Minister made this statement in June 2018? How many have since expressed interest to date?
2.What exactly did the former Minister mean by “expressing interest”? What form did this engagement take?
3.What is the current status of the federal government’s engagement with Indigenous-led groups regarding ownership of Trans Mountain either in whole or in part?
4.When does the federal government anticipate it will begin accepting formal offers from investors to purchase Trans Mountain?
No. 57.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding the processing of disability benefits at Veterans Affairs Canada:
1.What is the current backlog in processing applications for disability benefits from Veterans? How many applications in the backlog are completed applications, and how many are incomplete applications?
2.Since March 15, 2020, have any applications for disability benefits been flagged for suspected fraud or abuse? If so, how many, and were those applications subject to further investigation?
3.How does Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) explain why Canada Emergency Response Benefit payments were automatically approved even when fraud is suspected, while applications for disability benefits for our Veterans remain backlogged by the tens of thousands?
4.How many claims have been placed on hold as a result of the inability of Veterans to access supporting documentation due to the COVID-19 pandemic?
5.Due to the closure to the public of in-person Service Canada offices, did the VAC call centre see an increase in call volume? If so, by how much?
(a)A 2019 report from the Office of the Auditor General found that the VAC call centre allowed all callers to speak with an agent — is that still the case?
(b)Is the average wait time for a caller still five minutes, as was reported by the Auditor General? If not, what is it? What percentage of calls are answered within the department’s timeliness target of two minutes?
6.In a September 2018 report, the Veterans Ombudsman found that francophone applicants waited longer for decisions than anglophone applicants, and women waited longer than men. What are the current wait times for each of these groups?
No. 58.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—With respect to Veterans Affairs Canada:
After years of delay, Veterans Affairs Canada has finally added the names of Canadian and First Nations fallen from the War of 1812 to its website. However, although these names are included in the War of 1812 Book of Remembrance located in Parliament’s Memorial Chamber, the names of the 1812 fallen appear to have been excluded from the department’s “Virtual Memorial” which honors all of Canada’s fallen on line.
Can Veterans Affairs Canada explain why the names of Canadian and First Nations fallen from the War of 1812 have been purposely segregated from the rest of Canada’s fallen online, even though they are all honoured together in the Books of Remembrance in the Memorial Chamber? Did the Department consult with First Nations representatives or other experts before taking this decision?
No. 59.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding ventilators:
1.As of September 24, 2020, how many ventilators are available for use in Canada?
2.How many ventilators are expected to be available for use in Canada as of December 31, 2020?
3.How many ventilators have been ordered by the Government of Canada since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic? How many have been delivered to date? How many contracts have been finalized with suppliers/manufacturers? What is the name of each supplier/manufacturer, and the cost of each contract? Are timelines for delivery built in to these contracts?
4.Are any of the ventilators ordered this year intended to replenish the National Emergency Strategic Stockpile? If so, how many?
No. 60.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
September 23, 2020—Regarding the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women:
1.Since the program was launched, how many women have applied for this grant?
2.Since the program was launched, how many women have received this grant?
3.How many women have received the maximum amount of $6,000 under this program?
4.What is the total amount expended under this program to date?
5.How has the government advertised or promoted this program, and how much has been spent to date to do so?
6.What percentage of Red Seal trade apprentices are women? How does this figure compare to when the program was launched?
No. 61.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
September 30, 2020—Regarding possible overseas tax evasion and the LGT Bank in Liechtenstein where information was disclosed in 2008, indicating 106 Canadian accounts, as of September 30, 2020:
1. How many Canadians (individuals, trusts, foundations and companies) have been determined to have had accounts in LGT Bank?
2. How much money has been identified as owing to the Government of Canada?
3. How many Canadians (individuals, trusts, foundations and companies) have been determined to owe money to the Government of Canada?
4. What are the names of the individuals, companies, trusts and foundations determined to owe money to the Government of Canada?
5. How many Canadians (individuals, trusts, foundations and companies) have been charged with overseas tax evasion?
6. What are the names of the individuals, companies, trusts and foundations charged?
7. In which court and in which cities were these charges laid?
8. How many were convicted?
9. Of those convictions:
(a) What was the largest fine, and what was the smallest?
(b) What was the longest term of imprisonment, and what was the shortest?
10. How much money identified as owing has been collected by the Canada Revenue Agency?
No. 62.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
September 30, 2020—Regarding possible overseas tax evasion and the “Paradise Papers”, a 2017 leak of information from the law firm Appleby and the corporate registries of 19 tax jurisdictions, as of September 30, 2020:
1. How many Canadians (individuals, trusts, foundations and companies) have been identified by the Canada Revenue Agency as a result of this leak?
2. How much money has been identified as owing to the Government of Canada?
3. How many Canadians (individuals, trusts, foundations and companies) have been determined to owe money to the Government of Canada?
4. What are the names of the individuals, companies, trusts and foundations determined to owe money to the Government of Canada?
5. How many Canadians (individuals, trusts, foundations and companies) have been charged with overseas tax evasion?
6. What are the names of the individuals, companies, trusts and foundations charged?
7. In which court and in which cities were these charges laid?
8. How many were convicted?
9. Of those convictions:
(a) What was the largest fine, and what was the smallest?
(b) What was the longest term of imprisonment, and what was the shortest?
10. How much money identified as owing has been collected by the Canada Revenue Agency?
No. 63.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
September 30, 2020—With respect to a report in the Toronto Star on May 30th 2019, about tax evasion in the real estate markets of Ontario and British Columbia, and claims that “Canada Revenue Agency audits have added more than $1 billion to government coffers”, would the Government of Canada provide the following information:
1. How many Canadians (individuals or companies/corporations) have been identified as having evaded taxes through real estate transactions?
2. How many non-Canadians (individuals or companies/corporations) have been identified as having evaded taxes through real estate transactions?
3. Of those Canadians (individuals or companies/corporations) identified, how many of them are being, or have been reviewed by the Canada Revenue Agency?
4. Of those non-Canadians (individuals or companies/corporations) identified, how many of them are being, or have been reviewed by the Canada Revenue Agency?
5. How many audits have been undertaken against these Canadians by the Canada Revenue Agency?
(a) How many reassessments or related compliance actions have been undertaken?
6. How many audits have been closed?
7. How many audits are still ongoing?
8. How many audits have been undertaken against these non-Canadians by the Canada Revenue Agency?
(a) How many reassessments or related compliance actions have been undertaken?
9. How many audits have been closed?
10. How many audits are still ongoing?
11. How many identified Canadians have availed themselves of the Voluntary Disclosure Program with the Canada Revenue Agency?
12. How many identified non-Canadians have availed themselves of the Voluntary Disclosure Program with the Canada Revenue Agency?
13. How many identified Canadians have settled with the Canada Revenue Agency?
14. How many identified non-Canadians have settled with the Canada Revenue Agency?
15. How much money, including unpaid taxes, fines, etc., has the Canada Revenue Agency assessed as a result of investigating these cases, broken down by the following categories:
(a) in unpaid taxes;
(b) in interest;
(c) in fines; and
(d) in penalties?
16. How much of the money has been collected?
17. How many of these cases are under appeal?
18. How many cases remain open?
19. How many of the cases have been closed, i.e. the full amount of taxes, interest, fines and penalties have been collected?
20. How many tax evasion charges have been laid?
21. How many convictions have been recorded?
No. 64.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
September 30, 2020—With respect to overseas tax evasion:
On April 3rd, 2016 the Panama Papers were disclosed, including the names of more than 600 Canadians. On May 9th of that same year the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) gained access to the external Panama Papers database. Subsequently, the CRA committed to “combatting the abusive use of offshore jurisdictions and protecting the integrity of the Canadian tax system” and would “pursue audits related to offshore tax evasion including some Canadian clients” named in the Panama Papers.
However, more than four years later, the CRA seems not to have shared in the success that other national revenue agencies have achieved. According to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists — the organization that broke the Panama Papers story — in the three and a half years since the release of the Papers, many countries have worked swiftly and forcefully to act on the information discovered.
Other countries have recovered:
•Germany: $183 million
•Spain: $164 million
•Ecuador: $84 million
•Australia: $93 million
•Mexico: $22 million
•Malta: $11 million
•Lithuania: $358,830
•Iceland: $25 million
•Numerous individuals charged and convicted worldwide.
And over $1.2 billion collected. Not “identified”, collected.
During this same time, Canada, according to the same source, has recovered no money whatsoever.
Also, unlike in other countries, not a single Canadian had been convicted, or even charged with tax evasion as a result of the Panama Papers.
After more than four years, can the Canada Revenue Agency join other countries in pointing to any real progress resulting from the release of the Panama Papers?
Any at all?
With that in mind, would the Government of Canada provide the following:
1.How many Canadians (individuals, trusts, foundations and companies) have been identified in the Panama Papers?
2.Of those Canadians (individuals, trusts, foundations and companies) identified, how many of their accounts are being, or have been reviewed by the Canada Revenue Agency since the release of the Panama Papers?
3.How many audits have been undertaken against these Canadians by the Canada Revenue Agency?
(a)How many reassessments or related compliance actions have been undertaken?
4.How many audits have been closed?
5.How many audits are still ongoing?
6.How many identified Canadians have requested that their cases be dealt with under the auspices of the Voluntary Disclosure Program with the Canada Revenue Agency?
7.How many of those requests have been granted
8.How many identified Canadians have settled with the Canada Revenue Agency?
9.How much money, including unpaid taxes, fines, etc., has the Canada Revenue Agency assessed as a result of investigating these cases?
10.How much money identified as owing has been collected by the Canada Revenue Agency?
11.How many cases remain open?
12.How many of the audits have been completed, including the full amount of taxes, interest, fines and penalties having been collected?
13.How many tax evasion charges have been laid?
No. 65.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
September 30, 2020—With respect to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA):
Regarding the commitment in the 2016 Federal Budget to spend $444.4 million (over five years) to combat tax evasion, and the commitment in the 2017 Federal Budget to spend $523.9 million (over five years) for the same purpose, for a combined total $968.3 million, of as well as the claim by the CRA that “The CRA remains on track to spend the budget investments over the 5-year period for which they have been outlined”:
1.As of the end of Fiscal Year 2016-2017, how much of the $41.8 million (from the $968.3 million total) budgeted for “Cracking down on Tax Evasion and Combatting Tax Avoidance” for that Fiscal Year in Budget 2016 had actually been spent;
•How much of the money spent from the $41.8 million budgeted was used to fund employee benefit plans?
2.As of the end of Fiscal Year 2017-2018 how much of the $62.8 million (from the $968.3 million total) budgeted for “Cracking down on Tax Evasion and Combatting Tax Avoidance” for that Fiscal Year in Budget 2016 had actually been spent;
•How much of the money spent from the $62.8 million budgeted was used to fund employee benefit plans?
3.As of the end of Fiscal Year 2017-2018 how much of the $54.9 million (from the $968.3 million total) budgeted for “Cracking down on Tax Evasion and Combatting Tax Avoidance” for that Fiscal Year in Budget 2017 had actually been spent;
•How much of the money spent from the $54.9 million budgeted was used to fund employee benefit plans?
4.As of the end of Fiscal Year 2018-2019 how much of the $85.7 million (from the $968.3 million total) budgeted for “Cracking down on Tax Evasion and Combatting Tax Avoidance” for that Fiscal Year in Budget 2016 had actually been spent;
•How much of the money spent from the $85.7 budgeted was used to fund employee benefit plans?
5.As of the end of Fiscal Year 2018-2019 how much of the $78.1 million (from the $968.3 million total) budgeted for “Cracking down on Tax Evasion and Combatting Tax Avoidance” for that Fiscal Year in Budget 2017 had actually been spent;
•How much of the money spent from the $78.1 million budget was used to fund employee benefit plans?
6.As of the end of Fiscal Year 2019-2020 how much of the $98.6 million (from the $968.3 million total) budgeted for “Cracking down on Tax Evasion and Combatting Tax Avoidance” for that Fiscal Year in Budget 2016 had actually been spent;
•How much of the money spent from the $98.6 million budget was used to fund employee benefit plans?
7.As of the end of Fiscal Year 2019-2020 how much of the $77.6 million (from the $968.3 million total) budgeted for “Cracking down on Tax Evasion and Combatting Tax Avoidance” for that Fiscal Year in Budget 2017 had actually been spent;
•How much of the money spent from the $77.6 million budget was used to fund employee benefit plans?
No. 66.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
September 30, 2020—Regarding the Canada Child Benefit for the benefit years 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20:
1.How much money was provided via the Canada Child Benefit per federal electoral district in Prince Edward Island?
2.How many families in Prince Edward Island received the Canada Child Benefit?
3.How many children in Prince Edward Island were covered by the Canada Child Benefit?
4.What was the largest monthly payment for a Prince Edward Island family receiving the Canada Child Benefit?
5.What was the smallest monthly payment for a Prince Edward Island family receiving the Canada Child Benefit?
6.What percentage of recipients of the Canada Child Benefit in Prince Edward Island had adjusted net family annual income:
(a)Under $30,000
(b)Between $30,000 and $49,999
(c)Between $50,000 and $79,999
(d)Over $80,000
7.What was the average adjusted net family income for those Prince Edward Islanders receiving the Canada Child Benefit?
No. 67.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
September 30, 2020—Since 2005, qualified medically released Canadian Forces veterans have been eligible for priority employment appointments in the federal public service.
For the period from January 1, 2005, to September 30, 2020:
1.How many people were hired by the federal public service?
2.How many casual employees were hired by the federal public service?
3.How many term employees were hired by the federal public service?
4.How many indeterminate employees were hired by the federal public service?
5.How many members of the Canadian Forces, by rank upon release, have been medically released?
6.How many of these qualified medically released members, by rank upon release, have applied for a priority employment appointment in the federal public service?
(a)How many of these were hired as casual employees?
(b)How many of these were hired as term employees?
(c)How many of these were hired as indeterminate employees?
7.How many, by rank upon release, were still on the priority employment appointment list when their eligibility period expired?
8.How many qualified medically released Canadian Forces veterans, by rank upon release, were hired by each federal Government department?
(a)How many of these were hired as casual employees by each federal Government department?
(b)How many of these were hired as term employees by each federal Government department?
(c)How many of these were hired as indeterminate employees by each federal Government department?
No. 68.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
September 30, 2020—With respect to the employees of Global Affairs Canada (GAC) who have been posted outside Canada for ten or more consecutive years for the period 2000-2020, would the government provide for each of these employees the:
1.name;
2.title;
3.location or locations; and
4.length of time outside Canada.
5.GAC has stated that “employees assigned abroad are part of the career rotational foreign service and are expected to spend more than half of their entire careers outside Canada.” What percentage of the careers of each of these employees has been spent outside Canada?
6.Which employee has had the longest continuous posting outside Canada, and where has this employee been posted?
7.Which employee has had the most consecutive postings outside Canada, and where has this employee been posted?
No. 69.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
September 30, 2020—According to the Public Accounts of Canada 2018-19, 19 instances of fraudulent use of Contribution Funds has cost what is now Global Affairs Canada over five and a half million dollars over the previous 11 years.
With that in mind, could the government provide the following information:
1.In what countries did these instances occur?
2.What are the names of the individuals or groups responsible for these fraudulent claims?
3.How much of the money lost to fraudulent claims has been recovered?
4.What is the total loss to Global Affairs Canada?
No. 70.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
September 30, 2020—As stated in the Public Accounts of Canada 2018-2019:
Ministerial approval represents authority given to Ministers under the Financial Administration Act (FAA) or other Acts of Parliament as follows:
•Section 25(1) of the FAA gives Ministers, through Treasury Board regulations, general authority to approve the write-off of any debt, obligation or claim other than accountable advances or overpayments of salaries, wages, or employment-related allowances that would not result in a charge to an appropriation.
•Section 155.1(4) of the FAA gives Ministers, through Treasury Board regulations, authority to waive interest on overdue amounts owing to Her Majesty and to waive administrative charges for dishonoured instruments (e.g. NSF cheques) imposed under section 155.1 of the FAA.
•Other Acts of Parliament (e.g. Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act) give Ministers general authority to approve the write-off or forgiveness of specific debts, obligations or claims.
Under this authority, the Minister of National Revenue wrote off, forgave or waived interest or administrative charges in 1,534,315 cases of “debts, obligations and claims” to the Government of Canada in Fiscal Year 2018-2019, for a total of $4,166,405,553.
These include:
•1,190,147 cases under the Financial Administration Act, totaling $3,237,650,407;
•25,303 cases under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, totaling $352,032,596;
•7,637 cases under the Excise Tax Act, totaling $98,070,653; and
•311,228 cases under the Income Tax Act, totaling $478,651,897.
With this in mind, regarding the Financial Administration Act and the Income Tax Act, would the Government of Canada provide the following information for the Fiscal Year 2018-2019:
1.How many Canadians (individuals, trusts, foundations and companies) have had their debts written off?
2.What was the largest amount written off?
3.What was the smallest amount written off?
4.What was the largest amount forgiven?
5.What was the smallest amount forgiven?
6.How many Canadians (individuals, trusts, foundations and companies) have had interest and/or administrative charges waived?
7.What was the largest amount of interest or administrative charges waived?
8.What was the smallest amount of interest or administrative charges waived?
9.What was the Minister of National Revenue’s justification for writing off or forgiving those debts, and waiving interest and administrative charges?
10.Is the Canada Revenue Agency still actively trying to recover the debts owed but written off?
11.If so, what steps are being taken?
12.If not, why not?
13.How much of this debt has been recovered?
No. 71.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
September 30, 2020—Regarding the Canada Revenue Agency:
In a Monday, May 11th 2020 appearance before the House of Commons Committee on Government Operations and Estimates, Ted Gallivan, Assistant Commissioner of International, Large Business and Investigations for the Canada Revenue Agency made a number of statements regarding the Agency’s work to combat overseas tax evasion.
With that in mind, could the government provide the following information:
1.Mr. Gallivan stated that $4.4 billion is the “gross amount” of money identified as being owed to the Government of Canada. Of that amount:
(a)how much has actually been recovered,
(b)how much of that is related to overseas tax evasion,
(c)how many Canadians (individuals, trusts, foundations and companies) comprise that $4.4 billion,
(d)how many Canadians have been charged with tax evasion, and
(e)how many Canadians have been convicted of tax evasion?
2.Mr. Gallivan also stated that this amount is “many years ahead of schedule”. What, then, is the Canada Revenue Agency’s “schedule” for recovering this money?
3.Mr. Gallivan also referred to “over 3,000 cases” currently before the courts. Of that amount:
(a)how many Canadians (individuals, trusts, foundations and companies) are represented in that number,
(b)how many of those cases relate to overseas tax evasion,
(c)what is the largest amount of taxes alleged to have been evaded,
(d)what is the smallest amount,
(e)what is the average amount, and
(f)how many years do these cases go back?
No. 72.
By the Honourable Senator Downe:
September 30, 2020—With regard to government expenditures related to Bruyea v. Canada (Veteran Affairs), what is the total of all expenditures incurred to date in relation to the case?
No. 73.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
October 2, 2020—Regarding excise duty on alcohol products:
1.Since Royal Assent of the Budget Implementation Act, 2017, No. 1, what is the total amount of excise duty taxes collected by the federal government through its alcohol escalator tax?
2.How much has been collected through the escalator tax for each type of alcohol in 2018, 2019 and 2020 to date?
(a)Wine
(b)Beer
(c)Spirits
No. 74.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
October 2, 2020—Regarding Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada:
1.In Budget 2017, the government set a target to grow Canada’s agri-food exports to at least $75 billion annually by 2025. Is this still the government’s target for agricultural exports?
2.If the agricultural exports target has been changed, what is the new target, and when was the new target adopted?
3.The 2020-2021 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada departmental plan notes that the global political environment and threat of tariff or non-tariff barriers could potentially limit the department’s ability to achieve the target of $75 billion by 2025. How has the department worked to resolve agricultural trade restrictions against Canadian exports which have risen across several countries since this target was set?
No. 75.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
October 2, 2020—Regarding the National Research Council:
1.What is the total cost to Canadian taxpayers as a result of the failed vaccine development partnership between the National Research Council and CanSino Biologics Inc?
2.Did any Government of Canada entities provide security warnings or risk assessments to the National Research Council regarding its partnership with CanSino Biologics Inc., either before the agreement was initially reached, during the partnership, or after the deal ended?
(a)If so, which department or agency relayed these assessments or warnings, and when?
(b)If so, what was the substance and content of that assessment or warning?
3.Did the Department of Foreign Affairs, or any Canadian diplomatic mission in the People’s Republic of China, provide any advice or assessment regarding the partnership of the National Research Council with CanSino Biologics Inc., either before the agreement was initially reached, during the partnership, or after the deal ended?
(a)If so, when was this assessment provided?
(b)If so, what was the substance and content of that assessment?
No. 76.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
October 2, 2020—Regarding the carbon tax:
1.How much has the Government of Canada collected to date in carbon taxes from agricultural producers in each province and territory?
2.What is the current projection of the amount of carbon taxes the Government of Canada expects to collect from agricultural producers in each province and territory in 2021? How was this projection determined?
No. 77.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
October 2, 2020—Regarding the Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund:
1.Since its announcement on April 25, 2020, how much of the $62.5 million in funding allocated to the Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund has been distributed to the fish and seafood processing sector?
2.How much of the funding allocated to date under the Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund is repayable? What is the average repayment schedule?
3.How much has been distributed through each of the regional development agencies?
(a)Western Economic Diversification Canada
(b)Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
(c)Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
4.How many applications were received under the Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund, and how many have been approved to date?
No. 78.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
October 27, 2020—Regarding the 5G security review:
1.According to public statements made by former Minister Ralph Goodale, the current government has been conducting a review of whether to allow Huawei to join Canada’s 5G network since at least September 2018. On what date did the 5G security review formally begin?
2.Which departments, agencies or other entities of the Government of Canada have been involved in this review since 2018?
3.How many full-time equivalents have been assigned to this review since it began?
4.How much funding has been allocated to this review since it began?
5.When is the review expected to be completed?
6.Have any preliminary reports or findings on this matter been provided to any government Minister? If so, on which date, and in which department or agency?
7.Will a final report be submitted? If so, who will receive it, and will it be publicly available, in whole or in part?
No. 79.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
October 27, 2020—Regarding AgriInvest:
1.Was Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada aware on May 15, 2020 that AgriInvest account balances for grain farmers were on average about $33,600, as the department later told the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food?
2.How many AgriInvest accounts are currently active?
3.What is the current average AgriInvest account balance and number of open AgriInvest accounts, per province and per agricultural sector? Does Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada have access to this data from La Financière Agricole du Québec for that province? If so, can that information also be provided?
4.How many AgriInvest accounts currently contain less than $10,000? How many AgriInvest accounts are currently empty?
No. 80.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
October 27, 2020—Regarding Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) requests:
1.How many ATIP requests have been submitted to the Government of Canada to date in 2020? How many were submitted in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019?
2.How many responses to ATIP requests have been provided to date in 2020? How many were provided in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019?
3.In April 2018, the media reported that an extension of 29,200 days (80 years) beyond the 30-day statutory time limit was placed on an ATIP request at Library and Archives Canada. Currently, what is the longest extension placed on an ATIP request? What is the current average extension?
4.Since Bill C-58 came into force, how many ATIP requests have been declined as being trivial, frivolous or vexatious or made in bad faith?
No. 81.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
October 27, 2020—Regarding the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF):
A May 25, 2018, CBC report quoted the Minister of National Defence’s office as saying: “In line with the government of Canada’s objective of raising the numbers of Forces personnel, there are currently initial discussions to review the possibility for foreign nationals’ recruitment beyond skills applicants.”
1.Has the Government of Canada completed a review of the citizenship requirement for CAF personnel? If so, when did the review begin and when was the review completed? If not, when is the review expected to be completed?
2.What programs does the CAF have today permitting non-citizens to join? Where do these programs rank relative to other CAF recruitment objectives? For example, how are recruits from such programs prioritized relative to other CAF recruiting objectives?
3.What additionally is being reviewed in the way of expanding non-citizen recruitment?
4.Since its creation in 2014, how many foreign nationals have applied for Canadian citizenship under the fast track process for permanent residents serving in the CAF and foreign military members on exchange with the CAF? What countries have the applicants come from? How many of these applicants have become citizens?
No. 82.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
October 27, 2020—Regarding the forestry sector:
On July 10, 2020, a press release from Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Regan announced “the federal government’s intent to provide up to $30 million to offset additional costs associated with COVID-19 safety measures for small and medium enterprises in the forest sector, including tree-planting operations.”
1.Has this funding been fully distributed to small and medium enterprises in the forest sector? If not, when is that expected to take place?
2.How was this allotment per province and territory determined? Was it distributed on a per capita basis?
3.How much of this funding has been distributed to date, by province?
4.How much of this funding has gone to support each of the following?
(a)Personal protective equipment (PPE)
(b)Sanitizing stations
(c)Transportation, facilities and services to support social distancing
5.How many trees have been planted to date through this funding?
No. 83.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
October 27, 2020—Regarding harassment complaints across the Government of Canada:
1.How many workplace harassment complaints were lodged across Government of Canada departments, agencies, or other entities in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020?
2.How many of these complaints completed all five steps in the harassment complaint process in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020 (acknowledging receipt, reviewing the complaint, exploring options, rendering a decision and notifying in writing, and restoring the well-being of the workplace)?
3.Which departments, agencies, or other entities were among the top five across the Government of Canada for harassment complaints lodged in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020?
4.Across the Government of Canada, how many cases of assault subject to the Criminal Code, including sexual assault and criminal harassment, were referred to the appropriate authorities in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020?
5.How much was paid out in settlements across Government of Canada departments, agencies or other entities in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and to date in 2020?
6.How many individuals received these settlements in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020?
No. 84.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
October 27, 2020—Regarding high-speed internet:
1.Since November 2015, which departments, agencies, tribunals or other Government of Canada entities have advertised employment opportunities that required access to high-speed internet as part of the job’s conditions of employment? Which ones have done so in the past 12 months?
2.How many positions in total have been advertised with this requirement since November 2015? How many of these were advertised in the past 12 months?
3.How many Canadians does the Government of Canada estimate are unable to apply for these positions due to their inability to access high-speed internet?
No. 85.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
October 27, 2020—Regarding litigation:
1.How many legal claims currently pending involve the Government of Canada?
2.How many of these current legal claims name the Government of Canada as the defendant or respondent?
3.What is the potential liability of all current statements of claim against the Government of Canada?
4.For the fiscal year 2019-2020, how much did the Department of Justice pay external law firms and other legal agents? How many law firms and agents received these funds, and what were the top ten recipients?
5.How much has been spent so far on external law firms and other legal agents in the current fiscal year?
No. 86.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
October 27, 2020—Regarding Canada’s military justice system:
1.The Spring 2018 report of the Auditor General of Canada found that delays in resolving military justice cases contributed to 10 cases being dismissed or not proceeding to court martial. How many cases have been dismissed under similar circumstances since the release of the Auditor General’s report in May 2018?
2.The Auditor General found the average time to complete a court martial case was 17.7 months after charges were laid. What is the current average time to complete a court martial case after charges are laid?
3.When did the Justice Administration and Information Management System (JAIMS) become operational? How has the implementation of JAIMS reduced delays in the military justice system?
4.When did the Military Justice System Performance Monitoring Framework become operational? How has the implementation of this framework reduced delays in the military justice system?
5.Military justice system time standards were published in response to the Auditor General’s Spring 2018 report. What percentage of cases meet the time standards for each of the 31 identified phases of the military justice system?
No. 87.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
October 27, 2020—Regarding Veterans:
1.What is the total cost to the Government of Canada related to court cases, including legal costs (actual and notional costs) and settlements, involving Canadian Veterans since November 2015?
2.What is the current number of legal claims involving the Government of Canada and Veterans? What is the potential liability to the Government of Canada of these current cases?
No. 88.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
November 3, 2020—Regarding deportations:
Could the following information please be provided?
1.Total number of foreign offenders (who do not have Canadian citizenship) serving a federal sentence who have been granted parole, with a view toward deportation, since November 3, 2015. Please provide a breakdown of countries of citizenship for all such offenders.
2.Number of foreign offenders (who do not have Canadian citizenship) serving a federal sentence, who have been granted parole, with a view toward deportation, since November 3, 2015 and who have been successfully removed (deported) from Canada by the Canada Border Services Agency. Please provide a breakdown of countries of citizenship for all such offenders.
No. 89.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
November 3, 2020—Regarding training law enforcement officers to detect drug-impaired driving:
1.Since the RCMP brought forward the Introduction to Drug-Impaired Driving program in 2018, how many law enforcement officers have received training under this course?
2.Are Canada Border Services Agency officers receiving training under the Introduction to Drug-Impaired Driving program? If so, how many have received this training to date?
3.To date, how many Canadian law enforcement officers have received Drug Recognition Expert training?
4.Are Canadian law enforcement officers still sent to Phoenix, Arizona or Jacksonville, Florida to receive drug recognition training? If so, how many received this training in the United States in 2019? How many have received this training to date in 2020?
No. 90.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
November 3, 2020—Regarding government advertising:
1.Since April 2018, how much have Government of Canada departments and agencies spent on Facebook and Instagram advertising, promotions, and sponsored posts and videos?
2.How is this spending broken down by government department and agency?
3.How much has Government of Canada departments and agencies spent on Facebook and Instagram advertising, promotions, and sponsored posts and videos specifically related to the COVID-19 pandemic?
4.How much has the Government of Canada collected in GST from Facebook and Instagram ads on these platforms since 2019?
No. 91.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
November 3, 2020—Regarding the transfer of offenders:
Could the following information please be provided?
1.Number of approved transfers of offenders convicted abroad to serve their sentences in Canada under terms of the International Transfer of Offenders Act in the following categories since November 3, 2015:
•Offenders serving sentences for murder
•Offenders serving sentences for sexual assault/rape
•Total transfers for other offences
•Total number of transfer requests rejected by the Minister
2.Number of approved transfers of offenders convicted abroad to their serve sentences in Canada under terms of the International Transfer of Offenders Act in the following categories from January 1, 2010 to May 2, 2012:
•Offenders serving sentences for murder
•Offenders serving sentences for sexual assault/rape
•Total transfers for other offences
•Number of transfer requests rejected by the Minister
3.Number of approved transfers of offenders convicted abroad to serve their sentences in Canada under terms of the International Transfer of Offenders Act in the following categories from May 3, 2012 to November 3, 2015:
•Offenders serving sentences for murder
•Offenders serving sentences for sexual assault/rape
•Total transfers for other offences
•Number of transfer requests rejected by the Minister
4.Number of approved transfers, under terms of the Transfer of Offenders Act, of foreign offenders convicted in Canada to instead serve their sentences outside of Canada since January 1, 2010.
No. 92.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
November 3, 2020—Regarding Employment and Social Development Canada:
1.Since its creation in 2018, how many applications have been received for the Canadian Benefit for Parents of Young Victims of Crime?
2.Since 2018, how many eligible parents have received the Canadian Benefit for Parents of Young Victims of Crime?
3.What is the total amount that has been provided under the Canadian Benefit for Parents of Young Victims of Crime?
No. 93.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
December 1, 2020—Regarding Veterans Affairs Canada:
In December 2017, Public Services and Procurement Canada awarded a contract worth over $10 million on behalf of Veterans Affairs Canada to Agilec for the delivery of the department’s Career Transition Services program. Shortly after the Agilec contract was publicly revealed, it was reported that previous administrator of the program (the charity Canada Company) had 7,000 former and serving military personnel registered and was actively helping 1,500 of these individuals find jobs.
1.How many former and serving military personnel were registered with Agilec in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020?
2.How many of these individuals did Agilec actively help find jobs in 2018, 2019, and to date in 2020?
No. 94.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
December 1, 2020—Regarding the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 emergency response programs:
1.How much has been spent to date by each government department or agency on external consultants in relation to its COVID-19 emergency response programs?
2.For related contracts in each department or agency, please provide:
(a)The name of the recipient firm or individual of a related contract
(b)The amount of the contract(s)
(c)The date the contract began and ended, and
(d)A summary of the work provided under the contract.
No. 95.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
December 1, 2020—Regarding the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB):
1.In May 2019, the CPPIB announced it was conducting a human rights check on its portfolio of investments. When did this review conclude?
2.Did the CPPIB divest itself of any holdings as a result of the human rights check? If so, how many?
3.Does the CPPIB still have a stake in Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co. Ltd. and Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co. Ltd.? If not, when were these holdings divested? If so, why did CPPIB decide not to divest?
4.When is the next scheduled review of the Canada Pension Plan and Canada Pension Plan Investments by the federal and provincial Finance Ministers scheduled to take place?
No. 96.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
December 1, 2020—Regarding the Canada Revenue Agency:
In April 2018, the CBC reported that tax reassessment rates across Canada’s North were several times higher than the national average. Reassessment rates between 2014 and 2016 were 12 to 15% in Nunavut, 11 to 14% in Yukon, and 13 to 16% in the Northwest Territories, while the national reassessment rate was about 4.6% for the same time period.
What were the tax reassessment rates in Nunavut, Yukon and the Northwest Territories in 2017, 2018, and 2019?
No. 97.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
December 1, 2020—Regarding firearms:
1.How many personnel from the following government entities have been assigned to work on the Government of Canada’s planned “buy back” program related to its ban of certain formerly legal firearms?
(a)Public Safety Canada
(b)The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
(c)any other Government of Canada departments or agencies
2.What is the current level of funding for the RCMP Border Integrity Program? How many personnel are assigned to this program specifically?
3.Does the RCMP or any government department track the numbers of firearms intercepted at the border, or seized in counter-smuggling operations, that are assessed as destined for criminal organizations or gangs in Canada? If so, what is the number of such firearms seized in each of the past three years?
No. 98.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
December 1, 2020—Regarding tuberculosis (TB) in Inuit communities:
In 2018, the Government of Canada set a goal to eliminate TB across Inuit Nunangat by 2030, with reduction of at least 50% of active TB cases by 2025.
1.Does the Government of Canada believe this goal will be met by 2030?
2.How many cases of TB were recorded across Inuit Nunangat in 2017, 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020?
3.How many people with active cases of TB across Inuit Nunangat died in 2017, 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020?
4.According to the Government of Canada, the rate of active TB disease among Inuit in 2015 was more than 270 times higher than the rate in the Canadian-born, non-Indigenous population. How does the current rate of TB cases among Inuit compare to that of the Canadian-born, non-Indigenous population?
5.Budget 2018 set aside $109 million over 10 years, with $6 million per year ongoing, to respond to high rates of tuberculosis in Inuit communities, and develop a better understanding of the unique health needs of Inuit peoples through the co-creation of a distinct Inuit Health Survey. How much of this funding has been spent to date? How has it been allocated?
No. 99.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
December 1, 2020—Regarding the Government of Canada’s intellectual property (IP) strategy:
1. Budget 2018 committed $85.3 million over five years towards an IP strategy, beginning in 2018-19. To date, how much has been spent in each of the following categories?
(a)$30 million to establish the Patent Collective Pilot Program
(b)$21.5 million to improve access to IP legal advice
(c)$33.8 million for strategic IP tools
(i)Within this envelope, $4.5 million for establishing an IP marketplace
(d)$2 million for a Statistics Canada survey of Canadians’ IP knowledge and use
(e)$1 million for Canadian Indigenous Peoples to participate in IP discussions at the World Intellectual Property Organization.
2.How does the Government of Canada measure Canada’s IP leakage to foreign countries?
No. 100.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
December 1, 2020—Regarding Public Safety Canada:
On October 16, 2018, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons outlined the process for listing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) under the Criminal Code as follows:
“When we talk about listing the entire IRGC under the Criminal Code, I can assure the member that officials have begun their assessment. As the terrorist listing chapter of the National Security Green Paper, 2016, outlined, the process for listing an entity under the Criminal Code is thorough, fair and robust to ensure that national security threats are addressed while protecting the democratic values, rights and freedoms of all Canadians.
To be listed under the Criminal Code, an individual or group must meet the legal threshold of reasonable grounds to believe they have knowingly carried out, attempted to carry out, participated in or facilitated a terrorist activity, or are knowingly acting on behalf of, at the direction of, or in association with an entity that has knowingly carried out, attempted to carry out, participated in or facilitated a terrorist activity.
This is determined by drafting a criminal or security intelligence report, which documents the entity’s activities. The report is reviewed by independent counsel at the Department of Justice to ensure that the entity meets the legal threshold for listing. If the Minister of Public Safety agrees that this test is met, he may recommend to cabinet that the entity be listed. This is the process we are undertaking for the IRGC and, understandably, it takes necessary time in order to be completed.”
1.On which date did this process begin?
2.Which department or agency drafted the criminal or security intelligence report? When was this work completed?
3.When was the criminal or security intelligence report sent to independent counsel at the Department of Justice for review?
4.Did independent counsel at the Department of Justice determine that the IRGC met the legal threshold for listing under the Criminal Code? If so, when did this occur?
5.Was this report provided to the Minister of Public Safety? If so, when did this occur?
6.Did the Minister of Public Safety agree that the test was met? If so, when did this occur?
7.Did the Minister of Public Safety make a recommendation to cabinet? If so, when did this occur?
No. 101.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
December 1, 2020—With respect to special ministerial exemptions granted under COVID-19 quarantine rules, please provide a list of all exemptions granted since March 10, 2020, including:
1.The total number of exemptions granted;
2.The individual to whom an exemption was granted;
3.The dates on which exemptions were granted;
4.The name of the Minister who granted the exemption;
5.The location in which the individual receiving the exemption entered Canada;
6.The reasons for each exemption that has been granted;
7.The proposed activities that the individual granted an exemption planned to engage in;
8.Whether any restrictions were placed by the Minister or their department on such activities in the context of the exemption granted; and
9.The nature of follow-up under taken by the Minister or their department to ensure conditions were adhered to.
No. 102.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
December 1, 2020—Regarding the public service;
In 2018, changes to the rules surrounding performance pay for Governor-in-Council (GIC) appointees stated any performance pay and associated compensation could be clawed back if the appointee is found to have committed serious breaches of conduct or mismanagement in their annual performance review, or “willfully or recklessly” sought to hide or misrepresent their achievements such that any deficiencies would have been difficult to detect at the time of review.
1.Since 2018, how much performance pay and associated compensation has been recouped by the Government of Canada as a result of this policy change in the Performance Management Program?
2.How is the amount recouped broken down by the following categories?
(a)Performance Pay
(b)Bonuses
(c)In-range Increases
(d)Re-calculation of Pension Entitlements
3.From how many GIC appointees was this pay recouped?
4.How many GIC appointees received ratings of “did not meet” for performance reviews in 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, and 2019-20?
5.What is the process for determining if a GIC appointee has willfully or recklessly sought to hide or misrepresent their achievements such that any deficiencies would have been difficult to detect at the time of the performance evaluation? How many of these processes have taken place to date?
No. 103.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
December 1, 2020—Regarding government spending:
An answer to a question on the House of Commons Order Paper tabled on November 16, 2020, found $2,778,152.26 was spent between March 1, 2020 and September 23, 2020 by the Government of Canada on plexiglass, cough and sneeze guards, protection partitions, and custom glass (for health protection) to prepare government offices for safe re-opening in response to COVID-19.
Could the government provide a break down of how each of these items were procured? Were these items sole-sourced, or were the respective procurement processes competitive?
No. 104.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
December 1, 2020—Regarding the prevention of transshipment and the diversion of steel and aluminum products into Canada:
In April 2018, the Prime Minister announced more than $30 million over five years, and $6.8 million per year thereafter, to hire more than 40 new officers to investigate trade-related complaints, including those related to steel and aluminum.
1.How many officers have been hired to date through this funding? How many officers are currently working through this funding?
2.How much of this funding has been expended to date? How much has gone to Global Affairs Canada, and how much to the Canada Border Services Agency?
3.How many trade-related complaints were investigated through this funding in 2018, 2019 and 2020?
4.How many steel and aluminum trade-related complaints were investigated through this funding in 2018, 2019, and 2020?
No. 105.
By the Honourable Senator Pate:
December 2, 2020—The government has characterized Bill C-7 as a response to the Quebec Superior Court’s Truchon decision. Please provide a detailed list of other government legislation that has proposed amendments to the Criminal Code in response to one trial decision, in one province or territory, striking down a provision of the Criminal Code on Charter grounds.
No. 106.
By the Honourable Senator Pate:
December 2, 2020—In response to Bill C-7, disability groups and individuals with disabilities have asked the question, “why us?”. Bill C-7 singles out people with disabilities to be exempted from the legislative protection that the government has described as an important safeguard in Bill C-14, the reasonable foreseeability of natural death requirement. If the government is now recharacterizing the reasonable foreseeability of natural death requirement as a barrier, rather than a safeguard, why does this recharacterization only apply to people with disabilities and, particularly in light of the Fraser decision, what is the government’s basis for believing that this is not inherently discriminatory under section 15 of the Charter?
No. 107.
By the Honourable Senator Pate:
December 2, 2020—Before the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Neil Belanger of the BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society testified that “Racism toward Indigenous People permeates through our health care system, and it would be dangerously naive to suggest that MAID would be exempt from this system failure and to suggest that Indigenous persons living with disabilities would be adequately protected without the end-of-life criteria under MAID.” Please provide detailed lists both of First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and off-reserve Indigenous individuals, organizations and communities that were consulted in regard to Bill C-7; and, disaggregated specific issues and all concerns about Bill C-7 raised by Indigenous Peoples.
No. 108.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
December 8, 2020—Regarding cybersecurity and Information Technology (IT):
On January 23, 2020, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry announced the Government of Canada would give $49 million to Mastercard for cybersecurity.
1.In addition to Mastercard, which private foreign companies have received Government of Canada funding since October 2016 in relation to cybersecurity?
2.How much funding in total has been provided to private foreign companies since October 2016 in relation to cybersecurity?
3.How much funding in total has been provided to private domestic companies since October 2016 in relation to cybersecurity?
4.A briefing note for the Prime Minister prepared after the 2019 federal election and released through Access to Information revealed that the IT systems across the federal government are old, outdated and in need of a major overhaul. In particular, the briefing note stated that computer systems at Employment and Social Development Canada (EDSC) are “facing rust-out and critical failure.”
(a)How much has been spent to upgrade EDSC’s computer systems since October 2019?
(b)Why wasn’t the $49 million given to Mastercard provided to EDSC instead?
5.How much has been spent across the Government of Canada in the current fiscal year to upgrade and/or replace IT systems?
6.According to Shared Services Canada, on March 3, 2020, the email system went down across Infrastructure Canada, Treasury Board, Public Services and Procurement Canada, and Natural Resources Canada. How many government departments have had their email systems go down so far in 2020? Which departments, and how many times were they down?
No. 109.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
December 8, 2020—Regarding the Department of National Defence (DND):
In March 2020, it was estimated that infrastructure maintenance and repair work at National Defence has been underspent by almost $250 million since 2015-16.
1.Does DND concur that their backlog in infrastructure repairs is about $250 million? If not, what is the current estimate for the backlog?
2.What proportion of real property, which DND is obligated to maintain, is actually in operational use by the department? Has National Defence made such an assessment?
3.A 2016 internal audit found that electrical outages, sewer backups, and other disruptions could threaten operations and the health and safety of the men and women of our Armed Forces. How has DND worked to address the issues raised in that audit?
4.In October 2013, the previous Conservative government launched Defence Renewal, a strategy to find efficiencies that would be reinvested back into Defence. In 2015, the Liberal election platform promised to make defence transformation a priority, but that was never reflected in mandate letters for the Minister of National Defence. To what extent were the following objectives met, as originally set in the Defence Renewal Initiative?
(a)To reinvest $750 million to $1,200 million in higher priority initiatives annually by 2017-18.
(b)To internally re-prioritize between 2,800 and 4,800 military and civilian personnel on higher value work, either within a given organization, or elsewhere within Defence.
(c)To “rationalize the real property portfolio to be efficient, effective, operationally relevant, affordable, and sustainable and to support the roles and missions of the Canadian Armed Forces”.
No. 110.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
December 8, 2020—Regarding homelessness amongst Canada’s Veterans:
1.How many Canadian Veterans does Veterans Affairs Canada currently estimate are homeless in our country? How did the department determine this estimate?
2.What impact has the COVID-19 pandemic had on the number of homeless Veterans across Canada, and the support they can access from Veterans Affairs Canada?
3.Has Veterans Affairs Canada considered a housing voucher or stipend for Veterans, either through the National Housing Strategy or another mechanism? Is any estimated cost attached to this consideration? If so, what is it?
No. 111.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
December 8, 2020—In relation to the answers provided to Senator Plett’s Question 30:
Several of the questions have not, in fact, been answered. Specifically, the second part of the question inquired:
(a)From the perspective of the Government of Canada, what will full reconciliation and self-determination look like once it has been achieved?
(b)What does an end state of “transitioning away from the Indian Act” look like from the perspective of the federal government?
(c)Are there any limitations or boundaries for the Government of Canada with respect to the objective of “advancing self-determination”?
The answers provided reiterate standard government policy lines in relation to reconciliation and self-determination but avoid answering the questions posed above. It would be appreciated if answers could be provided to the above questions in order to ascertain whether the government has specific policy objectives related to the use of these terms or whether it envisages any limitations related to these objectives.
Notably, with respect to the term “self-determination”, Merriam-Webster defines self-determination as: “determination by the people of a territorial unit of their own future political status”.
Britannica, on the other hand, defines self-determination as: “the process by which a group of people, usually possessing a certain degree of national consciousness, form their own state ...”.
Does the Government of Canada accept both definitions in relation to its commitment to “support reconciliation and self-determination”? Or “what are the limitations or boundaries for the Government of Canada with respect to the objective of ‘advancing self-determination’?”
No. 112.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
December 8, 2020—Regarding judicial appointments:
1.Budget 2017 contained $55 million over five years, and $15.5 million per year thereafter, to create 28 new federally appointed judicial positions. How many of these positions have been created to date? Where are they located?
2.Budget 2018 contained $77.2 million over four years to support the expansion of unified family courts, beginning in 2019-2020, to create 39 new judicial positions in Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador. How many of these positions have been created to date? Where are they located?
3.Budget 2018 contained $17.1 million over five years for seven judicial positions in Saskatchewan and Ontario. How many of these positions have been created to date? Where are they located?
No. 113.
By the Honourable Senator Plett:
December 8, 2020—Regarding the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN):
In 2019, the RCN’s fleet of submarines spent a total of zero days at sea, due to repairs, maintenance, and work on long-term upgrades.
1.In May, the Department of National Defence confirmed that maintenance work required before the submarine fleet could be deployed was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Has this work since resumed? If so, when?
2.How many days has the RCN submarine fleet collectively spent at sea so far in 2020? Which submarines are currently planned to be active at sea during the next 12 months?
3.When was the most recent date that any submarine of the fleet was at sea?