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Thursday, March 26, 2015 · sitting No. 190
Commons debates year-long extension of anti-ISIL mission
The House spent most of the day debating government Motion No. 17 to extend Canada's military contribution against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant for another year. Minister of Foreign Affairs Rob Nicholson said the government had been open and transparent by bringing the matter before Parliament. New Democrat MP Jack Harris said the mission had no end and the government had shifted from an advisory role to combat operations. Liberal MP Joyce Murray said the proposed combat mission in Syria lacked focus and an exit strategy.
In Question Period, New Democrat MP Megan Leslie pressed the government on its slow pace in resettling Syrian refugees. Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Chris Alexander said Canada had already resettled more Iraqi refugees than any other country on a per capita basis and would accept 10,000 Syrian refugees over three years. New Democrat MP Jack Harris asked how long the government expected Canadian forces to remain in Iraq and Syria. Minister of National Defence Jason Kenney said the motion covered the next 12 months and included 69 special operations forces in a training mission.
Decided that day
- C-661 was introduced
- C-643 received 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 · 2015-03-26
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
Public Sector Integrity Commissioner
Government House Leader Peter Van Loan moved that the House approve the appointment of Joe Friday as Public Sector Integrity Commissioner for seven years, and the motion carried on division.
Read the exchangePetitions
Green Party MP Elizabeth May presented a petition calling on the House to reject all aspects of Bill C-51 that fail to respect constitutional rights.
Read the exchangeCBC/Radio-Canada
Liberal MP Stéphane Dion asked whether the government would restore funding after further CBC job cuts; Parliamentary Secretary Rick Dykstra said the CBC is responsible for its own operations.
Read the exchangeThe Economy
Liberal MP Ralph Goodale noted that Alberta and Saskatchewan had tabled budgets on time and asked when the federal government would present its budget; Parliamentary Secretary Andrew Saxton said the government would stick to its low-tax plan.
Read the exchangePublic Safety
New Democrat MP Rosane Doré Lefebvre said the NDP would move a motion to broaden debate on Bill C-51 to include counter-radicalization and better oversight; Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney said the bill already balanced rights and security.
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
- answeredCitizenship and ImmigrationMs. Megan Leslie (NDP) asked Chris Alexander (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly counters inaction claims with specific refugee and military actions taken.
That is why, since 2009, we have resettled more Iraqi refugees than any other country, on a per capita basis.
- deflectedCitizenship and ImmigrationMs. Megan Leslie (NDP) asked Chris Alexander (Conservative). substantive question.The response attacks the NDP's awareness rather than detailing a timely plan for the 10,000 refugees.
the NDP is oblivious to the facts in this matter, just as in many others.
- deflectedCitizenship and ImmigrationMs. Megan Leslie (NDP) asked Chris Alexander (Conservative). substantive question.The answer calls the premise wrong and lists past commitments without addressing new refugee funding.
the member is completely wrong.
- deflectedNational DefenceMr. Jack Harris (NDP) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer confirms the 12-month terms but pivots to refugee testimony instead of addressing longer engagement.
the terms of the motion for the government's extension are clear for the next 12 months
- answeredNational DefenceMr. Jack Harris (NDP) asked Rob Nicholson (Conservative). substantive question.The answer supplies the legal basis under article 51 while questioning the opposition's stance.
We have indicated that the government of Iraq has the collective right to self-defence under article 51 of the United Nations.
- deflectedCBC/Radio-CanadaStéphane Dion (Liberal) asked Mr. Rick Dykstra (Conservative). substantive question.The response attributes changes to CBC decisions and avoids addressing cuts or restoring funds.
It is up to the CBC to provide programming that Canadians actually want to watch and listen to in both of our official languages.
- deflectedThe EconomyRalph Goodale (Liberal) asked Mr. Andrew Saxton (Conservative). substantive question.The answer promotes the existing plan and attacks alternatives without committing to a budget timeline.
That is even more reason to stick to our government's plan that has generated almost 1.2 million net new jobs since the end of the recession.
- misdirectedThe EconomyRalph Goodale (Liberal) asked Mr. Andrew Saxton (Conservative). loaded question.The answer boasts of G7 performance and attacks Liberals instead of engaging the growth record claim.
We will not take lessons from the Liberals who think that budgets balance themselves.
- deflectedPublic SafetyMs. Rosane Doré Lefebvre (NDP) asked Steven Blaney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer criticizes the NDP and promotes the bill instead of addressing support for the motion.
when it comes to fighting terrorism, the New Democrats are behind the times.
- deflectedPublic SafetyMs. Rosane Doré Lefebvre (NDP) asked Steven Blaney (Conservative). loaded question.The answer defends the bill and cites external views without addressing whether it violates rights.
I hope our NDP friends will listen to the Supreme Court, which finds that our Canadian model, in other words, the review committee, strikes the perfect balance between procedural rights and privacy.
- deflectedPublic SafetyMs. Rosane Doré Lefebvre (NDP) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). loaded question.The answer defends the bill's purpose and judicial role without addressing the Canadian Bar Association criticism.
It is there to protect Canadians.
- misdirectedPublic SafetyMr. Randall Garrison (NDP) asked Steven Blaney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the NDP and quotes a different witness instead of addressing de-radicalization priorities.
I hope he was there when Ms. Raheel Raza, the president of the Muslims Facing Tomorrow, appeared.
- deflectedPublic SafetyMr. Randall Garrison (NDP) asked Steven Blaney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer promotes the bill's information-sharing features without addressing oversight or de-radicalization strategy.
I am proud to know that we will enable the left hand of the right hand government to know what is happening.
- misdirectedCanada Revenue AgencyMs. Peggy Nash (NDP) asked Mr. Gerald Keddy (Conservative). substantive question.The answer accuses the asker of political interference instead of addressing the Auditor General request.
The only political interference here is the political lobbying by the member opposite.
- deflectedCanada Revenue AgencyMs. Peggy Nash (NDP) asked Mr. Gerald Keddy (Conservative). substantive question.The answer provides general audit statistics without addressing the specific witch hunt or Auditor General call.
Let us take a look at what CRA actually does.
- deflectedThe EconomyMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Denis Lebel (Conservative). substantive question.The answer avoids timelines for budget priorities by stating general government focus.
We will have an excellent budget.
- deflectedThe EconomyMr. Nathan Cullen (NDP) asked Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks opposition tax plans instead of addressing when a budget will be tabled.
We will not be introducing a budget to raise taxes the way the NDP and Liberals would propose.
- deflectedThe EconomyMr. Emmanuel Dubourg (Liberal) asked Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). substantive question.The answer discusses tax cuts and benefits but ignores the question on tabling a budget.
taxpayers understand what the leader of the Liberal party does not: the budget is not going to balance itself.
- deflectedThe EconomyScott Brison (Liberal) asked Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). substantive question.The answer promotes tax plans and benefits without providing a budget date or addressing the delay.
he has answered the call of Canadians by lowering their taxes and putting more money directly in their pockets.
- deflectedThe EconomyScott Brison (Liberal) asked Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). substantive question.The answer cites job numbers and attacks Liberals but does not address when a budget will be delivered.
since the recession, our economy has created 1.2 million net new jobs, 85% of which are full time, and two-thirds of them are in high-wage industries.
- partly answeredHealthMs. Christine Moore (NDP) asked Rona Ambrose (Conservative). substantive question.The answer addresses ongoing talks with provinces and funding levels but does not commit to new leadership steps on sustainability.
I speak to the provinces on an ongoing basis.
- partly answeredHealthMr. Murray Rankin (NDP) asked Rona Ambrose (Conservative). substantive question.The answer discusses pharmaceutical strategy talks with provinces but does not address sitting down with all provinces on the broader system.
I just had a conversation with the Minister of Health from British Columbia, and we talked about the need to work together on a pharmaceutical strategy.
- deflectedEmployment InsuranceMr. Robert Chisholm (NDP) asked Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). substantive question.The answer highlights processing stats and job creation but does not address releasing the specific report.
The reality is that the majority of EI claims are now processed within 28 days of making the claim.
- deflectedEmployment InsuranceMr. Robert Aubin (NDP) asked Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). substantive question.The answer dismisses concerns as false and cites jobs but does not address action for seasonal workers or affected regions.
the New Democrats keep spreading fear about our reforms.
- deflectedForeign AffairsMr. Paul Dewar (NDP) asked Lynne Yelich (Conservative). substantive question.Answer states a fact about a document but does not address steps taken to issue a passport.
Mr. Speaker, when Mr. Fahmy is able to travel, we have a travel document ready.
- deflectedForeign AffairsMs. Hélène Laverdière (NDP) asked Lynne Yelich (Conservative). substantive question.Answer repeats a call for release and readiness of a document without confirming or addressing the passport application.
Canada does continue to call for an immediate and full release of Mr. Fahmy.
- partly answeredFinanceMr. Don Davies (NDP) asked Mr. Andrew Saxton (Conservative). substantive question.Answer addresses the decision process and timing but does not commit to joining by the deadline.
Canada continues to assess whether it will become a member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and will make a decision that is in Canada's national interest.
- misdirectedCBC/Radio-CanadaMs. Anne Minh-Thu Quach (NDP) asked Mr. Rick Dykstra (Conservative). substantive question.Answer shifts focus to CBC's own responsibility and past plans instead of addressing funding cuts.
The CBC is responsible for its own operations.
- answeredManufacturing IndustryJudy Sgro (Liberal) asked James Moore (Conservative). loaded question.Answer directly lists specific funded projects as requested despite the loaded premise.
It was a robotics project at SickKids hospital that helps kids, which will now be sold around the world.
- deflectedInfrastructureMr. Adam Vaughan (Liberal) asked Denis Lebel (Conservative). rhetorical question.Answer avoids the budget and funding timeline by attacking the asker's past record and restating meetings.
There are 26 other members of our caucus who are former municipal politicians.
- deflectedAir TransportationMs. Élaine Michaud (NDP) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). substantive question.Answer points to inspectors and reports without addressing the meeting request or safety suspension.
Transport Canada inspectors and inspectors of the Transportation Safety Board are those who should be contacted with respect to accidents that happen at aerodromes.
- misdirectedAboriginal AffairsMs. Niki Ashton (NDP) asked Bernard Valcourt (Conservative). substantive question.Answer corrects jurisdiction and restates existing services while attacking the facts presented.
the member should get her facts right.
- deflectedInternational DevelopmentMs. Kirsty Duncan (Liberal) asked Christian Paradis (Conservative). substantive question.The answer claims representation at the conference but never confirms whether the minister will attend.
Canada will be well represented at the conference, and I must remind the House that Canada is sixth-largest donor country to Syria.
- deflectedPublic Works and Government ServicesMr. Denis Blanchette (NDP) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.The answer lists past contracts and invites bids but does not promise a decision on the major pending contract.
Davie is welcome to bid on any and all future government opportunities.
- misdirectedConsumer ProtectionMr. Claude Patry (Bloc) asked Mr. Andrew Saxton (Conservative). substantive question.The answer discusses an existing code of conduct and attacks the NDP instead of addressing regulation of credit-card fees in the budget.
Shamefully, the NDP has voted against all of these initiatives to strengthen the code.
- deflectedCitizenship and ImmigrationMr. Massimo Pacetti (Independent) asked Chris Alexander (Conservative). substantive question.The answer reiterates refugee resettlement commitments but never addresses adding Syria to the moratoria list.
We are certainly looking at everything we are doing in Syria and Iraq from a humanitarian perspective.
- deflectedBusiness of the HouseMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). rhetorical question.The statement is rhetorical commentary rather than a question seeking an answer, and the reply continues the government's talking points on the motion.
ISIL has stated its intention to target Canada and Canadians.