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Friday, November 21, 2008 · sitting No. 4

Commons resumes throne speech debate as economy dominates question period

The House devoted the largest share of its time to resuming debate on the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne. Thirty-five interventions took place under that heading, leaving the matter still before the House at adjournment.

Liberal MP Scott Brison pressed the government on the absence of a contingency reserve, arguing that earlier spending decisions had removed the capacity to assist Canadians during the downturn. Conservative MP Ted Menzies replied that the reserve was never legislated and that the previous government had treated taxpayer money as its own.

NDP MP Libby Davies asked what measures would protect seniors whose pensions are shrinking with the markets and what action would follow on rising credit-card rates. Conservative ministers Mike Lake, Ted Menzies and Diane Finley answered that the government would require detailed business plans from the auto sector and would continue existing supports for families and children.

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 · 2008-11-21

Government (Conservative)OppositionOver the day: government 40%, opposition 60% of the words spokenSpeech from the ThroneQuestion PeriodRoutine proceedingsSpeech from the Throne▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0511:0012:0013:00Last speech 14:00Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 3 h 55 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
55Debates Fill the Day, Bills Merely IntroducedThe sitting devoted most of its time to resumed debate on the Address in Reply and related topics, with only a modest share of words on substantive business. No recorded votes occurred and Question Period produced mostly deflected answers.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

Arts and Culture

Bloc Québécois MP Jean Dorion pressed the government to transfer cultural budgets and powers to Quebec after cuts to arts programs. Conservative MP Dean Del Mastro said funding for Canadian Heritage had risen 8 per cent under the present government.

Read the exchange

Young Offenders

Bloc Québécois MP Josée Beaudin called for a separate youth-justice system for Quebec in line with the National Assembly’s unanimous position. Justice Minister Rob Nicholson said the government would apply a single balanced approach across the country.

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Automotive Industry

Liberal MP Mark Holland said the minister had returned from Washington with nothing but business cards while Canadian jobs were at risk. Conservative MP Mike Lake said the government would act only after receiving solid plans from both sides of the border.

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Infrastructure

Bloc Québécois MP Mario Laframboise urged immediate release of Building Canada funds rather than waiting another year. Conservative MP John Baird said the government was ready to expedite projects once the throne speech was adopted.

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Forestry Industry

NDP MP Jack Harris asked what plan existed to prevent the possible closure of the AbitibiBowater mill in Grand Falls-Windsor. Conservative MP David Anderson pointed to the softwood-lumber agreement and the community development trust as the government’s response.

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
    The EconomyScott Brison (Liberal) asked Mr. Ted Menzies (Conservative). substantive question.The response dismisses the contingency fund as fictional and attacks Liberals rather than addressing the removal decision.this fictional contingency fund that the hon. member speaks of was never legislated.
  2. deflected
    The EconomyScott Brison (Liberal) asked Mr. Ted Menzies (Conservative). substantive question.The answer shifts to criticizing Liberal tax policies and slush funds instead of explaining the spending choice.The Conservative government does not believe in overtaxing Canadians just to build a slush fund so it can have its March madness as happened in Liberal years.
  3. deflected
    The EconomyScott Brison (Liberal) asked Mr. Ted Menzies (Conservative). substantive question.The response pivots to past Liberal spending increases rather than addressing Conservative policy decisions.The only reason that the government had to increase spending was to pay back the provinces the Liberal government's cuts to transfer payments.
  4. deflected
    The EconomyRalph Goodale (Liberal) asked Mr. Ted Menzies (Conservative). substantive question.The answer repeats that no legislated fund existed and attacks Liberal overtaxation instead of explaining the elimination.once again, I will remind the hon. member that there was no legislated contingency fund.
  5. misdirected
    The EconomyRalph Goodale (Liberal) asked Mr. Ted Menzies (Conservative). substantive question.The response attacks the Liberal record and past failures rather than addressing the current deficit plan.speaking of failures, I believe that is why we have a Conservative government.
  6. partly answered
    The EconomyMr. Pierre Paquette (Bloc) asked Mr. Ted Menzies (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directs the member to upcoming measures without providing any details now.I would suggest that he wait, like the rest of us, until next Thursday when he will see some concrete measures and some improvements on how we can deal with the financial situation that we are faced with right now.
  7. deflected
    The EconomyMr. Pierre Paquette (Bloc) asked Mr. Ted Menzies (Conservative). substantive question.The response claims prior actions in budget 2008 and avoids committing to new emergency measures.in fact, we have taken many of those measures.
  8. answered
    The EconomyMrs. Claude DeBellefeuille (Bloc) asked Mr. Ted Menzies (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly explains the minister's letter to institutions regarding RRSP transfers for seniors.The finance minister is ahead of the opposition by a long shot.
  9. partly answered
    The EconomyMrs. Claude DeBellefeuille (Bloc) asked Mr. Ted Menzies (Conservative). substantive question.Mentions prior change from 69 to 71 but ignores the new proposal to raise to 73.not only did we address that in the last budget by raising it from 69 to 71 when seniors could rollover their RRSPs into RRIFs
  10. misdirected
    SeniorsMs. Libby Davies (NDP) asked Mr. Mike Lake (Conservative). substantive question.Answers only the GM layoffs portion while ignoring the core question on protecting seniors' pensions.regarding the auto industry, the minister has said that we need to see a plan from automakers and unions for the industry's long-term success
  11. deflected
    SeniorsMs. Libby Davies (NDP) asked Mr. Ted Menzies (Conservative). substantive question.Acknowledges the issue but states the government cannot regulate fees and thus avoids committing to action.we do not regulate fees charged by financial sectors, nor should we
  12. deflected
    SeniorsMs. Libby Davies (NDP) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.Lists existing programs but does not address the requested national poverty reduction strategy.That is why we introduced the universal child care benefit. That is why we have lowered the GST
  13. deflected
    SeniorsJohn McKay (Liberal) asked Mr. Ted Menzies (Conservative). substantive question.Highlights creation of a seniors minister and pension splitting instead of offering a plan for current market losses.it was this Conservative government that established a minister responsible for seniors issues
  14. deflected
    SeniorsJohn McKay (Liberal) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.Lists past initiatives and attacks the asker rather than providing a current plan to protect seniors.We have launched a National Seniors Council, which is providing the government with advice, particularly on issues of seniors' poverty
  15. deflected
    SeniorsMs. Siobhan Coady (Liberal) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.Recites prior GIS and pension changes but does not address the immediate crisis for seniors with limited savings.we also made sure they would get less clawback. We increased by 500% the allowance that they can claim
  16. deflected
    SeniorsMs. Siobhan Coady (Liberal) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.Points to pension splitting and past actions while avoiding any new plan for seniors facing wiped-out savings.We have introduced pension splitting. That has made a huge difference to many families
  17. deflected
    Arts and CultureMr. Jean Dorion (Bloc) asked Mr. Dean Del Mastro (Conservative). substantive question.The answer emphasizes funding levels instead of addressing the requested transfer of powers to Quebec.No government in history has provided as much funding and support to the Department of Canadian Heritage as this government has, an 8% increase over the previous government, some almost $200 million.
  18. deflected
    Arts and CultureMr. Jean Dorion (Bloc) asked Mr. Dean Del Mastro (Conservative). substantive question.The answer focuses on the department's importance and funding rather than any transfer of cultural powers to Quebec.We see the role that it plays in defining Canadians and representing Canadian values.
  19. deflected
    Young OffendersMrs. Josée Beaudin (Bloc) asked Rob Nicholson (Conservative). substantive question.The answer states a general commitment to consequences for crime without addressing a special Quebec system.We have been very clear that those individuals who commit serious offences in this country, whether they be young persons or adults, can expect serious consequences.
  20. deflected
    Young OffendersMrs. Josée Beaudin (Bloc) asked Rob Nicholson (Conservative). substantive question.The answer discusses a national balanced approach without addressing a Quebec-specific system.we are absolutely committed to an effective criminal justice system that applies to all Canadians, young and old.
  21. deflected
    Automotive IndustryMr. Mark Holland (Liberal) asked Mr. Mike Lake (Conservative). loaded question.The answer promises future consideration instead of presenting any current plan for the auto sector.The minister has said that he will listen to stakeholders and to the industry on both sides of the border because it is an integrated industry.
  22. deflected
    Automotive IndustryMr. Mark Holland (Liberal) asked Mr. Mike Lake (Conservative). loaded question.The answer criticizes the questioner and reiterates ongoing consultations without offering a plan.If the member had been paying any attention he would have noticed that.
  23. deflected
    Automotive IndustryMark Eyking (Liberal) asked Mr. Mike Lake (Conservative). substantive question.The answer repeats that a decision will come later without providing any plan or timeline.We will be coming up with a course of action in due course that will benefit Canadian taxpayers, Canadian consumers, Canadian workers and business interests as well.
  24. deflected
    Automotive IndustryMark Eyking (Liberal) asked Mr. Mike Lake (Conservative). loaded question.The answer labels the demand a knee-jerk reaction and avoids committing to any immediate strategy.this is the fourth question in a row from the Liberal Party demanding a knee-jerk reaction to a very complex global issue.
  25. answered
    International TradeMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Mr. Gerald Keddy (Conservative). substantive question.The answer affirms the inclusion of labour and environmental provisions in trade agreements.our free trade agreements are complemented with provisions on labour and environmental co-operation.
  26. deflected
    International TradeMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Mr. Gerald Keddy (Conservative). loaded question.The response promotes free trade generally without addressing the call to renegotiate NAFTA or specific pacts.Free trade is good for Canada, it is good for our free trade partners and it is good for the economies and the citizens of all the countries involved in the free trade agreements.
  27. answered
    InfrastructureMr. Mario Laframboise (Bloc) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer states they are prepared to expedite funding as requested.We are prepared to do that, and I hope the Bloc members will support our throne speech
  28. deflected
    InfrastructureMr. Mario Laframboise (Bloc) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.Responds by agreeing on building Canada but avoids committing to more funding.I noted with great interest the comment made by the Bloc Québécois member, who wants to build Canada.
  29. deflected
    Arts and CultureHedy Fry (Liberal) asked Mr. Dean Del Mastro (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the opposition's record instead of outlining a plan.It is hypocrisy at the highest to listen to a Liberal Party that made such significant cuts to arts and culture in the mid-1990s.
  30. deflected
    Arts and CultureHedy Fry (Liberal) asked Mr. Dean Del Mastro (Conservative). substantive question.Claims increased support but does not provide or reference a specific plan for boosting productivity.No government in history has provided more support to arts and culture and to Heritage Canada than ours has.
  31. answered
    Forestry IndustryMr. Jack Harris (NDP) asked Mr. David Anderson (Conservative). substantive question.Details specific measures taken to support the forestry sector and workers.We have supported the Canadian forest industry by getting the softwood lumber deal done.
  32. misdirected
    Forestry IndustryMr. Jack Harris (NDP) asked Mr. David Anderson (Conservative). substantive question.Turns to criticizing the NDP's policies rather than addressing the specific request for measures to save the mill.Canadians know the consequences of the NDP's plans for Canada.
  33. deflected
    Forestry IndustryMr. Bernard Patry (Liberal) asked Mr. David Anderson (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks Liberal record instead of providing a Conservative plan for forestry.Unlike the Liberals, the Conservative government is getting the job done.
  34. answered
    Omar KhadrMr. Serge Ménard (Bloc) asked Mr. Deepak Obhrai (Conservative). substantive question.The response directly states the unchanged position against repatriation.our position remains unchanged.
  35. deflected
    The EnvironmentMr. Dennis Bevington (NDP) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). loaded question.The answer promotes general balance without addressing the specific question on deregulation.the policy of the government is to strike an appropriate balance between the environment on the one hand and the economy on the other.
  36. deflected
    National ParksMr. Todd Russell (Liberal) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). substantive question.The minister avoids any explanation of delay and instead offers a sarcastic remark.It speaks to his unique abilities in the House that I actually heard him long before I saw him here.
  37. partly answered
    AgricultureMr. Luc Malo (Bloc) asked Jean-Pierre Blackburn (Conservative). substantive question.Past funding is cited but no timeline or new recovery program is confirmed.a number of measures were implemented in 2006, with $6.4 million given to those who suffered losses for that reason.
  38. partly answered
    Mining IndustryMr. Peter Stoffer (NDP) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). substantive question.The response indicates review of the issue without committing to an action plan.I can assure the member that I am closely looking at the question of tailing ponds, freshwater tailing ponds, and how and when they are used in the mining situation.