Parliament AIIndependent · non-official

All sittings← 2016-03-102016-03-21 →

Friday, March 11, 2016 · sitting No. 31

Liberals press ahead with middle-class tax cut as debate consumes Commons

The House spent the largest share of its sitting on government orders for Bill C-2, an act to amend the Income Tax Act. Liberal MP Darrell Samson told members the changes would deliver tax relief to nine out of ten Canadians and lift more than 315,000 children from poverty. Conservative MP Ziad Aboultaif and NDP MP Guy Caron challenged the claim, arguing that only about 30 per cent of taxpayers would gain and that higher earners would receive the largest reduction.

In question period, Conservative MP Candice Bergen pressed the government on ethics and market access for Canadian energy during the prime minister's Washington visit. Liberal MP Scott Brison replied that the trip had strengthened Canada-U.S. relations and that the previous government had failed to secure new pipeline access. Other exchanges covered first nations education funding, electoral reform timelines and softwood lumber talks.

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 · 2016-03-11

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 42%, opposition 58% of the words spokenGovernment businessQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0511:0012:0013:00Last speech 13:50Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 3 h 45 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
34Another sitting that went nowhereThe sitting devoted most time to Income Tax Act debate yet recorded no votes or bill progress. Question period produced mostly deflected or incomplete answers.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

Physician-Assisted Dying

Conservative MP Arnold Viersen warned that the special joint committee report recommended extending euthanasia to minors and people with mental illness and would compel objecting doctors to refer patients.

Read the exchange

Indigenous Affairs

NDP MP Nathan Cullen pressed Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett to honour the $2.6-billion pledge for first nations schools after learning that prior Conservative funding had been removed from the fiscal framework.

Read the exchange

Democratic Reform

Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef told NDP MP Nathan Cullen that a parliamentary committee would be struck to consult Canadians on replacing first-past-the-post.

Read the exchange

Forestry Industry

Conservative MP Todd Doherty asked the government to secure a new agreement immediately rather than wait 100 days, noting 145,000 forestry jobs at risk in British Columbia.

Read the exchange

Justice

NDP MP Guy Caron urged the government to decriminalize simple possession at once, citing confusion among police and judges while legalization work proceeds.

Read the exchange

Housing

NDP MP Robert Aubin asked whether the March 22 budget would include funds promised by the prime minister to victims in the Mauricie region.

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
    EthicsCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Scott Brison (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids the visit accusations by pivoting to past Conservative failures and general relationship praise.The previous Conservative prime minister did not understand the importance of building those types of relationships and he failed to defend Canada's interests in Washington.
  2. deflected
    Natural ResourcesCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Scott Brison (Liberal). loaded question.The answer sidesteps current policy claims by blaming the prior government for a decade of inaction.There has been no success there because it failed to defend Canadian interests in Washington.
  3. misdirected
    Natural ResourcesCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Scott Brison (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the opposition for politics instead of addressing export or pipeline barriers.The Conservatives, in their bitterness, are playing politics this week when, in fact, Canadians are proud to have a government
  4. partly answered
    The EconomyMr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative) asked Scott Brison (Liberal). loaded question.The answer addresses job creation plans via budget but ignores the unemployment rise and tax critique.Therefore, investing in job creation and economic stimulus is a priority for us.
  5. deflected
    The EconomyMr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative) asked Scott Brison (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defers entirely to a future budget without engaging listed sector failures.my colleague should wait for the budget.
  6. answered
    Indigenous AffairsMs. Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet (NDP) asked Carolyn Bennett (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly confirms the funding shortfall and restates commitment to close the education gap.Sadly, I can confirm that the previous government removed the promised additional funding for first nations education that it had promised
  7. partly answered
    Indigenous AffairsMs. Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet (NDP) asked Carolyn Bennett (Liberal). substantive question.The answer affirms nation-to-nation work and education investment but omits specific dollar commitments.We are going to work nation to nation, in a real partnership, to help first nations achieve the goals they have set
  8. partly answered
    Indigenous AffairsMr. Nathan Cullen (NDP) asked Carolyn Bennett (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the gap and prior removal of funds but gives no yes/no on the exact $2.6 billion pledge.although we are saddened by the revelation of the previous government taking the money that had been promised for first nations education, we redoubled our efforts to actually close this gap.
  9. deflected
    Democratic ReformMr. Nathan Cullen (NDP) asked Maryam Monsef (Liberal). substantive question.The answer promotes the government's committee plan instead of addressing the specific citizens' working group proposal.Our government has already committed to striking a special committee as part of our platform commitment.
  10. deflected
    FinanceDiane Finley (Conservative) asked Mr. François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends the spending plan and growth focus without addressing when fiscal responsibility will begin.We have chosen economic growth. That is exactly what we are going to do.
  11. deflected
    FinanceDiane Finley (Conservative) asked Mr. François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.The answer states a goal of balance but pivots to defending investment without addressing reckless spending or a timeline.our goal is a balanced budget, but our priority is economic growth.
  12. answered
    Forestry IndustryMr. Todd Doherty (Conservative) asked Mr. David Lametti (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly counters the claim that the issue is not a priority by detailing actions taken.the softwood lumber question has been an absolute priority for this government since day one.
  13. answered
    Forestry IndustryMr. Todd Doherty (Conservative) asked Mr. David Lametti (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses protection of all producers by confirming outreach to large and small industry representatives.We have spoken to industry representatives across this country, large and small.
  14. deflected
    Indigenous AffairsMrs. Cathy McLeod (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Casey (Liberal). substantive question.The answer avoids the question by citing ongoing court proceedings as reason not to comment.It would be highly inappropriate to comment on a court case and the issues arising from the court case on the floor of the House of Commons.
  15. deflected
    Indigenous AffairsMrs. Cathy McLeod (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Casey (Liberal). loaded question.The answer refuses to address private property protection directly, redirecting to court proceedings.What it is going to say about the lawsuit will be said in court, not on the floor of the House of Commons.
  16. partly answered
    JusticeMs. Sheila Malcolmson (NDP) asked Mr. Bill Blair (Liberal). substantive question.The answer confirms the intent to legalize but does not provide a timeline for fulfilling the promise.We are resolved to legalize, regulate, and restrict marijuana, and that work has begun.
  17. partly answered
    JusticeMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Mr. Bill Blair (Liberal). substantive question.Answer explains rejection of decriminalization but sidesteps timing and current charges.Decriminalization has been described by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health as a half measure.
  18. deflected
    Regional Economic DevelopmentMr. Joël Godin (Conservative) asked Mr. Greg Fergus (Liberal). substantive question.Answer offers only general praise for agencies without addressing Quebec regions or specific actions.These will be good, export-oriented, innovation-based jobs.
  19. deflected
    Regional Economic DevelopmentMr. Joël Godin (Conservative) asked Ms. Gudie Hutchings (Liberal). substantive question.Answer restates platform promise and defers to upcoming budget without addressing tax breaks or deficit concerns.That is why we are proud to deliver on our platform of reducing taxes for small businesses.
  20. misdirected
    EmploymentMr. Jamie Schmale (Conservative) asked Mr. François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks prior government record instead of addressing current job losses or red tape.that is exactly why Canadians chose a different path on the 19th of October.
  21. deflected
    EmploymentMr. Robert Kitchen (Conservative) asked Ms. Kim Rudd (Liberal). substantive question.Answer expresses sympathy and mentions NEB review but offers no concrete steps for immediate Saskatchewan job losses.We are working to grow the economy.
  22. partly answered
    International TradeMs. Cheryl Hardcastle (NDP) asked Mr. David Lametti (Liberal). substantive question.Answer confirms consultations and one plant visit but does not address coming to Tecumseh or rubber-stamping concerns.the Minister of International Trade went to a Ford plant in Oakville and spoke to Ford workers on the shop floor about the TPP.
  23. partly answered
    Canadian Coast GuardMs. Anne Minh-Thu Quach (NDP) asked Mr. Serge Cormier (Liberal). substantive question.Answer describes working group formation but does not confirm on-site inspections or address helicopter-only checks.The working group's first meeting was held on March 7.
  24. partly answered
    Veterans AffairsMr. Alupa Clarke (Conservative) asked Kent Hehr (Liberal). substantive question.Answer states intent to honour veterans but provides no timeline or confirmation on the Afghan memorial.We are currently working with Canadian Heritage to find a way to get this project done
  25. deflected
    Veterans AffairsMrs. Cathay Wagantall (Conservative) asked Kent Hehr (Liberal). substantive question.Answer ignores the cancellation and consultation issue entirely and shifts to unrelated veterans programs.We are working very hard to ensure that our veterans are getting the care, compassion, and respect they deserve.
  26. deflected
    National DefenceMr. James Bezan (Conservative) asked John McKay (Liberal). loaded question.Answer criticizes the prior government instead of addressing the timeline or decision process for fighter jets.Regrettably, the previous government left behind a procurement process that is so Byzantine as to defy anyone trying to get major procurements through.
  27. partly answered
    National DefenceMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked John McKay (Liberal). substantive question.Answer states a decision will be made soon but pivots to attacking the questioner's party.To get a question about procurement from that particular party is a little rich.
  28. partly answered
    HousingMr. Robert Aubin (NDP) asked Mr. François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.Answer acknowledges the issue and Prime Minister's visit but provides no commitment on budget funding.I have been working hard every day since October 19 to move forward on this file for the people of our community.
  29. answered
    HousingMs. Sheri Benson (NDP) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly affirms recommitment to social housing and ongoing work with provinces.We announced at that time that the Canadian government would recommit to supporting affordable social housing.
  30. deflected
    Democratic ReformMr. Pat Kelly (Conservative) asked Maryam Monsef (Liberal). substantive question.Answer restates the plan for a committee without addressing the referendum demand.It is out of that respect for Canadians that we have committed to establishing a parliamentary committee to engage Canadians in this very important conversation.
  31. deflected
    Democratic ReformMr. Dan Albas (Conservative) asked Maryam Monsef (Liberal). substantive question.Answer repeats commitment to consultation and a committee while avoiding any referendum commitment.We have committed to listening to Canadians.
  32. misdirected
    EthicsMr. Alexander Nuttall (Conservative) asked Scott Brison (Liberal). loaded question.Answer pivots to general praise of the Prime Minister's U.S. visit instead of addressing donor perks or costs.all Canadians benefit from what happened in Washington this week, from having a Prime Minister and a government that can stand face to face and shoulder to shoulder with the President of the United States
  33. deflected
    Foreign AffairsMs. Marilyn Gladu (Conservative) asked Mr. Omar Alghabra (Liberal). loaded question.The answer refuses to address the specific actions requested by citing safety without providing any information.we will not comment on anything that this government is doing right now.
  34. partly answered
    CopyrightPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. Greg Fergus (Liberal). substantive question.The answer expresses support for the treaty and accessibility but does not commit to introducing the specific prior legislation mentioned.this government is working to address this challenge by facilitating persons with print disability to have access to works in large print and different formats
  35. deflected
    Agriculture and Agri-FoodMr. Gabriel Ste-Marie (Bloc) asked Lawrence MacAulay (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges meetings and discussion but provides no commitment to the requested actions on controls or compensation.We are discussing it with the industry and we will come to a conclusion.
  36. deflected
    The EnvironmentMs. Monique Pauzé (Bloc) asked Ms. Kim Rudd (Liberal). loaded question.The answer discusses general priorities and legislation without addressing the specific pipeline project or spill concerns raised.The government is committed to regaining public trust by ensuring proposed projects such as new pipelines undergo credible, robust, environmental, and regulatory reviews.
  37. misdirected
    Air CanadaMr. Xavier Barsalou-Duval (Bloc) asked Marc Garneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer declines to address the court or promise issue and instead pivots to unrelated aircraft purchases and job creation.Air Canada intends to purchase 45 and possibly even 75 Bombardier aircraft and help establish a centre of excellence to perform maintenance on these aircraft for at least 20 years.