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Wednesday, April 26, 2006 · sitting No. 10

Commons opens debate on federal accountability act

The House spent the largest share of the sitting on second reading of the federal accountability act. Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre told the House the bill would create an independent tribunal of judges to hear whistleblower cases and would remove cover-up clauses inserted by the previous Liberal government. Bloc Québécois MP Paul Crête said his party supports the bill in principle but needs time to study its many provisions and will insist on changing the French title to remove an anglicism.

In Question Period the main exchanges concerned the repatriation of soldiers killed in Afghanistan. Liberal MP Paul Steckle asked whether the government would lower the Peace Tower flag to half-staff. Prime Minister Stephen Harper replied that families and veterans groups hold conflicting views and that the Minister of National Defence had chosen a policy balancing public honour and private grief.

Liberal MP Bill Graham pressed the Prime Minister to reverse the decision to exclude the media from the Trenton arrival ceremony. Minister of National Defence Gordon O'Connor said the Trenton ceremony is private while media access is allowed at the ramp in Kandahar and at funerals if families consent.

From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard

No CPAC Question Period upload is on file for this day. CPAC’s channel goes back to December 2019.

Who held the floor · 2006-04-26

Government (Conservative)OppositionOver the day: government 43%, opposition 57% of the words spokenQuestion PeriodRoutine proceedingsGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 14:0515:0016:0017:00Last speech 18:00Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 3 h 55 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
64Accountability Talk, Bills Barely IntroducedThe House devoted most time to debating the Federal Accountability Act amid high substantive discussion. Five bills were introduced but no votes occurred and nothing was decided.AI-rated Score out of 100; the verdict and the answer ratings behind it are a model’s reading. How the AI rates this

AI-rated The sitting score and the rating of each answer come from a language model reading Hansard. How the AI rates this

Other moments

The Budget

Liberal MP John McCallum said every economist opposes the government's tax plan and accused the Conservatives of planning income-tax increases for those earning under $60,000. Finance Minister Jim Flaherty replied that the budget will honour election commitments and will not repeat Liberal flip-flops on the GST.

Read the exchange

Child Care

Bloc Québécois MP Paule Brunelle said the $1,200 allowance formula gives some wealthy families more money than low-income families and urged the government to adopt a refundable tax credit. Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Diane Finley said the numbers in a recent report were inaccurate and that the allowance will be universal at the net level.

Read the exchange

Softwood Lumber

Bloc Québécois MP Pierre Paquette warned that the industry fears a watered-down agreement and wants full repayment of countervailing duties. Minister of International Trade David Emerson said no agreement has been reached and that discussions remain broad-ranging.

Read the exchange

Gomery Commission

Conservative MP Leon Benoit asked why taxpayers are still paying legal fees for Jean Pelletier after the sponsorship scandal. President of the Treasury Board John Baird said the payment approved in the final hours of the previous government was not in the public interest.

Read the exchange

Aboriginal Affairs

NDP MP Charlie Angus described raw sewage in the nurses station and lack of fire services after the death of a child. Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice said officials met the chief and that meetings are scheduled in Ottawa next week.

Read the exchange

Question Period, exchange by exchange

AI-rated Each answer’s rating (answered, partly answered, deflected, answered something else) is a model’s reading of the exchange. How the AI rates this

  1. deflected
    National DefenceMr. Paul Steckle (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer sidesteps the flag-lowering request by highlighting divisions and urging focus elsewhere.I would suggest that rather than this Parliament focusing on our divisions on flags and coffins that we focus on the fact that we all deeply regret the loss of life in Afghanistan
  2. answered
    National DefenceBill Graham (Liberal) asked Gordon O'Connor (Conservative). substantive question.The minister directly explains the three-stage policy on media access and privacy at Trenton.our policy is that members of the press have full access to the ceremonies at the place of origin, which is the ramp in Kandahar. However when the bodies are received at Trenton it is a private ceremony of grief.
  3. answered
    National DefenceBill Graham (Liberal) asked Gordon O'Connor (Conservative). substantive question.The answer restates the consistent policy balancing family wishes with press access at specific stages.our policy, to be fair to everyone from now and into the future, is that if members of the press are at the place of origin they can have access and, depending upon the wishes of the family, members of the press can be at the funeral or the ceremonies honouring the dead.
  4. deflected
    The BudgetJohn McCallum (Liberal) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.The answer ignores the tax-plan critique and instead attacks the opposition's past positions on GST and other issues.What it will not reflect is the requirements to join the save the GST club where one has to be on both sides of the GST issue: want to abolish it in 1993 and want to save it now.
  5. deflected
    The BudgetJohn McCallum (Liberal) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.The minister mocks the premise but does not address the budget-flaw accusation or resign demand.I have not even presented the budget yet and I am incompetent and I am supposed to resign--
  6. deflected
    TrustsMr. Gilles Duceppe (Bloc) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer refuses to confirm trusts and defers all details to the upcoming budget.The leader of the Bloc Québécois will have to wait for the budget.
  7. deflected
    TrustsMr. Gilles Duceppe (Bloc) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The reply again postpones any confirmation and mocks the Bloc for impatience instead of answering.A sovereignist party that has been waiting over thirty years for Quebec's independence can wait less than a week for the budget.
  8. deflected
    Child CareMs. Paule Brunelle (Bloc) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.The minister claims the cited numbers are inaccurate but does not engage the proposed tax-credit alternative.I am pleased to report to the House that the numbers released in the report regarding this situation were in fact inaccurate.
  9. deflected
    Child CareMs. Paule Brunelle (Bloc) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.The answer restates universality of the benefit without addressing the disparity in choice between income levels.our intention for our choice in child care allowance is that it be a truly universal allowance available to all Canadians from coast to coast, regardless of their incomes
  10. deflected
    Oil and Gas IndustryJack Layton (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer shifts focus to GST reduction instead of addressing oil and gas subsidies or redirecting funds.this is why the Minister of Finance has indicated that this government will go ahead with an immediate 1% reduction in the GST to reduce taxes on consumers by $5 billion
  11. misdirected
    Oil and Gas IndustryJack Layton (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the NDP for alignment with Bush before restating policy points without engaging the subsidy question.I do not know what to think of the NDP being in league with George Bush
  12. deflected
    The BudgetJohn Godfrey (Liberal) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.The answer avoids the flip-flop accusation by deferring to the upcoming budget without confirming commitments.the budget will announce what disposition is being made of whatever surplus there is next Tuesday
  13. misdirected
    The BudgetJohn Godfrey (Liberal) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the opposition's tax stance and deflects from prior budget commitments by deferring to May 2.In terms of what is important to Canadians who voted for change, they want lower taxes
  14. deflected
    InfrastructureMrs. Susan Kadis (Liberal) asked Lawrence Cannon (Conservative). substantive question.The answer defers entirely to the upcoming budget speech without addressing infrastructure commitments.I invite the hon. member to wait for the Minister of Finance's speech on May 2
  15. deflected
    InfrastructureMrs. Susan Kadis (Liberal) asked Lawrence Cannon (Conservative). loaded question.The answer again defers to the budget without engaging the transparency or funding disparity claim.We will have to wait for the Minister of Finance to table his budget
  16. deflected
    Gasoline PricesMr. Paul Crête (Bloc) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer pivots to the GST cut and ignores the call for action on gasoline prices and oil companies.the government has assured the public of its intention to reduce consumption tax immediately by $5 billion
  17. deflected
    Gasoline PricesMr. Paul Crête (Bloc) asked Maxime Bernier (Conservative). loaded question.The answer shifts focus to GST cuts instead of addressing the choice between serving the public or oil companies.we want to reduce the tax burden on all Canadians by reducing the GST immediately.
  18. deflected
    Softwood LumberMr. Pierre Paquette (Bloc) asked David Emerson (Conservative). substantive question.The answer notes ongoing discussions and no agreement but avoids any guarantee on repayment or avoiding a watered-down deal.at this stage there is not an agreement yet on the softwood lumber dispute and its resolution.
  19. partly answered
    Softwood LumberMr. Pierre Paquette (Bloc) asked Maxime Bernier (Conservative). loaded question.The answer directly addresses loan guarantees as an election promise to be implemented if necessary.The loan guarantees were an election promise. In due course, and if necessary, there will be a program on the table.
  20. misdirected
    The EnvironmentRoy Cullen (Liberal) asked Gary Lunn (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the previous government's record on emissions rather than addressing current program cuts or a plan.I would remind the hon. member that yes, we have cut some programs which were deemed ineffective and not in the taxpayers' interests and received failing grades.
  21. deflected
    The EnvironmentRoy Cullen (Liberal) asked Gary Lunn (Conservative). substantive question.The answer cites an independent review and failing grades but does not explain why the specific seniors' energy cost program was cut.Its programs received failing grades. We decided that they were not effective for taxpayers and not effective in cutting greenhouse gases.
  22. deflected
    Softwood LumberJean Lapierre (Liberal) asked David Emerson (Conservative). loaded question.The answer emphasizes consultations and complexity but sidesteps accusations of secret negotiations or prioritizing the US.there has been a tremendous amount of discussion and consultation with provincial governments, industries and companies.
  23. partly answered
    Softwood LumberJean Lapierre (Liberal) asked David Emerson (Conservative). loaded question.The answer explains the priority on dispute resolution over immediate loan guarantees and notes they remain under consideration.If the dispute is not resolved, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Industry have indicated that a loan guarantee program will be given consideration.
  24. misdirected
    Gomery CommissionMr. Pat Martin (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the prior Liberal government on corruption instead of addressing the specific payment to Jean Pelletier or others.Justice Gomery found evidence within the Liberal government of kickback schemes and corruption.
  25. deflected
    Gomery CommissionMr. Pat Martin (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer avoids confirming any past payments and instead addresses hypothetical future requests.any such requests landing on the desk of this Treasury Board President will be dead on arrival.
  26. deflected
    The EconomyMaurizio Bevilacqua (Liberal) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). substantive question.The answer points to a future budget rather than addressing the throne speech omissions or lack of political will.I would ask the member to kindly be patient and wait until next Tuesday to see the initiatives in the budget.
  27. deflected
    The EconomyMaurizio Bevilacqua (Liberal) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). substantive question.The answer thanks the member and again defers to the upcoming budget without engaging the substance of the challenge.I invite him to wait for Tuesday to see the initiatives in the budget.
  28. misdirected
    Post-Secondary EducationMr. Michael Savage (Liberal) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). substantive question.The answer turns to attacking the previous Liberal government instead of addressing current plans for research and student access.if these issues were so important to the members opposite in the Liberal Party, what were they doing for 13 years?
  29. answered
    Post-Secondary EducationMr. Michael Savage (Liberal) asked Michael Chong (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly details current federal funding levels for post-secondary education and students.The Canada social transfer provides $16 billion a year in transfers for post-secondary education, $8.5 billion in cash and $7.5 billion in tax transfers.
  30. deflected
    Fisheries and OceansMr. Jean-Yves Roy (Bloc) asked Loyola Hearn (Conservative). loaded question.The answer dismisses the conflict-of-interest premise without confirming or denying it and pivots to industry needs.the hon. member knows a lot better than that.
  31. partly answered
    Fisheries and OceansMr. Jean-Yves Roy (Bloc) asked Loyola Hearn (Conservative). substantive question.The answer addresses the quota rationale and denies geography as the motive but does not engage the Quebec minister's criticism.it has absolutely nothing to do with geography.
  32. answered
    National DefenceMr. Todd Russell (Liberal) asked Gordon O'Connor (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly lists specific commitments to Goose Bay to counter the back-sliding claim.we will deploy a rapid reaction battalion in Goose Bay and we will put a UAV squadron in Goose Bay.
  33. deflected
    Aboriginal AffairsMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). substantive question.The answer addresses flooding and jurisdictional responsibilities instead of health funding commitments.Departmental officials from my department met yesterday with the chief and deputy chief of the Kashechewan First Nation.
  34. partly answered
    Aboriginal AffairsMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). substantive question.The minister commits to short-term fire coverage and long-term discussions on relocation.measures will be taken to ensure that there is some fire coverage in the community on a very short basis
  35. deflected
    The EnvironmentMr. Lloyd St. Amand (Liberal) asked Gary Lunn (Conservative). loaded question.The response attacks the Liberals' record rather than confirming delivery of the committed funds.the Liberals were absolutely unable to clean up one site.