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Monday, November 5, 2018 · sitting No. 349
NDP motion to carry forward veterans spending lapses dominates supply day
New Democrat MP Gord Johns moved a supply motion calling on the government to automatically carry forward all annual lapsed spending at the Department of Veterans Affairs to the next fiscal year until the department meets or exceeds its 24 self-identified service standards. Liberal MP Darrell Samson defended the government's record of nearly $10 billion in investments and the reopening of nine offices, while Conservative MP Tom Lukiwski corrected claims about the transfer of staff from closed offices to Service Canada locations. The debate accounted for the largest share of the sitting.
In Question Period, Conservative MP Candice Bergen pressed the government over Statistics Canada's pilot project to collect banking data, warning of risks to trade with the European Union and loss of public trust. Liberal MP Navdeep Bains replied that the project remains in development, that no data have been collected and that section 17(1) of the Statistics Act prevents police or CRA access. New Democrat MP Guy Caron questioned why the government has not matched Mexico's refusal to sign the USMCA until steel and aluminum tariffs are lifted.
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 · 2018-11-05
29Another sitting that went nowhereThe sitting focused on supply business and order paper questions with no bills advanced or votes held. Points of order and mostly deflected answers dominated the exchanges.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
Points of Order
Liberal MP Borys Wrzesnewskyj raised a point of order alleging disorder at the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association meeting and defended the convention that government members chair most associations.
Read the exchangeCanada Revenue Agency Act
Conservative MP Cathy McLeod continued debate on Bill C-316, praising an inexpensive proposal to add organ-donor questions to tax returns and forward results to provinces.
Read the exchange1984 Anti-Sikh Riots
Liberal MP Raj Grewal marked the 34th anniversary of the 1984 events in India and called for justice for the victims.
Read the exchangeCarbon Pricing
Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre asked whether the government would rule out raising the carbon tax above $50 a tonne after the next election; Liberal MP Sean Fraser said a review is scheduled for 2022.
Read the exchangeEmployment
New Democrat MP Ruth Ellen Brosseau asked what the government would do to protect workers after Lowe's announced closures of 31 Canadian stores; Liberal MP Navdeep Bains said the Investment Canada Act review had secured the Boucherville headquarters.
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
- deflectedPrivacyCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Navdeep Bains (Liberal). substantive question.The answer stresses privacy importance and pilot status but ignores trade risks and the call to halt surveillance.
our government has been very clear that data protection and protecting the privacy of Canadians are very important.
- deflectedPrivacyCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Navdeep Bains (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges concerns only to pivot to criticizing the opposition's rhetoric instead of addressing the surveillance issue.
what is really problematic is the over-the-top rhetoric by the members opposite.
- deflectedPrivacyMr. Alain Rayes (Conservative) asked Navdeep Bains (Liberal). substantive question.The answer repeats pilot-project details and privacy work but sidesteps the investigation, consent, and trade-jeopardy claims.
This is a pilot project that is still in development. No information has been collected.
- deflectedMember For Saint-Léonard—Saint-MichelMr. Alain Rayes (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). substantive question.The answer states general accountability without addressing the alleged secret mandate or the member's absence.
The member in question said that he was reflecting on his plans for the future.
- deflectedMember For Saint-Léonard—Saint-MichelCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). substantive question.The answer reiterates constituent accountability and reflection but evades naming any specific assignment.
The member has stated that he is reflecting on his next steps.
- misdirectedInternational TradeMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Marc Garneau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the Mexico comparison and instead questions the NDP's stance on USMCA.
What is the NDP's position on this matter?
- misdirectedCanada Revenue AgencyMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Marc Garneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer again pivots to praising the NDP's comments on USMCA rather than addressing CRA action on offshore leaks.
He told the Canadian negotiators that he just wanted to congratulate everyone in the room for their fantastic work.
- partly answeredCanada Revenue AgencyMs. Tracey Ramsey (NDP) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). substantive question.The answer explains CRA reinvestment to counter evasion but does not directly tackle the paradise-papers double-standard claim.
we reinvested in CRA. We have made sure to counter tax evasion by investing more than $500 million.
- deflectedInternational TradeMs. Tracey Ramsey (NDP) asked Marc Garneau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer shifts focus to NDP's past praise for the deal instead of addressing the call not to sign until tariffs are lifted.
I have to remind my colleague from the other side that the leader of the NDP was at a reception celebrating the fact that Canada had arrived at a deal on USMCA.
- deflectedPrivacyMr. Dan Albas (Conservative) asked Navdeep Bains (Liberal). substantive question.Answer discusses general privacy regulations and Statistics Act but does not confirm deletion of collected data or ending the program.
With respect to personal information and the request made under this pilot project, it is clear that all this personal information will be removed.
- misdirectedPrivacyMr. Dan Albas (Conservative) asked Navdeep Bains (Liberal). substantive question.Answer attacks the opposition's past census position rather than addressing secret collection without consent.
we already had this debate in 2015, when the members opposite said they wanted to make the long-form census voluntary.
- deflectedPrivacyMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Navdeep Bains (Liberal). substantive question.Answer accuses opposition of fearmongering and rhetoric instead of addressing the core privacy concern about bank accounts.
this is pretty ordinary behaviour from the members opposite. That is Stephen Harper's party, and it is about fearmongering, about going over the top with rhetoric, about scare tactics.
- deflectedPrivacyMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Navdeep Bains (Liberal). substantive question.Answer emphasizes benefits of data for policy but avoids addressing the lack of consent or ending the pilot project.
This data that is under process under the pilot project, for example, could help the Bank of Canada look at how to make monetary decisions around interest rate policy.
- misdirectedPrivacyMr. Mark Strahl (Conservative) asked Navdeep Bains (Liberal). substantive question.Answer accuses opposition of misleading Canadians and distrusting data instead of responding to unauthorized surveillance claim.
The members opposite again are over the top with their rhetoric. They are over the top when it comes to fearmongering and to misleading Canadians.
- deflectedPrivacyMr. Mark Strahl (Conservative) asked Navdeep Bains (Liberal). substantive question.Answer reiterates no breaches and attacks opposition on data trust but does not address ending unauthorized collection.
The problem is that the members opposite just do not trust Statistics Canada. They do not like good-quality, reliable data.
- partly answeredVeterans AffairsMs. Karine Trudel (NDP) asked Harjit S. Sajjan (Liberal). substantive question.Answer affirms general support for veterans and lists past actions but does not address the specific motion on carrying forward lapsed spending.
Any time when it comes to motions for veterans, we will support it.
- partly answeredVeterans AffairsMr. Gord Johns (NDP) asked Harjit S. Sajjan (Liberal). substantive question.The answer affirms support for the motion but explains the spending mechanism without addressing use of lapsed funds.
when it comes to any motions supporting our veterans, our government will be supporting the motions.
- deflectedCarbon PricingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids the yes/no question by attacking the opposition instead of addressing future tax levels.
If the hon. member is so concerned with transparency, I would suggest he looks inward and asks the hon. Leader of the Opposition why he deleted his plan from his leader's website in May of 2017.
- deflectedCarbon PricingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer sidesteps the question on future tax increases by accusing the opposition of ideology.
It seems to prefer basing their decisions on ideology rather than facts, science or evidence.
- misdirectedCarbon PricingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the questioner's statements as falsehoods and shifts to historical quotes rather than answering.
just because the hon. member opposite has the ability to repeat a falsehood does not make it true.
- misdirectedCarbon PricingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer dismisses the question as repetition of falsehood and pivots to campaign talking points.
the hon. member's repetition does not make the falsehood true.
- partly answeredPhysician-Assisted DyingMs. Brigitte Sansoucy (NDP) asked Jody Wilson-Raybould (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses the balance in legislation and upcoming reviews but does not directly respond to respecting the specific Supreme Court ruling for the constituent.
Our government put forward legislation that we are proud forms the national framework around medical assistance in dying.
- deflectedPhysician-Assisted DyingMr. Murray Rankin (NDP) asked Jody Wilson-Raybould (Liberal). substantive question.The answer restates the legislation's purpose and reviews without addressing enforcement in hospitals or leadership on rights.
We are confident that our legislation strikes the right balance between protecting vulnerable people and respecting the personal autonomy of individuals
- answeredPublic SafetyMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Ralph Goodale (Liberal). loaded question.The answer directly denies the claim and explains existing safe procedures for syringes.
for quite some time now in the correctional system, Correctional Service of Canada has properly managed the use of EpiPens, for example, and insulin syringes.
- deflectedImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Bill Blair (Liberal). loaded question.Answer shifts to defending asylum seekers' character instead of addressing backlog, wait times or funding shortfalls.
I want to assure the member opposite that he has nothing to be afraid of.
- misdirectedImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMichelle Rempel (Conservative) asked Ahmed Hussen (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks the questioner personally and changes subject to town halls rather than addressing the fact-check or homelessness claim.
For three years, after blocking people on Twitter, that is the only way Canadians can actually get hold of her.
- deflectedImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMichelle Rempel (Conservative) asked Bill Blair (Liberal). loaded question.Answer discusses cooperation with provinces but avoids any apology or admission of bullying.
I have met and had a number of conversations with the minister and mayors responsible.
- partly answeredEmploymentMs. Ruth Ellen Brosseau (NDP) asked Navdeep Bains (Liberal). substantive question.Answer acknowledges job losses and notes the review but offers no concrete new protection measures.
This transaction was reviewed to ensure that it provides an overall economic benefit to Canada.
- partly answeredEmploymentMr. Brian Masse (NDP) asked Navdeep Bains (Liberal). loaded question.Answer notes the Investment Canada review and secured headquarters but does not explain differing U.S. outcomes.
We were able to secure the headquarters in Boucherville and all the associated senior management positions
- answeredJusticeMr. Richard Martel (Conservative) asked Ralph Goodale (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly states that document disclosure is for the judge to decide in the ongoing proceeding.
The matter of the disclosure of documents is a matter the judge is seized of in that case.
- answeredJusticeErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Ralph Goodale (Liberal). substantive question.Answer confirms the judge will decide relevance and that the matter remains with the courts.
The matter is in the hands of the judge in the case, and the judge will decide.
- deflectedJusticeErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Ralph Goodale (Liberal). loaded question.Answer refuses to address releasing names and instead dismisses the opposition's role.
I would hazard a guess that the courts in this country do not need the assistance of the official opposition.
- deflectedForeign AffairsMr. Garnett Genuis (Conservative) asked Andrew Leslie (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses human rights concerns but avoids any commitment on asylum or ministerial permits.
We continue to urge the government and the people of Pakistan to reform the application of the blasphemy laws to prevent the targeting of religious minorities.
- partly answeredHuman RightsMr. Randall Garrison (NDP) asked Ms. Kamal Khera (Liberal). substantive question.The answer affirms support for LGBTQ2 rights and work with Tanzania but does not confirm speaking out against the specific campaign.
We will continue to work with countries to ensure that the rights of all individuals are respected and protected.
- deflectedHuman RightsMr. Garnett Genuis (Conservative) asked Andrew Leslie (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges discussions but refuses to address the asylum request directly.
I will not say anything further at this time.
- deflectedEmploymentMr. Xavier Barsalou-Duval (Bloc) asked Navdeep Bains (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends the transaction review and expresses concern for workers but sidesteps the question of political accountability to constituents.
That transaction was scrutinized to ensure that it would present an overall net economic benefit to Canada.
- partly answeredCanadian HeritageMs. Monique Pauzé (Bloc) asked Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). substantive question.The answer outlines plans to modernize laws and require contributions but does not address sales tax collection for French-language productions.
Those who participate in the system must contribute to it.
- partly answeredHousingHunter Tootoo (Independent) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the crisis and references the national housing strategy but does not commit to immediate action with Nunavut.
I am glad to say that this is changing and will keep changing over the next 10 years through the first ever national housing strategy.