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Friday, June 20, 2014 · sitting No. 108

Commons backs victims bill of rights at second reading

The House spent the largest share of its time on government orders for the victims bill of rights. NDP MP Marie-Claude Morin told the House the party would support the measure at second reading so it could receive committee study, though she warned the government against leaving the bill unimplemented. Several NDP members questioned whether psychological impacts on victims had been properly considered and whether the bill would take effect before the next election.

Question period featured repeated exchanges on refugee resettlement and the temporary foreign worker program. NDP MP David Christopherson pressed the government for a firm commitment on Syrian refugee numbers by month end while Conservative MP Costas Menegakis defended the record and cited a Syrian family's praise for Canadian assistance. NDP MP David Christopherson also asked whether announced fixes to the temporary foreign worker program would include a public list of wages and positions.

Further exchanges in question period addressed judicial appointments and northern food security. NDP MP Nycole Turmel and NDP MP Mylène Freeman criticized the low number of women and minorities named to the bench while Conservative MP Robert Goguen said appointments rest solely on merit. NDP MP Yvonne Jones raised concerns about expired food sold under the Nutrition North program.

Decided that day

  • C-32 completed second reading

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 · 2014-06-20

Government (Conservative)OppositionOver the day: government 42%, opposition 58% of the words spokenGovernment businessStatements By MembersQuestion Period▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0511:00Last speech 12:05Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 2 h 0 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
39One bill inches ahead amid dodged questionsThe House devoted most speaking time to substantive topics and advanced one bill through second reading. Question Period produced few direct answers and no votes were held.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

The Environment

NDP MP Peter Julian said the government showed disregard for British Columbia by approving the northern gateway pipeline despite risks to caribou and grizzly bears, and Conservative MP Kelly Block replied that the decision followed an independent review panel's 209 conditions.

Read the exchange

CBC/Radio-Canada

NDP MP Christine Moore warned that further cuts would harm regional news coverage after 657 positions were already eliminated, while Conservative MP Rick Dykstra said the broadcaster must operate within its existing budget and meet viewer demand.

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Housing

NDP MP Robert Aubin argued that the federal CSA A23.1 concrete standard falls under federal jurisdiction and urged changes to protect homeowners, and Conservative MP Jason Kenney maintained that the issue is a provincial responsibility.

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Veterans Affairs

Conservative MP Blake Richards stated that injured veterans may receive average monthly benefits between four thousand and six thousand dollars, and Conservative MP Parm Gill added that some veterans receive more than ten thousand dollars a month in total support.

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Question 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

  1. deflected
    Citizenship and ImmigrationMr. David Christopherson (NDP) asked Mr. Costas Menegakis (Conservative). substantive question.The answer gives general praise for Canada's refugee system and funding but provides no guarantee or specific number for Syrian refugees.Canada continues to have one of the most generous immigration and refugee systems in the world.
  2. deflected
    EmploymentMr. David Christopherson (NDP) asked Mr. Scott Armstrong (Conservative). substantive question.The answer avoids the question by deferring to a future announcement and pivoting to the previous Liberal government.the member will have to wait to see what changes are in store.
  3. partly answered
    EmploymentMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Mr. Scott Armstrong (Conservative). rhetorical question.The answer addresses the program's purpose and penalties but does not engage the interruption or prior question.We are going to take strong steps to ensure that employers respect this program.
  4. deflected
    EmploymentMr. David Christopherson (NDP) asked Mr. Scott Armstrong (Conservative). substantive question.The answer restates general commitments without addressing the sunshine list proposal or specific actions requested.we are going to take strong steps in this program to protect Canadian employees across this country.
  5. answered
    EmploymentMs. Nycole Turmel (NDP) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). loaded question.The answer directly counters the premise by announcing new labour market programs and an overhaul of the temporary foreign worker program.Today we are undertaking a major overhaul of the temporary foreign worker program to make sure that Canadians always get first crack at available jobs.
  6. partly answered
    JusticeMs. Nycole Turmel (NDP) asked Mr. Robert Goguen (Conservative). loaded question.The answer addresses appointments based on merit and notes increases in women judges but does not address the request for a gender equality process.our appointments are based on only one criterion: legal excellence and merit.
  7. misdirected
    Intergovernmental RelationsJohn McKay (Liberal) asked Mr. Andrew Saxton (Conservative). loaded question.The answer pivots to overall federal support increases and criticizes the prior Liberal government instead of addressing the Ontario-specific funding complaint.federal support for Ontario has increased 76% since our government took office in 2006.
  8. misdirected
    InfrastructureJohn McKay (Liberal) asked Mr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the questioner as misleading and out to lunch while shifting to general funding increases rather than the requested cheque.my colleague is once again misleading the House.
  9. deflected
    The EnvironmentJohn McKay (Liberal) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). substantive question.The answer avoids addressing whether guidelines were issued and instead discusses emission percentages.We are pleased that the United States is following in Canada's footsteps.
  10. deflected
    Citizenship and ImmigrationMs. Libby Davies (NDP) asked Mr. Costas Menegakis (Conservative). loaded question.The response highlights reforms and savings without committing to the requested focus.since our government's comprehensive reforms to Canada's asylum system took effect, the number of new asylum claims from safe countries has decreased to historic lows
  11. misdirected
    Citizenship and ImmigrationMr. Paul Dewar (NDP) asked Mr. Costas Menegakis (Conservative). loaded question.The answer dismisses the question as rhetoric and provides an unrelated quote instead of addressing the 10,000 refugees request.the member's rhetoric is completely wrong.
  12. partly answered
    Citizenship and ImmigrationMs. Alexandrine Latendresse (NDP) asked Mr. Costas Menegakis (Conservative). substantive question.Provides a total number of Syrian settlers but does not specify how many are government-sponsored.we are happy to say that over 1,150 people from Syria have settled in Canada since the start of the Syrian conflict
  13. misdirected
    Citizenship and ImmigrationMs. Alexandrine Latendresse (NDP) asked Mr. Costas Menegakis (Conservative). loaded question.The response ends by shaming the member and their party rather than addressing the question about attitude or health care.Shame on the member for saying that.
  14. partly answered
    EmploymentMs. Rosane Doré Lefebvre (NDP) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.Announces a quarterly report on number of companies but does not commit to releasing full details on job descriptions and wages.One of the measures is designed to ensure more transparency by requiring the program to issue a report every three months on the number of companies that made a request for temporary foreign workers.
  15. deflected
    EmploymentMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). rhetorical question.The minister questions if there was a question and reiterates the reforms without addressing trust or inspections.I do not know whether there was a question there.
  16. deflected
    EmploymentMr. Pat Martin (NDP) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). loaded question.The answer criticizes the NDP's approach and mentions provincial concerns instead of detailing actions for displaced workers.what we hear is the very typical demagogy of the NDP that I do not hear from NDP provincial governments.
  17. deflected
    JusticeMs. Mylène Freeman (NDP) asked Mr. Robert Goguen (Conservative). substantive question.The answer ignores the question about sending invitation letters and pivots to merit and appointment statistics.judicial appointments are based on one single criterion and one single criterion only: merit and legal excellence.
  18. partly answered
    JusticeMs. Mylène Freeman (NDP) asked Mr. Robert Goguen (Conservative). substantive question.The answer provides examples of appointments but does not directly address committing to future efforts on representation.We will continue to appoint highly qualified women to provincial superior courts.
  19. misdirected
    Aboriginal AffairsMs. Lise St-Denis (Liberal) asked Mr. Robert Goguen (Conservative). loaded question.The answer ignores the loaded premise about sexist comments and instead discusses unrelated studies and funding.in recent years, there have been at least 40 investigations and studies.
  20. deflected
    JusticeMr. Ted Hsu (Liberal) asked Mr. Robert Goguen (Conservative). substantive question.The answer lists diverse appointments but avoids committing to releasing application data as requested.we want to encourage good candidates to apply to the JACS.
  21. deflected
    JusticeJohn McCallum (Liberal) asked Mr. Robert Goguen (Conservative). loaded question.The answer sidesteps the criticism of backward views and repeats appointment statistics instead of addressing the commitment asked.There have been 182 women appointed to the bench since 2006, a 17% increase.
  22. deflected
    EmploymentMr. Matthew Dubé (NDP) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer avoids explaining failure on youth unemployment and shifts to general economic policy and tax criticism.it is not government programs that will create jobs for Canada's young people, it is a growing economy, a strong economy.
  23. partly answered
    EmploymentMs. Anne Minh-Thu Quach (NDP) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the rate is too high and discusses training initiatives but does not specify new actions on the unemployment rate.That is one of the reasons I have reached out to employers and unions to train young people for better jobs
  24. deflected
    CBC/Radio-CanadaMs. Christine Moore (NDP) asked Mr. Rick Dykstra (Conservative). substantive question.The answer avoids promising support for regional coverage and instead blames CBC's own challenges and budget.It is up to the CBC to provide programming that Canadians actually want and deserve.
  25. deflected
    CBC/Radio-CanadaMs. Isabelle Morin (NDP) asked Mr. Rick Dykstra (Conservative). loaded question.The answer shifts focus to CBC's internal revenue issues instead of addressing cuts or cultural identity.It is up to the CBC to provide programming that Canadians actually want and deserve, not for government to interfere.
  26. answered
    The EnvironmentMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Mrs. Kelly Block (Conservative). loaded question.The answer directly justifies the approval via the independent panel and imposed conditions.our decision is based on the conclusions of an independent science-based review panel.
  27. deflected
    The EnvironmentMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Mrs. Kelly Block (Conservative). loaded question.The answer repeats the panel justification without engaging accusations about scientists, jobs or opposition.our decision is based on the conclusions of an independent science-based review panel.
  28. deflected
    National DefenceMr. Jack Harris (NDP) asked Mr. Bernard Trottier (Conservative). substantive question.The answer avoids confirming or denying the specific safety standard change and pivots to contract history.after years of Liberal mismanagement of the maritime helicopter project, I am pleased that this contract has now been completed
  29. partly answered
    National DefenceMr. Jack Harris (NDP) asked Mr. Bernard Trottier (Conservative). substantive question.The answer states requirements will be met but does not address the 30-minute run-dry capability specifically.the requirements defined by the Royal Canadian Air Force will be met by Sikorsky.
  30. answered
    Aboriginal AffairsMs. Yvonne Jones (Liberal) asked Bernard Valcourt (Conservative). substantive question.The answer explains the program's purpose and claims it is lowering prices in response to the query.The program is working. The price of these goods has gone down substantially
  31. misdirected
    Air TransportationMs. Yvonne Jones (Liberal) asked Mr. Jeff Watson (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the member's voting record instead of addressing the infrastructure funding request.I would remind the member that she and her colleagues continue to vote against those substantial investments
  32. answered
    HousingMr. Robert Aubin (NDP) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer clearly states the matter is provincial jurisdiction and not federal.the use of pyrrhotite is a provincial jurisdiction. It is up to the provincial government to resolve.
  33. deflected
    HousingMr. Robert Aubin (NDP) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer states the issue is provincial jurisdiction without addressing the federal standard or victim assistance.unfortunately for the member, his question about the use of pyrrhotite is a provincial jurisdiction.
  34. misdirected
    Employment InsuranceLawrence MacAulay (Liberal) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer dismisses the premise as balderdash, cites statistics, then attacks the asker on temporary foreign workers.The member may want to invent political arguments, but one cannot invent the statistics.
  35. misdirected
    TransportationMr. Ryan Cleary (NDP) asked Mr. Jeff Watson (Conservative). substantive question.The answer notes the crown corporation's role then pivots to accusing the asker of ripping off taxpayers with mailings.In like fashion, that member is responsible for getting on his feet and explaining his part, with 22 other NDP MPs, in bogus mailings for partisan flyers that ripped off the taxpayers, and when he and his colleagues plan to pay them back.