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Wednesday, June 14, 2017 · sitting No. 194

Commons debates main estimates as Liberals defend Norsat sale and registry plans

The House spent the largest share of its sitting on the main estimates for 2017-18, with the government moving concurrence in Vote 1 for Privy Council Office program expenditures. Minister of Democratic Institutions Karina Gould outlined plans to improve voter access and gender balance in the Commons while fielding questions on identification rules and candidate recruitment.

Question period featured repeated exchanges on the national sex-offender registry and the sale of Norsat to Chinese interests. Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer pressed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on making the registry public and on whether allies had objected to the Norsat transaction, while Trudeau cited existing federal tools and national-security assessments.

Other exchanges touched on the Paris climate accord, dairy market access under NAFTA and compensation for supply-managed producers. NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair and members from both opposition parties challenged the government on climate commitments, dairy protections and the pace of indigenous-rights legislation.

Decided that day

  • Bill C-54 passed second and third reading and report stage
  • Bill C-53 passed second and third reading and report stage
  • Several main and supplementary estimates concurred in
  • Bill C-243 passed third reading
  • 11th Report of Justice Committee adopted
  • Opposition motions on child predators and appointments committee defeated

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 · 2017-06-14

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 48%, opposition 52% of the words spokenQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 14:0015:0016:0017:0018:0019:0020:0021:0022:00Last speech 23:30Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 9 h 30 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
68Supply bills sail, opposition motions sinkThe House spent the bulk of its time on estimates and supply bills, passing multiple funding measures after recorded votes. Opposition motions failed while a handful of other bills advanced stages with little procedural disruption.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

Justice

Conservative MP Michael Cooper said the government motion would defeat Wynn's law and leave open the loophole that cost Constable Wynn his life, while Trudeau noted the bill had been studied at committee and the committee's determination would be respected.

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Persons with Disabilities

Conservative MP Mike Lake said four leading autism researchers supported the Canadian autism partnership and asked why the government would not fund it, while Trudeau pointed to more than $39 million in research funding through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

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The Environment

Green Party MP Elizabeth May asked Trudeau to confirm Canada would insist the G20 final declaration include a commitment to the Paris accord, and Trudeau replied that Canada would stand with Germany on the issue.

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Dairy Industry

NDP MP Ruth Ellen Brosseau asked whether the government would fully compensate dairy and cheese producers for CETA losses, while Trudeau said the government was investing hundreds of millions of dollars to help producers adapt.

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Indigenous Affairs

NDP MP Romeo Saganash asked whether the government would support Bill C-262 to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, while Trudeau said word-for-word adoption would ignore the section 35 framework.

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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
    TaxationMr. Andrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer restates past Liberal tax changes and benefits instead of addressing planned tax hikes or program cuts for debt.The fact is that we lowered taxes for the middle class and raised them on the wealthiest 1%, which those members voted against.
  2. partly answered
    Public SafetyMr. Andrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer explains existing registries and states the government is examining the proposal but does not explain why it is not being made public now.We are looking at this proposed database to ensure that it will protect our children.
  3. deflected
    Public SafetyMr. Andrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer repeats details on existing systems and blames the prior government for not funding the database rather than addressing funding priorities or the request directly.The Harper government passed legislation to create a proposed new database, but it never actually set it up and never funded it.
  4. answered
    Foreign InvestmentMr. Andrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer directly states that a national security assessment was conducted and no concerns were found after consulting allies.Our national security experts examined the agreement and the technology and concluded that the deal did not raise any national security concerns.
  5. partly answered
    Foreign InvestmentMr. Andrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer confirms consultation occurred and national security was not compromised but does not name specific officials or detail any objections raised.In this particular case, our security agencies did consult with key allies, including the United States.
  6. partly answered
    Government AppointmentsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer describes the independent process and diversity outcomes but does not commit to accepting the amended motion on officer appointments.We are going to continue to follow all appropriate processes, including consulting with all parties and having a vote on the proper processes for officers of Parliament.
  7. answered
    The EnvironmentThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer directly denies the claim and quotes the German government confirmation that no such request was made.The prime minister did not ask [Chancellor Merkel] to delete all references to the climate agreement from the draft G20 document.
  8. deflected
    Freedom of the PressThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer restates climate commitments and support for a Senate proposal without addressing the bill timeline or journalistic sources protection.With regard to freedom of the press, we continue to defend and promote journalistic freedom, which is why we are supporting the Senate proposal.
  9. deflected
    National DefenceThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The response highlights investigations and past NDP actions instead of addressing consequences for the minister.That is why there have been no fewer than six investigations into that issue, including one that is ongoing.
  10. deflected
    Foreign InvestmentMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer asserts consultation occurred but provides none of the requested details on timing or individuals.In this particular case, the security agencies consulted the United States.
  11. deflected
    Foreign InvestmentMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The response repeats general assurances without tabling documents or naming specific consultations.
  12. deflected
    Foreign InvestmentTony Clement (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer restates the process was followed but avoids naming consulted allies or addressing the contradiction.our security agencies went through the proper process in regard to this transaction, including consulting with our allies, including the United States
  13. deflected
    Foreign InvestmentTony Clement (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The response emphasizes trust in agencies without identifying who was consulted or what was said.Our national security agencies were engaged with this process, consulted with our allies, and did the work they are supposed to do.
  14. deflected
    Foreign InvestmentLisa Raitt (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer corrects the member and repeats agency trust without addressing cabinet-level contacts.Our national security agencies engaged in the rigorous process we have.
  15. deflected
    Foreign InvestmentLisa Raitt (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The response pivots to praising public servants and criticizing the prior government instead of addressing the decision-making failure.After 10 years of a government that did not listen to our public servants, did not respect the work they did, and did whatever it wanted based on ideology and not facts, we are proud that we respect our public servants
  16. partly answered
    Indigenous AffairsMr. Romeo Saganash (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer explains the government's approach to implementation but does not directly confirm support for Bill C-262.Simply adopting the declaration word for word into law ignores Canada's section 35 framework and the hard work necessary to bring about real change.
  17. deflected
    Foreign InvestmentMr. Don Davies (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer pivots to provincial oversight instead of addressing federal due diligence on the Anbang takeover.B.C.'s regulatory regime is robust and imposes rigorous standards of care on all operators of residential care and assisted living facilities.
  18. deflected
    Foreign InvestmentCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer defends agencies and attacks the opposition without naming any U.S. contacts.For the member opposite to suggest that somehow our civil servants are not up to the task they are given, that our national security agencies are incapable of doing their jobs, that is quite frankly what we saw for 10 years and why they are now in opposition.
  19. deflected
    Foreign InvestmentCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer restates the general process without identifying any specific U.S. consultations.under the Investment Canada Act, there is a process whereby our national security agencies look at transactions, evaluate them in terms of national interests, consult with allies including the United States in this case, and make a determination on whether or not it is safe to move forward.
  20. deflected
    Foreign InvestmentMrs. Cathy McLeod (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer emphasizes provincial rules and Cedar Tree commitments but ignores ownership questions.I can reassure the residents that indeed B.C. has a strong and robust regulatory regime that imposes rigorous standards of care on all operators of residential care and assisted living facilities.
  21. deflected
    Foreign InvestmentMrs. Cathy McLeod (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer again stresses provincial oversight without identifying owners or addressing removal notices.the provincial governments across this country have the responsibility for imposing rigorous regulatory regimes to ensure the protection of our seniors, regardless of who owns and operates the various senior care centres.
  22. partly answered
    Dairy IndustryMs. Tracey Ramsey (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer affirms defense of supply management but does not commit to a red line on market access.The Liberal Party has always defended supply management, and we always will defend supply management because it protects our consumers, it protects our producers, and it creates opportunities for growth and security in our production of dairy products.
  23. partly answered
    Dairy IndustryMs. Ruth Ellen Brosseau (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer mentions transition funding but does not confirm full compensation for projected losses.That is why we are investing hundreds of millions of dollars to help them through this transition, so that everyone can enjoy all the benefits that CETA has to offer.
  24. partly answered
    Access to InformationMr. Alupa Clarke (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the incident and refers it to justice officials without stating whether it violated the law.what happened is extremely troubling. That is why those involved reported what happened in a clear and open manner.
  25. deflected
    Access to InformationMr. John Brassard (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer describes general procedures followed but avoids committing to a DPP investigation as specifically requested.As is usual, this matter has now been referred to the Attorney General 's office.
  26. deflected
    EthicsMr. John Nater (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer discusses industry disruption and transparency but sidesteps the conflict of interest allegation.She has been fully transparent about her former employment with Google Canada, including with the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner.
  27. deflected
    EthicsMrs. Sylvie Boucher (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer repeats points on digital shift and expertise without addressing the ethics course demand or conflict claim.Her chief of staff's expertise and broad knowledge of the digital landscape are essential to our assessment of how best to support the sector during this transition.
  28. partly answered
    Physician-Assisted DyingMs. Brigitte Sansoucy (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges ongoing work needed but defends the existing law without addressing the specific court cases or restrictive criterion.We acknowledge that there is still work to do in society for this legislation to evolve, but we know that we have sought to strike the right balance between protecting the most vulnerable and respecting the freedom of choice and the decisions that Canadians can make.
  29. deflected
    InfrastructureMs. Rachel Blaney (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer promotes infrastructure investment but ignores the request to remove the infrastructure bank from the omnibus bill.Being innovative about bringing forward new ways to find financing for the infrastructure that Canadians need to grow the economy and build for the future is something important that we have done.
  30. partly answered
    Public SafetyRob Nicholson (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer references existing registries and ongoing consultations but does not explain why the public registry proposal is being cancelled.We are consulting with various community leaders, police groups, and protection-of-victims services to ensure that however we move forward, we are protecting victims and—
  31. misdirected
    Public SafetyMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the questioner's suggestion rather than addressing the request for a public national sex offender registry.anyone in the House who would suggest that one of us does not take the protection of our children and our communities seriously is not worthy of the House.
  32. deflected
    JusticeMr. Michael Cooper (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer offers condolences but does not address the motion or the specific loophole closure request.again I extend my deepest sympathies to Constable David Wynn and especially his widow Shelly—
  33. deflected
    Persons with DisabilitiesMrs. Karen Vecchio (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer discusses general support and research funding without addressing the vote or what was said to the parliamentary secretary.Federal investments in research, data improvement, surveillance, and training skills are supporting those with autism and their families.
  34. deflected
    Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications CommissionMr. Pierre Nantel (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The response highlights government investments but avoids directly answering whether the decision will be overturned.We are currently studying the impacts of the CRTC's decision.
  35. deflected
    Persons with DisabilitiesMike Lake (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer emphasizes research funding and commitments without addressing support for the Canadian autism partnership specifically.This government, through the Canadian Institutes for Health Research, has invested more than $39 million in autism research over the past five years.
  36. answered
    The EnvironmentMs. Elizabeth May (Green) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The Prime Minister directly confirms the commitment and explains the government's stance.