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Monday, February 26, 2018 · sitting No. 266

NDP motion on Phoenix pay system takes up most of Commons time

NDP MP Karine Trudel moved an opposition motion under government orders calling on the government to pay public servants correctly and on time, exempt those overpaid by the Phoenix system from repaying the gross amount, and compensate those harmed by the system. The motion, which consumed 44 per cent of the sitting, remained before the House at adjournment with a recorded division deferred to the following Wednesday.

Conservative MP Candice Bergen pressed Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale on whether the Prime Minister believed the Indian government had orchestrated the attendance of Jaspal Atwal at an event in India. Goodale replied that security agencies had performed their duties properly but declined to discuss operational details.

Conservative MP Phil McColeman asked Veterans Affairs Minister Seamus O'Regan why the Prime Minister had broken his promise that no veteran would have to fight the government for benefits. O'Regan listed new programs and said the government had kept its commitments.

Decided that day

  • Opposition motion on respect for veterans defeated
  • Bill C-374 passed second reading

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 · 2018-02-26

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 43%, opposition 57% of the words spokenPrivate membersGovernment businessQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 11:0512:0013:0014:0015:0016:0017:00Last speech 18:05Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 7 h 0 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
48Bill inches ahead, veterans motion failsMost of the sitting was taken up with extended debate on supply and public-safety matters, while Question Period produced few direct answers. One opposition motion was defeated and a single bill advanced one stage.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

NDP MP Guy Caron said the Canada Revenue Agency was conducting a cost-benefit analysis before deciding whether to enforce the law against KPMG. Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier said the government was working with international partners to improve information exchange.

Read the exchange

Canada-India Relations

Bloc Québécois MP Hélène Laverdière questioned the value of the Prime Minister's eight-day trip to India. International Development Minister Kirsty Duncan said the visit produced more than $1 billion in investments and thousands of jobs.

Read the exchange

Agriculture and Agri-Food

Conservative MP Luc Berthold said the government had refused to split Bill C-49 and left western grain farmers without rail service. Transport Minister Marc Garneau said the previous government had done nothing and urged quick passage of the bill.

Read the exchange

Parks Canada

Independent MP Hunter Tootoo asked Environment Minister Catherine McKenna to designate sites in Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord as national historic sites. Parliamentary Secretary Jonathan Wilkinson said the government would welcome such a nomination to the Historic Sites and Monuments Board.

Read the exchange

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
    Public SafetyCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Ralph Goodale (Liberal). substantive question.The answer avoids addressing the Prime Minister's belief by citing security confidentiality.I cannot discuss security details on the floor of the House.
  2. deflected
    Public SafetyCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Ralph Goodale (Liberal). substantive question.The response shifts focus to the invitation being rescinded without addressing the proof requested.the invitation that was issued to this particular individual, Mr. Atwal, should never have been issued.
  3. deflected
    Public SafetyCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Ralph Goodale (Liberal). substantive question.Avoids the allegation and proof by reiterating security performance.all of the police and security officers and agencies of the Government of Canada in dealing with this issue have done their job in the national interest
  4. deflected
    Public SafetyMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Ralph Goodale (Liberal). substantive question.Responds by noting the rescinded invitation and a positive media quote instead of addressing listening to agencies.as soon as the invitation to this particular individual was discovered, it was rescinded by the Government of Canada.
  5. deflected
    Public SafetyMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Ralph Goodale (Liberal). substantive question.Provides quotes and facts about rescinding without tabling documents or accepting blame.When this invitation was discovered, it was in fact rescinded by the Government of Canada.
  6. deflected
    TaxationMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Diane Lebouthillier (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses international collaboration instead of addressing the specific KPMG case or two-tier system.Our government is committed to ensuring that the tax system is fair for all Canadians.
  7. deflected
    TaxationMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Diane Lebouthillier (Liberal). substantive question.Focuses on data access improvements without referencing budget measures for equal treatment.the introduction of the common reporting standard has enabled us to more easily access information on the bank accounts of Canadians living abroad.
  8. answered
    Canada-India RelationsMs. Hélène Laverdière (NDP) asked Kirsty Duncan (Liberal). substantive question.Directly explains the purpose with economic benefits and job creation.India's growing economy offers significant opportunities to strengthen Canada's middle class.
  9. deflected
    Canada-India RelationsMs. Hélène Laverdière (NDP) asked Kirsty Duncan (Liberal). substantive question.The answer promotes the Canada-India relationship and investments without addressing the specific concerns about figures, issues raised, or trip outcomes.The Prime Minister welcomed more than $1 billion in investments between Canadian and Indian companies, which will lead to the creation of good, well-paying, middle-class jobs for Canadians.
  10. deflected
    Public SafetyErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Ralph Goodale (Liberal). substantive question.The response avoids confirming the briefing setup and instead highlights the performance of security agencies.let me again say that the security officers of the Government of Canada, all of our police and security agencies have done their job in relation to this trip and they have done it extremely well in the Canadian national interest.
  11. deflected
    Public SafetyErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Ralph Goodale (Liberal). substantive question.The response avoids confirming the briefing setup and instead highlights the performance of security agencies.They are well trained in what they need to do to protect and advance the Canadian national interest, and they have done their jobs in relation to the trip to India.
  12. partly answered
    Public SafetyMr. Alain Rayes (Conservative) asked Ralph Goodale (Liberal). loaded question.The answer addresses the rescinding of the invitation but sidesteps the question about whether India is sabotaging relations.it is very clear and the government has said for a number days that as soon as this invitation became identified, it was rescinded by the Government of Canada.
  13. deflected
    Public SafetyMr. Alain Rayes (Conservative) asked Ralph Goodale (Liberal). loaded question.The response emphasizes non-partisan security work without addressing the blame-shifting or evidence request.The government fully respects that all of our security officers and agencies perform and behave in all circumstances in a completely non-partisan fashion, and that is what happened in this case.
  14. misdirected
    Public SafetyPeter Kent (Conservative) asked Ralph Goodale (Liberal). substantive question.The answer dismisses the accusations as false without providing straight answers on the blame game or evidence.the insinuations and accusations from that member and other members of the opposition today are absolutely and utterly false.
  15. misdirected
    Public SafetyPeter Kent (Conservative) asked Ralph Goodale (Liberal). substantive question.The answer simply states the member is wrong without addressing the request for evidence or straight answers.
  16. partly answered
    Public Services and ProcurementMs. Karine Trudel (NDP) asked Carla Qualtrough (Liberal). substantive question.The answer apologizes and commits to fixing the issue but deflects blame to the prior government.It is unacceptable that these public servants, who continue to come to work and work on behalf of all Canadians, are not being paid regularly.
  17. deflected
    Public Services and ProcurementMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Carla Qualtrough (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks prior government and asserts respect without addressing the Phoenix rollout decision or due diligence failure.We had a choice between the new system or no system.
  18. misdirected
    Veterans AffairsMr. Phil McColeman (Conservative) asked Seamus O'Regan (Liberal). loaded question.Answer lists new benefits instead of addressing the Prime Minister's alleged broken promise or statement on veterans asking for too much.The Prime Minister has kept his promises.
  19. misdirected
    Veterans AffairsMrs. Cheryl Gallant (Conservative) asked Seamus O'Regan (Liberal). loaded question.Answer congratulates the member and pivots to comparing records rather than addressing funding for veterans versus Omar Khadr.I also very much welcome the opportunity, in any instance, to compare the record of this government in two years to the record of the previous government.
  20. deflected
    Veterans AffairsMr. Alupa Clarke (Conservative) asked Seamus O'Regan (Liberal). loaded question.Answer repeats benefit list and avoids committing to vote on the opposition motion or addressing reckless spending claim.for everything the Conservatives took away over 10 years, in two years we have replaced, in two years we have made better
  21. deflected
    Veterans AffairsMr. John Brassard (Conservative) asked Seamus O'Regan (Liberal). loaded question.Answer accuses opposition of amnesia and references past protests instead of answering yes-or-no on supporting the motion or apologizing.Ten years. I am going to assume that the hon. member forgets the protests that occurred over 10 years protesting his government.
  22. answered
    International TradeMr. Alistair MacGregor (NDP) asked Andrew Leslie (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly states actions taken via NAFTA panel and WTO to challenge U.S. duties on paper imports.We have therefore requested that a NAFTA panel review the determination by the Department of Commerce, and we will be challenging this decision on the World Trade Organization rules.
  23. answered
    International TradeMr. Pierre-Luc Dusseault (NDP) asked Andrew Leslie (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly states actions taken via NAFTA panel and WTO to challenge U.S. duties on paper imports.That is why we have requested that a NAFTA panel review the determination by the Department of Commerce as soon as possible.
  24. partly answered
    Foreign InvestmentMrs. Cathy McLeod (Conservative) asked Mr. David Lametti (Liberal). loaded question.Answer addresses monitoring of commitments but avoids explaining the approval decision or impact on seniors' care facilities.as we do with all investments under the ICA, we are actively monitoring Cedar Tree, because it has made a number of commitments in its takeover of the seniors homes.
  25. deflected
    Foreign InvestmentMr. Mark Strahl (Conservative) asked Mr. David Lametti (Liberal). loaded question.The answer sidesteps the seizure and demand for apology by dismissing the question as fearmongering and listing unchanged operations.while the opposition might engage in scare tactics and fearmongering, let us talk about the facts.
  26. misdirected
    Agriculture and Agri-FoodMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Marc Garneau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the call for immediate action on grain transport and instead attacks the prior government.unlike the former government, which for 10 years did absolutely nothing except introduce a temporary bill, we are here for Canada's grain producers.
  27. misdirected
    Agriculture and Agri-FoodMr. John Barlow (Conservative) asked Marc Garneau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer evades reinstating extended interswitching by correcting the member and promoting its own bill instead.For 10 years, the previous Conservative government did absolutely nothing for the farmers in this country except to put in place a band-aid temporary bill.
  28. partly answered
    JusticeMs. Sheila Malcolmson (NDP) asked Carolyn Bennett (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer expresses sympathy and links the case to the inquiry but does not address how families can regain hope in the justice system.Her story underscores the important work now being done by the national inquiry.
  29. deflected
    PensionsMr. Scott Duvall (NDP) asked Mr. David Lametti (Liberal). substantive question.The answer notes monitoring and provincial jurisdiction without offering concrete federal solutions to pension theft.We are open to listening to any good proposition that comes forward.
  30. deflected
    The BudgetMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Mr. Joël Lightbound (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids stating whether the budget will balance by lecturing on growth theory and past Conservative record.The theory is that it is much easier to balance the budget when there is growth.
  31. deflected
    The BudgetPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. Joël Lightbound (Liberal). loaded question.The answer sidesteps the $6-billion deficit promise by emphasizing debt-to-GDP ratio and past choices instead.we have always been very fiscally responsible, making sure that our debt to GDP ratio remains firmly on a downward track
  32. deflected
    TaxationPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. Joël Lightbound (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the request to reverse course on taxes and bankers by listing prior Liberal measures and awaiting the budget.I can assure him that we will continue on a path that favours growth in this country and to work for the middle class
  33. deflected
    Fisheries and OceansMrs. Shannon Stubbs (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). substantive question.The answer promotes the decision's benefits without addressing the number of jobs lost in Newfoundland and Labrador.We are convinced that the decision that we took last week is good for the industry, is good in terms of benefits for indigenous communities, and will be good for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Atlantic Canada as well.
  34. deflected
    TaxationMr. Pierre Nantel (NDP) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). substantive question.The answer restates general commitments on digital taxation without addressing when the finance minister will hear the heritage minister.We have made a promise, and we are going to keep it.
  35. misdirected
    Fisheries and OceansMr. Mel Arnold (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the question about awareness of awarding the quota to the brother of a Liberal MP and instead highlights the process benefits.what we are aware of is a valuable resource that is a public resource, that belongs to the people of Canada, and that could be better shared with indigenous communities in Atlantic Canada and in Quebec.
  36. deflected
    Prime Minister's Trip to IndiaMr. Xavier Barsalou-Duval (Bloc) asked Kirsty Duncan (Liberal). substantive question.The answer lists trip achievements and attacks the opposition record instead of providing the trip's cost to Quebec taxpayers.If the opposition members want to start criticizing on costs, they had better first check their own record.
  37. answered
    Prime Minister's Trip to IndiaMr. Mario Beaulieu (Bloc) asked Marc Garneau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer directly states that the reported comments were false and were never made by the Prime Minister.as the Prime Minister himself said, those reports are false. He never said any such thing.
  38. answered
    Parks CanadaHunter Tootoo (Independent) asked Mr. Jonathan Wilkinson (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly welcomes a nomination to designate the sites as national historic sites.We would welcome a nomination to the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada to designate Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord as a national historic site.