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Monday, November 19, 2018 · sitting No. 353

Conservatives press Liberals on budget balance in supply day motion

The House spent the largest share of the sitting on a Conservative supply motion that called on the government to state in the fall economic statement the year it will balance the budget. Pierre Poilievre moved the motion and argued that Liberal spending has grown at seven per cent a year while economic growth has averaged only two and a half per cent. Mark Gerretsen replied that the previous Conservative government left a real deficit and that current debt-to-GDP ratios remain low compared with other G7 countries.

Question period featured repeated exchanges on the same fiscal issue. Alain Rayes asked three times when the budget would return to balance and Bill Morneau answered that the government is investing while unemployment sits at a 40-year low. Guy Caron pressed the finance minister on possible corporate tax cuts and Peter Julian urged action on pharmacare and debt relief for families.

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 · 2018-11-19

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 44%, opposition 56% of the words spokenPrivate membersGovernment businessQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 11:0512:0013:0014:0015:0016:0017:00Last speech 18:15Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 7 h 10 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
30Another sitting that went nowhereThe sitting devoted most hours to Business of Supply debate and routine questions, yet recorded no votes and advanced no bills. Question period produced few direct answers while the Speaker issued seven calls to order.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

French Language Services in Ontario

Mario Beaulieu said Doug Ford's cuts to the French Language Services Commissioner position send the message that francophones are second-class citizens.

Read the exchange

Natural Resources

Shannon Stubbs said Bill C-69 is strangling investment and called on the government to withdraw the legislation; Amarjeet Sohi replied that the previous government left 99 per cent of Alberta oil sold only to the United States.

Read the exchange

Indigenous Affairs

Romeo Saganash asked the government to launch an inquiry into the forced sterilization of Indigenous women; Jane Philpott said the practice violates reproductive rights and the government is working with provinces and health professionals to end it.

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News Media Industry

Peter Kent asked whether the government plans a bailout for struggling news outlets in the fall economic statement; Pablo Rodriguez said the government respects journalistic independence and has already invested $50 million.

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Privacy

Joël Godin asked the government to cancel Statistics Canada's plan to collect detailed banking information from households; Navdeep Bains said the pilot project remains in the design stage and no data have been collected.

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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
    FinanceMr. Alain Rayes (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer ignores the timeline question and pivots to unemployment stats.We are in a situation where the unemployment rate is the lowest it has been in 40 years.
  2. deflected
    FinanceMr. Alain Rayes (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer avoids the balance question and attacks Conservative cuts instead.we understand exactly what the Conservatives want to do.
  3. deflected
    FinanceMr. Alain Rayes (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer disputes inherited debt but never addresses the requested balance date.The Harper government left us $150 billion in debt.
  4. deflected
    FinanceCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer criticizes Conservative cuts and highlights jobs without giving any balance timeline.
  5. deflected
    FinanceCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer discusses tax rates and debt-to-GDP but supplies no date for balancing.Canada has the lowest level of debt to GDP among G7 countries.
  6. partly answered
    The EconomyMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer acknowledges the need for balance and competitiveness without confirming no cuts.We need to consider how we can remain competitive while still ensuring that our tax system is fair.
  7. deflected
    The EconomyMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer stresses competitiveness and fairness but again omits any commitment on corporate taxes.We need to make sure our system is competitive but fair.
  8. deflected
    The EconomyMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer promotes existing social investments without addressing corporate tax giveaways or new spending.We have brought hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty through the Canada child benefit.
  9. deflected
    PharmacareMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Ginette Petitpas Taylor (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses forming an advisory council rather than committing to immediate implementation of pharmacare.I truly look forward to receiving the recommendations of Dr. Hoskins that will be brought forward in the spring of 2019.
  10. deflected
    FinanceMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer promotes the government's approach and jobs without stating when the budget will be balanced.We will have the opportunity to continue with our approach and make sure that we are investing for the future, not only in the business world, but also to make things better for families.
  11. deflected
    FinanceMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer contrasts with the prior government and highlights growth metrics but avoids naming a balance date.Our approach is very different. We are investing in Canadian families.
  12. deflected
    FinanceMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer emphasizes debt-to-GDP ratio and growth without providing a timeline for balancing the budget.we will continue with our approach, which is to ensure that we have the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio of all G7 countries.
  13. misdirected
    FinancePierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer attacks the prior government's record instead of answering when the budget will balance.We inherited $150 billion of additional debt generated by the previous government.
  14. deflected
    FinancePierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer begins listing tax measures but cuts off without addressing the balance timeline.We had a lot to do with lowering the middle-class tax rate from $45,000 to $90,000 by 7%.
  15. misdirected
    FinancePierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer corrects specific claims about taxes but does not state when the budget will be balanced.What was just said was that people's taxes went up. Wrong. People's taxes went down.
  16. partly answered
    Indigenous AffairsMr. Romeo Saganash (NDP) asked Jane Philpott (Liberal). substantive question.The answer condemns the practice and mentions working with partners but does not confirm launching an inquiry or restitution.we are working with partners, including the provinces, health care providers and medical professionals, to make sure that it is very clear that this should not go on.
  17. partly answered
    Indigenous AffairsMs. Rachel Blaney (NDP) asked Jane Philpott (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the violation and mentions collaboration but offers no concrete prevention steps.We are actively working with partners in provinces.
  18. deflected
    News Media IndustryPeter Kent (Conservative) asked Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). substantive question.The response highlights past spending and future statements without confirming no bailout.We will have more to say about this in the future.
  19. misdirected
    News Media IndustryPeter Kent (Conservative) asked Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). substantive question.The answer dismisses the query as conspiracy theories and pivots to past investments.I will let my colleague have some fun with his conspiracy theories.
  20. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMrs. Shannon Stubbs (Conservative) asked Amarjeet Sohi (Liberal). substantive question.The minister blames the prior government instead of addressing withdrawal of Bill C-69.What we are seeing today is the result of a decade of failure and inaction on behalf of the former Harper government.
  21. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMrs. Shannon Stubbs (Conservative) asked Amarjeet Sohi (Liberal). substantive question.The response again faults the Harper record rather than committing on the bill.That is the failed record of the Harper government.
  22. misdirected
    Official LanguagesMr. François Choquette (NDP) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). substantive question.The answer attacks the Conservative Party instead of detailing federal protective actions.The fact is, one party is not standing up to protect Franco-Ontarians, and that is the Conservative Party.
  23. misdirected
    Official LanguagesMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). substantive question.The reply urges pressure on Doug Ford rather than stating specific federal measures.I would ask the Conservative leader to talk to his boss, Doug Ford, in Ontario and get the Conservative government to back down on that decision
  24. answered
    PrivacyMr. Joël Godin (Conservative) asked Navdeep Bains (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly reassures on privacy and clarifies that no data were collected.The head of Statistics Canada has clearly said that the pilot project is still in the design stage.
  25. deflected
    PrivacyMr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative) asked Navdeep Bains (Liberal). substantive question.Answer defends privacy protections but never addresses the request to cancel the project.Canadians can rest assured that their banking information remains protected and private.
  26. deflected
    PrivacyMr. Dan Albas (Conservative) asked Navdeep Bains (Liberal). substantive question.Answer stresses privacy and pilot status but sidesteps the consent question entirely.The member opposite knows full well from the testimony given by the chief statistician before committee members in the Senate and in the House that he will only proceed once issues around privacy and data protection are dealt with.
  27. misdirected
    PrivacyMr. Dan Albas (Conservative) asked Navdeep Bains (Liberal). substantive question.Answer accuses the member of misleading Canadians and pivots to defending Statistics Canada instead of confirming data sales.the member opposite continues to mislead Canadians.
  28. partly answered
    Canada Post CorporationMs. Irene Mathyssen (NDP) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). loaded question.Answer addresses the collective-bargaining approach but ignores the specific claim about Black Friday profits versus workers' lives.our government has clearly taken a different approach to labour relations from the previous government.
  29. partly answered
    Agriculture and Agri-foodMs. Ruth Ellen Brosseau (NDP) asked Lawrence MacAulay (Liberal). substantive question.Answer rebuts the U.S. threat claim but does not address the broader request to stop using agriculture as a bargaining chip.We made sure as a government that it would not happen, and it did not happen.
  30. answered
    National DefenceMr. Richard Martel (Conservative) asked Mr. Stéphane Lauzon (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly explains the rationale for the interim purchase and addresses the capability-gap justification.We are convinced that the Australian aircraft can meet interim needs while the CF-18 permanent replacement is being carried out.
  31. deflected
    National DefenceMr. James Bezan (Conservative) asked Mr. Stéphane Lauzon (Liberal). loaded question.Answer restates the plan for 88 jets and welcomes the Auditor General report without engaging the manufactured-gap accusation.We welcome the Auditor General's advice in this matter, and look forward to his report.
  32. deflected
    FinanceMr. Bernard Généreux (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer highlights past economic improvements but never states when or whether the budget will be balanced.We have one of the highest growth rates in the G7, and our unemployment rate is at its lowest in 40 years.
  33. answered
    Public Services and ProcurementSteven Blaney (Conservative) asked Carla Qualtrough (Liberal). loaded question.The answer directly explains the government's decision not to order the ship.the Minister of National Defence has determined that we do not need a second Asterix or Obelix while we construct the joint support ships from Seaspan.
  34. partly answered
    Air TransportationMs. Christine Moore (NDP) asked Marc Garneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses the review process but does not state whether the minister plans to act on the recommendations.at the request of Transport Canada, Nav Canada is taking a second look at the specific situation in Rouyn-Noranda.
  35. deflected
    Agriculture and Agri-foodMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Lawrence MacAulay (Liberal). loaded question.The answer addresses supply management and negotiations but avoids the question about absence from the event.We made sure as a government that it did not happen.
  36. misdirected
    HealthMr. Rhéal Fortin (Bloc) asked Ginette Petitpas Taylor (Liberal). loaded question.The answer offers condolences and restates general principles instead of addressing the logic of cutting transfers.I want to offer condolences to my friend for his recent loss.
  37. deflected
    HealthMr. Rhéal Fortin (Bloc) asked Ginette Petitpas Taylor (Liberal). loaded question.The answer restates opposition to private clinics but does not address letting Quebec manage its system or the transfer cuts.we believe that it is not acceptable for some people to access care more quickly just because they have more money.
  38. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMr. Erin Weir (Independent) asked Amarjeet Sohi (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses pipeline expansion but does not address the Competition Bureau or production cuts.We need to make sure that we expand our pipeline capacity so that our non-U.S. market is expanded.