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Thursday, October 5, 2017 · sitting No. 213

NDP pharmacare motion debated as division deferred to October 17

The House devoted the largest share of its sitting to government orders on an NDP opposition motion calling for negotiations with the provinces by October 1 2018 to establish a universal pharmacare program. New Democrat MP Don Davies moved the motion and Conservative MP Bill Casey and NDP MP Anne Minh-Thu Quach spoke during the debate. A procedural motion adopted by consent deferred all questions on the motion to October 17 at the expiry of government orders.

Question period featured repeated exchanges on the cancellation of the Energy East pipeline. Conservative MP Lisa Raitt and Conservative MP Gérard Deltell pressed the government on job losses and regulatory changes while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attributed the decision to market conditions and noted approvals for three other pipelines.

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 · 2017-10-05

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 40%, opposition 60% of the words spokenGovernment businessQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0011:0012:0013:0014:0015:0016:00Last speech 17:10Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 7 h 10 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
44Supply talk fills the day, little decidedThe sitting devoted most time to Business of Supply and taxation debate with high substantive content but no recorded votes. Only one bill was introduced amid frequent Speaker calls to order and mostly deflected answers in Question Period.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

Taxation

Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre said documents showed Morneau Shepell had registered a subsidiary in Barbados and asked why the finance minister's tax measures ignored the treaty while targeting farms and small businesses. Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier replied that the government had invested more than one billion dollars and recovered nearly twenty-five billion dollars from evasion cases.

Read the exchange

Health

NDP MP Guy Caron cited the parliamentary budget officer's report that federal health transfers remain inadequate and asked when the government would meet provincial needs. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pointed to negotiated accords that include historic investments in mental health and home care.

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International Trade

NDP MP Tracey Ramsey asked the government to commit not to grant the United States greater access to Canada's dairy market during upcoming NAFTA talks. Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said the government would defend supply management and noted the existing five-to-one U.S. dairy trade surplus with Canada.

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Public Services and Procurement

NDP MP Guy Caron asked why the government had paid PricewaterhouseCoopers and IBM millions of dollars for the Phoenix system after public servants had raised concerns. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the government was working with unions to resolve pay issues for public servants.

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Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Liberal MP James Maloney asked for an update on the resettlement of Yazidi women and children. Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen said almost eight hundred survivors of Daesh had arrived in Canada.

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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 ResourcesLisa Raitt (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer reframes the cancellation as a market decision and lists pipeline approvals instead of addressing political interference claims.TransCanada made a business decision based on market conditions.
  2. deflected
    Natural ResourcesLisa Raitt (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer repeats market conditions and pipeline approvals while accusing the asker of playing politics rather than engaging the double-standard claim.The Conservatives are, again, just playing politics.
  3. deflected
    Regional Economic DevelopmentLisa Raitt (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to the Atlantic growth strategy and past neglect instead of addressing the regulatory process or stifling opportunity.our government is proud of the Atlantic growth strategy that we established with the premiers of the Atlantic provinces
  4. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer again cites changed market conditions and three approvals rather than responding to the rule-change accusation.Canadians know full well that the situation has changed since TransCanada first proposed the energy east project.
  5. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer contrasts past Conservative failures with current carbon pricing instead of addressing the double-standard or contempt claim.We, on the other hand, as a government, have been able to approve some projects and have also been able to protect the environment by setting a pan-Canadian price on carbon
  6. answered
    HealthMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly addresses health funding by citing negotiated accords and specific investments in mental health and home care.this government is very proud to have been able to negotiate health accords with the provinces for the next few years.
  7. answered
    SeniorsMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly counters the no-plan claim by listing concrete measures such as GIS increase, housing strategy, home care, and CPP strengthening.We delivered an increase by 10% to the guaranteed income supplement for our most vulnerable seniors.
  8. partly answered
    Public Services and ProcurementMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the Phoenix issue and states ongoing work but does not address the refund demand or corporate payments.we are working extremely hard with the public servants and with the public sector unions across government to ensure that we deliver a pay system that works for Canadians
  9. deflected
    Public Services and ProcurementMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses the general pay issue but avoids the specific question on ignoring employee advice and the bid process.That is why we are taking our responsibility in this matter seriously and we are working diligently to resolve this situation.
  10. deflected
    TaxationPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Diane Lebouthillier (Liberal). loaded question.The answer discusses general tax enforcement efforts without addressing the Barbados treaty or minister's company.our government is fully committed to fighting tax evasion and aggressive tax avoidance.
  11. deflected
    TaxationPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Diane Lebouthillier (Liberal). loaded question.The answer repeats general enforcement stats and avoids the specific Barbados loophole question.It has invested $1 billion over the past two years, which is more than the Conservatives on the other side of the aisle managed to do in 10 years.
  12. deflected
    TaxationPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Diane Lebouthillier (Liberal). loaded question.The answer begins a general statement on tax evasion but cuts off without addressing the Barbados treaty or family business.our government is firmly committed to combatting tax evasion.
  13. partly answered
    TaxationPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Diane Lebouthillier (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses international cooperation on tax evasion but does not confirm the minister's recusal from the Barbados treaty.I am proud of the leadership role we have taken on the international stage.
  14. deflected
    TaxationMaxime Bernier (Conservative) asked Mr. Joël Lightbound (Liberal). loaded question.The answer discusses consultations and small business support while attacking the opposition's record instead of addressing the Barbados subsidiary.I know that must seem strange to a party that did not listen for 10 years when it was in government.
  15. deflected
    TaxationMaxime Bernier (Conservative) asked Mr. Joël Lightbound (Liberal). loaded question.The answer explains general tax fairness goals but avoids the Barbados treaty and Morneau Shepell question.right now, there are things about our tax system that are unfair, and we want to fix that.
  16. deflected
    Canadian HeritageMs. Rachel Blaney (NDP) asked Mr. Sean Casey (Liberal). loaded question.The answer promotes the Netflix investment benefits without addressing the criticism of disadvantaging Canadian companies or the funding source.This investment, which is the first of its kind in the world, guarantees there will be at least half a billion dollars in original productions made here in Canada in both official languages.
  17. deflected
    Canadian HeritageMr. Pierre Nantel (NDP) asked Mr. Sean Casey (Liberal). loaded question.The answer promotes investments without addressing the specific criticisms about Netflix or Quebec reactions.This investment provides for at least $500 million in original productions in Canada, in both official languages.
  18. deflected
    TaxationMr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative) asked Mr. Joël Lightbound (Liberal). loaded question.The answer restates general support for small businesses and tax fairness without confirming or denying ties to Barbados.We proposed some tax reforms and then we listened to Canadians from coast to coast to coast to make sure we get it right and make our tax system fairer where it needs it.
  19. partly answered
    TaxationMr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative) asked Diane Lebouthillier (Liberal). loaded question.The answer addresses the broader tax evasion efforts but does not investigate or confirm the minister's specific actions.
  20. misdirected
    TaxationCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Mr. Joël Lightbound (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the previous government instead of addressing the hypocrisy claim about the finance minister.The previous government ignored the middle class for a decade to focus on giving tax breaks to the rich.
  21. deflected
    TaxationCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Diane Lebouthillier (Liberal). loaded question.The answer emphasizes anti-evasion investments without addressing recusal or the minister's shares.The net is tightening, and Canadians expect no less of us.
  22. partly answered
    International TradeMs. Tracey Ramsey (NDP) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer defends the dairy sector and notes the US trade surplus but does not explicitly commit to keeping supply management off the table.We will fiercely defend our national interest at the NAFTA round, and we will stand up for our values.
  23. deflected
    International TradeMs. Ruth Ellen Brosseau (NDP) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer repeats general support for dairy producers without committing to no greater US access.We will vigorously defend our national interests and remain faithful to Canadian values.
  24. partly answered
    TaxationMrs. Sylvie Boucher (Conservative) asked Mr. Jean-Claude Poissant (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges listening to farmers but does not confirm backing down on tax reform.I can assure you that we will take the industry's opinions into account in our plan for the future.
  25. deflected
    TaxationMs. Rachael Harder (Conservative) asked Mr. Joël Lightbound (Liberal). loaded question.Answer reassures on principles but avoids admitting error or dropping the plan.we want to make sure that intergenerational transfers of a business or a farm are not impacted by the changes we have put forward
  26. deflected
    TaxationMr. Earl Dreeshen (Conservative) asked Mr. Joël Lightbound (Liberal). loaded question.Answer emphasizes fairness and support but sidesteps why farms are put at risk.All we want, the one and only goal of these proposals, is to introduce some fairness into the tax system in areas where it is lacking.
  27. deflected
    TaxationKevin Sorenson (Conservative) asked Mr. Joël Lightbound (Liberal). loaded question.Answer repeats guiding principles without addressing the differential tax claim or family fortunes.our priorities are to ensure that we keep tax rates low so that our farmers can prosper and that intergenerational transfers are not affected
  28. partly answered
    EmploymentMs. Irene Mathyssen (NDP) asked Mr. David Lametti (Liberal). substantive question.Answer notes job creation efforts but does not outline a specific plan to prevent closures.we are trying to build the economy. We have succeeded in creating over 400,000 jobs in the last year.
  29. answered
    International TradeMr. Richard Cannings (NDP) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly states actions on WTO complaints and provincial coordination.We will continue to work closely with the provinces on this issue, and I have discussed it at length with Premier Horgan.
  30. misdirected
    Natural ResourcesMr. Mark Strahl (Conservative) asked Jim Carr (Liberal). loaded question.Answer shifts to approved pipelines and unchanged rules instead of addressing pride in killing the project.What has changed is that there have been three pipelines approved, which has changed the market conditions.
  31. misdirected
    Natural ResourcesMr. Mark Strahl (Conservative) asked Jim Carr (Liberal). loaded question.Answer lists other projects and jobs while ignoring the accusation of selling out to foreign interests.this government has been able to do what the Conservative government could not do, for example, 3,000 jobs for the Nova Gas pipeline
  32. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMrs. Stephanie Kusie (Conservative) asked Jim Carr (Liberal). loaded question.Answer cites external report on economics but avoids committing to future projects or stopping ideological games.basic economics, not regulation, ended the energy east pipeline—not regulation.
  33. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMr. Bob Benzen (Conservative) asked Jim Carr (Liberal). loaded question.The answer disputes the premise about rule changes and attacks the prior government instead of addressing support for the energy sector.The member is wrong. The rules did not change, not at the beginning, not in mid-stream, and not at the end.
  34. answered
    TaxationMr. Gord Johns (NDP) asked Mr. Joël Lightbound (Liberal). loaded question.The answer directly explains the goal of fixing tax unfairness for the wealthy while protecting small business rates.
  35. partly answered
    Natural ResourcesMr. Blaine Calkins (Conservative) asked Jim Carr (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends the approval decision and lists benefits but does not address confronting the B.C. premier or ensuring construction.We approved it because of 15,440 jobs, mostly in British Columbia and Alberta.
  36. partly answered
    TaxationMr. Xavier Barsalou-Duval (Bloc) asked Diane Lebouthillier (Liberal). loaded question.The answer addresses tax evasion efforts and results but ignores the farmer discount sale and request to restart reforms.Our historic $1-billion investment over the past two years is proof positive.
  37. answered
    International TradeMr. Gabriel Ste-Marie (Bloc) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer gives a clear commitment to defend the aluminum sector in trade talks.Our government will always stand up for aluminum and steel workers.
  38. answered
    Business of the HouseCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). substantive question.The answer lists the planned business for the week and after the break.Tomorrow, we will begin debate on Bill C-57 on sustainable development.