All sittings← 2020-02-182020-02-20 →
Wednesday, February 19, 2020 · sitting No. 19
House debates bill mandating sexual assault training for judges
The House spent the largest share of its sitting on second reading of Bill C-5, an act to amend the Judges Act and the Criminal Code. Parliamentary secretary Arif Virani told members the legislation would ensure survivors of sexual assault receive fair treatment and that judges apply the law without reliance on myths or stereotypes. New Democrat Alistair MacGregor said his party would support sending the bill to committee, while Green MP Elizabeth May asked about possible amendments and NDP MP Niki Ashton urged attention to the experience of indigenous women.
Question period was dominated by exchanges over rail blockades. Conservative leader Andrew Scheer pressed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on layoffs at CN Rail and VIA Rail and on the need for firm action to restore the rule of law. Trudeau replied that the government would continue to seek a peaceful resolution and warned that forceful measures would create longer-term problems.
Decided that day
- Opposition motion on special EI sickness benefits passed
- Bills S-216, C-207, C-208, C-209, C-210 introduced
- Bill C-5 advanced to second reading
From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard
Question Period – February 19, 2020 (with English interpretation) #QP #cdnpoli. Video from CPAC, with interpretation. Watch on YouTube
Who held the floor · 2020-02-19
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
RCMP Heritage Centre
Conservative MP Michael Kram invited members to visit the RCMP Heritage Centre in Regina and described its exhibits on the history of the force.
Read the exchangeCanadian Academic
Conservative MP Tom Kmiec paid tribute to Jordan B. Peterson, calling the Edmonton-born academic one of Canada’s treasures.
Read the exchangeMining Industry
Conservative MP Warren Steinley said a proposed $20-billion mining project in Alberta and Saskatchewan would create thousands of jobs and criticized two Liberal MPs for opposing it.
Read the exchangeNatural Resources
New Democrat MP Laurel Collins asked the government to disclose the full cost of the Trans Mountain expansion and to admit the purchase was a mistake.
Read the exchangeVeterans Affairs
New Democrat MP Rachel Blaney asked why the government had not ended lapsed funding for veterans programs, and Liberal MP Darrell Samson said demand-driven programs make exact forecasting difficult.
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
- deflectedPublic SafetyAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer ignores the question about Legault's disqualification and instead states general commitments to peaceful resolution.
We know that we must do absolutely everything we can to resolve this worrisome issue peacefully.
- deflectedPublic SafetyAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer avoids naming any specific day for ending blockades and pivots to criticizing the opposition's approach.
- deflectedThe EconomyAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer does not address when laid-off workers can return and instead emphasizes long-term peaceful resolution.
we know we need to resolve this in a way that will not create more problems months from now and over the coming years.
- deflectedThe EconomyAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer sidesteps the demand for a timeline and contrasts the government's approach with the opposition's.
Unfortunately, the approach that the Leader of the Opposition is proposing would not ensure jobs and stability for Canadians in the future.
- deflectedPublic SafetyAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer is cut off but begins by restating the seriousness without addressing the RCMP enforcement question.
Canadians understand that this is a very serious situation, one that holds the path of reconciliation, of partnerships on one hand and the other side—
- partly answeredPublic SafetyMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses the nature of discussions by confirming direct talks with indigenous leaders but does not detail the forum.
we continue to have direct discussions with the different leaders of the different indigenous groups.
- answeredPublic SafetyMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly engages the proposal about replacing RCMP with an indigenous police force and confirms it is under discussion.
That is one of the many options that we are currently thinking about and discussing with British Columbia.
- partly answeredIndigenous AffairsMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses the meeting request by noting the minister's engagement but does not commit to the Prime Minister meeting or appointing a mediator.
the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations has been engaged closely with the Wet'suwet'en hereditary leadership and has indicated many times that she would be willing to meet with them at any given moment.
- partly answeredNatural ResourcesMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer addresses investment in clean energy transition but does not engage the question of whether there are better alternatives to the pipeline spending.
We also know that taking the profits from this extremely profitable pipeline and pouring them into the clean-energy transition is a positive way to keep fighting climate change.
- deflectedThe EconomyMs. Leona Alleslev (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer reframes as collaborative work with premiers rather than addressing abdication claim.
On the contrary, Mr. Speaker. I was pleased to speak with Premier Moe just minutes ago to talk about the work that we are doing all together at the federal and provincial levels to engage with a solution
- deflectedPublic SafetyCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer repeats collaboration talking points without addressing demand for a plan or timeline.
We will continue to work to resolve this situation, which is extremely difficult for Canadians right across the country.
- deflectedPublic SafetyMr. Alain Rayes (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer pivots to criticizing Conservative solutions instead of providing a plan or timeline.
The solutions proposed by the Conservatives will only cause tensions to rise and jeopardize our economy in the coming months.
- deflectedThe EconomyMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer avoids acknowledging job losses or lack of action by attacking opposition rhetoric.
The Conservatives want to elevate the temperature and go in forcefully. That is not a solution.
- deflectedThe EconomyMr. John Barlow (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer emphasizes peaceful resolution without addressing enforcement or timeline for removing blockades.
our priority is resolving this situation peacefully, because we know that is the long-term solution that is needed for this country.
- deflectedPublic SafetyMr. Mark Strahl (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer focuses on helping affected Canadians but sidesteps call to enforce injunctions.
We will continue to work to help them both in the short term and in the long term by resolving this situation peacefully.
- misdirectedPublic SafetyMs. Kristina Michaud (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer addresses RCMP role but does not engage the request to withdraw forces or apologize.
It is the province's responsibility to monitor the RCMP's conduct.
- deflectedPublic SafetyMs. Sylvie Bérubé (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer avoids committing to an immediate meeting by shifting focus to the other side's readiness.
The challenge is that the Wet'suwet'en leaders are not ready to meet with us.
- deflectedPublic SafetyMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer sidesteps the call for leadership by restating legal principles instead of addressing timing.
neither the federal government nor any other government has the right to order the police around in a democracy like ours.
- deflectedPublic SafetyMr. Glen Motz (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer avoids instructing action by reiterating the principle against political interference in policing.
politicians do not order the police around in operational matters.
- deflectedThe EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer ignores the specific cost question and pivots to general statements on hardship.
we recognize that this is a time of hardship for Canadians with shortages, with disruptions in their daily lives as commuters and with layoffs as well.
- deflectedThe EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges job losses without providing any numbers or specifics requested.
far too many Canadians are facing disruptions, facing shortages, and yes, facing layoffs as well.
- partly answeredIndigenous AffairsMr. Taylor Bachrach (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses ongoing engagement but does not respond to the request for the Prime Minister to travel personally.
We will continue to engage with the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs, and indeed with all indigenous leaders across this country on the path to reconciliation
- deflectedNatural ResourcesMs. Laurel Collins (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends the project without addressing the demand for full cost disclosure or admitting error.
the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion is in the national interest.
- misdirectedIndigenous AffairsMr. Jamie Schmale (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer turns to criticizing the opposition's approach rather than explaining the government's position on reconciliation.
The members opposite want to pick and choose who speaks for indigenous communities.
- misdirectedIndigenous AffairsMr. Gary Vidal (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks Conservatives for choosing indigenous spokespeople rather than addressing support for the project.
it would be a grave error for the Conservatives to continue to think that they can pick and choose who speaks for indigenous Canadians.
- deflectedThe EconomyMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer acknowledges concerns but pivots to rejecting opposition's aggressive approach without giving a timeline.
The overly aggressive approach the opposition is proposing will not resolve the challenges being faced by Mr. Bergeron and others.
- partly answeredThe EconomyMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly states blockades are illegal but then shifts to explaining why force is not used.
It is illegal to block rail lines, but resolving this situation is not as simple as the opposition would have it.
- answeredIndigenous AffairsMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly addresses the meeting status with Wet'suwet'en leaders.
Unfortunately, they are not available for a meeting at this time.
- deflectedIndigenous AffairsMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). rhetorical question.Answer begins to restate the peaceful approach without engaging the leadership question.
we are going to resolve this situation in a reasonable way, but—
- deflectedEmploymentMr. Todd Doherty (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer criticizes opposition proposals instead of addressing job loss count or firm action.
the forceful solutions proposed by the members opposite will not result in better economic stability or better opportunities for Canadians.
- deflectedEmploymentMr. John Williamson (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer emphasizes peaceful resolution without specifying when blockades will end or action for Atlantic Canada.
That is why we are focused on resolving this situation peacefully and rapidly.
- deflectedEmploymentMr. Chris d'Entremont (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer rejects forceful responses and restates peaceful focus without addressing job losses.
The forceful responses that the opposition is proposing would not make things better for those workers or for their region.
- deflectedThe EconomyMrs. Cathy McLeod (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer avoids any timeline for ending blockades and instead criticizes Conservative proposals.
The concern is, if we were to take the forceful proposals by the Conservatives, we would actually extend the challenges faced by the Canadian economy by many months and possibly years.
- deflectedPublic SafetyMr. Bernard Généreux (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The response reiterates peaceful resolution efforts without addressing when the law will be enforced.
We will do everything we can to resolve this unacceptable situation rapidly.
- deflectedPublic SafetyMichelle Rempel Garner (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). rhetorical question.The question uses hyperbolic unanswerable time frames to criticize rather than seek information.
the job of the prime minister is to stand up for Canadians and protect them and their livelihoods today and well into the future.
- partly answeredGovernment PrioritiesMs. Heather McPherson (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). rhetorical question.The input is a critical statement rather than a question, and the reply defends specific government actions for Alberta.
That is why we have worked to build the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, which will allow access to new markets, something that Alberta has long asked for but was unable to be delivered by the previous government.