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Thursday, March 1, 2018 · sitting No. 269

House debates Conservative motion on Canada summer jobs attestation

The House spent the largest share of its sitting debating a Conservative opposition motion that calls on the government to allow organizations engaged in non-political work to access Canada Summer Jobs funding without signing the attestation on core values. Mrs. Karen Vecchio moved the motion and said the requirement represents an attack on groups that feed the homeless and help refugees. Mr. Chris Bittle replied that the attestation protects the Charter right to access safe abortion services and that the government will not fund organizations seeking to undermine it.

Question period featured repeated exchanges on the Prime Minister's trip to India. Lisa Raitt asked whether the government would retract its claim that Indian officials sabotaged the visit after a Liberal MP accepted responsibility for inviting a convicted terrorist. Kirsty Duncan said the government stands behind its national security agencies and respects their non-partisan advice.

Members also pressed the government on pharmacare. Ms. Ruth Ellen Brosseau asked why the finance minister had not recused himself given his ties to Morneau Shepell. Bill Morneau said an advisory committee would examine how to deliver pharmaceuticals to all Canadians.

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 · 2018-03-01

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 41%, opposition 59% of the words spokenGovernment businessQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0511:0012:0013:0014:0015:0016:0017:00Last speech 18:35Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 8 h 30 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
32Another sitting that went nowhereThe sitting focused on Business of Supply and scattered topics with high substantive talk but no recorded votes or bills advanced. Question period produced mostly deflected answers and a handful of procedural interruptions.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

Agriculture and Agri-Food

Mr. Randy Hoback warned that road bans will soon prevent farmers from moving their crop and asked when the minister would order railways to deliver grain. Lawrence MacAulay said Bill C-49 establishes a long-term efficient system and that CN has been contacted.

Read the exchange

Fisheries and Oceans

Mr. Mel Arnold asked whether the fisheries minister knew the brother of a Liberal MP would benefit from the Arctic surf clam quota decision. Dominic LeBlanc said the choice followed an open process that prioritizes indigenous economic opportunity.

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Forest Industry

Mr. Gabriel Ste-Marie said Quebec receives no federal funding to fight spruce budworm despite an infested area larger than New Brunswick. Jim Carr said budget 2016 provided $87 million for research and infrastructure to combat forest pests including the budworm.

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Public Services and Procurement

Steven Blaney asked when the government would convert four icebreakers and include Davie in the national shipbuilding strategy. Carla Qualtrough said negotiations with Davie continue and a decision will be shared once made.

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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
    International TradeLisa Raitt (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.The answer states general positions on tariffs without confirming any discussion or exemption with the President.Any tariffs or quota that would be imposed on our Canadian steel and aluminum industries would be unacceptable.
  2. deflected
    Prime Minister's Trip to IndiaLisa Raitt (Conservative) asked Kirsty Duncan (Liberal). substantive question.The response addresses the withdrawn invitation instead of the alleged sabotage or diplomatic rift.as we have been saying, this invitation should never have been sent.
  3. deflected
    Prime Minister's Trip to IndiaLisa Raitt (Conservative) asked Kirsty Duncan (Liberal). substantive question.The answer defends public servants without addressing the claimed diplomatic embarrassment or actions to fix it.we will always promote and defend the integrity of our public servants who accomplish incredible work.
  4. deflected
    Prime Minister's Trip to IndiaMr. Alain Rayes (Conservative) asked Kirsty Duncan (Liberal). substantive question.The response reiterates the invitation issue and avoids confirming or providing evidence for the conspiracy claim.as we have been saying, this invitation should never have been sent.
  5. deflected
    Prime Minister's Trip to IndiaMr. Alain Rayes (Conservative) asked Kirsty Duncan (Liberal). substantive question.The answer praises agencies without stating agreement with India's denial or actions taken to prove otherwise.all the non-partisan security agencies do an exceptional job in the service of Canada's national interest.
  6. partly answered
    HealthMs. Ruth Ellen Brosseau (NDP) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer explains the advisory committee but does not address whether a means-tested system was already decided.We are going to look for expert advice to tell us how best to do this.
  7. deflected
    HealthMs. Ruth Ellen Brosseau (NDP) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.The response focuses on the committee without addressing the conflict of interest or stalling concerns.we are proud to be looking into exactly what we need to do to make sure every Canadian gets the medication they need.
  8. misdirected
    HealthMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer calls the question bizarre and attacks the NDP rather than addressing the alleged conflict with Morneau Shepell.
  9. partly answered
    HealthMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Ginette Petitpas Taylor (Liberal). loaded question.The answer explains the advisory committee process but does not address the call for immediate universal pharmacare.We have created a national advisory committee on the implementation of pharmacare with its mandate to study, evaluate, and ultimately bring recommendations to government on possible options.
  10. partly answered
    Prime Minister’s Trip to IndiaErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Mr. Mark Holland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses the invitation being rescinded but avoids the core question about the Indian government theory.Once we were made aware of this individual's background, the invitation was rescinded.
  11. deflected
    Prime Minister’s Trip to IndiaErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Mr. Mark Holland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer shifts to past Conservative cuts instead of addressing the request to retract remarks.I do remember, in 2010, if the member wants to talk about that date, watching the cuts that happened to our security and intelligence infrastructure of hundreds of millions of dollars.
  12. deflected
    Prime Minister’s Trip to IndiaMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Mr. Mark Holland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer repeats confidence in public service without engaging the logical question about evidence or plotting.We have full confidence in the public service and in the work our public servants do every day.
  13. deflected
    Prime Minister’s Trip to IndiaMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Mr. Mark Holland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer rejects the premise and restates the invitation rescindment without providing evidence.I totally reject the assertions made by the member opposite.
  14. misdirected
    Prime Minister’s Trip to IndiaMr. Bob Saroya (Conservative) asked Mr. Mark Holland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the Conservatives' record instead of reconciling the two claims or showing evidence.Third, I know the party opposite, the Conservatives when they were in power, did not.
  15. deflected
    Prime Minister’s Trip to IndiaMrs. Shannon Stubbs (Conservative) asked Mr. Mark Holland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer rejects the trip criticism and pivots to unrelated trade achievements.More than $1 billion was achieved in cross-border trade, more than 580,000 good middle-class jobs were created for Canadians
  16. answered
    Prime Minister’s Trip to IndiaMs. Hélène Laverdière (NDP) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly states the trip's purpose and concrete outcomes achieved.The Prime Minister of Canada's trip was about strengthening Canada's cultural and economic ties.
  17. deflected
    Prime Minister’s Trip to IndiaMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Mr. Mark Holland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer restates facts about the invitation but avoids the request for a briefing or evidence.the invitation sent was rescinded when the information found that the individual should never have received that invitation.
  18. partly answered
    Agriculture and Agri-FoodMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Lawrence MacAulay (Liberal). substantive question.The answer lists prior investments in agriculture but does not address the specific budget speech omissions raised.We invested $350 million to make sure our dairy industry remains stable, and to make sure it stays on the—
  19. partly answered
    Agriculture and Agri-FoodMr. Randy Hoback (Conservative) asked Lawrence MacAulay (Liberal). substantive question.The answer references Bill C-49 and contacts with CN but offers no timeline for ordering railways to act.The Minister of Transport and I have contacted CN to indicate how serious it is, and that it needs to move grain faster.
  20. deflected
    Agriculture and Agri-FoodMr. John Barlow (Conservative) asked Mrs. Karen McCrimmon (Liberal). substantive question.The answer defends Bill C-49 and contrasts with prior government but ignores the minister's quoted statement and current crisis.Unlike the previous Harper government's band-aid solution with an expiry date, this government put forward a permanent and sustainable solution in Bill C-49
  21. answered
    Agriculture and Agri-FoodMr. John Barlow (Conservative) asked Mrs. Karen McCrimmon (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly states ministers contacted railways, requested a plan, and will intervene if needed.If there is no improvement, the ministers are willing to intervene.
  22. answered
    HealthMs. Brigitte Sansoucy (NDP) asked Ginette Petitpas Taylor (Liberal). substantive question.The answer explains the advisory council's role in studying pharmacare options rather than immediate action.We have created an advisory council on the implementation of national pharmacare.
  23. deflected
    HealthMr. Don Davies (NDP) asked Ginette Petitpas Taylor (Liberal). loaded question.The answer criticizes the NDP for lacking a plan and reiterates the council but does not address the 1997 platform failure.it is no surprise to hear the NDP try to implement an idea without a plan.
  24. deflected
    TaxationMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer highlights economic achievements but avoids giving any date for returning to a balanced budget.We have the highest growth rate in the G7.
  25. deflected
    TaxationMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses past economic choices and current growth metrics without addressing the timeline for a balanced budget.Our economic growth rate is very high, and the debt-to-GDP ratio is falling every year.
  26. deflected
    TaxationPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer repeats the austerity-versus-investment narrative and attacks Conservatives rather than explaining the deficit discrepancy.It is only the Conservatives that would consider, with sheer incompetence, to go back to the Harper Conservative approach of austerity and cuts.
  27. deflected
    TaxationPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer dismisses the premise as rhetoric and pivots to contrasting past and present economic indicators without addressing the spending critique.I hate to let facts get in the way of rhetoric, but perhaps we can consider what actually was the inheritance this government took from the previous government.
  28. partly answered
    Rail TransportationMs. Niki Ashton (NDP) asked Mrs. Karen McCrimmon (Liberal). loaded question.The answer acknowledges the rail-line issue and ongoing negotiations but does not address the Prime Minister's travel or timelines for resolution.We will continue to support the government's negotiator and the ongoing discussions with interested buyers, indigenous groups, and community leaders.
  29. deflected
    Fisheries and OceansMr. Fin Donnelly (NDP) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights government investments in science and monitoring but avoids committing to removing farms from the migration route.We understand that there needs to be robust aquaculture regulations.
  30. answered
    Fisheries and OceansMr. Mel Arnold (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly explains the decision criteria and the open process used to select the beneficiary.We had an open, competitive process where seven bids were analyzed in detail, and we chose the one that offered the best economic opportunity for indigenous people, Atlantic Canadians, and Quebeckers.
  31. deflected
    Fisheries and OceansMr. Mel Arnold (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). loaded question.The answer expresses understanding for affected workers but shifts focus to long-term sustainability without justifying the specific quota decision.We are committed to ensuring that the facility in Grand Bank and the workers who earn their living at that important facility have the benefit of an economic opportunity that is sustainable and that is long term.
  32. deflected
    Indigenous AffairsMrs. Cathy McLeod (Conservative) asked Jane Philpott (Liberal). loaded question.The answer lists new housing funding amounts but does not address the claimed regulatory roadblocks to indigenous economic development.We have investments of $500 million for Métis housing, $400 million for Inuit housing, and $200 million every single year for first nations housing.
  33. partly answered
    Public Services and ProcurementSteven Blaney (Conservative) asked Carla Qualtrough (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges ongoing negotiations but does not address the specific requests on icebreakers, Obelix, or inclusion in the national strategy.We are working and negotiating with Davie to meet these needs.
  34. deflected
    TaxationMr. Pierre Nantel (NDP) asked Mr. Sean Casey (Liberal). substantive question.The response avoids any commitment to immediate action on taxing web giants and instead emphasizes a long-term comprehensive approach.we are not going to take a piecemeal approach.
  35. deflected
    The EnvironmentMr. Arnold Viersen (Conservative) asked Catherine McKenna (Liberal). substantive question.The answer does not confirm or deny refusing meetings and instead pivots to unrelated positive budget announcements on parks.I was very pleased that we announced $1.3 billion for parks and protected areas in budget 2018.
  36. partly answered
    Forest IndustryMr. Gabriel Ste-Marie (Québec debout) asked Jim Carr (Liberal). substantive question.Mentions past 2016 funding and general efforts but does not explain current budget disparities or new allocations for Quebec.In budget 2016, we invested $87 million to support scientific research and infrastructure, including funding to combat destructive forest pests such as the spruce budworm and the mountain pine beetle.
  37. misdirected
    Forest IndustryMr. Rhéal Fortin (Québec debout) asked Jim Carr (Liberal). substantive question.The response addresses softwood lumber support instead of the spruce budworm infestation funding disparity for Quebec.We were very pleased to announce an $867-million softwood lumber package in response to the unwarranted countervail and anti-dumping duties of the United States.