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Tuesday, October 25, 2011 · sitting No. 36

NDP motion calls for farmer vote on Canadian Wheat Board

The House spent half the sitting on an opposition day motion moved by NDP MP Niki Ashton that would require the government to set aside legislation abolishing the Canadian Wheat Board single desk and to hold a full vote of current board members on the issue. Ashton said the motion recognized farmers' democratic right to determine the future of their supply management tools. Conservative MP Mike Lake countered that the Conservative platform had promised to work with western grain farmers to give them marketing freedom and that the NDP had promised during the election to maintain the single desk.

Question period featured repeated exchanges on the G8 infrastructure fund. NDP MP Nycole Turmel pressed Prime Minister Stephen Harper on the involvement of several ministers in project approvals and called for a parliamentary investigation. Harper replied that the Auditor General had reviewed the facts and that the government would follow her recommendations to improve future processes.

Decided that day

  • S-206 advanced to second reading
  • C-19 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 · 2011-10-25

Government (Conservative)OppositionOver the day: government 45%, opposition 55% of the words spokenGovernment businessQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0511:0012:0013:0014:0015:0016:0017:00Last speech 18:20Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 8 h 15 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
45Bills creep ahead while answers dodgeThe House devoted most of its time to Business of Supply and moved two bills forward, yet Question Period produced almost no direct answers and the Speaker intervened eleven times. No recorded votes occurred, leaving the day’s substantive share high but concrete outcomes thin.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

Taxation

Liberal MP Ralph Goodale asked why the government had raised EI payroll taxes by $600 million this year and planned a further $1.2 billion next year. Harper replied that the Liberal Party had voted against every tax reduction the government had introduced.

Read the exchange

Agriculture and Agri-Food

NDP MP Linda Duncan asked the government to apologize for a video posted on the website of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture that used the term "Eskimo" three times. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said the video had been removed.

Read the exchange

National Defence

NDP MP Matthew Kellway asked why the government was buying F-35 jets that could not communicate in the north or land on Arctic runways. Defence Minister Peter MacKay said the F-35 was the only fifth-generation aircraft available and would provide sovereignty over the Arctic.

Read the exchange

Firearms Registry

Conservative MP Bryan Hayes asked what the government was doing to end the long-gun registry. Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan said the government had that morning tabled a bill to abolish it.

Read the exchange

Criminal Code

Conservative MP Joy Smith moved second reading of Bill C-310, which would create an extraterritorial human-trafficking offence. She said the measure would allow Canada to prosecute Canadians who traffic persons abroad.

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
    G8 SummitMrs. Nycole Turmel (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer points to the Auditor General review instead of addressing the environment minister's specific involvement.The former minister of transport, who is now the Minister of Foreign Affairs , made the decisions.
  2. deflected
    G8 SummitMrs. Nycole Turmel (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer repeats the Auditor General reference without addressing the call for a parliamentary investigation.She made recommendations, and we have indicated that we intend to follow those recommendations to improve the process in the future.
  3. deflected
    G8 SummitMrs. Nycole Turmel (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer again cites the Auditor General and project approvals rather than the Prime Minister taking responsibility.The government agreed to follow her recommendations to improve the process.
  4. misdirected
    G8 SummitMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Mr. Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the asker on an unrelated long-gun registry issue instead of addressing the lobbying question.In a spirit of generosity, we are also giving the hon. member an opportunity to do the right thing and finally keep his promise to vote in favour of the elimination of the long gun registry as he has promised for so many years.
  5. misdirected
    G8 SummitMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Mr. Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). substantive question.The answer shifts to demanding the asker support long-gun registry legislation rather than releasing documents.I ask him to stand a third time and announce that he will keep his word, that he will do the right thing, that he will not break his faith with his constituents and that he will work with us--
  6. deflected
    TaxationRalph Goodale (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer criticizes the opposition's past votes instead of explaining the EI tax increases.that is a surprising question coming from a party that has voted against every single tax reduction the government has brought into effect
  7. deflected
    SeniorsRalph Goodale (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the Liberals' record on seniors' measures rather than addressing flexibility for RRIF conversions.once again that is a surprising question from a party that has consistently opposed the tax measures that the government has brought in for Canadian seniors
  8. deflected
    TaxationMr. Marc Garneau (Liberal) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). substantive question.The answer notes the opposition voted against the credits instead of considering making them refundable.It was voted on in the House, and those members voted against it.
  9. deflected
    Agriculture and Agri-FoodMs. Linda Duncan (NDP) asked Gerry Ritz (Conservative). substantive question.The answer removes the video but immediately pivots to attacking the opposition instead of addressing the requested apology.However, what he really finds offensive is the opposition's continued hammering at the government for allowing western Canadian farmers the freedom to market their own product.
  10. deflected
    Canadian Wheat BoardMs. Niki Ashton (NDP) asked Gerry Ritz (Conservative). substantive question.The response discusses farmer options and fairness but offers no apology or engagement with the Wheat Board vote request.what we do respect is the right of western Canadian farmers to have the same options as their cousins and colleagues in Ontario.
  11. misdirected
    Canadian Wheat BoardMr. Pat Martin (NDP) asked Gerry Ritz (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the opposition with insults rather than addressing the conflict-of-interest claim or tabling evidence.farmers will never be intimidated by what I think is a lingering case of beaver fever over there.
  12. misdirected
    Canadian Wheat BoardMr. Pat Martin (NDP) asked Gerry Ritz (Conservative). loaded question.The response insults the asker personally and avoids providing any business plan or farmer vote.I will say that farming ostrich allowed me the opportunity to get used to working with the lesser life forms I sometimes see here on the floor of the House of Commons.
  13. partly answered
    National DefenceMr. Matthew Kellway (NDP) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.The answer addresses Arctic capability and interoperability but ignores the lack of tendering and cost concerns.the F-35 is the only fifth-generation aircraft available to Canadians.
  14. deflected
    National DefenceMr. Matthew Kellway (NDP) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.The response attacks the NDP voting record instead of addressing cost overruns or Arctic functionality.On every occasion over the past five and a half years that we have presented important projects, procurement and investments in men and women and equipment and bases, this member's party has consistently voted against our efforts
  15. deflected
    National DefenceMr. David Christopherson (NDP) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.The answer restates investments and attacks NDP views without confirming or denying base closures.Everyone knows the NDP's views on the Canadian Forces.
  16. misdirected
    National DefenceMr. David Christopherson (NDP) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.The response insults the asker and dismisses concerns without addressing base closure plans or community input.I know that the member is a bit of a goblin on this and wants to scare people.
  17. answered
    National DefenceMrs. Djaouida Sellah (NDP) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.Minister gives direct assurance on bases remaining open then pivots to attack opposition voting record.
  18. deflected
    Canadian Wheat BoardMr. Kevin Lamoureux (Liberal) asked Gerry Ritz (Conservative). substantive question.Answer discusses weekend conversations with farmers instead of addressing request for committee meetings on the Prairies.that is precisely what members on this side of the House do every weekend.
  19. partly answered
    Canada-U.S. RelationsWayne Easter (Liberal) asked Ed Fast (Conservative). substantive question.Minister acknowledges US sovereignty and states actions taken but does not address standing up more forcefully.we have been raising this issue with the Americans for some time.
  20. deflected
    Public SafetyMs. Joyce Murray (Liberal) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). loaded question.Answer restates government priority on safety and attacks opposition view rather than engaging study evidence.I am not surprised that the opposition does not share that view.
  21. misdirected
    Canadian Broadcasting CorporationMr. Tyrone Benskin (NDP) asked James Moore (Conservative). loaded question.Minister shifts to personal Canada Day speech choice instead of addressing denial of CBC celebration.I had two minutes, and I stand by my decision.
  22. deflected
    Canadian Broadcasting CorporationMr. Tyrone Benskin (NDP) asked James Moore (Conservative). substantive question.Answer pivots to CBC programming and government spending priorities without explaining refusal to celebrate.We are therefore asking the CBC to spend taxpayers' money responsibly and respectfully.
  23. misdirected
    Arts and CultureMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked James Moore (Conservative). substantive question.Minister cites third-party endorsements instead of addressing royalty protections or cuts in the bill.It does not get better than that.
  24. deflected
    Arts and CultureMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked James Moore (Conservative). substantive question.Answer attacks NDP position on iPod tax and lists supporters rather than discussing consumer protections from digital locks.He had better believe we are against that tax.
  25. misdirected
    Canada- U.S. RelationsMr. Brian Masse (NDP) asked Ed Fast (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the NDP instead of addressing the new tax or border issues raised.Last week, the NDP trade critic actually expressed sympathy for the American position on buy American provisions.
  26. misdirected
    Canada- U.S. RelationsMr. Robert Chisholm (NDP) asked Ed Fast (Conservative). loaded question.The answer quotes and attacks the NDP critic rather than responding to the question on U.S. taxes and Canadian interests.Imagine that, standing up for the Americans rather than standing up for ordinary hard-working Canadians.
  27. misdirected
    Canada- U.S. RelationsMr. Mathieu Ravignat (NDP) asked Ed Fast (Conservative). loaded question.The answer boasts about government actions and grandstanding claims instead of addressing the tax or negotiation question.It is only this Conservative government that is standing up for ordinary hard-working Canadians.
  28. misdirected
    Canada- U.S. RelationsMs. Anne Minh-Thu Quach (NDP) asked Ed Fast (Conservative). loaded question.The answer dismisses the NDP and pivots to unrelated border policy claims without addressing the fee or constituent concerns.It is only this government that has taken steps to remove the thickening at our border, to move security to the perimeter and strengthen security around our borders.
  29. partly answered
    LobbyingGerry Byrne (Liberal) asked Mr. Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). loaded question.The answer offers a procedural suggestion but does not engage with the specific evidence or government concern raised.if the hon. member has evidence that somebody may have lobbied without registering, I suggest that he contact the lobbyists registrar.
  30. answered
    Agriculture and Agri-FoodCarolyn Bennett (Liberal) asked Gerry Ritz (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly commits to checking and removing the video as requested.I was assured that the video had been removed.
  31. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMr. Kennedy Stewart (NDP) asked Joe Oliver (Conservative). substantive question.The answer restates general policy on regulatory review without addressing public consultation or specific concerns.Our government respects the regulatory process, and that will proceed in every case.
  32. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMr. Pierre Jacob (NDP) asked Joe Oliver (Conservative). substantive question.The answer describes the NEB mandate but avoids any action or reassurance on the specific leaks reported.Its mandate is to ensure the safety and security of pipelines, from the moment they are proposed until they are abandoned.
  33. answered
    Firearms RegistryMr. Massimo Pacetti (Liberal) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly refuses the request to hand over registry data.
  34. deflected
    The EconomyMr. Matthew Dubé (NDP) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.The response defends the government's record and attacks the opposition instead of addressing when future help will come.
  35. deflected
    Atlantic Canada Opportunities AgencyMr. Yvon Godin (NDP) asked Bernard Valcourt (Conservative). substantive question.The answer pivots to shipbuilding and union criticism rather than defining responsible cuts.I am surprised, because I thought the NDP member from Atlantic Canada was going to rise to congratulate the government on its shipbuilding strategy, which will create thousands of jobs across the country.
  36. deflected
    Auditor GeneralMrs. Maria Mourani (Bloc) asked Christian Paradis (Conservative). loaded question.The answer states general appointment policy while ignoring the language and second-class citizen claims.as always, our government makes appointments based on merit, and the top priority is to provide Canadians with the best service.
  37. misdirected
    Points of OrderGerry Byrne (Liberal) asked Mr. Dean Del Mastro (Conservative). substantive question.The response tells the asker to apologize instead of addressing the point of order.