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Thursday, October 26, 2017 · sitting No. 223

Commons debates salaries act changes as ethics questions dominate QP

The House devoted the largest share of its sitting to report stage of Bill C-24, an act to amend the Salaries Act. Conservative MP Candice Bergen moved four amendments to delete clauses 1, 2, 3 and 6. She said the bill would have a detrimental effect on the House and on cabinet operations. Liberal MP Chris Bittle asked why ministers of state had been paid less than full ministers if they held an equal voice at the cabinet table.

Bergen replied that she had not held her own deputy minister or the right to bring memoranda to cabinet without approval. NDP MP Daniel Blaikie noted that the bill did not address gender equity in cabinet salaries. Conservative MP Michelle Rempel said the Prime Minister had turned the gender-balanced cabinet announcement into a personal statement rather than letting the ministers' records stand on their own.

Decided that day

  • Ways and Means motion No. 17 passed

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 · 2017-10-26

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 33%, opposition 67% of the words spokenRoutine proceedingsGovernment businessQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0511:0012:0013:0014:0015:0016:0017:00Last speech 18:25Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 8 h 20 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
42One motion passes, many debates lingerThe House spent most of its time on substantive debate over the Salaries Act and related bills, yet advanced no legislation through any stage. A single Ways and Means motion was approved while Question Period produced few direct answers.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

Ethics

Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre asked whether Finance Minister Bill Morneau had owned other stocks through numbered companies and whether he would donate resulting tax savings to reduce the deficit. Morneau said he had informed the Ethics Commissioner of his intent to sell his shares in Morneau Shepell and place assets in a blind trust.

Read the exchange

Indigenous Affairs

NDP MP Charlie Angus asked Indigenous Services Minister Jane Philpott to call off court proceedings against first nations children after the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal found the government culpable in the deaths of two girls. Philpott said the government had invested hundreds of millions of dollars to implement Jordan's principle.

Read the exchange

Taxation

Conservative MP Pat Kelly said the government had changed the disability tax credit process in May to reduce approvals for type 1 diabetics. Liberal MP Kamal Khera said there had been no change to eligibility criteria and that the agency was hiring nurses to review applications.

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Yukon Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment Act

Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett said Bill C-17 would remove residency requirements and restore timelines for assessments under the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act. Conservative MP Cathy McLeod said industry had expected replacement language on timelines in the legislation.

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Bankruptcy

NDP MP Scott Duvall asked whether the government would change bankruptcy laws to protect pensions after the Sears Canada proceedings. Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains said the government supported secure pensions and had held 82 Service Canada sessions for affected employees.

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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
    EthicsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses future ethics steps instead of confirming past stock ownership in numbered companies.I informed her of my continuing goal of working with her.
  2. deflected
    EthicsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer restates general integrity claims without addressing the tax savings donation question.That is why on this side of the House we live up to the highest standards of integrity.
  3. deflected
    EthicsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer pivots to economic achievements rather than disclosing contents of other numbered companies.It allows us to keep growing the economy.
  4. misdirected
    EthicsMr. Alain Rayes (Conservative) asked Navdeep Bains (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the conflict-of-interest math and instead lists generic aerospace support points.we believe in the aerospace sector; (b) we believe in aerospace sector jobs; (c) we believe in growth; (d) we believe in investing in employees in Canada.
  5. misdirected
    EthicsMr. Alain Rayes (Conservative) asked Navdeep Bains (Liberal). loaded question.The answer praises the aerospace sector without addressing Morneau Shepell government contracts or conflict claims.These are 208,000 good-quality jobs that on average pay 60% more than other manufacturing jobs.
  6. deflected
    EthicsMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer highlights pension policy work instead of addressing the Bill C-27 conflict-of-interest allegation.We very clearly said when we came into office that we would focus on ensuring retirement dignity for Canadians.
  7. deflected
    EthicsMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer repeats prior ethics commitments without engaging the share-value increase or historical resignation examples.I said that I will continue to act on the recommendations of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner and I will go even further.
  8. partly answered
    JusticeMs. Ruth Ellen Brosseau (NDP) asked Jody Wilson-Raybould (Liberal). substantive question.The answer affirms support for the bill and training but does not commit to urging Senate action.I was incredibly proud to stand with all members of the House to move forward private member's bill, Bill C-337 , to the other place.
  9. deflected
    BankruptcyMr. Scott Duvall (NDP) asked Navdeep Bains (Liberal). substantive question.The response thanks the asker and discusses pension support but avoids addressing changes to bankruptcy laws.We as a government have been very clear that we support secure pensions as well.
  10. partly answered
    EthicsMaxime Bernier (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer explains actions taken with the Ethics Commissioner but does not provide full disclosure of assets.
  11. deflected
    EthicsMaxime Bernier (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.The response emphasizes future conduct and working with the commissioner without answering about additional recusals.To all members of this House, I can say that I will continue to work hard on behalf of Canadians, making sure that, as I have not had for the last two years, I do not have conflicts of interest going forward.
  12. partly answered
    EthicsMrs. Shannon Stubbs (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer details compliance with the Ethics Commissioner rather than revealing additional assets.
  13. misdirected
    EthicsMrs. Shannon Stubbs (Conservative) asked Navdeep Bains (Liberal). loaded question.The response shifts to criticizing the opposition's stance on aerospace instead of addressing the minister's conflicts.why do the opposition members continually undermine the aerospace sector?
  14. misdirected
    EthicsMr. Mark Strahl (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer accuses the opposition of obsessing over personal matters to avoid positive economic news.I fully understand why the members opposite want to obsess on my personal situation.
  15. partly answered
    EthicsMr. Mark Strahl (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). loaded question.The response reiterates following the Ethics Commissioner's recommendations without full public disclosure.By disclosing all of my assets, I allowed her to provide me with recommendations, which I followed.
  16. partly answered
    Indigenous AffairsMs. Christine Moore (NDP) asked Jane Philpott (Liberal). loaded question.The answer calls for collaborative effort involving provinces without directly addressing the blame.That requires indigenous leaders, it requires the federal government, it requires the provinces, territories, and child and family services agencies to be involved.
  17. deflected
    Indigenous AffairsMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Jane Philpott (Liberal). loaded question.Answer promotes Jordan's principle implementation without addressing the court case or request to end it.I would like to remind the member opposite of the lengths to which we have gone to make sure that Jordan's principle is fully implemented.
  18. answered
    EthicsMr. John Brassard (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly explains the ethical screen administration and its consistency with prior practice.The way that screen is administered, which is consistent with the previous government's approach, is that the Department of Finance identifies the issues that should be put forward as conflicts of interest, and then that is administered through my chief of staff.
  19. deflected
    EthicsMr. John Brassard (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer calls the member wrong then shifts to attacking opposition motives on the economy instead of addressing enforcement.The reason we are getting deflected on these sorts of issues is that the members opposite do not want to acknowledge what their constituents are feeling, and that is confidence in our economy
  20. deflected
    EthicsMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer defends the screen by questioning the asker about the commissioner rather than addressing the staff enforcement concern.All I can assume is that the member opposite is actually questioning the commissioner.
  21. deflected
    EthicsMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer pivots entirely to Canadian finances and government goals, avoiding any reply on the ethical screen or numbered companies.there is a reason why the member wants to talk about my finances and that is because he does not want to talk about Canadians' finances.
  22. partly answered
    Canadian HeritageMr. Pierre Nantel (NDP) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). loaded question.Answer notes consultations and investments but does not address Netflix lobbying or preferential treatment claims.in the course of our consultations, we heard from over 30,000 people and we listened to the Quebec and francophone cultural sector.
  23. partly answered
    Canadian HeritageMs. Rachel Blaney (NDP) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). substantive question.Answer lists investments and strategy but does not address sweetheart deals or lobbying by digital giants.We announced some key investments in the context of our creative Canada strategy.
  24. answered
    TaxationMs. Marilyn Gladu (Conservative) asked Ms. Kamal Khera (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly states no change to eligibility criteria and notes steps taken to ease applications.There has been no change to the eligibility criteria for the DTC related to diabetes.
  25. deflected
    TaxationMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Ms. Kamal Khera (Liberal). loaded question.The answer denies policy change but avoids the question's core accusation and demand for restitution.there has been no change to the eligibility criteria for DTC in relation to diabetes.
  26. deflected
    TaxationMr. Pat Kelly (Conservative) asked Ms. Kamal Khera (Liberal). loaded question.The response reiterates no criteria change while pivoting to criticize the prior government instead of addressing the claimed process shift.For 10 years, the former Conservative government cut scientific research, including on diabetes.
  27. deflected
    TaxationMr. Pat Kelly (Conservative) asked Ms. Kamal Khera (Liberal). loaded question.The answer restates no criteria change and highlights a procedural easing but sidesteps the evidence of a May process alteration.There has been no change to the eligibility criteria for the DTC related to diabetes.
  28. partly answered
    HealthMr. Don Davies (NDP) asked Ginette Petitpas Taylor (Liberal). substantive question.The response affirms treating the crisis seriously and cites funding but does not directly address declaring a national emergency.we are in a national public health crisis in Canada, and we are responding in a way that is comprehensive, collaborative, compassionate, and evidence-based.
  29. deflected
    EthicsMr. Ron Liepert (Conservative) asked Mr. Stéphane Lauzon (Liberal). substantive question.The answer refers the matter to the Ethics Commissioner without confirming whether permission was granted.We will forward any information the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner might need and we will follow up to ensure we are a transparent and neutral government.
  30. deflected
    EthicsMr. Ron Liepert (Conservative) asked Mr. Stéphane Lauzon (Liberal). substantive question.The response again defers to the Ethics Commissioner without addressing use of ministerial resources.We know that the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner will answer all these questions.
  31. misdirected
    EthicsMr. Blaine Calkins (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the specific allegation and pivots to listing unrelated government spending achievements.I always appreciate the opportunity to rise in this place and remind Canadians of the important work this government is doing
  32. deflected
    Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMichelle Rempel (Conservative) asked Ralph Goodale (Liberal). substantive question.The response describes a bilateral discussion on border issues but does not address closing the safe third country loophole.We discussed a variety of issues pertaining to the Canada-U.S. relationship, including the value of our border
  33. deflected
    Official LanguagesMr. François Choquette (NDP) asked Jody Wilson-Raybould (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses the appointment process instead of addressing the vote on the bill.Our Prime Minister and our government are fundamentally committed to appointing Supreme Court justices who are functionally bilingual, have the highest meritorious qualities, and represent the diversity of the country.
  34. answered
    Canadian HeritagePeter Kent (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). loaded question.The answer directly states who is responsible for snow removal.The NCC is responsible for the day-to-day operations and management of this monument, including snow removal.
  35. deflected
    Intergovernmental RelationsMr. Gabriel Ste-Marie (Bloc) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). substantive question.The response reiterates the government's stance on the Charter without addressing the jurisdictional point directly.Canadians expect our government to defend the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
  36. deflected
    Intergovernmental RelationsMs. Monique Pauzé (Bloc) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). substantive question.The answer accuses the asker of playing politics and restates the position.I understand that my colleague is very concerned about this issue and that she is trying to play politics with it, but our position has always been clear.
  37. answered
    Business of the HouseCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). substantive question.The answer lists the planned legislative business for the week.Tomorrow, we will begin debate at third reading of Bill C-46 on impaired driving.