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Friday, May 18, 2007 · sitting No. 157
Supply day motion seeks prompt debate on clean air bill
The largest share of the sitting was taken up by a supply motion moved by NDP MP Nathan Cullen that called on the government to bring Bill C-30 to report stage and second reading without further delay. Cullen said the government had reduced debate time and was unwilling to confront air quality and climate change. Conservative MP Richard Harris replied that earlier NDP-backed environmental policies in British Columbia had contributed to the pine beetle infestation.
Question period featured repeated exchanges on the Canada summer jobs program. Liberal MP Michael Savage pressed Human Resources Minister Monte Solberg to restore funding and adjust criteria after organizations lost support. Solberg said the new program funds longer placements and that the full not-for-profit allocation had been maintained.
From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard
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Who held the floor · 2007-05-18
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
Committees of the House
Bloc MP Monique Guay said Conservative committee chairs had received a manual on disrupting proceedings to avoid issues the government dislikes. Government House leader Peter Van Loan said opposition parties had delayed justice bills for up to 252 days in committee.
Read the exchangeOfficial Languages
Liberal MP Raymond Simard said the summer jobs program had approved only one of 21 applications from Franco-Manitoban groups. Minister Monte Solberg said funding is weighted toward minority-language communities.
Read the exchangeThe Environment
Bloc MP Bernard Bigras said the government plan copies a weak American approach. Environment Minister John Baird said the plan will cut emissions 20 per cent in absolute terms over 13 years.
Read the exchangeAboriginal Affairs
Liberal MP Tina Keeper said the government had gutted the Kelowna accord and excluded new first-nations spending. Parliamentary secretary Rod Bruinooge said the government is reforming systemic issues rather than simply adding dollars.
Read the exchangePoints of Order
Liberal MP Marlene Jennings said the Treasury Board president told her to take her medication during exchanges on the summer jobs program. President Vic Toews said the member had been screaming and yelling.
Read the exchangeQuestion 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
- partly answeredSummer Jobs ProgramMr. Michael Savage (Liberal) asked Monte Solberg (Conservative). substantive question.The answer covers funding allocation and review of groups but avoids committing to criteria changes or full restoration.
We are looking at those groups.
- misdirectedSummer Jobs ProgramMr. Michael Savage (Liberal) asked Monte Solberg (Conservative). loaded question.The answer shifts to attacking the previous Liberal government's record instead of addressing the current program's issues.
It is a little rich to hear the member across the way talking about his concern for students when his government, when it was in power, cut $25 billion to universities and colleges without any regard at all for students.
- deflectedSummer Jobs ProgramMr. Michael Savage (Liberal) asked Monte Solberg (Conservative). substantive question.The answer defends the new program and questions the member's support rather than addressing the timeline for changes.
Why does the member not support that kind of thing for students?
- misdirectedSummer Jobs ProgramMarlene Jennings (Liberal) asked Monte Solberg (Conservative). loaded question.The answer corrects the premise and promotes the program without addressing the delay or perceived targeting of groups.
the member is wrong of course.
- deflectedOfficial LanguagesRaymond Simard (Liberal) asked Monte Solberg (Conservative). loaded question.The answer disputes the claim of attack and restates program criteria without addressing the specific francophone funding cuts.
One of the criteria in the Canada summer jobs program is that the money be weighted toward minority language communities.
- deflectedCommittees of the HouseMs. Monique Guay (Bloc) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). loaded question.The answer changes the subject to opposition delays on justice bills instead of addressing the alleged manual or committee paralysis.
the opposition is obstructing Parliament.
- deflectedCommittees of the HouseMs. Monique Guay (Bloc) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). loaded question.The answer blames opposition obstruction and restates commitments rather than acknowledging refusal to cooperate.
The obstructionist opposition has caused considerable delays in these matters.
- deflectedOfficial LanguagesMs. Pauline Picard (Bloc) asked Mrs. Sylvie Boucher (Conservative). loaded question.The answer refuses to comment due to court proceedings and attacks the opposition instead of addressing reinstatement plans.
everyone in this House knows that this case is before the courts and I will not comment on it.
- answeredAccess to InformationMs. Pauline Picard (Bloc) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). rhetorical question.The question makes accusations without seeking specific information, while the answer directly addresses the claim that redactions are political.
It is very clear that bureaucrats were responsible for deciding what was redacted.
- deflectedCommittees of the HouseMs. Libby Davies (NDP) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). loaded question.The question assumes a Conservative playbook exists and demands it be tabled, but the answer shifts to opposition obstruction instead.
the obstruction playbook was written by the opposition, which has held up, as I said, justice bills at committee
- deflectedCommittees of the HouseMs. Libby Davies (NDP) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). loaded question.The question repeats accusations and demands the playbook, while the answer pivots to what Canadians want and Liberal delays.
They want to see this Parliament deliver on legislation to make their communities safer by getting tough on crime.
- answeredForeign AffairsBryon Wilfert (Liberal) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.The question asks specific factual details about visits and conditions, and the answer provides those details directly.
We have had four visits now with the boys in Saudi Arabia.
- answeredForeign AffairsBryon Wilfert (Liberal) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.The question seeks assurances on legal representation and daily monitoring, which the answer supplies.
I certainly will provide those assurances.
- deflectedCommittees of the HouseRalph Goodale (Liberal) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). loaded question.The question accuses the government of Nixon-like tactics and demands the manual, but the answer attacks Liberal obstruction instead.
I have already talked about the success of the Liberals in resisting our agenda to make our streets and communities safer on justice.
- misdirectedCommittees of the HouseRalph Goodale (Liberal) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). loaded question.The question accuses incompetence and demands admission, while the answer blames Liberals and adds an irrelevant Senate massage joke.
I saw this memo that says that the Senate has reserved the services of Mr. Jean Luc Lavallée.
- partly answeredElectoral Boundaries ReadjustmentMr. Richard Nadeau (Bloc) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). substantive question.The question asks if the bill will be withdrawn, and the answer defends the bill's principles without directly addressing withdrawal.
our approach is based on principles.
- deflectedElectoral Boundaries ReadjustmentMr. Richard Nadeau (Bloc) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). substantive question.Answer praises the motion and bill but shifts to ridings and Ontario disparities without addressing intent to redraft legislation.
we are proud of our motion recognizing Quebeckers as a nation, but we are also proud of our bill on democracy and democratic representation.
- misdirectedThe EnvironmentMr. Bernard Bigras (Bloc) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.Answer labels the question a rant and attacks the member before promoting the government's plan.
the long rant by the hon. member for Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie is inaccurate.
- misdirectedThe EnvironmentMr. Bernard Bigras (Bloc) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.Answer ignores the pipeline question and instead attacks the Bloc by citing a union leader's comments.
Of the plan put forward by the Conservatives, he said: It's realistic.
- answeredThe EnvironmentJohn Godfrey (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.Answer directly states support for the science and explains the government's position on the 50% target.
I certainly support the science and findings of the report released by the United Nations a few months ago in Paris.
- misdirectedThe EnvironmentJohn Godfrey (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.Answer attacks the previous Liberal government with quotes instead of addressing the G-8 or Bush comparison.
What we will not do is follow what happened with the Liberals.
- partly answeredAboriginal AffairsMs. Tina Keeper (Liberal) asked Mr. Rod Bruinooge (Conservative). substantive question.Answer confirms discussions with the national chief but pivots to criticizing the prior government and promoting Bill C-44.
this government and our Minister of Indian Affairs have been in discussions with National Chief Phil Fontaine since we took office.
- misdirectedAboriginal AffairsMs. Tina Keeper (Liberal) asked Mr. Rod Bruinooge (Conservative). substantive question.Answer attacks the Liberal record and Kelowna accord instead of addressing consultation or tensions.
the very last moment of its reign, which did not end soon enough, was the very moment when it put forward its quasi-plan, which we all know was just a press release.
- misdirectedGasoline PricesMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Gary Lunn (Conservative). substantive question.Answer ignores oil company profits and instead attacks opposition parties over hypothetical price increases.
the real question is how all three opposition parties in this House can support gasoline prices of $2 a litre.
- deflectedGasoline PricesMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Gary Lunn (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the opposition instead of addressing the questions about gas prices.
but the real question is how all three opposition parties can be such hypocrites.
- answeredNational DefenceDenis Coderre (Liberal) asked Gordon O'Connor (Conservative). loaded question.The minister provides a clear breakdown of the costs mentioned.
the capital cost of the Leopard 2 fleet is $650 million. In that is also included five years of support.
- misdirectedNational DefenceDenis Coderre (Liberal) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). rhetorical question.The response rejects the personal attack and shifts to criticizing previous Liberal governments.
I rise reluctantly simply because I cannot accept the unacceptable smear, the personal smear, that the member continues to engage in by calling our dignified Minister of National Defence , who has served for many years, an arms dealer.
- deflectedEconomic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of QuebecMr. Marcel Proulx (Liberal) asked Jean-Pierre Blackburn (Conservative). loaded question.The answer describes the funding process without confirming or denying the political motivation claim.
every Quebec region has an envelope for regional economic development.
- answeredEconomic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of QuebecMr. Marcel Proulx (Liberal) asked Jean-Pierre Blackburn (Conservative). loaded question.The minister explicitly denies the claim and states the actual criteria used.
I categorically deny the member's statements.
- partly answeredSummer Jobs ProgramsMs. Nicole Demers (Bloc) asked Monte Solberg (Conservative). substantive question.Responds to the concern but does not commit to revising criteria, instead notes sensitivity and review of cases.
I am sensitive to some of the concerns raised by members. We are looking into some of these individual cases.
- answeredCP RailMr. Mario Silva (Liberal) asked Lawrence Cannon (Conservative). substantive question.The minister directly addresses safety concerns by confirming oversight during the strike.
I want to reassure the hon. colleague and, indeed, all members of the House that Transport Canada officials who do the inspection are rigorously following the procedures.
- partly answeredPublic TransitMs. Peggy Nash (NDP) asked Lawrence Cannon (Conservative). substantive question.The answer discusses Montreal's plan and gas tax renewal but stops short of addressing a national strategy timeline.
In its latest budget, the Conservative government not only reconfirmed and renewed the gas tax amounts but also increased them to make a noticeable—
- answeredPublic TransitMs. Peggy Nash (NDP) asked Lawrence Cannon (Conservative). rhetorical question.The minister directly counters by listing completed projects and total funding committed across the country.
We delivered on Brampton. We delivered on Mississauga. We delivered on Spadina.
- answeredPassportsMr. Don Bell (Liberal) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.The answer details concrete steps taken to increase passport processing capacity and reduce backlogs.
We have a 40% increase in capacity because of the hard work of the professional, dedicated public servants working at Passport Canada.
- misdirectedPoints of OrderMarlene Jennings (Liberal) asked Vic Toews (Conservative). loaded question.The response ignores the point of order and instead attacks the member's conduct and emotional state.
I am sure members sitting around her can attest to the fact that that member specifically screams and yells on all occasions.
- misdirectedPoints of OrderDenis Coderre (Liberal) asked Jay Hill (Conservative). loaded question.The reply refuses to withdraw the remark and instead insults the member while defending the minister.
I should not have called the member an idiot because even an idiot would support the Minister of National Defence
- answeredPoints of OrderMs. Jean Crowder (NDP) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the possible misstatement and clarifies the bill's actual purpose regarding human rights protections.
Of course the provision in the statute is as the member said, one that right now denies to first nations on reserve the protection of the Canadian Human Rights Act.