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Monday, February 25, 2019 · sitting No. 386

Commons orders PM to testify on SNC-Lavalin before March 15

The House devoted the largest portion of the sitting to government orders on a Conservative supply motion that would require Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to appear before the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights to answer questions on the SNC-Lavalin affair under oath before March 15. Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer moved the motion and argued that testimony from the Clerk of the Privy Council had contradicted earlier government statements. Liberal MP Arif Virani replied that the committee had already begun its study and had summoned the former attorney general.

In Question Period, Scheer asked which version of events was accurate after the clerk confirmed a concerted effort to influence the former attorney general. Trudeau said the government would continue to defend jobs at SNC-Lavalin while respecting judicial independence.

Liberal MP Murray Rankin asked whether the documented chronology amounted to improper interference with the director of public prosecutions.

Decided that day

  • Opposition motion on prime minister's committee appearance failed
  • Bill C-431 introduced

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 · 2019-02-25

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 43%, opposition 57% of the words spokenPrivate membersGovernment businessGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 11:0512:0013:0014:0015:0016:0017:00Last speech 18:45Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 7 h 40 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
46Motion Fails, Answers Mostly EvadedThe sitting focused on Business of Supply and justice topics, yet the only recorded vote saw an opposition motion defeated. One bill was introduced while Question Period produced mostly deflected replies.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

Public Services and Procurement

NDP MP Brigitte Sansoucy said an internal memo indicated it could take ten years to resolve pay problems for public servants and called on the government to pay what is owed immediately. Public Services and Procurement Minister Carla Qualtrough said more than 160,000 backlog cases had been cleared since January 2018.

Read the exchange

Automotive Industry

NDP MP Tracey Ramsey said the government had failed to secure an extension of operations at the Oshawa plant comparable to the one obtained in the United States. Industry Minister Navdeep Bains said the government had made historic investments in the sector and would remain at the table with unions and GM.

Read the exchange

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Liberal MP Salma Zahid asked what steps the government was taking to reduce family separation for caregivers. Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen said a new program would allow caregivers to bring spouses and children with them and had already cut the backlog from five years to twelve months.

Read the exchange

Natural Resources

NDP MP Nathan Cullen said the National Energy Board report showed major climate, indigenous and marine impacts that should end the project. Natural Resources Minister Amarjeet Sohi said the government was reviewing the report and continuing consultations with indigenous communities.

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.Answer restates general talking points on jobs and institutions without addressing which version of events is true.I think it is a good thing that we take seriously our responsibility to stand up for jobs and grow the economy.
  2. deflected
    JusticeAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer avoids the specific question about what the Prime Minister told the clerk and repeats economic talking points.we have consistently done what we have always promised Canadians we would do, which is to stand up for good jobs and create economic growth while upholding the integrity and independence of our judicial system
  3. deflected
    JusticeAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer ignores the question on repeated pressure and pivots to job protection and institutional respect.we have consistently and continually stood up for the close to 9,000 jobs at SNC-Lavalin, indeed, good jobs right across the country.
  4. misdirected
    JusticeAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer dismisses the asker as misunderstanding and shifts to explaining remediation agreements instead of addressing interference.once again, the member opposite demonstrates that he does not quite understand what he is talking about.
  5. partly answered
    JusticeAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly confirms the former AG can address the committee while still emphasizing jobs and deflecting on other points.later today the government will confirm that the member for Vancouver Granville will be able to address relevant matters at the committee, while ensuring the two active court cases are not jeopardized.
  6. partly answered
    JusticeMr. Murray Rankin (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer addresses the request to allow the former AG to speak by confirming committee appearance.later today the government will confirm the member can address relevant matters at the committee, while ensuring of course that the two active court cases are not jeopardized.
  7. deflected
    JusticeMr. Murray Rankin (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer quotes the clerk on decision authority but avoids addressing the timeline of meetings as evidence of pressure.At every opportunity, verbally and in writing in December, the Prime Minister made it clear that this was the decision for the Minister of Justice to take.
  8. partly answered
    JusticeMs. Ruth Ellen Brosseau (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly affirms allowing the former AG to speak at committee while adding standard caveats.Later today the government will confirm the member can address relevant matters at the committee, while ensuring that the two active court cases are not jeopardized.
  9. deflected
    JusticeMs. Ruth Ellen Brosseau (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer shifts to jobs and agreement purposes without addressing transparency or law changes.We will stand up for good jobs, including jobs at SNC-Lavalin across the country, for the nearly 10,000 Canadians who work there.
  10. deflected
    JusticeAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). substantive question.Answer avoids awareness question by citing commissioner and committee processes.It also important to note that the matter is being looked at by the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner as well as the justice committee.
  11. deflected
    JusticeAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). substantive question.Answer pivots to past Conservative record instead of addressing current motion support.it was that member's party that put out a rule book that would undermine the work of committees.
  12. deflected
    JusticeMr. Alain Rayes (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). loaded question.Answer cites independence statements but sidesteps whether PM tried to influence.The Clerk of the Privy Council also confirmed that at every opportunity, the Prime Minister made it clear that this was the decision for the former Minister of Justice to take.
  13. misdirected
    JusticeMr. Alain Rayes (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks Conservative inconsistency on SNC instead of addressing committee appearance request.In French, they claim they would not dream of hurting the employees of SNC-Lavalin, as the member for Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles says.
  14. deflected
    JusticeLisa Raitt (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). substantive question.Answer notes committee work and other leaders' meetings but ignores December 5-6 timeline question.The Conservative deputy leader herself, who just asked the question, said at the justice committee, "I do not want the impression to be on the record that I think there is anything wrong with meeting with SNC-Lavalin...."
  15. deflected
    JusticeLisa Raitt (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). substantive question.Answer criticizes undermining of committee rather than confirming any assurances given to SNC.what is clear is that that member of the Conservative Party continues to undermine the work of the justice committee as well as the work of the commissioner.
  16. partly answered
    Natural ResourcesMr. François Choquette (NDP) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). substantive question.Answer addresses environmental and economic policy but only partly touches on Trans Mountain and Energy East trust issue.we are moving forward with a number of measures, including over 50 to contribute to the fight against climate change.
  17. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMr. Nathan Cullen (NDP) asked Amarjeet Sohi (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer describes the review process without addressing the choice between principles and the pipeline.We will carefully analyze and look at it.
  18. deflected
    JusticeMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). loaded question.The answer shifts to committee work and attacks a Conservative member instead of addressing the December 18 meeting.Although this member claims to have no intention of hurting SNC-Lavalin employees, the member for Carleton said something altogether different.
  19. partly answered
    JusticeMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked David Lametti (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly confirms the former attorney general can address relevant matters at committee.
  20. deflected
    JusticeCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). loaded question.The answer accuses the opposition of speculation and defends institutions rather than detailing the December 18 meeting.the member continues to confirm that the Conservatives will speculate rather than look at the facts.
  21. deflected
    JusticeCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to meetings by opposition leaders and defends institutions instead of addressing pressure applied by Telford and Butts.We know that the Conservative leader met with representatives of the company.
  22. partly answered
    Public Services and ProcurementMs. Brigitte Sansoucy (NDP) asked Carla Qualtrough (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the issue and reports progress on clearing the backlog without a firm timeline for full resolution.More than 160,000 cases have been cleared from the backlog since January 2018, and we are working very hard to accelerate the progress being made every month.
  23. partly answered
    Public Services and ProcurementMr. Daniel Blaikie (NDP) asked Carla Qualtrough (Liberal). loaded question.The answer reports backlog reduction and new measures but does not address the proposed legal change or comparison to SNC-Lavalin.In May of this year, all the departments will be serviced by pay pods.
  24. deflected
    JusticeMr. Michael Cooper (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). loaded question.The answer emphasizes respect for committees and institutions without addressing the instructions given to Wernick.We on this side will also defend and uphold the principles of judicial independence as well as the rule of law.
  25. deflected
    JusticeMr. Michael Cooper (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids the specific question about what the Prime Minister said by attacking Conservatives and shifting to committee work.that member just confirmed that the Conservative Party and its members will continue to speculate rather than look at the facts.
  26. deflected
    JusticeMr. John Brassard (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids the question by labeling it speculation and pivoting to committee processes and Conservative criticism.
  27. deflected
    JusticeMr. John Brassard (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). loaded question.The answer sidesteps the demand for the Prime Minister to appear by praising committees and contrasting parties instead.We, on this side, will always have confidence in our committee system.
  28. partly answered
    Automotive IndustryMs. Tracey Ramsey (NDP) asked Navdeep Bains (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses the government's efforts on auto jobs with specific investments but does not directly explain the lack of US-style pressure on GM.Since 2015, we have seen historic investments of $6 billion in the automotive sector because our Prime Minister has made the automotive sector a priority for our government.
  29. partly answered
    Automotive IndustryMr. Brian Masse (NDP) asked Navdeep Bains (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses meeting with GM and defending workers but does not explain excusing the CEO from committee or the contrast with Detroit.I went to Detroit and met with Mary Barra just a few weeks ago and I made it very clear that they are making a big mistake by leaving Oshawa.
  30. deflected
    JusticeMr. Michael Barrett (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). substantive question.The answer ignores the contradiction question and instead promotes committee work while attacking Conservatives.That member, very new to this place, should also know that those members have come together to ask for a list of witnesses.
  31. deflected
    JusticeMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). substantive question.The answer evades the truth-telling question by reiterating confidence in committees and dismissing the asker.We need to have confidence in the members of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
  32. deflected
    JusticeMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). substantive question.The answer avoids addressing whether the Prime Minister will appear by restating respect for committees and contrasting with Conservatives.We will allow them to do their work, because we respect their work.
  33. deflected
    JusticePierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked David Lametti (Liberal). loaded question.The answer restates the existing limit to relevant matters without addressing removal of all obstacles to free speech.the member will be able to address relevant matters in front of the committee while ensuring that the two active court cases are not jeopardized.
  34. partly answered
    Public SafetyMs. Georgina Jolibois (NDP) asked Ralph Goodale (Liberal). substantive question.The answer offers to meet and notes a recent investment but does not commit to new dedicated funding for the specific program.I am certainly happy to meet with any community in the hon. member's riding if people have concerns they wish to pursue.
  35. deflected
    JusticePierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked David Lametti (Liberal). loaded question.The answer repeats the same limitation to relevant matters without confirming whether all communications will be included.later today the government will confirm that the member can address relevant matters at the committee, while ensuring that two active court cases are not jeopardized.
  36. deflected
    JusticeMr. Rhéal Fortin (Bloc) asked David Lametti (Liberal). substantive question.The answer cites ongoing court cases and declines to comment rather than addressing whether the Attorney General will take over the case.There are two ongoing court cases. I cannot comment on this.
  37. deflected
    JusticeMr. Rhéal Fortin (Bloc) asked David Lametti (Liberal). loaded question.The answer again cites court matters and refuses to comment instead of addressing the request to take over the case.as the Attorney General of Canada, I cannot interfere in matters currently before the courts.
  38. partly answered
    FinanceMr. Raj Grewal (Independent) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses general housing measures but does not update on specific actions regarding the mortgage stress test.Over the last three years, we have put in measures for affordable housing across our country.