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Friday, December 7, 2012 · sitting No. 194

Commons questions F-35 replacement after cabinet committee leaks

Oral questions on national defence took the largest share of House time as members pressed the government over reported cabinet committee decisions to abandon a sole-source F-35 purchase and restart the CF-18 replacement process. Conservative MP Jacques Gourde said the government would continue with its seven-point plan and examine the KPMG report before updating the public before the House recesses. NDP MP Jack Harris called for release of the KPMG report and an open competition.

In other oral questions Conservative MP Peter Van Loan told NDP MP Philip Toone that proposals from the minister's advisory committee on firearms did not reflect government policy. Conservative MP Maxime Bernier told Bloc Québécois MP Jean-François Fortin that the gun registry had not saved lives and that Quebec remained free to create its own registry.

Government orders on Bill C-15 occupied the next largest block of time with NDP members arguing the legislation would impose criminal records on Canadian Forces members for minor offences that attract no such penalty in the civilian system.

Decided that day

  • Member for Ajax—Pickering permitted to speak

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 · 2012-12-07

Government (Conservative)OppositionOver the day: government 46%, opposition 54% of the words spokenGovernment businessQuestion PeriodRoutine proceedings▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0511:0012:0013:00Last speech 13:55Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 3 h 50 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
34Defence talk fills day, nothing advancesThe sitting devoted substantial time to National Defence and related topics yet advanced no bills. Only one procedural motion passed while most Question Period answers were deflected.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

Firearms Registry

NDP MP Philip Toone asked why the minister's advisory committee recommended measures such as doubling licence lengths and reducing mental health checks, and Conservative minister Peter Van Loan replied that the committee did not reflect government policy.

Read the exchange

Foreign Investment

NDP MP Dan Harris pressed the government to decide the Nexen takeover in daylight rather than at midnight, and Conservative MP Mike Lake said the government would evaluate the transaction under the Investment Canada Act for net benefit to Canada.

Read the exchange

Employment Insurance

NDP MP Chris Charlton said the new Social Security Tribunal would cut hearing time in half and asked why the minister refused to give unemployed Canadians timely benefits, and Human Resources Minister Diane Finley replied that full-time specialists would replace part-time boards.

Read the exchange

Syria

NDP MP Paul Dewar asked the government to deliver additional support for Syrian refugees and expedite family reunification, and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said Canada is the seventh-largest donor to UNHCR and has accelerated 200 Syrian family reunification applications.

Read the exchange

Aboriginal Affairs

NDP MP Jean Crowder asked what commitments the Aboriginal Affairs Minister had made on funding shortfalls after meeting Assembly of First Nations leaders, and Conservative MP Greg Rickford said the government had built more than 30 new schools and renovated more than 200 others since 2006.

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
    Firearms RegistryMr. Philip Toone (NDP) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). substantive question.The answer states the committee does not reflect policy but avoids explaining the recommendations.This is a committee that does not reflect government policy.
  2. deflected
    Firearms RegistryMr. Philip Toone (NDP) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). substantive question.The answer repeats prior statements on public safety without addressing the committee's balance or dissolution.We have taken measures to protect public safety and specifically to fight gun crime.
  3. partly answered
    National DefenceMr. Philip Toone (NDP) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). substantive question.The answer confirms adherence to the seven-point plan but does not explicitly confirm abandoning the single supplier.We are continuing with that plan.
  4. partly answered
    National DefenceMr. Jack Harris (NDP) asked Mr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative). substantive question.The answer addresses the KPMG report status but ignores the call to release it or stop leaks.The government received the KPMG report and is in the process of examining it.
  5. deflected
    National DefenceMr. Jack Harris (NDP) asked Mr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative). substantive question.The answer restates the seven-point plan without confirming an open competition or addressing cost estimates.Our seven-point plan involves exploring options without the limitations imposed by the statement of requirements.
  6. deflected
    National DefenceJohn McKay (Liberal) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). loaded question.The answer ignores the resignation demand and restates the plan without addressing the quoted statements.As part of that plan, the government will be providing a comprehensive public update before the House retires for Christmas.
  7. misdirected
    National DefenceJohn McKay (Liberal) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). loaded question.The answer pivots to job creation numbers instead of addressing the minister's prior statements or resignation.Job creation is the number one priority of our government.
  8. deflected
    National DefenceDenis Coderre (Liberal) asked Mr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative). loaded question.The answer repeats the seven-point plan without engaging the call for the minister to resign.we are determined to follow through with our seven-point plan and with our thorough and transparent process to replace Canada's aging CF-18 fleet.
  9. deflected
    National DefenceMs. Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe (NDP) asked Mr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative). substantive question.The answer repeats the seven-point plan without addressing whether the government still opposes cancelling the F-35 contract.we are determined to follow through with our seven-point plan and with our thorough and transparent process to replace Canada's aging CF-18 fleet.
  10. deflected
    National DefenceMs. Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe (NDP) asked Mr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative). substantive question.The answer repeats the seven-point plan without confirming if the minister still stands by the 2010 statement on airspace and sovereignty risks.Our seven-point plan allows for an options analysis, which is not limited by the statement of requirements.
  11. deflected
    National DefenceMr. Mathieu Ravignat (NDP) asked Mr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative). loaded question.The answer repeats the seven-point plan without addressing the claim about Russian bombers or the Prime Minister's spokesperson statement.we are determined to follow through with out our seven-point plan and with our thorough and transparent process for replacing Canada's aging CF-18 fleet.
  12. deflected
    National DefenceM. Mathieu Ravignat (NDP) asked Mr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative). loaded question.The answer repeats the seven-point plan without acknowledging any waste of time or money or addressing responsibility for the F-35 issues.we are determined to follow through with out our seven-point plan and with our thorough and transparent process for replacing Canada's aging CF-18 fleet.
  13. misdirected
    Foreign InvestmentMr. Dan Harris (NDP) asked Mike Lake (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks opposition parties' positions instead of addressing whether the Nexen decision will be announced transparently.The Liberal Party day after day would just rubber-stamp every transaction as it did when it was government.
  14. misdirected
    Foreign InvestmentMr. Dan Harris (NDP) asked Mr. Gerald Keddy (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the NDP as anti-trade instead of addressing whether FIPPA will be debated and voted on in the House.What does the NDP have against investment? What does it have against trade?
  15. deflected
    Foreign InvestmentMs. Laurin Liu (NDP) asked Mike Lake (Conservative). substantive question.The answer restates the Investment Canada Act criteria without promising a daytime announcement on the Nexen decision.When the government makes the decision, it will be made in the net interest of Canadians.
  16. partly answered
    Democratic ReformMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). rhetorical question.The answer directly addresses Senate residence rules and the ongoing review but does not engage the call to end the Senate.The Senate Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration is reviewing the matter as we have seen in the news to ensure that those rules are properly respected and indeed applied to all members.
  17. misdirected
    Democratic ReformMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Mr. Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). loaded question.Answer attacks the NDP on unions instead of addressing Senate or Reform Party principles.The party opposite is blocking a bill that would require financial transparency on the part of unions.
  18. deflected
    National DefenceJohn McKay (Liberal) asked Mr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative). loaded question.Answer restates the seven-point plan without addressing resignation or misleading Canadians on F-35 costs.we are determined to follow through with our seven-point plan and our thorough and transparent process to replace Canada's aging fleet of CF-18s.
  19. deflected
    National DefenceJohn McKay (Liberal) asked Mr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative). loaded question.Answer repeats the seven-point plan without addressing photo op, PBO ridicule or misleading Canadians.we are determined to follow through with our seven-point plan and our thorough and transparent process to replace Canada's aging fleet of CF-18s.
  20. deflected
    National DefenceDenis Coderre (Liberal) asked Mr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative). loaded question.Answer again repeats the seven-point plan without addressing apology or misleading the public on F-35.we are determined to follow through with our seven-point plan and our thorough and transparent process to replace Canada's aging fleet of CF-18s.
  21. partly answered
    Employment InsuranceMs. Chris Charlton (NDP) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.Answer explains the change to full-time specialists but does not address the specific claim about fewer hearing days or benefits denial.we are changing from having several people working part time to full-time dedicated specialists who will conduct one-member appeals instead of doing them in triplicate
  22. misdirected
    Employment InsuranceMs. Chris Charlton (NDP) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.Answer attacks NDP voting record instead of addressing cuts to appeal board size or responsibility for delays.the fact is that the NDP members vote against the good benefits under EI, those which help Canadians.
  23. deflected
    Employment InsuranceMs. Francine Raynault (NDP) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.Answer restates general improvements and job alerts without addressing Service Canada cuts or tribunal delays.We are making changes to the employment insurance system to help unemployed workers find other jobs.
  24. misdirected
    Employment InsuranceMs. Manon Perreault (NDP) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). loaded question.Answer lists disability programs instead of addressing EI reform impacts on persons with disabilities or tribunal issues.That is why we have proposed a number of programs to assist persons with disabilities.
  25. deflected
    International CooperationMs. Hélène Laverdière (NDP) asked Julian Fantino (Conservative). loaded question.The answer ignores the inconsistency between CIDA projects and domestic funding cuts, instead restating general achievements abroad.Canadians can be very proud of the results that their hard-earned tax dollars are actually achieving abroad.
  26. deflected
    International CooperationMs. Hélène Laverdière (NDP) asked Mike Lake (Conservative). substantive question.The answer addresses general health investments but avoids admitting any mistake on Bill C-398 or committing to work with the opposition.our government is addressing the real public health challenges in the developing world.
  27. misdirected
    International CooperationMr. Paul Dewar (NDP) asked Mike Lake (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the questioner by claiming the misleading information came from experts the member represents, rather than addressing the bill or misinformation claim.The misleading information that the hon. member is referring to was information provided at a previous committee hearing by independent expert public servants, the very people this member purports to represent in his riding.
  28. answered
    SyriaMr. Paul Dewar (NDP) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly addresses support for Syrian refugees and family reunification with specific commitments and numbers.we have accelerated some 200 applications that were outstanding for family reunification by Canadians who have made applications for reunification of Syrian nationals.
  29. deflected
    National DefenceMr. Ted Hsu (Liberal) asked Mr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative). loaded question.The answer restates the seven-point plan without revising the prior F-35 statements or addressing the call to resign.we are determined to follow through with our seven-point plan and with our thorough and transparent process to replace Canada's aging CF-18 fleet.
  30. deflected
    National DefenceStéphane Dion (Liberal) asked Mr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative). loaded question.The answer avoids the tendering process question and the accusation of distorting truth, restating the plan and KPMG report.we are determined to follow through with our seven-point plan and with our thorough and transparent process to replace Canada's aging CF-18 fleet.
  31. partly answered
    Aboriginal AffairsMs. Jean Crowder (NDP) asked Mr. Greg Rickford (Conservative). substantive question.The answer lists school construction and programs but does not specify new commitments made in the recent meeting with chiefs.Since 2006, we have built over 30 new schools and renovated over 200 others.
  32. deflected
    Aboriginal AffairsMs. Jean Crowder (NDP) asked Mr. Greg Rickford (Conservative). substantive question.The answer emphasizes past consultations and visits but does not commit to a clear open process for the current education funding negotiations.In fact, we conduct over 5,000 consultations with first nations every year.
  33. deflected
    National DefenceJohn McKay (Liberal) asked Mr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative). loaded question.The answer ignores the call to fire the minister and the cost dispute, instead restating the plan.we are determined to follow through with our seven-point plan and with our thorough and transparent process to replace Canada's aging CF-18 fleet.
  34. partly answered
    EmploymentMs. Jinny Jogindera Sims (NDP) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.The answer clarifies departmental responsibility and states program goals but does not address stopping visas or naming reviewers.issuing visas is not within the purview of the Human Resources and Skills Development Department.
  35. misdirected
    Science and TechnologyMs. Nycole Turmel (NDP) asked Gary Goodyear (Conservative). substantive question.The answer pivots to attacking the NDP's voting record instead of addressing the job transfer in Outaouais.On Wednesday of this week, the NDP voted against half a billion dollars for laboratory equipment, microscopes and so on.
  36. deflected
    Firearms RegistryMr. Jean-François Fortin (Bloc) asked Maxime Bernier (Conservative). loaded question.The answer restates the intent to abolish the registry and dismisses Quebec's request without engaging the data handover issue.On this side of the House, we know that the gun registry did not save lives in Canada.
  37. misdirected
    Regional Economic DevelopmentMr. Bruce Hyer (Independent) asked Mr. Greg Rickford (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the member's voting record and party instead of addressing service cuts in northern Ontario.The member has voted against restoring access for U.S. market softwood, and investments in forest product information—our great pulp—and the forestry long-term competitive initiative for workers