All sittings← 2013-12-062013-12-10 →
Monday, December 9, 2013 · sitting No. 33
NDP motion seeks immediate CPP benefit increases at finance ministers' meeting
New Democrat MP Murray Rankin moved a supply motion calling on the government to support an immediate phase-in of increases to basic public pension benefits under the Canada and Quebec Pension Plans at the upcoming federal-provincial-territorial finance ministers' meeting. The motion, which the Liberals said they would support in principle, was debated at length during the 29 per cent of the sitting devoted to government orders.
Conservative MP Erin O'Toole questioned the timing of any CPP changes, citing comments from the head of the Ontario teachers' pension plan that reform should occur within the next 10 years once the economy permits. Liberal MP John McCallum asked why the motion made no reference to increased premiums to fund the proposed benefit hikes.
Decided that day
- Two bills passed third reading and final passage
- Bill C-19 passed second reading
- Supplementary Estimates (B) 2013-14 concurred in
- Motion on immediate EI changes 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 · 2013-12-09
67Bills Pass While Answers Mostly MissThe House advanced multiple bills and approved spending estimates with little procedural delay. One opposition motion on employment insurance was defeated after limited debate.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
New Democrat MP David Christopherson asked whether the Prime Minister had always told the House everything he knew about the payment to former senator Mike Duffy; Conservative MP Jason Kenney replied that the Prime Minister learned of the Wright payment only after it became public.
Read the exchangeRail Transportation
New Democrat MP Olivia Chow said CN had failed to report hundreds of derailments and asked what sanctions the company faced; Transport Minister Lisa Raitt said the Transportation Safety Board had resolved the reporting issue with CN in 2007.
Read the exchangePensions
New Democrat MP Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet pressed the government to support the CPP motion; Conservative MP Kevin Sorenson said the NDP plan would cost jobs and force families to pay up to $2,600 more each year.
Read the exchangeEmployment Insurance
New Democrat MP Robert Aubin demanded an apology from the minister of state for small business after comments about EI recipients; Employment Minister Jason Kenney said workers must actively seek available jobs at their skill level.
Read the exchangeForeign Affairs
New Democrat MP Hélène Laverdière said arms exports to Bahrain and Iraq had doubled and asked why Canada was delaying the Arms Trade Treaty; Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said Canada already maintains some of the strongest export controls.
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
- answeredEthicsMr. David Christopherson (NDP) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly states the Prime Minister's lack of awareness about the payment.
the Prime Minister was not aware that Mr. Wright transferred personal funds for Mr. Duffy to repay his expenses.
- deflectedEthicsMr. David Christopherson (NDP) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer denies the premise without addressing the timeline of disclosure.
the Prime Minister did no such thing.
- answeredEthicsMs. Nycole Turmel (NDP) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly addresses what the Prime Minister learned and when.
The Prime Minister has been clear about this since May 15.
- deflectedEthicsMs. Nycole Turmel (NDP) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer restates prior statements without addressing staff notification or timing of House disclosure.
The Prime Minister has repeatedly and clearly stated that he was disappointed about not being informed by his staff
- deflectedEthicsMs. Nycole Turmel (NDP) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer avoids the motion question by referencing the RCMP investigation instead.
the RCMP is conducting an investigation.
- misdirectedEthicsMr. Marc Garneau (Liberal) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer redirects to Senate committee business rather than addressing the House committee request.
That is not the administrative responsibility of the government.
- misdirectedEthicsMr. Marc Garneau (Liberal) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer shifts focus to Senate procedures and Deloitte independence instead of committing to witnesses.
With respect to what witnesses are called by Senate committees, that is the business of the Senate and the members.
- deflectedEthicsMr. Marc Garneau (Liberal) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer begins to address cooperation but cuts off without fully answering the email release request.
the Prime Minister's Office is co-operating with every request made of it by the
- deflectedEthicsMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). loaded question.The answer avoids the question of what else is hidden by restating cooperation with the RCMP.
what the Prime Minister did do, as soon as he found out about these allegations in the media, was go back to his office and order that his office completely assist the RCMP in providing all the information the RCMP required.
- deflectedEthicsMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). loaded question.The answer restates known facts about Duffy and Wright without addressing the briefing details requested.
The Prime Minister found out about this on May 15 and made sure that his office provided complete co-operation and assistance to the RCMP and provided any emails and documentation they required.
- misdirectedEthicsMs. Chris Charlton (NDP) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.The answer shifts to attacking the opposition on legal assistance instead of addressing when the Prime Minister learned of the payment offer.
The difference is, of course, that we do not pay the judgments when we are found guilty.
- partly answeredEthicsMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.The answer addresses the claim of destruction but does not respond to supporting the motion for investigation.
of course, these emails were not destroyed.
- deflectedEthicsMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). rhetorical question.The answer changes the subject entirely to Quebec priorities instead of addressing involvement in the attack.
When it comes to those priorities, the people of Quebec know that the only people they can trust to deliver are the Conservative Party and this government.
- partly answeredPrivacyMs. Charmaine Borg (NDP) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.The answer discusses the emails to RCMP but does not address the status or timeline for the HRSDC privacy breach answers.
At the same time, the protection of personal privacy is something that is extraordinarily important to this government, and we take every step that is needed to ensure the privacy and protection of Canadians' information that is deposited into the hands of the government.
- deflectedEthicsCarolyn Bennett (Liberal) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). loaded question.The answer refers to RCMP documents and committee autonomy without addressing support for calling staffers to testify.
of course, the House ethics committee will decide on its own what it studies and who it brings before committee.
- deflectedEthicsMr. Kevin Lamoureux (Liberal) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.The answer reiterates RCMP focus on Duffy and Wright without addressing when or if staffers will testify in the House.
In the documents the member refers to, I would refer him to page 72, where it says, "I am not aware of any evidence that the Prime Minister was involved in the repayment or reimbursement of money to Senator Duffy or his lawyer".
- deflectedEthicsMr. Kevin Lamoureux (Liberal) asked Mr. Paul Calandra (Conservative). substantive question.The answer diverts to RCMP instead of addressing committee testimony.
I think that member identifies just why sometimes the House of Commons is not the appropriate place to put people under investigation.
- partly answeredRail TransportationMs. Olivia Chow (NDP) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). substantive question.Addresses the reporting discrepancy but omits sanctions and current actions.
The board approached CN in 2006. They sorted out what should be reported, and since that point in time in 2007, the appropriate incidents have been reported.
- deflectedRail TransportationMr. Hoang Mai (NDP) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). substantive question.Shifts responsibility to TSB without committing to ministerial action.
That is why it is appropriate that CN work with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada to ensure that the appropriate incidents are being reported, and since that time in 2007, that has been the case.
- deflectedPensionsMs. Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet (NDP) asked Kevin Sorenson (Conservative). loaded question.Avoids the motion by criticizing NDP economic understanding.
Maybe New Democrats do not understand how the economy works.
- deflectedPensionsMr. Murray Rankin (NDP) asked Kevin Sorenson (Conservative). substantive question.Focuses on attacking the NDP plan rather than addressing support for the motion.
In every jurisdiction where the NDP has had power, the economy has suffered.
- deflectedEmployment InsuranceMr. Robert Aubin (NDP) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.Ignores the request for apology and discusses EI policy instead.
employment insurance remains accessible to Canadians who lose their jobs.
- misdirectedEmployment InsuranceMs. Irene Mathyssen (NDP) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.Directly insults the member and dismisses the claims without policy response.
The allegations that that member has just repeated are shameful and completely false, and the person responsible for making them is lying.
- deflectedEmployment InsuranceMrs. Sana Hassainia (NDP) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). loaded question.Addresses fraud protection but sidesteps the whistleblower and senator issues.
The Auditor General has repeatedly said that there is too much fraud in the system.
- deflectedEmployment InsuranceMrs. Sadia Groguhé (NDP) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.Denies targeting but sidesteps quotas and specific groups mentioned.
the insinuation that Service Canada is targeting certain segments of the population is completely and totally false.
- misdirectedVeterans AffairsMr. Frank Valeriote (Liberal) asked Mr. Parm Gill (Conservative). substantive question.Ignores the question to attack the Liberal Party instead.
Until the Liberal Party stops disrespecting Canada's veterans, we would take no lessons from that party.
- partly answeredVeterans AffairsMs. Joyce Murray (Liberal) asked Rob Nicholson (Conservative). substantive question.Claims investments but omits the 36 recommendations and their status.
No government has done more to invest in the care of our men and women in uniform, and indeed our veterans, than this government.
- deflectedForeign AffairsMs. Hélène Laverdière (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.Restates general laws without addressing export increases or treaty delay.
Canada already has some of the strongest laws and regulations supporting export controls on Canadian arms being exported abroad.
- deflectedForeign AffairsMr. Paul Dewar (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.Shifts to hunters instead of treaty or specific country exports.
we do not want to criminalize being a duck hunter, being a farmer, or being a sportsman.
- partly answeredCitizenship and ImmigrationJudy Sgro (Liberal) asked Chris Alexander (Conservative). substantive question.Discusses tourism support but skips expedited visas and office closures.
We are working very closely with the organizers of the Pan Am Games to ensure we provide full service, better service than ever, for this unprecedented event
- answeredConsumer ProtectionMr. Pierre Dionne Labelle (NDP) asked James Moore (Conservative). substantive question.States CRTC review and near-future announcement directly.
the CRTC is in the process of examining this issue and we will make an announcement in this regard in the very near future.
- deflectedAboriginal AffairsMs. Niki Ashton (NDP) asked Mr. Mark Strahl (Conservative). loaded question.Gives general funding statement without addressing the specific program.
our government is focusing on funding projects that generate tangible results.
- deflectedEmployment InsuranceMr. Jean-François Fortin (Bloc) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.The answer pivots to attacking the prior Liberal government rather than addressing the cited figures or current policy.
We are not going to do what the Liberals did, that is, steal $50 billion from the—
- partly answeredPrivacyMr. Jean-François Fortin (Bloc) asked James Moore (Conservative). substantive question.The response notes existing legislation but offers no plan for new action on the raised concerns.
we already have legislation that protects individuals and their information.
- answeredIntergovernmental AffairsMr. Dean Del Mastro (Independent) asked James Moore (Conservative). substantive question.The minister directly confirms an upcoming meeting with provincial counterparts to address the barriers.
this Thursday I will be meeting with my provincial counterparts to discuss this issue.