Parliament AIIndependent · non-official

All sittings← 2006-05-112006-05-15 →

Friday, May 12, 2006 · sitting No. 22

Budget implementation bill introduced amid tax cut debate

Conservative parliamentary secretary Diane Ablonczy introduced Bill C-13, the budget implementation act, to enact measures from the May 2 budget speech. The bill focuses on tax relief, with Ablonczy stating it delivers twice the relief promised by the previous Liberal government. Liberal MP John McCallum cited a constituent complaint that income tax rates would rise for some despite the budget's claims, while NDP MP Pat Martin questioned corporate tax fairness and loopholes.

In question period, Liberal MP Marlene Jennings pressed the government on the leak of the auditor general's report, with Conservative MP Jason Kenney confirming an internal investigation but rejecting suggestions that the prime minister's chief of staff was involved. Bloc Québécois MP Mauril Bélanger raised a diplomatic incident involving the body search of Francophonie secretary general Abdou Diouf at Toronto airport, and Conservative MP Peter MacKay described it as a misunderstanding due to protocol.

Further exchanges saw NDP MP Dawn Black question Conservative involvement in European missile defence plans, with Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor confirming the government would seek a parliamentary vote if an agreement were reached.

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 · 2006-05-12

Government (Conservative)OppositionOver the day: government 51%, opposition 49% of the words spokenGovernment businessQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0011:0012:0013:00Last speech 14:00Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 4 h 0 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
65Bills Introduced, Answers Mostly AvoidedThe sitting advanced four private members' bills and spent most of its time on the budget implementation act and other substantive topics. Question period produced few direct answers and drew six calls to 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

The Environment

Bloc Québécois MP Monique Guay accused Environment Minister Rona Ambrose of making ludicrous statements about Kyoto implementation forcing abandonment of trains and agriculture, with Conservative MP Mark Warawa replying that the government seeks a realistic approach and invited Bloc input.

Read the exchange

Regional Development

Bloc Québécois MP Robert Bouchard challenged Economic Development Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn over failure to deliver a promised Marshall plan for Quebec regions, with Blackburn citing existing programs and a $200 million envelope for diversification.

Read the exchange

Canada-U.S. Border

Conservative MP Dean Del Mastro asked about arming border guards, with Parliamentary Secretary Dave MacKenzie confirming a $101 million investment over two years to begin arming officers and eliminate work-alone posts.

Read the exchange

Grain Transportation

NDP MP Alex Atamanenko called for an auditor general investigation into $730 million in alleged overpayments by farmers for hopper car maintenance since 1992, with Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon defending the decision as saving farmers $50 million.

Read the exchange

Equalization Payments

Liberal MP Yasmin Ratansi demanded the full $7 billion promised to Ontario, with Conservative MP Diane Ablonczy insisting the agreement would be kept and funds allocated in the budget.

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
    Auditor General's ReportMarlene Jennings (Liberal) asked Mr. Jason Kenney (Conservative). loaded question.The answer rejects the premise outright and promises an investigation without addressing who leaked it.we reject the premise of the hon. member's question.
  2. misdirected
    Auditor General's ReportMarlene Jennings (Liberal) asked Mr. Jason Kenney (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the prior Liberal government on leaks instead of addressing the specific demand to name and fire the perpetrator.On the subject of leaks, we had a Liberal government that for years leaked the entire budget before it was actually presented in the House.
  3. answered
    FrancophonieMarlene Jennings (Liberal) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly states that Howard will not be warned and explains the incident as a misunderstanding.
  4. partly answered
    FrancophonieMauril Bélanger (Liberal) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.The answer explains the minister's location and plans to speak with Diouf but does not address why she failed to greet him in Toronto.the minister is currently in Manitoba.
  5. deflected
    FrancophonieMauril Bélanger (Liberal) asked Mr. Jason Kenney (Conservative). loaded question.The answer corrects a factual premise about the appointment but avoids addressing the call for a public apology.The Prime Minister never had such an appointment with the secretary general of la Francophonie.
  6. deflected
    The EnvironmentMs. Monique Guay (Bloc) asked Mr. Mark Warawa (Conservative). loaded question.The answer pivots to calls for cooperation on clean air instead of addressing the minister's statements on Kyoto.On numerous occasions I have approached the Bloc party and the critic asking for input on Kyoto, on climate change and on clean air.
  7. deflected
    The EnvironmentMs. Monique Guay (Bloc) asked Mr. Mark Warawa (Conservative). loaded question.The answer restates commitment to international agreements and cooperation without confirming or denying intent to abandon Kyoto.Canada will develop a realistic and effective approach to reducing greenhouse gases.
  8. deflected
    The EnvironmentMs. Pauline Picard (Bloc) asked Mr. Mark Warawa (Conservative). loaded question.The answer promotes new government initiatives on renewable fuels instead of admitting realistic means to meet Kyoto targets.the government is turning over a new leaf on the environment with a commitment to Canadians that the money for the environment will be spent on the Canadian environment.
  9. deflected
    The EnvironmentMs. Pauline Picard (Bloc) asked Mr. Christian Paradis (Conservative). substantive question.The answer justifies a program review based on cost-effectiveness but avoids addressing the claim of irresponsibility in axing the program without direction.A review of programs is under way to determine which ones are effective and which ones are not.
  10. misdirected
    National DefenceMs. Dawn Black (NDP) asked Gordon O'Connor (Conservative). substantive question.The answer shifts focus to past Liberal actions and criticizes the NDP's NATO vote instead of confirming or denying the endorsement of missile defence plans.The NDP voted this week against Norad.
  11. answered
    National DefenceMs. Dawn Black (NDP) asked Gordon O'Connor (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly confirms the commitment to a parliamentary vote if an agreement stage is reached.If we reached the stage where it appeared that we were willing to enter into an agreement on ballistic missile defence, we would bring it before Parliament for a vote.
  12. misdirected
    National DefenceUjjal Dosanjh (Liberal) asked Gordon O'Connor (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the opposition critic's record and avoids detailing any meetings with the project team.I find it very interesting that the official opposition critic for defence never asked anything about defence.
  13. misdirected
    National DefenceUjjal Dosanjh (Liberal) asked Mr. Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the questioner's provincial election record and shifts to criticizing prior governments instead of addressing the conflict of interest claim.now we see why that member ended up with two seats after the provincial election in B.C.
  14. deflected
    National DefenceDenis Coderre (Liberal) asked Gordon O'Connor (Conservative). substantive question.The answer repeats a claim of rule compliance without confirming attendance at specific corporate briefings.I think I have said four times that I followed all the rules in the past.
  15. misdirected
    National DefenceDenis Coderre (Liberal) asked Gordon O'Connor (Conservative). substantive question.The answer dismisses the question by referencing the asker's ad scam involvement rather than addressing the conflict of interest or ceasing involvement.I find it really ironic that the member opposite who was tangled in ad scam should be asking questions about ethics.
  16. partly answered
    FrancophonieMs. Diane Bourgeois (Bloc) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.The answer expresses regret for the incident but does not admit a poor impression of Canada or commit to an inquiry into diplomatic services.I repeat again that this incident is highly regrettable.
  17. deflected
    FrancophonieMs. Diane Bourgeois (Bloc) asked Mr. Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer corrects the meeting premise but never addresses the apology request.the Prime Minister did not have an meeting planned with the secretary general of La Francophonie.
  18. deflected
    Regional DevelopmentMr. Robert Bouchard (Bloc) asked Jean-Pierre Blackburn (Conservative). substantive question.The answer discusses regional challenges and the Marshall plan but does not explain the minister's change of heart.With regard to the Marshall plan adopted during the second world war, I must also add that $14 billion was invested in four sectors, which generated 30 glorious years of prosperity.
  19. misdirected
    Regional DevelopmentMr. Robert Bouchard (Bloc) asked Jean-Pierre Blackburn (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the Bloc's questioning style instead of addressing the budget commitment.the members of the Bloc Québécois are quite good at asking questions.
  20. misdirected
    The EnvironmentMr. Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal) asked Mr. Mark Warawa (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the Liberals' record rather than addressing the abandonment of Kyoto leadership.It is that party over there that for 13 years had an opportunity to clean up pollution and it did absolutely nothing.
  21. misdirected
    The EnvironmentMr. Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal) asked Mr. Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer shifts to criticizing Liberal costs and emissions instead of addressing the policy costs raised.The conference referred to by the honourable member cost Canadian taxpayers $40 million.
  22. deflected
    The EnvironmentJohn Godfrey (Liberal) asked Mr. Mark Warawa (Conservative). substantive question.The answer states general support for effective programs but does not explain the cancellation of the specific coal-plant funding.We will be supporting effective programs.
  23. partly answered
    The EnvironmentJohn Godfrey (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer affirms support for the Ontario accord but pivots to criticizing the provincial Liberal timeline.The accord reached last May in the dying days of the Liberal government, when the gun was put to its head, will be fully respected by the government.
  24. deflected
    Grain TransportationMr. Alex Atamanenko (NDP) asked Lawrence Cannon (Conservative). substantive question.The answer claims savings from the decision but does not address the Auditor General investigation into overpayments.We are saying, essentially, that the decision that we have taken has saved the Canadian farmers $50 million.
  25. deflected
    Grain TransportationMr. Alex Atamanenko (NDP) asked Mr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative). substantive question.The answer discusses current aid payments instead of addressing the requested reimbursement or inquiry.this government has promised $750 million in aid under the grains and oilseeds programs. To date $515 million has been paid out to farmers.
  26. answered
    Equalization PaymentsMs. Yasmin Ratansi (Liberal) asked Ms. Diane Ablonczy (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly confirms the agreement will be kept and funds allocated as promised.The province of Ontario was promised that there would be a keeping of this agreement. It will be kept.
  27. misdirected
    Equalization PaymentsMs. Yasmin Ratansi (Liberal) asked Ms. Diane Ablonczy (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the member's hearing rather than addressing the missing funds or meetings.the only thing that seems to have gone missing is the hon. member's hearing.
  28. misdirected
    Canada-U.S. BorderMr. Ken Boshcoff (Liberal) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). loaded question.The answer shifts to criticizing the opposition's past record instead of explaining current actions on border impacts.The opposition had an opportunity to do something and it did absolutely nothing as it did on so many files.
  29. misdirected
    Canada-U.S. BorderMr. Ken Boshcoff (Liberal) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.The answer blames the previous government and avoids detailing new measures for border communities.He was part of the government that had 13 years and it degraded the relationship with the United States of America.
  30. answered
    National DefenceMr. Robert Vincent (Bloc) asked Gordon O'Connor (Conservative). substantive question.The answer states Canada's position that it would not be involved without parliamentary approval.
  31. deflected
    National DefenceMr. Robert Vincent (Bloc) asked Gordon O'Connor (Conservative). loaded question.The answer notes the shield is for Europe but does not address space weapons or Canada's potential participation.I pointed out before to the hon. member that this has to do with a shield in Europe.
  32. deflected
    Employment InsuranceMr. Rodger Cuzner (Liberal) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). loaded question.The answer discusses pilot program evaluation without addressing respect for seasonal workers or the dissenting report.It is a trial. It is not a long term thing.
  33. deflected
    Auditor General's ReportMr. David Christopherson (NDP) asked Mr. Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer promises an investigation but avoids giving the requested guarantee that government members or staff were not the source.We can guarantee the House and the hon. member that all necessary measures will be taken to try to identify the source of this unacceptable leak.
  34. deflected
    Auditor General's ReportMr. David Christopherson (NDP) asked Mr. Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer reiterates concern for confidentiality but does not address calling in the RCMP for an independent investigation.The government is committed to that, and we will act accordingly.
  35. misdirected
    Forest IndustryMark Eyking (Liberal) asked Ms. Helena Guergis (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the previous Liberal government instead of addressing the current agreement's impact on the forest industry or NAFTA.I will take no lessons from any Liberal in the House on negotiating or timeliness.
  36. deflected
    The EnvironmentMr. Nathan Cullen (NDP) asked Mr. Christian Paradis (Conservative). loaded question.The answer corrects a cost figure but ignores the question about commitments to be made at the upcoming climate meeting in Germany.What the minister said was that 50 cents on the dollar goes to taxpayers, and that is what is unacceptable.
  37. answered
    Canada--U.S. BorderMrs. Claude DeBellefeuille (Bloc) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly confirms that the government is raising the passport issue with the Americans and seeking cooperation.We have taken every opportunity to raise it with the Americans.