Parliament AIIndependent · non-official

All sittings← 2017-05-022017-05-04 →

Wednesday, May 3, 2017 · sitting No. 169

Defence minister under fire in question period over veterans

Oral questions on national defence accounted for the largest share of House time. Conservative MP Rona Ambrose said the Prime Minister shows no respect for the military by keeping the defence minister in place and noted the minister cancelled a planned apology to Afghanistan veterans at a fundraiser. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau replied that the previous Conservative government underfunded the military for ten years and that the current minister is delivering needed equipment and support.

Question period also featured exchanges on press freedom and foreign affairs. NDP MP Thomas Mulcair asked whether the government would direct the RCMP to drop its court case against a Vice journalist and whether it would issue emergency visas for gay men fleeing persecution in Chechnya. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said journalists should protect their sources and that Canada is working with the UN Refugee Agency on permanent solutions for vulnerable persons.

The House later turned to second reading of Bill C-44, the budget implementation act. Finance Minister Bill Morneau said the bill advances the government's plan to strengthen the middle class. Conservative MP Gérard Deltell noted the bill runs more than 300 pages with 20 divisions and asked how it squares with the Liberal platform promise not to use omnibus legislation.

Decided that day

  • Bill S-201 received royal assent
  • Bill C-224 received royal assent
  • Bill C-37 advanced in second chamber
  • Bill S-224 advanced in first chamber
  • Motion on regulations adopted
  • Committee instruction on environment adopted
  • Amendment on environment committee adopted
  • Public Safety Committee report adopted
  • Privilege motion on member movement adopted
  • Bill second reading motion failed

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 · 2017-05-03

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 47%, opposition 53% of the words spokenQuestion PeriodGovernment businessPrivate members▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 14:0515:0016:0017:0018:0019:00Last speech 19:55Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 5 h 50 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
65Bills Reach Assent Amid InterruptionsThe House advanced several bills to royal assent and passed multiple motions on defence and committee instructions while devoting most speaking time to substantive topics. Frequent points of order, Speaker interventions, and largely deflected answers in Question Period kept the tone argumentative.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

Mental Health

Liberal MP James Maloney said symptoms of common mental health problems can begin as early as age four and that early intervention can save 25 per cent in health costs.

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Standing Orders of the House Of Commons

NDP MP Matthew Dubé asked what would prevent a future prime minister from using the precedent to unilaterally change House rules for partisan advantage. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said future prime ministers should answer questions from all members and avoid excessive omnibus bills.

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Ethics

Conservative MP Chris Warkentin asked how many times the Prime Minister has been questioned by investigators in the Aga Khan matter. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he is happy to work with the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner.

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Indigenous Affairs

NDP MP Rachel Blaney asked how reconciliation efforts with indigenous people will be part of Canada 150 celebrations. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the four themes include reconciliation and that the celebrations will highlight partnership with first peoples.

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Citizenship and Immigration

Conservative MP Michelle Rempel asked the Prime Minister to close the safe third country agreement loophole. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the government is ensuring border agencies have the resources they need while remaining open to newcomers.

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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
    National DefenceRona Ambrose (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to Conservative underfunding instead of addressing the minister's absence or continued role.today the minister of defence presented to the public our approach to defence, which highlights that, for 10 years, the Conservative government underfunded our military
  2. deflected
    National DefenceRona Ambrose (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The response repeats the underinvestment talking point and avoids the specific historical accusations raised.the members opposite are always willing to talk a good game when it comes to our military, but the reality is they did not deliver
  3. deflected
    National DefenceRona Ambrose (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer cuts off but shifts to opposition rhetoric rather than explaining the minister's cancellation or retention.as they are showing today, the members opposite talk a good game when it comes to supporting our troops, but actions—
  4. partly answered
    National DefenceRona Ambrose (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.It addresses the event by noting the Veterans Affairs minister attended but still evades why the defence minister cancelled.it was with tremendous pride that the Minister of Veterans Affairs was there at the fundraiser last night
  5. deflected
    National DefenceRona Ambrose (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Response again defaults to past underinvestment without addressing the call to replace the minister.10 years of neglect of our forces, of underinvestment by the previous government, needs to be met with the kinds of investment and care
  6. answered
    Freedom of the PressThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly affirms that journalists should protect sources and ties it to the day's theme.Yes, of course, journalists should always be able to protect their sources
  7. partly answered
    Freedom of the PressThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.It outlines planned oversight and C-51 fixes but does not commit to dropping the specific RCMP court case.by creating a parliamentary committee that will be responsible for overseeing all of our security services and police forces
  8. deflected
    Foreign AffairsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The reply discusses refugee policy and general human-rights work without addressing a personal call to Putin.Canada is committed to a compassionate refugee system that extends protection and refuge to those who need it most, including members of the LGBTQ community
  9. deflected
    Foreign AffairsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses general refugee policies instead of addressing the request for emergency visas.That is why we are working to find permanent rather than temporary solutions to welcoming refugees, including refugees from the LGBT community
  10. deflected
    National DefenceDenis Lebel (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to criticizing past Conservative underinvestment rather than addressing the call to dismiss the minister.unfortunately, the reality is that for 10 years, the Conservative government underinvested in the Canadian Armed Forces
  11. deflected
    National DefenceDenis Lebel (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer again shifts to past Conservative failures instead of responding to the resignation demand.For 10 years they were not there for the military and did not provide the equipment and services needed
  12. deflected
    National DefenceMr. James Bezan (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids the resignation request by attacking Conservative record on veterans.after 10 years of nickel-and-diming our veterans, it is important that this government keep standing up for our veterans
  13. deflected
    National DefenceMr. James Bezan (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the question about the minister's story and pivots to past Conservative underfunding.it is unfortunate that the members opposite continue to try to mislead Canadians and say that they have supported our military for 10 years
  14. deflected
    National DefenceMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer dismisses the question as empty rhetoric and returns to criticizing Conservatives without addressing the resignation call.unfortunately, the Conservatives are spewing empty rhetoric
  15. deflected
    National DefenceMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer sidesteps the minister's absence and pivots to praising the veterans affairs minister and past underinvestment.once again, I am very proud of our Minister of Veterans Affairs , who was there to support and represent Afghanistan veterans
  16. deflected
    National DefenceMs. Hélène Laverdière (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer states the file is closed but does not address instructing the minister to reconsider his statements.the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner has said that the file is closed and that she is not interested in reopening it
  17. deflected
    National DefenceMr. Randall Garrison (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer discusses document reviews and ongoing probes but avoids addressing relevance of specific info or reasons for blocking inquiry.We continue to hold that the investigation that is ongoing is going to deliver more information.
  18. misdirected
    National DefenceMrs. Cheryl Gallant (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer pivots to past Conservative underinvestment instead of addressing minister's alleged misleading statements or resignation.over 10 years, her government underinvested in Canada's military, did not give the care and support necessary to our Canadian Forces
  19. misdirected
    National DefenceMrs. Sylvie Boucher (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer attacks opposition record on veterans instead of responding to calls for minister's resignation over perjury claims.the members opposite are all talk and no action. For 10 years, they did nothing to support our veterans
  20. misdirected
    National DefenceEd Fast (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer shifts to criticizing past Conservative spending rather than addressing minister's false claims or resignation demand.the members opposite have been consistent in always talking a good game when it comes to our military but not delivering.
  21. misdirected
    National DefenceEd Fast (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer again deflects to historical underinvestment and praises minister without addressing dishonesty allegations or resignation.once again we see the kind of outrage and volume generated by the members opposite when it comes to the military.
  22. partly answered
    Standing Orders of the House Of CommonsMr. Matthew Dubé (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer addresses future prime minister concerns by outlining intended improvements to House procedures and openness.I hope that future prime ministers will answer questions from all members, not just from party leaders.
  23. deflected
    Standing Orders of the House Of CommonsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer emphasizes taking more questions and Canadian accountability but sidesteps precedent concerns about unilateral rule changes.I am proud to say that I have tremendous confidence in the intelligence and perspective of Canadians, who will always know how to hold people to account
  24. deflected
    National DefenceMr. Chris Warkentin (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer cuts off without addressing budget cut claims or committing to restore funds, pivoting to past underinvestment.after 10 long years of underinvestment by the Conservative government, we are pleased that we are finally going to be able to give to—
  25. deflected
    EthicsMr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids the specific count of meetings by restating general willingness to cooperate.I am very happy to work with the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner to answer any questions she may have.
  26. deflected
    Government AppointmentsMr. Pat Kelly (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer shifts to praising the appointments process and diversity stats instead of addressing recusal.we put in place an independent appointments process that understands that the diversity and the qualities of Canadians coming to those appointments is the most important thing.
  27. deflected
    EthicsMr. Chris Warkentin (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer repeats a general statement without providing the requested number of times questioned.as I have said many times, I am happy to work with the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner to answer any questions that she might have.
  28. answered
    Indigenous AffairsMs. Rachel Blaney (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly lists reconciliation as one of the four themes for Canada 150.Canada has identified four themes to celebrate: youth, environment, diversity, and reconciliation with indigenous peoples
  29. partly answered
    Social DevelopmentMs. Anne Minh-Thu Quach (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer lists general anti-poverty measures but does not address assistance for the specific organization SAC.our government has taken so much concrete action to help families facing insecurity, whether it be the Canada child benefit, the $11.2-million investment in affordable housing in our most recent budget, or the $7.2 billion allocated for child care.
  30. deflected
    Government AppointmentsPeter Kent (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer praises Dion's suitability without clarifying reporting lines or addressing the reputational concern.Mr. Dion's expertise, both political and diplomatic, means that he will be able to do more than just simple bilateral ambassadors and care for Canada's relationship with Europe as a whole.
  31. answered
    Foreign AffairsMichelle Rempel (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer states disagreement with Saudi Arabia's election and notes Canada's lack of voice on the body.we strongly disagree with the decision to have Saudi Arabia on the UNESCO human rights body.
  32. deflected
    Citizenship and ImmigrationMichelle Rempel (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer attacks the opposition's stance instead of committing to closing the safe third country loophole.Unfortunately, the Conservative Party is showing its roots of being fearful and closed in.
  33. partly answered
    EmploymentMrs. Stephanie Kusie (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer lists government actions on Alberta projects but does not address the question's premise of a jobs crisis or punishing creators.When I was out in Alberta, I talked repeatedly about all of the things that we are doing for the Alberta economy, whether it is approving the Line 3 replacement project, which will create 7,000 middle-class jobs, or approving the Trans-Mountain expansion project, which will create 15,000 new jobs.
  34. partly answered
    Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceMr. Wayne Stetski (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer confirms action on Bill C-7 but does not address reversing poor labour-management relations beyond general respect for the force.we will be moving shortly on Bill C-7 because it is important to respect and give the tools to members of the RCMP to be able to pursue their interests and stand up for themselves.
  35. deflected
    Government ExpendituresMr. Bob Benzen (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the record of the previous prime minister instead of addressing how the budget will be balanced or debt paid down.I want to highlight that his predecessor had actually the worst record on growth of any prime minister since R.B. Bennett, and that is what we are working on turning around.
  36. answered
    The EnvironmentMs. Elizabeth May (Green) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly affirms Canada's commitment to the Paris agreement and leadership on GHG reductions among Arctic nations.Canada is proud of its commitments under the Paris agreement.