Hon. Amina Gerba: Senator Moreau, my question is a follow‑up to those asked by Senators Senior and Bernard, and it has to do with the Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion. As senators know, 4.3% of the Canadian population is from Black communities, and yet they account for 37% of police‑reported hate crimes. How can the government justify establishing a council that does not include any representation for Black communities?

Hon. Pierre Moreau (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you, Senator Gerba, for raising that issue. I described it as “very important“ when Senators Bernard and Senior mentioned it — so important that I went to the trouble of raising it, as Senate representative to the government, with the Prime Minister’s Office. I can also assure you that no ulterior motive or discrimination was involved in the decision.

Today, I can tell you that the committee’s composition has not yet been finalized, that some council members have not yet been announced and that other nominations will be made in the coming weeks, taking into account the comments that I forwarded to the Prime Minister’s Office through you and through Senators Bernard and Senior, of course.

The Hon. the Speaker: Senator Gerba, do you have another question?

Senator Gerba: I think that answers my question. We look forward to finding out who will be sitting on this council.