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Friday, October 28, 2011 · sitting No. 39

Commons debates long-gun registry abolition as opposition seeks data access

The House devoted the largest share of its sitting to Government Orders on the Ending the Long-gun Registry Act. NDP MP Philip Toone said the registry has reduced conjugal-violence murders by half and is used daily by police to protect women, while Conservative MP Richard Harris replied that registration does not prevent crimes and that the data are inaccurate and must be destroyed.

In Question Period, NDP MP Joe Comartin pressed the government on plans for the Victoria-class submarines and the F-35 purchase, and Conservative minister Peter Van Loan said no decision has been taken on nuclear submarines and that the F-35 remains the only fifth-generation option. Liberal MP John McCallum asked why families must wait until 2017 for promised supports while corporations receive immediate tax cuts, and minister Peter Van Loan cited earlier GST reductions and income-tax cuts already delivered.

Further exchanges saw NDP MP Chris Charlton question proposed changes to charity funding and Conservative minister Kellie Leitch said the government seeks new models to leverage private-sector support for maximum impact.

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 · 2011-10-28

Government (Conservative)OppositionOver the day: government 51%, opposition 49% of the words spokenGovernment businessQuestion PeriodRoutine proceedingsGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0511:0012:0013:00Last speech 13:45Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 3 h 40 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
38Registry debate, scant resultsThe sitting devoted most time to debate on ending the long-gun registry with only one bill introduced and no votes recorded. Question period produced few direct answers amid many deflections.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

Auditor General

Liberal MP Mauril Bélanger cited Public Service Commission president Maria Barrados on the essential nature of bilingualism for the Auditor General post, and Conservative MP Andrew Saxton replied that the chosen candidate was the most qualified after an extensive search and is learning French.

Read the exchange

Turkey

Conservative MP John Carmichael asked what Canada would do after the Van earthquake, and Conservative minister Lois Brown said 500 winterized tents are being sent to shelter 500 families.

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Democratic Reform

Bloc MP André Bellavance said the government bill would reduce Quebec's political weight despite three National Assembly resolutions to the contrary, and Conservative minister Tim Uppal replied that the fair-representation legislation keeps Quebec at 23 per cent of seats.

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Canada Post

NDP MP Jamie Nicholls asked why Quebec faces 53 per cent of Canada Post cuts while other regions see only 4 to 8 per cent, and Conservative minister Pierre Poilievre said Canada Post is an arm's-length corporation and all regions receive equal service.

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Public Safety Officers Compensation Fund

NDP MP Peter Julian said firefighters have sought a compensation fund for 14 years and the NDP passed enabling legislation five years ago, and Conservative minister Candice Hoeppner said the government has introduced a volunteer firefighters tax credit and will continue to support first responders.

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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. answered
    National DefenceMr. Joe Comartin (NDP) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly denies getting rid of the submarines.
  2. answered
    National DefenceMr. Joe Comartin (NDP) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). loaded question.The answer directly denies any plan for nuclear submarines.the quick answer to that is, no.
  3. deflected
    National DefenceMr. Joe Comartin (NDP) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). substantive question.The answer ignores the submarine question and shifts to F-35s.our commitment has been, clearly, to give our Canadian Forces members, including those in the Royal Canadian Air Force, the equipment they need to do the job well.
  4. misdirected
    National DefenceMr. David Christopherson (NDP) asked Julian Fantino (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the gun registry instead of addressing F-35 concerns.the only boondoggle I know about these days is the gun registry.
  5. deflected
    National DefenceMr. David Christopherson (NDP) asked Julian Fantino (Conservative). substantive question.The answer dismisses the question as rhetoric and avoids specifics on delays or costs.the infusion of rhetoric on this very important acquisition of an asset critical to the sovereignty of Canada, providing our men and women the appropriate tools well into the future to do their job, is absolutely overwhelming.
  6. deflected
    Firearms RegistryMr. Massimo Pacetti (Liberal) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). substantive question.The answer restates policy on eliminating the registry without addressing provincial access to data.
  7. deflected
    The EconomyJohn McCallum (Liberal) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). substantive question.The answer lists past tax cuts instead of explaining the delay for family support.my Liberal friend opposite has a very short memory.
  8. deflected
    The EconomyJohn McCallum (Liberal) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). substantive question.The answer pivots to past Liberal record and general economic claims rather than addressing the EI tax or family support timing.Canadian families did wait for help in the form of reduced taxes for 13 long years.
  9. deflected
    Firearms RegistryMs. Françoise Boivin (NDP) asked Ms. Candice Hoeppner (Conservative). loaded question.The answer restates the government's election commitment without addressing the question about provinces or public safety.our commitment to Canadians was to destroy and end the long gun registry.
  10. answered
    Firearms RegistryMs. Françoise Boivin (NDP) asked Maxime Bernier (Conservative). loaded question.The answer directly states the intent to destroy the registry and explains the rationale while addressing Quebec's jurisdiction.as we said during the election campaign, we will destroy the long gun registry.
  11. deflected
    Firearms RegistryMs. Rosane Doré Lefebvre (NDP) asked Maxime Bernier (Conservative). loaded question.The answer repeats the plan to destroy the registry and invokes the Constitution but avoids addressing openness with Quebec.we are going to destroy the long gun—shotguns and rifles—registry data.
  12. deflected
    Firearms RegistryMs. Rosane Doré Lefebvre (NDP) asked Maxime Bernier (Conservative). loaded question.The answer focuses on data inaccuracy and past costs instead of addressing the question about destroying paid-for data.the data in the long gun registry is inaccurate.
  13. deflected
    Charitable OrganizationsMs. Chris Charlton (NDP) asked Ms. Kellie Leitch (Conservative). loaded question.The answer discusses new funding models without addressing the question about slashing contributions or partisan criteria.we are always interested in new models to partner with private sector organizations to deliver results.
  14. deflected
    Charitable OrganizationsMs. Chris Charlton (NDP) asked Ms. Kellie Leitch (Conservative). loaded question.The answer pivots to criticizing the NDP and restates models rather than clarifying plans for charities.Unlike the NDP, which wants to tax individuals and make sure that we are not creating jobs in this country, we have focused on those in need
  15. deflected
    Charitable OrganizationsMs. Manon Perreault (NDP) asked Ms. Kellie Leitch (Conservative). loaded question.The answer denies the premise and promotes a committee without addressing reduced assistance to charities.What the member opposite said is completely false.
  16. partly answered
    SeniorsMr. Alain Giguère (NDP) asked Mrs. Shelly Glover (Conservative). loaded question.The answer lists existing measures on seniors but does not address corporate giveaways or a specific plan to fight senior poverty.we have reduced taxes for seniors and retirees by $2 billion, mainly by allowing pension income splitting.
  17. deflected
    SeniorsMr. Alain Giguère (NDP) asked Mrs. Shelly Glover (Conservative). substantive question.The answer discusses general help for seniors and past votes instead of addressing doubling pension benefits.we strive continually to help our seniors. We introduced several bills and the NDP voted against them.
  18. partly answered
    Auditor GeneralMauril Bélanger (Liberal) asked Mr. Andrew Saxton (Conservative). loaded question.The answer explains the choice of candidate but does not address the concern about damage to the public service.the government looked for bilingual candidates. After an extensive process, a candidate was chosen because he was by far the most qualified.
  19. deflected
    Auditor GeneralGerry Byrne (Liberal) asked Mr. Andrew Saxton (Conservative). substantive question.The answer ignores the conflict of interest question entirely and pivots to qualifications.the qualifications of our candidate for Auditor General are unparalleled.
  20. partly answered
    Foreign AffairsIrwin Cotler (Liberal) asked Diane Ablonczy (Conservative). substantive question.The answer states concern and consultations but does not commit to seeking the prisoner's release.we are in consultation, not just with authorities in the country but with like-minded partners, to address this situation.
  21. deflected
    Auditor GeneralMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Mr. Andrew Saxton (Conservative). loaded question.The answer avoids explaining the process and instead repeats qualifications and an invitation.Mr. Ferguson is learning French, as are many members of this House and of the public service.
  22. deflected
    Auditor GeneralMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Mr. Andrew Saxton (Conservative). loaded question.The answer claims a thorough process but does not address why bilingualism was set aside.the government sought bilingual candidates. After a thorough process, the successful candidate was determined to be by far the most qualified.
  23. deflected
    Auditor GeneralMs. Francine Raynault (NDP) asked Mr. Andrew Saxton (Conservative). substantive question.The answer highlights language investments but does not answer whether the candidate was interviewed in French.our government supports official languages. That is why we allocated over $1 billion to the Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality.
  24. deflected
    Auditor GeneralMs. Francine Raynault (NDP) asked Mr. Andrew Saxton (Conservative). substantive question.The answer defends the choice and past investments but does not address reversing the decision.Mr. Ferguson is the most qualified candidate for the job.
  25. deflected
    Canada PostMr. Jamie Nicholls (NDP) asked Mr. Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). substantive question.The answer avoids explaining the Quebec disparity by citing arm's-length status instead.Canada Post is a crown corporation that is at arm's length from the government.
  26. misdirected
    Canada PostMr. Jamie Nicholls (NDP) asked Mr. Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). substantive question.The response attacks the NDP on a past work stoppage rather than addressing the cuts.in fact, it is the New Democrats who tried to extend a work stoppage at Canada Post.
  27. deflected
    Canada PostMr. Bruce Hyer (NDP) asked Mr. Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). substantive question.The answer sidesteps the Dorion closure by reiterating independence without assurance.Canada Post is a crown corporation, independent from the government.
  28. misdirected
    Canada PostMr. Bruce Hyer (NDP) asked Mr. Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). loaded question.The reply pivots to gun registry and attacks the NDP instead of rural post offices.That is why the government is working to eliminate the wasteful long gun registry that has harassed farmers and hunters for far too long.
  29. partly answered
    National DefenceJohn McKay (Liberal) asked Julian Fantino (Conservative). substantive question.The answer defends keeping the F-35 but does not address pulling the plug or costs.This is the right plane, the right aircraft for the right time and well into the future.
  30. deflected
    National DefenceJohn McKay (Liberal) asked Julian Fantino (Conservative). substantive question.The response begins by attacking the questioner's hypocrisy without addressing alternatives.the hypocrisy here is beyond belief.
  31. deflected
    Privacy CommissionerMr. Dan Harris (NDP) asked Ms. Candice Hoeppner (Conservative). substantive question.The answer restates warrant policy and attacks the NDP on guns instead of fixing the bill.I find it remarkable that the same party that wants to look at the private records of law-abiding gun owners wants to protect potential child pornographers.
  32. deflected
    Privacy CommissionerMr. Dan Harris (NDP) asked Ms. Candice Hoeppner (Conservative). substantive question.The reply repeats the warrant claim and urges support while attacking the NDP again.We ask the NDP to support this good legislation to get it to the 21st century, but also to support the private records of law-abiding long gun owners in this country.
  33. deflected
    Government LoansMr. Scott Andrews (Liberal) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). loaded question.The answer promotes the project benefits without addressing due diligence completion or approval timing.we are very proud of the commitment we made to Muskrat Falls.
  34. deflected
    Public Safety Officers Compensation FundMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Ms. Candice Hoeppner (Conservative). loaded question.The answer highlights existing supports then pivots to criticizing the opposition's voting record instead of addressing the compensation fund.We ask the opposition members to vote for measures that will keep criminals in jail and not out on the street.
  35. partly answered
    Tourism IndustryMr. Raymond Côté (NDP) asked Maxime Bernier (Conservative). substantive question.The answer states work is underway with another minister and claims the process is competitive but provides no details on improving fairness or reducing arbitrary denials.I want to say that we are working with the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism to ensure that our visa process is effective.
  36. deflected
    Democratic ReformMr. André Bellavance (Bloc) asked Tim Uppal (Conservative). loaded question.The answer defends the bill's fairness for all provinces without addressing whether Quebec's seat share will be maintained or the bill amended.The fair representation act would bring every single province closer to representation by population.