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Friday, May 13, 2016 · sitting No. 55

House debates Conservative motion on conscience rights for assisted dying

The House devoted the largest portion of its sitting to a motion moved by Conservative MP Arnold Viersen that calls on the government to protect the freedom of conscience of medical practitioners, nurse practitioners, pharmacists and other health care professionals who object to participating in medical assistance in dying. The motion asserts that section 2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees freedom of conscience and religion and warns that any regime requiring effective referrals could infringe those rights. Debate on the motion remained before the House at adjournment.

Question period featured repeated exchanges over government advertising and democratic reform. Conservative MP Andrew Scheer accused the government of violating its own rules by allowing a video featuring the Prime Minister, while Liberal MP Bardish Chagger maintained that the video did not constitute paid advertising. Conservative MP Scott Reid pressed the government to hold a referendum on electoral reform, and Liberal MP Mark Holland replied that the government would consult Canadians directly in every riding.

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 · 2016-05-13

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 44%, opposition 56% of the words spokenGovernment businessQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0511:0012:0013:00Last speech 13:35Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 3 h 30 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
30Another sitting that went nowhereThe sitting devoted most hours to opposition supply motions and scattered debates, yet produced no recorded votes or bill progress. Question period yielded mostly deflected answers while the Speaker issued only two calls to order.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

Foreign Investment

Bloc Québécois MP Gabriel Ste-Marie said the minister had the power to turn Lowe's promises on Rona into legal obligations but chose not to do so, leaving Quebec's economy dependent on a Toronto minister.

Read the exchange

Health

Conservative MP Garnett Genuis asked why the justice committee rejected an amendment to Bill C-14 that would have required patients to be informed of palliative care options.

Read the exchange

Foreign Affairs

Conservative MP Tom Lukiwski said the minister was breaking a Liberal campaign promise by opposing legislation to seek justice for Sergei Magnitsky.

Read the exchange

Employment Insurance

NDP MP Erin Weir said the government's own formula shows Edmonton and southern Saskatchewan should receive extended employment insurance benefits.

Read the exchange

Official Languages

NDP MP François Choquette asked the government to release legal opinions it claims prevent it from supporting his bill on bilingual Supreme Court judges.

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
    Government AdvertisingMr. Andrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). loaded question.The answer sidesteps the claim of rule-breaking by reclassifying the video as unpaid and shifting to tourism benefits.The policy announced yesterday relates to paid advertising. This video is not paid advertising.
  2. deflected
    Government AdvertisingMr. Andrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the funding and rule-application questions entirely and lists tourism statistics instead.For the first time in over a decade, overnight visitors to Canada increased by 7.5%, outpacing the international growth of 4.4%.
  3. deflected
    Government AdvertisingMr. Andrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). loaded question.The answer repeats the paid-advertising distinction without addressing the video's content or the hypocrisy charge.The policy announced yesterday relates to paid advertising. This video is not paid advertising.
  4. deflected
    Government AdvertisingMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends Destination Canada's independence and tourism gains rather than confronting the alleged rule breach.I support Destination Canada's independence in choosing the best possible marketing campaign to showcase Canada.
  5. deflected
    Government AdvertisingMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). loaded question.The answer acknowledges repetition but offers the identical non-response without engaging the specific rule quote.in all honesty, if they are going to repeat the same question, I am going to have to repeat the same answer.
  6. misdirected
    Government AdvertisingMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). substantive question.The answer promotes the campaign and openness instead of addressing the missing advertising commissioner promise.Yesterday's announcement was a good-news announcement for more open and transparent government.
  7. deflected
    Government AdvertisingMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). loaded question.The answer again classifies the video as non-paid advertising and pivots to pride in the Prime Minister rather than closing loopholes.The policy announced yesterday relates to paid advertising. This video is not paid advertising.
  8. partly answered
    Foreign InvestmentMs. Anne Minh-Thu Quach (NDP) asked Mr. Greg Fergus (Liberal). substantive question.The answer begins to address investment and jobs but is cut off before specifying employment numbers or supply-chain protections.We know very well that a more innovative Canada needs to include competitive Canadian companies that are connected to global value chains, which in turn help our economy grow and strengthen the—
  9. partly answered
    Foreign InvestmentMs. Anne Minh-Thu Quach (NDP) asked Mr. Greg Fergus (Liberal). substantive question.Lists specific conditions obtained but ignores request to release the department review.The first thing is the headquarters.
  10. deflected
    Democratic ReformMr. Scott Reid (Conservative) asked Mr. Mark Holland (Liberal). substantive question.Ignores referendum question and attacks prior Conservative actions instead.When we look at the election and we look at the problems that Canadians saw with our democratic systems, including the scandals in the Senate, the disenfranchisement from the unfair election act, and the scandals that happened with violations of the Elections Act, we know that is why the Conservatives lost.
  11. deflected
    Democratic ReformMr. Scott Reid (Conservative) asked Mr. Mark Holland (Liberal). substantive question.Avoids referendum by describing consultation process and calling for compromise without addressing the core ask.A proposal is going to come by our engaging Canadians in all 338 ridings, going coast to coast and listening to them, and working with the member opposite and all members in the House on compromise, middle ground, and in understanding how we can modernize this system.
  12. deflected
    Democratic ReformMr. Blake Richards (Conservative) asked Mr. Mark Holland (Liberal). substantive question.Dismisses referendum demand by criticizing past Conservative actions rather than answering.They never advocated this policy before.
  13. deflected
    Democratic ReformMr. Blake Richards (Conservative) asked Mr. Mark Holland (Liberal). substantive question.Repeats call to consult without addressing why a referendum is refused.the opposition members should try consultations.
  14. deflected
    Democratic ReformMr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative) asked Mr. Mark Holland (Liberal). substantive question.Claims election served as referendum on status quo and avoids new referendum question.We had a referendum on the status quo during the last election.
  15. deflected
    Democratic ReformMr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative) asked Mr. Mark Holland (Liberal). substantive question.Ignores referendum by listing past scandals and inviting participation instead.what weakened our democratic institutions and our democracy was the violations that we saw, the abuses that we saw, things that we saw in the Senate, the unfortunate scandals that took place with members abusing the Canada Elections Act.
  16. partly answered
    Indigenous AffairsMr. Richard Cannings (NDP) asked Ms. Yvonne Jones (Liberal). substantive question.Acknowledges need for support but does not address the specific broken promise on $50 million funding.That is why we are working with indigenous students, parents, educators, and many groups to uncover how we can best do that.
  17. deflected
    HealthMs. Georgina Jolibois (NDP) asked Ms. Kamal Khera (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses general investments without committing to immediate action for the named communities.We are investing more than $270 million this year to support the mental illness needs of first nations and Inuit communities, including mental health promotion, addiction, suicide prevention, and counselling.
  18. misdirected
    Foreign AffairsMr. Tom Lukiwski (Conservative) asked Stéphane Dion (Liberal). substantive question.Instead of explaining the current position, it questions why the Conservatives did not act previously.Why did the Conservative government not say that at the time?
  19. partly answered
    Foreign AffairsMr. Tom Lukiwski (Conservative) asked Stéphane Dion (Liberal). loaded question.Addresses sanctions and committee review but sidesteps the loaded premise about Putin.as a matter of fact, this government has increased the sanctions against Russia compared with the former government.
  20. deflected
    Foreign AffairsMrs. Karen Vecchio (Conservative) asked Stéphane Dion (Liberal). loaded question.Deflects by criticizing past Conservative government actions rather than addressing the criticism.Why during 10 years did the Conservatives do nothing but double-talk?
  21. deflected
    Foreign AffairsMrs. Karen Vecchio (Conservative) asked Stéphane Dion (Liberal). substantive question.Avoids confirming the minister's position by referencing previous government's actions.They were playing double games. Not this government.
  22. deflected
    Agriculture and Agri-FoodMs. Linda Duncan (NDP) asked Ms. Kate Young (Liberal). substantive question.Provides stats on grain performance but ignores the request to extend interswitching rights.The performance of the grain handling and transportation system has kept pace or exceeded the record levels of performance seen last year.
  23. misdirected
    Foreign AffairsMs. Irene Mathyssen (NDP) asked Stéphane Dion (Liberal). substantive question.Begins by personally attacking the MP about her riding instead of addressing the question.speaking of breaking promises, the MP for London—Fanshawe has a lot to explain in her riding.
  24. answered
    VeteransMrs. Cathay Wagantall (Conservative) asked Mrs. Karen McCrimmon (Liberal). substantive question.Acknowledges the missing information and commits to fixing it.I did not know there was something missing from the website, but we will take that under advisement.
  25. partly answered
    VeteransMrs. Cathay Wagantall (Conservative) asked Mrs. Karen McCrimmon (Liberal). substantive question.The minister admits ignorance on the specific issue but promises to investigate and return with an answer.I do not have an answer for the hon. member right now, but I believe that kind of information is needed.
  26. deflected
    International TradeMr. Todd Doherty (Conservative) asked Mr. David Lametti (Liberal). loaded question.The response emphasizes ongoing consultations and priorities without addressing the demand for immediate action or responsibility.we are within the 100 days to find a framework with our American partners on softwood lumber.
  27. deflected
    International TradeMr. Todd Doherty (Conservative) asked Mr. David Lametti (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to patriotic rhetoric and dismisses the premise without providing a timeline or plan.the only flag we are waving is the Canadian flag, and we are waving it proudly.
  28. partly answered
    Employment InsuranceMr. Erin Weir (NDP) asked Mr. Rodger Cuzner (Liberal). substantive question.The minister notes ongoing analysis of new numbers but offers no commitment or timeline for including the requested regions.They are being analyzed. I will encourage the member across to stay tuned.
  29. misdirected
    Official LanguagesMr. François Choquette (NDP) asked Mr. Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). substantive question.The response attacks the NDP's record on languages instead of addressing the request for legal opinions or transparency.the government does not need any lessons from the NDP about official languages.
  30. answered
    HealthMr. Colin Carrie (Conservative) asked Ms. Kamal Khera (Liberal). loaded question.The answer directly clarifies the $3 billion commitment as part of home care including palliative care.As part of the new health accord, our government has committed to providing $3 billion over the next four years to improve home care, and this includes palliative care.
  31. deflected
    HealthMr. Garnett Genuis (Conservative) asked Ms. Kamal Khera (Liberal). substantive question.The response reiterates general palliative care funding without addressing the specific committee amendment rejection.We are investing in home care. We have committed to investing $3 billion in home care.
  32. deflected
    HealthMr. Colin Carrie (Conservative) asked Ms. Kamal Khera (Liberal). loaded question.The answer focuses on palliative care investment and avoids any discussion of conscience protection amendments.This is why we are committed, as I mentioned earlier, to improving palliative care as part of the new health accord, supported by a long-term investment of $3 billion over the next four years.
  33. deflected
    Employment InsuranceMr. Kelly McCauley (Conservative) asked Mr. Rodger Cuzner (Liberal). loaded question.The answer discusses data from other regions and says to stay tuned without addressing Edmonton's exclusion from the EI extension.We are analyzing it. I would encourage my colleague to stay tuned.
  34. deflected
    Canadian HeritagePeter Van Loan (Conservative) asked Mr. Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). loaded question.The answer mocks the questioner and pivots to general statements about valuing history and celebrations instead of addressing the museum closure or policy changes.my colleague always knows how to make us laugh.
  35. partly answered
    Foreign InvestmentMr. Gabriel Ste-Marie (Bloc) asked Mr. Greg Fergus (Liberal). loaded question.The answer lists commitments made by Lowe's but does not explain why they were not made legal obligations.Lowe's has made firm commitments in connection with its purchase of Rona.
  36. deflected
    Democratic ReformMr. Luc Thériault (Bloc) asked Mr. Mark Holland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer focuses on the all-party process and inclusion of other parties without addressing the referendum or Clarity Act question.I am very happy that the member is going to be participating in the all-party process.
  37. partly answered
    Democratic ReformMr. Luc Thériault (Bloc) asked Mr. Mark Holland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer counters the vote percentage point by citing majority support for change but does not address the referendum demand directly.more than 60% of the Canadian population said the status quo was not going to work.