All sittings← 2010-05-122010-05-14 →
Thursday, May 13, 2010 · sitting No. 46
House debates tax treaty bill as opposition presses government on climate
The House spent the largest share of its sitting on second reading of Bill S-3, the Tax Conventions Implementation Act, 2010. Conservative MP Ted Menzies opened debate by linking the measure to international tax fairness and the situation in Greece. New Democrat MP Jim Maloway pressed for figures on revenue recovered under existing treaties, while Liberal MP John Cannis questioned provisions affecting income trusts.
Question period featured repeated exchanges on climate policy and offshore drilling. Liberal MP Bob Rae asked why climate change was absent from the G8 and G20 agendas. Conservative MP John Baird replied that economic growth remained the priority while the Copenhagen accord advanced. Bloc Québécois MP Gilles Duceppe and others pressed the government to align with Kyoto targets and to heed UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
New Democrat MP Joyce Murray and NDP Leader Jack Layton challenged ministers on Arctic drilling risks and the absence of independent verification of industry spill plans. Conservative ministers Christian Paradis and John Baird defended the National Energy Board process and stated that no drilling was occurring in the Arctic.
Decided that day
- C-14 advanced to second reading
- C-26, C-519, C-520 and C-521 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 · 2010-05-13
64Bills creep ahead while answers dodgeSeveral bills advanced through early stages while most of the sitting focused on specific legislation. Question Period produced few direct answers.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
Fairness at the Pumps Act
New Democrat MP Jean Crowder argued that small retailers and co-ops could not absorb downloaded inspection costs under Bill C-14 and called for more government inspectors.
Read the exchangePetitions
Liberal MP Ralph Goodale tabled petitions urging the government to work with students, staff and faculty to sustain the First Nations University of Saskatchewan.
Read the exchangeHealth
New Democrat MP Chris Charlton told the House that approved compensation payments to tainted-blood victims had been halted because funds had run out.
Read the exchangeHuman Resources and Skills Development
Conservative MP Chris Warkentin reported that opposition members had prevented Human Resources Minister Diane Finley from answering questions at the ethics committee.
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
- answeredThe EnvironmentBob Rae (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer directly contradicts the premise by confirming the topic will be discussed.
This very important policy will be discussed at the G8 and G20 summits.
- deflectedThe EnvironmentBob Rae (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer shifts to unrelated achievements like jobs and Copenhagen instead of addressing the economic-innovation link.
We are seeing a fragile economic recovery take hold around the world.
- misdirectedThe EnvironmentBob Rae (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the Liberal Party's past record rather than addressing current leadership on climate change.
The leader of the Liberal Party actually said, just four years ago, that his own party did not get it done on the environment
- partly answeredOffshore DrillingMs. Joyce Murray (Liberal) asked Christian Paradis (Conservative). loaded question.The answer addresses safety priority and NEB review but avoids the question of taking responsibility for potential catastrophe.
The National Energy Board has announced that it will also examine the offshore drilling process.
- deflectedOffshore DrillingMs. Joyce Murray (Liberal) asked Christian Paradis (Conservative). loaded question.The answer restates the moratorium exists and accuses the asker of politicizing without addressing the tanker exclusion zone claim.
Lifting it is out of the question, so once again, the members across the floor should stop trying to politicize the matter
- deflectedClimate ChangeMr. Gilles Duceppe (Bloc) asked Christian Paradis (Conservative). substantive question.The answer prioritizes economy over climate change and ignores the Kyoto vs Copenhagen request.
The government's priority for the G20 summit is to talk about the economy and job creation.
- misdirectedClimate ChangeMr. Gilles Duceppe (Bloc) asked Christian Paradis (Conservative). loaded question.The answer accuses the Bloc of sabotage and separatism instead of addressing the environment-economy link or Security Council worthiness.
Their only goal is to separate Quebec from the rest of Canada.
- deflectedForeign AffairsMr. Pierre Paquette (Bloc) asked Lawrence Cannon (Conservative). loaded question.The answer pivots to Haiti work and ignores the comparison to past foreign policy alignment and Security Council merit.
Canada has an excellent reputation around the world.
- misdirectedForeign AffairsMr. Pierre Paquette (Bloc) asked Lawrence Cannon (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the Bloc instead of addressing the question on Canada's treaty record and Security Council bid.
I know that the Bloc Québécois has a hard time with that. I know the Bloc members are ashamed of all that, but I can assure them that the majority of parliamentarians support Canada.
- deflectedThe EnvironmentJack Layton (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer rejects the U.S. comparison and restates regulatory review without addressing why the NEB was given environmental assessment duties.
Just because it is done in the United States does not mean that we should do it here.
- partly answeredOffshore DrillingJack Layton (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer states no Arctic drilling is occurring and notes expanded protections but does not address BP's admission on ice cleanup.
- partly answeredOffshore DrillingJack Layton (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer notes unlimited liability and NEB reviews but does not address the $10 million cap or U.S. proposals to raise it.
We have unlimited liability for oil companies with respect to pollution.
- misdirectedTaxationMrs. Bonnie Crombie (Liberal) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks Liberal tax policy instead of addressing borrowing for corporate tax cuts amid economic fragility.
we know that the Liberal opposition wants to raise taxes.
- misdirectedTaxationMrs. Bonnie Crombie (Liberal) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.The answer pivots to past Liberal cuts and a personal reference rather than addressing borrowing for corporate tax cuts.
I thank the member opposite for the lobbed question.
- misdirectedTaxationJohn McCallum (Liberal) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.The answer cites a past Liberal quote and general economic strength instead of addressing debt from corporate tax cuts.
At least that is how he felt in 2007.
- misdirectedTaxationJohn McCallum (Liberal) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks past Liberal actions and praises Canada's G7 standing instead of addressing debt versus prosperity choice.
I know what the Liberal government wreaked on the Canadian people in the mid-1990s
- deflectedClimate ChangeMr. Bernard Bigras (Bloc) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). loaded question.Answer shifts to G8 and Copenhagen without addressing the G20 question or the economy-environment link.
Our government supported the Copenhagen accord in December.
- deflectedClimate ChangeMr. Bernard Bigras (Bloc) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). loaded question.Answer ignores the Kyoto cost comparison for Quebec and repeats international accord talking points.
- answeredSecuritiesMr. Daniel Paillé (Bloc) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). substantive question.Answer directly addresses the single commission plan and Quebec's choice regarding the AMF.
the AMF can continue in existence if that is what the Government of Quebec wants.
- misdirectedSecuritiesMr. Daniel Paillé (Bloc) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.Answer attacks the asker for aligning with Power Corporation instead of addressing the regulatory plan.
I never thought I would hear that in this place the socialist party from Quebec aligning itself with Power Corporation.
- partly answeredCitizenship and ImmigrationMauril Bélanger (Liberal) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.Answer covers expedited sponsorship but does not address broadening the family definition.
We have already announced special measures to expedite family sponsorship of Haitian nationals.
- deflectedCitizenship and ImmigrationMauril Bélanger (Liberal) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.Answer explains legal cost rules but evades the refund request tied to broadened definitions.
People who apply to sponsor a family member have to prove that they are financially able to host and settle that person.
- deflectedGovernment ProgramsMr. Marcel Proulx (Liberal) asked James Moore (Conservative). loaded question.Answer highlights increased funding but ignores the claim of last-minute rule changes targeting the festival.
For example, in the case of the FrancoFolies, we increased funding for 2010-11 and 2011-12.
- misdirectedGovernment ProgramsMr. Marcel Proulx (Liberal) asked James Moore (Conservative). loaded question.Answer attacks Liberal record on CBC funding instead of addressing the alleged attacks on culture and CBC.
The Liberal Party made the same promise, and then cut $414 million and 4,000 jobs, and is now accusing us of being the CBC's enemy?
- misdirectedEthicsMr. Pat Martin (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.Answer attacks the asker and changes subject to an unrelated inconsistency instead of addressing the bribe allegation.
The member for Winnipeg Centre , having made serious allegations of improper conduct against the member for Simcoe--Grey and her husband, now seems to be standing in his place and suggesting she should be reinstated.
- deflectedEthicsMr. Yvon Godin (NDP) asked Keith Ashfield (Conservative). substantive question.Answer avoids the patronage question by noting arm's-length status without addressing the specific hires or past promise.
It is responsible for its own hiring and staffing decisions.
- deflectedEthicsMrs. Claude DeBellefeuille (Bloc) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.Answer restates that the PM referred the matter elsewhere without identifying the source of the allegations.
The Prime Minister did the right thing.
- deflectedEthicsMrs. Claude DeBellefeuille (Bloc) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.Answer discusses general cabinet privilege and standards but does not name the source or allegations requested.
in our parliamentary system of government, the Prime Minister makes the determination as to who has the privilege to serve the Canadian people as a member of the cabinet.
- deflectedEthicsMarlene Jennings (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.Answer calls the question false and pivots to praising the PM's referral without answering who the source was or confirming an investigation.
there are so many falsehoods in that question by the member opposite that I do not even know where to begin to answer it.
- deflectedEthicsMarlene Jennings (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.Answer repeats that an independent authority should handle it and avoids confirming whether the letter will be released.
the best way to handle this is to turn the matter over to an independent authority to be able to look into these allegations and make the best determination.
- partly answeredHealthMs. Chris Charlton (NDP) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). substantive question.Answer identifies the independent organization but does not explain steps to ensure timely payments.
there is an independent organization that oversees the applications for these victims and each application is reviewed.
- deflectedHealthMs. Chris Charlton (NDP) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). substantive question.Answer again points to the independent body without addressing the funding shortfall or approved claims on hold.
there is an independent organization that has the resources to pay the victims.
- deflectedNational DefenceKeith Martin (Liberal) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). loaded question.The answer denies the premise of cuts by citing overall budget growth and attacks the prior government instead of addressing specific system reductions.
the reality, for the member opposite, is that this government is going to be increasing the budget for the navy by almost $200 million this year.
- misdirectedGovernment ProgramsMrs. Carole Lavallée (Bloc) asked James Moore (Conservative). loaded question.The answer pivots to attacking the Bloc Québécois voting record on unrelated festivals rather than addressing the funding criteria or envelope size.
They voted against the International Festival of Films on Art, the Festival Jazz et Blues de Saguenay, the Festival de Lanaudière, the theatre school festival, Musiques des nations, the Festival de Trois-Rivières and the Portuguese festival.
- partly answeredWorkplace SafetyMr. Claude Gravelle (NDP) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). substantive question.The answer offers to review the incident and outlines general enforcement steps but provides no concrete actions taken on this case.
I would appreciate getting more information on the incident so that we could look into it.
- answeredBusiness of the HouseRalph Goodale (Liberal) asked Jay Hill (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly lists the bills to be called and designates the exact dates requested for committee of the whole.
I would inform the House that pursuant to Standing Order 81(4) I would like to designate May 27 for consideration in committee of the whole of the main estimates of the Department of National Defence and May 31 for the Department of Natural Resources.