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Friday, February 28, 2020 · sitting No. 26

Conservatives propose extra opposition days in supply debate

Conservative House leader Candice Bergen moved a motion to add three allotted days to the supply period ending March 26, 2020, giving one day each to the Conservatives, Bloc Québécois and New Democrats and allowing the period to extend to April 2 if needed. The motion would bar allotted days from falling on Wednesdays or Fridays. Bergen said opposition days allow parties to advance solutions the government has not addressed, citing a motion that established a committee on Canada-China relations.

In Question Period, Conservative finance critic Pierre Poilievre pressed the government on 0.3 per cent economic growth in the final quarter of 2019 and repeated declines in business investment. Liberal parliamentary secretary Sean Fraser said the government has created more than one million jobs, reached record-low unemployment and secured trade deals with every other G7 economy. Poilievre said the figures predate the rail blockades and called the government's approach inadequate.

Conservative MP Tim Uppal asked why the Auditor General lacks resources to conduct more audits and still operates on a DOS system. Liberal parliamentary secretary Sean Fraser said the previous Conservative government cut funding to the office while the current government added more than $41 million in budget 2018.

From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard

Question Period – February 28, 2020 (with English interpretation) #QP #cdnpoli. Video from CPAC, with interpretation. Watch on YouTube

Who held the floor · 2020-02-28

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 44%, opposition 56% of the words spokenGovernment businessQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0511:0012:0013:00Last speech 14:05Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 4 h 0 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
35Another sitting that went nowhereThe sitting focused almost entirely on Business of Supply with no bills advanced and no recorded votes taken. Four points of order were raised while most Question Period responses were deflected or incomplete.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

Automotive Industry

NDP MP Brian Masse said the Prime Minister's failure of leadership has forced another 1,500 auto workers in Windsor-Essex out of jobs and called for a national auto strategy. Liberal MP Kate Young said the government is concerned about the jobs and met recently with local businesses and the mayor of Windsor.

Read the exchange

Fisheries and Oceans

NDP MP Gord Johns said the government promised to move to on-land closed containment salmon farms on the B.C. coast by 2025 but now will not have a plan until then. Liberal parliamentary secretary Terry Beech said the government is moving forward on its commitment for the B.C. coast while working with the province and indigenous communities.

Read the exchange

Canadian Heritage

Conservative MP Martin Shields said the Yale report recommendation that nine CRTC board members live in Ottawa for seven years is discriminatory to western Canada. Liberal parliamentary secretary Julie Dabrusin said the government is reviewing all recommendations and supports a strong competitive broadcasting sector.

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Agriculture and Agri-Food

Conservative MP Randy Hoback asked the agriculture minister to push back repayment dates for the advance payments program to help farmers facing cash-flow problems. Liberal parliamentary secretary Neil Ellis said the government has authority to grant more time if administrators request it and is monitoring needs.

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
    The EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to unrelated positives instead of addressing the cited 0.3% growth or investment declines.If the hon. member would take a break from running down the Canadian economy, he might actually realize that foreign direct investment is up, more people are working and we are experiencing an economic growth record that the Conservatives would blush at.
  2. deflected
    The EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer lists prior policies but avoids the new 0.3% figure and consecutive investment declines raised in the question.I will remind him of some of the measures we put in place to help this development become a reality.
  3. answered
    The EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. Joël Lightbound (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly addresses the blockade impacts and resolution efforts asked about.There is now one blockade remaining on a Canadian railway near Montreal.
  4. partly answered
    The EconomyMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Mr. Joël Lightbound (Liberal). substantive question.The answer covers progress on blockades but does not address the specific propane crisis timeline or Quebec impacts.There is now just one remaining rail blockade in Canada.
  5. deflected
    The EconomyMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Mr. Chris Bittle (Liberal). substantive question.The answer disputes the question's premise on timelines without providing any recovery estimate.Exaggerating the shortages does not benefit Canadians.
  6. misdirected
    The EconomyMrs. Marilène Gill (Bloc) asked Mr. Gary Anandasangaree (Liberal). substantive question.The answer focuses on ongoing talks rather than the requested management of post-crisis economic aftermath.Our government has been working around the clock to resolve this issue in a peaceful and lasting way.
  7. deflected
    The EconomyMrs. Marilène Gill (Bloc) asked Mr. Chris Bittle (Liberal). substantive question.The answer reiterates negotiation focus but offers no commitment or plan on financial support for affected businesses and workers.
  8. partly answered
    Automotive IndustryMr. Brian Masse (NDP) asked Ms. Kate Young (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges job losses and local meetings but does not address the cancelled fund, ignored czar or lack of national strategy.We are hearing their concerns.
  9. deflected
    Fisheries and OceansMr. Gord Johns (NDP) asked Mr. Terry Beech (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the transition commitment but avoids explaining the delay by shifting to process complexities.This is a tricky issue. It is going to mean working with the province.
  10. misdirected
    Office of the Auditor General of CanadaTim Uppal (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the Conservatives' record instead of addressing current funding shortfalls for the Auditor General.taking a question from the Conservatives on officers of Parliament is like taking a question about the well-being of chickens from Colonel Sanders.
  11. misdirected
    Office of the Auditor General of CanadaMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). substantive question.The answer pivots to past Conservative cuts rather than responding to the request for new funding.again I find it rich to take questions on the adequacy of funding to officers of Parliament, given the Conservatives' track record of cutting those resources
  12. deflected
    Office of the Auditor General of CanadaMr. Pat Kelly (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). substantive question.The answer restates prior points on funding without addressing the specific recent cut or new request.I have already given a detailed answer on both Conservative cuts to officers of Parliament by the Conservatives and the investments we made in budget 2018.
  13. partly answered
    The EconomyMr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative) asked Mr. Chris Bittle (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer addresses the need for a negotiated settlement but does not directly respond to the call for immediate action.we understand the impacts that these blockades are having across the country, but it is important we proceed with a negotiated settlement of these disputes
  14. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMr. John Brassard (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer emphasizes support for the sector without acknowledging any government role in project cancellations.our government absolutely understands the importance of natural resources to the Canadian economy, and in particular, of the oil and gas sectors.
  15. misdirected
    Public SafetyMr. John Brassard (Conservative) asked Mr. Chris Bittle (Liberal). loaded question.The answer criticizes the questioner's tone and suggestions rather than addressing support for protesters versus Canadians.The tone by the Conservatives to exaggerate the impact is not appropriate.
  16. partly answered
    PrivacyMs. Christine Normandin (Bloc) asked Mr. Joël Lightbound (Liberal). substantive question.The answer agrees on the concern and notes ongoing work but does not address the call for a temporary ban.the privacy commissioners of Quebec, British Columbia and Canada will be examining this issue.
  17. deflected
    PrivacyMs. Christine Normandin (Bloc) asked Mr. Ali Ehsassi (Liberal). substantive question.The answer references an ongoing investigation rather than addressing the requested ban.the privacy commissioners of Canada, B.C., Quebec and Alberta are jointly investigating whether the organization's practices are in full compliance with Canadian privacy law.
  18. deflected
    Canadian HeritageMr. Martin Shields (Conservative) asked Ms. Julie Dabrusin (Liberal). loaded question.The response states recommendations are under review without committing to reject number four.The report recommendations that are proposed are all being considered, and we support a strong, competitive broadcasting media sector.
  19. answered
    Canadian HeritageMs. Nelly Shin (Conservative) asked Ms. Julie Dabrusin (Liberal). loaded question.The answer directly rejects licensing and content regulation of news media as alleged.Our government will not impose licensing requirements on news organizations, nor will we regulate news content.
  20. deflected
    Canadian HeritageSteven Blaney (Conservative) asked Ms. Julie Dabrusin (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses fair pay for creators without addressing the funding disparity raised.we are reviewing all of the regulations and are committed to ensuring that Canadian creators are paid their fair share.
  21. partly answered
    FinanceMr. Dan Albas (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer outlines the anti-money laundering regime but does not address the specific FINTRAC or port police issues.when it comes to money laundering, our government put in place a strong regime to make sure that we are watching out for this kind of irresponsible and, frankly, illegal behaviour.
  22. answered
    Indigenous AffairsMs. Laurel Collins (NDP) asked Mr. Gary Anandasangaree (Liberal). loaded question.The answer rejects the premise and states the minister is meeting the hereditary chiefs.as we speak right now, our Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations is in British Columbia, along with her B.C. counterpart, in meetings with the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs.
  23. deflected
    Indigenous AffairsMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Mr. Gary Anandasangaree (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer praises the Prime Minister and restates ongoing meetings without addressing the question of his personal involvement.I want to start by acknowledging the tremendous work of our Prime Minister and the leadership he has shown over the past five weeks in extreme resolve to ensure that we move forward in a manner that respects reconciliation.
  24. partly answered
    Agriculture and Agri-FoodMr. Randy Hoback (Conservative) asked Mr. Neil Ellis (Liberal). substantive question.The answer notes existing changes and authority to extend repayment but does not commit to pushing back the date.We have the authority to give farmers more time to repay their loans if an APP administrator requests it and if the situation warrants it.
  25. answered
    Agriculture and Agri-FoodMr. Dan Mazier (Conservative) asked Mr. Neil Ellis (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly addresses the request by explaining existing measures and monitoring.We have the authority to give farmers more time to repay their loans if the APP administrator requests it and if the situation warrants it.
  26. partly answered
    Public SafetyMr. Blaine Calkins (Conservative) asked David Lametti (Liberal). substantive question.Provides some information on actions taken but does not specify announcement details or timeline.I have committed to working with that group moving forward.
  27. partly answered
    Public SafetyMr. Bob Saroya (Conservative) asked Mr. Joël Lightbound (Liberal). substantive question.Offers general assurances without detailing new measures for this type of attack.We have invested significant resources in law enforcement and intelligence agencies in this country over the last four years and will continue to do so.
  28. partly answered
    Employment InsuranceMs. Louise Chabot (Bloc) asked Carla Qualtrough (Liberal). substantive question.Commits to permanence but does not address the specific changes requested like 420 hours.we are committed to making this initiative permanent for seasonal workers.
  29. partly answered
    Employment InsuranceMs. Louise Chabot (Bloc) asked Carla Qualtrough (Liberal). substantive question.Reiterates commitment but avoids specifics on adapting criteria.we are committed to making this pilot project permanent.
  30. deflected
    The EconomyMr. Kelly McCauley (Conservative) asked Mona Fortier (Liberal). loaded question.Ignores the specific question about the car allowance and pivots to general middle-class issues.the reality is that the middle class is very important to this country.
  31. answered
    Government AppointmentsMr. Michael Barrett (Conservative) asked David Lametti (Liberal). loaded question.Directly counters the accusation with explanation of the process.I completely reject the premise of that question.
  32. deflected
    Foreign AffairsMr. Kenny Chiu (Conservative) asked Mr. Robert Oliphant (Liberal). substantive question.Discusses monitoring and statements but does not commit to expressing support for universal suffrage.We continue to recognize the policy that there is one China with two governments and two systems.
  33. deflected
    The EconomyMr. Colin Carrie (Conservative) asked Mr. Chris Bittle (Liberal). loaded question.The answer discusses blockades coming down but avoids any mention of compensation for businesses.We are hopeful for a swift resolution on all remaining blockades to ensure that Canadians affected by these blockades can return to work.
  34. deflected
    Indigenous AffairsMr. Chris Lewis (Conservative) asked Mr. Gary Anandasangaree (Liberal). loaded question.The response emphasizes reconciliation and UNDRIP but does not address the firearms question.I want to start by assuring the House that our government is working to renew Canada's relationship with indigenous peoples, building one based on the affirmation of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership, which is why we will fully implement UNDRIP.
  35. partly answered
    TaxationMr. John Williamson (Conservative) asked Diane Lebouthillier (Liberal). substantive question.The answer notes reinstatement of the advisory committee and work on recommendations but does not address the specific delays or discrimination claim.Our government is working on implementing most of the recommendations.
  36. deflected
    Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Randall Garrison (NDP) asked Ms. Soraya Martinez Ferrada (Liberal). substantive question.The response highlights general asylum processing investments but does not address expanding the SOGI refugee program.With the investment in the budget in 2019, once again we are leading the way in building an immigration system that is compassionate and respectful of the rules of law.
  37. partly answered
    The EnvironmentMs. Elizabeth May (Green) asked Mr. Peter Schiefke (Liberal). substantive question.The answer notes progress toward the existing target and a future expert panel but does not confirm tabling a new 2020 target.We know there is more work to do, which is why we are committing to not only meeting that target but exceeding it and putting in place, in the coming months, the expert panel that will show the House and all Canadians how we plan on being carbon neutral by 2050.
  38. misdirected
    The EnvironmentMs. Rachael Harder (Conservative) asked Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Liberal). rhetorical question.The point of order is rhetorical and the answer shifts to an unrelated apology about bill disclosure.I too, would like to apologize unreservedly for the premature disclosure of the contents of Bill C-7 , medical assistance in dying.