Parliament AIIndependent · non-official

All sittings← 2012-02-092012-02-13 →

Friday, February 10, 2012 · sitting No. 78

Commons advances copyright bill amid time limit disputes

The House devoted the largest share of its sitting to second reading of Bill C-11, the Copyright Modernization Act. Conservative MP Stephen Woodworth told the House the bill offers a balanced, technologically neutral approach that respects creators' commercial rights while allowing limited exceptions to digital locks. NDP MP Pierre Nantel said the government had already imposed time limits on debate for the 15th time and questioned whether the bill adequately protects Quebec and Canadian culture.

Question period featured repeated exchanges on old age security. NDP MP Philip Toone asked whether the government intends to raise the eligibility age from 65 to 67. Government House leader Peter Van Loan replied that the priority is long-term sustainability so the program remains available to future retirees.

Further clashes arose over trade negotiations with China and the European Union. NDP members pressed the government on investor-state dispute mechanisms and the exclusion of public health care from the Canada-Europe agreement. Conservative MP Gerald Keddy said leaked documents carry no weight and that public services remain protected.

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 · 2012-02-10

Government (Conservative)OppositionOver the day: government 47%, opposition 53% of the words spokenGovernment businessQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0511:0012:0013:00Last speech 13:35Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 3 h 30 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
30Another sitting that went nowhereMembers devoted most speaking time to the Copyright Modernization Act and pensions, yet no bills advanced and no votes were held. Question period produced mostly deflected answers and six calls to order.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

Asbestos

NDP MP Anne Minh-Thu Quach asked why the government continues to export chrysotile asbestos despite domestic bans. Industry Minister Christian Paradis answered that recent studies confirm safe use in controlled environments.

Read the exchange

National Defence

NDP MP Matthew Kellway said Italy's reduction in F-35 orders shows the program is unaffordable. Parliamentary secretary Chris Alexander replied that the United States remains committed to purchasing 2,443 aircraft and that Canada will stay with its allies.

Read the exchange

Flooding in Montérégie

NDP MP Tarik Brahmi pressed the government to support victims of last summer's Richelieu valley flooding rather than force them into court. Public Safety Minister Candice Hoeppner said Ottawa is working with provinces on both immediate aid and future mitigation.

Read the exchange

Foreign Affairs

NDP MP Don Davies asked whether four Russian diplomats had been expelled after a defence department security breach. Parliamentary secretary Deepak Obhrai declined to comment on national security grounds.

Read the exchange

Firearms Registry

Conservative MP Leon Benoit said NDP members from rural ridings had promised to scrap the long-gun registry yet now oppose its abolition. He cited the member for Western Arctic's campaign statements.

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
    PensionsMr. Philip Toone (NDP) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). loaded question.The answer evades the direct yes/no question on OAS age by restating government priorities instead.The priorities of this government are jobs, economic growth and the financial well-being of Canadians.
  2. deflected
    PensionsMr. Philip Toone (NDP) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). loaded question.The response attacks NDP policies rather than confirming or denying any plan to raise the retirement age.the actual risk to Canadians is if we had the kind of forward-looking policies of the NDP, those that simply ignore the future, ignore the realities, they would, if followed, result in future generations not having any old age security.
  3. deflected
    PensionsMr. Philip Toone (NDP) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). loaded question.The minister sidesteps the OAS question by disputing the PBO's position instead of stating what will happen to the program.it was just months ago he was saying that we have real demographic challenges and it was important for the government to take action.
  4. partly answered
    International TradeMr. Mathieu Ravignat (NDP) asked Mr. Gerald Keddy (Conservative). substantive question.The answer addresses the core issue of the China trade deal by confirming it protects Canadian firms but omits details on lawsuits against Canada.we have signed a foreign investment promotion and protection agreement with China which will protect Canadian companies in China.
  5. deflected
    Human RightsMr. Mathieu Ravignat (NDP) asked Mr. Deepak Obhrai (Conservative). loaded question.The reply restates general policy on human rights without addressing the specific claim that the PM avoided the topic in China.Our government has had constructive discussions with China on a full range of human rights issues.
  6. deflected
    PensionsScott Brison (Liberal) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). loaded question.The answer denies breaking promises but pivots to attacking Liberal voting record instead of clarifying OAS changes.why do the Liberals always oppose measures that we take to assist seniors?
  7. deflected
    PensionsScott Brison (Liberal) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). loaded question.The response counters with Liberal history and attacks their record rather than addressing the claimed crisis in OAS.Where one member of the family was an income earner and the other spouse was not, pension income splitting has given them a measure of fairness, a measure of increased benefits, increased security financially in the long term.
  8. partly answered
    PensionsJohn McCallum (Liberal) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). loaded question.The minister states OAS is unsustainable long-term and will be fixed but does not address trust or past promises directly.As it currently exists, the program is not sustainable in the long term.
  9. deflected
    The EnvironmentMs. Megan Leslie (NDP) asked Ms. Michelle Rempel (Conservative). substantive question.The answer shifts focus to provincial jurisdiction and industry actions rather than addressing federal regulations.shale gas development as well as natural resource development are primarily issues of provincial concern and provincial jurisdiction.
  10. deflected
    The EnvironmentMs. Megan Leslie (NDP) asked Ms. Michelle Rempel (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the opposition's credibility and restates general policy instead of addressing the Kyoto negotiation question.I am not sure how my colleague opposite and her party can have any credibility when they consistently work against Canadian jobs in our energy sector.
  11. misdirected
    The EnvironmentMs. Megan Leslie (NDP) asked Mr. David Anderson (Conservative). loaded question.The answer denies the premise and attacks the NDP instead of addressing the question about the committee member's statement on first nations.
  12. misdirected
    The EnvironmentMs. Megan Leslie (NDP) asked Mr. David Anderson (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the NDP as radical and avoids addressing accusations against first nations chiefs.
  13. deflected
    Campaign AdvertisingMs. Françoise Boivin (NDP) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). substantive question.The answer states it is a question for the Chief Electoral Officer without engaging the substance.This is a question for the Chief Electoral Officer.
  14. deflected
    Campaign AdvertisingMs. Françoise Boivin (NDP) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). loaded question.The answer discusses freedom of speech and rules without addressing the inconsistency raised about foreign influence.When we talk about questions like elections advertising and spending, there are very clear rules that are set out in the Canada Elections Act.
  15. deflected
    PensionsMs. Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe (NDP) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.The answer questions the NDP's motives instead of disclosing government intentions on old age security.I would like to know why the NDP does not want to support seniors.
  16. partly answered
    PensionsMs. Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe (NDP) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.The answer addresses protection for current seniors but avoids confirming or denying a change to the retirement age.I can assure you that people receiving old age security benefits today will not lose a penny.
  17. deflected
    Science and TechnologyMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Christian Paradis (Conservative). rhetorical question.The answer attacks the NDP and pivots to general spending claims instead of addressing the Statistics Canada cuts or ideology critique.There are ways to be more efficient.
  18. partly answered
    PensionsWayne Easter (Liberal) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). loaded question.The answer directly defends the OAS changes and future viability but does not address the 2005 quote or accusation of betrayal.the Prime Minister is committed to protecting seniors' pensions and that is exactly what he is doing.
  19. answered
    PensionsMr. Kevin Lamoureux (Liberal) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.The answer explains the demographic math and sustainability rationale for raising the OAS age, directly responding to the question about fighting for seniors.Proportionately speaking, there will be half as many people in the workforce paying taxes into the general revenue fund, that pays for OAS.
  20. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMs. Joyce Murray (Liberal) asked Mr. David Anderson (Conservative). loaded question.The answer ignores the intimidation and China claims and instead highlights joint review and provincial cooperation.The Minister of the Environment has referred the northern gateway pipeline to the joint review.
  21. answered
    International TradeMs. Libby Davies (NDP) asked Mr. Gerald Keddy (Conservative). substantive question.The answer states that public health is excluded from CETA and that no privatization is required, directly addressing the leaked documents concern.Like all of Canada's trade agreements, a free trade agreement with the European Union would exclude public services such as public health, public education and social services.
  22. partly answered
    International TradeMs. Anne Minh-Thu Quach (NDP) asked Mr. Gerald Keddy (Conservative). substantive question.The answer notes provincial involvement but does not confirm whether health care is on the exclusions list as asked.The provinces have been part of these negotiations since the very beginning.
  23. deflected
    AsbestosMs. Anne Minh-Thu Quach (NDP) asked Christian Paradis (Conservative). rhetorical question.The answer repeats the safe-use position without addressing the Rotterdam Convention, export policy, or human-lives priority.Recent scientific studies have shown that chrysotile can be used safely in a controlled environment.
  24. deflected
    AsbestosMs. Libby Davies (NDP) asked Christian Paradis (Conservative). rhetorical question.The answer repeats the same safe-use claim and ignores the scientific evidence and Rotterdam Convention questions.Recent scientific studies have shown that chrysotile can be used safely in a controlled environment.
  25. deflected
    National DefenceMr. Matthew Kellway (NDP) asked Mr. Chris Alexander (Conservative). substantive question.The answer reiterates F-35 commitments and jobs created but never addresses the request for an open procurement process.This government will ensure that the Royal Canadian Air Force has the right aircraft to protect our sovereignty at home and to promote our interests around the world.
  26. deflected
    National DefenceMr. Matthew Kellway (NDP) asked Mr. Chris Alexander (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the questioner's notes and restates US commitment without addressing the call for a competition.the only member I have seen in this House today speaking from notes is the member opposite.
  27. deflected
    Foreign AffairsMr. Don Davies (NDP) asked Mr. Deepak Obhrai (Conservative). substantive question.The answer refuses to confirm or deny the expulsion by citing national security without providing any information.as this matter relates to national security, I have no further comment.
  28. deflected
    Foreign AffairsMr. Don Davies (NDP) asked Mr. Deepak Obhrai (Conservative). substantive question.The answer again cites national security and offers no comment on whether diplomats were expelled.as I have said, this matter relates to national security so I have no further comment.
  29. deflected
    Goverment AppointmentsGerry Byrne (Liberal) asked Bernard Valcourt (Conservative). loaded question.The answer shifts responsibility to a local organization rather than acknowledging any government-created morale issue.The Cape Breton County Economic Development Agency is responsible for its own hiring.
  30. deflected
    Goverment AppointmentsGerry Byrne (Liberal) asked Bernard Valcourt (Conservative). loaded question.The answer insists the hiring followed an open competition under the Public Service Act without addressing the patronage claim.It was an open competition, open to all Canadians, and a person won the job.
  31. partly answered
    Flooding in MontérégieMr. Tarik Brahmi (NDP) asked Ms. Candice Hoeppner (Conservative). substantive question.The answer addresses government support programs for flood victims but ignores the specific request about the class-action suit and broken promises.Our government is supporting victims of flooding through several programs.
  32. partly answered
    Flooding in MontérégieMr. Tarik Brahmi (NDP) asked Christian Paradis (Conservative). substantive question.The answer expresses empathy and mentions working with provinces on mitigation but does not address the 1937 infrastructure promise or the lawsuit.we are working hard, together with the provinces, to ensure that all available programs will be offered to the victims at the appropriate time.
  33. deflected
    JusticeJohn McKay (Liberal) asked Mr. Robert Goguen (Conservative). loaded question.The answer promotes Bill C-26 without addressing the specific accusations of vigilantism or the rhetorical questions posed.Bill C-26 provides a framework for innocent Canadians to protect themselves in instances where the first line of defence, the RCMP and police, are not able to respond.
  34. deflected
    The EnvironmentMr. Glenn Thibeault (NDP) asked Ms. Michelle Rempel (Conservative). substantive question.The answer shifts focus to the opposition's voting record instead of addressing the timeline for the specific environmental assessment.I would remind my colleague opposite that his party continually votes against any budgetary measures to assess any part of this country.
  35. partly answered
    The EconomyMr. Andrew Cash (NDP) asked Ted Menzies (Conservative). loaded question.The answer notes upcoming budget focus on jobs but ignores the specific Toronto unemployment and housing concerns raised.we will be bringing forward a budget in the very near future and that also will focus on jobs and the economy because that is important.
  36. answered
    TaxationMr. André Bellavance (Bloc) asked Christian Paradis (Conservative). loaded question.The answer directly states the government's position on reviewing the rules in cooperation with the Governor General.I stated yesterday, on behalf of the government, that we are prepared to review the rules; however, this must be done in co-operation with the Governor General.