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Friday, June 14, 2019 · sitting No. 434
Commons debates Senate amendments to fisheries act
The House spent the largest share of the sitting on government orders for Bill C-68. Conservative MP Todd Doherty said the government had subverted democracy to pass payback legislation for 2015 election support and that scientists had provided no examples of harm from the 2012 Fisheries Act changes. Liberal MP William Amos replied that the Harper government’s reforms had been atrocious and that scientists across the country had recognized the damage to fish habitat.
New Democrat MP Gord Johns said coastal communities supported restoring protections and that thousands of jobs depended on healthy habitat. Conservative MP Mel Arnold said the government had ignored committee recommendations on stock restoration and that 2012 changes had eased enforcement work for fisheries officers.
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 · 2019-06-14
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
Carbon Pricing
Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre said the Parliamentary Budget Officer showed the carbon tax must rise to more than $100 a tonne to meet Paris targets, adding 23 cents a litre to gasoline. Liberal MP Sean Fraser replied that the report assumed no further measures and that eight out of ten households would still receive more back than they pay.
Read the exchangePharmacare
New Democrat MP Niki Ashton said people must choose between food and medication and that the Hoskins report called for universal public pharmacare. Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor said the government is committed to a national program and has announced funding for a Canadian drug agency and rare-disease drugs.
Read the exchangeHealth
New Democrat MP Don Davies said 11,500 Canadians died from overdoses between 2016 and 2019 and that the government must declare a public-health emergency and fund overdose-prevention sites. Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor said more than $350 million has been invested in treatment and more than 40 supervised-consumption sites have been approved.
Read the exchangeNatural Resources
Conservative MP Mel Arnold said the Liberal attack on the energy sector has closed a houseboat company in Sicamous and cost 150 jobs. Natural Resources Minister Amarjeet Sohi cited a $40-billion LNG investment and a $9-billion petrochemical project in Alberta as evidence of private-sector support.
Read the exchangeCanada Summer Jobs Program
Conservative MP Karen Vecchio asked whether a group that lost charitable status over terrorist links would still receive a Canada Summer Jobs grant. Liberal MP Rodger Cuzner said Employment and Social Development Canada is reviewing the file and that no funds will flow if terms are breached.
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
- deflectedCarbon PricingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer accuses the asker of misleading Canadians and pivots to unrelated government policies instead of addressing the PBO claim about doubling the tax.
once again, the hon. member is seeking to mislead Canadians in order to scare them into supporting his party.
- deflectedCarbon PricingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The response restates the $50/tonne price and rebate benefits while avoiding any confirmation of a higher future tax rate.
We have been very clear that when it comes to our plan to put a price on pollution, the price is going to increase to $50 a tonne until 2022, at which time the policy will be reviewed.
- deflectedCarbon PricingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the opposition's platform and corrects rebate math rather than addressing the alleged cover-up of a higher tax.
I find it entertaining that the hon. member is putting so much stock in the PBO's report, when he will not even submit his own party's platform for consideration, because it is hiding the true cost to Canadians.
- deflectedCarbon PricingMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The reply shifts focus to Quebec's system and external endorsements instead of stating any planned tax increase.
I note that the hon. member's own province of Quebec has a price on pollution and our system does not apply.
- deflectedCarbon PricingMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer criticizes the member for not listening and discusses rebates without disclosing any future tax level.
with respect, if the hon. member would listen to the details of our plan, he would realize that as the price on pollution increases approaching 2022, so does the rebate.
- misdirectedThe EnvironmentMs. Niki Ashton (NDP) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). substantive question.The response attacks the NDP plan and corrects terminology instead of addressing Liberal subsidies or pipeline policy.
If we look at the Ecofiscal Commission's review of the NDP plan, it has said that NDP's measures for big emitters will actually do nothing to reduce emissions and will hurt the Canadian economy at the same time.
- answeredPharmacareMs. Niki Ashton (NDP) asked Ginette Petitpas Taylor (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly affirms commitment to pharmacare and cites specific budget funding measures requested.
Our government is absolutely committed to making sure that every Canadian has access to a national pharmacare program, and the work is absolutely under way.
- partly answeredPharmacareMr. Robert Aubin (NDP) asked Ginette Petitpas Taylor (Liberal). substantive question.The reply repeats commitment and funding details but omits any timeline for full implementation next year.
Our government is determined to ensure that all Canadians have access to a pharmacare program.
- partly answeredThe EnvironmentMr. Robert Aubin (NDP) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). substantive question.Addresses subsidy phase-out but pivots to defending Liberal record and critiquing NDP plan.
With respect to fossil fuel subsidies, we have already phased out eight of nine that exist in the tax code.
- deflectedCarbon PricingMs. Leona Alleslev (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.Ignores full cost question and instead attacks the member on rebates and election campaigning.
It will be curious to see how that member campaigns in the next election with a promise to take that money from her constituents.
- deflectedCarbon PricingMs. Marilyn Gladu (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.Calls the points false and cuts off without addressing the affordability or climate impact question.
we now see Conservative MP after Conservative MP repeating false points in this chamber.
- misdirectedThe EnvironmentMr. Joël Godin (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.Ignores truth-telling question and attacks Conservatives on their record and climate denial instead.
it would be easier to take criticism from a member of a party that has actually advanced a climate plan to date.
- misdirectedThe EnvironmentMr. Joël Godin (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.Avoids the PBO cost question by attacking Conservative leader and colleagues on climate denial.
I would point the hon. member to an article this past week, in which his leader refused to acknowledge the connection between severe weather events and climate change.
- deflectedCarbon PricingMr. Dane Lloyd (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.Shifts to rebates in Alberta and challenges Conservatives to release their platform rather than stating the carbon tax cost.
I would challenge him to speak to his leader about presenting the Conservative Party platform so they can understand the cost.
- misdirectedCarbon PricingMr. Jamie Schmale (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.Attacks the member personally for not mentioning the rebate and avoids admitting the plan's cost or nature.
I find the question rich coming from a member who decided to hide the fact that the climate action incentive existed in a publication to his constituents
- partly answeredPharmacareMr. Don Davies (NDP) asked Ginette Petitpas Taylor (Liberal). substantive question.Commits to a national pharmacare program and notes cost-lowering steps but does not specify universal single-payer model.
That is why we are committed to ensuring that all Canadians have access to a national pharmacare program.
- deflectedHealthMr. Don Davies (NDP) asked Ginette Petitpas Taylor (Liberal). loaded question.The answer lists existing investments and sites without addressing the specific calls for a national emergency declaration or ending the poisoned supply.
Our government is taking action. We have invested more than $350 million to ensure more treatments are available to Canadians.
- misdirectedNatural ResourcesMr. Mel Arnold (Conservative) asked Amarjeet Sohi (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights positive investments while ignoring the question about ending attacks on the west and the specific houseboat company closure.
let me take this opportunity to highlight some of the investments that are happening in western Canada: a $40-billion single private sector investment in the LNG sector
- misdirectedNatural ResourcesMr. Chris Warkentin (Conservative) asked Amarjeet Sohi (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends investments and attacks the questioner's acknowledgment rather than addressing the bills and carbon tax impacts.
coming from a member from Alberta, it is very interesting for him to not acknowledge the good work that is being done to support the energy sector.
- deflectedNatural ResourcesMr. Blaine Calkins (Conservative) asked Amarjeet Sohi (Liberal). loaded question.The answer explains the bill's intent but does not address the minister ignoring advice or the human costs mentioned.
Bill C-69 puts in better rules that allow good projects to move forward in a way that respects the environment and allows Canadians to participate in the process.
- misdirectedNatural ResourcesMrs. Shannon Stubbs (Conservative) asked Amarjeet Sohi (Liberal). loaded question.The answer shifts to criticizing the prior Harper government and listing infrastructure spending instead of addressing the bills or carbon tax.
again, let me highlight that for 10 years, the Harper government failed to build a single pipeline to get our resources to non-U.S. markets.
- answeredNatural ResourcesMr. Gord Johns (NDP) asked Amarjeet Sohi (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly states the government will make a decision by the specified date while noting engagement with communities.
As the hon. member knows, we are set to make a decision on this project by June 18.
- partly answeredPost-Secondary EducationMr. Murray Rankin (NDP) asked Mr. Rodger Cuzner (Liberal). substantive question.The answer details existing student supports but does not address eliminating interest on loans as requested.
We doubled the amount of low-interest grants to all Canadians, to part-time students as well as full-time students.
- misdirectedImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Mr. Peter Schiefke (Liberal). substantive question.The answer attacks the prior Conservative record instead of addressing whether the Prime Minister will renegotiate the agreement.
the Conservatives want to make us think that they want to protect our borders and change the safe third country agreement, but their record definitely proves otherwise.
- deflectedImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Mr. Peter Schiefke (Liberal). loaded question.The response avoids the question on the tweet and Trump negotiations by offering a sarcastic apology and unrelated statistics.
I apologize on behalf of all the children and young people who show up at our border without a passport.
- misdirectedForestry IndustryMr. Todd Doherty (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the Conservatives' past record instead of addressing current softwood or carbon tax concerns.
we will take no lessons from the Conservatives when it comes to softwood lumber.
- misdirectedAir TransportationMr. John Brassard (Conservative) asked Mr. Rodger Cuzner (Liberal). loaded question.The response insults the asker for being from Ontario rather than addressing the airport funding question.
Cape Bretoners always appreciate when someone from Ontario who knows nothing about it sticks his nose in their business.
- partly answeredInfrastructureMr. Richard Cannings (NDP) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.The answer notes past investments and meetings but does not address the specific three-year delay or red tape for the irrigation project.
I have enormous respect for my colleague from South Okanagan—West Kootenay.
- partly answeredTelecommunicationsMs. Ruth Ellen Brosseau (NDP) asked Mr. Rémi Massé (Liberal). substantive question.The response highlights competition and a low-income program but offers no pledge to lower bills or ensure reliability.
In regions where there is lots of competition, costs have actually gone down by 32%.
- deflectedCanada Summer Jobs ProgramMrs. Karen Vecchio (Conservative) asked Mr. Rodger Cuzner (Liberal). loaded question.The answer states a review is underway without confirming whether the group meets the values test.
ESDC is conducting a review of this matter in conjunction with Service Canada in Ontario.
- partly answeredCanada Summer Jobs ProgramSteven Blaney (Conservative) asked Mr. Rodger Cuzner (Liberal). substantive question.The response confirms a review but does not commit to cancelling the grant or state an outcome.
There is a review. The officials are working on this review right now, and we await that review.
- misdirectedCanada Summer Jobs ProgramMr. Matt Jeneroux (Conservative) asked Mr. Rodger Cuzner (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to attacking the Conservatives' past cuts instead of addressing the grant revocation request.
I am amazed by the Conservatives' new-found interest in summer grants and summer students, because what they wanted to do when they were in power was cut the program out altogether.
- deflectedTransportMr. Colin Carrie (Conservative) asked Mr. Terry Beech (Liberal). substantive question.The answer promotes amalgamation benefits and vague consultation but never addresses local board representation.
Of course, we consult with our partners, we work with municipalities and we work with our partners in ports to ensure their economic success for Canadians.
- deflectedForeign AffairsMr. Harold Albrecht (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer affirms general human-rights policy but does not explain the office closure or its impact in Nigeria.
Our government has put human rights, including the right of all people to freely practise their religion, at the centre of our foreign policy.
- partly answeredHealthMr. Gabriel Ste-Marie (Bloc) asked Ginette Petitpas Taylor (Liberal). substantive question.The answer states that regulatory changes will be announced soon, directly addressing the timing question.
We are also in the process of modernizing the regulations affecting drugs and changes will be announced soon.
- partly answeredHealthMr. Gabriel Ste-Marie (Bloc) asked Ginette Petitpas Taylor (Liberal). substantive question.The answer repeats the commitment to lower drug costs and promises future regulatory changes without new timing details.
We are currently modernizing drug regulations. Once again, as I said earlier, we will be announcing changes to the regulations in the near future.
- misdirectedAuditor General of CanadaTony Clement (Independent) asked Mr. Greg Fergus (Liberal). substantive question.The answer attacks the prior government’s record instead of addressing whether assurances were sought for the current cuts.
yes, I can only imagine how that conversation went after they fired Linda Keen and after they reduced the budget for the parliamentary budget officer at the time.
- partly answeredThe EnvironmentMr. Paul Manly (Green) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer outlines emission-reduction measures but does not address article 6 credits or a fracking ban.
our plan to reduce emissions is not just to displace global emissions by producing more and more oil and gas products in Canada but to actually reduce our consumption in Canada as well.
- answeredPoints of OrderMr. John Brassard (Conservative) asked Mr. Rodger Cuzner (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer directly accepts the invitation to apologize and affirms the ongoing relationship.
If his feelings were hurt, I certainly want to apologize.