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Tuesday, October 22, 2013 · sitting No. 5
NDP motion on senate accountability dominates supply day
The House spent the largest share of its sitting on government orders for the business of supply. New Democrat MP Craig Scott moved an opposition motion calling for urgent steps to improve accountability in the Senate by ending senators' partisan activities and limiting travel allowances to parliamentary business.
Debate on the motion continued through multiple interventions with members questioning its scope and implications for the other place. The motion remained before the House at adjournment.
Question period featured repeated exchanges on the prime minister's role in the senate expenses affair and on the Canada-European Union trade agreement.
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 · 2013-10-22
68Bills tabled while answers mostly dodgedThe sitting devoted most of its time to substantive debate on supply and ethics, yet Question Period produced far more deflected replies than clear answers. Four points of order and no recorded votes left little settled beyond the formal introduction of four bills.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
Petitions
New Democrat MP Don Davies presented a petition on the impact of Canadian mining companies abroad including environmental destruction and human rights violations.
Read the exchangePetitions
Liberal MP Frank Valeriote tabled a petition from Guelph residents opposing a proposed 40-metre cellphone tower near homes over health and property value concerns.
Read the exchangeAboriginal Affairs
New Democrat MP Jonathan Genest-Jourdain asked Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt to choose collaboration over confrontation on a first nations education bill.
Read the exchangeScience and Technology
New Democrat MP Chris Charlton cited a report showing 90 per cent of government scientists feel they cannot speak freely to the media.
Read the exchangeThe Budget
New Democrat MP Guy Caron questioned why changes to Supreme Court justice appointments and occupational health and safety rules appear in a budget implementation bill.
Read the exchangeIntergovernmental Relations
Liberal MP Stéphane Dion challenged Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Denis Lebel on what constitutes a clear majority in a Quebec referendum.
Read the exchangeQuestion 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
- deflectedEthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer avoids any mention of the Prime Minister's own actions or regret and pivots to general rules and economic priorities.
This government, of course, will focus on the real priorities of Canadians, and that is jobs, growth and ensuring we have opportunity for future generations.
- deflectedEthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer restates Wright's responsibility and shifts to trade and the economy instead of confirming the June 5 statement.
This government will continue to take its responsibilities, and those responsibilities are to focus on the real concerns of Canadians, including jobs and the economy.
- deflectedEthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer repeats that Wright took responsibility alone and pivots to economic goals without answering the yes-or-no question.
He took responsibility for the decision, just as this government accepts its responsibilities.
- deflectedEthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer claims facts are clear and pivots to economic performance without addressing whether the Prime Minister was told the statement was untrue.
The facts are clear. Mr. Wright made the decision himself.
- misdirectedEthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). rhetorical question.The question is rhetorical and the answer attacks the NDP's trade position instead of addressing truthfulness.
Therefore, what are Canadians to believe? They are to believe that the only party that is focused on the real needs, focused on the economy and doing things for Canada, is this government.
- answeredInternational TradeMr. Justin Trudeau (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly confirms that additional detailed information on the agreement will be released in the coming days.
I can assure the hon. member and his party that in the days to come the government will be releasing additional detailed information.
- partly answeredEthicsMr. Justin Trudeau (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer addresses accountability for those involved but does not address the Prime Minister taking personal responsibility.
we do not assure Canadians that everything will be perfect, but we do assure Canadians that when anything goes wrong, people will be held accountable.
- misdirectedEthicsMr. Justin Trudeau (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer discusses the trade agreement and team effort instead of addressing responsibility for the scandal.
As I said in Brussels, I am not the only one responsible for this historic agreement with Europe.
- deflectedEthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.The answer fails to address the question of who 'we' refers to and pivots to an unrelated phrase.
- deflectedEthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.The response avoids the question about the Prime Minister's meeting by shifting to Senate reform talking points.
We have answered all the questions on this subject based on the information that we had.
- deflectedEthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.The answer sidesteps the binder contents question by repeating general cooperation statements without specifics.
We will continue to answer all the questions to the best of our ability and will work with authorities on this.
- deflectedEthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.The reply evades the threat question by reiterating Wright's responsibility and pivoting to unrelated reforms.
Nigel Wright has accepted full responsibility on this matter.
- deflectedEthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.The answer avoids naming senators by redirecting to other government priorities and general responsibility statements.
There are a lot of things Canadians want us to focus on.
- answeredEthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The Prime Minister directly affirms the prior statement as true with a concise reply.
Mr. Speaker, the answer is of course.
- deflectedEthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.The response dodges the audit awareness question by emphasizing reforms and other issues instead of specifics.
We will continue to move forward with Senate reform.
- deflectedEthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.The answer ignores the change in position question and lectures on expense accountability and reforms.
The Prime Minister was quite clear yesterday when he said that not only should the letter of the law be followed but also the spirit of the law.
- deflectedEthicsMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.The answer acknowledges working with RCMP but immediately changes subject to jobs and free trade without addressing the evidence handover.
In the meantime, we are going to continue focusing on jobs, hope and economic prosperity for all Canadians.
- deflectedEthicsMs. Joyce Murray (Liberal) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.The answer repeats working with authorities and pivots to free trade without addressing the PMO knowledge or hiring question.
In the meantime, I was pleased to hear that the Liberals have tentatively supported the Canada-Europe free trade agreement.
- deflectedEthicsRalph Goodale (Liberal) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.The answer slows speech mockingly and shifts to unrelated topics like Small Business Week instead of addressing PMO responsibility.
again—and I will speak a little bit more slowly for the Liberal Party—we are working very closely with authorities.
- deflectedEthicsRalph Goodale (Liberal) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.The answer reiterates working with authorities and pivots to Citizenship Week without addressing the paper trail or reporting to the Prime Minister.
In the meantime, it is also Citizenship Week.
- answeredAboriginal AffairsMr. Jonathan Genest-Jourdain (NDP) asked Bernard Valcourt (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly responds with a single word choosing collaboration over confrontation as asked.
- partly answeredAboriginal AffairsMs. Jean Crowder (NDP) asked Bernard Valcourt (Conservative). substantive question.The answer addresses funding by rejecting more money but does not confirm equal funding or respond to the gap timeline.
what the government will not do is throw more money at a known system of education that proves to be failing too many first nations students across the country.
- deflectedScience and TechnologyMs. Chris Charlton (NDP) asked Greg Rickford (Conservative). substantive question.The answer highlights investments and record rankings but does not address muzzling or whistleblower retaliation concerns.
our government has made record investments in science, and it is paying off.
- misdirectedScience and TechnologyMs. Laurin Liu (NDP) asked Greg Rickford (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the opposition and NDP on Keystone instead of addressing scientist muzzling or information withholding.
the only people who are trying to muzzle scientists are the opposition.
- deflectedThe BudgetMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.The answer describes the Supreme Court clarification but avoids explaining its placement in the budget bill.
These are, in fact, simply declaratory provisions that will serve as a clarification for the Supreme Court Act.
- deflectedThe BudgetMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Kellie Leitch (Conservative). substantive question.The answer promotes government focus on safety but does not address why the changes belong in a budget bill.
These amendments would ensure that employees and employers remain on the forefront of resolving occupational health and safety issues.
- misdirectedThe BudgetMs. Peggy Nash (NDP) asked Kellie Leitch (Conservative). substantive question.The answer repeats prior points then attacks the asker instead of explaining the budget bill inclusion.
Why does the member opposite not think Canadian workers should be safe?
- answeredFinanceMs. Peggy Nash (NDP) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly clarifies the minister's terminology and position on quantitative easing.
It is still printing money, and it still means that the next generation will pay for it, and I am not in favour of that.
- deflectedIntergovernmental RelationsStéphane Dion (Liberal) asked Denis Lebel (Conservative). loaded question.The answer cites ongoing court proceedings and avoids defining an unclear majority.
as mentioned, this matter is before the courts.
- deflectedIntergovernmental RelationsMr. Kevin Lamoureux (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer affirms unity support and court deference but does not address or condemn alleged doublespeak.
- misdirectedEmploymentMrs. Sadia Groguhé (NDP) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the NDP's economic understanding instead of citing evidence for the claimed labour shortage.
the question once again shows how out of touch the NDP is when it comes to our economy.
- deflectedEmploymentMs. Jinny Jogindera Sims (NDP) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer cites industry views and personal anecdotes but does not admit or address error on the skills shortage claim.
She should know better. She should talk to the employers in her own constituency.
- deflectedScience and TechnologyMr. Ted Hsu (Liberal) asked Greg Rickford (Conservative). rhetorical question.The question attacks the government on a loaded premise without seeking information, and the answer shifts to unrelated achievements.
Canada is ranked number one in the G7 for our support for scientific research and development in our colleges, universities and institutions.
- deflectedGovernment AccountabilityMr. Nathan Cullen (NDP) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). rhetorical question.The question challenges the PM's adherence to his own guidelines, and the answer pivots to past reforms without addressing the quote.
it is clear that this is the government that brought in the Accountability Act.
- answeredEmployment InsuranceMr. Robert Aubin (NDP) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.The question asks how the minister will respond to the letter, and the answer states he will reply upon receipt.
Mr. Speaker, I will answer when I receive the letter.
- partly answeredFinanceMr. Brent Rathgeber (Independent) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). substantive question.The question seeks intent and definitions on balanced budget rules, and the answer confirms introduction and defines normal times but omits who defines crises.
Normal times are times when the government is not in deficit.