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Friday, November 8, 2013 · sitting No. 17
House debates bill to regulate supervised injection sites
The House devoted the largest share of its sitting to Government Orders on Bill C-2, the Respect for Communities Act, which amends the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Members discussed the bill's detailed criteria for supervised consumption sites and its referral to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security rather than a health committee.
New Democrat MP Randall Garrison and NDP MP Françoise Boivin criticized the measure as unnecessary red tape intended to block needed services in communities. Conservative MP Brad Trost questioned which specific requirements the opposition found unacceptable.
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 · 2013-11-08
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 Nycole Turmel asked which staff in the Prime Minister's Office had been questioned by the RCMP and what documents had been requested in the Wright-Duffy matter. Conservative MP Paul Calandra replied that the Prime Minister's Office is assisting the RCMP but is not itself under investigation.
Read the exchangeVeterans Affairs
NDP MP Randall Garrison said wounded soldiers are being released before qualifying for pensions and asked when the government would provide proper support. Conservative MP James Bezan said every accommodation is made to keep members in uniform until they are ready for transition.
Read the exchangeIntergovernmental Affairs
Conservative MP David Sweet raised the Parti Québécois legislation on religious symbols and asked the federal position if it passes. Minister Tim Uppal said the government will protect constitutional rights if the bill violates them in its current form.
Read the exchangePensions
NDP MP Murray Rankin urged the government to enhance the Canada Pension Plan now that provinces are ready to act. Conservative MP Andrew Saxton said the government continues to work with provinces but will not raise premiums during the fragile recovery.
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
- deflectedEthicsMs. Nycole Turmel (NDP) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.Answer opens with unrelated jobs news then pivots to senators without naming any PMO staff questioned by RCMP.
many Canadian families received good news this morning, because there are a lot of new jobs.
- partly answeredEthicsMs. Nycole Turmel (NDP) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.Answer directly states PMO is assisting RCMP but does not list requested documents.
The Prime Minister 's Office is not under investigation, but of course we are assisting with the RCMP in this matter.
- misdirectedEthicsMs. Nycole Turmel (NDP) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.Answer gives a timeline but ignores the specific question about when PM learned of the initial $32k repayment plan.
On February 13, when Senator Duffy came to the Prime Minister to try to justify his inappropriate expenses, the Prime Minister told him he had to repay those inappropriate expenses.
- misdirectedEthicsMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.Answer shifts to attacking the opposition leader's legal fees instead of explaining the $13k payment details.
The Leader of the Opposition accepted the same type of assistance from his party, with one exception: he had the judgment paid for.
- deflectedEthicsMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). loaded question.Answer restates Senate audit and motion without addressing the three-month delay in distancing from Wallin.
We have been very clear that inappropriate expenses need to be repaid.
- deflectedEthicsMr. Marc Garneau (Liberal) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.Answer mentions assisting the investigation but pivots to attacking Liberals on Senate reform instead of addressing Law Society reporting.
We are continuing to assist officials in their investigation.
- misdirectedEthicsMr. Marc Garneau (Liberal) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.Answer attacks Liberal leader's comments on dictatorship and ignores the question about reporting Perrin and Hamilton.
Last night, when he was asked what other kind of administration he admires, he stood up for a dictatorship.
- deflectedEthicsMr. Marc Garneau (Liberal) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.Answer claims prior response then attacks Liberal leader on multiple policies without naming the second PMO lawyer.
I think I have already answered that, but let me just quote the Liberal leader last night at his fundraiser.
- deflectedEthicsMs. Françoise Boivin (NDP) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.The answer restates a later timeline instead of confirming the December 2012 statement or PM agreement.
On February 13, Senator Duffy approached the Prime Minister to justify his inappropriate expenses.
- deflectedEthicsMs. Françoise Boivin (NDP) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.The answer repeats known facts about the TV appearance without naming any employee who gave advice.
We obviously learnt that was not true on May 15 when it was reported in the media.
- misdirectedEthicsMs. Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe (NDP) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.The answer pivots to attacking Duffy and opposition parties rather than listing documents provided to the RCMP.
He might also take the opportunity to cut a cheque to the Canadian taxpayer for the thousands of dollars in expenses that he owes the Canadian people.
- misdirectedEthicsMs. Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe (NDP) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.The answer insults the questioner and gives a vague reply instead of stating the exact date Wright last visited.
let me suggest that this member take her acting classes, not from the member for Papineau , but from the member for Jeanne-Le Ber , because he is a much better actor than she is.
- misdirectedEthicsMs. Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe (NDP) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the member's tone and shifts to Senate reform and the economy instead of providing the conversation date.
Come on, give me a break. I will tell the House what we are serious about.
- misdirectedEthicsMr. Dan Harris (NDP) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.The answer mocks the questioner by comparing him to a grade-one child and pivots to trade and pipelines.
My daughter sometimes asks me about that. She asks "When was the last time I talked to Natasha, Daddy? I had better giver her a call", but she is in grade one.
- misdirectedEthicsMr. Dan Harris (NDP) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.The answer insults the member and redirects to Senate accountability instead of answering when the minister last spoke with Wright.
He is probably not so tough in front of the TV cameras outside of this place.
- deflectedEthicsMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.The answer defends personal family references and avoids naming any date of contact with Wright.
It was my parents who gave me the confidence to be here, and unlike maybe some other members, it is for my kids that I am here every single day
- deflectedEthicsMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). loaded question.The answer avoids naming anyone by claiming the speaker is not a police officer and deferring to an investigation.
it might surprise the hon. member to learn that I am not actually a police officer.
- deflectedEthicsMr. David McGuinty (Liberal) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.The answer restates general assistance to authorities without confirming specific records were turned over.
we are assisting all authorities on this matter and providing anything that is asked of us.
- misdirectedEthicsMr. David McGuinty (Liberal) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the Liberal leader and references dictatorships instead of confirming the email or its possession.
it is nice to be in a Parliament where these things can be discussed day in and day out, unlike the administrations that the hon. leader of the third party seems to support, dictatorships
- misdirectedEthicsMr. David McGuinty (Liberal) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.The answer shifts to criticizing Liberals on access to information and praising Conservative policies rather than addressing Woodcock's RCMP contact.
this member should know that it was actually the Liberals who exempted the Prime Minister's Office from access to information.
- partly answeredVeterans AffairsMr. Randall Garrison (NDP) asked Mr. James Bezan (Conservative). substantive question.The answer addresses the release policy and references Bill C-11 but does not specify a timeline for the minister's action.
we have been working with the Chief of the Defence Staff and the chief of military personnel to ensure that members of the Canadian Armed Forces are not released until they are prepared.
- partly answeredVeterans AffairsMr. Tarik Brahmi (NDP) asked Mr. James Bezan (Conservative). substantive question.The answer explains transition plans and accommodations but does not admit or correct any mistake regarding pensions.
Every possible accommodation is made to ensure that soldiers are kept in the forces.
- deflectedVeterans AffairsMs. Rosane Doré Lefebvre (NDP) asked Mr. Parm Gill (Conservative). substantive question.The answer highlights investments and attacks opposition voting records instead of addressing office closures.
it is the Liberals and the NDP who have voted against new funding for mental health treatment, financial support and home care services.
- deflectedVeterans AffairsMr. John Rafferty (NDP) asked Mr. Parm Gill (Conservative). substantive question.The answer promotes new service points and criticizes opposition votes rather than committing to keep offices open.
I would also like to remind the hon. member and all opposition members that it is them and their party who have voted against every single initiative we have introduced as a government to support our veterans.
- answeredPensionsMr. Murray Rankin (NDP) asked Mr. Andrew Saxton (Conservative). loaded question.The answer directly explains the reason for not enhancing CPP at this time.
we do not believe that this is the time to add further burden onto Canadian employers and employees with higher premiums during this fragile economic recovery.
- deflectedPensionsMr. Murray Rankin (NDP) asked Mr. Andrew Saxton (Conservative). loaded question.The answer avoids the question by attacking the NDP proposal instead of addressing provincial cooperation.
We can assure the House that the NDP's plan to double the Canada pension plan premiums while the economy is still fragile is not a moderate proposal.
- deflectedIntergovernmental AffairsMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Candice Bergen (Conservative). substantive question.The answer promotes the Canada job grant but does not address working with provinces on training programs.
we believe that the best people who know what kinds of skills are required are employers.
- partly answeredIntergovernmental AffairsMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Candice Bergen (Conservative). loaded question.The answer addresses consultation with provinces but pivots to listing supporters of the program.
the minister is meeting with the provinces in good faith.
- misdirectedNatural ResourcesMr. Kevin Lamoureux (Liberal) asked Mrs. Kelly Block (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the opposition for opposing oil sands rather than addressing environmental policy or market access.
That is how many jobs the opposition members say no to when they oppose this important industry.
- deflectedTourismStéphane Dion (Liberal) asked Maxime Bernier (Conservative). substantive question.The answer discusses tourism promotion in China but ignores the Bureau International des Expositions withdrawal and Toronto Expo bid.
I recently went to China with the Canadian Tourism Commission to ensure that our Chinese friends can travel to Canada.
- partly answeredForeign AffairsMs. Hélène Laverdière (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer acknowledges concerns and states willingness to work with opposition but does not address closing loopholes in Bill C-6.
We are always very pleased to work with the opposition.
- answeredForeign AffairsMs. Hélène Laverdière (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly addresses interoperability exceptions and willingness to work on the bill.
we are prepared to work with the opposition to create as strong a bill as possible, at the same time supporting the training of our military leadership when they have interoperability measures with the United States.
- deflectedOfficial LanguagesMs. Lise St-Denis (Liberal) asked Mr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative). substantive question.The answer thanks the commissioner and restates commitment without addressing budget cuts or service reductions.
I am proud of our government's unprecedented commitment to both of our official languages.
- partly answeredRegional Economic DevelopmentMr. François Lapointe (NDP) asked Mr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative). substantive question.The response acknowledges concern and promises help but avoids committing to a special funding program.
We are always concerned about regions that are struggling, and we will help them.
- deflectedPassport CanadaMr. Claude Patry (Bloc) asked Candice Bergen (Conservative). substantive question.The answer explains the benefits of the change to Service Canada but does not address keeping the specific office open.
There will be no staff reductions as a result of this change.
- deflectedNatural ResourcesMr. Bruce Hyer (Independent) asked Mrs. Kelly Block (Conservative). loaded question.The answer promotes the government's energy policy without addressing the accusation of shilling for U.S. interests.
our government welcomes the prospect of transporting Canadian crude oil from western Canada to consumers and refineries in eastern Canada
- partly answeredDemocratic ReformMr. Dean Del Mastro (Independent) asked Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). substantive question.The response outlines the preference for reform or abolition but does not directly address considering a referendum.
We continue to believe that the preferable option is democratic bicameralism, an elected Senate accountable to Canadians, representing the regions from coast to coast.