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Friday, February 7, 2020 · sitting No. 17

Commons advances border agency oversight bill amid QP clashes

The House spent nearly half the sitting on government orders debating Bill C-3, which would create an independent review and complaints process for the Canada Border Services Agency. Conservative MP Garnett Genuis said the bill would address strains from irregular border crossings while Liberal MP Ginette Petitpas Taylor stressed the need for constituents to have confidence in an independent body. NDP MP Randall Garrison welcomed the measure but pressed for oversight of U.S. agents under pre-clearance rules.

In question period, Conservative MP Shannon Stubbs demanded immediate approval of the Teck Frontier project and accused the government of creating a national unity crisis, while Liberal MP Peter Schiefke replied that cabinet would decide by the end of February after following the established review process. Conservative MP Tako Van Popta and Liberal MP Joël Lightbound clashed over gun control, with Van Popta arguing that gang violence required stronger enforcement and Lightbound defending restrictions on military-style weapons.

From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard

Question Period – February 7, 2020 (with English interpretation) #QP #cdnpoli. Video from CPAC, with interpretation. Watch on YouTube

Who held the floor · 2020-02-07

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 42%, opposition 58% of the words spokenGovernment businessQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0511:0012:0013:00Last speech 14:10Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 4 h 5 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
40RCMP debate yields one bill introductionThe House spent most of its time on substantive topics led by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act, yet recorded no votes and saw only one bill introduced. Question Period produced mostly deflected answers with little resolution.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

HIV-AIDS Self-Testing

NDP MP Randall Garrison said Canada had seen an 11 per cent rise in new HIV infections while other jurisdictions achieved sharp declines, and he called for faster approval of self-test kits already used abroad since 2012.

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Carbon Pricing

Conservative MP Jeremy Patzer said the carbon tax raised costs for rural families on necessities such as heat and fuel, while Liberal MP Peter Schiefke pointed to a PBO report showing rebates exceeded payments for most households.

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Rail Transportation

Bloc Québécois MP Mario Beaulieu warned that moving CN's Montreal control centre to Alberta would cut French-language communications and raise safety risks for eastern rail traffic.

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Health

Conservative MP Michael Cooper said siblings Callum and Aislinn Stepaniuk could not obtain Kalydeco because Health Canada had not approved it for their mutation, although the U.S. FDA had done so.

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International Trade

Conservative MP Chris Lewis urged the government to settle Australia's WTO challenge to the excise exemption for 100 per cent Canadian wines before the interim report is released.

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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
    Natural ResourcesMrs. Shannon Stubbs (Conservative) asked Mr. Peter Schiefke (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer avoids the demand to get out of the way by restating the cabinet timeline.The process is now at the phase where cabinet will need to make a decision by the end of February.
  2. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMrs. Shannon Stubbs (Conservative) asked Mr. Peter Schiefke (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids the yes-or-no demand by repeating the process and timeline.Now we are in a position where cabinet will be making a decision on all of the factors surrounding this project.
  3. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMrs. Shannon Stubbs (Conservative) asked Mr. Peter Schiefke (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer sidesteps the call for approval by thanking the member and restating the timeline.I would like to thank my hon. colleague for her passion with regard to this issue.
  4. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Mr. Peter Schiefke (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer avoids the question by citing election mandates and the process without addressing approval.We have a process to follow and we are following it.
  5. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Mr. Peter Schiefke (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids the refusal premise by listing other projects and repeating the timeline.We are working hard to support Alberta's energy sector.
  6. partly answered
    Natural ResourcesMs. Christine Normandin (Bloc) asked Mona Fortier (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses the investment and diversification aspects but does not directly engage the net-zero question.Every dollar the federal government earns from the project will be invested in Canada's clean-energy transition funding
  7. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMs. Christine Normandin (Bloc) asked Mr. Peter Schiefke (Liberal). substantive question.The answer ignores the agreement query and pivots to listing climate measures.We came up with 50 different measures to achieve that, measures that will help us meet and even exceed our Paris targets.
  8. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Mona Fortier (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids the hiding-costs accusation by emphasizing positive investment aspects.Every dollar the federal government earns from the project will be invested in Canada's clean energy transition funding
  9. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Mona Fortier (Liberal). loaded question.Answer promotes pipeline benefits without addressing pharmacare request.Every dollar the federal government earns from the project will be invested in Canada's clean energy transition funding.
  10. deflected
    Public SafetyMr. Tako Van Popta (Conservative) asked Mr. Joël Lightbound (Liberal). loaded question.Answer shifts to assault weapons instead of addressing gang violence or law-abiding owners.Canadians from across the country told us that they want stricter restrictions on military-style assault weapons.
  11. misdirected
    Public SafetyMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Mr. Joël Lightbound (Liberal). substantive question.Answer attacks member's photo with gun lobbyists rather than debating illegal guns.
  12. misdirected
    Public SafetyMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Mr. Joël Lightbound (Liberal). substantive question.Answer attacks member's association with gun lobbyists instead of addressing debate on illegal arms.This type of question from the hon. member for Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, who appeared in a photo with gun lobbyists this summer, does not surprise me in the least.
  13. deflected
    Foreign AffairsMr. Dan Albas (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.Answer praises ambassador without addressing specific knowledge gaps raised.We are very proud of Ambassador Barton's work.
  14. deflected
    Foreign AffairsMr. Dan Albas (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.Answer invokes health emergency and urges support instead of addressing ambassador's ties or statements.At a time where we have a health emergency, this House should really be behind our public service and behind Ambassador Barton.
  15. deflected
    LabourMr. Larry Maguire (Conservative) asked Mr. Anthony Housefather (Liberal). substantive question.Answer declares issue provincial and avoids federal action on blockades or fuel supply.This dispute is a provincial issue.
  16. answered
    Public Services and ProcurementMrs. Julie Vignola (Bloc) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). loaded question.Answer directly commits not to transfer RCMP staff if risk of negative impact from Phoenix.RCMP employees will not be transferred to the new system if there is a risk that they will be negatively impacted.
  17. deflected
    Public Services and ProcurementMs. Louise Chabot (Bloc) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges impacts but provides no evidence of Phoenix stability as requested.It is absolutely essential that we stabilize this system and move swiftly to a system that works properly, the next-generation system.
  18. deflected
    CBC/Radio-CanadaMichelle Rempel Garner (Conservative) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). loaded question.The answer thanks the panel and states plans to review but does not address why government would outperform indigenous networks.We are looking at the recommendation in this report and plan to take action as swiftly as possible.
  19. misdirected
    CBC/Radio-CanadaMichelle Rempel Garner (Conservative) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). substantive question.The answer questions whether the member read the report and offers a briefing instead of addressing the request for an apology.I do wonder if the member opposite has actually read the report, because one of her colleagues welcomed the report and said that he would be happy to work with us for its implementation.
  20. deflected
    Public SafetyMr. Todd Doherty (Conservative) asked Mr. Joël Lightbound (Liberal). loaded question.The answer expresses sympathy but defers to the Parole Board without addressing the reclassification or transfer.In such cases, we need to trust the Parole Board and the independent work it does.
  21. deflected
    Tourism IndustryMr. Martin Shields (Conservative) asked Mrs. Élisabeth Brière (Liberal). substantive question.The answer highlights tourism investments but does not address whether the stock photo spending was appropriate.That is why we have invested over $65 million in our new federal tourism growth strategy.
  22. deflected
    International DevelopmentMs. Heather McPherson (NDP) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). loaded question.The answer lists Canadian commitments but does not address the record on aid, peacekeeping or climate targets relative to other countries.We have committed to a feminist international assistance policy that is making real differences in the lives of women all across this world.
  23. partly answered
    Public SafetyMr. Matthew Green (NDP) asked Mr. Joël Lightbound (Liberal). substantive question.The answer notes added oversight mechanisms and affirms support for peaceful protest but does not directly confirm that peaceful protesters are not labeled terrorists.It is a given that we, on this side of the House, will always defend the right to peaceful demonstration and freedom of expression in this country.
  24. deflected
    Carbon PricingMr. Jeremy Patzer (Conservative) asked Mr. Peter Schiefke (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends the carbon price policy and cites the PBO but does not address rural cost concerns or removing the tax.The PBO report just came out, showing that is indeed the case.
  25. deflected
    Carbon PricingMr. Terry Dowdall (Conservative) asked Marie-Claude Bibeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the carbon tax question and pivots to unrelated weather and trade issues.That is why I am working closely with our provincial colleagues and industry representatives to find the best solutions and mechanisms that will help agricultural producers across the country deal with this difficult situation.
  26. partly answered
    Carbon PricingMr. Dan Mazier (Conservative) asked Marie-Claude Bibeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly references exemptions for farm fuel but does not address the reported bill increases or environmental benefits.We have given them exemptions on gas on farms, and Cardlock for their use of gas on farms.
  27. deflected
    Carbon PricingMr. Warren Steinley (Conservative) asked Marie-Claude Bibeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids the demand to cancel the tax and instead repeats prior exemptions and long-term vision.We have already made adjustments and created exemptions to the pollution tax for fuel used by farmers on farms.
  28. misdirected
    Rail TransportationMr. Mario Beaulieu (Bloc) asked Bernadette Jordan (Liberal). substantive question.The answer offers a later discussion instead of addressing CN's Montreal closure or French-language safety concerns.I would be happy to have the minister discuss this with him at a later time.
  29. partly answered
    Rail TransportationMr. Mario Beaulieu (Bloc) asked Mr. Anthony Housefather (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges language and safety issues but provides no concrete government action on the controller reduction.The French language must be protected throughout the country for safety reasons.
  30. deflected
    HealthMrs. Tracy Gray (Conservative) asked Mr. Darren Fisher (Liberal). loaded question.The answer lists harm-reduction spending without addressing the call to prioritize treatment and recovery access.We have responded by investing over $425 million in emergency responses, restoring harm reduction, approving over 40 supervised consumption sites, cutting red tape and removing barriers to treatments.
  31. partly answered
    TelecommunicationsMr. Scott Aitchison (Conservative) asked Ms. Gudie Hutchings (Liberal). substantive question.The answer recognizes rural broadband challenges and offers future collaboration but gives no timeline or specific plan for the named communities.I look forward to working with the member opposite at any time if he has ideas on how we can advance the broadband file further.
  32. deflected
    TelecommunicationsMr. Richard Lehoux (Conservative) asked Mr. Ali Ehsassi (Liberal). substantive question.The answer points to future decisions without explaining why the 2030 target cannot be accelerated.We are focused on this challenge and we will have some decisions in the coming months.
  33. partly answered
    HealthMr. Michael Cooper (Conservative) asked Mr. Darren Fisher (Liberal). substantive question.The answer gives general options for drug access but does not address the specific mutation, FDA approval, or why the children must wait.It is the manufacturer's decision to apply to market a product in Canada.
  34. deflected
    International TradeMr. Chris Lewis (Conservative) asked Ms. Rachel Bendayan (Liberal). substantive question.The answer restates support for the industry and vague efforts but avoids any timeline or commitment to settlement.We have explored ways to resolve this dispute with Australia and we will continue to work closely with the provinces to protect workers in this Canadian industry.
  35. answered
    EmploymentMr. Joël Godin (Conservative) asked Carla Qualtrough (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly agrees to the requested meeting before adding unrelated job-creation talking points.of course, I will meet with my colleague.
  36. partly answered
    Employment InsuranceMr. Jack Harris (NDP) asked Carla Qualtrough (Liberal). substantive question.The answer highlights existing actions and general EI changes but does not confirm delivery on the specific campaign promise for disaster-related income loss.Our government reduced the wait time for EI to one week.
  37. misdirected
    Employment InsuranceMs. Christine Normandin (Bloc) asked Carla Qualtrough (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses an unrelated point of order about RCMP rather than the procedural request made to the Chair.It is true that the Government of British Columbia has contracted services to the RCMP, similar to many other jurisdictions; however, neither the Government of British Columbia nor the other jurisdictions direct RCMP operations.