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Tuesday, March 10, 2015 · sitting No. 183

NDP motion on jobs leads commons debate

The House devoted the largest share of its sitting to a supply day motion moved by NDP MP Nathan Cullen that called on the government to make job creation and protection the first priority of Budget 2015 and to drop its income-splitting proposal. Cullen cited sustained high unemployment since 2008 and a long-term decline in job quality. Conservative MP Scott Armstrong questioned how the NDP would deliver a national daycare program in rural and shift-work settings.

Question period featured exchanges on the death of Sergeant Andrew Doiron in Iraq and on Senator Pamela Wallin's travel expenses. NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair asked why Kurdish forces were unaware of Canadian troops on the front line and whether Doiron's death should be classified as combat. Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the incident was under investigation and involved friendly fire. Mulcair also asked whether the prime minister still considered Wallin's expenses appropriate after personally reviewing them.

Liberal MP Justin Trudeau pressed the government to table its budget and accused ministers of divisive comments on minorities, while the prime minister defended the record of job creation since the recession.

Decided that day

  • C-656 was introduced

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 · 2015-03-10

Government (Conservative)OppositionOver the day: government 41%, opposition 59% of the words spokenGovernment businessGovernment businessRoutine proceedings▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0512:0013:0014:0015:0016:0017:0018:00Last speech 19:40Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 9 h 35 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
41Supply debated, little decidedThe House devoted most of its time to business of supply and committee reports yet recorded no votes and advanced only one bill by introduction. Question period produced mostly deflected answers and four speaker interventions with no points of order raised.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

Veterans Affairs

NDP MP Sylvain Chicoine said Canadian soldiers injured in the line of duty receive less compensation than British, Australian and American veterans, citing a Globe and Mail analysis. Minister of Veterans Affairs Erin O'Toole replied that Canadian veterans have among the most comprehensive benefits in the world and pointed to a new retirement income security benefit.

Read the exchange

Rail Transportation

NDP MP Matthew Kellway noted three recent derailments and cuts of 43 per cent from the strategic infrastructure fund. Transport Minister Lisa Raitt said the government has introduced new tank-car standards and operation requirements since the Lac-Mégantic tragedy.

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Aboriginal Affairs

NDP MP Niki Ashton said the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women found Canada committed a grave violation of the rights of indigenous women and called for a national inquiry. Minister for the Status of Women Susan Truppe said the government has passed more than 30 criminal-justice measures and closed a 30-year legislative gap on human rights for first nations.

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Health

Conservative MP Rob Clarke said he voted for Bill C-2 to give communities a voice on injection sites. Health Minister Rona Ambrose said the Liberal leader's support for more heroin injection sites without consultation is shameful.

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. deflected
    National DefenceThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer discusses investigation and condolences but avoids why Kurdish forces were unaware.The details are being investigated.
  2. deflected
    National DefenceThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer restates lack of expectation of fire but does not explain difference in combat classification.these particular soldiers were not, at the time of the incident, expecting to come under fire from anybody
  3. answered
    National DefenceThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.Answer directly claims actions follow the parliamentary mandate.our soldiers are acting in Iraq in accordance with the mandate given by this Parliament
  4. deflected
    National DefenceThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.Answer shifts to NDP opposition and Kurdish assistance instead of addressing front-line deployment.that the NDP voted against this military mission.
  5. deflected
    National DefenceThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.Answer dismisses statements as false without addressing the mandate wording or front-line deaths.there are several false statements in the NDP leader's remarks
  6. deflected
    National DefenceMr. Justin Trudeau (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer expresses confidence but does not address whether the minister was reprimanded.I have full confidence in the Minister of National Defence.
  7. deflected
    The EconomyMr. Justin Trudeau (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer pivots to job numbers and attacks Liberal position instead of stating budget date.A total of 1.2 million net new jobs have been created since the depths of the recession.
  8. deflected
    The EconomyMr. Justin Trudeau (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer claims prior response then shifts to niqab debate without giving budget timeline.I just answered that question about the economy.
  9. deflected
    EthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer restates review process instead of confirming or denying the maintained position on fundraisers.We did that, and the senator must be held accountable for her actions.
  10. deflected
    EthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer addresses similarity to other MPs and audit but avoids stating belief on legality at the time.Upon discovering that they were not proper and correct, this party has taken the appropriate action.
  11. misdirected
    EthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer pivots to attacking NDP expenses and defending the minister without addressing the conflict finding directly.On the contrary, it is the NDP that took taxpayers' money from parliamentary funds.
  12. misdirected
    EthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer attacks the asker on court appearance rather than addressing knowledge of the deal.I am glad the member observes that he is willing to go before a judge and I do not, because I do not have to and he will have to.
  13. deflected
    EthicsMs. Ève Péclet (NDP) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.Answer accepts advice on process but does not address condoning rule disregard or favoritism.I accept the advice of the commissioner to ensure that these subsidy programs are administered in a fair, accessible and effective way for all involved.
  14. deflected
    EthicsMs. Ève Péclet (NDP) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). loaded question.Answer reiterates no personal interest and lack of friendship but sidesteps PMO involvement and rule-breaking.The commissioner found that neither I nor any of my family members or friends had a personal interest in the decision to subsidize this project.
  15. deflected
    EthicsMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.Answer repeats belief in project value without addressing interference or rule adherence by PMO.I always believed that this project was worthwhile and in the public interest.
  16. deflected
    EthicsMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.Answer claims no PM involvement but avoids explaining PMO actions or instructions to Wright.the commissioner was very clear that there was no involvement by the Prime Minister in the selection of this project.
  17. misdirected
    EthicsMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). loaded question.The answer addresses conflict of interest findings rather than the question on PMO interference and the meaning of 'sort it out'.The commissioner further found that I was not friends with Rabbi Mendelsohn.
  18. partly answered
    The EconomyMr. Emmanuel Dubourg (Liberal) asked Joe Oliver (Conservative). substantive question.The answer lists policy measures taken but does not address the IMF warning or risks to middle-class homeowners.over the past few years, the government has taken measures to ensure the long-term stability of the housing market and to reduce taxpayer exposure.
  19. deflected
    The EconomyMs. Chrystia Freeland (Liberal) asked Joe Oliver (Conservative). substantive question.The answer quotes IMF praise for Canada's system instead of addressing the call for a budget tackling the housing market.In the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, Canada's financial system held up remarkably well—making it the envy of its Group of Seven peers.
  20. partly answered
    The EconomyMr. Adam Vaughan (Liberal) asked Joe Oliver (Conservative). substantive question.The answer denies a bubble and restates prior measures but does not address Calgary-specific risks or oversight needs.as I said many times, there is no housing bubble.
  21. partly answered
    National DefenceMr. Jack Harris (NDP) asked Mr. James Bezan (Conservative). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the report and states it is under review but does not commit to implementing recommendations.The Department of National Defence has just received the final report and is reviewing the recommendations on an expedited basis.
  22. partly answered
    National DefenceMs. Élaine Michaud (NDP) asked Mr. James Bezan (Conservative). loaded question.The answer notes recent receipt of the report and ongoing review but avoids addressing the claim of refusal to implement.We agree that the outcome of this is completely unacceptable.
  23. partly answered
    Veterans AffairsMr. Sylvain Chicoine (NDP) asked Erin O'Toole (Conservative). substantive question.The answer asserts Canadian benefits are among the best and mentions a new proposal but does not address compensation gaps versus other countries.Canadian veterans have among the best comprehensive suite of veterans' benefits and programs in the world.
  24. partly answered
    Veterans AffairsMr. Peter Stoffer (NDP) asked Erin O'Toole (Conservative). substantive question.The answer describes eligibility for the new benefit but does not guarantee no income loss at age 65.if a moderately or seriously injured veteran is receiving financial benefits at 64, they are eligible for the retirement income security benefit at 65, until the end of their life.
  25. deflected
    Aboriginal AffairsMs. Niki Ashton (NDP) asked Mrs. Susan Truppe (Conservative). substantive question.The answer lists past legislation instead of addressing the rejection of a national inquiry.our government has already taken significant action in this area.
  26. partly answered
    Aboriginal AffairsMs. Niki Ashton (NDP) asked Bernard Valcourt (Conservative). substantive question.The answer reports progress on claims but does not address the specific report or bad-faith allegations.We have cleared a backlog of some 516 claims in assessment, and we have settled 120 specific claims.
  27. deflected
    Rail TransportationMr. Matthew Kellway (NDP) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). loaded question.The answer thanks responders and lists prior measures rather than addressing the funding cuts mentioned.I am very proud of our record.
  28. answered
    Rail TransportationMr. Hoang Mai (NDP) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly explains the timeline for phasing out risky cars and the need to coordinate with the U.S.We said that the 5,000 at most risk would be phased out immediately.
  29. deflected
    National DefenceMs. Joyce Murray (Liberal) asked Mr. James Bezan (Conservative). substantive question.The answer notes the report is interim and defers response to the final report without addressing the delay since May.The department will be looking at the recommendations on an expedited basis, and we will respond to those recommendations on the final report.
  30. misdirected
    Citizenship and ImmigrationJohn McCallum (Liberal) asked Mr. Costas Menegakis (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the questioner's voting record instead of addressing the alleged document or ministerial statements.It is a little rich hearing that question from the member over there.
  31. answered
    Fisheries and OceansMr. Ryan Cleary (NDP) asked Gail Shea (Conservative). substantive question.The answer states that another icebreaker is being sent and explains the priority process.The Canadian Coast Guard is sending another icebreaker in the area to assist.
  32. deflected
    Rail TransportationMs. Megan Leslie (NDP) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). substantive question.The answer points to a future review instead of describing immediate government action on the Halifax port delays.this government announced that the Hon. David Emerson would be leading the transportation review
  33. deflected
    EthicsMr. Scott Simms (Liberal) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). loaded question.The answer cites select report findings on lack of personal interest but avoids addressing the quoted conclusions or explaining why the commissioner is wrong.Moreover, she found that not only was I not friends with Rabbi Mendelsohn, but in fact we had never met.
  34. deflected
    Public Works and Government ServicesMr. Pat Martin (NDP) asked Mr. Scott Armstrong (Conservative). substantive question.The answer discusses general worker safety rights and officers but never addresses the requested national asbestos registry.Our government ensures that workers have the right to refuse any work they believe may be dangerous.
  35. partly answered
    The EnvironmentMr. Louis Plamondon (Bloc) asked James Moore (Conservative). substantive question.The answer acknowledges ongoing work with auto companies and openness to proposals but does not address reinstating or enhancing the ecoauto program.If he has a specific proposal that makes sense, we will certainly take a look at it.
  36. misdirected
    SeniorsMr. Massimo Pacetti (Independent) asked Alice Wong (Conservative). loaded question.The answer defends the government's record and attacks other parties on pension splitting instead of addressing help for low-income seniors.The other parties would take away the pension splitting for our seniors.