All sittings← 2013-11-052013-11-07 →
Wednesday, November 6, 2013 · sitting No. 15
Time allocation imposed on museum of history legislation
The House spent the largest share of the sitting on the Canadian Museum of History Act. Government House leader Peter Van Loan moved a motion to limit debate at third reading to one further sitting day. Opposition members objected that the measure marked the 57th use of time allocation since the election.
In Question Period the NDP pressed the government on the Senate expenses affair. NDP leader Thomas Mulcair asked whether the Prime Minister had known about plans to use Conservative Party funds for Senator Mike Duffy's expenses. Prime Minister Stephen Harper replied that Nigel Wright had acted alone and had accepted responsibility.
Liberal leader Justin Trudeau raised the case of Corporal Glen Kirkland and asked the government to halt involuntary releases of injured soldiers before they qualify for pensions and to reverse the closure of nine Veterans Affairs offices.
Decided that day
- Bill C-7 passed third reading
- Two private members' bills introduced
- Ethics committee instruction motion defeated
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 · 2013-11-06
62Bills Pass While Ethics Debate DragsThe House advanced Bill C-7 through third reading and introduced two new bills after substantial debate on the Museum of History Act. An ethics motion failed, question period produced almost no direct answers, and little else was resolved.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 Libby Davies said the College of Family Physicians of Canada had given the government failing grades on access to primary care, home care, children's health services, funding and leadership. Parliamentary secretary Eve Adams replied that federal health transfers would reach a record $40 billion by the end of the decade.
Read the exchangeVeterans Affairs
Veterans Affairs minister Julian Fantino told the House that 2013 had been devoted to ensuring the Korean War is no longer called the forgotten war and urged all parliamentarians to learn about the more than 26,000 Canadians who served.
Read the exchangeChamplain Bridge
NDP MP Hoang Mai asked Transport Minister Denis Lebel to state the amount of the planned toll on the new Champlain Bridge and its expected effect on traffic on other Montreal bridges. Lebel repeated that there would be no bridge without a toll.
Read the exchangeThe Environment
NDP MP François Choquette cited a United Nations report that singled out Canada for lagging on greenhouse-gas reductions and asked when the government would table targets for the oil and gas sector. Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq said new vehicle and coal regulations had already cut projected emissions by nearly 130 megatonnes.
Read the exchangeSearch and Rescue
Liberal MP Yvonne Jones said the closure of coast-guard radio stations had been tested when a fishing vessel caught fire off Newfoundland and three crew members were rescued after local knowledge proved decisive. Fisheries Minister Gail Shea credited the mayday system and private responders for the successful outcome.
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). loaded question.The answer restates Wright's solo responsibility and Senate sanctions without addressing knowledge by others or coming clean.
Mr. Wright has been very clear: he undertook these particular actions using his own resources, his own authority, and his own initiative.
- deflectedEthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer explains the PM's instructions to Duffy but avoids confirming or denying knowledge of the party-funds plan.
I was later told that he had, which, of course, was not true.
- deflectedEthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer accuses the asker of making unsupported allegations and reiterates Wright's sole responsibility without addressing Byrne's knowledge.
the leader of the NDP is again making allegations against others without any evidence.
- deflectedEthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer reframes the question as blaming one person and restates Wright's accountability without addressing Gerstein's awareness.
The facts here are absolutely clear. Mr. Wright has been very clear on all of these matters.
- deflectedEthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer shifts to when facts were made public and Duffy's repayment claim, avoiding the question about Gerstein's approval of the plan.
I will remind the member, once again, that as soon as I became aware of these facts we made those facts available to the public.
- misdirectedEthicsMr. Justin Trudeau (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks Liberal senators' actions and entitlement culture instead of addressing the free vote request.
On this side, we expect people to follow the rules.
- misdirectedEthicsMr. Justin Trudeau (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer criticizes Liberal senators for not imposing sanctions rather than responding to the free vote or constituents' will.
- misdirectedEthicsMr. Justin Trudeau (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer repeats criticism of Liberal senators' votes instead of addressing the free vote request or Gerstein's role.
The Liberal Party voted to keep those senators in office.
- deflectedEthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer restates Wright's responsibility without addressing if Gerstein lied.
once again, the decision to repay Mr. Duffy's inappropriate expenses was Mr. Wright's decision.
- misdirectedEthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the NDP leader's past expenses instead of addressing legal work for the audit.
The leader of the NDP should be no stranger to this.
- deflectedEthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer states it is party business and not government business without answering the question.
As far as spending taxpayers' money is concerned, that is up to the boards of internal economy of both houses.
- deflectedEthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer claims no corroborating information and defers to the Senate audit without addressing the specific case.
I have no information that would corroborate what he said, but obviously we will see what the final findings of the audit of the Senate will be.
- deflectedEthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer claims lack of awareness and defers to Senate business without addressing PMO discussions.
I am not aware of what that discussion would be.
- partly answeredEthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer acknowledges PMO provides advice but does not name who prepares senators.
from time to time the Prime Minister 's Office provides advice to members and senators about talking to the media.
- deflectedEthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer questions the relevance to government business instead of identifying who practises with senators.
I am starting to really have trouble figuring out what any of this has to do with government business.
- deflectedEthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer restates Wright's responsibility without addressing the May 17 vote of confidence.
Mr. Wright accepted responsibility for the actions he took with his own resources, under his own authority and on his own initiative.
- misdirectedDemocratic ReformThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer attacks NDP instead of addressing why PM defends Senate status quo.
In fact, it is the NDP that has opposed any reforms to the Senate.
- deflectedEthicsGeoff Regan (Liberal) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.Answer avoids confirming RCMP contact with Woodcock and pivots to Senate and Liberals.
as we have said from the beginning, we will continue to co-operate with authorities on this matter.
- deflectedEthicsGeoff Regan (Liberal) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.Answer repeats cooperation claim and attacks Liberals rather than confirming RCMP contact.
I will speak much slower so that he can understand me.
- deflectedEthicsGeoff Regan (Liberal) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.Answer evades Woodcock-RCMP question and shifts to Senate voting and Liberals.
Yesterday, unfortunately, Liberal senators once again let them down.
- partly answeredHealthMs. Libby Davies (NDP) asked Ms. Eve Adams (Conservative). substantive question.Answer addresses funding but ignores specific failures listed in the report card.
our government has provided stable, predictable funding to the provinces that will reach a record $40 billion by the end of the decade.
- partly answeredHealthMr. Dany Morin (NDP) asked Ms. Eve Adams (Conservative). substantive question.Answer covers research funding but sidesteps cuts and other listed failures.
in fact, our government is the single largest investor when it comes to research.
- partly answeredNational DefenceMr. Sylvain Chicoine (NDP) asked Rob Nicholson (Conservative). substantive question.Answer addresses accommodations but does not commit to stopping early releases before pension eligibility.
the department makes every accommodation to ensure that soldiers are kept in the forces and are provided with the best possible care before being considered for release.
- misdirectedNational DefenceMr. Peter Stoffer (NDP) asked Rob Nicholson (Conservative). substantive question.Answer attacks the questioner's party record instead of addressing the pension release policy.
I wish the hon. member would address the question of why, over all these years, he and his party continue to not support, and fight us on, all the millions of dollars we are putting toward ill and injured Canadian soldiers.
- deflectedAboriginal AffairsMs. Jean Crowder (NDP) asked Bernard Valcourt (Conservative). substantive question.The answer states only that the decision is under review without addressing the request to admit a mistake or abandon the plan.
We are in the process of reviewing the decision. Once it is reviewed, we shall take a position on it.
- deflectedAboriginal AffairsMr. Romeo Saganash (NDP) asked Bernard Valcourt (Conservative). substantive question.The answer repeats that the decision is under review without addressing the request to respect the court ruling or admit a mistake.
We are in the process of reviewing the decision, and once it is reviewed, we will take a position on it.
- deflectedThe EnvironmentMr. François Choquette (NDP) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). substantive question.The answer lists existing actions but does not address when emissions reduction targets for oil and gas will be tabled.
our government has taken action to address climate change.
- deflectedThe EnvironmentMs. Megan Leslie (NDP) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). substantive question.The answer lists actions taken but does not address when the government will start paying attention to science or take further action.
our government is taking action on climate change.
- misdirectedVeterans AffairsMr. Justin Trudeau (Liberal) asked Rob Nicholson (Conservative). substantive question.The answer shifts to attacking the Liberal record instead of addressing the two specific commitments requested.
After a decade of darkness, when the Liberals did nothing on this file, why is it only about a week before Remembrance Day that they discover this file?
- misdirectedVeterans AffairsMr. Justin Trudeau (Liberal) asked Rob Nicholson (Conservative). substantive question.The answer shifts to contrasting past Liberal inaction rather than addressing the two specific commitments requested.
after a decade of darkness here, now they will experience a decade of delivery under this Conservative government.
- deflectedChamplain BridgeMr. Hoang Mai (NDP) asked Denis Lebel (Conservative). substantive question.The answer repeats the slogan and mentions a future business plan without answering the specific questions on toll cost or congestion.
- misdirectedChamplain BridgeMr. Hoang Mai (NDP) asked Denis Lebel (Conservative). substantive question.The answer ends by questioning the member's vote instead of addressing why the competitive process was bypassed.
While my colleague is concerned about the work involved in these things, we are concerned about his vote when the time comes to invest in this bridge.
- deflectedSearch and RescueMs. Yvonne Jones (Liberal) asked Gail Shea (Conservative). loaded question.The answer praises the rescue outcome and system function without addressing service cuts or risk.
The fact that a private vessel responded after mayday calls were issued by both the burning vessel and the Canadian Coast Guard and they were first on site is an example of how the mayday system works well.
- answeredWestern Economic DiversificationMs. Linda Duncan (NDP) asked Michelle Rempel (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly states the matter is before the RCMP and declines further comment.
However, this matter is before the RCMP, and we will not comment further.
- deflectedScience and TechnologyMs. Laurin Liu (NDP) asked Greg Rickford (Conservative). substantive question.The answer discusses commitment and review but does not address the specific request to raise reimbursement to 40%.
That is why we are working with post-secondary institutions to re-evaluate the indirect costs program.
- partly answeredChamplain BridgeMr. André Bellavance (Bloc) asked Denis Lebel (Conservative). loaded question.The answer details prior meetings and states the toll was announced upfront but avoids engaging on opposition or contract concerns.
there have been more than 55 meetings involving officials from Transport Canada, Transports Québec, the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal and the Agence métropolitaine de transport.