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Tuesday, October 21, 2014 · sitting No. 129

Ebola motion leads supply day as commons debates response

Liberal MP Hedy Fry moved a supply day motion that called on the House to recognize the devastation caused by Ebola in western Africa and to require the health minister, the chief public health officer and the public safety minister to appear twice monthly before the health committee. The motion occupied 44 per cent of the sitting and remained under debate at adjournment.

In question period, NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair asked Prime Minister Stephen Harper for a full briefing on the fatal attack on Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Harper said the government would continue to support the armed forces against such threats. Mulcair also pressed Harper on the sale of Ebola protective equipment and vaccine rights, and Harper replied that surplus supplies had been offered to the World Health Organization once requested.

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 · 2014-10-21

Government (Conservative)OppositionOver the day: government 43%, opposition 57% of the words spokenGovernment businessGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0511:0012:0013:0014:0015:0016:00Last speech 17:40Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 7 h 35 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
37Another sitting that went nowhereThe sitting devoted most time to Business of Supply and petitions with no recorded votes or bills advancing. Question period produced far more deflected answers than clear ones.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

Science and Technology

NDP MP Kennedy Stewart said more than 800 scientists from 32 countries had signed a letter urging the government to stop muzzling scientists and cutting public science budgets. Conservative MP Ed Holder said the government had made record investments and ranked Canada first in the G7 for research and development spending in colleges and universities.

Read the exchange

Canada Revenue Agency

NDP MP Guy Caron said a new report indicated the Canada Revenue Agency was ignoring political activities by right-wing organizations such as the Fraser Institute while targeting environmental and other progressive groups. Conservative MP Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay said audit selection was handled by CRA officials and was not subject to political direction.

Read the exchange

Aboriginal Affairs

NDP MP Jean Crowder said the government was discriminating against First Nations children on reserve by providing 22 per cent less funding for child welfare than other children receive. Conservative MP Bernard Valcourt said the government had increased spending by 40 per cent since 2006 to more than $400 million and had introduced a prevention-based approach.

Read the exchange

Canada Post

NDP MP Isabelle Morin asked the government to reverse Canada Post's decision to end home mail delivery for people with reduced mobility. Conservative MP Jeff Watson said two-thirds of Canadian households already lacked door-to-door service and that Canada Post was acting under its five-point plan to preserve daily mail equitably.

Read the exchange

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. answered
    Public SafetyThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer honors the victim and condemns the attack while affirming support for the armed forces.This was a despicable act of violence that strikes against not just this soldier and his colleagues but, frankly, against our very values as a civilized democracy.
  2. deflected
    Public SafetyThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer avoids any commitment to a briefing and repeats prior statements about the victim.I informed the House of the news as soon as I was notified.
  3. partly answered
    HealthThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer confirms Canada holds the rights but does not address the reported sale to NewLink.Canada holds the rights to this vaccine.
  4. answered
    HealthThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer explains that surplus supplies were made available to the WHO upon request.as soon as the World Health Organization requested supplies, the government made any surplus supplies available.
  5. deflected
    HealthThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The response cites WHO praise rather than explaining any delay in recognizing the need for gear.who has complimented Canada on coming forward as soon as requested.
  6. answered
    Public SafetyMr. Justin Trudeau (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer confirms surveillance of dozens and outlines efforts to enable charges.as security agencies have said many times, dozens of individuals are under surveillance for possible terrorist activity.
  7. partly answered
    HealthMr. Justin Trudeau (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer notes occasional availability at committee but avoids committing to regular participation or endorsing the motion.I am sure they will also be available on occasion at committee when required.
  8. partly answered
    HealthMr. Justin Trudeau (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer encourages donations but does not address matching them as done for Haiti.we always encourage Canadians to make donations to charities under any circumstances.
  9. deflected
    National DefenceMr. Paul Dewar (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer describes the mission's goals and components but never addresses whether a year-long combat mission is under consideration.We believe that our solution, the air campaign, is one area, as well as providing training, providing heavy lift support.
  10. deflected
    National DefenceMs. Hélène Laverdière (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the NDP for contemplating a quagmire instead of addressing transparency about extending the mission.the combat mission has not even begun, and yet the NDP is already contemplating a quagmire.
  11. deflected
    National DefenceMs. Hélène Laverdière (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer notes the minister's location and promises future accountability but does not disclose the cost estimate.We will, of course, through ordinary measures, Parliament, accountability, ensure that all the costs come before this House at the appropriate time.
  12. answered
    VeteransMs. Élaine Michaud (NDP) asked Mr. James Bezan (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly explains the government's intervention to release documents and meet with the ombudsman to address the family's concerns.As soon as our government learned of this, the Minister of National Defence asked the Department of National Defence to respect the family's wishes and turn over the necessary documents
  13. answered
    VeteransMr. Jack Harris (NDP) asked Mr. James Bezan (Conservative). substantive question.The answer confirms the process was unacceptable and states actions taken to release documents and improve the inquiry process.That is why we have interjected and asked the department to turn over all the documents to the Alberta government, so it can respect the family's wishes
  14. deflected
    Science and TechnologyMr. Kennedy Stewart (NDP) asked Ed Holder (Conservative). substantive question.The answer highlights investments and rankings but does not address muzzling of scientists or budget cuts.Since being elected, our government has made record investments in science, technology and innovation.
  15. deflected
    Science and TechnologyMs. Laurin Liu (NDP) asked Ed Holder (Conservative). substantive question.The answer repeats claims about investments and rankings without addressing the muzzling or international criticism.our government has made record investments in science, technology and innovation.
  16. partly answered
    Canada Revenue AgencyMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay (Conservative). loaded question.The answer provides a statement denying political direction in audits but does not explain the alleged double standard.the process for identifying which charities will be audited (for any reason) is handled by the Directorate itself
  17. misdirected
    Canada Revenue AgencyMr. Murray Rankin (NDP) asked Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the member and party instead of addressing the claimed audit disparity.It is shameful that this member and his party are using their own political agenda on the backs of hard-working public—
  18. deflected
    HealthMr. Emmanuel Dubourg (Liberal) asked Christian Paradis (Conservative). substantive question.The response highlights actions and partnerships without explaining the disbursement delay.Canadians can be proud of our contribution, which is one of the most significant in the world.
  19. partly answered
    HealthMs. Kirsty Duncan (Liberal) asked Rona Ambrose (Conservative). substantive question.Provides details on options evaluated and current agreement but no specific meetings named.We do currently have an agreement with the U.S. with a commercial operator contractor that it uses called Phoenix Air.
  20. answered
    HealthMr. Ted Hsu (Liberal) asked Rona Ambrose (Conservative). substantive question.Confirms pursuit of domestic supply options including Canadian companies.I am happy to inform the member that, yes, we are pursuing all options to make sure that Canada can have a domestic supply.
  21. misdirected
    Aboriginal AffairsMs. Jean Crowder (NDP) asked Bernard Valcourt (Conservative). loaded question.Denies the premise outright and shifts to government's investments.that statement by the hon. member is totally false.
  22. deflected
    Aboriginal AffairsMs. Jean Crowder (NDP) asked Bernard Valcourt (Conservative). loaded question.Responds by noting past opposition and funding increase without addressing discrimination claim.I remember that very party opposing, for example, the matrimonial property legislation introduced to protect women and children on reserve.
  23. misdirected
    Aboriginal AffairsMs. Jinny Jogindera Sims (NDP) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). loaded question.Calls the question's premise false and explains employer requirements.the preamble to the question was the opposite of the truth.
  24. deflected
    Aboriginal AffairsMrs. Sadia Groguhé (NDP) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). loaded question.Suggests the opposition is not serious and reiterates the hiring message.if the NDP were a serious opposition, it would listen to what I am saying.
  25. deflected
    Consumer ProtectionMr. Glenn Thibeault (NDP) asked Kevin Sorenson (Conservative). loaded question.Answer lists credit-card measures instead of addressing ATM or pay-to-pay fees.Our Conservative government believes that with better information, Canadian consumers can make informed decisions in their best interests.
  26. partly answered
    Consumer ProtectionMs. Annick Papillon (NDP) asked James Moore (Conservative). substantive question.Answer states legislation on pay-to-pay will be introduced this week but adds partisan challenge.we will be introducing legislation to realize that this week.
  27. deflected
    Canadian Broadcasting CorporationMr. Pierre Dionne Labelle (NDP) asked Shelly Glover (Conservative). substantive question.Answer shifts responsibility to the CRTC and CBC rather than addressing the impact of cuts.It is up to the CBC to offer this programming and satisfy its mandate.
  28. deflected
    Canadian Broadcasting CorporationMr. Pierre Nantel (NDP) asked Shelly Glover (Conservative). substantive question.Answer repeats that CBC must meet its mandate without addressing whether cuts prevent fulfillment.All Canadians, and this government, expect the CBC to satisfy that mandate.
  29. misdirected
    Citizenship and ImmigrationJohn McCallum (Liberal) asked Christian Paradis (Conservative). substantive question.Answer highlights Iraq aid ranking instead of addressing matching private refugee sponsorship funds.we are now the fifth-largest contributor of humanitarian aid in Iraq.
  30. partly answered
    Agriculture and Agri-FoodRalph Goodale (Liberal) asked Gerry Ritz (Conservative). substantive question.Answer explains past government support but refuses to disclose buyer numbers due to confidentiality.I am not going to talk about that either.
  31. deflected
    Canada PostMs. Isabelle Morin (NDP) asked Mr. Jeff Watson (Conservative). substantive question.Answer cites Canada Post's financial plan and existing non-home delivery without addressing UN obligations.Canada Post is taking action and is doing so by communicating with Canadians about what their needs may be during this transition.
  32. deflected
    Canada PostMr. Mike Sullivan (NDP) asked Mr. Jeff Watson (Conservative). substantive question.Answer repeats the five-point plan and current non-home delivery statistics without addressing court delay request.two-thirds of Canadians currently do not receive home delivery.
  33. deflected
    Foreign AffairsMs. Chrystia Freeland (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer ignores the question about Canada's participation and offers an irrelevant statement about drones.Mr. Speaker, I do not think we have drones.
  34. deflected
    Public SafetyMrs. Carol Hughes (NDP) asked Steven Blaney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer discusses general emergency management but avoids addressing the specific recommendation on restoring funding.the majority of emergencies in Canada are local in nature and are managed by local or provincial governments.
  35. partly answered
    Employment InsuranceMr. Robert Aubin (NDP) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly denies the premise and explains EI eligibility for seasonal workers.
  36. deflected
    Public Works and Government ServicesMr. André Bellavance (Independent) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.The answer restates the ongoing strategy without confirming any change or addressing the Davie shipyard request.our ship procurement strategy is ongoing.