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Thursday, March 29, 2012 · sitting No. 102

House debates Canada-Panama trade deal as budget day unfolds

The House spent the largest share of its time on second reading of the Canada-Panama Economic Growth and Prosperity Act. New Democrat MP Jinny Jogindera Sims said the agreement would send jobs out of the country and criticized the government for failing to protect workers or address tax havens. Liberal MP Wayne Easter said the deal could improve human rights and economic conditions once a trading relationship is established.

In Question Period, NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair pressed the Prime Minister on whether budget promises not to cut pensions, health transfers or services would be kept. Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the government would follow the mandate it received in the last election and would not cut health care or pensions.

Liberal Leader Bob Rae questioned the Prime Minister on the F-35 purchase and the $9-billion spending limit. Harper replied that the government has not signed a contract and retains flexibility on the matter.

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 · 2012-03-29

Government (Conservative)OppositionOver the day: government 31%, opposition 69% of the words spokenGovernment businessGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0511:0012:0013:0014:0015:00Last speech 16:45Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 6 h 40 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
28Another sitting that went nowhereThe sitting devoted nearly all its time to debate on the Panama trade bill and the budget, yet no votes were held and no bills advanced. Question period produced mostly deflected answers while the Speaker called the House to order thirteen times.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

Ethics

NDP MP Guy Caron listed several controversies involving the Minister of Industry and asked what it would take for the minister to lose his cabinet post. Government House Leader Peter Van Loan said there was no evidence of impropriety and that the minister's conduct had been exemplary.

Read the exchange

Health

NDP MP Libby Davies said the government was shortchanging the provinces by $31 billion in health transfers. Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq replied that transfers would reach a historic level of $40 billion by the end of the decade.

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Air Canada

NDP MP Olivia Chow accused the government of failing to protect Aveos workers and allowing Air Canada to ignore its obligations. Transport Minister Denis Lebel said Air Canada is in compliance with the act according to legal advice received.

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Pensions

NDP MP Alain Giguère said the government was cutting old age security despite earlier promises and shifting costs to the provinces. Parliamentary Secretary Kellie Leitch said the current system is not sustainable given demographic changes.

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Fisheries and Oceans

NDP MP Fin Donnelly asked whether the government would maintain fleet separation and owner-operator policies. Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield said he was consulting fishermen on how to make the fishery more sustainable.

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
    The BudgetMr. Thomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer congratulates the new leader and references the mandate without addressing the promise on cuts.We will govern according to that mandate.
  2. partly answered
    The BudgetMr. Thomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer addresses not cutting health care and pensions but ignores services and the broader promise.As we were clear, we are not cutting health care and pensions.
  3. deflected
    EthicsMr. Thomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer defends the minister but does not address what it would take to remove him from cabinet.the minister did not use a contract or taxpayers' money inappropriately.
  4. misdirected
    HealthMs. Libby Davies (NDP) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). substantive question.The answer pivots to criticizing the NDP's voting record instead of addressing the health funding question.The NDP can talk a good game, but when it comes to health care, let us take a look at the record.
  5. misdirected
    HealthMs. Libby Davies (NDP) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). substantive question.The answer again lists NDP votes against initiatives rather than responding to the health care cuts claim.Again let me list some of the examples of initiatives in health care that the NDP voted against
  6. deflected
    National DefenceBob Rae (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer mocks the opposition before partially addressing cost estimates without resolving the core inconsistency.I am not sure anybody alive can square all the circles over in that corner of the House.
  7. partly answered
    National DefenceBob Rae (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer states the replacement timeline and goal but does not address cost, schedule or number concerns.We will ensure that our men and women in uniform have the best equipment possible.
  8. deflected
    EthicsBob Rae (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer claims the question was already answered and denies awareness of links without engaging the ethics issue.I am not aware of any connection with contracts and government business here.
  9. deflected
    41st General ElectionMr. David Christopherson (NDP) asked Mr. Dean Del Mastro (Conservative). substantive question.Answer agrees on illegality but immediately diverts to unrelated Air Canada topic instead of addressing the posed dichotomy.
  10. misdirected
    41st General ElectionMr. David Christopherson (NDP) asked Mr. Dean Del Mastro (Conservative). substantive question.Answer attacks opposition as running a baseless smear rather than addressing the volume of complaints or seriousness.a baseless smear campaign that has been undertaken by the opposition parties in the House of Commons, with no evidence to support what they are suggesting whatsoever.
  11. misdirected
    EthicsMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). loaded question.Answer denies impropriety then pivots to attacking the questioner's party on an unrelated sports funding issue.It was that party that campaigned for government funding for professional sports activities.
  12. deflected
    EthicsMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). loaded question.Answer praises minister's job performance and pivots to economic stats instead of addressing repeated ethics investigations.the minister in question has been doing a superb job in carrying out his responsibilities as Minister of Industry for Canada, carrying out our elements of the economic action plan, helping in his part to deliver the 610,000 net new jobs for Canadians
  13. deflected
    EthicsMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). loaded question.Answer claims no undue interference and attributes decisions to HR officials without addressing the ethics investigation premise.There has been no involvement of the minister in that regard.
  14. misdirected
    EthicsMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). loaded question.Answer insults the asker by suggesting he was on the trip and pivots to unrelated sports funding instead of addressing accountability.the hon. member for Timmins—James Bay must have been on that trip because he seems to know the content of conversations that occurred, which differ very widely from anything the minister was party to.
  15. partly answered
    Air CanadaMs. Olivia Chow (NDP) asked Denis Lebel (Conservative). substantive question.Answer acknowledges job losses and expresses disappointment but only addresses compliance without explaining why CEO was not summoned.The legal advice I received states that Air Canada is in compliance with the act.
  16. partly answered
    Air CanadaMs. Isabelle Morin (NDP) asked Denis Lebel (Conservative). substantive question.Answer notes job impact and disappointment with Aveos but focuses on compliance facts without addressing refusal to protect workers or summon CEO.from what I understand, Air Canada is complying with the act.
  17. deflected
    Air CanadaMr. Jamie Nicholls (NDP) asked Denis Lebel (Conservative). loaded question.Answer avoids enforcing the law by claiming private matter and compliance without addressing accountability.This is a matter between private companies, and we will respect that.
  18. misdirected
    Public SafetyMs. Judy Foote (Liberal) asked Vic Toews (Conservative). loaded question.Answer shifts to long gun registry instead of addressing colleague's statement on arming students.Our government has said that we will repeal the long gun registry and focus on those who actually commit crimes.
  19. answered
    Official LanguagesStéphane Dion (Liberal) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.Answer directly explains IRB compliance with Official Languages Act and language distribution of members.All refugee claimants can have a hearing before a board member who speaks the official language of their choice.
  20. deflected
    Veterans AffairsMr. Sean Casey (Liberal) asked Steven Blaney (Conservative). loaded question.Answer pivots to ten-point plan and Liberal comparison without addressing staff accessing records.Unlike the Liberals, we implemented all the Privacy Commissioner's recommendations.
  21. deflected
    PensionsMr. Alain Giguère (NDP) asked Ms. Kellie Leitch (Conservative). loaded question.Answer restates unsustainability without addressing provincial costs or seniors' living standards.If we ignore the current path we are on, we will put future generations of Canadians at risk.
  22. deflected
    PensionsMs. Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe (NDP) asked Ms. Kellie Leitch (Conservative). loaded question.Answer repeats demographic math without engaging expert sustainability claims or choice of cuts.Right now, for every one senior there are four people contributing to OAS.
  23. deflected
    PensionsMr. Wayne Marston (NDP) asked Ms. Kellie Leitch (Conservative). loaded question.Answer focuses on jobs and trust in PM without addressing OAS sustainability facts or election promises.We are focused on jobs and job creation.
  24. deflected
    PensionsMs. Irene Mathyssen (NDP) asked Ms. Kellie Leitch (Conservative). loaded question.Answer lists past GIS increases and attacks NDP voting record instead of addressing OAS cuts or fighter jets.I am very pleased to be part of a party that supports seniors and provides opportunities.
  25. deflected
    National DefenceMs. Christine Moore (NDP) asked Julian Fantino (Conservative). substantive question.The answer avoids giving any number of aircraft and instead restates program participation and budget commitment.We have not signed a contract for purchase and have the flexibility we need to purchase aircraft in the years when it will be the cheapest for Canada.
  26. deflected
    National DefenceMr. Matthew Kellway (NDP) asked Julian Fantino (Conservative). substantive question.The answer sidesteps the cost question by repeating commitment to the program and allocated budget without specifics.A budget has been allocated. A contract has not been signed for replacement aircraft.
  27. deflected
    Fisheries and OceansMr. Fin Donnelly (NDP) asked Keith Ashfield (Conservative). substantive question.The answer ignores the yes-or-no policy question and pivots to describing a consultation process.I have entered into a consultation process with fishermen to find out how we can improve the fishery
  28. deflected
    Fisheries and OceansMs. Rosane Doré Lefebvre (NDP) asked Keith Ashfield (Conservative). substantive question.The answer avoids addressing job protection or fleet separation and instead emphasizes ongoing consultations.We are seeking input and advice from people who are in the industry and know the industry.
  29. answered
    Air CanadaMr. Kevin Lamoureux (Liberal) asked Denis Lebel (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly states the legal conclusion that Air Canada is in compliance and explains the basis.the legal advice I received states that Air Canada is in compliance with the act.
  30. misdirected
    41st General ElectionMr. Scott Andrews (Liberal) asked Mr. Dean Del Mastro (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the opposition's motives and accuses them of manipulation rather than addressing the call for a royal commission.the unsubstantiated smear campaign that has been undertaken by parties opposite is entirely inappropriate.
  31. partly answered
    Canadian Broadcasting CorporationMr. Craig Scott (NDP) asked James Moore (Conservative). substantive question.The answer addresses timing of the budget but deflects the funding adequacy question by welcoming the new member.the member will have to wait until 4 p.m. for the budget.
  32. deflected
    Canadian Broadcasting CorporationMr. Craig Scott (NDP) asked James Moore (Conservative). substantive question.The answer avoids committing to CBC funding levels and instead lists unrelated past spending increases on other cultural programs.this government is the only government in the G20 that made a decision as part of our economic action plan not to cut, not to maintain, but to increase funding for arts and culture.
  33. deflected
    International Co-operationMark Eyking (Liberal) asked Bev Oda (Conservative). rhetorical question.The question ends with an unanswerable accusation rather than seeking facts, and the reply shifts to general policy without addressing specific funding cuts.This is not about organizations.
  34. misdirected
    Veterans AffairsMr. Peter Stoffer (NDP) asked Steven Blaney (Conservative). substantive question.The question directly asks who was fired or responsible for privacy breaches, but the reply insults the asker and lists prior actions without naming anyone disciplined.Come on, red kindergarten, listen.
  35. deflected
    HealthMs. Anne Minh-Thu Quach (NDP) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). loaded question.The question assumes total inaction and assigns blame, while the reply avoids solutions by accusing the NDP of playing politics and correcting a press release.it is unfortunate that the NDP is choosing to play politics on this important subject.
  36. deflected
    Foreign InvestmentMs. Elizabeth May (Green) asked Joe Oliver (Conservative). substantive question.The question asks when national security tests will be added to the Investment Canada Act, but the reply states no information exists and pivots to unrelated economic claims.we do not have any such information.