Parliament AIIndependent · non-official

All sittings← 2017-12-122018-01-29 →

Wednesday, December 13, 2017 · sitting No. 251

Commons advances bill to expunge unjust convictions for gay sex

The House spent the largest share of its time on the Expungement of Historically Unjust Convictions Act. Liberal MP Randy Boissonnault told members that Canadians unjustly convicted because of whom they love are one step closer to clearing their names. New Democrat MP Randall Garrison and Green Party MP Elizabeth May pressed the government to include bawdy-house offences in the bill.

Question Period focused on taxation. Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer said the government had created uncertainty for small businesses ahead of the January 1 changes. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau replied that every small business would see its taxes cut and that the changes would prevent the wealthiest Canadians from paying a lower rate than the middle class.

The House approved three officers of Parliament. Liberal House Leader Bardish Chagger moved the appointments of Raymond Théberge as Commissioner of Official Languages, Nancy Bélanger as Commissioner of Lobbying and Mario Dion as Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner.

Decided that day

  • Bill C-24 adopted at third reading
  • Bills C-63 and C-61 received royal assent
  • Bills C-24 and C-66 advanced in first chamber
  • Bills C-390, C-388 and C-389 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 · 2017-12-13

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 46%, opposition 54% of the words spokenQuestion PeriodRoutine proceedingsGovernment businessPrivate members▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 14:0015:0016:0017:00Last speech 18:05Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 4 h 5 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
60Bills Pass While Answers Mostly DeflectThe House advanced multiple bills, granted royal assent to two and adopted a third at third reading. Question period produced few direct answers yet procedural interruptions remained minimal.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

Public Services and Procurement

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer said the government had ignored a third-party report and rushed the Phoenix system into service for political reasons. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau replied that the previous government had fired 700 people to book savings and that the Liberals were fixing the resulting problems.

Read the exchange

Government Appointments

New Democrat MP Guy Caron said the government had failed to consult opposition parties on the selection of the new Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner and had placed Liberal staff on the selection committee. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the months-long process of seeking names and criteria constituted proper consultation.

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Veterans Affairs

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer said veterans remained in limbo because of a backlog of disability-benefit applications. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the government had invested hundreds of millions of dollars, improved benefits and reopened service offices closed by the previous government.

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Foreign Affairs

Liberal MP Denis Paradis asked for an update on the Myanmar crisis relief fund. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canadians had donated $12.5 million and that the government would match the amount, bringing total Canadian assistance in 2017 to $50 million.

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Committees of the House

Liberal MP Dan Ruimy presented the tenth report of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology on Canada's anti-spam legislation and requested a government response.

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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
    TaxationAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer promotes tax cuts for small businesses without addressing the announced changes or concerns about incompetence.on January 1st, every single one of our small businesses will see their taxes cut.
  2. deflected
    TaxationAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks Conservatives as partisan instead of addressing the listed spending examples or tax attack claim.only the Conservatives could see lowering taxes on small businesses as an attack on small businesses.
  3. deflected
    TaxationAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer highlights job creation numbers without addressing the listed tax hike attempts or spending link.This year we created 441,000 new jobs, which is the top number for job creation in 18 years in this country.
  4. deflected
    International TradeAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer criticizes Harper's approach to deals instead of addressing the skipped meeting or damage to trade relations.what Stephen Harper did not understand, what those Conservatives over there continue not to understand, is that it is not just about signing any deal; it is about signing a good deal for Canadians.
  5. deflected
    International TradeAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer repeats criticism of Conservative trade strategy without addressing China behaviour or NAFTA impact.once again, the Conservatives demonstrate that they still do not understand anything about getting a good trade deal for Canadians.
  6. deflected
    Government AppointmentsMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer discusses general consultation process but does not address lack of finalist names or rushed committee.on the issue of the Lobbying Commissioner and the Official Languages Commissioner, we actually consulted opposition parties last June to see what criteria they were looking for
  7. deflected
    Government AppointmentsMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer defends seeking suggestions as consultation without addressing the selection committee composition.The reality is that seeking suggestions and names for months is part of the consultation process.
  8. deflected
    Government AppointmentsMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer states general expectations for the commissioner without addressing the specific refusal to pursue investigations.we expect any conflict of interest and ethics commissioner and any officer of Parliament to fulfill their duties with care and integrity.
  9. deflected
    EthicsMr. Nathan Cullen (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores all ethics questions and pivots to economic stats while mocking the opposition.one cannot help but feel bad for the members of the opposition, because of the results we have gotten as a government.
  10. partly answered
    TaxationAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer directly rebuts the tax statistics claim with the child benefit but does not address the 'when' question.The statistics he is referring to do not take into account the Canada child benefit.
  11. deflected
    TaxationAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends deficits by attacking past Conservative policies instead of addressing broken promises or timelines.in order to chase their goal of balancing the budget at all costs, they created the Phoenix fiasco, they nickel and dimed our veterans
  12. misdirected
    Public Services and ProcurementAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer blames the prior government for Phoenix rather than addressing Liberal responsibility or fixes after two years.The problem was that they fired 700 people in order to book the savings they were counting on so they could magically balance the budget
  13. deflected
    Public Services and ProcurementAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends the new fighter jet process but does not address the claim of abandoning promises or using used jets.That is why we were proud to launch a full, open competition yesterday to replace our fleet of aging fighter jets, not with 65 jets like the Conservatives spoke about but 88 jets
  14. misdirected
    Public Services and ProcurementAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks Conservatives on coal and past procurement instead of addressing current fighter jet sourcing or responsibility.I know you are trying to invoke Santa Claus to help them out, but let us not forget that the Conservatives like coal.
  15. deflected
    Veterans AffairsAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer lists investments but does not address the backlog or take responsibility for decisions under the current government.Over the past two years, Mr. Speaker, we have invested in hundreds of millions of dollars for veterans.
  16. deflected
    Government AppointmentsMs. Karine Trudel (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer claims earlier consultations occurred but does not address the specific last-minute process criticized in the question.six months ago, early this summer, we consulted the opposition members.
  17. deflected
    Government AppointmentsMr. Murray Rankin (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer mentions consultations on other roles instead of committing to the legal process for officers of Parliament.However, I want to correct him in that we did, for example, on the Commissioner of Lobbying and the Commissioner of Official Languages, reach out to the opposition parties back in June to talk about the stakeholders they wanted
  18. deflected
    TaxationPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer lists past Liberal achievements rather than addressing whether tax increases are merely on hold.we lowered taxes on the middle class and raised them on the wealthiest 1%, and the Conservatives tried to stop us.
  19. deflected
    TaxationPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends the Canada child benefit without addressing the specific tax statistics or tax-haven claims.The stats they are quoting now do not actually include the Canada child benefit.
  20. misdirected
    TaxationPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to job creation and accuses the asker of personal attacks instead of addressing the finance department data.one cannot help but feel bad for the Conservatives. They are resorting to flailing around with personal attacks because we have created over 441,000 new jobs
  21. deflected
    TaxationPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer repeats tax-lowering claims and attacks Conservatives without engaging the specific fairness or working-class tax burden question.once again, the first thing we did was lower taxes for the middle class and raise them on the wealthiest 1%.
  22. partly answered
    EthicsMs. Ruth Ellen Brosseau (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer affirms the nominee's commitment to facts and integrity but does not confirm whether ongoing investigations will continue.Canadians and especially parliamentarians expect officers of Parliament to perform their duties with integrity and to make decisions based on facts.
  23. deflected
    EthicsMs. Irene Mathyssen (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer emphasizes integrity and non-partisanship without confirming continuation of the specific investigations.I think the question is whether parliamentarians and Canadians expect officers of Parliament to fulfill their duties with integrity, with responsibility, and based on the facts.
  24. answered
    TaxationLisa Raitt (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly explains the income-sprinkling rules and their application to family businesses including married women.Of that 3%, many will be able to continue under recently-clarified rules that apply.
  25. deflected
    TaxationLisa Raitt (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses tax rates and timelines but does not address withdrawing the proposed changes.We are giving plenty of time to businesses to ensure that they are able to continue to do things that matter to their businesses.
  26. misdirected
    EthicsMr. Alain Rayes (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The response defends the minister's record instead of addressing the call for resignation and criticizes the opposition.I can understand why the members across the way keep making these personal attacks.
  27. misdirected
    EthicsMr. Alain Rayes (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends the minister and lists achievements rather than addressing the call to fire him.The personal attacks keep coming, Mr. Speaker.
  28. deflected
    Indigenous AffairsMs. Sheila Malcolmson (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer claims engagement with groups but does not address the specific exclusions from meetings.We continually work with indigenous women's organizations and indigenous groups across this country to ensure that all voices—youth, elders, women, and survivors of residential schools—are heard in every possible forum.
  29. partly answered
    Indigenous AffairsMr. Romeo Saganash (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses waiving privilege but does not commit to partnership or stopping court actions on costs.Where an individual requests it, our government is willing to absolutely waive privilege and encourages all other entities to do exactly the same.
  30. deflected
    Persons with DisabilitiesMs. Rachael Harder (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer defends the minister's past actions but does not address whether the comments reflect government position.the minister has responded to these allegations.
  31. deflected
    Persons with DisabilitiesMrs. Sylvie Boucher (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer defends the minister's record but does not address endorsement of the specific actions.the Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities has addressed these allegations.
  32. deflected
    Persons with DisabilitiesMrs. Shannon Stubbs (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer defends the minister but does not address condoning the words and actions described.the minister has responded to these allegations.
  33. partly answered
    Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMichelle Rempel (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.PM affirms clarity on FGM but does not commit to ending consultations or immediate inclusion in the guide.I can assure members that we will be very clear about this issue, because this is not an issue for partisanship; this is an issue on which we are all united.
  34. deflected
    The EnvironmentMs. Anne Minh-Thu Quach (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Response discusses removal process but ignores the penalty clause and environmental violations raised.The contract to fully dismantle the Kathyn Spirit was awarded after an open and transparent procurement process.
  35. answered
    Public Services and ProcurementSteven Blaney (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.PM directly states the procurement plan does not include a second supply ship.For the moment, the long-term procurement plan does not include a second supply ship.
  36. deflected
    Public Services and ProcurementMrs. Marilène Gill (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer notes concern for jobs and funding but pivots to holiday wishes without addressing the contract request.Since that was the last question, I would like to wish everyone a merry Christmas and happy holidays.
  37. misdirected
    Public Services and ProcurementSteven Blaney (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). substantive question.Response addresses unrelated procedural motions instead of the request to table the defence policy document.That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practice of the House: (a) after the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion for third reading of Bill C-24