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Wednesday, February 14, 2018 · sitting No. 264
Commons holds extended debate on indigenous experience in justice system
The House spent the largest share of the sitting on a take-note debate concerning the experience of indigenous peoples within Canada's justice system. Minister of Justice Jody Wilson-Raybould and other members addressed systemic discrimination and the need for concrete reforms following the death of Colten Boushie.
The government also introduced second reading of Bill C-69 to enact the Impact Assessment Act and related measures. Environment Minister Catherine McKenna defended the legislation's provisions for climate considerations while opposition members questioned its transparency and provincial jurisdiction clauses.
Decided that day
- Bill S-228 passed second reading
- Bills C-378 and C-371 failed second reading
- Bills S-245 and C-70 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 · 2018-02-14
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
Marijuana
Conservative MP Lisa Raitt asked the Prime Minister to assure the House that offshore investments in Quebec cannabis firms do not involve organized crime, citing a Cayman Islands company with secret investors. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau replied that legalization would reduce profits flowing to criminal organizations.
Read the exchangeEthics
Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre pressed the Prime Minister on whether ministers must repay the value of improper gifts, citing comments from the Ethics Commissioner and the Liberal vice-chair of the ethics committee. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he had accepted the commissioner's findings and recommendations in his own case.
Read the exchangeCanadian Heritage
NDP MP Pierre Nantel asked the Prime Minister to commit to urgent budget measures for journalism after 7000 Quebec petitioners and recent layoffs at the Toronto Star. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pointed to the $675-million investment in CBC/Radio-Canada and modernization of the Canada periodical fund.
Read the exchangeStatus of Women
NDP MP Sheila Malcolmson asked when the government would legislate pay equity after voting for an NDP motion two years earlier. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the government would move forward on pay equity as part of efforts to close the gender wage gap.
Read the exchangeQuestion 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
- deflectedMarijuanaLisa Raitt (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer repeats the general policy rationale without addressing the specific offshore investment concern.
We know that by legalizing and controlling the sale of marijuana, not only will we reduce the profits going to organized crime, street gangs, and gun runners but we will do a better job of protecting our kids and their communities with a legalized framework.
- deflectedMarijuanaLisa Raitt (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer repeats the prohibition critique and policy goal without addressing the named company or investors.
For 10 years, the Conservative government allowed to perpetuate a system of prohibition that actually created sources of funding for organized crime, street gangs, and gun runners to continue to expand their illicit activities.
- deflectedMarijuanaMr. Alain Rayes (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer restates the failure of the prior system without addressing Senate interference or Liberal cronies.
It fails to protect our children, it fails to protect our communities, and it fails to keep organized crime from making billions of dollars per year in profits from marijuana sales.
- answeredMarijuanaMr. Alain Rayes (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly states that background checks will prevent organized crime involvement in investments.
Yes, we will ensure that no one involved in organized crime invests in the sale and production of marijuana.
- misdirectedMarijuanaMr. Alain Rayes (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the Conservatives' record and avoids the sponsorship scandal comparison or named Liberal ties.
The Conservative government perpetuated a system that made it easier for young people to access marijuana in Canada than in 29 other countries in the world.
- partly answeredMarijuanaMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses background checks and ownership transparency but not the CRA accountability or NDP motion.
There will be background checks on significant investors in any marijuana organization.
- deflectedMarijuanaMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer highlights CRA investments and actions without addressing tax haven agreements or specific Liberal friends.
Across the country, 30 CRA investigators are taking action in Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto to ensure that we are continuing to crack down on tax evasion and tax avoidance.
- deflectedMarijuanaMr. Pierre-Luc Dusseault (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer focuses on information sharing and CRA funding without addressing Liberal ties or regulatory failures.
Thanks to our historic investment of $1 billion to combat tax evasion and aggressive tax avoidance, the CRA will be able to recover over $5 billion in federal revenues over the next six years.
- partly answeredMarijuanaMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer addresses prevention measures but sidesteps the specific $277 million claim and accusations of insiders or crime.
Under our proposed regulations, security clearances will be mandatory for individuals who occupy key positions in any organization, as well as background checks on significant investors to any marijuana company.
- deflectedEthicsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer restates acceptance of the report without addressing repayment of improper gifts.
I accepted the findings of the report, took responsibility, and am following up on every single element of her advice or recommendations.
- misdirectedEthicsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer pivots to economic achievements and accuses opposition of mudslinging instead of addressing the Ethics Commissioner quote.
what is interesting is that we have the best economic growth numbers in years, the lowest rate of unemployment in 40 years, the fastest growth rate in the G7, and the members opposite spend their time slinging mud, making personal attacks, and trying to stir up stories that have already been dealt with.
- deflectedEthicsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer discusses security costs and travel instead of actions on a hypothetical $200,000 gift to a minister.
Moving forward, of course, I am happy to follow all the advice and recommendations that the commissioner had made, including those surrounding personal and private travel.
- deflectedEthicsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer praises the Ethics Commissioner and restates acceptance without addressing repayment of a large improper gift.
I am actually pleased that the Ethics Commissioner made clarifications, significantly put forward recommendations.
- deflectedEthicsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer emphasizes the role of the Ethics Commissioner rather than specifying actions on a Criminal Code violation by a minister.
What is important to know, however, is that we have a system that goes above the partisan attacks and the personal mudslinging and actually charges the Ethics Commissioner with looking into issues and allegations of this
- misdirectedEthicsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks the questioner's use of parliamentary immunity instead of disputing or addressing the stated facts about the gift.
the issue we have run into before with this particular member opposite is that he was able to say things in the House of Commons under parliamentary immunity that he would no longer repeat outside.
- answeredCanadian HeritageMr. Pierre Nantel (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly addresses support for media and journalism through existing investments and modernization efforts.
As a result of our $675-million investment in CBC/Radio-Canada, new journalists are now in communities where previously there had been no coverage.
- deflectedCanadian HeritageMs. Tracey Ramsey (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer lists existing funding measures but avoids addressing action on the specific reports or recommendations mentioned.
- misdirectedEthicsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer shifts to attacking the opposition's approach instead of addressing awareness of the Criminal Code provision.
The opposition may continue to want to sling mud and make personal attacks, but Canadians can be reassured that the Ethics Commissioner has done her job.
- misdirectedEthicsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer pivots to criticizing the opposition's past record rather than answering the two specific questions about the Aga Khan.
On that side of the House, they continue to question the work of the Ethics Commissioner, just as they did for 10 years of insulting, minimizing, and discarding the advice of officers of Parliament.
- misdirectedEthicsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer defends the Ethics Commissioner and attacks the Conservatives' history instead of addressing any RCMP discussion.
If the Conservatives choose to question the work that she has done, the quality of the work that the former ethics commissioner did, that is their prerogative.
- deflectedEthicsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer reiterates acceptance of the Ethics report while ignoring the direct question on Criminal Code section 121 benefits.
We worked with the Ethics Commissioner throughout the fall and can say that we fully accept all her findings and have moved forward on accepting all her recommendations.
- partly answeredStatus of WomenMs. Karine Trudel (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the pay gap issue and lists related investments but does not specify action on rural mail carriers or a timeline.
After 10 years of inaction by the previous government, we are working to eliminate the pay gap and support women's participation in the workforce.
- partly answeredStatus of WomenMs. Sheila Malcolmson (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer notes prior investments and states intent to move on pay equity but provides no concrete budget commitment or timeline.
we are also going to be moving forward on pay equity.
- deflectedNatural ResourcesMrs. Shannon Stubbs (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer criticizes the prior government's methods without outlining specific tools or plan details for building the pipeline.
On this side of the House, we understand what Canadians know, that we protect the environment and grow the economy together, and that is exactly what we are doing.
- deflectedNatural ResourcesMrs. Shannon Stubbs (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer promotes general environmental-economic policies without addressing the specific request for a concrete plan on Trans Mountain delays.
We have focused on building a world-class carbon reduction plan that is actually going to deliver on our Paris targets.
- deflectedNatural ResourcesCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights economic stats and process trust instead of providing a timeline or plan for starting Kinder Morgan.
We have the fastest-growing economy in the G7 right now and the lowest unemployment rate in 40 years, and that is partially because we have restored Canadians' trust in our process.
- deflectedNatural ResourcesCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks Conservative record on environment-economy linkage rather than addressing the accusation of using the pipeline as a bargaining chip.
They still refuse to accept that the environment and the economy need to go together.
- answeredEmployment InsuranceMs. Brigitte Sansoucy (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly confirms reversal of prior reforms and acknowledges the spring gap issue with a commitment to address it.
Yes, we are very aware of the upcoming spring gap.
- partly answeredCanadian HeritageMr. Wayne Stetski (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer expresses appreciation and general commitment to protection but does not commit to amending the National Capital Act or setting legal boundaries.
We will continue to work with the National Capital Commission and various partners to ensure that we are doing everything we can to protect this beautiful wilderness area for generations to come.
- partly answeredForeign AffairsErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses human rights concerns and the specific Canadian death but avoids commenting on protests or Iran policy broadly.
In this tragic case coming out of Iran, we have communicated clearly our desire for an autopsy, for a complete independent investigation.
- answeredForeign AffairsMr. Garnett Genuis (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly condemns violence against protesters, supports assembly rights, and cites UN action against Iran.
We are, of course, deeply troubled by the deaths and detentions of protesters during protests in Iran.
- partly answeredInternational AidMichelle Rempel (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer condemns abuse and notes no Canadian funds involved in Haiti but only states they are following up on Philippines without confirming suspension.
In regard to the Philippines, we are following up.
- deflectedStatus of WomenMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer promotes general feminist policies without addressing the specific bill or its alleged flaws.
our approach as a feminist government has been to invest in women, support women, invest in combatting gender-based violence, and ensure that women have recourse in difficult situations.
- partly answeredRoyal Canadian Mounted PoliceMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer acknowledges the family's concerns and commits to systemic fixes but does not confirm an independent investigation or review process.
We are going to work with them. We are going to fix our justice system and our police systems to make sure everyone is treated fairly.
- partly answeredPublic Services and ProcurementSteven Blaney (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer confirms ongoing discussions with Davie but provides no timeline or commitment on resuming work on the icebreakers.
We are in the initial stages and we hope to provide more information once the discussions are complete.
- deflectedTaxationMr. Gabriel Ste-Marie (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights tax policies and CRA funding but ignores the demand for an apology regarding tax havens.
We will continue to combat tax evasion and tax avoidance, specifically through the $1-billion investment we made in our first two years so that the Canada Revenue Agency can do its job.