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Wednesday, September 19, 2018 · sitting No. 321

Commons opens second reading debate on accessibility bill

The House spent the largest share of its sitting on second reading of Bill C-81, the accessible Canada act. Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility Carla Qualtrough moved the bill and described it as a framework to remove barriers in federal jurisdiction. Conservative MP Alexander Nuttall and NDP MP Cheryl Hardcastle pressed for details on standards and timelines.

Question period featured repeated exchanges on the Trans Mountain pipeline. Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer asked when construction would resume after the court ruling, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau replied that environmental reviews and indigenous consultations must be completed properly.

Further exchanges covered dairy supply management and irregular border crossings. NDP MP Guy Caron and Bloc Québécois MP Ruth Ellen Brosseau questioned commitments to protect supply management, while Conservative MP Pierre Paul-Hus challenged the government's handling of asylum claims by people with U.S. legal status.

Decided that day

  • Bill C-375 advanced at report stage
  • Bill S-228 passed third 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 · 2018-09-19

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 43%, opposition 57% of the words spokenQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 14:0015:0016:0017:0018:00Last speech 19:30Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 5 h 30 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
58Bills pass while answers mostly missThe House devoted most of its time to substantive debate and passed two bills. Question Period produced few direct answers, but order was largely maintained.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

Health

NDP MP Don Davies cited new figures showing more than 1,000 opioid deaths in the first quarter of 2018 and asked the Prime Minister to change course; Justin Trudeau said the government had invested $231.4 million in treatment and data collection.

Read the exchange

Veterans Affairs

NDP MP Gord Johns said a Université Laval study showed service dogs help veterans with PTSD and asked why funding remains stalled; Justin Trudeau pointed to nearly $10 billion spent on veterans programs since 2015 and three ongoing research projects.

Read the exchange

National Defence

Conservative MP Leona Alleslev said the Royal Canadian Air Force lacks 275 pilots and criticized the purchase of used Australian F-18s; Justin Trudeau said the government is fixing a capability gap left by the previous government through recruitment and retention measures.

Read the exchange

Public Services and Procurement

Conservative MP Steven Blaney said two expert reports found poor-quality American stone is being used at the Quebec City citadel; Justin Trudeau replied that the contractor must meet UNESCO guidelines and the department is monitoring the work.

Read the exchange

Indigenous Affairs

NDP MP Gord Johns said the former fisheries minister sent negotiators empty-handed in talks with five Nuu-chah-nulth nations; Liberal MP Sean Casey cited the April B.C. Supreme Court ruling and offers of additional licences and quota.

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
    Natural ResourcesAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer pivots to general principles and attacks Conservatives without addressing the timeline for construction or jobs.The Conservatives want us to minimize environmental protection and ignore first nations.
  2. deflected
    Natural ResourcesAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer discusses past Conservative actions and oceans protection but avoids the judge's ruling or mismanagement claim.That is why we have moved forward in any case with the oceans protection plan, to look carefully at how we can protect the southern resident killer whale pod
  3. deflected
    Natural ResourcesAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer restates the need to protect the environment and work with indigenous peoples without addressing pipeline approvals or phasing out energy.That is what they failed to do.
  4. misdirected
    Natural ResourcesAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the Conservatives' record and motives instead of addressing the purchase price or Houston investors.I am simply understanding that at this point members of the Conservative Party of Canada do not want the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion because that is what they would get.
  5. deflected
    Natural ResourcesAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer explains the need for predictability for investors but does not commit to any of the specific actions requested.The fact that we would expect the private sector and investors to move forward on projects in Canada, knowing that any time they want to get something built we have to put legislation on it through the House of Commons is not the kind of predictable, clear path that our investors around the world or in Canada want.
  6. answered
    International TradeMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly affirms commitment to fully protecting supply management as requested.we have and are committed to protecting supply management.
  7. answered
    International TradeMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly reiterates support for protecting supply management in full.I want to reiterate our support for dairy farmers and for supply management.
  8. answered
    International TradeMs. Ruth Ellen Brosseau (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly states the commitment to protect supply management despite the trade pressures mentioned.Canadians also know that I have repeatedly said that we will protect supply management because this system helps our farmers, helps our dairy producers, and helps consumers be confident in the dairy products they are buying.
  9. deflected
    International TradeMr. Alistair MacGregor (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer refuses to address the yes-or-no request on dairy concessions and instead pivots to a general pledge not to sign a bad deal.we will not sign a bad deal for Canada or for Canadians.
  10. deflected
    EthicsLisa Raitt (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the demand for sanctions and instead praises the existing ethics system without engaging the 2010 quote or current minister.Canadians know that we have a strong system and a commissioner who oversees on ethics and conflict of interest
  11. deflected
    EthicsLisa Raitt (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the Ethics Commissioner but offers no commitment to implement sanctions and shifts to general praise of Canadian institutions.we are always willing to do more.
  12. partly answered
    Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses security checks and the refugee process but does not explain any plan or timeline to resolve the irregular migration situation.all security checks are being done, and that the immigration and refugee process is being applied in full
  13. deflected
    Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends the asylum review obligation and praises immigration but never addresses the specific illegal crossings or the Prime Minister's tweet.our international obligations require us to review the claims of everyone seeking asylum in Canada.
  14. misdirected
    Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMichelle Rempel (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer attacks the Conservatives for fear-mongering instead of explaining why prioritizing U.S. visa holders is fair.The Conservatives' enjoy criticizing and drumming up fear and anxiety, but they have no plans other than perhaps to militarize our entire border.
  15. deflected
    Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMichelle Rempel (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer criticizes the opposition and states there are no shortcuts but never commits to closing the safe third country loophole.crossing irregularly or illegally does not get anyone into permanent status any quicker than any other way.
  16. misdirected
    The EnvironmentMs. Anne Minh-Thu Quach (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to a general jobs-versus-environment talking point and never addresses the NEB's refusal to answer constituents.there are still people in Canada, including in the NDP, who believe that we have to choose between job creation and environmental protection.
  17. deflected
    The EnvironmentMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to a general NDP critique without addressing the pipeline purchase or climate question.The NDP does not understand how to do these two things at the same time.
  18. partly answered
    The EconomyMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Mentions small-business tax cuts but ignores the US corporate tax cut impact and Manley's specific call for a competitiveness plan.This is why we are proud to have lowered taxes on small businesses across the country.
  19. misdirected
    International TradePierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The response attacks the asker over Harper's position instead of addressing taxes, regulation, or investment flows.if the member opposite wants to clarify things, he can immediately say that he disagrees with Stephen Harper's analysis
  20. misdirected
    Pierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer accuses the member of agreeing with Harper rather than responding to the pipeline and investment questions.Obviously, Mr. Speaker, the member opposite agrees with Stephen Harper that it is better to sign a bad deal than to have no deal.
  21. misdirected
    Pierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The response dismisses the member's knowledge instead of addressing the veto, regulation, or investment claims.but the member opposite does not really know anything about that, does he?
  22. answered
    HealthMr. Don Davies (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly lists federal investments, legislation, and regulatory actions taken on the opioid crisis.We have responded with new federal investments, new legislation and regulatory action, such as $231.4 million of investments to improve access to treatment
  23. partly answered
    Employment InsuranceMs. Brigitte Sansoucy (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Mentions new caregiver benefits and relaxed sickness rules but does not address extending the 15-week limit.We have relaxed the rules for sickness benefits.
  24. deflected
    The EconomyMr. Blake Richards (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer lists government achievements without addressing the specific pipeline, oil import, or small-business failure claims.I am talking about half a million new full-time jobs since we took office.
  25. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMrs. Shannon Stubbs (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer lists other approved projects instead of addressing Trans Mountain or Bill C-69.We are moving forward on getting projects done and getting them done the right way, which both respects indigenous peoples and works in partnership with them.
  26. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMrs. Shannon Stubbs (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer attacks the Conservatives' record rather than addressing the question about believing the Prime Minister on Trans Mountain.That leaves the Conservatives on the wrong side of history, and we are going to do things the right way.
  27. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMr. John Barlow (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer gives a general statement on environment and indigenous partnerships without addressing job losses or a plan for the energy sector.what folks in the energy sector understand very clearly is that there is no path forward for our energy sector unless we also protect the environment and unless we build partnerships with indigenous peoples.
  28. answered
    Veterans AffairsMr. Gord Johns (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly explains the government's actions on service dogs including tax credit expansion and research funding.in budget 2018, we expanded the medical expense tax credit for recognizing costs for psychiatric service dogs for 2018 and future years.
  29. partly answered
    Veterans AffairsMs. Irene Mathyssen (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses overall investments in veterans' mental health but does not address the specific delay in the mentioned claim.We have invested, over the past three years, about $10 billion in helping our veterans, in supporting their families, in moving forward on veterans' mental health benefits and supports
  30. partly answered
    National DefenceMs. Leona Alleslev (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer covers general investments and retention efforts but does not address canceling the used F-18 purchase.We are taking action to boost retention of our women and men in uniform, including with tax breaks, and with more than $6 million a year for support and services for military families.
  31. misdirected
    National DefenceMr. James Bezan (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the Conservatives' past procurement failures instead of addressing the pilot shortage or used jets policy.I know I am not the only one in this House who finds it a little bit rich that the Conservatives are complaining about procurement processes, when they completely botched our fighter jet procurement process from the beginning.
  32. deflected
    Veterans AffairsMr. Phil McColeman (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer discusses family supports and investments but avoids the specific allegation about misuse of veterans' benefits.Since 2016, investments have totalled $10 billion for veteran programs and services, including the hiring of over 470 staff to increase delivery capacity.
  33. deflected
    International TradeMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer thanks the asker and restates commitment to supply management without addressing accusations about intentions or failures.We will continue to protect supply management and support our farmers, particularly our dairy farmers who work hard every day to provide Canadians with a clean and healthy product.
  34. partly answered
    Canadian HeritageMr. Pierre Nantel (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The response highlights past investments and expresses confidence in the minister without committing to immediate action before the election.I have a great deal of confidence in our Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism , who will continue this excellent work.
  35. partly answered
    Public Services and ProcurementSteven Blaney (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer affirms protection of heritage and monitoring but does not address the specific claim about American stone or reversing the decision.The contractor is required to follow the guidelines in order to ensure that the UNESCO designation is respected and upheld.
  36. deflected
    International TradeMr. Mario Beaulieu (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer reiterates protection of supply management but avoids the specific request to use “fully” or address the adviser mentioned.we will protect supply management.