All sittings← 2018-11-012018-11-05 →
Friday, November 2, 2018 · sitting No. 348
Commons backs motion to bar child killers from healing lodges
The House spent the largest share of its time on a Conservative motion instructing the public safety committee to expand the scope of Bill C-83 so that anyone convicted of murdering a child cannot serve any part of the sentence in a healing lodge. Conservative MP Pierre Paul-Hus moved the motion and argued that the transfer of child killer Terri-Lynne McClintic to the Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge required an immediate legislative fix. Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux countered that the issue was not new and that previous Conservative governments had also sent murderers to healing lodges.
Question period featured repeated Conservative attacks on a Statistics Canada pilot project to obtain detailed banking records. Conservative MP John Brassard said the plan amounted to unauthorized access to Canadians' personal financial data, while Liberal MP David Lametti replied that no data had been collected and that Statistics Canada had consulted the Privacy Commissioner from the outset.
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 · 2018-11-02
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
Veterans Affairs
New Democrat MP Gord Johns said the government had left hundreds of millions of dollars unspent on veterans' benefits, and Veterans Affairs Minister Seamus O'Regan replied that benefits are demand-driven and that resources remain available whenever veterans come forward.
Read the exchangeCarbon Pricing
Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre asked whether the carbon tax on gasoline would rise above the promised 11 cents a litre after the election, and Liberal MP Sean Fraser said the price on pollution would reach $50 a tonne by 2022 as part of the government's climate plan.
Read the exchangeBorder Security
Conservative MP Michelle Rempel accused Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen of name-calling Ontario's provincial counterpart over costs for asylum seekers and said Ontario taxpayers were being ignored.
Read the exchangePensions
New Democrat MP Scott Duvall pressed the government to change bankruptcy laws to protect workers' pensions, and Labour Minister Filomena Tassi said the file was a priority and that consultations were continuing.
Read the exchangeStanding Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities
The House debated Motion M-192 to study episodic disabilities; Conservative MP John Brassard and Liberal MP Kate Young both supported sending the issue to the human resources committee.
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
- deflectedPrivacyMr. John Brassard (Conservative) asked Mr. David Lametti (Liberal). loaded question.The answer corrects the premise that data collection is occurring rather than explaining why such access would be acceptable.
First, this is a pilot project currently in the design stage. No data has been collected to date.
- deflectedPrivacyMr. John Brassard (Conservative) asked Mr. David Lametti (Liberal). loaded question.The answer emphasizes Statistics Canada's record and role instead of addressing the claimed violation or loss of trust.
Statistics Canada as an institution has an exemplary record of gathering the personal information of Canadians.
- answeredPrivacyMr. John Brassard (Conservative) asked Mr. David Lametti (Liberal). loaded question.The answer directly rebuts the abuse scenarios by stating no personal data access will occur beyond Statistics Canada.
no government and no Canadian will have access to the personal information of Canadians.
- deflectedPrivacyMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Mr. David Lametti (Liberal). loaded question.The answer reiterates the pilot stage and Privacy Commissioner involvement without addressing the consent principle raised.
Statistics Canada has worked and collaborated with the Privacy Commissioner on this pilot project from the get-go, and it will continue to do so.
- misdirectedPrivacyMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Mr. David Lametti (Liberal). substantive question.The answer attacks the Conservatives' approach to facts rather than addressing privacy breach concerns or the pilot project.
Unlike the Conservatives, we believe that facts, not ideology, are a very good starting point for public policy.
- answeredVeterans AffairsMr. Gord Johns (NDP) asked Seamus O'Regan (Liberal). substantive question.The answer explains that benefits are demand-driven and resources remain available regardless of timing.
Whether a veteran comes forward this year or the next year or the year after, we will always have the resources available for veterans.
- answeredVeterans AffairsMs. Karine Trudel (NDP) asked Seamus O'Regan (Liberal). substantive question.The answer explains the demand-driven nature of benefits and estimation process for resource allocation.
We estimate the number of people who will claim benefits to ensure that the resources are there for these veterans, no matter which year they file their claim.
- partly answeredInternational TradeMs. Karine Trudel (NDP) asked Andrew Leslie (Liberal). substantive question.The answer condemns the tariffs but does not commit to refusing an agreement until tariffs are lifted.
That is why we have imposed measured tariffs that are perfectly reciprocal.
- partly answeredThe EnvironmentMr. Murray Rankin (NDP) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer acknowledges climate concerns and references the Paris agreement but does not address ditching the existing plan.
I was very proud when our government and the Minister of Environment and Climate Change played a key role in facilitating the agreement in Paris that led us to set forth a plan that is going to allow us to make a meaningful difference to reduce our emissions.
- deflectedPrivacyMr. Dan Albas (Conservative) asked Mr. David Lametti (Liberal). loaded question.The answer emphasizes privacy protections without addressing ending the surveillance scheme.
Nobody will have access to the personal nominative information that Canadians give to Statistics Canada.
- deflectedPrivacyMr. Dan Albas (Conservative) asked Mr. David Lametti (Liberal). loaded question.The answer corrects the narrative on data access but avoids halting the program or addressing consent.
The government is not accessing the nominative data of Canadians; Statistics Canada is for all Canadians to be able to use.
- deflectedPrivacyMr. Blake Richards (Conservative) asked Mr. David Lametti (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights the pilot project and Privacy Commissioner involvement without admitting a problem or stopping collection.
From the beginning, Statistics Canada has been open to working with the Privacy Commissioner and has in fact had privacy concerns protected from the get-go.
- misdirectedPrivacyMr. Earl Dreeshen (Conservative) asked Mr. David Lametti (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the prior Conservative government instead of addressing the investigation or consent issues.
It was in fact their government, under Vic Toews, that tried to have everyone tell Vic Toews what they were doing every day.
- deflectedPrivacyMr. Colin Carrie (Conservative) asked Mr. David Lametti (Liberal). loaded question.The answer stresses anonymization and Statistics Canada's reputation without addressing consent or halting collection.
The first thing Statistics Canada does is to scrub all of the personal information from the data so it becomes anonymous.
- deflectedPrivacyMs. Rachael Harder (Conservative) asked Mr. David Lametti (Liberal). loaded question.The answer justifies data use for policy without addressing the snooping or sharing concerns raised.
For 100 years, Statistics Canada has done that job of collecting the data of Canadians and of making it available for Canadians to use to make better decisions.
- partly answeredPrivacyMr. Brian Masse (NDP) asked Mr. David Lametti (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends the value of Statistics Canada data for policy but does not address halting collection or obtaining consent.
Some of the information that Statistics Canada will gather is interesting to that side of the House.
- partly answeredInternational TradeMs. Brigitte Sansoucy (NDP) asked Mr. Jean-Claude Poissant (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses farmer concerns via working groups and support but omits compensation or a timeline for listening.
On Monday, the minister announced the creation of working groups comprised of dairy, egg and poultry farmers, and we are committed to fully and fairly supporting them to ensure their success.
- deflectedCarbon PricingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The response avoids confirming future tax increases by shifting focus to the opposition's lack of a plan.
I am curious when the Conservatives are actually going to come up with their plan.
- deflectedCarbon PricingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer sidesteps the query on tax escalation by reiterating the existing plan and criticizing Conservatives.
Again, I am curious why the Conservatives refuse to put forward a plan.
- deflectedCarbon PricingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The response evades confirming any tax rise beyond 11¢ by restating the $50/tonne plan and expressing disappointment in Conservatives.
I am extraordinarily disappointed that the Conservatives seem committed to campaign in 2019 on a promise to take money from their constituents so they can make pollution free again.
- deflectedCarbon PricingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer continues to dodge the yes/no question on future increases by repeating the plan and attacking the opposition.
One final time, I am pleased to share that I am disappointed that the Conservatives seem committed to campaigning on a promise to take that money from their constituents to make pollution free again.
- partly answeredCanada Post CorporationMs. Sheri Benson (NDP) asked Carla Qualtrough (Liberal). substantive question.The answer covers continued EI and some benefits but does not address stopping the benefit cuts or encouraging good-faith bargaining.
I can assure the House that employees will maintain full access to their EI benefits, which include maternity and parental benefits.
- misdirectedPensionsMr. Scott Duvall (NDP) asked Filomena Tassi (Liberal). loaded question.The response attacks the questioner's accusations as inaccurate instead of addressing the timeline for bankruptcy law changes.
the accusations made by the member are completely inaccurate and wrong.
- misdirectedBorder SecurityMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Mr. Peter Schiefke (Liberal). loaded question.The answer counters by accusing past Conservative cuts rather than addressing current migrant numbers or action plans.
I would say that incompetence is cutting $400 million from border services and thinking it would not affect results.
- partly answeredBorder SecurityMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Mr. Peter Schiefke (Liberal). substantive question.Addresses the investment amount but not the specific claim about funds not reaching officers.
We invested $173 million to better manage the situation.
- misdirectedBorder SecurityMichelle Rempel (Conservative) asked Ahmed Hussen (Liberal). loaded question.Ignores the name-calling allegation and pivots to attacking the asker on immigration and Twitter.
After three years in opposition, my hon. colleague has finally discovered the importance of talking to Canadians about immigration.
- deflectedBorder SecurityMichelle Rempel (Conservative) asked Ahmed Hussen (Liberal). substantive question.Restates general immigration talking points without addressing the apology request.
it is important to note that immigration continues to be a tool for Canadians to address labour market shortages.
- partly answeredThe EnvironmentMs. Sheila Malcolmson (NDP) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). substantive question.Acknowledges the evidence cited but focuses on Paris and carbon pricing without addressing Harper targets or pipeline.
I am aware of the evidence that the hon. member opposite cites and take this problem very seriously.
- answeredThe EnvironmentMs. Linda Duncan (NDP) asked Mr. Paul Lefebvre (Liberal). substantive question.Directly explains provincial responsibility and federal support for Alberta reclamation efforts.
Provinces manage their own environmental liabilities.
- deflectedEthicsMr. Kelly McCauley (Conservative) asked Ralph Goodale (Liberal). loaded question.Avoids the Irving contact question by citing ongoing court proceedings.
There is an outstanding legal proceeding before the courts and between the prosecution and Vice-Admiral Norman.
- deflectedEthicsMr. Kelly McCauley (Conservative) asked Ralph Goodale (Liberal). loaded question.Dismisses the question as smears and invokes sub judice without addressing the interference claim.
That is the very reason we have the sub judice rule in the House of Commons that members of Parliament should not ask questions and ministers should not answer questions that could somehow impinge upon an outstanding court proceeding.
- answeredJusticeMrs. Shannon Stubbs (Conservative) asked Ralph Goodale (Liberal). substantive question.Addresses the request for action by confirming a review of policies and the recent report.
That is why I asked for a thorough review by the corrections commissioner to ensure that long-standing policy in these matters has been followed
- deflectedCarbon PricingMr. Dane Lloyd (Conservative) asked Mr. Marco Mendicino (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids the exemption claim by pivoting to general climate action and attacking Conservatives.
That is something my Conservative friends have not yet realized.
- deflectedCanada Revenue AgencyMr. Pat Kelly (Conservative) asked Diane Lebouthillier (Liberal). loaded question.The answer sidesteps service complaints by comparing to past Conservative cuts instead of addressing current issues.
The Conservatives are in no position to lecture this side of the House considering the cuts made to the Canada Revenue Agency when they were in power.
- partly answeredPublic Services and ProcurementMr. Gabriel Ste-Marie (Bloc) asked Carla Qualtrough (Liberal). loaded question.The answer explains contract decisions and operational needs but does not address the alleged fixation or undermining intent.
Yesterday, we announced that part of a contract worth $7 billion would go to Davie.
- partly answeredGovernment SpendingMr. Gabriel Ste-Marie (Bloc) asked Mr. Sean Casey (Liberal). loaded question.The answer commits to reviewing arrangements for transparency but provides no detailed account of expenses.
We will carefully examine the support arrangements to ensure that best practices are being followed and that Canadians' expectations are being met.
- deflectedGovernment SpendingMr. Simon Marcil (Bloc) asked Mr. Sean Casey (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer restates pride in the Governor General and a review without engaging the demand to open the books.
We are reviewing the spending policy to ensure that it meets the degree of transparency that Canadians expect.
- partly answeredThe EnvironmentMs. Elizabeth May (Green) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer affirms commitment to targets and Paris but does not address adopting the specific 45% by 2030 target.
If we need to do more after that, I would be pleased to continue to work with the hon. member to protect our environment for our kids and grandkids.