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Friday, March 19, 2010 · sitting No. 13

Youth crime bill advances after second-reading debate

Government Orders on Bill C-4, An Act to amend the Youth Criminal Justice Act, occupied the largest share of the sitting. Justice Minister Rob Nicholson moved second reading and referral to committee, citing the need for stronger accountability measures for violent young offenders. Liberal MP John Cannis and Bloc Québécois MP Guy André questioned the minister on youth crime statistics and Quebec's rehabilitation programs, while Nicholson replied that violent youth crime had risen and that the bill supports rehabilitation.

Question Period featured repeated exchanges over airline security incidents involving cabinet ministers. Liberal MP David McGuinty asked why Conservative ministers appeared to receive different treatment at airports than ordinary travellers, and Public Works Minister John Baird replied that the ministers had not sought special treatment and supported security rules.

Other exchanges covered tax harmonization with Quebec, employment insurance premiums and pensions for workers at bankrupt firms.

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 · 2010-03-19

Government (Conservative)OppositionOver the day: government 43%, opposition 57% of the words spokenGovernment businessQuestion PeriodRoutine proceedingsGovernment business▲ 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
30Another sitting that went nowhereThe sitting focused on extended debate over Sébastien's Law and scattered other topics, with high substantive content but no recorded votes or bill stages completed. Question period produced mostly deflected answers and the day ended without decisions.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

Pensions

NDP Leader Jack Layton pressed the government to adopt his party's bill giving workers' pensions priority over other creditors in bankruptcies, citing Nortel workers, and Public Works Minister John Baird said the government was consulting on the issue.

Read the exchange

Rights & Democracy

NDP Leader Jack Layton urged the government to allow the widow of former Rights & Democracy president Rémy Beauregard to testify before the foreign affairs committee, and Public Works Minister John Baird said the committee should resolve its witness list.

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Afghanistan

Liberal MP Judy Foote asked why Canada continued detainee transfers to Afghan prisons amid an International Criminal Court review, and Justice Minister Rob Nicholson said the government supported Justice Iacobucci's document review.

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Post-Secondary Education

Liberal MP Michael Savage said budget 2010 imposed a tax increase on post-doctoral scholarships, and Human Resources Minister Diane Finley replied that the government had made scholarships tax-free and that the member had voted against the measure.

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Firearms Registry

Conservative MP Scott Armstrong asked about extending the amnesty for firearms owners, and Public Safety Parliamentary Secretary Dave MacKenzie said the extension would bring more owners into compliance.

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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
    Airline SecurityMr. David McGuinty (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer denies preferential treatment but sidesteps the incidents and double-standard accusation by restating support for security.He did not ask for any preferential treatment.
  2. deflected
    Airline SecurityMr. David McGuinty (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer avoids the question about rewarding ministers by shifting to general praise for airport staff and calls for cooperation.All members of the House will want to join me in saying let us work together to help keep our airports safe by cooperating with the officials.
  3. deflected
    Airline SecurityMr. David McGuinty (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer ignores the double-standard claim and instead offers general remarks on airport workers' stress without addressing enforcement.It is a challenging environment.
  4. deflected
    Airline SecurityMr. Robert Oliphant (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer denies a two-tier system but does not engage with the minister's specific actions or the announcement contradiction raised.We do not have a two-tier legal system.
  5. answered
    Airline SecurityMr. Robert Oliphant (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly commits to providing the apology statement requested.we will get a copy of the minister's statement for him.
  6. deflected
    Tax HarmonizationMr. Pierre Paquette (Bloc) asked Denis Lebel (Conservative). loaded question.The answer avoids the compensation question by noting ongoing negotiations and vaguely referencing changes without addressing the pretext claim.There are always things to clarify with that government.
  7. misdirected
    Tax HarmonizationMr. Pierre Paquette (Bloc) asked Denis Lebel (Conservative). loaded question.The answer turns to listing transfer amounts instead of addressing the intent to subjugate Quebec or the harmonization pretext.This year, $19.3 billion will be transferred to Quebec along with $8.8 billion in equalization payments.
  8. deflected
    Employment InsuranceMrs. Claude DeBellefeuille (Bloc) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). loaded question.The answer avoids the $19 billion prediction question by criticizing past Liberals and restating the freeze without explaining the commission's role.This is to avoid doing what the Liberals did: doling out gifts to their cronies for their pet projects.
  9. deflected
    Employment InsuranceMrs. Claude DeBellefeuille (Bloc) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.The answer sidesteps naming who is truthful by deferring any decision.A decision will be made in the spring.
  10. partly answered
    Rights & DemocracyJack Layton (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer addresses the request to hear witnesses but pivots to hoping for committee agreement.We hope that these disagreements can be resolved so that witnesses like Madame Trépanier may be heard.
  11. deflected
    PensionsJack Layton (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer restates government plans and consultations without addressing immediate passage of the NDP bill.The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance has had extensive consultations.
  12. deflected
    PensionsJack Layton (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer expresses shared concern but again points to ongoing review rather than adopting the bill., working together with the Minister of Finance and his colleague, the parliamentary secretary, are reviewing this issue.
  13. deflected
    AfghanistanMs. Judy Foote (Liberal) asked Rob Nicholson (Conservative). loaded question.The answer focuses on the Iacobucci process and security instead of the ICC exposure question.This is why we have enlisted the support, the help of Justice Iacobucci.
  14. deflected
    AfghanistanMr. Marcel Proulx (Liberal) asked Rob Nicholson (Conservative). substantive question.The answer defends the chosen process and urges patience rather than committing to a public inquiry.So I say to the hon. member, let Justice Iacobucci do his work.
  15. misdirected
    Post-Secondary EducationMr. Michael Savage (Liberal) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the questioner's voting record instead of addressing the tax increase claim.Maybe he does not want to remember that because he voted against it.
  16. misdirected
    Post-Secondary EducationMr. Michael Savage (Liberal) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). loaded question.The answer shifts to listing past initiatives and criticizing the opposition's votes rather than explaining the new tax.I would like the hon. member to explain to Canadians why he and his party, since they pretend to support post-secondary education, voted against all of our initiatives
  17. deflected
    International CooperationMs. Meili Faille (Bloc) asked Peter Kent (Conservative). loaded question.Answer refuses to address abortion accusation and pivots to general G8 discussion.We will not reopen the debate on abortion.
  18. partly answered
    Rights & DemocracyMs. Meili Faille (Bloc) asked Mr. Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). loaded question.Answer explains witness disagreement but sidesteps the hiding accusation.the committee members do not agree on the number of witnesses to hear on this matter.
  19. deflected
    Government AppointmentsMr. Thierry St-Cyr (Bloc) asked Mr. Rick Dykstra (Conservative). loaded question.Answer describes process without addressing specific partisan claims.all of the appointments we make in this ministry are done through a process that certainly bears all of the type of recognition that it deserves.
  20. deflected
    Government AppointmentsMr. Thierry St-Cyr (Bloc) asked Mr. Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). loaded question.Answer gives brief merit statement avoiding broader control strategy question.All our appointments are merit-based. We only appoint candidates to positions for which they are qualified.
  21. partly answered
    HealthMrs. Michelle Simson (Liberal) asked Peter Kent (Conservative). loaded question.Answer repeats contraception openness but omits commitment to all past promises.this government has all along made itself open to any and all options that will save the lives of women and children, and this does include contraception.
  22. deflected
    HealthMrs. Michelle Simson (Liberal) asked Peter Kent (Conservative). substantive question.Answer avoids yes/no by restating refusal to debate abortion.this government is not reopening the debate on abortion.
  23. partly answered
    Medical IsotopesGeoff Regan (Liberal) asked Mr. Pierre Lemieux (Conservative). loaded question.Answer acknowledges delays but frames as global issue without admitting crisis.no one is more frustrated than our government with the slow progress of this project and the continued delays that are completely unacceptable.
  24. deflected
    Medical IsotopesGeoff Regan (Liberal) asked Mr. Pierre Lemieux (Conservative). loaded question.Answer states priorities and decisions without engaging abandonment accusations.our government has told AECL that its highest priority must be to return to service the National Research Universal as quickly and as safely as possible.
  25. deflected
    Code of ConductMr. Joe Comartin (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.Answer praises airport staff and notes responsibility but avoids any mention of a code of conduct.Those of us who serve as members of Parliament and as ministers of the Crown have a special responsibility in this regard.
  26. deflected
    Code of ConductMr. Joe Comartin (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.Answer affirms support for rules but does not address enforcing a code of conduct on ministers.it is not appropriate, nor did the minister ask for any special treatment.
  27. deflected
    TelecommunicationsMrs. Carole Lavallée (Bloc) asked Mr. Dean Del Mastro (Conservative). substantive question.Answer attacks the royalty proposal as a tax but offers no alternative to compensate artists.We want to build a more productive Canada.
  28. deflected
    TelecommunicationsMrs. Carole Lavallée (Bloc) asked Mr. Dean Del Mastro (Conservative). loaded question.Answer repeats tax criticism and ignores the question about whether the minister paid for downloads.Have they talked to any constituents to see if they would actually support paying a $75 iPod tax?
  29. misdirected
    Citizenship and ImmigrationMark Eyking (Liberal) asked Mr. Rick Dykstra (Conservative). substantive question.Answer lists general investments instead of explaining the Sydney layoffs.since this government took office in 2006, we have invested more funding into this ministry in all areas
  30. misdirected
    Citizenship and ImmigrationMark Eyking (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.Answer shifts to Marine Atlantic funding and criticizes Liberals rather than addressing Cape Breton job losses.Where the Liberal Party failed Cape Breton and Newfoundland and Labrador, this government is delivering like no government has in recent years.
  31. answered
    ShipbuildingMr. Yvon Godin (NDP) asked Mr. Mike Lake (Conservative). substantive question.Answer directly counters the claim by citing throne speech language and specific procurement investments.As part of Canada's economic action plan, the government did announce an investment of $175 million for the procurement of new Coast Guard vessels
  32. answered
    ShipbuildingMr. Peter Stoffer (NDP) asked Mr. Mike Lake (Conservative). substantive question.Answer supplies budget and estimate references plus the $43 billion defence procurement figure.The Canada first defence strategy also announced a series of Maritime-based procurements with an estimated value of $43 billion over the next 30 years.
  33. deflected
    Rural RegionsMr. Jean-Claude D'Amours (Liberal) asked Keith Ashfield (Conservative). loaded question.Answer denies the job loss premise and pivots to investments without addressing the why questions.I do not know where the hon. member is getting his information on reduction of federal jobs.
  34. deflected
    Firearms RegistryMr. Bernard Bigras (Bloc) asked Mr. Dave MacKenzie (Conservative). substantive question.Answer rejects the RCMP quote as personal opinion and shifts to government position on registry spending.Our Conservative government does not agree.
  35. partly answered
    InfrastructureMs. Niki Ashton (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.Answer acknowledges concern and references infrastructure commitment and Manitoba relationship but offers no specific commitment.I will certainly take the hon. member's concern back to the table and see what we can do to help improve the lives
  36. deflected
    Rural RegionsMr. Jean-Claude D'Amours (Liberal) asked Keith Ashfield (Conservative). loaded question.Answer requests more information rather than addressing the demand for jobs or apology.If he could provide me with the information, I will take a look at it and we will go from there.
  37. deflected
    International AidMr. Jim Maloway (NDP) asked Peter Kent (Conservative). loaded question.Answer dismisses the question as ignorant and contrasts Chile with Haiti without committing to matching funds.the hon. member speaks from a position of ignorance, innocent ignorance perhaps.
  38. partly answered
    Medical IsotopesMr. Guy André (Bloc) asked Mr. Pierre Lemieux (Conservative). substantive question.Answer expresses frustration with delays and notes global efforts but does not confirm the June timeline.no one is more frustrated than our government with the slow progress of this project and the continued delays that are completely unacceptable.
  39. partly answered
    Veterans AffairsMr. Francis Scarpaleggia (Liberal) asked Mr. Greg Kerr (Conservative). substantive question.Answer acknowledges the issue as under review and notes budget focus on new veterans but provides no resolution for Allied veterans.that is a good question and certainly a matter that continues to be under review.