All sittings← 2009-11-232009-11-25 →
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 · sitting No. 116
Commons debates bill to end faint hope clause for murderers
The House devoted the largest share of its sitting to debate on Bill C-36, an act to amend the Criminal Code by eliminating the faint hope clause that permits early parole applications for persons convicted of murder or high treason. Conservative MP Brent Rathgeber asked NDP MP Jim Maloway what response the bill offers to victims' families who oppose repeated faint hope hearings. The bill stands referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
In Question Period, Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff pressed Prime Minister Stephen Harper on whether reports of torture of Afghan detainees reached the Prime Minister between 2006 and 2007 and why relevant documents have not been supplied to the parliamentary inquiry. Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre defended the party's handling of the in-and-out election-expenses matter before the Federal Court and stated that the party disclosed the transfers to Elections Canada.
Decided that day
- Opinion motion on Copenhagen commitment passed
- Bill C-58 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 · 2009-11-24
47Copenhagen motion passes amid deflected answersThe House spent most of its time on substantive debate, chiefly the Criminal Code, and passed one opinion motion while introducing bill C-58. Question Period produced mostly deflected answers and several points of order interrupted proceedings.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
Committees of the House
NDP MP Tony Martin moved concurrence in the sixth report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, marking the twentieth anniversary of the 1989 resolution to eradicate child poverty.
Read the exchangeClimate Change
Bloc Québécois MP Bernard Bigras asked Environment Minister Jim Prentice why the government chose 2006 as the base year for greenhouse-gas targets, thereby denying Quebec credit for earlier reductions achieved by its aluminum and manufacturing sectors.
Read the exchangeElection Expenses
Liberal MP Dominic LeBlanc asked Justice Minister Rob Nicholson how many millions of dollars the government is spending to challenge Elections Canada's authority to demand additional documentation in the in-and-out investigation.
Read the exchangePort of Saint John
NDP MP Yvon Godin asked Transport Minister John Baird why Irving Oil has been permitted to occupy and develop the Long Wharf Terminal without federal authorization.
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
- deflectedAfghanistanMr. Michael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.Answer pivots to Taliban allegations instead of addressing whether reports reached the PM.
The Taliban make allegations in every case. We know that.
- deflectedAfghanistanMr. Michael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer avoids documents by shifting focus to hearing all testimony.
I hope the committee, if it is serious, will hear testimony from all who want to testify.
- deflectedAfghanistanMr. Michael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.Answer repeats availability of documents but pivots to testimony demand.
If the parliamentary committee is serious and this is not just a political game, it should hear testimony from all those who want to testify before the committee.
- partly answeredAfghanistanUjjal Dosanjh (Liberal) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.Answer states documents will be disclosed but adds partisan attack on opposition.
all documents that are legally required will be disclosed.
- deflectedAfghanistanUjjal Dosanjh (Liberal) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.Answer claims documents will be disclosed then attacks opposition for not hearing witnesses.
it is curious the opposition members are refusing to hear from a senior member of the public service who has actually been named by another witness.
- deflectedAfghanistanMr. Gilles Duceppe (Bloc) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer refers back to prior response and pivots to testimony instead of documents.
There are people who want to testify before the parliamentary committee.
- deflectedAfghanistanMr. Gilles Duceppe (Bloc) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.Answer denies personal discussion but redirects to committee hearing testimony.
if the Bloc and the opposition parties are serious about this issue and if it is more than a political game to them, they should hear testimony from the people who have information and want to tell their stories.
- answeredAfghanistanMr. Claude Bachand (Bloc) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.Answer directly explains the improved transfer agreement and operational pauses.
two and half years ago we did improve upon a transfer arrangement that allowed for operational pauses.
- deflectedAfghanistanMr. Claude Bachand (Bloc) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.The answer discusses improvements to the system but sidesteps how already-transferred detainees are protected.
We know the transfer arrangement works much better now because we have more access.
- deflectedPovertyJack Layton (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer criticizes the NDP's voting record instead of stating a commitment to eradicating child poverty.
When I look at the number of initiatives we have taken, what is interesting is in almost every case the NDP has voted against these things.
- deflectedAfghanistanJack Layton (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer accuses the opposition of fearing the truth rather than addressing the call for a public inquiry.
What is the opposition afraid of, other than the truth?
- deflectedAfghanistanJack Layton (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer details past changes and actions taken but avoids admitting torture occurs in Afghan prisons.
In every instance, Canadian diplomats and Canadian soldiers, whenever they are aware of abuse, take the action they are required to take under international law because that is how our country acts.
- misdirectedAfghanistanMarlene Jennings (Liberal) asked Vic Toews (Conservative). loaded question.The answer shifts focus to the previous Liberal government's record instead of addressing the current government's actions.
perhaps Mr. Cutler was speaking in respect of his experience with the former Liberal government.
- deflectedAfghanistanMarlene Jennings (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer turns the accusation back onto the opposition rather than addressing transparency or muzzling claims.
I encourage the opposition not to muzzle them.
- partly answeredAfghanistanBob Rae (Liberal) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.The answer states a partial commitment to release documents but then attacks the opposition.
we will release all documents legally obliged to do so.
- deflectedAfghanistanBob Rae (Liberal) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.The answer shifts responsibility to the opposition and accuses them of hypocrisy instead of committing to disclosure.
The words, the hot breath of the member opposite is dripping with hypocrisy in suggesting they will not let the member testify.
- deflectedClimate ChangeMr. Bernard Bigras (Bloc) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). substantive question.Answer promotes Quebec funding instead of addressing compliance with House vote on Copenhagen.
- deflectedClimate ChangeMr. Bernard Bigras (Bloc) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). substantive question.Answer highlights federal funding and attacks Bloc rather than addressing reference year or credits for Quebec efforts.
The Bloc should congratulate us for having supported Quebec's efforts.
- misdirectedClimate ChangeMr. Christian Ouellet (Bloc) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). loaded question.Answer shifts to emerging countries and Canada's negotiators instead of addressing Quebec interests or oil companies.
Emerging countries, primarily China and India, will be responsible for 97% of future increases in emissions.
- deflectedClimate ChangeMr. Christian Ouellet (Bloc) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). loaded question.Answer asserts single voice and Canada's respect abroad without acknowledging Quebec exclusion claim.
Canada will speak with a single voice.
- deflectedElection ExpensesDominic LeBlanc (Liberal) asked Mr. Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). substantive question.Answer restates legality and election outcome instead of addressing court case costs or intimidation of Elections Canada.
After all, it is legal and all the parties do it.
- deflectedElection ExpensesDominic LeBlanc (Liberal) asked Mr. Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). loaded question.Answer repeats prior talking points on legality without addressing obstruction or electoral reform commitment.
After all, it is perfectly legal and all parties do it.
- misdirectedPolitical Party FinancingMr. Marcel Proulx (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.Answer lists past reforms instead of addressing specific conflict of interest steps for Senator Housakos.
We have brought in more political finance reform than any government in history.
- misdirectedPolitical Party FinancingMr. Marcel Proulx (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.Answer attacks question as fact-free and challenges member to repeat outside House rather than confirming steps taken.
If the member has any serious allegations or any allegations whatsoever based on any facts, he should put them before the House.
- deflectedEmploymentMs. Megan Leslie (NDP) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). loaded question.The answer avoids addressing endorsement of the remarks and instead promotes government EI actions while attacking the NDP.
Unfortunately, opposition members in the NDP have not supported those moves.
- deflectedEmploymentMs. Megan Leslie (NDP) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). loaded question.The answer lists EI enhancements but does not address the government's supposed low opinion of the unemployed.
We are supporting our long-tenured workers.
- partly answeredElectric VehiclesMs. Paule Brunelle (Bloc) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). substantive question.The answer mentions partnership on electric cars and efficiency but does not specify active support for R&D or infrastructure in Quebec.
We have been a partner in that with industry, and we are very happy with our record of accomplishment on that.
- deflectedElectric VehiclesMs. Paule Brunelle (Bloc) asked Tony Clement (Conservative). loaded question.The answer promotes the automotive innovation fund but ignores the request for consumer incentives specific to Quebec electric vehicles.
It is specifically designed to make sure that Canada is front and centre when it comes to the new vehicles that could be using new batteries, electricity or whatever would work to reduce our carbon footprint.
- partly answeredHealthCarolyn Bennett (Liberal) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). substantive question.The answer covers swift actions and alternatives but does not commit to implementing the four specific recommendations.
Our government has also taken action to identify alternatives to medical isotopes such as thallium and sodium fluoride and the options that are available to those Canadians who require the testing.
- answeredHealthMr. Marc Garneau (Liberal) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly addresses access to isotopes and technicians via guidance, alternatives, and expert advisers.
We have also appointed Dr. McEwan as a special adviser.
- deflectedTax HarmonizationMr. Claude Gravelle (NDP) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.The answer notes provincial decisions on harmonization but does not address turning backs on retirees or rising heating costs.
It is up to the provinces that are not harmonized to make that decision.
- misdirectedPort of Saint JohnMr. Yvon Godin (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer states support for port initiatives but redirects to court proceedings instead of addressing unauthorized construction.
As it is before the court, it would be inappropriate for me to comment any further.
- deflectedPovertyMr. Michael Savage (Liberal) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). loaded question.The answer highlights existing programs and contrasts with Liberal inaction rather than addressing the request for a commitment to an anti-poverty plan.
The other option is to do what this government has done, and that is to take action against poverty.
- misdirectedElection ExpensesMr. Michel Guimond (Bloc) asked Mr. Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). loaded question.The answer defends the party's actions and criticizes Elections Canada instead of addressing the question about contempt for the Chief Electoral Officer.
After all, all parties do it and it is completely legal, but they singled us out, so we took them to court.
- answeredAviation SafetyMr. Dennis Bevington (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly addresses aviation safety concerns by stating existing measures and offering further collaboration.
Our government already has measures in place that are consistent with the intent of the ICAO standard for flight and duty times for flight crews.