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Thursday, February 18, 2016 · sitting No. 20
Conservatives move motion to reject BDS campaign against Israel
The House spent the majority of its sitting on a Conservative opposition motion that called on the government to reject the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement targeting Israel. Tony Clement moved the motion and said it reflected Canadian values and interests. Stéphane Dion and Hélène Laverdière questioned whether the motion was partisan or limited freedom of expression.
Question period featured exchanges on the withdrawal of CF-18s from operations against ISIL. Rona Ambrose asked how the prime minister could show disrespect for parliamentarians by ending missions before debate concluded. Justin Trudeau said Canadians had rejected a military emphasis in the election and supported a whole-of-government approach.
Further questions addressed job losses at Bombardier and in the energy sector. Members pressed ministers on support for Canadian oil and pipelines, changes to employment insurance eligibility and the pace of negotiations on a new softwood lumber agreement.
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 · 2016-02-18
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
Intergovernmental Relations
David Yurdiga asked when the government would fully restore funding cuts to territorial governments after a change in the financing formula. Bill Morneau replied that a collaborative solution had restored stable and predictable funding close to previous levels.
Read the exchangeHealth
Don Davies asked the health minister to close a for-profit plasma clinic in Saskatchewan in line with Krever inquiry findings. Jane Philpott said the government was committed to evidence-based policy and maintaining the safety of the blood system.
Read the exchangeForestry Industry
Richard Cannings asked when the government would secure a new softwood lumber agreement to protect forestry jobs. Chrystia Freeland said officials were negotiating actively after the prime minister raised the issue with President Obama.
Read the exchangeFisheries and Oceans
Rachel Blaney asked when the government would close the Comox marine communications centre. Hunter Tootoo said the coast guard had modernized its centres with new equipment that is more reliable.
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
- deflectedNational DefenceRona Ambrose (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer discusses election and coalition role instead of addressing pre-debate action or parliamentary disrespect.
As we know, Canadians got an opportunity to weigh in, in the last election, on what they wanted for Canada to engage in ISIL.
- deflectedNatural ResourcesRona Ambrose (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer pivots to general sustainable resource policy without addressing the double standard on job losses or Energy East.
We truly want to export our resources in a sustainable way.
- misdirectedEmployment InsuranceRona Ambrose (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer attacks Conservatives' EI record instead of addressing current EI rises or pipeline/carbon tax impacts in Saskatchewan.
It was this party that campaigned on a platform to do exactly that.
- deflectedEmploymentMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer blames prior government neglect without outlining any direct plan or action for Bombardier sales.
After 10 years of neglect by that government, we are pleased to be working productively with the provinces and the different sectors
- deflectedAir TransportationMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer accuses Conservatives of division rather than responding to the Billy Bishop airport proposal for CSeries jets.
once again, we see that the Conservative Party is trying to sow division by pitting one part of the country against another.
- answeredInternational TradeMs. Irene Mathyssen (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly confirms consultations and upcoming House debate on TPP impacts.
Our international trade minister has been engaged in consultations right across the country and, indeed, we have committed to bring forward the TPP to a debate and discussion here in the House
- deflectedInternational TradeMs. Irene Mathyssen (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer labels NDP anti-trade instead of addressing TPP loopholes for temporary foreign workers.
The NDP will have an opportunity to make its anti-trade positions heard loudly and clearly in this Parliament.
- partly answeredEmploymentMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer acknowledges job losses and mentions ongoing work with Bombardier but provides no timeline or specific action.
We have been working with Bombardier for many months to ensure that the investments we can make will be in the best interests of workers and Canadians.
- deflectedEmploymentMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer criticizes NDP rhetoric and pivots to general promises instead of addressing Air Canada obligations.
one thing we know for sure is that overheated NDP rhetoric will not lead to solutions or create jobs.
- deflectedFinanceLisa Raitt (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer restates campaign promises without confirming whether the mandate letter is being followed on the three broken promises cited.
We made it very clear what we were going to do.
- partly answeredFinanceLisa Raitt (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the deficit target but reframes it as a long-term goal rather than confirming the $30 billion figure fits the fiscal plan.
Yes, we aim to get to a balanced budget over time, recognizing that our economy makes that more challenging.
- deflectedRegional Economic DevelopmentMr. Joël Godin (Conservative) asked Navdeep Bains (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the January job losses and questionnaire criticism, listing unrelated investments instead.
I was there most recently making investments in the Canadian Space Agency, and Quartier de l'innovation in Montreal.
- deflectedRegional Economic DevelopmentMr. Joël Godin (Conservative) asked Navdeep Bains (Liberal). substantive question.The answer repeats the campaign plan and shipbuilding investments without clarifying intentions for the Economic Development Agency of Quebec.
We are going to work with the regional development agencies to diversify the economy.
- deflectedFinanceMr. Phil McColeman (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses helping middle-class Canadians but avoids confirming whether the balanced-budget promise is being kept.
We recognize that middle-class Canadians have not had a fair increase in income for many years.
- deflectedFinanceMr. Phil McColeman (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer restates the long-term debt-to-GDP goal without confirming the 2019/20 balanced-budget commitment in the mandate letter.
We are moving forward with a plan that will be prudent, that will remain focused on reducing our net-debt-to-GDP ratio over time
- answeredEmployment InsuranceMr. Robert Aubin (NDP) asked MaryAnn Mihychuk (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly addresses the EI access problem and commits to reviewing the program for better accessibility.
It is important for us, and we have committed to do so, to review the whole program to make it accessible for Canadians.
- deflectedEmployment InsuranceMs. Niki Ashton (NDP) asked MaryAnn Mihychuk (Liberal). substantive question.The minister refuses to address the request for immediate resolution by citing an ongoing investigation.
It is ongoing, and I cannot comment.
- answeredIntergovernmental RelationsMr. David Yurdiga (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.The minister directly explains the statistical change and the collaborative solution that restored near-original funding levels.
We came up with a solution that gives them stable and predictable funding over time.
- deflectedIntergovernmental RelationsMr. David Yurdiga (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer restates general collaboration and past actions without addressing how territories should budget after the cuts.
we will continue to work collaboratively with the territories in the north.
- deflectedIntergovernmental RelationsMr. Andrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.The minister shifts to unrelated programs like tax cuts and child benefits instead of addressing equalization fairness for Alberta and Saskatchewan.
We are putting forth a program that will actually help them, including tax cuts for nine million Canadians, and the Canada child benefit for those most vulnerable.
- deflectedIntergovernmental RelationsMr. Andrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.The response pivots to broad economic improvements and future budget initiatives without explaining the equalization formula treatment.
We will see initiatives in our budget that will make a real difference.
- partly answeredHealthMs. Brigitte Sansoucy (NDP) asked Jane Philpott (Liberal). substantive question.The minister acknowledges working with provinces on health care modernization but does not commit to enforcing the Canada Health Act on ancillary fees.
I will continue my conversations with him and other colleagues.
- answeredHealthMr. Don Davies (NDP) asked Jane Philpott (Liberal). loaded question.The minister affirms commitment to blood supply safety and evidence-based policy without agreeing to close the clinic.
We are committed to using evidence-based policy.
- deflectedNatural ResourcesCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Jim Carr (Liberal). substantive question.The answer criticizes the previous government and outlines a new process without committing to supporting the energy sector as requested.
Rather than following a failed path, we are starting a new path that will end up in the credibility of a process we are confident will be in the best interests of—
- deflectedNatural ResourcesCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Jim Carr (Liberal). loaded question.The answer praises innovation and responsible practices but pivots to a transition to renewables without agreeing or disagreeing on the specific claims.
The oil sector in Canada is leading the world in responsible practices in the development of new technologies.
- deflectedNatural ResourcesMrs. Cathy McLeod (Conservative) asked Jim Carr (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses conversations with indigenous leaders but avoids addressing whether they should have a veto.
What they have been telling me time and time again is how refreshing it is for them to actually have a conversation with the Government of Canada, which they have not had in 10 years.
- deflectedNatural ResourcesMrs. Cathy McLeod (Conservative) asked Jim Carr (Liberal). substantive question.The answer emphasizes meaningful involvement but does not clarify if no means no or provide the requested certainty.
That is why a leading principle in the new way of doing things is to have conversations in a meaningful way with indigenous communities from coast to coast, something the previous government failed to do.
- partly answeredForestry IndustryMr. Richard Cannings (NDP) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer states they are negotiating actively but gives no timeline or expected date for a new agreement.
My officials and I are negotiating very actively.
- deflectedFisheries and OceansMs. Rachel Blaney (NDP) asked Hunter Tootoo (Liberal). substantive question.The answer describes modernization of equipment but does not address the planned closure or its timing.
the Canadian Coast Guard, as I have mentioned before, has modernized its marine communications and traffic services centres with 21st century equipment.
- deflectedNational DefenceMr. James Bezan (Conservative) asked Harjit S. Sajjan (Liberal). substantive question.The answer commits to replacing the CF-18s but avoids confirming whether the F-35 will be excluded from bidding.
I am committed to actually replacing the F-18 to make sure we have the right capability for our air force that will be moving forward in the next 10 to 20 years and will meet the needs of Canada.
- partly answeredNational DefenceMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Harjit S. Sajjan (Liberal). loaded question.The answer addresses safety measures and support but does not confirm if soldiers are vulnerable due to the policy change.
When we deploy any type of personnel, the full rules of engagement and the appropriate defensive measures will always be there.
- partly answeredNational DefenceMrs. Cheryl Gallant (Conservative) asked Harjit S. Sajjan (Liberal). loaded question.The answer stresses taking safety seriously and adding capabilities but does not accept responsibility for increased risk.
When it comes to the safety of our personnel, I take it very seriously.
- misdirectedForeign AffairsTony Clement (Conservative) asked Stéphane Dion (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the questioner instead of addressing whether aid reaches terrorists.
The Conservatives' mission is not to ask confused questions.
- partly answeredRegional Economic DevelopmentMs. Christine Moore (NDP) asked Navdeep Bains (Liberal). substantive question.The response affirms commitment to rural connectivity but does not confirm programs adapted to regional realities.
we are very confident in the program we have, connecting Canadians from coast to coast to coast, which allows us to make investments in these remote and rural regions.
- answeredForeign AffairsMr. Brad Trost (Conservative) asked Stéphane Dion (Liberal). loaded question.The answer directly affirms that securing the release is a priority and states ongoing efforts.
- partly answeredNational DefenceMr. Rhéal Fortin (Bloc) asked Stéphane Dion (Liberal). loaded question.The response describes the existing plan without addressing reconsideration of it.
I hope he will support this excellent plan and read it carefully.
- answeredNational DefenceMr. Michel Boudrias (Bloc) asked Harjit S. Sajjan (Liberal). substantive question.The answer confirms coalition capabilities and additional assets to protect troops.
I want to assure the hon. member that, when we work as part of a coalition, the coalition has the full capabilities.
- answeredBusiness of the HouseMr. Andrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). substantive question.The response details the planned business for the upcoming weeks.
This afternoon, we will continue with the debate on the Conservative opposition motion.