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Monday, April 26, 2010 · sitting No. 33

Refugee reform bill advances amid debate on timelines and fairness

The House spent the largest share of the sitting on second reading of Bill C-11, the Balanced Refugee Reform Act. Immigration Minister Jason Kenney moved that the bill be read a second time and referred to committee. He said the measure would speed protection for genuine refugees while maintaining procedural fairness through a new refugee appeal division.

Liberal MP Maurizio Bevilacqua pressed the minister on the feasibility of the proposed timelines and on whether the government would accept amendments to protect the independence of the proposed new refugee board members. Kenney replied that the government remained open to serious dialogue on those points at committee. NDP MP Bill Siksay said the bill had been introduced with insufficient prior consultation and urged further changes.

In Question Period, Liberal MP David McGuinty and Environment Minister Jim Prentice clashed over the timing of disclosure that a ministerial staff member had met with Rahim Jaffer. Prentice said the facts had been assembled and forwarded to the lobbying commissioner and the Ethics Commissioner within days of coming to his attention.

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 · 2010-04-26

Government (Conservative)OppositionOver the day: government 36%, opposition 64% of the words spokenPrivate membersGovernment businessQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 11:0512:0013:0014:0015:0016:0017:00Last speech 18:05Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 7 h 0 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
57Refugee bill advances, answers mostly dodgeThe sitting devoted the bulk of its time to the Balanced Refugee Reform Act and saw three bills introduced or advanced a stage. Question period produced few direct answers while procedural calls remained minimal.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

Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act

New Democrat MP John Rafferty introduced Bill C-501 to give pensioners preferred creditor status in bankruptcy proceedings. Conservative MP Mike Wallace asked whether the bill sought super-priority status and Rafferty replied that the measure placed pension claims in the fourth category from the top.

Read the exchange

Afghanistan

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff asked whether Canadian forces would join planned U.S. combat operations near Kandahar. Parliamentary Secretary Laurie Hawn said participation would remain commensurate with existing obligations and that operational details could not be discussed publicly.

Read the exchange

Lobbying

Bloc Québécois MP Carole Freeman asked the government to amend the Lobbying Act so ministers and their staff must register contacts with lobbyists. Industry Minister Christian Paradis replied that the Federal Accountability Act already required monthly reporting by lobbyists.

Read the exchange

Military Police Complaints Commission

Liberal MP Ujjal Dosanjh said government obstruction had stalled the commission's investigation into Afghan detainee transfers and called for a public inquiry. Justice Minister Rob Nicholson said the commission should be allowed to complete its mandated work.

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 Mr. Laurie Hawn (Conservative). substantive question.The answer gives generalities about working with allies but refuses to address Canadian participation in the specific operations.I cannot comment on that particular operation.
  2. deflected
    AfghanistanMr. Michael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked Mr. Laurie Hawn (Conservative). substantive question.The answer avoids stating Canada's involvement and instead cites security and ally relations as reasons for non-disclosure.If there is information that needs to be shared that does not violate the safety and security of our troops, it will be shared.
  3. misdirected
    AfghanistanMr. Michael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer ignores the secrecy accusation and pivots to praising troops and allies while sarcastically questioning the asker's awareness.I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition has been for the last four years, but let me say that Canadian troops, our men and women in uniform, have been playing a decisive role in Afghanistan for many years.
  4. answered
    EthicsMr. David McGuinty (Liberal) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly confirms the meeting location and provides a timeline of when information was received and disclosed.My understanding is that the meeting in question did in fact happen in that particular office.
  5. partly answered
    EthicsMr. David McGuinty (Liberal) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). substantive question.The answer explains the timeline of actions taken but does not address why disclosure was delayed or confirm handing over all documents.having learned of these facts on Tuesday of last week, I did what I felt was my obligation to this House and to its committees.
  6. answered
    EthicsMs. Christiane Gagnon (Bloc) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). substantive question.The answer provides a clear timeline of when the minister learned of and disclosed the lobbying activities.Mr. Jaffer's activities of April 2009 were brought to my attention last Tuesday.
  7. deflected
    EthicsMs. Christiane Gagnon (Bloc) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). loaded question.The answer sidesteps the request for a list of contacted ministers and instead states that no funding was received.the company Mr. Jaffer represented has never received government funding.
  8. deflected
    LobbyingMrs. Carole Freeman (Bloc) asked Christian Paradis (Conservative). substantive question.The answer defends existing legislation but does not address amending the Act to require ministers to register lobbyist contacts.When we came to power, we introduced the Federal Accountability Act in the House.
  9. deflected
    LobbyingMrs. Carole Freeman (Bloc) asked Christian Paradis (Conservative). substantive question.The answer discusses reporting requirements but does not address amending the 20% rule or covering all lobbying.all lobbyists must report their activities each month and this includes communication with public office holders.
  10. misdirected
    Citizenship and ImmigrationJack Layton (NDP) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer claims the premise is inaccurate and shifts to explaining the inadmissibility decision rather than the minister's denial.the question is entirely inaccurate.
  11. deflected
    EthicsJack Layton (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer avoids the question about what is being hidden and instead emphasizes the Prime Minister's referral to authorities.He did the honourable thing; he did the ethical thing and immediately forwarded the matter on to a competent authority
  12. deflected
    EthicsJack Layton (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). rhetorical question.The answer restates the referral to authorities and denies departmental funds without addressing the call for ministers to stand up.There were no funds with respect to the lobbying in question from my department.
  13. deflected
    EthicsMs. Siobhan Coady (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer shifts focus to past Liberal opposition to reforms instead of tabling a list of contacts.it is this government which made major reforms to the Lobbyists Registration Act and when we brought those reforms to Parliament, the Liberal Party tried to stop them dead in their tracks.
  14. deflected
    EthicsMs. Siobhan Coady (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer highlights government reforms and refers allegations elsewhere without addressing the specific meetings or promises.This government, immediately upon taking office, brought in comprehensive reform and most importantly established an independent commissioner of lobbying
  15. partly answered
    EthicsAnita Neville (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer addresses the delegation to the parliamentary secretary but does not explain why it was not made public.I asked my parliamentary secretary to assist me with respect to this initiative, as he assists me with many initiatives in the House, in committee and in departmental business.
  16. misdirected
    EthicsAnita Neville (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer rejects the premise and defends the process without addressing how Jaffer and Glémaud knew about the gatekeeper role.I totally reject the premise of the question asked by the member from Winnipeg.
  17. deflected
    AfghanistanMr. Claude Bachand (Bloc) asked Rob Nicholson (Conservative). loaded question.Answer asserts cooperation without addressing the alleged refusal or explaining any non-cooperation.I think there has been a great deal of co-operation and all available documents will be made available to the appropriate authorities
  18. deflected
    AfghanistanMr. Claude Bachand (Bloc) asked Rob Nicholson (Conservative). loaded question.Answer restates government position and redirects to other bodies without addressing what is being hidden.the government has always said that officials will provide all legally available documents
  19. deflected
    International CooperationMs. Johanne Deschamps (Bloc) asked Jim Abbott (Conservative). loaded question.Answer states policy on abortion funding but does not address setting aside ideology or recognizing family planning benefits.Canada's contribution to maternal and child health may include family planning, however, Canada's contribution will not include funding abortion
  20. deflected
    International CooperationMs. Johanne Deschamps (Bloc) asked Jim Abbott (Conservative). loaded question.Answer accuses opposition of scoring points and restates policy without engaging the request to listen to advice on abortion.it gets a little tiresome having the opposition always trying to score cheap political points on the issue of abortion
  21. deflected
    Military Police Complaints CommissionUjjal Dosanjh (Liberal) asked Rob Nicholson (Conservative). loaded question.Answer points to MPCC mandate and court outcomes but does not address obstruction claims or call for a public inquiry.the mandate of the MPCC is very clear and well set out
  22. deflected
    Military Police Complaints CommissionUjjal Dosanjh (Liberal) asked Rob Nicholson (Conservative). loaded question.Answer insists member is wrong and urges support for MPCC without addressing obstruction or public inquiry request.the hon. member has it completely wrong
  23. misdirected
    Member for BeauceMr. Marcel Proulx (Liberal) asked Jean-Pierre Blackburn (Conservative). loaded question.Answer shifts to attacking the Bloc Québécois instead of addressing the Prime Minister's handling of the member for Beauce.one particular party—the one opposite known as the Bloc Québécois—has spent the last 20 years projecting a negative image of Quebec
  24. misdirected
    Tax HarmonizationMr. Marcel Proulx (Liberal) asked Christian Paradis (Conservative). loaded question.Answer attacks the Liberal record and lists unrelated achievements instead of addressing broken promises on harmonization.it is rather surprising to hear such things coming from a Liberal colleague who was once part of very centralist government
  25. misdirected
    Foreign AidMr. Paul Dewar (NDP) asked Jim Abbott (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the questioner's accuracy and truthfulness rather than addressing the foreign aid commitment concern.The least he can do is tell the truth when he asks a question.
  26. deflected
    EnvironmentMs. Linda Duncan (NDP) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). substantive question.The answer discusses Copenhagen and other meetings but avoids committing to an environment ministers' meeting at the G8/G20.It is for that reason that the ministers of environment are meeting in Bonn next week.
  27. answered
    Forestry IndustryMr. Robert Bouchard (Bloc) asked Mr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly names the new $100 million forestry initiative and its purpose.This three-year, $100 million measure will support communities affected by the forestry crisis.
  28. misdirected
    Forestry IndustryMr. Robert Bouchard (Bloc) asked Mr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the member's voting record instead of addressing loan guarantees for forestry firms.the member for Chicoutimi—Le Fjord has some nerve.
  29. partly answered
    Aboriginal AffairsRalph Goodale (Liberal) asked Chuck Strahl (Conservative). substantive question.The answer notes missing documents and a deadline but does not confirm whether funding will be restored.If they are not in place by the end of the week, the province may pull their funding as well.
  30. deflected
    Aboriginal AffairsRalph Goodale (Liberal) asked Chuck Strahl (Conservative). substantive question.The answer pivots to lecturing about business plans and attacks Liberal spending habits without confirming funding.We need a business plan. We need legal documents.
  31. deflected
    Anti-terrorism ActMr. Joe Comartin (NDP) asked Rob Nicholson (Conservative). substantive question.The answer defends the bill's necessity but does not address the former CSIS director's criticism or the sunset-clause concerns.Human rights protections are built into them.
  32. misdirected
    Anti-terrorism ActMr. Joe Comartin (NDP) asked Rob Nicholson (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the NDP's stance on crime instead of addressing the bill's rights implications or the CSIS criticism.What is it about the NDP that refuses to allow those members to stand up for victims and law-abiding Canadians
  33. misdirected
    Access to InformationMs. Joyce Murray (Liberal) asked Mr. Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the Liberal leader on an unrelated gun registry issue instead of addressing secrecy.On the other side, we see a Liberal leader who has clamped down on his members, forcing them to vote in favour of a wasteful Liberal long gun registry that many of them know is bad for Canada.
  34. misdirected
    Anti-terrorism ActMrs. Maria Mourani (Bloc) asked Rob Nicholson (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks Bloc members for being soft on crime rather than addressing the former CSIS director's concerns.It is always the same thing from the Bloc members. They are always pushing against getting tough on crime in the country.
  35. answered
    Airport SecurityMr. Dennis Bevington (NDP) asked Rob Merrifield (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly explains the effectiveness of scanners in the security approach.When it comes to the scanners that he talks about, they are much more effective when it comes to liquid explosives than the metal detectors that are currently in many of the airports.
  36. misdirected
    Vancouver 2010 Winter GamesMs. Joyce Murray (Liberal) asked James Moore (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the Liberal for playing politics instead of addressing the blank ATI response.what is an insult to Canadians is a Liberal playing ridiculous politics with the most successful Olympics in history.
  37. answered
    HealthMr. Yvon Godin (NDP) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). substantive question.The answer states support for the decision made with all provinces including New Brunswick.the decision was made in consultation with every provincial health minister, including the minister from New Brunswick.
  38. partly answered
    Government AssistanceMr. Michel Guimond (Bloc) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer gives general funding details to Quebec but does not confirm the specific municipality's request.The federal government gave Quebec $350 million to ensure high-quality drinking water and we are very proud of that.
  39. misdirected
    Points of OrderMs. Siobhan Coady (Liberal) asked Mr. Daryl Kramp (Conservative). substantive question.The answer disputes facts about Jaffer and demands an apology instead of addressing the tabling request.This is absolutely untrue and it deserves an unqualified apology at this moment.
  40. deflected
    Points of OrderMs. Siobhan Coady (Liberal) asked Mr. Bob Dechert (Conservative). substantive question.The answer provides further testimony on attendance but does not address the request for consent to table.I was also at the meeting of the government financial services caucus that the member referred to and I can confirm that Mr. Jaffer was not in attendance, and was not in any way associated with that meeting.