Parliament AIIndependent · non-official

All sittings← 2006-05-032006-05-05 →

Thursday, May 4, 2006 · sitting No. 16

Opposition motion on child care system takes up most of Commons day

The House devoted the largest share of its sitting to debate on an opposition motion moved by Liberal MP Carolyn Bennett that calls for a Canada-wide early learning and child care system with continued income supports and more high-quality spaces. The motion states that the present government has made less progress than its predecessor. A motion to defer the vote until the end of government orders on Monday was adopted by consent.

Question period featured repeated exchanges on child care between Liberal MP Bill Graham and Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Graham said the government is taking one billion dollars out of existing systems and killing agreements that would have created new spaces. Harper replied that the budget will create 125000 spaces over five years and provide a universal allowance of 1200 dollars for every child under six.

Further clashes occurred on support for older workers, with Bloc Québécois MP Gilles Duceppe pressing the Prime Minister to implement an income support program by the end of June. Harper pointed to a 100 million dollar fund for the forestry industry and said options for a broader program are under review.

Decided that day

  • Nine bills introduced at first reading

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 · 2006-05-04

Government (Conservative)OppositionOver the day: government 36%, opposition 64% of the words spokenGovernment businessQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0511:0012:0013:0014:0015:0016:00Last speech 17:55Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 7 h 50 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
67Bills Advance Amid Supply DebateThe sitting devoted most time to Business of Supply while introducing nine bills and recording high substantive content. Question period produced mostly deflected answers and several points of order.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

Agriculture

Liberal MP Bill Graham asked whether farmers would receive spring planting assistance this year. Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the budget contains an unprecedented amount for agricultural programs that will deliver real money to farmers this year.

Read the exchange

Taxation

Liberal MP John Godfrey asked how the Minister of Finance could give provinces more money without creating a deficit after allocating the surplus to program spending and tax breaks. Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said the budget increases transfers by 4.5 billion dollars this year.

Read the exchange

The Environment

Liberal MP Marlene Jennings said the Minister of the Environment has no plan for protecting the environment and is bending to U.S. pressure. Environment Minister Rona Ambrose said the government is investing in cleaner transportation and will develop a clean air act.

Read the exchange

Aboriginal Affairs

Bloc Québécois MP Marc Lemay said the budget cuts more than 640 million dollars from the Kelowna accord over two years. Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice said the budget provides 1.05 billion dollars for aboriginal Canadians including 300 million for northern housing.

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
    AgricultureBill Graham (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer pivots to past Liberal record and general budget promises without confirming immediate spring planting funds.Farmers can only wish that he cared about them when he was in government over the past 13 years.
  2. deflected
    Child CareBill Graham (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer compares spending levels and criticizes prior agreements rather than addressing the $1 billion removal or provincial plan.One of the unfortunate things under the existing agreements is that the provinces have been given one additional year.
  3. partly answered
    Child CareBill Graham (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer states higher funding and specific targets for spaces and allowance, directly countering the billion-dollar claim.
  4. partly answered
    Child CareMs. Ruby Dhalla (Liberal) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). loaded question.The answer explains the choice-based approach and space creation but does not address the minister's quoted doubts or zero spaces created.We are also trying to make sure that they have 125,000 new spaces from which to choose when they are making that decision.
  5. deflected
    Child CareMs. Ruby Dhalla (Liberal) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). loaded question.The answer cites external endorsements and repeats benefit amounts instead of addressing non-profit centres or the tax credit's impact.The Canadian Taxpayers Federation has said that the one group that will benefit immensely from this budget is Canadian households with young children.
  6. partly answered
    Older WorkersMr. Gilles Duceppe (Bloc) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer distinguishes the forestry fund and notes ongoing options review but does not confirm a June timeline for an income support program.We are looking at options for a program to help older workers.
  7. partly answered
    Older WorkersMr. Gilles Duceppe (Bloc) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.The answer acknowledges challenges and commits to a feasibility study but provides no June deadline or concrete program details.We are going to be doing a feasibility study.
  8. deflected
    Older WorkersMr. Yves Lessard (Bloc) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.The answer repeats the invitation to consult and study without specifying any plan or June commitment for older workers.That is why I have invited him to participate in this process and to do a feasibility study.
  9. deflected
    Older WorkersMr. Yves Lessard (Bloc) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.The answer discusses fiscal caution and meetings but never addresses extending the pilot project.We will not go extending programs because we have not bothered to take the time to make an informed rational decision.
  10. answered
    Child CareJack Layton (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer directly rejects the request for an apology and clarifies the policy.
  11. deflected
    Child CareJack Layton (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer restates the promise and budget facts without addressing the apology or clawback claim.The Minister of Finance announced in the budget that there would be no clawbacks from this social benefit.
  12. partly answered
    TaxationJohn Godfrey (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer gives transfer figures but does not explain how new provincial money will be found without a deficit.the budget provides for an increase in transfers to the provinces of $4.5 billion this year and $1.5 billion for Quebec.
  13. deflected
    TaxationJohn Godfrey (Liberal) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). substantive question.The answer shifts to future consultations and the O'Brien report instead of identifying new money.We are going to receive the O'Brien report in the middle of May.
  14. misdirected
    Conservative GovernmentMr. Massimo Pacetti (Liberal) asked Rob Nicholson (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the premise about past legislation rather than addressing relevance of the current government.All I can tell him is that there is a process.
  15. misdirected
    Conservative GovernmentMr. Massimo Pacetti (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer turns to attacking the Liberal Party instead of explaining any Bloc arrangement.Frankly, Mr. Speaker, I think that the Liberal Party should thank the Bloc Québécois for supporting this budget.
  16. deflected
    IndustryMr. Paul Crête (Bloc) asked Maxime Bernier (Conservative). substantive question.The answer criticizes the request and reframes it as ideological rather than explaining the budget omission.What the government has to offer people in the forestry sector is not loan guarantees, but a guarantee of repayment
  17. deflected
    IndustryMr. Paul Crête (Bloc) asked Maxime Bernier (Conservative). loaded question.Answer promotes budget tax breaks without addressing specific industries or inaction claim.Our new budget will benefit 90% of Canadians.
  18. partly answered
    Aboriginal AffairsMr. Marc Lemay (Bloc) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). substantive question.Answer lists funding amounts but does not confirm if Kelowna accord objectives are fully met or address the $640 million cut.The total envelope is $1.050 billion.
  19. partly answered
    Aboriginal AffairsMr. Marc Lemay (Bloc) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). substantive question.Answer claims additional health funding but fails to explain the missing $700 million from the 2004 accord.there was additional money allocated to the Department of Health relating to aboriginal health for the coming year.
  20. misdirected
    The EnvironmentMarlene Jennings (Liberal) asked Rona Ambrose (Conservative). loaded question.Answer shifts focus to criticizing Liberal record on smog instead of addressing budget cuts to environment.
  21. misdirected
    The EnvironmentMarlene Jennings (Liberal) asked Rona Ambrose (Conservative). loaded question.Answer attacks Liberal past performance and avoids responding to claims about minister's influence or Bush influence.after years of Liberal rule, we have fallen behind in every single industry sector compared to the U.S. on pollution control.
  22. deflected
    Aboriginal AffairsMr. Gary Merasty (Liberal) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). loaded question.Answer compares to prior Liberal budgets and lists spending without admitting or refuting lack of new Kelowna funding.The 2004 Liberal budget had no new money for aboriginal housing, zero, nothing.
  23. deflected
    Aboriginal AffairsMr. Todd Russell (Liberal) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). loaded question.Answer refuses to apologize and lists funding figures instead of addressing broken promise on Kelowna.I have no intention of apologizing to that hon. member or anyone on that side of the House about promises to aboriginal Canadians.
  24. deflected
    The EnvironmentMr. Nathan Cullen (NDP) asked Rona Ambrose (Conservative). substantive question.Answer expresses intent to develop a plan but does not confirm tabling a bill or plan today as asked.I look forward to working with the hon. member as we develop our plan.
  25. deflected
    The EnvironmentMr. Nathan Cullen (NDP) asked Rona Ambrose (Conservative). loaded question.Answer pivots to criticizing Liberals instead of confirming existence of a Conservative plan.I agree with most of what the hon. member said.
  26. misdirected
    The EnvironmentMr. Paul Zed (Liberal) asked Greg Thompson (Conservative). substantive question.Answer attacks the asker personally rather than addressing the funding question.that member is the guy that fell asleep on this file in his first term here in the House.
  27. misdirected
    The EnvironmentMr. Paul Zed (Liberal) asked Greg Thompson (Conservative). substantive question.Answer repeats personal attack on the member instead of clarifying the funding status.that member obviously fell asleep on the job.
  28. answered
    Pacific GatewayMr. Don Bell (Liberal) asked David Emerson (Conservative). substantive question.Answer directly explains the timeline change and additional funding sources.$599 million was projected. It was done over eight years to provide sufficient flexibility so that if some of those projects took longer the appropriations would not lapse.
  29. partly answered
    Pacific GatewayMr. Don Bell (Liberal) asked David Emerson (Conservative). loaded question.Answer asserts stronger commitment but does not address the dilution or delay of funds.this government's commitment to the gateway is stronger than the commitment that was made by the previous government.
  30. deflected
    JusticeMr. Réal Ménard (Bloc) asked Vic Toews (Conservative). substantive question.Answer promotes the bill without addressing effectiveness of minimum penalties or the specific case.I am very proud of the legislation that this government tabled today to improve our criminal justice system
  31. deflected
    JusticeMr. Réal Ménard (Bloc) asked Vic Toews (Conservative). substantive question.Answer reiterates support for minimum sentences without engaging the parole reform point.the evidence is clear that mandatory minimum prison sentences in respect of targeted offences are very effective in reducing crime in these matters.
  32. deflected
    TaxationMs. Yasmin Ratansi (Liberal) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). substantive question.Answer quotes a positive review instead of providing cost estimates or assurances on small business burden.We did have high expectations but the budget has actually exceeded those expectations
  33. answered
    National DefenceMs. Dawn Black (NDP) asked Gordon O'Connor (Conservative). loaded question.The answer directly states what information is and is not shared under the agreement.We will not for the Northwest Passage or for our lakes or waters.
  34. deflected
    National DefenceMs. Dawn Black (NDP) asked Gordon O'Connor (Conservative). loaded question.The answer asserts no sovereignty loss but pivots to praising the budget instead of addressing specific impediments.Our defence policy is to enforce our sovereignty.
  35. misdirected
    National DefenceUjjal Dosanjh (Liberal) asked Gordon O'Connor (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the questioner and prior government rather than identifying who sets military priorities.The member should put a bag on his head.
  36. partly answered
    Business of the HouseRalph Goodale (Liberal) asked Rob Nicholson (Conservative). substantive question.The answer details the weekly House schedule but ignores the request for views on tax policy theories.we will continue with the opposition motion today.