All sittings← 2018-05-232018-05-25 →
Thursday, May 24, 2018 · sitting No. 300
House debates amendments to federal sustainable development act
The House spent the largest share of its sitting on government orders for Bill C-57, an act to amend the Federal Sustainable Development Act. Conservative MP Ed Fast moved to delete Clause 5, arguing the changes would weaken the original framework brought in under a previous Conservative government. Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux defended the bill as strengthening collaboration with provinces and stakeholders on environmental and economic goals.
Question period featured repeated exchanges on the fisheries minister's role in awarding a surf clam licence. Conservative MP Candice Bergen questioned whether the minister or his office directed the Membertou First Nation to partner with a company linked to a Liberal MP's brother. Liberal MP Dominic LeBlanc said the allegation was false and pointed to an open consultation process that included indigenous groups.
Further clashes arose over fossil fuel subsidies and the Trans Mountain pipeline. New Democrat MP Nathan Cullen pressed the government on its Paris commitment to end subsidies, while Finance Minister Bill Morneau said the government remains on track to phase out inefficient subsidies by 2025 without subsidizing the pipeline project.
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 · 2018-05-24
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
Democratic Reform
New Democrat MP Nathan Cullen said the Liberals' decision to limit debate on Bill C-76 after one hour contradicted their earlier promise on electoral reform. Democratic Institutions Minister Karina Gould replied that the bill would make it easier for Canadians to vote and reverse previous Conservative restrictions.
Read the exchangeGovernment Appointments
Conservative MP Alupa Clarke asked why the government still supports Michaëlle Jean's re-election as head of the International Organisation of La Francophonie after reports of questionable expenses. International Development Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said Jean promotes Canadian values and the government is helping modernize the organization's financial practices.
Read the exchangeIndigenous Affairs
New Democrat MP Richard Cannings said first nations in the Columbia River basin had been told they would be excluded from renegotiations of the 54-year-old treaty. Parliamentary Secretary Andrew Leslie said the government is consulting first nations and will address their interests in the talks.
Read the exchangeRural Crime
New Democrat MP Georgina Jolibois told the House that her large northern riding requires stronger laws to protect rural residents from crime. Conservative MP Kelly Block supported Motion No. 167 calling for a committee study of rural crime trends.
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
- deflectedEthicsCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). substantive question.The answer denies the allegation but immediately shifts to praising the government's inclusion of indigenous groups without confirming or denying the specific suggestion to the First Nation.
that allegation is simply false.
- misdirectedEthicsCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the asker for repeating false allegations and cites an external statement rather than addressing the request to restart the bidding process.
My hon. friend should be more careful before making up those allegations and repeating them, when she knows they are not true.
- deflectedEthicsCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). loaded question.The answer offers to comply with the Ethics Commissioner but pivots to defending the open process instead of addressing removal from the file or the corruption claims.
I would remind my hon. friend again that it is important to stick to the facts.
- misdirectedEthicsMr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). loaded question.The answer dismisses the question as repetitive and calls the asker irresponsible for repeating allegations without engaging the timing of the Prime Minister's knowledge.
I find it irresponsible of the member to keep repeating these allegations when he knows very well that they are false.
- deflectedEthicsMr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). loaded question.The answer claims the Prime Minister only heard the allegations in the House and shifts to defending the inclusion of indigenous communities rather than addressing when the Prime Minister learned of family benefits.
the Prime Minister has only heard these false allegations, repeated by my colleague, here in the House.
- partly answeredNatural ResourcesMs. Ruth Ellen Brosseau (NDP) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer states the 2025 target and notes work on the pipeline but does not provide the total subsidy amount, the 2019 elimination date, or the Kinder Morgan funding figure requested.
we are committed to phasing out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies by the year 2025, and we are on track to meet that target.
- partly answeredNatural ResourcesMr. Nathan Cullen (NDP) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer reaffirms the 2025 phase-out and budget 2016 measures but does not address the broken Paris commitment or support for green jobs.
we have committed to phasing out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies between now and 2025.
- deflectedDemocratic ReformMr. Nathan Cullen (NDP) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). substantive question.The answer praises Bill C-76 and its committee study but does not commit to avoiding changes without multi-party agreement as asked.
, and I am delighted that it is going to the procedure and House affairs committee so it can get the study and the interrogation it deserves.
- deflectedDemocratic ReformMs. Ruth Ellen Brosseau (NDP) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer ignores the question on curtailing debate and instead promotes unrelated voter registration plans.
We want to ensure that young Canadians are automatically registered to vote when they turn 18.
- deflectedDemocratic ReformMr. Blake Richards (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). substantive question.The answer avoids the time allocation criticism by attacking the Conservatives' past record instead.
Let us contrast that with the former Conservative government, which made it tougher for Canadians to vote, from robocalls to Dean Del Mastro
- deflectedDemocratic ReformMr. Blake Richards (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). loaded question.The answer sidesteps the hypocrisy charge on promises and pivots to Conservative rule-breaking examples.
The defeated Harper Conservatives, on the other hand, made it tougher for Canadians to vote and broke the rules.
- deflectedDemocratic ReformMr. Bernard Généreux (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer does not address the limited debate time or fears about the bill and instead contrasts with prior Conservative legislation.
, we are making it easier for Canadians to vote, and we are cracking down on offenders who maliciously interfere with our electoral process.
- partly answeredDemocratic ReformMr. Bernard Généreux (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses voter access barriers but does not identify any excluded class of citizens from the ID list.
according to Statistics Canada, 150,000 Canadians were unable to vote during the last election as a result of the rules implemented by the previous Canadian government.
- deflectedDemocratic ReformMr. John Brassard (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). substantive question.The answer ignores the pre-implementation order and instead highlights new powers for Elections Canada.
In fact, that is why in this bill we have given the commissioner of Elections Canada the power to compel testimony, something that may have come in handy when dealing with robocalls.
- misdirectedDemocratic ReformMr. John Brassard (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the questioner personally for implying she is not speaking for herself and pivots to past Conservative scandals.
as a woman in politics, I take umbrage with the fact that he is saying I am not speaking on behalf of myself and on behalf of the government.
- answeredNatural ResourcesMs. Jenny Kwan (NDP) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly addresses the subsidy promise and pipeline financing concerns without deflection.
I am pleased to reinforce our commitment to end subsidies to oil organizations of any sort by 2025.
- partly answeredNatural ResourcesMr. Matthew Dubé (NDP) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.Lists specific past actions and 2025 goal but provides no current plan details.
we have committed to phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies by the year 2025.
- deflectedGovernment AppointmentsMr. Alupa Clarke (Conservative) asked Marie-Claude Bibeau (Liberal). substantive question.Praises her work and values but ignores reported scandals and transparency failures.
Madame Jean does excellent work as far as the organisation's mission is concerned.
- deflectedGovernment AppointmentsMr. Alupa Clarke (Conservative) asked Marie-Claude Bibeau (Liberal). substantive question.Discusses general funding benefits but avoids any call for public explanation of expenses.
I can assure the House that we closely watch every dollar invested by our government
- deflectedGovernment AppointmentsMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Marie-Claude Bibeau (Liberal). substantive question.Claims broad support exists but sidesteps France's withdrawal and specific mismanagement claims.
there is a great deal of support for the secretary general
- deflectedGovernment AppointmentsMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Marie-Claude Bibeau (Liberal). substantive question.Defends adherence to existing rules while promising future review but does not address specific excesses.
The Secretary General followed the rules, based on the information I have
- answeredIndigenous AffairsMr. Richard Cannings (NDP) asked Andrew Leslie (Liberal). substantive question.States they are working closely with first nations to include their interests in negotiations.
We have been working very closely with the British Columbian authorities, the first nations up and down its length
- answeredIndigenous AffairsMr. Romeo Saganash (NDP) asked Andrew Leslie (Liberal). loaded question.Repeats that first nations interests are being addressed despite the loaded premise.
We have been working very closely with British Columbia, first nations and stakeholders
- deflectedImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipSteven Blaney (Conservative) asked Marc Garneau (Liberal). loaded question.Addresses misinformation in communities but ignores the tweet and border flyers criticism.
we continue to reach out to these communities to raise awareness
- deflectedImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipSteven Blaney (Conservative) asked Ahmed Hussen (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses outreach to US organizations rather than actions to stop illegal crossings.
We have an aggressive outreach campaign that has been ongoing since last year, which has been appreciated by organizations and diaspora communities in the United States.
- misdirectedImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMichelle Rempel (Conservative) asked Ahmed Hussen (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the Harper record instead of addressing the safe third country agreement or current plan.
The irony is lost on the Conservative Party.
- misdirectedImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Bob Saroya (Conservative) asked Ahmed Hussen (Liberal). substantive question.The answer attacks the Harper Conservatives instead of answering when the loophole will be closed.
the Harper Conservatives kept families apart for years.
- partly answeredEmployment InsuranceMs. Brigitte Sansoucy (NDP) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). substantive question.The answer mentions loosening rules for sickness benefits but does not confirm keeping the word on fixing EI by year's end.
I also spoke about the substantial investments in parental benefits and the new family caregiver benefit, the loosening of the rules for sickness benefits, and improvements to the employment insurance system
- partly answeredRail TransportationMr. Daniel Blaikie (NDP) asked Marc Garneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer states optimism about finding an operator but provides no specific timeline for a deal.
We are optimistic that we will find an operator to take care of this very important line, and as soon as we are in a position to finalize that, we will let everyone know.
- deflectedRail TransportationMrs. Kelly Block (Conservative) asked Marc Garneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer repeats commitment and optimism without explaining why the iChurchill agreement was blocked.
I repeat that we are 100% committed to the people of northern Manitoba and Churchill, and we are going to make sure that this line is rebuilt.
- deflectedRail TransportationMrs. Kelly Block (Conservative) asked Marc Garneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer refuses to discuss details or explain rejection of the iChurchill deal.
I am not going to go into the details of negotiations, but I can assure members that our chief negotiator is working with all serious partners in this venture, and when we have a decision, we will let everyone know about it.
- partly answeredForeign InvestmentMrs. Cathy McLeod (Conservative) asked Mr. David Lametti (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses monitoring guarantees but does not commit to fixing the Anbang situation.
Those guarantees are being followed and monitored, in particular by the provincial government in British Columbia, and we will continue to monitor that situation to make sure that engagements are kept.
- deflectedForeign AffairsMr. Michael Cooper (Conservative) asked Mr. Matt DeCourcey (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids addressing the demand to confront Beijing by restating a neutral position.
Canada's long-standing position on this issue has not changed.
- partly answeredHuman RightsMs. Cheryl Hardcastle (NDP) asked Mr. Matt DeCourcey (Liberal). substantive question.The answer agrees on the issue and notes ongoing work but provides no timeline or firm commitment.
That work continues to take place within Global Affairs Canada, across the Government of Canada, and with our partners right across this country.
- misdirectedForeign AffairsMr. Garnett Genuis (Conservative) asked Mr. Matt DeCourcey (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to attacking the opposition as partisan instead of addressing the comparison of justice systems.
while the Conservatives shamefully try to turn Canada's support for Israel into a partisan issue
- partly answeredImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Luc Thériault (Québec debout) asked Marc Garneau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer describes prior awareness efforts but does not address the specific pamphlet or the minister's limited action.
That is why quite a while ago we launched an awareness campaign in the United States.
- deflectedImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Luc Thériault (Québec debout) asked Marc Garneau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer mentions general talks and meetings without addressing suspension of the agreement or a US visit.
We are also working with and are in talks with the United States.
- answeredForeign InvestmentMs. Elizabeth May (Green) asked Mr. David Lametti (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly commits to using all legal means for transparency and defense of the decision.
That is a commitment I will make to the hon. member right now.
- answeredBusiness of the HouseCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). substantive question.The answer provides a clear schedule of upcoming House business as requested.
this afternoon, we will begin debate on Bill C-75 , the justice modernization act.