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Tuesday, April 13, 2010 · sitting No. 24
Commons spends day on budget implementation bill debate
The House devoted 43 per cent of its time to debate on Bill C-9, the Jobs and Economic Growth Act. Liberal MP Brian Murphy said the bill showed a glaring absence of policy for Atlantic Canada. Conservative MP David Tilson defended the measures as applying nationwide and noted Canada's low debt-to-GDP ratio among G7 nations.
New Democrat MP Olivia Chow criticized the bill for emptying a $57-billion employment insurance surplus built by workers. Liberal MP Brian Murphy replied that his party favoured a calibrated approach to EI reform led by the member for Dartmouth—Colebourne.
Question period featured repeated exchanges on ethics allegations involving a former minister and her husband. Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff pressed for details on why the RCMP had been called in, while Conservative MP John Baird said allegations had been referred promptly to the force.
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 · 2010-04-13
49Economy Bill Debated, Two Others IntroducedThe sitting devoted the largest block of time to the Jobs and Economic Growth Act, with two bills introduced and more than three-quarters of words spent on substantive business. Question Period produced mostly deflected answers and no recorded votes occurred.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
Afghanistan
Bloc Québécois MP Claude Bachand said Lieutenant-Colonel Gilles Sansterre had no reason to doubt Afghan authorities investigating torture cases, and Minister Rob Nicholson replied that a new transfer arrangement had been put in place three years ago.
Read the exchangeRights & Democracy
Bloc Québécois MP Francine Lalonde called for a public inquiry after the widow of Rémi Beauregard accused government-appointed board members of tarnishing his reputation, and Minister Peter Kent said the government was not involved in day-to-day operations.
Read the exchangeAccess to Information
Bloc Québécois MP Carole Freeman said the Privy Council Office was clogging the system by routing sensitive requests, and Minister Stockwell Day said the commissioner had found no ministerial interference.
Read the exchangeNortel
Liberal MP John McCallum asked the government to amend legislation so disabled Nortel employees would not lose 85 per cent of their income, and Conservative MP Mike Lake said the finance committee was hearing from Nortel stakeholders.
Read the exchangeAutomotive Industry
New Democrat MP Brian Masse called for a criminal investigation into Toyota acceleration problems, and Minister John Baird said cabinet ministers cannot direct such investigations.
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
- deflectedEthicsMr. Michael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer restates the referral to RCMP without disclosing the allegations.
allegations were brought to his attention last Thursday and on Friday morning he referred those allegations to the RCMP
- deflectedEthicsMr. Michael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.Shifts to general statement on taxpayer dollars instead of addressing access or praise.
Taxpayers work hard for their money and every tax dollar should be used wisely while on government and public business.
- deflectedEthicsMr. Michael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.General rules statement, no specific on the case.
Commercial activity should not be pursued with taxpayer dollars.
- deflectedEthicsMr. Marcel Proulx (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.Only addresses his own non-involvement, not the other ministers mentioned.
Mr. Jaffer had no discussions with me about any of his commercial interests.
- deflectedEthicsMr. Marcel Proulx (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.Redirects to independent commissioner rather than providing information.
If the member opposite has any specific allegations he would like to make about anyone, I would encourage him to bring forward specific details and forward them to the commissioner
- deflectedEthicsMr. Gilles Duceppe (Bloc) asked Christian Paradis (Conservative). loaded question.Avoids specifying reasons, refers to RCMP.
these were duly forwarded to the appropriate authorities.
- misdirectedEthicsMr. Gilles Duceppe (Bloc) asked Christian Paradis (Conservative). loaded question.States facts about action but ignores the transparency question.
after this allegation by a third party came to light and reached the Prime Minister , he took action on Friday morning.
- deflectedAccess to InformationMrs. Carole Freeman (Bloc) asked Stockwell Day (Conservative). substantive question.General improvement statement without addressing specific criticisms.
We are going to keep on improving the process of providing information to agencies and Canadians that request it.
- answeredAccess to InformationMrs. Carole Freeman (Bloc) asked Stockwell Day (Conservative). loaded question.Answer directly rebuts the premise of ministerial interference while addressing the commissioner's action.
- deflectedEthicsJack Layton (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). rhetorical question.Answer begins to recount events but cuts off without addressing the core accusation of secrecy.
On Thursday evening some allegations were made--
- deflectedEthicsJack Layton (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). rhetorical question.Answer pivots to procedural referrals instead of explaining the facts behind the allegations.
if we had anything to hide, we would not have referred the matter to an independent officer of this House.
- partly answeredEthicsJack Layton (NDP) asked Stockwell Day (Conservative). loaded question.Answer supplies statistics on request processing times but ignores the broader pattern of secrecy alleged.
The majority of those are handled within 30 days.
- deflectedEthicsAnita Neville (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.Answer claims ignorance of BMCI and restates referral to authorities without addressing the hiring question.
I am not familiar with this group, BMCI, to which the member for Winnipeg South Centre refers.
- deflectedEthicsAnita Neville (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.Answer dismisses the premise as a stretch and again emphasizes referrals rather than explaining the choice of investigators.
- misdirectedEthicsMr. Mark Holland (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.Answer diverts to an irrelevant coincidence about Transport Canada instead of addressing access or connections.
Transport Canada is also on Queen Street.
- misdirectedEthicsMr. Mark Holland (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.Answer attacks the opposition's record on accountability legislation instead of naming or explaining the firms in question.
When we were fighting to bring in the federal accountability legislation, every single step of the way we got opposition and fights from the Liberal Party of Canada.
- deflectedAfghanistanMr. Claude Bachand (Bloc) asked Rob Nicholson (Conservative). loaded question.The answer pivots to a new transfer agreement and prior government instead of addressing trust placed in Afghan authorities.
There is a better system in place and the hon. member should take some comfort in that.
- deflectedAfghanistanMr. Claude Bachand (Bloc) asked Rob Nicholson (Conservative). substantive question.The answer notes prior airing of allegations and defers to the ongoing commission without engaging the rejection of Colvin.
We should let the commission continue to do its good work.
- partly answeredRights & DemocracyMs. Francine Lalonde (Bloc) asked Peter Kent (Conservative). loaded question.The answer states the government is not involved in day-to-day operations but does not address the call for a public inquiry.
It is an arm's length organization.
- deflectedRights & DemocracyMs. Francine Lalonde (Bloc) asked Peter Kent (Conservative). loaded question.The answer expresses general confidence in the board without addressing the specific allegations of improper contracting or the inquiry request.
I can only say that this government is confident the board and the new president will ensure the long-term success of Rights & Democracy.
- answeredRights & DemocracyBob Rae (Liberal) asked Peter Kent (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly rejects the request to expunge the report.
I am not familiar with the details of that report but I think the short answer to that is, no.
- deflectedRights & DemocracyBob Rae (Liberal) asked Peter Kent (Conservative). substantive question.The answer reiterates confidence in the board and arm's-length status without addressing the call for a public inquiry.
Rights & Democracy is an arm's length organization and the board of directors is responsible for the governance of the organization.
- partly answeredAfghanistanUjjal Dosanjh (Liberal) asked Peter Kent (Conservative). loaded question.The answer clarifies that Canada does not appoint governors but does not address the continued support or payments to Khalid.
The Government of Canada does not appoint governors in Afghanistan.
- deflectedAfghanistanUjjal Dosanjh (Liberal) asked Peter Kent (Conservative). loaded question.The answer refers to past testimony and general questioning of Afghanistan on human rights without addressing specific ongoing support for Khalid.
The Government of Canada regularly questions the Government of Afghanistan on those and other human rights issues.
- deflectedAfghanistanMr. Jack Harris (NDP) asked Peter Kent (Conservative). substantive question.The answer references a prior commission instead of addressing the call for a public inquiry.
those allegations have been fully and widely aired before the Special Commission on Afghanistan
- deflectedAfghanistanMr. Jack Harris (NDP) asked Peter Kent (Conservative). substantive question.The answer shifts focus to not appointing governors rather than addressing continued support or an inquiry.
the Government of Canada does not appoint governors of Afghanistan.
- deflectedTelecommunicationsMr. Serge Cardin (Bloc) asked Mr. Mike Lake (Conservative). substantive question.The answer pivots to an OECD witness on competitiveness instead of the CRTC chair's concerns.
we also heard from a witness from the OECD who talked about how Canadians were paying more
- partly answeredArts and CultureMrs. Carole Lavallée (Bloc) asked James Moore (Conservative). substantive question.The answer defends the Amazon decision as beneficial but does not directly address undermining of cultural protections.
our decision regarding Amazon.ca is a responsible one and it is good for Canadian culture.
- partly answeredNortelJohn McCallum (Liberal) asked Mr. Mike Lake (Conservative). substantive question.The answer notes consultations and committee hearings but offers no commitment on amending legislation.
- partly answeredNortelJohn McCallum (Liberal) asked Mr. Mike Lake (Conservative). substantive question.The answer emphasizes ongoing consultations and system strength without committing to immediate legislative fixes.
the Minister of Finance has recently launched cross-country consultations
- answeredAutomotive IndustryMr. Brian Masse (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly explains that ministers cannot direct criminal investigations.
In Canada, cabinet ministers cannot direct criminal investigations.
- misdirectedAutomotive IndustryMr. Brian Masse (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the member's committee attendance and shifts to unrelated infrastructure boasts.
if the member of the New Democratic Party had been to the transport committee he would know that Toyota officials and officials from my department have come forward and testified.
- partly answeredAccess to InformationMs. Siobhan Coady (Liberal) asked Stockwell Day (Conservative). substantive question.Addresses delays with statistics and mentions mechanisms but provides no timeline for becoming transparent.
We are concerned about that, and so is she, and that is why we are putting in place mechanisms to ensure that particular percentage increases in terms of speed and that we get better at that.
- answeredAgricultureMr. André Bellavance (Bloc) asked Jean-Pierre Blackburn (Conservative). substantive question.Directly states the government's intent to defend supply management without compromise.
We support farmers and we intend to defend supply management both in the discussions with the European Union and in the negotiation of free trade agreements.
- partly answeredGovernment AppointmentsMs. Judy Wasylycia-Leis (NDP) asked Peter Kent (Conservative). loaded question.Corrects facts about resignation and lack of discussion but does not address missing the conflict or demanding resignation.
As a matter of fact, she resigned from the board of Imperial Tobacco last month.
- deflectedAccess to InformationMs. Siobhan Coady (Liberal) asked Stockwell Day (Conservative). loaded question.Provides general statistics and funding details instead of addressing claims of political interference.
We have also increased funding to the Office of the Information Commissioner by 20%.
- deflectedStatus of WomenMs. Irene Mathyssen (NDP) asked Rona Ambrose (Conservative). loaded question.Shifts to praising women's achievements and inviting collaboration rather than addressing the minister assignment criticism.
I look forward to working with the hon. member and all women parliamentarians to address the issues that matter to Canadian women.
- partly answeredThe EnvironmentMr. Christian Ouellet (Bloc) asked Christian Paradis (Conservative). substantive question.States that all rules will be followed but does not confirm the specific conditions requested regarding BAPE and Quebec.
All rules and regulations will be followed, as with any other project.
- partly answeredEthicsRalph Goodale (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.Explains the referral to authorities but avoids detailing why police were called or answering the listed premises.
On Friday, the Prime Minister did the reasonable, ethical and appropriate thing by referring the matter to an independent officer of the House and to the relevant authorities.