All sittings← 2014-04-072014-04-09 →
Tuesday, April 8, 2014 · sitting No. 71
Commons debates omnibus budget bill amid opposition criticism
The House spent nearly half the day on government orders debating Bill C-31, the Economic Action Plan 2014 Act, No. 1. NDP MP Djaouida Sellah criticized the bill as another omnibus measure over 360 pages long that the government introduced last Friday to implement the February budget and other measures. Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux said the bill sneaks changes to dozens of statutes through the back door and reflects a lack of respect for House proceedings since the Conservatives won a majority.
Conservative MP Gerald Keddy defended the government's record by noting that tax breaks have returned an average of $3,400 to Canadian families and that the opposition has voted against those measures. The bill remains before the House.
Question period featured clashes over democratic reform and infrastructure funding. NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair pressed the Prime Minister on the Minister of State for Democratic Reform's attack on Chief Electoral Officer Marc Mayrand. Liberal MP Scott Brison questioned why the new building Canada fund has not yet signed agreements with provinces such as Nova Scotia.
Decided that day
- C-31 passed second reading and referred to finance committee
- Opposition amendment to the 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 · 2014-04-08
67Budget bill moves, amendment falls flatThe House spent most of its time on the Economic Action Plan bill and advanced several pieces of legislation through first or second reading. One recorded vote passed a bill to committee while an opposition amendment was defeated.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
Request for Emergency Debate
NDP MP Jinny Jogindera Sims requested an emergency debate on the temporary foreign worker program, citing repeated scandals including those at HD Mining, RBC and McDonald's in Victoria.
Read the exchangeAgriculture and Agri-Food
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz told NDP MP Malcolm Allen that the grain transportation bill offers a balanced and comprehensive approach after committee study and amendments.
Read the exchangeRail Transportation
Transport Minister Lisa Raitt said the government is streamlining regulatory changes with the United States while still requiring cabinet approval and is working with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities on dangerous goods disclosure.
Read the exchangeVeterans Affairs
Conservative MP Parm Gill said the government has voluntarily increased monthly benefits for more than 5,000 veterans receiving earnings loss payments and expanded eligibility for home services.
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
- deflectedDemocratic ReformThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer changes the subject to an unrelated election victory instead of addressing the question on ministerial honesty.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Couillard on his victory last night.
- deflectedDemocratic ReformThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer again changes the subject to an unrelated election victory instead of addressing the demand for an apology.
Mr. Speaker, while I will address that, I would like again to congratulate Mr. Couillard for his great victory last night.
- misdirectedDemocratic ReformThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the NDP leader's past statement rather than addressing consequences for the minister's claim.
That was yet another false statement by the leader of the NDP.
- answeredDemocratic ReformThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly explains the policy rationale for requiring voter identification.
In our opinion, the integrity of elections and the democratic process requires that voters have identification.
- deflectedDemocratic ReformThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer restates the government's position on voter ID and accountability without addressing respect for Sheila Fraser.
once again, we have a different view, which is that the voters who vote in elections need to establish identity.
- misdirectedInfrastructureScott Brison (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the Liberal Party's opposition instead of addressing the program's status or provincial coordination.
Shamefully, that has been opposed by the Liberal Party.
- misdirectedInfrastructureScott Brison (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the Liberal Party's position instead of addressing application details or funding cuts.
All I would ask is that the federal Liberal Party reverse its position and stop opposing federal infrastructure activities 100% of the time.
- misdirectedInfrastructureMr. Marc Garneau (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the Liberal Party's opposition instead of addressing the 87% cut or infrastructure risks.
I am disappointed that the federal Liberal Party votes against these activities 100% of the time.
- deflectedDemocratic ReformThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer ignores the question about undermining the Speaker and pivots to voter ID talking points.
We believe it is important that when voters go to vote that they be able to be identified.
- deflectedDemocratic ReformThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer lists ID options instead of addressing whether seniors' voting difficulties concern the Prime Minister.
let me make it clear to seniors, who, of course, are very strong supporters of the Conservative Party, that the various ways that they can demonstrate their identity and vote are through a health card, an old age security card, a hospital/medical/clinic card, hospital bracelets worn in the case of long-term care facilities, statements of government benefits, a public transportation card or a library card, along with all other pieces of identification that are available to a broad range of Canadian voters.
- deflectedDemocratic ReformThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer lists student ID options instead of addressing whether students' voting difficulties concern the Prime Minister.
we want students to take part in elections. This is why a number of pieces of identification are acceptable.
- misdirectedDemocratic ReformThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer lists ID options then attacks the NDP instead of addressing aboriginal voting concerns.
I look forward to all of these people bringing their identification to the polls in the next election, and once again relegating the NDP to the opposition benches.
- misdirectedDemocratic ReformThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer lists ID options then attacks the NDP instead of addressing blind voters' concerns.
Clearly, I am looking forward to this vote and to the best result for the NDP: to be in opposition.
- deflectedDemocratic ReformThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer restates Elections Canada duties instead of addressing Preston Manning's criticism of the bill.
one of the important principles of the bill is that Elections Canada has the responsibility to ensure that all Canadians are aware of when, where, and how to vote, and there are multiple ways that people can in fact do that.
- deflectedDemocratic ReformThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.Answer restates the government's position without naming any supporting witness as asked.
Our position is well known and is supported by Canadians.
- deflectedDemocratic ReformThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer denies the premise about investigations without addressing the request to give investigators power to compel testimony.
the suggestion that there is anything that would prevent existing investigations from going forward is completely false.
- deflectedDemocratic ReformThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.Answer ignores the question on Conservative investigations and instead attacks the NDP.
When we are speaking about fraud, we do know that the NDP has used parliamentary resources across the country for activities that are clearly partisan in nature, clearly not intended, by any reasonable definition, to be the use of parliamentary resources.
- answeredDemocratic ReformMr. Scott Simms (Liberal) asked Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). substantive question.Answer directly lists multiple acceptable IDs that address the seniors' voting concern.
I would direct members attention to the 39 different acceptable forms of ID that people can use in order to identify themselves and their residence when they vote.
- partly answeredDemocratic ReformMs. Joyce Murray (Liberal) asked Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). loaded question.Answer addresses ID options for students but ignores the core claim about blocking youth turnout.
They can use everything from a library card to a student card and, in order to determine their address, any correspondence they have received from their university, college, or school is acceptable.
- misdirectedDemocratic ReformMr. Kevin Lamoureux (Liberal) asked Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). loaded question.Answer defends testimony and attacks NDP instead of addressing the call for an apology.
Suggestions by the New Democrats and others in recent days attacking the independence of the Director of Public Prosecutions is demonstrably false, and I would suggest outrageous.
- deflectedAgriculture and Agri-FoodMs. Ruth Ellen Brosseau (NDP) asked Gerry Ritz (Conservative). substantive question.Answer praises the bill's balance and thanks participants but avoids long-term timeline commitments.
Having said that, this is a very comprehensive piece of legislation.
- deflectedAgriculture and Agri-FoodMr. Malcolm Allen (NDP) asked Gerry Ritz (Conservative). substantive question.Answer discusses information packages and future meetings but sidesteps compensation and regional service issues.
At the end of the day, of course, we have a balanced piece of legislation moving forward.
- partly answeredRail TransportationMr. Hoang Mai (NDP) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). substantive question.Answer explains streamlining with the US but does not fully address reduced transparency concerns.
What we are doing with respect to this is making sure that we can streamline and harmonize with the United States in a timely fashion instead of going through a pre-publication process.
- answeredRail TransportationMr. Hoang Mai (NDP) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). substantive question.Answer directly quotes FCM support and states railways must provide information to municipalities.
We are telling the railways that they have to provide this information to municipalities and first responders.
- deflectedHealthMs. Libby Davies (NDP) asked Rona Ambrose (Conservative). loaded question.Answer shifts to funding and research instead of addressing wait times or the poll.
we are transferring more money to the provinces for health care than ever in the history of Canada.
- deflectedHealthMr. Dany Morin (NDP) asked Rona Ambrose (Conservative). loaded question.Answer calls the claim false and criticizes the member rather than addressing the proposed strategy.
that is categorically false, because our government has increased transfers, since we have been elected government, by almost 50% to the provinces and territories.
- misdirectedVeterans AffairsMr. Sylvain Chicoine (NDP) asked Mr. Parm Gill (Conservative). loaded question.Answer pivots to attacking the opposition's voting record instead of addressing court delays or compensation.
What is more disappointing is the opposition. The NDP and the Liberals have voted against every single initiative we have brought forward.
- deflectedVeterans AffairsMr. Peter Stoffer (NDP) asked Mr. Parm Gill (Conservative). loaded question.Answer emphasizes voluntary increases but avoids the clawback period from 2006.
Our government voluntarily increased benefits for veterans receiving earnings loss, Canadian Forces income support, and the war veterans allowance.
- deflectedHealthHedy Fry (Liberal) asked Rona Ambrose (Conservative). substantive question.Answer repeats transfer increases and efficiency claims without addressing a seniors-specific strategy or demographic formula.
we have increased transfers to the provinces by 50%, and we are funding health care to the provinces and territories at the highest level in Canadian history.
- partly answeredPublic SafetyWayne Easter (Liberal) asked Steven Blaney (Conservative). substantive question.Answer addresses efficiency and red tape but offers no concrete plans for prioritization.
We believe that we can provide Canadian society with better services by improving the efficiency of our police services, streamlining our justice system, and finding ways so that policemen are not behind desks working with red tape but are serving our people.
- answeredFisheries and OceansMr. Robert Chisholm (NDP) asked Gail Shea (Conservative). substantive question.Answer directly explains the last-in-first-out policy and its consistent application since 1997.
Last in, first out has been part of this fishery since 1997.
- deflectedFisheries and OceansMr. Ryan Cleary (NDP) asked Gail Shea (Conservative). substantive question.Answer defends quota history but does not commit to working with inshore fishermen or rethinking the policy.
In Area 6, for example, back in 1998, the offshore had a quota of 13,360 tonnes. Today they have one tonne less.
- partly answeredCitizenship and ImmigrationMs. Kirsty Duncan (Liberal) asked Chris Alexander (Conservative). substantive question.Directly confirms continued acceptance of refugees including from Somalia but does not address the community's contribution.
Canada, under this government, will of course continue accepting refugees from all over the world.
- deflectedEmploymentMr. Andrew Cash (NDP) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). substantive question.Explains airport authority contracts and security rules without addressing government protection of permanent jobs.
As he would know, the airport authority has its own contracts with its own contractors.
- deflectedCanada PostMr. José Nunez-Melo (NDP) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). loaded question.Describes Canada Post's mailbox conversion plan but avoids the premise of attacking businesses and residents.
Canada Post is converting that other third into the two-thirds.
- partly answeredForeign AffairsMr. André Bellavance (Bloc) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.States awareness and contact with Cameroon authorities but does not confirm steps taken or direct family contact.
we are aware of this abduction in Cameroon.