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Friday, February 27, 2015 · sitting No. 181

Commons advances respect for communities act amid clashes over security bill and aboriginal inquiry

The House spent the largest share of its time on government orders for the respect for communities act, Bill C-2. Conservative MP Jim Eglinski told the House the bill would give communities a say in decisions about supervised consumption sites and that police and municipal officials needed to share street-level information with the minister of health. NDP MP Jamie Nicholls pressed Eglinski on whether he would attend harm-reduction seminars in West Yellowhead and consider amendments if local groups raised concerns.

Question period featured repeated exchanges on missing and murdered aboriginal women and on Bill C-51. NDP MP Megan Leslie asked the government to launch a national public inquiry rather than blame indigenous communities, while Conservative MP Susan Truppe said more than 40 studies already existed and the government would not hold another inquiry. NDP MP Rosane Doré Lefebvre and Conservative MP Roxanne James clashed over whether the government had ignored Quebec concerns about charter rights in the security legislation.

Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux supported the call for an inquiry and for parliamentary oversight of the new powers.

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 · 2015-02-27

Government (Conservative)OppositionOver the day: government 49%, opposition 51% of the words spokenGovernment businessQuestion PeriodRoutine proceedingsGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0011:0012:0013:00Last speech 13:25Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 3 h 25 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
28Another sitting that went nowhereThe House spent most of its time debating bills and issues such as the Respect for Communities Act and public safety without advancing any legislation. No votes were held, no bills moved forward, and answers during question period were largely deflected.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

Points of Order

NDP MP Peter Julian raised a point of order about Conservative actions on the public safety committee and asked the Speaker for guidance over the weekend, while Conservative MP Dave MacKenzie said the government House leader would respond after question period.

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Veterans Affairs

NDP MP John Rafferty asked why Veterans Affairs continued to require Master Corporal Paul Franklin to prove yearly that he had lost both legs, and Conservative MP Pierre Lemieux said the minister had ordered a review and would move renewals to a three-year cycle.

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Canada Post

NDP MP Matthew Kellway said hundreds of municipalities had called for an end to the community mailbox plan and that Montreal would join a court challenge, while Conservative MP Jeff Watson said Canada Post was an arm's-length corporation dealing with a 25 per cent drop in mail volume since 2008.

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Trinity Western University

Conservative MP James Lunney said law societies and banks had discriminated against Trinity Western University graduates over religious diversity requirements, while Conservative MP Leon Benoit said the university had defeated the attempt to bar its students from practising law.

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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
    Aboriginal AffairsMs. Megan Leslie (NDP) asked Mrs. Susan Truppe (Conservative). loaded question.The answer states opposition to an inquiry and pivots to existing studies and unrelated legislation instead of addressing the request.we do not support a national inquiry.
  2. deflected
    Aboriginal AffairsMs. Megan Leslie (NDP) asked Mrs. Susan Truppe (Conservative). loaded question.The answer repeats refusal of an inquiry and criticizes the opposition rather than responding to the call from mayors and premiers.we will not commit to a national inquiry.
  3. misdirected
    Public SafetyMs. Megan Leslie (NDP) asked Ms. Roxanne James (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the NDP filibuster and avoids explaining why debate was limited after the Prime Minister's statement on oversight.after a 10-hour NDP filibuster yesterday, the committee was finally able to agree on a schedule for the study
  4. deflected
    Public SafetyMs. Rosane Doré Lefebvre (NDP) asked Ms. Roxanne James (Conservative). substantive question.The answer points to committee witnesses and bill protections but does not address Quebec's specific concerns about charter rights.There are protections in this bill with respect to the very issue the NDP member is talking about.
  5. misdirected
    Public SafetyMs. Rosane Doré Lefebvre (NDP) asked Ms. Roxanne James (Conservative). substantive question.The answer accuses the NDP of obstruction and references past votes instead of addressing consultation with Quebec and stakeholders.it does not surprise me for a moment that New Democrats would try to obstruct this very important legislation
  6. partly answered
    Aboriginal AffairsMr. Kevin Lamoureux (Liberal) asked Mrs. Susan Truppe (Conservative). substantive question.The answer describes the action plan and community measures but does not address the request for a national inquiry or new federal funding.I am very proud of our action plan that the minister tabled in September.
  7. deflected
    Aboriginal AffairsMr. Kevin Lamoureux (Liberal) asked Mrs. Susan Truppe (Conservative). loaded question.The answer defends the existing plan and criticizes the opposition rather than engaging with the claim that measures are inadequate.It would be nice if the opposition would support that.
  8. deflected
    Aboriginal AffairsStéphane Dion (Liberal) asked Mrs. Susan Truppe (Conservative). loaded question.The answer repeats the no-inquiry position and lists prior actions while ignoring the specific yes-or-no question about the Prime Minister attending.There have been more than 40 studies on the plight of murdered and missing aboriginal women, and now is not the time for studies; it is the time for action.
  9. deflected
    Public SafetyMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Ms. Roxanne James (Conservative). loaded question.The answer blames the NDP filibuster and avoids addressing why the bill cannot be properly studied.It was the opposition party, the NDP, whose filibuster yesterday delayed the committee coming to an agreement on the number of meetings.
  10. deflected
    Public SafetyMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Ms. Roxanne James (Conservative). loaded question.The answer shifts to defending the bill and accusing the NDP of filibustering rather than addressing scrutiny concerns.The NDP member needs to stop filibustering and let us get—
  11. partly answered
    Public SafetyMs. Hélène Laverdière (NDP) asked Ms. Roxanne James (Conservative). substantive question.The answer addresses radicalization and travel disruption measures but ties it back to the bill instead of parents' specific concerns.There are measures in the bill that would give our national security agencies the ability to intervene and to disrupt terrorist travel.
  12. misdirected
    International DevelopmentMs. Hélène Laverdière (NDP) asked Ms. Roxanne James (Conservative). loaded question.The answer pivots to terrorism and Bill C-51 instead of addressing the Global Partnership for Education pledge.That is why we brought forward Bill C-51
  13. partly answered
    International DevelopmentMs. Hélène Laverdière (NDP) asked Ms. Lois Brown (Conservative). substantive question.The answer discusses general education commitments but does not explain the delay in pledging to the GPE.We have been one of the largest contributors to helping in Iraq to make sure that the children there are being taken care of, and in Syria as well.
  14. answered
    Veterans AffairsMr. John Rafferty (NDP) asked Mr. Pierre Lemieux (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly explains the change to a three-year renewal cycle for VIP and addresses the specific veteran's issue.On behalf of the Minister of Veterans Affairs , I am pleased to inform this House that the VIP renewal will move to a three-year cycle instead of a one-year cycle.
  15. deflected
    Veterans AffairsMs. Irene Mathyssen (NDP) asked Mr. Pierre Lemieux (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the NDP voting record and lists past initiatives instead of addressing the repeated disability proof requirement.The NDP has voted against every single initiative that we have brought forward to actually help our veterans in concrete ways.
  16. deflected
    Aboriginal AffairsMr. Romeo Saganash (NDP) asked Mrs. Susan Truppe (Conservative). loaded question.The answer rejects the inquiry and lists past laws while blaming opposition votes rather than addressing the call for a national inquiry.we do not need a national inquiry.
  17. deflected
    Aboriginal AffairsMr. Romeo Saganash (NDP) asked Mrs. Susan Truppe (Conservative). substantive question.The answer lists other initiatives instead of addressing the lack of implementation of recommendations or the inquiry.our government has already taken significant action in this area.
  18. deflected
    InfrastructureJohn McCallum (Liberal) asked Mr. Peter Braid (Conservative). loaded question.The response defends infrastructure record by comparing to Liberals rather than addressing the specific cuts or priorities mentioned.since our Conservative government took office in 2006, Canada has consistently ranked at the very top of the list of all G7 countries with respect to investments in infrastructure as a percentage of GDP.
  19. partly answered
    The EnvironmentJohn McKay (Liberal) asked Mr. Colin Carrie (Conservative). rhetorical question.The answer addresses the premise of cuts by clarifying that main estimates are not total budgets and reaffirming commitment.Our government will remain committed to a strong environmental assessment process.
  20. misdirected
    The EnvironmentJohn McKay (Liberal) asked Mr. Colin Carrie (Conservative). rhetorical question.The answer focuses on criticizing the Liberals' past emissions record instead of addressing the current meeting cancellation or emissions.we will take no lessons from the Liberal Party as far as greenhouse gases.
  21. deflected
    Canada PostMr. Matthew Kellway (NDP) asked Mr. Jeff Watson (Conservative). substantive question.The answer explains Canada Post's situation and responsibilities without committing to abandoning the plan.the plan is Canada Post's five-point plan. It is an independent crown corporation.
  22. deflected
    Canada PostMr. Denis Blanchette (NDP) asked Mr. Jeff Watson (Conservative). substantive question.The response reiterates Canada Post's financial responsibilities rather than addressing consultation or restoring delivery.Canada Post has to balance its budget without burdening taxpayers.
  23. deflected
    Canada PostMs. Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet (NDP) asked Mr. Jeff Watson (Conservative). substantive question.The answer points to declining mail volumes and financial expectations without agreeing to a moratorium.Because of the drop in demand, the volume of mail has plunged by nearly 25% since 2008, and the trend is steady.
  24. deflected
    Canada PostMs. Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet (NDP) asked Mr. Jeff Watson (Conservative). substantive question.The answer states expectations for Canada Post regarding consultations and maintenance but does not address ending the plan.We expect it to hold to its responsibilities.
  25. deflected
    Regional Economic DevelopmentMs. Ruth Ellen Brosseau (NDP) asked Mr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative). substantive question.Avoids addressing the specific budget cut mentioned.We invite the Mauricie region to send its own applications to the regional office.
  26. deflected
    Regional Economic DevelopmentMr. Dany Morin (NDP) asked Mr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative). substantive question.Focuses on historical spending rather than recent cuts.since 2006, the Economic Development Agency of Canada has invested more than $1 billion in all regions of Quebec.
  27. misdirected
    Regional Economic DevelopmentMr. François Lapointe (NDP) asked Mr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative). substantive question.Suggests the member improve his region's situation instead of answering.I invite the opposition member to work on the economic development of his own region.
  28. answered
    Official LanguagesMrs. Anne-Marie Day (NDP) asked Mr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative). substantive question.Confirms the request was received and will be considered.yesterday the Standing Committee on Official Languages received a request from the NDP to study this situation, and we will study the request in order to determine whether we will proceed.
  29. partly answered
    TransportationGerry Byrne (Liberal) asked Mr. Jeff Watson (Conservative). substantive question.Notes that budget details come later but affirms ongoing support.what I can tell the member is that this government has made substantial investments in Marine Atlantic.
  30. deflected
    Natural ResourcesStéphane Dion (Liberal) asked Mrs. Kelly Block (Conservative). substantive question.Defers to provincial jurisdiction without addressing the inconsistency raised.decisions respecting the development of liquefied natural gas rest primarily with the province, and we respect its jurisdiction.
  31. deflected
    Canadian HeritageMr. Paul Dewar (NDP) asked Mr. Rick Dykstra (Conservative). substantive question.States consultation occurred but provides no specifics.Consultation has taken place on this monument, and the fact that it was brought forward by the organizations involved should be respected by the member across.
  32. partly answered
    Public SafetyMr. Paul Dewar (NDP) asked Ms. Roxanne James (Conservative). substantive question.Defers the question without providing an answer.I will take that question under advisement to the minister.
  33. deflected
    InfrastructureMark Eyking (Liberal) asked Mr. Peter Braid (Conservative). loaded question.The answer cites general investment statistics and plans without addressing the specific Cape Breton funding request or black hole claim.our investments in infrastructure are three times higher than the previous Liberal government's.
  34. partly answered
    HealthMr. Bruce Hyer (Green) asked Mrs. Cathy McLeod (Conservative). substantive question.The answer addresses federal health transfers but dismisses the question as absurd and pivots to criticizing Liberals.that is an absolutely absurd statement.
  35. answered
    Aboriginal AffairsMrs. Sana Hassainia (Independent) asked Mrs. Susan Truppe (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly rejects the inquiry request and details the government's action plan while attacking opposition voting record.no, we will not support a national inquiry.
  36. deflected
    HealthMr. Bruce Hyer (Green) asked Mrs. Cathy McLeod (Conservative). loaded question.The answer reiterates transfer increases and quotes a premier on innovation without committing to the requested long-term strategy.I have talked already about the increase in transfers to the provinces that will continue to take place year after year.