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Thursday, November 25, 2010 · sitting No. 104

Bloc motion condemns Afghan mission extension to 2014

The House spent the largest share of its sitting on government orders for the business of supply. Bloc Québécois MP Claude Bachand moved a motion that condemned the government's decision to extend the Canadian mission in Afghanistan to 2014 and accused it of breaking two prior parliamentary promises on the matter. The motion remained before the House at the end of the day with a recorded division deferred to November 30.

Question period featured sharp exchanges over a possible leak of cabinet information on the Taseko Mines project. Liberal MP Mark Holland charged that share prices plunged after ministers met in secret and demanded an RCMP investigation. Conservative MP John Baird replied that the government had acted on an environmental assessment that was already public and called the allegations speculation.

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 · 2010-11-25

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 10:0011:0012:0013:0014:0015:0016:00Last speech 17:45Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 7 h 45 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
47Supply talk, two bills, no votesThe House spent most of its time on Business of Supply and scattered debates while Question Period produced few direct answers. Two bills were introduced and little else was settled.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

Infrastructure

Bloc Québécois MP Gilles Duceppe pressed the Prime Minister on whether the March 31 deadline for infrastructure stimulus projects would be extended for all projects or handled case by case. Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the government would be flexible while noting that more than 90 per cent of projects were expected to finish on time.

Read the exchange

Afghanistan

NDP MP Jack Layton asked why Canadian troops must remain in Afghanistan until 2014 when Afghan soldier training targets had already been met ahead of schedule. Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the combat mission ends in 2011 and that a smaller training role remains necessary for global security.

Read the exchange

Public Safety

Conservative MP Ray Boughen cited victim Sheldon Kennedy's support for Bill C-23B at the public safety committee. Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said the bill ensures victims' rights come before those of offenders in the pardons process.

Read the exchange

The Environment

Liberal MP Gerard Kennedy said the government had cancelled key climate-change research networks just before the Cancun conference. Environment Minister John Baird replied that the government values science and pointed to its integrated approach with the United States on vehicle emissions standards.

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First Nations Financial Transparency Act

Conservative MP Kelly Block introduced Bill C-575 to require elected First Nations officials to disclose salaries and expenses in the same manner as other levels of government. She said the measure responds to long-standing calls from community members for greater accountability.

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
    Taseko Mines LimitedMr. Mark Holland (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer addresses the environmental assessment instead of the leak or investigation request.A publicly available environmental assessment on this project stated quite clearly that it would cause irreparable harm to the environment.
  2. deflected
    Taseko Mines LimitedMr. Mark Holland (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer labels the query as speculation without addressing the timing or RCMP request.the member opposite is engaging in pure speculation.
  3. misdirected
    Taseko Mines LimitedMr. Mark Holland (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the member's past actions rather than addressing the cabinet leak allegations.We know the member and that he has had to apologize for his reckless actions in the past.
  4. misdirected
    Taseko Mines LimitedMr. Marcel Proulx (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer corrects a date instead of addressing the RCMP investigation request.October 14 was in a constituency week and members were in their ridings.
  5. deflected
    Taseko Mines LimitedMr. Marcel Proulx (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer accuses the member of slander and demands evidence without confirming any investigation.If he has any information, he should table it before Parliament.
  6. partly answered
    InfrastructureMr. Gilles Duceppe (Bloc) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer acknowledges flexibility on deadlines but does not confirm the six-month extension.the minister has been saying for a long time that the government will be flexible in order to ensure that these projects are completed.
  7. partly answered
    InfrastructureMr. Gilles Duceppe (Bloc) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer notes project completion rates and flexibility but does not confirm a blanket extension.more than 90% of projects will be completed by the deadline.
  8. answered
    InfrastructureMr. Michel Guimond (Bloc) asked Chuck Strahl (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly addresses relations with Quebec and confirms an upcoming announcement on flexibility.We are working with Quebec's ministers and, as usual, we have good relations with that government.
  9. deflected
    InfrastructureMr. Michel Guimond (Bloc) asked Chuck Strahl (Conservative). loaded question.The answer avoids a yes/no on the deadline and pivots to general flexibility and job creation.We are going to be flexible to make sure they all get done, that jobs continue to be created and the good relationships with the provinces continue.
  10. answered
    AfghanistanJack Layton (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer directly addresses the corruption premise and explains the training rationale.What I said was that we would not give a dime to the Afghan government unless we were assured that money would be used properly.
  11. answered
    AfghanistanJack Layton (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer explains that training remains incomplete despite progress and combat ends as scheduled.With regard to the training of Afghan forces, although we have made progress, we have clearly not finished the work.
  12. partly answered
    AfghanistanJack Layton (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer notes school-building efforts but attacks the NDP's position rather than detailing numbers.the intellectual hoops through which the NDP will jump to justify its opposition to the mission in Afghanistan are really quite extraordinary.
  13. misdirected
    EthicsMarlene Jennings (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer shifts focus to a Liberal MP instead of addressing Conservative Party allegations.when Mr. Sauvé appeared before committee, he said that the only member of Parliament that he had met with was a Liberal member of Parliament
  14. misdirected
    EthicsMarlene Jennings (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer pivots to attacking a Liberal scandal rather than responding to the Conservative corruption claims.let me say very directly to the member opposite, the Prime Minister has never tried to sweep under the rug the scandal that is the Liberal member for Bourassa
  15. deflected
    Conservative Candidate for VaughanMaria Minna (Liberal) asked Vic Toews (Conservative). loaded question.The answer praises Fantino but ignores the double-standard question about the minister's actions.Julian Fantino is an outstanding public servant who has served the people of Ontario in an exemplary fashion.
  16. misdirected
    Conservative Candidate for VaughanMaria Minna (Liberal) asked Vic Toews (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the Liberal candidate instead of addressing the minister's changed position on Fantino.But the question I have, and which I ask again, is what is Tony Genco hiding?
  17. answered
    Contaminated Water in ShannonMs. Christiane Gagnon (Bloc) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly affirms compliance with the order.
  18. partly answered
    Quebec City ArenaMs. Christiane Gagnon (Bloc) asked Josée Verner (Conservative). substantive question.Mentions a past meeting but evades the specific request for a PM-mayor meeting.We will continue to work together on it, whether the hon. member for Québec likes it or not.
  19. answered
    Arts and CultureMrs. Carole Lavallée (Bloc) asked James Moore (Conservative). substantive question.Directly defends the program termination and lists alternatives.three years ago, we terminated a program that was totally counterproductive.
  20. misdirected
    Arts and CultureMrs. Carole Lavallée (Bloc) asked James Moore (Conservative). loaded question.Shifts focus to attacking the Bloc Québécois rather than addressing fairness to artists.the real issue is when will the Bloc Québécois vote in favour of our budget
  21. deflected
    SeniorsMr. Rodger Cuzner (Liberal) asked Mr. Ed Komarnicki (Conservative). loaded question.Cites general low poverty rates and past actions without addressing the reported surge.the reality is that Canadian seniors have the lowest poverty rate in the world
  22. deflected
    SeniorsMr. Rodger Cuzner (Liberal) asked Mr. Ed Komarnicki (Conservative). loaded question.Lists government initiatives instead of responding to claims of inaction on seniors.we are committed to supporting Canadian seniors who have contributed so much to this country.
  23. deflected
    SeniorsMs. Raymonde Folco (Liberal) asked Mr. Ed Komarnicki (Conservative). loaded question.Repeats low poverty stats and initiatives without addressing the specific 50,000 figure.we have some of the lowest poverty rates among seniors in the world.
  24. deflected
    SeniorsMs. Raymonde Folco (Liberal) asked Mr. Ed Komarnicki (Conservative). loaded question.Details various credits and programs but ignores the propaganda spending contrast.We have increased the age credit a number of times.
  25. misdirected
    Taseko Mines LimitedMr. Pat Martin (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the questioner with accusations of smears rather than addressing the leak allegation.If the member opposite wants to engage in smears and character assassination and innuendo, why does he not have the courage to say it outside of this place?
  26. deflected
    Taseko Mines LimitedMr. Thomas Mulcair (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer avoids naming any leaker by demanding the asker table evidence instead.I would encourage him to table before the House, after question period, the basis on which he comes to those conclusions.
  27. deflected
    PovertyMrs. Josée Beaudin (Bloc) asked Mr. Ed Komarnicki (Conservative). substantive question.The answer lists unrelated initiatives and attacks the Bloc rather than addressing the GIS increase request.I do not know what it has against seniors, but it should get behind these initiatives and help them along.
  28. deflected
    PovertyMrs. Josée Beaudin (Bloc) asked Mr. Ed Komarnicki (Conservative). substantive question.The answer highlights government projects and criticizes the Bloc's opposition instead of discussing CMHC surplus transfers.I do not know what it has against those who are found in the most vulnerable position.
  29. partly answered
    PensionsJudy Sgro (Liberal) asked Tony Clement (Conservative). loaded question.The answer explains the court settlement and committee decision but does not address the Prime Minister's alleged intent.The fact remains that the situation is the result of a court-approved settlement, an agreement between all parties, which was enacted under the legislation in effect at that time.
  30. deflected
    PensionsJudy Sgro (Liberal) asked Tony Clement (Conservative). loaded question.The answer dismisses the characterization and accuses the opposition of false hope without engaging the Senate vote request.What the opposition is offering these people is false hope.
  31. deflected
    PovertyMr. Tony Martin (NDP) asked Mr. Ed Komarnicki (Conservative). substantive question.The answer lists tax measures and attacks prior governments instead of addressing the HUMA report on poverty.while the member and his party talk about the kinds of things that might be done, we have taken very specific action to help those who find themselves in need.
  32. deflected
    SeniorsMr. Wayne Marston (NDP) asked Mr. Ed Komarnicki (Conservative). substantive question.The answer cites prior GIS changes and criticizes the NDP's opposition rather than committing to a further increase.That party opposed those types of initiatives.
  33. deflected
    The EnvironmentMr. Gerard Kennedy (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). rhetorical question.The answer promotes unrelated policies without addressing research cancellation or minister appointment.Canada is the first country in the world to look at phasing out dirty coal-fired electricity plants.
  34. partly answered
    Agri-food IndustryMr. André Bellavance (Bloc) asked Jean-Pierre Blackburn (Conservative). substantive question.The response discusses consultations and options regarding the standard but does not identify who will correct it.There is currently no consensus at the Consumers Association of Canada.
  35. deflected
    The EnvironmentMs. Linda Duncan (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer notes past funding and upcoming budget without committing to restore the specific funding.The Minister of Finance will be presenting his budget, as he always does, in the winter and we will see where it goes.
  36. misdirected
    The EnvironmentMr. Gerard Kennedy (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). rhetorical question.The answer attacks the Liberal record and carbon tax instead of addressing climate research funding.Canadians rejected a carbon tax in 2008.
  37. partly answered
    International AidMr. John Rafferty (NDP) asked Bev Oda (Conservative). substantive question.The response describes a new initiative but does not specify when the held funds will be used or confirm DART deployment.It means that we will have Canadian expertise, medical help and technicians who will be part of this team.
  38. deflected
    Medical IsotopesMr. Luc Malo (Bloc) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). substantive question.The answer states the issue was discussed but offers no commitment on compensation.At that point in time, I had stated that I was willing to listen to the jurisdictions in regard to this issue.
  39. misdirected
    Points of OrderMr. Don Davies (NDP) asked Vic Toews (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the NDP's motives rather than addressing the mischaracterization claim.we know that the NDP will stand up for victims as long as there is a byelection in place
  40. deflected
    Points of OrderMrs. Carole Lavallée (Bloc) asked James Moore (Conservative). loaded question.The answer defends funding choices and attacks the group instead of addressing the late notice or offensive statement.Instead, we will be supporting a family-friendly organization and event for the 150th anniversary of Victoriaville.
  41. deflected
    Business of the HouseMr. David McGuinty (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer avoids naming any bills by shifting to unrelated past decorum complaints instead of addressing the Thursday question.before I respond to the hon. member's question, I want to say that at our House leaders meeting just two weeks ago, the government raised the issue of one of the Liberal members calling a minister of the Crown a "slime" five times.