Parliament AIIndependent · non-official

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Wednesday, February 7, 2007 · sitting No. 105

House debates bill to repeal section 67 of human rights act

The House spent the largest share of its sitting debating Bill C-44, which would repeal section 67 of the Canadian Human Rights Act and extend full protections against discrimination to residents of first nations communities. Conservative MP Rod Bruinooge told members the change would end an unjust exemption that had lasted 30 years. Bloc Québécois MP Marc Lemay questioned the government's consultation process with first nations before introducing the measure.

In Question Period, Liberal MP Stéphane Dion pressed Prime Minister Stephen Harper on which federal programs the government intends to cut. Harper replied that the government is investing in core federal responsibilities such as national defence and direct assistance to families while the opposition seeks to repeal tax measures including pension income splitting. NDP MP Jack Layton asked Harper whether he would act to lower tuition fees, and Harper answered that tuition policy rests with the provinces.

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 · 2007-02-07

Government (Conservative)OppositionOver the day: government 45%, opposition 55% of the words spokenQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 14:0015:0016:0017:00Last speech 17:50Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 3 h 50 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
30Another sitting that went nowhereThe sitting devoted nearly half its time to the Canadian Human Rights Act and other topics yet recorded no votes or bill progress. Most Question Period replies were deflected and only three calls to order interrupted the flow.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

Post-Secondary Education

Liberal MP Michael Ignatieff asked why the government had done nothing to improve access to post-secondary education or on-the-job training for aboriginal Canadians, immigrants and the disabled. Conservative MP Monte Solberg said the government had introduced a textbook tax credit and an apprenticeship grant while rejecting past Liberal cuts to provincial transfers.

Read the exchange

Child Care

Liberal MP Ruby Dhalla said a two-income family earning $40,000 each in Ontario would repay $31 a month per child because the $100 monthly benefit is taxable. Conservative MP Monte Solberg said the universal child care benefit reaches 1.4 million families and that the Liberal leader would remove it.

Read the exchange

Aboriginal Affairs

Liberal MP Gary Merasty said departmental documents showed that much of the agenda for Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice's Washington trip was personal and political. Prentice urged the member to discuss the Mackenzie Valley pipeline and the $500 million socio-economic fund instead.

Read the exchange

The Environment

Bloc Québécois MP Gilles Duceppe said the Prime Minister was siding with Alberta oil companies and the Ontario auto sector by preferring intensity targets over absolute greenhouse gas reductions. Harper said the government's system would follow the polluter-pays principle.

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
    Government PoliciesStéphane Dion (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer promotes own record and attacks opposition instead of naming programs to drop.We have a very different philosophy.
  2. deflected
    Government PoliciesStéphane Dion (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer lists opposition positions to attack rather than naming federal programs to stop.He wants to kill pension income splitting for seniors.
  3. deflected
    Government PoliciesStéphane Dion (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.Answer shifts to praising unity and attacking past Liberal scandals instead of addressing programs.
  4. partly answered
    Post-Secondary EducationMr. Michael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked Monte Solberg (Conservative). substantive question.Answer lists some student supports but ends by attacking Liberal record on transfers.We introduced a textbook tax credit.
  5. partly answered
    Post-Secondary EducationMr. Michael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked Monte Solberg (Conservative). substantive question.Answer cites apprenticeship grants and immigrant funding but criticizes opposition vote.This government moved immediately to provide an apprenticeship grant to people going into the trades.
  6. misdirected
    The EnvironmentMr. Gilles Duceppe (Bloc) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.Answer pivots to income trusts and Bloc contradictions instead of addressing Kyoto targets or oil companies.The fact is that this government put an end to income trusts for the oil industry
  7. misdirected
    The EnvironmentMr. Gilles Duceppe (Bloc) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.Answer accuses Bloc of attacking industries and pushing separation rather than discussing polluter-pay or carbon exchange.The Bloc Québécois' only goal is to separate Quebec from Canada.
  8. deflected
    The EnvironmentMr. Bernard Bigras (Bloc) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.Answer defends regulations across regions and attacks Bloc on economy instead of clarifying ties to oil firms.Our government is trying to make regulations so that all regions of Canada will reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
  9. deflected
    The EnvironmentMr. Bernard Bigras (Bloc) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer shifts to air quality in Montreal without addressing job losses, absolute targets, or oil company ties.In Montreal, air quality is another priority.
  10. partly answered
    Post-Secondary EducationJack Layton (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer notes provincial jurisdiction and lists federal funding but does not commit to lowering tuition.tuition fees are determined by provincial policy.
  11. answered
    Post-Secondary EducationJack Layton (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly rebuts the call for federal tuition freezes by reiterating spending figures and limits of federal power.What they do not need are unrealistic promises like the federal government freezing provincial tuition fees, which they know full well the federal government cannot do.
  12. misdirected
    Child CareMs. Ruby Dhalla (Liberal) asked Monte Solberg (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the Liberal leader instead of addressing the taxability of the child benefit.What is the real shame is that the leader of the Liberal Party has stated unequivocally that he would take that money away from Canadian families.
  13. deflected
    Child CareMs. Ruby Dhalla (Liberal) asked Monte Solberg (Conservative). loaded question.The answer pivots to hypothetical Liberal cuts rather than responding to the lack of new child care spaces.if the Liberals ever came back to power, God forbid, they would take away $10 billion from Canadian families by removing the--
  14. misdirected
    Government PoliciesJohn McCallum (Liberal) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). substantive question.The answer mocks the questioner and shifts to income trusts and opposition positions instead of detailing planned cuts.I am asking the member opposite from Markham, as the president of the Liberal best brains club, to convene a meeting--
  15. deflected
    Government PoliciesJohn McCallum (Liberal) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). substantive question.The answer accuses the questioner of wanting cuts and avoids naming the remaining $2.6 billion in reductions.I am disappointed that the president of the Liberal best brains club wants to cut spending against Canadians.
  16. partly answered
    Canadian Television FundMr. Maka Kotto (Bloc) asked Bev Oda (Conservative). substantive question.The answer cites the CRTC role and new funding but does not address enforcement of the law on the CTF.I am confident that the CRTC will ensure that its regulations are in force.
  17. deflected
    Canadian Television FundMr. Maka Kotto (Bloc) asked Bev Oda (Conservative). loaded question.The answer avoids addressing enforcement or complicity by restating CRTC independence.I am confident the CRTC will act on behalf of all Canadians and for the government.
  18. partly answered
    Public SafetyMs. Francine Lalonde (Bloc) asked Stockwell Day (Conservative). substantive question.The minister specifies the principal topic but refers vaguely to 'a number issues' without full detail.I was pleased to be there to discuss a number issues. Principally, I was concerned about the effects on the economy of the WHTI
  19. misdirected
    Public SafetyMs. Francine Lalonde (Bloc) asked Stockwell Day (Conservative). loaded question.The answer dismisses the premise then attacks the Bloc Québécois instead of addressing public debate.unlike the Bloc Québécois who do not speak for all of Canada.
  20. deflected
    Canadian Television FundLucienne Robillard (Liberal) asked Bev Oda (Conservative). loaded question.The answer avoids the specific questions on enforcement and consultations by again citing CRTC authority.As I said, I am confident that it will exercise its authority as necessary.
  21. partly answered
    Canadian Television FundLucienne Robillard (Liberal) asked Bev Oda (Conservative). loaded question.The answer addresses the emergency claim with funding details but ignores questions on Quebec series and cultural role.That is why we did act. We announced $200 million over two years which is the first time the production industry has ever received a commitment beyond 12 months.
  22. misdirected
    Aboriginal AffairsMr. Gary Merasty (Liberal) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). loaded question.The answer ignores the housing and welfare issues and instead insults the asker about being in a rut.I would remind him that the only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.
  23. misdirected
    Aboriginal AffairsMs. Tina Keeper (Liberal) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). loaded question.The answer shifts to unrelated opposition travel instead of addressing the minister's trip costs.I am prepared to table this and I would like an explanation from the opposition as to what this is all about.
  24. partly answered
    Aboriginal AffairsMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Tony Clement (Conservative). substantive question.The answer covers immediate crisis response but adds an attack on the prior government.I can assure this House that Health Canada is on the scene with medical professionals.
  25. deflected
    Aboriginal AffairsMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). substantive question.The answer focuses on the Pope report and relocation consultation instead of educational resources.There was a Pope report that was commissioned by the government that examined the alternatives for the community.
  26. partly answered
    Middle EastKeith Martin (Liberal) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). substantive question.Confirms a report was produced but avoids the release question by attacking the Liberals.What is more interesting is why, if the members of the Liberal Party are so interested in his views now, they showed no interest in those views when he was a member of their caucus.
  27. deflected
    Middle EastKeith Martin (Liberal) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). substantive question.Ignores the request to release the report and instead criticizes past Liberal practices.Just think about it. Jean Augustine, Sophia Leung were special advisers, but were their reports ever tabled?
  28. deflected
    IndustryMr. Paul Crête (Bloc) asked Maxime Bernier (Conservative). substantive question.The answer cites poll support for reform but does not commit to net neutrality or consumer protections.We have here an Ipsos-Reid poll saying that 75% of Quebeckers support telecommunications reform.
  29. partly answered
    Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of QuebecMs. Christiane Gagnon (Bloc) asked Jean-Pierre Blackburn (Conservative). substantive question.States the request is under review and acknowledges the funding ask without confirming commitment.The matter is currently under review.
  30. deflected
    Northern Climate ExchangeLarry Bagnell (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.Pivots to general climate action claims instead of addressing the closure of the Northern Climate Exchange.
  31. deflected
    Tobacco Manufacturers' SurtaxMs. Judy Wasylycia-Leis (NDP) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.Addresses tax fairness and technical amendment but ignores the pork-politics accusation.This is an issue of tax fairness.
  32. misdirected
    Tobacco Manufacturers' SurtaxMs. Judy Wasylycia-Leis (NDP) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.Ignores the question about benefits to ordinary Canadians and thanks a Liberal member instead.I might add that I thank the Liberal member for Brant for his support on this issue.
  33. answered
    Points of OrderMr. Borys Wrzesnewskyj (Liberal) asked Mr. James Bezan (Conservative). substantive question.The member directly offered an apology conditional on the gesture having occurred.if I made a rude hand gesture, I apologize.
  34. deflected
    Points of OrderMs. Tina Keeper (Liberal) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). substantive question.The response denies any unparliamentary language and defers judgment to the Speaker rather than addressing the request for apology.I do not believe there was anything unparliamentary in any of the language that was used and I would invite the Speaker to tell me otherwise.