Parliament AIIndependent · non-official

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Wednesday, March 14, 2012 · sitting No. 96

Commons concurs in supply estimates after drug-shortage debate

The House spent the largest share of its sitting on government orders dealing with supply. Members debated and adopted an NDP motion calling on the government to work with provinces, territories and industry on a nationwide strategy to manage shortages of essential medications. The motion was moved by NDP MP Libby Davies.

The House also concurred in supplementary estimates (C) for 2011-12 and in interim supply for 2012-13. Conservative MP Tony Clement moved both concurrence motions.

Question period featured repeated exchanges on the drug shortage and on allegations of fraudulent calls during the 2011 election.

Decided that day

  • Interim supply approved
  • Supplementary Estimates (C) concurred in
  • Bill C-33 received royal assent
  • Bill C-34 passed second reading and committee stage
  • Bill C-35 passed second reading and committee stage
  • Bill C-377 passed second reading

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 · 2012-03-14

Government (Conservative)OppositionOver the day: government 43%, opposition 57% of the words spokenQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 14:0515:0016:0017:0018:0019:00Last speech 19:40Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 5 h 35 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
59Supply bills pass, one gains assentThe House approved interim and supplementary supply while advancing multiple bills through readings. One bill received royal assent and several motions carried despite some failed amendments.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

Health

NDP MP Nycole Turmel asked the Prime Minister what he would do to prevent further drug shortages after provinces chose a single supplier. Prime Minister Stephen Harper replied that the shortage resulted from provincial sole-source decisions and that the Minister of Health was working with the provinces.

Read the exchange

41st General Election

NDP MP Nycole Turmel pressed the Prime Minister to call a public inquiry into fraudulent calls during the 2011 election. Prime Minister Stephen Harper said an Elections Canada investigation was already under way and producing results.

Read the exchange

National Defence

Liberal MP Bob Rae asked whether the Prime Minister was accurate in 2011 when he said a contract sheltered Canada from cost increases on the F-35. Prime Minister Stephen Harper replied that he had referred to a memorandum of understanding and that no contract had been signed.

Read the exchange

Employment

Liberal MP Scott Brison said only 54 per cent of young Canadians had jobs, the worst figure in over ten years, and asked for a real jobs plan. Human Resources Minister Diane Finley said the government had expanded the Canada summer jobs program and invested in training.

Read the exchange

Fisheries and Oceans

NDP MP Fin Donnelly asked whether the government planned to eliminate habitat protection under the Fisheries Act. Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield said current policies went beyond what was required and that no decision had been made on changes.

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
    HealthMrs. Nycole Turmel (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer shifts blame to provinces rather than stating actions to prevent shortages.this drug shortage is a direct result of the fact that some provinces decided to use a single supplier for certain vital drugs.
  2. deflected
    HealthMrs. Nycole Turmel (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer claims government already follows the steps without committing to support the motion.the so-called NDP plan in the motion contains exactly the steps the government has already been following for some time.
  3. misdirected
    41st General ElectionMrs. Nycole Turmel (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer attacks NDP allegations and demands instead of addressing the call for a public inquiry.It is time the NDP acted responsibly and gave all of its true information to Elections Canada.
  4. misdirected
    41st General ElectionMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Mr. Dean Del Mastro (Conservative). loaded question.Answer dismisses the question with insults and pivots to attacking the NDP instead of addressing the fraud investigation.I am glad to see that the late night last night has not prevented the hon. member from having his tinfoil hat firmly attached.
  5. misdirected
    41st General ElectionMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Mr. Dean Del Mastro (Conservative). loaded question.Answer counters with unrelated NDP allegations rather than addressing the robofraud or public inquiry request.That is what the NDP members have done.
  6. misdirected
    41st General ElectionBob Rae (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer deflects by accusing Liberals of illegal behaviour instead of responding to the public inquiry request.now, every day, evidence of the Liberal Party's illegal behaviour is coming to light.
  7. partly answered
    National DefenceBob Rae (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.Answer clarifies the memorandum of understanding reference but avoids a direct yes/no on the statement's truth.At the time, I was referring to a memorandum of understanding.
  8. deflected
    HealthBob Rae (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer blames provinces and notes the system predates the government without addressing regulatory weakness.we have the same system as when he was in office.
  9. misdirected
    41st General ElectionMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Mr. Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). loaded question.Answer ignores the question about Conservative involvement and instead attacks the NDP.I urge the hon. member to rise and apologize to Canadians.
  10. misdirected
    41st General ElectionMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Mr. Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). loaded question.Answer again pivots to NDP violations instead of addressing the question about Jenni Byrne or Sona.Now I think the New Democrats should rise in the House to apologize for breaking the law and breaching Canadians' trust.
  11. misdirected
    41st General ElectionMs. Chris Charlton (NDP) asked Mr. Dean Del Mastro (Conservative). loaded question.Answer calls statements false and shifts to accusing NDP of illegal calls rather than responding to the query on Conservative responsibility.We know that illegal calls were in fact placed by the opposition.
  12. misdirected
    41st General ElectionMs. Chris Charlton (NDP) asked Mr. Dean Del Mastro (Conservative). loaded question.Answer denies allegations and redirects to unrelated NDP investigations instead of addressing CIMS access or scripts.let us be clear about the motivations of the NDP members, trying to cover up the fact that they are under investigation from Elections Canada from both 2009 and 2011 AGMs
  13. deflected
    Government AppointmentsMr. François Lapointe (NDP) asked Mr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative). substantive question.Answer avoids the paper-use question by suggesting the asker do his own job and questioning his ads.Will the member pay for his ads in community newspapers out of his own pocket?
  14. partly answered
    National DefenceMr. Matthew Kellway (NDP) asked Julian Fantino (Conservative). substantive question.Answer addresses the F-35 procurement concerns by stating no contract signed and budget adherence but does not admit to mismanagement.We have set a budget for replacement aircraft.
  15. deflected
    National DefenceMs. Christine Moore (NDP) asked Julian Fantino (Conservative). substantive question.Answer criticizes the opposition's attitude rather than detailing plan B or alternatives to F-35.That is the no defence party attitude.
  16. deflected
    National DefenceMs. Christine Moore (NDP) asked Julian Fantino (Conservative). substantive question.Answer repeats commitment to equipment needs without specifying planes, numbers, price or timeline.When the current aircraft come to the end of their useful lives, we will ensure that our men and women in uniform have the best equipment necessary to do the important job we ask of them.
  17. deflected
    National DefenceMr. Matthew Kellway (NDP) asked Julian Fantino (Conservative). loaded question.The answer avoids the tender question by disputing the premise and criticizing the asker instead of addressing procurement plans.The member opposite criticizes but demonstrates very little knowledge about the intricacies of this particular program.
  18. deflected
    41st General ElectionCarolyn Bennett (Liberal) asked Tim Uppal (Conservative). substantive question.The answer redirects responsibility to Elections Canada without addressing the call for a public inquiry.I would remind the hon. member that voter registration is the responsibility of Elections Canada, not political parties.
  19. partly answered
    EmploymentScott Brison (Liberal) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.The answer addresses youth employment efforts but does not admit to a crisis or commit to a new plan in the budget.we expanded the Canada summer jobs program, so that they can get the experience and skills they need for full-time jobs.
  20. deflected
    National DefenceMr. Marc Garneau (Liberal) asked Julian Fantino (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the Liberals' past involvement and flip-flopping rather than confirming if the F-35 is the only capable aircraft.the Liberals initiated Canada's involvement in the joint strike fighter program in 1997, and in so doing committed over $100 million to get things started.
  21. deflected
    JusticeMs. Françoise Boivin (NDP) asked Rob Nicholson (Conservative). loaded question.The answer ignores Quebec's approach and rehabilitation facts by pivoting to unrelated crimes targeted by the bill.There is absolutely nothing in the act that would require Quebec to change anything about its rehabilitation program with regard to young offenders.
  22. deflected
    JusticeMs. Françoise Boivin (NDP) asked Mr. Robert Goguen (Conservative). substantive question.The answer restates that Quebec can adapt its system but does not address aboriginal offender impacts or funding diversion.there is absolutely nothing in Bill C-10 that would prevent Quebec from adapting its rehabilitation system however it likes.
  23. deflected
    JusticeMs. Françoise Boivin (NDP) asked Mr. Robert Goguen (Conservative). substantive question.The answer avoids cost and police budget questions by emphasizing priorities without specifics on funding or impacts.we cannot put a price on protecting the public.
  24. deflected
    JusticeMs. Françoise Boivin (NDP) asked Mr. Robert Goguen (Conservative). substantive question.The answer dismisses the police budget claim and pivots to the bill without addressing reduced services or safety impacts.obviously none of those statements are entirely true.
  25. deflected
    HealthMs. Libby Davies (NDP) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). substantive question.The answer explains limitations of mandatory reporting but never addresses support for the NDP motion or immediate action.Mandatory reporting is not a silver bullet for drug shortages.
  26. deflected
    HealthMs. Anne Minh-Thu Quach (NDP) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). substantive question.The answer criticizes NDP internal differences and restates jurisdictional respect without addressing tax benefits or pressuring companies.I trust that the NDP members are in the process of ironing out their differences of opinion regarding this issue.
  27. partly answered
    Fisheries and OceansMr. Fin Donnelly (NDP) asked Keith Ashfield (Conservative). loaded question.The answer states no decision has been made on policy changes while providing examples of overreach, addressing the plan claim indirectly.We are looking at the policies, but there has been no decision made.
  28. misdirected
    Fisheries and OceansMr. Philip Toone (NDP) asked Keith Ashfield (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the question as empty and accuses the member of not listening to fishermen instead of addressing lobbying or trawler policy.it is more like empty questions.
  29. deflected
    Fisheries and OceansMs. Joyce Murray (Liberal) asked Keith Ashfield (Conservative). loaded question.The answer discusses policy review and balancing habitat protection with landowner activities but avoids committing to drop any plan.We have a responsibility to Canada and the Canadian public to ensure that we protect our habitat.
  30. misdirected
    Fisheries and OceansLawrence MacAulay (Liberal) asked Keith Ashfield (Conservative). substantive question.The answer mocks the member for prior criticism rather than confirming or denying any trawler deal in the Gulf.Days ago he was criticizing me for listening to fishermen and seeking ideas and input from fishermen.
  31. deflected
    The EnvironmentMs. Megan Leslie (NDP) asked Peter Kent (Conservative). loaded question.The answer claims the report offers constructive suggestions without addressing ignored evidence or phony content allegations.The standing committee has completed its review of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and has made some constructive suggestions for improvements to the act
  32. misdirected
    The EnvironmentMs. Megan Leslie (NDP) asked Peter Kent (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the NDP for lobbying against jobs instead of addressing the call to delay changes to the Environmental Assessment Act.if the NDP spent a little less time lobbying against Canadian jobs and a responsibly regulated industry, the member would have a better chance of helping to protect the environment.
  33. answered
    Citizenship and ImmigrationIrwin Cotler (Liberal) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly explains the operational bulletin and legal review addressing the visa issue raised.we have issued an operational bulletin to our visa officers and CBSA agents indicating that the African National Congress is an organization that has undergone substantial change and, therefore, membership in it should no longer be considered grounds for inadmissibility.
  34. deflected
    Cultural HeritageMr. Pierre Nantel (NDP) asked James Moore (Conservative). loaded question.The answer acknowledges awareness but avoids addressing the specific delay or alleged instruction on Quebec culture.We are aware of the situation and discussions are under way.
  35. misdirected
    Air TransportationMs. Élaine Michaud (NDP) asked Denis Lebel (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the questioner's knowledge of municipal roles instead of addressing the minister's responsibilities on the airport.What the hon. member just said demonstrates her total lack of knowledge of the role of a municipal council.
  36. answered
    JusticeMrs. Maria Mourani (Bloc) asked Rob Nicholson (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly states that the senator has nothing to apologize for, addressing the core question on condoning the remarks.the senator has nothing to apologize for.