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All sittings← 2009-06-082009-06-10 →

Tuesday, June 9, 2009 · sitting No. 71

House debates Criminal Code anti-terrorism provisions at second reading

The House spent the largest share of its time on government orders debating Bill C-19, which would restore investigative hearing and recognizance-with-conditions powers under the Criminal Code. Conservative MP Rob Moore told the House the provisions contain safeguards and have never been abused. New Democrat MP Don Davies said the bill deepens problems of secret evidence and compelled testimony that depart from Canadian legal tradition.

In Question Period Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff pressed the government over comments by Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt that the isotope shortage was an opportunity for career advancement. Prime Minister Stephen Harper replied that the minister has worked around the clock to secure supply and accused the opposition of cheap politics. Transport Minister John Baird told the House he had apologized to Toronto Mayor David Miller after using profanity in reference to the city’s single infrastructure request.

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 · 2009-06-09

Government (Conservative)OppositionOver the day: government 41%, opposition 59% of the words spokenRoutine proceedingsGovernment businessQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0011:0012:0013:0014:0015:0016:00Last speech 17:30Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 7 h 30 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
63Bills creep forward, hours motion stallsSeveral private and government bills advanced through early stages while the House spent most of its time on the Criminal Code and a failed attempt to extend sitting hours. Question Period produced few direct answers and the Speaker had to intervene four times.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

Extension of Sitting Hours

Government House leader Jay Hill moved to extend sitting hours until 10 p.m. from June 10 to June 23, citing the need to advance several bills including C-8, C-19 and C-23.

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Iran Accountability Act

Liberal MP Irwin Cotler introduced Bill C-412, the Iran Accountability Act, to combat incitement to genocide, domestic repression and nuclear armament in Iran.

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Royal Canadian Mint

Bloc Québécois MP Christiane Gagnon asked why the Mint cannot account for gold ingots worth millions; Minister of State Rob Merrifield said the RCMP has been called in.

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Employment Insurance

New Democrat MP Irene Mathyssen said coverage rates for unemployed women have fallen from 82 per cent in 1989 to 39 per cent in 2008; Human Resources Minister Diane Finley replied that the system treats everyone equally.

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Afghanistan

Defence Minister Peter MacKay told the House that three separate investigations had cleared Canadian Forces personnel of allegations of prisoner abuse.

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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. deflected
    Minister of Natural ResourcesMr. Michael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.Answer ignores the alleged remark and pivots to general government efforts without addressing the question.The Minister of Natural Resources is working very hard to ensure an adequate future supply.
  2. deflected
    Minister of Natural ResourcesMr. Michael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.Response focuses on actions taken but evades explaining the minister's comments to patients.The minister has been working around the clock to ensure we get a greater supply of isotopes and to ensure we have alternative options for our health care patients in our country.
  3. deflected
    Minister of Natural ResourcesMr. Michael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.Answer defends the minister's efforts while accusing the asker of cheap politics instead of addressing performance failure.I wish the member would stop playing cheap politics and help solve that problem.
  4. partly answered
    Minister of Natural ResourcesMr. David McGuinty (Liberal) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). loaded question.Response acknowledges the shortage and outlines contingency steps but does not address the minister's alleged attitude or competence.For the last 18 months, my department has been working very closely with the experts, the provinces and the territories on contingency measures that are being used in situations like this.
  5. deflected
    Minister of Natural ResourcesMr. David McGuinty (Liberal) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). loaded question.Answer lists accomplishments and corrects facts but sidesteps the question of the minister's suitability to manage the file.Once again, I have to correct the Leader of the Opposition
  6. deflected
    Minister of Natural ResourcesMr. Gilles Duceppe (Bloc) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). loaded question.Response highlights government leadership on isotopes while avoiding any discussion of dismissing the minister.More important, speaking of the global situation regarding isotopes, it is Canada that is leading the efforts in bringing the globe together in dealing with this fragile supply that we have.
  7. misdirected
    Minister of Natural ResourcesMr. Gilles Duceppe (Bloc) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). loaded question.Answer attacks the opposition for opportunism rather than addressing the call to dismiss the minister.The only people who are interested in political opportunism are the members of the opposition in the sense that they are the ones talking about it.
  8. partly answered
    Minister of Natural ResourcesMr. Michel Guimond (Bloc) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). loaded question.Response details alternative medical options and past work but does not address the minister's alleged lack of empathy or call for dismissal.Over 50% of the uses of TC99 are for heart scans. Thallium can be used as an alternative in many of these cases.
  9. deflected
    Minister of Natural ResourcesMr. Michel Guimond (Bloc) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). rhetorical question.The answer explains the resignation process but sidesteps the electoral motivation premise entirely.I offered my resignation to the Prime Minister . He did not accept it.
  10. deflected
    Minister of Natural ResourcesJack Layton (NDP) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). loaded question.The answer pivots to attacking the opposition's motives instead of addressing the call for an apology.the only political opportunism that is coming out right now is that of the opposition.
  11. deflected
    Minister of Natural ResourcesJack Layton (NDP) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). loaded question.The answer rejects the premise of lacking care but offers no response to the resignation demand.for the leader of the NDP to indicate that we do not have any caring on this side of the House is simply a ludicrous statement.
  12. answered
    Minister of Natural ResourcesJack Layton (NDP) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly details contingency measures taken with provinces to address isotope shortages.Some of the strategies being used by doctors include triaging patients to ensure that when alternatives are available, they are used, and working flexible hours when they receive the Tc99.
  13. partly answered
    Minister of Natural ResourcesMarlene Jennings (Liberal) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). loaded question.The answer acknowledges the timeline and personal empathy but does not explain the use of the word sexy.What it does show is that we have been considering this issue in a very serious manner since November 2007.
  14. answered
    Minister of Natural ResourcesMarlene Jennings (Liberal) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). substantive question.The answer outlines implemented recommendations and communication protocols for the isotope issue.We have improved communications by developing a communication notification protocol.
  15. answered
    Public TransitMr. Robert Oliphant (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer confirms the apology was made and shifts to future collaboration on transit.This morning I phoned Mayor Miller and apologized.
  16. deflected
    Public TransitMr. Robert Oliphant (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer lists past investments but avoids addressing the demand for an apology to Toronto.We did that when we announced more than a billion dollars to support the expansion of the Spadina subway.
  17. partly answered
    Royal Canadian MintMs. Christiane Gagnon (Bloc) asked Rob Merrifield (Conservative). loaded question.The answer addresses the Mint loss via RCMP but ignores the broader incompetence crisis and emergency plan requested.I have instructed the Mint to bring in the RCMP to examine this matter in a fulsome way.
  18. partly answered
    Royal Canadian MintMs. Christiane Gagnon (Bloc) asked Rob Merrifield (Conservative). loaded question.The answer notes concern and RCMP involvement but sidesteps the deficit controls and citizen belt-tightening comparison.I have instructed the Mint to bring in the RCMP to make sure that there is thorough examination of what has been going on.
  19. partly answered
    Forestry IndustryMr. Robert Bouchard (Bloc) asked Mr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative). substantive question.The answer cites existing $200 million aid and credit access but does not address the call for immediate accessible loan guarantees before June 18.Canada Economic Development, together with the Province of Quebec, announced assistance totalling $200 million for forestry work over the next two years.
  20. deflected
    Forestry IndustryMr. Robert Bouchard (Bloc) asked Mr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative). loaded question.The answer highlights past job savings and EDC facilities but avoids confirming real-time availability of loan guarantees.Economic Development Canada contributions have saved 8,000 jobs in Quebec's forestry regions.
  21. answered
    Medical IsotopesCarolyn Bennett (Liberal) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly outlines contingency planning, guidelines, and regulatory steps to manage the isotope shortage.Together with the provinces, the territories and medical experts, we have actively planned for disruptions by working with isotope experts to develop guidelines on dealing with the shortage.
  22. answered
    Medical IsotopesCarolyn Bennett (Liberal) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). substantive question.The answer details the contingency plan, global cooperation, and NRU repair timeline in response to the specific delay question.Since November 2007, we have put together a plan to deal with isotope reductions in terms of contingency planning as well as reaching out to the global community.
  23. answered
    Medical IsotopesMr. Bernard Patry (Liberal) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). substantive question.The answer confirms ongoing work with provinces and experts to ensure alternatives are available for diagnostic testing.I can assure the member that we are doing everything within our power to ensure that alternatives are available for the provinces and territories.
  24. answered
    Medical IsotopesMr. Bernard Patry (Liberal) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). loaded question.The answer explains reactor status and global supply increases to address the isotope availability demand.In fact, we have had a breakthrough with respect to Petten increasing by 50%, South Africa increasing by 30%, as well as Australia hopefully coming on line sooner.
  25. deflected
    Public TransitMs. Olivia Chow (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.Question embeds insults and false premises; answer claims prior apology then pivots to unrelated policy support.When it comes to the Toronto Port Authority, it is very important that we put on the record that the member for Trinity—Spadina does not support the Toronto Island Airport.
  26. deflected
    Public TransitMs. Olivia Chow (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.Question asks specifically about streetcar funding; answer lists unrelated transit projects instead.That is why the Prime Minister has announced funding for the Spadina subway expansion.
  27. deflected
    The EnvironmentMr. Bernard Bigras (Bloc) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). loaded question.Question accuses hypocrisy on Bali targets; answer restates Canadian target without addressing reneging claim.our position has always been the same and has always been very clear: a realistic greenhouse gas reduction target for Canada is 20% by 2020, using 2006 as the reference year.
  28. deflected
    The EnvironmentMr. Bernard Bigras (Bloc) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). loaded question.Question alleges sabotage for oil interests; answer pivots to general principles and accuses Bloc of partisanship.we can always expect a partisan attitude from the Bloc Québécois.
  29. misdirected
    Medical IsotopesRalph Goodale (Liberal) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). loaded question.Question demands explanation of 'sexy' remark to patients; answer attacks questioner's record instead.What does he tell cancer patients?
  30. misdirected
    Medical IsotopesRalph Goodale (Liberal) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). loaded question.Question seeks apology and compensation; answer defends colleague and redirects to questioner's past tenure.It is very important to recognize that the Minister of Health is a strong, capable Minister of Health who has handled the extraordinarily difficult issues of H1N1 and medical isotopes.
  31. deflected
    Medical IsotopesMr. Nathan Cullen (NDP) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). rhetorical question.Question calls for resignation over remarks; answer lists international partners and accuses NDP of non-cooperation.Australia is working with us. Petten is working with us. Belgium is working with us. Why will the NDP not work with us?
  32. deflected
    Medical IsotopesMr. Nathan Cullen (NDP) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). rhetorical question.Question asks why minister remains after remarks; answer highlights government actions since 2007 without addressing resignation or apology.Since November 2007, we have dealt with this issue in a forward thinking way.
  33. deflected
    TradeUjjal Dosanjh (Liberal) asked Stockwell Day (Conservative). substantive question.The answer promotes Asia-Pacific initiatives and tax advantages without addressing actions to counter the WTO subsidy accusations or protect sovereignty.These are clearly areas that we have taken a close look at to ensure we are not off-side in any areas of trade.
  34. misdirected
    Radio-CanadaMr. Roger Pomerleau (Bloc) asked James Moore (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the Bloc's platform instead of responding to the request for immediate increased funding for Radio-Canada.The Bloc's platform, Agir maintenant , its economic plan, does not even mention CBC/Radio-Canada.
  35. misdirected
    Employment InsuranceMs. Irene Mathyssen (NDP) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.The answer asserts equal treatment and criticizes the NDP's votes rather than addressing the decline in women's EI coverage or specific barriers.Those extra benefits we have offered to men and women to help them through these challenging economic times, every benefit we have offered has been voted against by the NDP.