Parliament AIIndependent · non-official

All sittings← 2018-05-042018-05-08 →

Monday, May 7, 2018 · sitting No. 293

Commons advances labour code changes on workplace harassment

The House spent the largest share of the sitting on third reading of Bill C-65, which amends the Canada Labour Code to address workplace harassment and violence. Parliamentary secretary Rodger Cuzner said the bill had broad support from all parties after committee study. Conservative MP Steven Blaney and NDP MP Karine Trudel pressed for a clearer definition of harassment and stronger roles for joint health and safety committees.

In Question Period, Conservative MP Alain Rayes and Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre challenged the government on the carbon tax, citing the Parliamentary Budget Officer’s estimate of a $10-billion economic impact. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau defended the measure as essential for reducing emissions while supporting growth, pointing to British Columbia’s experience.

Decided that day

  • C-65 advanced in first chamber
  • S-234 advanced in first chamber
  • C-402 introduced and passed first and 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 · 2018-05-07

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 42%, opposition 58% 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
67Bills Advance Amid Spotty AnswersThe sitting devoted the bulk of its time to substantive debate on the Canada Labour Code and moved three bills through initial stages. Question period produced mostly incomplete or deflected replies, with minor 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

Record Suspension Program

Liberal MP Wayne Long defended his motion to study the record suspension program, saying the $631 fee blocks reintegration for low-income applicants in his Saint John—Rothesay riding. Conservative MP Garnett Genuis asked why the motion had not been moved first at committee.

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Taxation

NDP MP Guy Caron asked the Prime Minister to follow Britain’s lead and require public disclosure of corporate owners in offshore territories. Justin Trudeau replied that Canada already has bilateral tax treaties and an agreement with provinces on beneficial ownership.

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International Trade

NDP MP Tracey Ramsey pressed for transparency on any agreement in principle. Justin Trudeau said an agreement in principle means broad strokes have been settled and the process can move to legal drafting.

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Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Conservative MP Pierre Paul-Hus asked whether the government would appeal a Federal Court ruling on the safe third country agreement. Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen said the government would uphold Canadian and international law while maintaining border security.

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Fisheries and Oceans

Conservative MP Todd Doherty cited court documents showing ministerial intervention in the Arctic surf clam bid process. Fisheries Minister Dominic LeBlanc said the decision brought indigenous communities into a historic offshore fishery.

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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
    The EnvironmentMr. Alain Rayes (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer discusses provincial collaboration instead of addressing the requested cost figure.We will be working on this with the provinces this fall so that the new measure is ready for implementation on January 1.
  2. deflected
    The EnvironmentMr. Alain Rayes (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer pivots to past election promises and tax changes without stating any carbon tax cost to families.We made a commitment to Canadians that we would help the middle class and, in the last election, Canadians had to choose between the Conservatives, who proposed austerity and cuts, or the Liberals, who proposed investing in the middle class.
  3. misdirected
    The EnvironmentPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer praises BC carbon pricing outcomes while ignoring the hypocrisy and luxury mansions premise.I am pleased to see the Conservatives bring up British Columbia, because that is a jurisdiction that for almost 10 years has had a price on carbon pollution
  4. deflected
    The EnvironmentPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer corrects one tax claim but never addresses the carbon tax cost cover-up or middle-class tax promise.We lowered taxes for the middle class and raised them on the wealthiest 1%, which his party voted against.
  5. deflected
    The EnvironmentPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer highlights child benefit and middle-class investments while sidestepping all listed tax increases.We delivered a Canada child benefit that helps nine out of 10 families and is lifting hundreds of thousands of kids out of poverty
  6. partly answered
    TaxationMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer explains the value of ownership transparency and existing treaties but does not commit to following the UK example.We see eye to eye with the provinces and territories on the importance of knowing who owns what corporation.
  7. partly answered
    TaxationMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer repeats the same transparency and treaty points without new action on registration rules.We reached an agreement with provincial and territorial finance ministers to ensure we know who owns which corporation.
  8. answered
    International TradeMs. Tracey Ramsey (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly defines agreement in principle and links it to next legal steps on NAFTA.It is great to see the NDP members taking an interest in trade deals, because we know that trade is good for growing the economy.
  9. deflected
    International TradeMs. Karine Trudel (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer restates general negotiation efforts without addressing transparency or a permanent exemption.We know that workers, businesses, investors, and travellers need certainty, and that is exactly what we are working on.
  10. misdirected
    The EnvironmentCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Mr. Jonathan Wilkinson (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the Conservatives as partisan instead of addressing the family's specific cost choices under the carbon tax.For the sake of our children, I truly wish that climate change were not a partisan issue, but the Conservatives have clearly made it one.
  11. misdirected
    The EnvironmentCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Mr. Jonathan Wilkinson (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the Harper Conservatives and ignores the direct question about better choices to pay the carbon tax.The Harper Conservatives think it is easier to stay silent and do nothing on climate change.
  12. deflected
    The EnvironmentMr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative) asked Mr. Jonathan Wilkinson (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to attacking the opposition's lack of a plan rather than quantifying family costs from the carbon tax.Everyone knows that the opposition leader's refusal to come up with a plan proves that the Harper Conservatives still do not have a climate change plan.
  13. deflected
    The EnvironmentMr. Mark Warawa (Conservative) asked Mr. Jonathan Wilkinson (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights job growth and emissions reductions but does not address impacts on fixed-income seniors.Putting a price on pollution will make Canada's economy stronger over time, help create new economic opportunities, and help create good middle-class jobs.
  14. partly answered
    The EnvironmentEd Fast (Conservative) asked Mr. Jonathan Wilkinson (Liberal). loaded question.The answer provides data on B.C.'s carbon price effects but does not state the cost to the average Canadian family.Since 2008, B.C.'s direct price on carbon has reduced emissions by 5% to 15%, according to experts at the University of Ottawa and Duke University.
  15. partly answered
    The EnvironmentEd Fast (Conservative) asked Mr. Jonathan Wilkinson (Liberal). loaded question.The answer explains B.C.'s rebate system but does not quantify the carbon tax cost to the average family.The revenues associated with that were returned to families in the form of tax reductions and rebates.
  16. partly answered
    TaxationMr. Pierre Nantel (NDP) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses transparency of the chief of staff but does not discuss whether relationships with web giants affect tax policy.She has always been completely transparent about her former employer, including with the Ethics Commissioner.
  17. deflected
    TaxationMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Navdeep Bains (Liberal). loaded question.The answer discusses privacy regulations but ignores the question about data oligarchies, competitiveness, and lobbyist access.we have been very clear when it comes to data, data breaches, and privacy concerns to take aggressive action.
  18. misdirected
    Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Marc Garneau (Liberal). substantive question.The response criticizes the opposition's rhetoric instead of addressing the court decision or plans to appeal.that is some highly worrisome rhetoric coming from the Conservative benches.
  19. misdirected
    Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Marc Garneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer attacks the Conservatives' record rather than addressing the request to put asylum seekers on the G7 agenda.the Conservatives may like to talk about security but they are the ones that slashed $390 million from the Canada Border Services Agency budget.
  20. misdirected
    Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipAlice Wong (Conservative) asked Ahmed Hussen (Liberal). substantive question.The response attacks the Harper Conservatives' compassion instead of addressing fairness for vulnerable refugees in camps.the Harper Conservatives would not know what compassion is if it hit them in the face.
  21. misdirected
    Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMichelle Rempel (Conservative) asked Ahmed Hussen (Liberal). substantive question.The answer criticizes past Conservative policies on backlogs rather than addressing the safe third country loophole or work permits.Under that party, parents and grandparents had to wait years to come to Canada.
  22. answered
    Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMs. Hélène Laverdière (NDP) asked Marc Garneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly lists new measures announced on asylum seekers, including talks with US partners and triage systems.we have spoken to our American partners about the issue of asylum seekers arriving from Nigeria with a visa.
  23. deflected
    Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Matthew Dubé (NDP) asked Ahmed Hussen (Liberal). substantive question.The answer defends the safe third country agreement but avoids addressing the call to suspend it.The United Nations Refugee Agency monitors both Canada and the United States in terms of their compliance with the safe third country agreement.
  24. partly answered
    Democratic ReformMr. Blake Richards (Conservative) asked Scott Brison (Liberal). loaded question.The answer addresses foreign money measures in the bill but does not engage with the premise of selling access or limiting party spending.Beyond that, there are actually measures in Bill C-76 that would ensure that foreign money is not spent in Canadians' electoral system.
  25. deflected
    Democratic ReformMr. Blake Richards (Conservative) asked Scott Brison (Liberal). loaded question.The answer discusses past Conservative policies and voter turnout instead of addressing the marijuana ID versus voter ID comparison.the Conservatives were warned by hundreds of experts that eliminating voter information cards and vouching would actually have a negative impact and reduce Canadians' participation in the election.
  26. deflected
    Democratic ReformMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Scott Brison (Liberal). loaded question.The answer promotes the bill's benefits without addressing the erroneous voter cards or broken promise on electoral reform.This bill will make our elections more accessible, make the electoral process more secure and transparent, and ensure that political parties protect the privacy of Canadians.
  27. misdirected
    Democratic ReformMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Scott Brison (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to attacking Conservatives on marijuana policy rather than addressing foreign funds or voter cards.earlier in question period, the Conservatives were questioning why we would require Canadians to have ID cards to purchase marijuana.
  28. partly answered
    Canada PostMs. Irene Mathyssen (NDP) asked Carla Qualtrough (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses new leadership and vision for Canada Post but does not commit to the specific requests on pensions, pay equity, or postal banking.our government put forth a new vision for Canada Post that puts service to Canadians first.
  29. answered
    Fisheries and OceansMr. Fin Donnelly (NDP) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly states the government's commitment to science-based decisions on protecting wild salmon and ecosystems.our government is committed to protecting Canada's aquatic ecosystems and fisheries through science-based decision-making.
  30. answered
    Fisheries and OceansMr. Todd Doherty (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). substantive question.The answer explains the decision to include indigenous communities in the fishery access.our government decided, as the previous Conservative government had, that it was important to bring a new entrant into this lucrative offshore fishery.
  31. deflected
    EthicsMr. Todd Doherty (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends indigenous inclusion but does not address the ownership by Liberal-connected entities or job losses.Our government did not make that mistake.
  32. deflected
    EthicsMrs. Cathy McLeod (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). loaded question.The answer reiterates the reconciliation goal without addressing the bidding process fairness or specific allegations of insider benefits.Enhancing access to the surf clam fishery broadens the distribution of benefits from this public resource and is a powerful step toward reconciliation
  33. deflected
    Fisheries and OceansMr. Larry Miller (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). substantive question.The answer expresses hope without addressing or committing to the specific agreement or repairs requested.I hope in the coming weeks to have some very good news for that hon. member and that important community.
  34. answered
    Rail TransportationMr. Robert Aubin (NDP) asked Marc Garneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly explains the legal barriers preventing local content requirements.the answer is equally simple. We have obligations we have to meet at the federal level when we have federal contracts to procure new equipment.
  35. deflected
    Public Services and ProcurementSteven Blaney (Conservative) asked Carla Qualtrough (Liberal). substantive question.The answer avoids any timeline or commitment on awarding contracts and notes an inability to negotiate in the House.I obviously cannot negotiate in the House, but I can assure my colleagues that we are continuing our efforts, which are very genuine.
  36. misdirected
    Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Luc Thériault (Québec debout) asked Marc Garneau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer addresses Central American asylum issues instead of the Nigeria trip or Honduran/Salvadoran claimants.We are doing our job on that front, and we have no asylum seekers from Central America.
  37. misdirected
    Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Michel Boudrias (Québec debout) asked Marc Garneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer attacks the question's premise as ridiculous rather than outlining a border security plan.My colleague's reference to a refugee camp at the Lacolle border crossing is quite frankly ridiculous.
  38. partly answered
    Indigenous AffairsHunter Tootoo (Independent) asked Jane Philpott (Liberal). substantive question.The answer notes existing funding and a study but provides no commitment to new facilities.We have heard the call for a treatment facility in the territory, and we have funded a feasibility study to that end.