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Friday, February 15, 2008 · sitting No. 52

House concurs in official languages report after extended debate

Routine proceedings on committees of the House consumed the largest share of sitting time as the House debated concurrence in the second report of the standing committee on official languages. Liberal MP Mauril Bélanger moved adoption of the report, which contained two main recommendations following extensive witness testimony, while other members raised points about the court challenges program.

In question period the government and opposition clashed repeatedly over the future of the mission in Afghanistan. Liberal MP Ralph Goodale pressed for a clear end date of February 2011 and details of bilateral approaches to NATO allies, while government House leader Peter Van Loan cited progress toward a Canadian consensus and ongoing discussions with partners.

Further exchanges focused on the environment and infrastructure. Bloc Québécois MP Pierre Paquette criticized the government's intensity-based targets for greenhouse gas reductions and called for absolute targets under the Kyoto protocol, while Liberal MP Paul Zed urged endorsement of a new Liberal plan for long-term infrastructure funding beyond existing transfers.

Decided that day

  • C-37 advanced in first chamber
  • C-43, C-508, C-509, C-510 and C-507 introduced

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 · 2008-02-15

Government (Conservative)OppositionOver the day: government 42%, opposition 58% of the words spokenGovernment businessQuestion PeriodRoutine proceedings▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0511:0012:00Last speech 13:05Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 3 h 0 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
65Bills Creep Ahead While Committees DominateThe sitting devoted nearly a third of its time to committee business and saw several bills introduced or advanced without any recorded votes. Question Period produced more deflected and misdirected answers than clear ones, though substantive debate accounted for most spoken words.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

Canada Grain Act

Bloc Québécois MP Mario Laframboise said the party supports the principle of Bill C-39 but reserves judgment on replacement of payment securities for producers and will monitor the bill closely on behalf of Quebec farmers.

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Manufacturing Industry

Bloc Québécois MP Claude DeBellefeuille said Quebec has lost 79,000 manufacturing jobs since the Conservatives took office and called for the assistance package to be increased to $3.5 billion.

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Government Contracts

NDP MP Pat Martin asked why the government allows ministers to award polling contracts to political friends and why the finance minister awarded an untendered $122,000 contract for a single speech.

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Veterans affairs

Bloc Québécois MP Robert Bouchard described a soldier from his riding who left for Afghanistan in January and left a gravely ill veteran spouse at home alone, asking what help Veterans Affairs Canada would provide.

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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. partly answered
    AfghanistanRalph Goodale (Liberal) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). substantive question.Affirms end in 2011 but avoids confirming exact February 2011 date requested.Part of that consensus is a view that the mission should end in 2011.
  2. deflected
    AfghanistanRalph Goodale (Liberal) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). substantive question.Focuses on consensus instead of answering about debate length or amendment acceptance.we have worked toward a consensus. We will debate that in the House
  3. deflected
    AfghanistanRalph Goodale (Liberal) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). substantive question.General statements about discussions without providing the requested specifics on allies or commitments.been ongoing dialogues and bilateral discussions with our NATO allies
  4. answered
    AfghanistanKaren Redman (Liberal) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). substantive question.Describes existing and ongoing briefings as commitment to transparency.We will have those briefings on a very regular basis
  5. deflected
    AfghanistanKaren Redman (Liberal) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). loaded question.Responds by highlighting agreement on operational decisions rather than addressing the transparency guarantee.one of the most encouraging elements of common ground between the leader of the Liberal Party and this government
  6. partly answered
    The EnvironmentMr. Pierre Paquette (Bloc) asked Mr. Mark Warawa (Conservative). substantive question.Affirms having a plan but sidesteps the Kyoto protocol mention.the government does have a plan. It is the turning the corner plan.
  7. misdirected
    The EnvironmentMr. Pierre Paquette (Bloc) asked Mr. Mark Warawa (Conservative). substantive question.Corrects the premise and then criticizes the Bloc's position.The big question is why the Bloc is opposed to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
  8. deflected
    The EnvironmentMr. Bernard Bigras (Bloc) asked Mr. Mark Warawa (Conservative). loaded question.Promises an announcement without addressing the specific request or nitrogen oxides.I look forward to an announcement that will be made today and I encourage the member to wait.
  9. misdirected
    The EnvironmentMr. Bernard Bigras (Bloc) asked Mr. Mark Warawa (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the Bloc Québécois instead of addressing emission standards for oil companies.Unfortunately, we have a contest between the Bloc and the NDP on who can be Captain Bluster.
  10. deflected
    Government ContractsMr. Pat Martin (NDP) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). substantive question.The answer discusses reducing polling spending but avoids the question of political interference in tendering.We think that is far too much spending on public opinion polling being done, which is why we are moving to significantly reduce the amount of spending now that we have been able to uncover where it is.
  11. misdirected
    Government ContractsMr. Pat Martin (NDP) asked Mr. Ted Menzies (Conservative). substantive question.The answer pivots to attacking Liberal expenditures rather than addressing sanctions on the Minister of Finance.What we do not see detailed is the expenditures of the Liberal Party, the $40 million that we are still looking for.
  12. deflected
    InfrastructureMr. Paul Zed (Liberal) asked Mr. Brian Jean (Conservative). loaded question.The answer criticizes the Liberal plan and cites spending figures but does not address endorsing it.That is probably because $33 billion is the most allocated by any government in Canada's immediate history.
  13. deflected
    InfrastructureMr. Paul Zed (Liberal) asked Mr. Brian Jean (Conservative). substantive question.The answer defends Conservative infrastructure spending but ignores the question about trusting mayors.We have already put in $2 billion for transit.
  14. partly answered
    InfrastructureMr. Francis Scarpaleggia (Liberal) asked Mr. Brian Jean (Conservative). substantive question.The answer states the total infrastructure funding but does not address the specific concerns about Quebec's aging infrastructure.I want to stress the fact that the Conservative government is providing $33 billion for Canada's infrastructure.
  15. deflected
    InfrastructureMr. Francis Scarpaleggia (Liberal) asked Mr. Brian Jean (Conservative). loaded question.The answer repeats attacks on the prior Liberal record instead of outlining a Conservative infrastructure plan.the previous Liberal government did nothing but leave us with a $130 billion infrastructure deficit across the country.
  16. misdirected
    Manufacturing IndustryMrs. Claude DeBellefeuille (Bloc) asked Mr. Colin Carrie (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the Bloc's understanding rather than addressing the request for increased manufacturing assistance.clearly the Bloc Québécois does not understand the manufacturing industry.
  17. deflected
    Manufacturing IndustryMrs. Claude DeBellefeuille (Bloc) asked Mr. Colin Carrie (Conservative). substantive question.Answer ignores the funding question and attacks the Bloc's job record instead.How many jobs has the Bloc created? None.
  18. deflected
    Quebec Film IndustryMr. Luc Malo (Bloc) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.Answer promises a later reply without addressing the $50 million request.I will speak to officials at the Department of Canadian Heritage and to the minister in order to reply to this question as soon as possible.
  19. deflected
    Quebec Film IndustryMr. Luc Malo (Bloc) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.Answer defers to the upcoming budget without committing to the documentary fund.He will have to wait until the budget is tabled later this month.
  20. answered
    Canadian Nuclear Safety CommissionMr. David McGuinty (Liberal) asked Mr. David Anderson (Conservative). substantive question.Answer directly states the matter is before the courts and therefore no comment is possible.Because it is before the courts, we have no comment on this issue.
  21. misdirected
    Canadian Nuclear Safety CommissionMr. David McGuinty (Liberal) asked Mr. David Anderson (Conservative). loaded question.Answer shifts to defending the government's actions and criticizing opposition positions rather than addressing the firing's cost.Parliament made the decision to act, and it was the right decision.
  22. partly answered
    Government AppointmentsMr. Rodger Cuzner (Liberal) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). loaded question.Answer denies the premise and corrects some facts but does not fully explain the firings.The folks he talked about, half of them did not leave their positions in the way he described.
  23. partly answered
    Government AppointmentsMr. Rodger Cuzner (Liberal) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). loaded question.Answer provides specific corrections on several cases but avoids the broader vendetta allegation.Bernard Shapiro, the Ethics Commissioner, his position was actually extended before he resigned, effective March 31, 2007.
  24. answered
    Aboriginal AffairsMr. Dennis Bevington (NDP) asked Mr. Rod Bruinooge (Conservative). substantive question.Answer directly affirms the commitment to devolution and readiness to return to talks.we have made that commitment to devolve government in the Northwest Territories.
  25. deflected
    Aboriginal AffairsMr. Dennis Bevington (NDP) asked Mr. Rod Bruinooge (Conservative). substantive question.The answer promotes past government efforts on sovereignty and equalization without addressing revenue sharing or current budget cuts.Through our equalization improvements, northern territories are receiving a financial incentive to continue with their negotiations in Canada.
  26. deflected
    Agriculture and Agri-FoodWayne Easter (Liberal) asked Mr. Guy Lauzon (Conservative). loaded question.The answer lists existing payments and claims positive feedback instead of addressing calls for immediate new action on the livestock crisis.After 13 years of neglect, finally farmers are being put first by this government.
  27. misdirected
    Agriculture and Agri-FoodWayne Easter (Liberal) asked Mr. Guy Lauzon (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the questioner's past record rather than addressing the listed policy failures or the minister's alleged intent.He has had an opportunity over the last 13 years to help rural Canada, to help our agricultural community.
  28. answered
    Saint-Jean-Baptiste DayMr. Marcel Proulx (Liberal) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly agrees the omission is unacceptable and commits to correction while noting similar past Liberal errors.Obviously, Saint-Jean-Baptiste day is a historic day in Canada for all Canadians, not just French-Canadians.
  29. partly answered
    Acadian DayMr. Jean-Claude D'Amours (Liberal) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). loaded question.The answer agrees the days should be acknowledged and notes a policy review but pivots to the Prime Minister's prior attendance.Obviously we agree that these important and historic days should be acknowledged, and the government will review the calendar policy it inherited from the Liberals.
  30. partly answered
    Veterans affairsMr. Robert Bouchard (Bloc) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.The answer offers to help if details are provided but does not confirm any specific assistance for the described case.The member can give us the details, and if we can help, it would—
  31. misdirected
    Veterans affairsMr. Luc Malo (Bloc) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). rhetorical question.The answer tells the member to calm down instead of addressing the interrupted question on veterans' care.Mr. Speaker, please tell the member to calm down.
  32. deflected
    Veterans affairsMr. Robert Bouchard (Bloc) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.The answer criticizes the member for raising the issue publicly and suggests a different approach without committing to retroactive fixes.It is unfortunate that the member chose to raise this issue here in the House of Commons.
  33. answered
    Public SafetyMr. Sukh Dhaliwal (Liberal) asked Stockwell Day (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly states the funding status and commitments for the police officers.
  34. misdirected
    Community Development TrustMrs. Irene Mathyssen (NDP) asked Mr. Colin Carrie (Conservative). substantive question.The response attacks the NDP's voting record instead of addressing the aid timeline.I find it quite hypocritical that the NDP member pretends to care about workers every time the government brings something forward.
  35. partly answered
    Community Development TrustMr. Tony Martin (NDP) asked Mr. Colin Carrie (Conservative). substantive question.It describes the funding program but omits specific timelines or process for northern Ontario.It is going to provide job training in sectors where there are labour shortages, and economic development to create new jobs in affected communities.
  36. misdirected
    Persons with DisabilitiesMark Eyking (Liberal) asked Monte Solberg (Conservative). substantive question.The answer criticizes the opposition's votes rather than explaining the fund's delay.The sad thing is it was that member and his party who voted against all of those measures to help persons with disabilities.
  37. misdirected
    Automotive IndustryScott Brison (Liberal) asked Mr. Colin Carrie (Conservative). substantive question.It attacks Liberal history and voting instead of addressing current auto sector investment status.the truth is the Liberals walked out on the auto industry 13 years ago, just as they walked out of the House this week.
  38. deflected
    KosovoMs. Meili Faille (Bloc) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.The answer avoids stating a position by emphasizing waiting for external decisions.We are awaiting the outcome of the decisions being made in Kosovo.