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Wednesday, October 17, 2018 · sitting No. 336

Commons debates workplace harassment bill as Scheer presses Trudeau on Norman documents

Government orders on Bill C-65, which addresses harassment and violence in federally regulated workplaces, occupied the largest share of the sitting. Conservative MP Candice Bergen said the legislation responds to the #MeToo movement and recent revelations in Canadian politics. Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux said the bill demonstrates national leadership and enjoys support across parties.

In question period the main exchanges concerned the Mark Norman case. Conservative leader Andrew Scheer asked why the Prime Minister would not release documents needed for Vice-Admiral Mark Norman’s defence. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau replied that it would be inappropriate to comment on a matter before the courts.

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 · 2018-10-17

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 41%, opposition 59% of the words spokenQuestion PeriodRoutine proceedingsGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 14:0515:0016:0017:00Last speech 18:20Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 4 h 15 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
30Another sitting that went nowhereThe sitting devoted substantial time to labour code and justice topics yet recorded no votes or bill progress. Most Question Period responses were deflected and no decisions emerged from the day.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

Marijuana

NDP MP Guy Caron said the government should expunge rather than pardon records for simple cannabis possession because the old law had a disproportionate impact on racialized communities. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said pardons would be free and fast and that expungement had been used only for LGBT cases involving extraordinary government discrimination.

Read the exchange

The Environment

NDP MP Linda Duncan asked whether the government would adopt deeper greenhouse-gas cuts to match the IPCC report. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the government is pricing pollution and will meet Paris targets through the pan-Canadian framework.

Read the exchange

Indigenous Affairs

NDP MP Niki Ashton said systemic underfunding killed Abraham Donkey after Indigenous Services refused an escort for follow-up care. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered condolences and said the department is reviewing the case while advancing indigenous-led health services.

Read the exchange

Small Business

NDP MP Gord Johns said the government’s voluntary 0.1-per-cent cut in interchange fees offers no relief to small businesses. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the government is lowering small-business taxes to 9 per cent and will reduce interchange fees starting in 2020.

Read the exchange

Foreign Affairs

NDP MP Hélène Laverdière asked whether Canada would suspend arms sales to Saudi Arabia after the death of Jamal Khashoggi. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the foreign affairs minister has called for a credible investigation and supports the joint statement by France, Britain and Germany.

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
    JusticeAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer refuses to address document release by citing court proceedings instead of explaining the decision.it would be inappropriate for me to comment on this affair because it is before the courts.
  2. deflected
    JusticeAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer again avoids the document release question by invoking court proceedings without addressing prior comments or the request.it would be inappropriate for me to comment on this affair because it is before the courts.
  3. deflected
    JusticeAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer sidesteps the explicit request for document release by reiterating the court case excuse.it would be inappropriate for me to comment on an ongoing court case.
  4. deflected
    JusticeAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer ignores the comparison to previous PMs and the document decision by defaulting to the court case line.it would be inappropriate for me to comment on this ongoing court case.
  5. deflected
    JusticeAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer deflects with a sarcastic remark about the question choice before repeating the court excuse.it is somewhat interesting that this is what the Leader of the Opposition has chosen to ask about today.
  6. deflected
    MarijuanaMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses marijuana legalization rationale without addressing expungement or pardons for prior convictions.By controlling and regulating the production and sale of marijuana, we will be able to better protect our communities, protect our kids and ensure that public safety and public health are properly protected by our country.
  7. partly answered
    MarijuanaMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges impacts on marginalized communities and mentions pardons but does not address expungement or the specific proposal.We know that it is important to offer them free and fast pardons so they have every opportunity to succeed in the workforce and in the community.
  8. answered
    MarijuanaMr. Matthew Dubé (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly rejects expungement in favor of pardons and explains the distinction from the LGBT case.
  9. deflected
    MarijuanaMr. Matthew Dubé (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer promotes a pardon system without addressing the expungement request.That is also why we are moving forward on a pardon system that will be free and fast, in order to make sure that the stigma of a criminal record does not follow these disproportionately marginalized people for the rest of their lives.
  10. deflected
    JusticeCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer refuses to comment citing an ongoing case rather than addressing prior statements.as the member opposite well knows, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on this ongoing court case.
  11. deflected
    JusticeCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer again refuses comment on the case without addressing the Prime Minister's prior statements.on this side of the House, we believe that the independence of the justice system matters deeply.
  12. deflected
    JusticeMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer dismisses the question as political while refusing to address prior knowledge of charges.I find it interesting that this is what the Conservatives have chosen to ask about today.
  13. deflected
    JusticeMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer refuses comment on the matter while it is before the courts.as the member well knows, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on this matter while it is before the courts.
  14. deflected
    JusticeMr. Mark Strahl (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer accuses the opposition of playing politics instead of addressing document release.rather than playing politics, the way the Conservatives always do, we will continue to respect the independence of the judiciary
  15. deflected
    JusticeMr. Mark Strahl (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer cites judicial independence without addressing the request to release documents.we deeply respect the independence of the court and that it is necessary that the judiciary is independent from political machinations.
  16. answered
    The EnvironmentMs. Linda Duncan (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly affirms action and lists specific measures matching the question's requests.yes, we are going to act, and we are acting.
  17. deflected
    The EnvironmentMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer restates general talking points on economy and environment without addressing the demand to act or the accusation of lecturing scientists.We know that we must ensure that the economy and the environment go hand in hand, and that is exactly what we are doing.
  18. deflected
    JusticeMr. Richard Martel (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer refuses to address the request for a fair trial by citing court proceedings and then invites other questions while implying opposition motives.I will give them the option of asking questions about other things that may be of concern to Canadians.
  19. deflected
    JusticeMr. Richard Martel (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer again cites judicial independence without engaging the specific demand for documents.I cannot comment on this matter while it is before the courts.
  20. misdirected
    JusticeMr. James Bezan (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer shifts to attacking the opposition for not asking about other topics instead of addressing the documents or fair trial request.They can ask questions of the Prime Minister on anything they like.
  21. deflected
    JusticeMr. James Bezan (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer reiterates judicial independence without responding to the charter or document-release demands.it would be inappropriate for me to comment on this ongoing court case.
  22. partly answered
    Indigenous AffairsMs. Niki Ashton (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer offers condolences and states the department is looking into the matter but does not commit to meeting the family or launching an inquiry.the Department of Indigenous Services is looking into the details of this matter.
  23. deflected
    Indigenous AffairsMs. Jenny Kwan (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer pivots to general statements on indigenous relations without addressing the call for an apology.our government recognizes that no relationship is more important than that with indigenous peoples
  24. deflected
    JusticeErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer again cites judicial independence and refuses to engage with the charter or document demands directed at the Attorney General.we will always respect the independence of our judicial system.
  25. deflected
    JusticeErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids the direct question on due process by pivoting to unrelated government achievements and refusing comment.The Conservatives are running out of things to ask about.
  26. deflected
    JusticeMs. Leona Alleslev (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer states a general principle but does not address the specific request to release documents.We believe in the right to a fair trial and that is why as Prime Minister I will not comment on this ongoing court case.
  27. deflected
    JusticeMs. Leona Alleslev (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer repeats a refusal to comment without engaging the accusation of political motivation or document release.I will not be commenting on this ongoing court case.
  28. answered
    Air TransportationMr. Robert Aubin (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly addresses the call to review pilot rules by confirming work is underway.the government is working on the rules that apply to pilots in order to ensure better safety for all travellers.
  29. partly answered
    Small BusinessMr. Gord Johns (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer covers tax cuts and a voluntary fee reduction but does not address the request for a mandatory cap.we are pleased to announce that we are moving forward with lowering interchange fees for small businesses as of 2020.
  30. deflected
    JusticePeter Kent (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer refuses comment without addressing the comparison to past document releases or the fairness claim.it would be inappropriate for me to comment on this ongoing court case.
  31. deflected
    JusticeLisa Raitt (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends House procedures but sidesteps the specific question on withholding documents.However, as everyone in this House knows, we respect the independence of the judiciary.
  32. deflected
    JusticeLisa Raitt (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer again refuses comment without engaging the distinction between cabinet and court authority over evidence.it would be inappropriate for me to comment on this ongoing court case.
  33. deflected
    JusticeSteven Blaney (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The question embeds unsupported accusations of obstruction and cronyism while the answer refuses to engage citing court proceedings.it would be inappropriate for me to comment on this matter while it is before the courts.
  34. deflected
    Foreign AffairsMs. Hélène Laverdière (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The question directly asks about matching a proposed US arms sales suspension but the answer addresses only concerns and investigations without responding to that request.The Minister of Foreign Affairs has spoken with her Saudi counterpart to express our concerns and to call for a thorough, credible, and transparent investigation.
  35. deflected
    JusticeAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The question assumes improper motives and hiding information while the answer again cites judicial independence to avoid addressing document release.I will always uphold the independence of our judicial system and that is why I will not comment on this ongoing court case.
  36. partly answered
    MarijuanaMr. Mario Beaulieu (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The question assumes the rollout was botched and unprepared but the answer defends the multi-year preparation and timeline adjustments without addressing specific Quebec uncertainties.we have been working with experts across the country, the provinces and municipalities for three years in anticipation of this day.