Parliament AIIndependent · non-official

All sittings← 2009-12-092010-03-03 →

Thursday, December 10, 2009 · sitting No. 128

Opposition motion demands uncensored Afghan detainee documents

The House spent the largest share of its sitting on a supply day motion moved by Liberal MP Ujjal Dosanjh that calls for the immediate production in uncensored form of all documents listed in the October 5 affidavit of diplomat Richard Colvin and related records from the departments of Foreign Affairs, National Defence and the Canadian Forces. The motion asserts that the government has improperly invoked the Canada Evidence Act to withhold material from Parliament. Debate continued through the afternoon with interventions from Conservative MP Jim Abbott and NDP MP Jack Harris.

In Question Period Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff pressed the government on its handling of Afghan detainee reports, alleging wilful blindness and the intimidation of witnesses. Prime Minister Stephen Harper replied that Canadian Forces and Foreign Affairs officials had taken appropriate action years earlier and had negotiated a new transfer agreement with Afghanistan. The exchange occupied the largest block of oral questions.

The House also adopted a motion to deem the third reading vote on Bill C-56 already taken and to adjourn until January 25.

Decided that day

  • Fisheries and Oceans committee report adopted
  • One bill passed third reading
  • One bill defeated at third reading
  • Privilege motion on parliamentary rights passed
  • Amendment to privilege motion passed

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 · 2009-12-10

Government (Conservative)OppositionOver the day: government 39%, opposition 61% of the words spokenGovernment businessQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0511:0012:0013:0014:0015:0016:0017:00Last speech 18:55Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 8 h 50 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
58Bills creep forward, answers mostly vanishThe House spent most of its time on supply and committee business, advancing several bills through early stages and adopting a fisheries report while defeating one third-reading motion. Question Period produced almost no direct answers and ten Speaker interventions kept order amid routine points of procedure.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

The Environment

NDP MP Linda Duncan cited a new peer-reviewed study showing oil sands operations have emitted contaminants at levels equivalent to a major oil spill each year and called for an immediate federal investigation. Conservative MP Mark Warawa answered that the oil sands account for five per cent of Canadian greenhouse gases while transportation produces 27 per cent.

Read the exchange

Employment

Conservative MP Phil McColeman noted that Toyota will hire 800 workers at its Woodstock plant. Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said the economic action plan's low-tax measures are attracting such investment and that Canada will soon have one of the lowest tax rates on new business investment in the G7.

Read the exchange

Financial Institutions

NDP MP Brian Masse asked why the government has not capped executive bonuses after the six largest banks paid out $8.3 billion while receiving $75 billion in liquidity support. Finance Minister Jim Flaherty replied that Canadian banks did not require bailouts and that the government has asked institutions to follow G20 compensation guidelines.

Read the exchange

International Co-operation

Liberal MP Michael Savage questioned cuts to groups such as KAIROS. International Co-operation Minister Bev Oda said funding decisions ensure that money reaches micronutrient programs and food aid rather than administrative overhead.

Read the exchange

Pensions

Liberal MP John McCallum asked whether the Prime Minister's past comments on the Canada Pension Plan explain the government's reluctance to expand it. Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said federal and provincial finance ministers will review pension issues at their meeting in Whitehorse.

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
    AfghanistanMr. Michael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer restates past actions without addressing the call for an inquiry or responsibility.Two and a half years ago, the Minister of Foreign Affairs negotiated a brand new agreement with the Government of Afghanistan.
  2. misdirected
    AfghanistanMr. Michael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). rhetorical question.The answer attacks the asker with lack of proof instead of addressing what is hidden.The Leader of the Opposition has no proof to back up these allegations against the Canadian Forces.
  3. deflected
    AfghanistanMr. Michael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer pivots to praising forces and past changes without addressing government conduct or inquiry.Whenever they have been faced with difficulties, they have taken the appropriate action.
  4. deflected
    AfghanistanUjjal Dosanjh (Liberal) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.The answer praises forces and claims action on evidence but avoids documents or public inquiry.When there has been credible evidence, we have acted.
  5. deflected
    AfghanistanUjjal Dosanjh (Liberal) asked Rob Nicholson (Conservative). substantive question.The answer cites convention on privilege without addressing production of documents or inquiry.By convention, a parliamentary committee will respect Crown privilege when invoked, at least in relation to matters of national and public security.
  6. deflected
    AfghanistanMr. Gilles Duceppe (Bloc) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer reframes one incident as prevention without addressing minister resignation or cover-up.in that particular incident, which has been public knowledge for a long time now, the Canadian Forces acted to prevent the abuse of a detainee.
  7. deflected
    AfghanistanMr. Gilles Duceppe (Bloc) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer repeats intervention to prevent abuse without addressing trust or resignation demands.It is clear that they intervened to prevent a detainee from being abused.
  8. misdirected
    AfghanistanMr. Claude Bachand (Bloc) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the asker as perverse for questioning internal inquiry instead of addressing public inquiry preference.I am surprised, quite frankly, and it is quite perverse to suggest that he would not support the military process to look into this issue.
  9. deflected
    AfghanistanMr. Claude Bachand (Bloc) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.The answer praises the forces and avoids any response to the demand for resignation or inquiry.Their incredible work is something we applaud.
  10. deflected
    AfghanistanJack Layton (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer restates that obligations were met and corrective action taken without addressing the call for an inquiry.
  11. misdirected
    AfghanistanJack Layton (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the questioner for using facts to criticize the forces rather than addressing the demand for the minister to step down.That should hardly be used as a reason to attack the forces.
  12. deflected
    AfghanistanJack Layton (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer claims facts are clear and urges praise for the forces while ignoring the question on ratifying the protocol against torture.He should stop distorting those facts.
  13. deflected
    AfghanistanMarlene Jennings (Liberal) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.The answer shifts to praising monitoring efforts and the prior government's record instead of addressing how many cases are hidden.
  14. deflected
    AfghanistanMarlene Jennings (Liberal) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.The answer reframes the photos as normal procedure and praises the forces without answering how many cases of abuse are hidden.What they continue to do is work hard to mentor, to train and to leave a lasting legacy
  15. deflected
    AfghanistanMr. Mark Holland (Liberal) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). loaded question.The answer accepts the new information and praises the forces while avoiding why the minister made an unqualified false statement.We accept his version of the truth.
  16. misdirected
    AfghanistanMr. Mark Holland (Liberal) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). loaded question.The answer accuses the member of playing politics and smearing the forces instead of addressing the call for the minister to resign.The hon. member may want to play politics with this issue.
  17. deflected
    AfghanistanMs. Francine Lalonde (Bloc) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.The answer praises military integrity and restates government position without addressing the call for dismissal or war crime obligation.I wish the hon. member shared that sentiment.
  18. misdirected
    AfghanistanMs. Francine Lalonde (Bloc) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks an NDP candidate and opposition coalition instead of addressing the call for a public inquiry on war crimes.This is Michael Byers, who only a month ago was advocating a new coalition between the Liberals and the NDP.
  19. misdirected
    AfghanistanMr. Pierre Paquette (Bloc) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.The answer accuses the member of cheap politics and wedge issues rather than responding to the request for an independent inquiry.The hon. member continues to play cheap politics.
  20. deflected
    AfghanistanMr. Pierre Paquette (Bloc) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). loaded question.The answer lists government actions on transfers and improvements but ignores the Nixon/Watergate comparison and inquiry demand.We took that responsibility, having recognized the important improvements and changes that had to occur.
  21. partly answered
    AfghanistanMs. Judy Foote (Liberal) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.The answer references the general's full press conference on a board investigation but avoids committing to a public inquiry.The hon. member should take a look at what the general said, the entire part of his press conference where he talked about how we will get to the bottom of it.
  22. deflected
    AfghanistanMs. Judy Foote (Liberal) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.The answer highlights improvements and prior government failures instead of agreeing to make specific officials available to Parliament.She adds nothing to this file.
  23. deflected
    AfghanistanMr. Marcel Proulx (Liberal) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). loaded question.The answer defends reliance on generals' testimony and questions opposition logic without addressing incompetence or cover-up claims.I would ask the hon. member to somehow try to square that circle and figure out that this is the information that we acted upon.
  24. misdirected
    AfghanistanMr. Marcel Proulx (Liberal) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.The answer implies the member is attacking the military and suggests walking in combat boots rather than explaining redacted documents.That is what is so despicable.
  25. deflected
    The EnvironmentMs. Linda Duncan (NDP) asked Mr. Mark Warawa (Conservative). substantive question.The answer pivots to general GHG percentages and vehicle regulations instead of addressing the contaminants report or committing to an investigation.I wish the member would be honest with Canadians.
  26. deflected
    The EnvironmentMr. Bruce Hyer (NDP) asked Mr. Mark Warawa (Conservative). substantive question.The response attacks the NDP for opposing jobs and restates the 20% reduction plan without addressing the call to halt expansion.the reality is the NDP members would have Canadians lose their jobs.
  27. deflected
    The EnvironmentMr. Bernard Bigras (Bloc) asked Mr. Mark Warawa (Conservative). substantive question.The answer ignores the unity crisis and special status claims, instead promoting the government's plan and questioning opposition motives.Why would that member and other opposition members want Canada to lose jobs?
  28. misdirected
    The EnvironmentMr. Bernard Bigras (Bloc) asked Mr. Mark Warawa (Conservative). loaded question.The answer rejects the premise that Alberta receives special treatment and pivots to calling for support of the government's plan.the member has got it all wrong.
  29. deflected
    International Co-operationMr. Michael Savage (Liberal) asked Bev Oda (Conservative). loaded question.The response lists other aid programs without addressing the KAIROS cut or the question about targeting the poor and churches.That is how Canadians want to see their money spent.
  30. deflected
    The EconomyMr. Michael Savage (Liberal) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.The answer promotes the working income tax benefit without addressing the cuts to vulnerable groups or self-promotion spending.This is an important tax change.
  31. partly answered
    Financial InstitutionsMr. Brian Masse (NDP) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). substantive question.The answer explains Canada's different situation from the US/UK and references guidelines with potential consequences, partially addressing the pay restriction query.If there is not compliance, there will be consequences in Canada.
  32. deflected
    Financial InstitutionsMr. Yvon Godin (NDP) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). substantive question.The response contrasts Canada's system with the UK's bailouts and praises financial institutions without addressing legislation on bonuses.Building our financial institutions up is good for the country.
  33. deflected
    PensionsJohn McCallum (Liberal) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.The answer discusses ongoing pension work and meetings without addressing the Prime Minister's quoted past statements or attitude.we have done a great deal of work on the question of pensions this year.
  34. deflected
    International TradeMs. Johanne Deschamps (Bloc) asked Stockwell Day (Conservative). substantive question.The answer mentions existing processes but avoids committing to or timing a new legal framework for accountability.We have put in place a process to establish the best regulations in the world for mining companies.
  35. partly answered
    Aboriginal AffairsMs. Niki Ashton (NDP) asked Chuck Strahl (Conservative). substantive question.The answer explains the evaluation process but does not commit to continued funding beyond the cutoff.That evaluation is taking place.
  36. answered
    Business of the HouseRalph Goodale (Liberal) asked Jay Hill (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly outlines the planned business for the coming days including specific bills.today we will continue with the business of supply.
  37. misdirected
    PrivilegeThe Speaker (Liberal) asked Mr. Tom Lukiwski (Conservative). substantive question.The answer shifts to a separate point of order on royal recommendation for an unrelated bill instead of the privilege ruling.
  38. misdirected
    Points of OrderMs. Judy Foote (Liberal) asked Mr. Tom Lukiwski (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the member and her claim rather than addressing the request for an apology regarding the minister's remark.in response to my hon. colleague's intervention requiring an apology and suggesting the Minister of National Defence is sexist in any way is outrageous.