Parliament AIIndependent · non-official

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Tuesday, May 16, 2017 · sitting No. 178

Liberals move time allocation on public service labour bill

The House spent nearly half the sitting on a government motion to limit further debate on Senate amendments to Bill C-7, which would amend the Public Service Labour Relations Act. President of the Treasury Board Bardish Chagger introduced the allocation motion, which drew immediate criticism from Conservative MP Gérard Deltell and NDP MP Daniel Blaikie for cutting short consideration of complex changes.

In Question Period, Conservative interim leader Rona Ambrose pressed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the location of National Energy Board headquarters and on his meetings with the Ethics Commissioner. NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair challenged Trudeau over details of his family vacation involving the Aga Khan.

Decided that day

  • Time allocation for Bill C-7 passed
  • Motion respecting Senate amendments to Bill C-7 passed
  • Opposition motions on Canada Infrastructure Bank failed
  • Bill C-49 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 · 2017-05-16

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 45%, opposition 55% of the words spokenGovernment businessQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0011:0012:0013:0014:0015:0016:0017:0018:00Last speech 19:05Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 9 h 5 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
66Labour bill advances, bank motions stallThe House devoted most time to the Public Service Labour Relations Act and passed time allocation plus a motion on Senate amendments to Bill C-7. Several opposition motions failed and Question Period answers were largely deflected.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

Member for Sturgeon River—Parkland

Conservative MP Candice Bergen, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair and others paid tribute to Conservative interim leader Rona Ambrose on her final day in the role before she steps down as MP.

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Government Appointments

Conservative MP Blaine Calkins questioned the decision to have Government House Leader Bardish Chagger oversee appointment of the next Ethics Commissioner while Trudeau faces investigation.

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Softwood Lumber

Conservative MP Denis Lebel contrasted the Harper government's swift softwood lumber agreement with the current government's approach, while Liberal MP Andrew Leslie said Ottawa continues to seek a fair deal with the United States.

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Finance

Conservative MP Gérard Deltell and NDP MP David Christopherson criticized the government after the Auditor General reported being denied access to information on fossil-fuel subsidies.

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Infrastructure

Conservative MP Dianne L. Watts said the government ignored advice to house the infrastructure bank within PPP Canada, while Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi defended the new structure for attracting private capital.

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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
    Natural ResourcesRona Ambrose (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer shifts to past Conservative record instead of addressing interference claim or NEB process.That is why for 10 years under the previous government, Canadians had no confidence, because the Conservatives refused to understand that we need to build a strong economy while protecting the environment at the same time.
  2. deflected
    Natural ResourcesRona Ambrose (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer accuses questioner of past politicization rather than committing on NEB headquarters location.The fact is that party when in government chose to politicize the National Energy Board in its decisions.
  3. deflected
    Natural ResourcesRona Ambrose (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer repeats economy-environment linkage without addressing oil sands phase-out or red tape impacts.We know that investing in a responsible approach to the environment is not just going to protect our world for future generations, but it is going to create the kind of good jobs, clean jobs, that this generation and next generations are going to need.
  4. deflected
    Government AppointmentsRona Ambrose (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer contrasts with past appointments but avoids conflict on Ethics Commissioner selection process.after having a Conservative government that mishandled the appointment process for 10 years and made nothing but partisan choices, we are proud of the independent process we put in place
  5. partly answered
    EthicsRona Ambrose (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer confirms multiple meetings with commissioner but does not specify yes/no or exact count for current investigation.I can answer the member by saying that in all my years as a parliamentarian, I have met a number of times with the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner at both formal and informal occasions.
  6. deflected
    EthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer refers to ongoing Ethics Commissioner process without addressing ownership or helicopter contradictions.I am happy to work with the Ethics Commissioner to answer any questions she may have.
  7. deflected
    EthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer again points to commissioner without admitting or clarifying the statement about helicopter access.I am confident that, at the end of the process, Canadians will see that my government, my office, and I co-operated with the Ethics Commissioner and answered any questions she had.
  8. misdirected
    EthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer pivots to committee independence and tax evasion spending instead of addressing KPMG appointment conflict.it is unfortunate that I have to remind the hon. member that the committees of the House operate independently.
  9. deflected
    EthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer evades the specific conflict-of-interest allegations by praising committee independence and government transparency instead.it is troubling to hear the member opposite call into question the independent work of committees.
  10. partly answered
    Softwood LumberDenis Lebel (Conservative) asked Andrew Leslie (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer addresses the softwood lumber issue by stating opposition to U.S. tariffs and ongoing talks but does not respond to the call for leadership timing.We strongly oppose the U.S. Department of Commerce's decision to impose an unfair, punitive tax.
  11. deflected
    Softwood LumberDenis Lebel (Conservative) asked Mr. Adam Vaughan (Liberal). substantive question.The answer restates general support for workers and a good deal without addressing the expired agreement or EI fund claims.A negotiated deal is a priority, but we need a good deal, not just any deal.
  12. deflected
    Government AppointmentsMr. Blaine Calkins (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the conflict-of-interest premise and pivots to describing the new merit-based appointment process.this government has actually brought in a new, open, transparent, merit-based appointment process.
  13. misdirected
    Government AppointmentsMr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). loaded question.The answer shifts to praising the official languages commissioner appointment instead of addressing ethics commissioner selection criteria.I am pleased to rise in the House to emphasize how much support Ms. Meilleur, the new commissioner of official languages, received from various organizations across the country.
  14. deflected
    Government AppointmentsCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids the conflict issue by repeating the merit-based process and inviting applications.This government put in a new appointment process that is open, transparent, and merit-based.
  15. deflected
    Government AppointmentsCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). loaded question.The answer sidesteps the proposed solution by reiterating the open appointment process without addressing the Prime Minister's role.this government is doing the right thing, and that is exactly why we put in a new appointment process, an open, transparent, and merit-based appointment process
  16. deflected
    Canada Revenue AgencyMr. Pierre-Luc Dusseault (NDP) asked Diane Lebouthillier (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights anti-evasion funding and collections but does not address KPMG ties or the specific accusation.That is why, in the last budget, our government invested the record amount of $444 million.
  17. deflected
    Government AppointmentsMr. Nathan Cullen (NDP) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). loaded question.The question embeds unsupported premises about conflicts and incompetence while the answer sidesteps credibility issues by denying a short list and promoting applications.When it comes to a short list, there is no short list, so if the member has information that he would like to share, I look forward to receiving it.
  18. deflected
    FinanceMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Ginette Petitpas Taylor (Liberal). loaded question.The question accuses obstruction based on the report but the answer ignores access issues and pivots to unrelated environmental plans.Our government has a solid plan to invest in clean growth that will help create middle-class jobs and help Canada transition to a low-carbon economy.
  19. deflected
    FinanceMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Ginette Petitpas Taylor (Liberal). loaded question.The question highlights the Auditor General's criticism of access disputes but the answer repeats thanks and targets without addressing transparency failures.we thank the Auditor General for his work and we accept his recommendations.
  20. deflected
    InfrastructureMs. Dianne L. Watts (Conservative) asked Amarjeet Sohi (Liberal). substantive question.The question asks why expert advice on PPP Canada was ignored but the answer quotes an unrelated council and states general goals without explanation.The Council is optimistic that the bank will play a significant role in attracting more private capital while growing the pipeline of P3 projects across Canada.
  21. partly answered
    InfrastructureMr. Alain Rayes (Conservative) asked Amarjeet Sohi (Liberal). substantive question.The question seeks clarity on decision-makers for infrastructure bank projects and the answer acknowledges the balance of oversight and private input without naming the decider.We have created the right balance that will allow us to mobilize private capital and build more infrastructure while at same time being accountable to Parliament
  22. partly answered
    International TradeMs. Brigitte Sansoucy (NDP) asked Lawrence MacAulay (Liberal). substantive question.The question demands concrete measures to protect supply management and the answer cites specific border enforcement actions taken.With the duties relief program, when I became Minister of Agriculture , I found out it was a big problem at the border.
  23. partly answered
    FinanceMr. David Christopherson (NDP) asked Ginette Petitpas Taylor (Liberal). loaded question.The question accuses deliberate stonewalling but the answer accepts recommendations and outlines future information sharing without denying past refusal.Going forward, the government will provide budget preparation information and other documents, as defined under existing OICs, to the Auditor General as they become available.
  24. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMr. Mark Strahl (Conservative) asked Jim Carr (Liberal). loaded question.The question criticizes added red tape from the NEB review but the answer defends reform and notes past approvals without addressing timeline increases.I am sure the hon. member will agree that the National Energy Board that we inherited was not perfect, and I am sure he might agree that significant reform would be a good thing for Canada's energy industry.
  25. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMr. Mark Strahl (Conservative) asked Jim Carr (Liberal). loaded question.Answer praises Alberta and government actions but ignores the NEB panel recommendation entirely.We have all the respect in the world for the entrepreneurship of Albertans.
  26. partly answered
    Foreign AffairsPeter Kent (Conservative) asked Mr. Matt DeCourcey (Liberal). substantive question.Answer describes the general designation framework but does not explain the decision on this specific group.We continue to use that robust framework in all of our designations of terrorist groups
  27. deflected
    Foreign AffairsMichelle Rempel (Conservative) asked Mr. Matt DeCourcey (Liberal). loaded question.Answer discusses Venezuela policy and meetings but avoids any mention of Broadway tickets or the named diplomat.Canada has been a leader on the international stage, co-sponsoring a resolution at the Organization of American States.
  28. answered
    HealthMr. Don Davies (NDP) asked Jane Philpott (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly addresses the overdose crisis and lists concrete government actions taken.We are working determinedly on all aspects of the crisis.
  29. partly answered
    YouthMs. Anne Minh-Thu Quach (NDP) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.Answer states the report is under review but provides no timeline and shifts to unrelated investments.we are reviewing the report right now.
  30. deflected
    Government AppointmentsMrs. Sylvie Boucher (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). loaded question.Answer defends the appointee's merits but does not address the donation or partisanship claims.After a long, open, and merit-based process, Ms. Meilleur clearly stood out as the most qualified person for the job.
  31. deflected
    Government AppointmentsMr. John Nater (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). loaded question.Answer repeats merit-based claims for the languages commissioner but ignores the Ethics Commissioner question.after a rigorous open and transparent merit-based process, Mrs. Meilleur emerged as the most qualified candidate for this important position.
  32. deflected
    Government AppointmentsMr. John Brassard (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). loaded question.Answer describes the general appointment process but does not address the timing or stalling allegation.When it comes to the appointment process, we have introduced a new merit-based appointment process that is open and transparent.
  33. deflected
    Indigenous AffairsMs. Sheila Malcolmson (NDP) asked Carolyn Bennett (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses general commitments and other actions without addressing the funding access question.I am looking forward to hearing the commissioners' response and to see if our government can do anything to help them.
  34. answered
    HealthMr. Harold Albrecht (Conservative) asked Jane Philpott (Liberal). loaded question.The response directly addresses the call for palliative care funding by detailing investments and programs.We are very happy as a government that we were able to support the provinces and territories to the tune of $6 billion of new money to expand access to home care and palliative care.
  35. deflected
    Canada Revenue AgencyMr. Xavier Barsalou-Duval (Bloc) asked Diane Lebouthillier (Liberal). loaded question.The answer focuses on general anti-evasion efforts without addressing the KPMG-related questions.I am very pleased to respond to my colleagues across the way and remind them that last year we invested $444 million to fight tax evasion and tax avoidance.
  36. partly answered
    The EnvironmentMs. Monique Pauzé (Bloc) asked Ginette Petitpas Taylor (Liberal). loaded question.The response acknowledges the Auditor General and outlines some commitments but does not present a new concrete plan as requested.Our government has a strong plan to invest in clean growth that will help create good, middle-class jobs and get us on the right path to a low-carbon economy.
  37. answered
    Member for Sturgeon River—ParklandCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). rhetorical question.The member rose to deliver a tribute rather than pose a question.it is a great privilege for me to rise in the House today to express my thanks to a woman who has the respect and admiration of all members of Parliament.