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Wednesday, November 16, 2011 · sitting No. 47

Commons limits debate on budget bill as opposition protests repeated closure

The House devoted its longest stretch of the sitting to a government motion to allocate one further day for report stage and one day for third reading of Bill C-13, the Keeping Canada's Economy and Jobs Growing Act. Government House Leader Peter Van Loan moved the motion after earlier agreement on a short defence bill, prompting NDP House Leader Joe Comartin to note it was the sixth such measure in 33 sitting days. The motion passed on division.

Question period opened with repeated exchanges on the economy. NDP Leader Nycole Turmel pressed Prime Minister Stephen Harper on job quality and the occupy protests while Harper accused the NDP of undermining Canadian employment by opposing the Keystone XL pipeline in Washington. Liberal Leader Bob Rae questioned Harper on the F-35 purchase and rising corrections spending, receiving replies that the previous Liberal government had initiated the fighter competition and that the government would not cut defence or public-safety budgets.

Decided that day

  • Bill C-13 passed
  • Amendments deleting or altering clauses 162, 181 and 182 defeated
  • C-16 advanced in first chamber
  • Bills C-346 to C-349 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 · 2011-11-16

Government (Conservative)OppositionOver the day: government 49%, opposition 51% of the words spokenQuestion PeriodRoutine proceedingsGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 14:0515:0016:0017:0018:00Last speech 19:10Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 5 h 5 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
64Budget bill passes, amendments sinkThe House devoted most of its time to the economy act and passed Bill C-13 after defeating several proposed changes. New bills were introduced and a handful of other topics received attention, though 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

Natural Resources

Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver told NDP MP Kennedy Stewart that the NDP's Washington trip opposed Canadian jobs while the project would generate hundreds of thousands of positions and trillions in activity.

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National Defence

Associate Minister of National Defence Julian Fantino told NDP MP Christine Moore that allies understood the F-35 program's importance and that Canada remained on track and on time.

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Champlain Bridge

Infrastructure Minister Denis Lebel told NDP MP Jamie Nicholls that the government would keep the existing bridge open and safe while building a replacement, rejecting calls to plan detours for Montrealers.

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Canadian Wheat Board

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz assured NDP MP Malcolm Allen that the government values the supply-management sector and had included its protection in both the platform and throne speech.

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Human Rights

Justice Minister Rob Nicholson told Conservative MP Brian Storseth that section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act is not an effective means to combat hate and that the Criminal Code is the proper vehicle.

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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. deflected
    The EconomyMrs. Nycole Turmel (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer ignores the economic concerns and instead attacks the NDP's fitness to govern.The real question, Mr. Speaker, is whether the NDP has heard any such cry.
  2. deflected
    The EconomyMrs. Nycole Turmel (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer avoids the job quality statistics by pivoting to an attack on the NDP.The NDP goes to the United States to oppose the creation of jobs in Canada.
  3. deflected
    The EconomyMrs. Nycole Turmel (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer sidesteps wage and purchasing power issues to criticize the NDP's focus on protests.The fact that the NDP has focused on the Occupy protest rather than on job creation tells us everything we need to know about the NDP.
  4. misdirected
    The EconomyMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Ted Menzies (Conservative). substantive question.The answer disputes the question's facts and attacks the premise rather than addressing job creation priorities.Most every comment in that question was false.
  5. deflected
    The EconomyMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Ted Menzies (Conservative). substantive question.The answer changes the subject to an NDP tax proposal instead of responding to low-wage job concerns.I can say what a $10 billion tax hike would do to jobs.
  6. deflected
    National DefenceBob Rae (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer restates the government's plan without addressing calls for a new competition or review.That is why we are proceeding with the purchase of new airplanes, with great support by the way from not just the men and women in uniform but also the industry.
  7. misdirected
    National DefenceBob Rae (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the Liberal Party's position instead of engaging with the need for competition.The proposal to kill this industry makes no sense.
  8. misdirected
    Public SafetyBob Rae (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks Liberal priorities on crime and defence rather than addressing spending increases.The only spending it opposes is anything to do with cracking down on criminals or supporting our men and women in uniform.
  9. misdirected
    Natural ResourcesMr. Kennedy Stewart (NDP) asked Joe Oliver (Conservative). loaded question.Answer attacks the NDP instead of addressing the question on jobs and environment.
  10. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMr. Kennedy Stewart (NDP) asked Joe Oliver (Conservative). loaded question.Answer pivots to praising oil reserves and attacking NDP without addressing consultation or pipelines.Are the NDP members so star-struck by jet-setting Hollywood stars that they are blind to the needs of Canadian workers and their families?
  11. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMs. Ève Péclet (NDP) asked Joe Oliver (Conservative). substantive question.Answer promotes project benefits but avoids the request to assess impacts like the US.Nonetheless, the NDP has gone to the United States, determined to hinder this project and job prospects for Canadians.
  12. misdirected
    Natural ResourcesMs. Ève Péclet (NDP) asked Joe Oliver (Conservative). loaded question.Answer questions NDP motives rather than addressing sustainable development plan for resources and jobs.Does the NDP care at all about Canadian workers and their families?
  13. partly answered
    Champlain BridgeMr. Jamie Nicholls (NDP) asked Denis Lebel (Conservative). substantive question.Answer states intent to keep bridge open and safe but does not detail contingency plan if closed.the difference between them and us is that they want to close the bridge and we want to keep it open and work on it to keep it safe.
  14. answered
    Champlain BridgeMr. Jamie Nicholls (NDP) asked Denis Lebel (Conservative). substantive question.Answer clarifies federal jurisdiction and commitment to build new bridge while managing existing one.We will build a new bridge and we are investing in the existing bridge to make it safer.
  15. partly answered
    International TradeMr. Jean Rousseau (NDP) asked Ed Fast (Conservative). substantive question.Answer affirms defense of supply management but does not confirm if it will be used as bargaining tool.our government will continue to defend and promote Canada's interests in every sector of our economy, including supply management.
  16. answered
    International TradeMr. Jean Rousseau (NDP) asked Ed Fast (Conservative). substantive question.Answer explains decision to join TPP after review and affirms support for supply management.We are standing up for supply management.
  17. deflected
    Canadian Wheat BoardMr. Malcolm Allen (NDP) asked Gerry Ritz (Conservative). substantive question.The answer affirms support for supply management but avoids addressing whether it is being dismantled.Yes, we are with the supply management sector.
  18. deflected
    Service CanadaMr. Rodger Cuzner (Liberal) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.The answer discusses modernization and other access methods instead of addressing call centre performance.what we are doing is overhauling all of our service delivery programs so that we can modernize them to provide better service to Canadians.
  19. deflected
    Service CanadaMr. Rodger Cuzner (Liberal) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.The answer focuses on automation and efficiency without addressing the specific service failures or the request to the Prime Minister.The way we are doing it is through automation.
  20. misdirected
    SeniorsGeoff Regan (Liberal) asked Ted Menzies (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the Liberals' voting record rather than addressing the RRSP conversion extension request.the Liberals vote against so much that it is hard to keep track of what they vote for and what they vote against.
  21. deflected
    National DefenceMs. Christine Moore (NDP) asked Julian Fantino (Conservative). substantive question.The answer defends the program but does not address the allies' reported reconsideration or the bidding process request.We are on track, we are on time and we are staying with the program.
  22. deflected
    National DefenceMs. Christine Moore (NDP) asked Julian Fantino (Conservative). substantive question.The answer claims a plan exists but does not address the economic concerns or backup plan details.not only is there a plan B, but there is a plan A to ensure that we acquire the best possible equipment for our men and women.
  23. deflected
    National DefenceMr. Matthew Kellway (NDP) asked Julian Fantino (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the opposition and defends the program without addressing allies reconsidering or the tender request.our government and our closest military allies understand the importance of this program to the protection of our sovereignty.
  24. deflected
    National DefenceMr. Matthew Kellway (NDP) asked Julian Fantino (Conservative). substantive question.The answer denies allies are withdrawing but does not address the backup plan or cost concerns.There is no indication that anybody is walking away from the F-35 program.
  25. misdirected
    Campaign FinancingMr. Mathieu Ravignat (NDP) asked Mr. Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the NDP instead of addressing recouping of funds from Conservatives.I thought the hon. member was rising today to apologize on behalf of the NDP.
  26. misdirected
    Campaign FinancingMr. Mathieu Ravignat (NDP) asked Mr. Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). substantive question.The answer again attacks the NDP rather than addressing repayment of illegal funds.the hon. member forgot to mention that it is his party that admitted to violating the Canada Elections Act.
  27. misdirected
    Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime MinisterMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked James Moore (Conservative). substantive question.The answer defends the member and attacks the questioner on unrelated issues instead of addressing court interference.the member opposite has a record of abandoning his.
  28. misdirected
    Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime MinisterMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked James Moore (Conservative). substantive question.The answer lists unrelated campaign promises and attacks the asker rather than answering on court intervention.He should be ashamed of himself.
  29. partly answered
    JusticeDenis Coderre (Liberal) asked Mr. Robert Goguen (Conservative). substantive question.The answer addresses provincial input and changes made but does not answer the opt-out question directly.We have made changes that were requested by Quebec and the other provinces, regarding pretrial detention, adult sentences, and deferred custody and supervision under order.
  30. deflected
    The EnvironmentMs. Kirsty Duncan (Liberal) asked Peter Kent (Conservative). substantive question.The answer changes the subject to entourage size and pairing practices instead of access to meetings.pairing practices that were relevant during our previous minority government are no longer appropriate now that Canadians have elected a strong, stable, environmentally sensitive Conservative government.
  31. partly answered
    TelecommunicationsMr. Pierre Dionne Labelle (NDP) asked Christian Paradis (Conservative). substantive question.The answer explains the CRTC review and policy goals but does not address a plan for the 94% of consumers.Our government's policy will always be to encourage competition, increase consumer choice and minimize regulation.
  32. misdirected
    TelecommunicationsMr. Pierre Dionne Labelle (NDP) asked Christian Paradis (Conservative). substantive question.The answer promotes competition policy and attacks the opposition rather than addressing affordability for most users.if you want inconsistency, look no further than across the floor.
  33. partly answered
    IranIrwin Cotler (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.Acknowledges concerns and touts existing sanctions but avoids committing to the specific new measures requested.Canada today has the toughest sanctions against the Iranian regime in the world.
  34. partly answered
    Aboriginal AffairsMs. Linda Duncan (NDP) asked John Duncan (Conservative). substantive question.Describes general water programs and monitoring but does not address the specific ongoing failures in Fort McKay.we have made major investments in our water action plan for first nations since 2006.
  35. answered
    Citizenship and ImmigrationMr. Don Davies (NDP) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.Directly explains the repeated review and denial of the application on credibility grounds.the officials in charge have determined that he does not qualify.
  36. deflected
    The EnvironmentMs. Elizabeth May (Green) asked Peter Kent (Conservative). substantive question.Attacks the opposition's climate stance rather than answering whether opposition MPs will be accredited.I will not take a critic from an opposition party, which is opposed to every single responsible position we take
  37. deflected
    Points of OrderMr. Pierre Dionne Labelle (NDP) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). substantive question.States it is not unparliamentary language without addressing the request for an apology.I do not think that anything the member has raised poses a question of unparliamentary language.
  38. misdirected
    Points of OrderGeoff Regan (Liberal) asked Ted Menzies (Conservative). substantive question.Attacks Liberal voting record instead of correcting or apologizing for the specific claim about the RRSP vote.it is hard to keep track of how much the Liberals vote against because most everything they vote against.
  39. misdirected
    Points of OrderGeoff Regan (Liberal) asked Ted Menzies (Conservative). substantive question.Shifts to a different budget year without withdrawing the disputed statement or apologizing.It was actually budget 2007 and the Liberals did vote against it in budget 2007.