Parliament AIIndependent · non-official

All sittings← 2016-04-132016-04-15 →

Thursday, April 14, 2016 · sitting No. 39

Commons opens debate on first Liberal budget as opposition faults transparency

The House spent nearly half the sitting on Government Orders debating the first budget of the Liberal government. Robert Nault said the budget made historic investments in northern Ontario and rural Canada. Francesco Sorbara called it a middle-class growth budget that would revitalize the economy.

In Question Period, Denis Lebel and Andrew Scheer pressed the government on the parliamentary budget officer's assessment that the budget lacked transparency. Scott Brison replied that the government had supplied all numbers to the officer and that experts including David Dodge had endorsed the fiscal approach.

Further exchanges saw Andrew Scheer question pipeline approval processes and Jim Carr defend a more rigorous regulatory framework. Charlie Angus and Jane Philpott clashed over the absence of new mental-health funding for indigenous communities.

Decided that day

  • C-14, C-258, C-259, C-260 and C-261 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 · 2016-04-14

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 47%, opposition 53% of the words spokenGovernment businessGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0511:0012:0013:0014:0015:0016:0017:00Last speech 18:25Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 8 h 20 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
71Budget Talk Leads, Five Bills IntroducedThe sitting focused overwhelmingly on the budget with high substantive content and several bills introduced at first reading. Points of order and incomplete answers in question period created some friction but did not dominate proceedings.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

Privilege

Andrew Scheer raised a question of privilege over premature disclosure of Bill C-14 details to The Globe and Mail. Dominic LeBlanc assured the House that no one had been authorized to discuss specifics.

Read the exchange

Rail Transportation

Linda Duncan said Transport Canada had withheld data on the 500 most dangerous level crossings and noted a 21 per cent cut to rail-safety spending. Marc Garneau said the budget added $143 million for rail safety over three years.

Read the exchange

Small Business

Pierre Poilievre asked whether Finance had modelled job losses from the proposed small-business tax increase. François-Philippe Champagne replied that the government had already reduced taxes for small businesses and nine million Canadians.

Read the exchange

Foreign Affairs

Hélène Laverdière said the minister had authorized export permits for the Saudi arms deal. Stéphane Dion replied that the previous government had concluded the contract.

Read the exchange

International Trade

Ruth Ellen Brosseau said dairy producers were losing $220 million a year because of diafiltered milk imports. David Lametti said the government was working with the industry on a long-term solution.

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. answered
    The BudgetDenis Lebel (Conservative) asked Scott Brison (Liberal). substantive question.The response directly states that all numbers were provided to the PBO.That is why we gave all the numbers to the parliamentary budget officer.
  2. answered
    EthicsDenis Lebel (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). loaded question.Responds by stating there is nothing to hide and explaining the disclosure.my colleague opposite knows full well that we have absolutely nothing to hide.
  3. deflected
    The BudgetMr. Andrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Scott Brison (Liberal). substantive question.The answer focuses on economic experts' support rather than transparency issues.in fact, the reviews are in from economic experts, people like David Dodge, Kevin Lynch, and Larry Summers
  4. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMr. Andrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Jim Carr (Liberal). substantive question.The response describes the process but does not answer whether projects will be approved.We are going to follow a more rational process, a more principled one, that has a better chance of carrying the confidence of Canadians.
  5. misdirected
    Natural ResourcesMr. Andrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Jim Carr (Liberal). loaded question.The answer criticizes the previous government instead of addressing the question about Saudi vs Canadian oil.The previous government, in spite of $100-a-barrel oil, in spite of all of that representation from western Canada, did not build a single pipeline to tidewater during its majority government from 2011.
  6. partly answered
    Indigenous AffairsMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Jane Philpott (Liberal). substantive question.Provides some details on response but does not commit to new funding as asked.I am very pleased that in the case of Attawapiskat, there are now 18 mental health workers on the ground who were not there previous to the time that this crisis began.
  7. answered
    Indigenous AffairsMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Jane Philpott (Liberal). substantive question.Details budget investments to address the issues raised.In our recent budget, we have invested $8.4 million to address those gaps.
  8. deflected
    Indigenous AffairsMs. Brigitte Sansoucy (NDP) asked Jane Philpott (Liberal). substantive question.Describes partnerships and communications without addressing the funding request.We are in regular communication with the national chief, the regional chief, the grand chief, and the local chief in this community.
  9. deflected
    HealthMs. Brigitte Sansoucy (NDP) asked Jane Philpott (Liberal). substantive question.The answer pivots to MAID legislation instead of addressing the budget promise or investment in palliative care.I was pleased this morning to introduce, along with my colleague the Minister of Justice , new legislation that will support Canadians and provide medical assistance in dying.
  10. partly answered
    Natural ResourcesMrs. Shannon Stubbs (Conservative) asked Jim Carr (Liberal). substantive question.The answer affirms support for the energy sector but does not address timelines or specific policy actions requested.we do support the wonderful energy sector in Canada.
  11. misdirected
    Natural ResourcesMrs. Shannon Stubbs (Conservative) asked Mr. Jonathan Wilkinson (Liberal). substantive question.The answer reframes the question around environmental assessments and criticizes the prior Conservative approach rather than addressing LNG market access.It is obviously not the Conservative approach, but this is how we plan to move forward.
  12. deflected
    Small BusinessPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids any calculation on job losses and instead restates unrelated tax reductions.I want to remind my hon. colleague that we did reduce taxes for small businesses and we did reduce taxes for nine million Canadians.
  13. deflected
    Small BusinessPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.The answer again points to other tax cuts without addressing the requested job-loss calculation for the small-business rate increase.I would remind my hon. colleague to read the entire budget, because this is the government that reduced taxes on nine million Canadians.
  14. partly answered
    Grain TransportationMrs. Kelly Block (Conservative) asked Marc Garneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the issue and references the CTA review but does not commit to extending the grain provisions.I can assure my colleague that we are looking at this matter very seriously.
  15. misdirected
    Grain TransportationMr. Chris Warkentin (Conservative) asked Marc Garneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer dismisses the question as 'blowing smoke' and defends the minister's schedule instead of addressing the extension of provisions.I am sorry, but my hon. colleague is blowing smoke here.
  16. misdirected
    Foreign AffairsMs. Hélène Laverdière (NDP) asked Stéphane Dion (Liberal). loaded question.The answer accuses the asker of confusion and quotes a news story rather than clarifying the minister's role in export permits.If a journalist understood, why did my colleague not understand?
  17. partly answered
    Manufacturing IndustryMs. Irene Mathyssen (NDP) asked Navdeep Bains (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses general manufacturing investments but ignores the specific General Dynamics deal and long-term plan requested.we are very committed to the manufacturing sector.
  18. answered
    EthicsMr. Blaine Calkins (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly addresses the conflict concern by citing Ethics Commissioner approval and closes the matter.She received a confirmation that it was entirely appropriate for her to do so.
  19. deflected
    EthicsMr. Blaine Calkins (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). loaded question.The answer dismisses the premise as exaggerated without addressing the stakeholder guideline violation.Just because he repeats these exaggerated lines does not make them true.
  20. deflected
    EthicsMr. Michael Cooper (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). substantive question.The answer mocks the question with an arcade analogy instead of naming lobbyists or addressing the code.He is confusing his Saturday night at the arcade with a very legitimate fundraising activity—
  21. deflected
    EthicsMrs. Karen Vecchio (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). substantive question.The answer pivots to past Conservative actions and legal compliance without confirming if the Prime Minister was consulted.The Minister of Justice did absolutely nothing different than the ministers in the previous government used to do.
  22. answered
    Rail TransportationMs. Linda Duncan (NDP) asked Marc Garneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses budget and grade crossing concerns with specific funding figures and upcoming meetings.I was very glad that the Minister of Finance announced in this last budget $143 million additional dollars dedicated toward safety.
  23. answered
    Rail TransportationMr. Matthew Dubé (NDP) asked Marc Garneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly counters the budget cut claim with the $143 million allocation and offers to share crossing data.in our budget, the Government of Canada allocated $143 million to rail safety in this country over the next three years.
  24. partly answered
    Veterans AffairsMr. Alupa Clarke (Conservative) asked Kent Hehr (Liberal). substantive question.The answer outlines the general review process but does not confirm contact or a visit with the specific veteran.Veterans Affairs takes all applications to review veterans' issues seriously.
  25. deflected
    Veterans AffairsMr. Alupa Clarke (Conservative) asked Kent Hehr (Liberal). substantive question.The answer lists general budget items but never states the amount for hearing loss.We will continue to work with our veterans with care, compassion, and respect to get them the services they need when they need them and where they live.
  26. partly answered
    Veterans AffairsMrs. Cathay Wagantall (Conservative) asked Kent Hehr (Liberal). substantive question.The answer describes the review process but does not address the specific request for a ministerial phone call.I can assure my hon. colleague that Veterans Affairs has an excellent process to review veterans' claims.
  27. deflected
    Veterans AffairsMrs. Cathay Wagantall (Conservative) asked Kent Hehr (Liberal). substantive question.The answer highlights office openings and hiring but does not explain how mental-health services will reach veterans near home.We are opening up nine new offices.
  28. misdirected
    Air CanadaMr. Daniel Blaikie (NDP) asked Marc Garneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer shifts to job-creation language and avoids addressing the call to withdraw Bill C-10.The amendment actually says that there must be jobs in the provinces of Quebec, Manitoba, and Ontario.
  29. misdirected
    Air CanadaMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Marc Garneau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer restates the amendment while dismissing the member as overly emotional rather than engaging the substance.I would remind my colleague, who is all worked up, that the amendment we are proposing requires Air Canada to keep jobs in Quebec, Manitoba, and Ontario.
  30. deflected
    Democratic ReformMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). substantive question.The answer begins by noting an absent colleague instead of addressing the request to extend sitting hours.It is too bad that his parliamentary leader is not in the House, since he could have sent—
  31. partly answered
    Physician-Assisted DyingMs. Rachael Harder (Conservative) asked Jody Wilson-Raybould (Liberal). substantive question.The answer affirms safeguards but does not describe any prior review process for social vulnerabilities.We have employed in the legislation the safeguards that were recommended by the joint committee
  32. deflected
    Physician-Assisted DyingMr. Arnold Viersen (Conservative) asked Jane Philpott (Liberal). substantive question.The answer cites general consultations without confirming whether indigenous communities were specifically consulted.All of those bodies have in turn reached out to a number of other organizations, including indigenous organizations across this country.
  33. deflected
    International TradeMr. Randy Hoback (Conservative) asked Mr. David Lametti (Liberal). substantive question.The response discusses studying the TPP and general trade efforts without addressing actions if not ratifying.We have committed to studying the TPP before taking a decision.
  34. partly answered
    International TradeMs. Ruth Ellen Brosseau (NDP) asked Mr. David Lametti (Liberal). substantive question.Addresses awareness and commitment but provides no specific timeline or concrete steps.We are working with the industry to find a long-term solution.
  35. deflected
    International TradeMr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative) asked Mr. David Lametti (Liberal). loaded question.Shifts blame to previous government instead of committing to immediate action.as the minister has often pointed out to the House, we inherited this problem from the previous government.
  36. deflected
    International TradeMr. Luc Thériault (Bloc) asked Mr. David Lametti (Liberal). substantive question.Reiterates awareness and general commitment without specific commitment to the request.We have committed to finding a solution, and that is exactly what we will do.
  37. misdirected
    TaxationMr. Gabriel Ste-Marie (Bloc) asked Mr. Emmanuel Dubourg (Liberal). substantive question.Diverts to general anti-tax evasion measures without addressing the specific motion.My colleague has seen that the budget includes an unprecedented investment of $444 million.
  38. deflected
    Points of OrderMs. Linda Duncan (NDP) asked Marc Garneau (Liberal). substantive question.Offers to show agenda privately rather than making it available as requested.If she wants to come over to my office, I will show it to her.
  39. answered
    Business of the HouseMr. Scott Reid (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). substantive question.Directly outlines the legislative agenda for the coming weeks.This afternoon will conclude the fourth and final day of the budget debate.