Hon. Margaret Dawn Anderson: My question is for the government leader.
On October 8, 2024, during ministerial Question Period, I asked Minister Marc Miller about Bill C-8, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s call to action number 94), which I sponsored in the Senate and which received Royal Assent on June 21, 2021. I inquired about the working draft of the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, or IRCC, study guide. Minister Miller responded at the time, stating:
My impression, senator, is that you had been provided with a copy. I’m glad to give you one after this meeting. So, yes, absolutely. I can print it off myself.
It is now two months later, and I have not received the document or any follow-up, despite repeated attempts. That act represented a commitment to reconciliation, yet three years later, critical steps remain incomplete.
Can you, as government leader, provide an update as to when I will receive a copy of the draft IRCC study guide? Alternately, can you provide a clear timeline for addressing this long-standing matter?
Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Senator, thank you very much for your question and for bringing to my attention the fact that you had not received this. I regret that I did not know this earlier and would have intervened to do my best to resolve this. It’s regrettable, and I will make inquiries with the current minister at my earliest opportunity in the hopes this can be addressed.
I don’t have a timeline for you, but I will make the inquiries as necessary.
Senator Anderson: Thank you, Senator Gold.
As an Inuk woman, I sponsored Bill C-8 in good faith and with the understanding it was a meaningful step toward reconciliation. The lack of follow-through on this critical Call to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, or TRC, is troubling. This prolonged delay undermines reconciliation and questions the government’s commitment to its mandate.
Can the government assure the public of its commitment to effectively action TRC-related bills? How does the federal government ensure meaningful collaboration with bill sponsors to guarantee effective implementation and avoid tokenism?
Senator Gold: This government has taken enormous steps, made enormous investments toward and stands by its commitment to helping Canada move forward on the path of truth and reconciliation. That does not mean that everything has gone smoothly nor, as you’ve pointed out, that everything has been done as hoped. But I can certainly commit to Canadians and to you that I will do my best to get the answers you requested, and I can promise Canadians that this government remains committed to reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis.