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Monday, March 9, 2020 · sitting No. 27

Conservatives seek order for documents on economic downturn warnings

Pierre Poilievre moved a motion during government orders that an order of the House issue for any document prepared by any department, agency and Crown corporation since November 4, 2015, discussing warnings or concerns of economic downturns, their potential impact on the fiscal framework, or advice or recommendations on how to deal with them, and that the documents be provided to the House within 45 days following adoption. Some hon. members agreed. Poilievre told the House that Canada's unemployment rate is higher than that of the U.S., the U.K., Japan and Germany, that four out of seven G7 countries have lower unemployment and that under the Prime Minister unemployment in Canada has been higher than the G7 average every single year he has been in office.

During question period Leona Alleslev said Canada is on the brink of a recession, Canadian stocks are crashing with the biggest drop since 1987, for every dollar Canadian households bring in they have $1.75 in consumer debt, unemployment is higher than in most G7 countries and 76 per cent of Canadians are worried about losing their jobs. Chrystia Freeland replied that the coronavirus is having a serious impact on the global economy and on the Canadian economy and that Canada's strong fiscal position means the government has the firepower to support the economy. Gérard Deltell said that since the government took office 200,000 energy sector workers have lost their jobs, more than seven projects have been cancelled and more than $150 billion in investments have evaporated, and Freeland replied that the natural resources sector is a priority and Canada has over 400 major resource projects in the planning stages or under way.

Decided that day

  • Opposition Motion on additional allotted days passed
  • Opposition Motion on economic downturn documents passed
  • Bill C-8 introduced

From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard

Question Period – March 9, 2020 (with English interpretation) #QP #cdnpoli. Video from CPAC, with interpretation. Watch on YouTube

Who held the floor · 2020-03-09

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 39%, opposition 61% of the words spokenGovernment businessQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 11:0512:0013:0014:0015:0016:0017:00Last speech 18:55Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 7 h 50 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
63Supply Day Delivers Two Passed MotionsThe House devoted most of its time to Business of Supply and passed two opposition motions while introducing Bill C-8. Question Period saw more deflection than direct answers, yet interruptions remained minimal and substantive debate dominated.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

Rail Transportation

Alain Therrien asked whether the government will present a compensation plan to the victims of the collateral damage of its inaction on the rail crisis and Chrystia Freeland replied that the blockades had some very real consequences for Canadians and that by engaging in dialogue the government reached a tentative agreement with the Wet'suwet'en.

Read the exchange

Health

Jagmeet Singh asked how workers without sick leave will pay their bills if they must self-quarantine and Chrystia Freeland said the government will support Canadians who may not be able to work because of illness or quarantine and has already reduced the EI waiting period from two weeks to one week.

Read the exchange

Public Safety

Pierre Paul-Hus asked what the Prime Minister is waiting for to ban Huawei from Canada's 5G network and Bill Blair replied that the government is doing the work required to ensure all scientific and security factors are taken into account from allies.

Read the exchange

Government Appointments

Michael Barrett said that under the Liberal government individuals become judges by being Liberals or max donors and Arif Virani replied that the government is proud of the merit-based, diverse appointments made since taking office.

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 EconomyMs. Leona Alleslev (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.Answer pivots to coronavirus without addressing pre-existing economic claims or policy change.the coronavirus is having a serious impact on the global economy and on the Canadian economy.
  2. deflected
    The EconomyMs. Leona Alleslev (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.Answer lists resource projects instead of addressing fiscal strength or responsibility for recession.Over 400 major resource projects are planned or under construction in Canada.
  3. partly answered
    The EconomyMs. Leona Alleslev (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.Answer acknowledges sector difficulties but attributes them solely to coronavirus without outlining a plan.the member opposite has cited some sectors that are indeed facing difficulties as a direct result of the impact of the coronavirus on the global economy and on the Canadian economy.
  4. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.Answer emphasizes project totals and support without addressing job losses or project cancellations.Canada has over 400 major resource projects in the planning stages or under way.
  5. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.Answer repeats priority for resources and LNG support without addressing policy fixes or rail crisis impact.I also want to note that the largest private sector project in Canadian history is the LNG Canada project, which our government strongly supports.
  6. answered
    Rail TransportationMr. Alain Therrien (Bloc) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly addresses consequences and resolution of blockades without evasion.we know that the blockades had some very real consequences for Canadians, including Quebeckers.
  7. answered
    HealthMr. Alain Therrien (Bloc) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.Answer acknowledges the question and describes the government's approach to coronavirus and borders.Our government will do whatever it takes to keep Canadians safe and keep our economy strong.
  8. answered
    HealthMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly confirms support measures including EI changes for workers in quarantine.We have already reduced the EI waiting period from two weeks to one week, and we are committing to extending EI benefits to 26 weeks.
  9. deflected
    HealthMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.Answer praises staff and calls for collaboration without addressing the specific request to reverse cuts.This is not a time to quibble about federal and provincial responsibilities. This is a time to work together, as we are doing.
  10. deflected
    The EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.Answer rebuts the premise with job numbers instead of outlining a plan for the downturn.Over the past few years, we have made investments in the Canadian economy that have seen 1.2 million jobs added, including more than 30,000 in the past month alone.
  11. misdirected
    The EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks the questioner's past record rather than addressing current debt or vulnerability.I find it fascinating that the hon. member has a new-found interest in debt and economic growth.
  12. misdirected
    The EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.Answer again pivots to criticizing the prior Conservative record instead of responding to the current preparedness question.my grandfather turns 99 in May, and he is one of the few people I know who personally witnessed a government with a slower rate of economic growth than the Conservatives under Stephen Harper.
  13. partly answered
    Natural ResourcesMr. Richard Martel (Conservative) asked Mr. Peter Schiefke (Liberal). substantive question.Answer notes the project continues seeking investors but does not address recovering the broader lost investments.We understand that GNL Québec is planning to continue with the evaluation process while seeking new investors for the proposed project.
  14. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMr. Richard Martel (Conservative) asked Mr. Peter Schiefke (Liberal). loaded question.Answer points to an ongoing assessment process without addressing the project's economic benefits or government role.I am sure that the outcome of this rigorous process will make it clear to all Canadians whether the project should go ahead or not.
  15. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMrs. Stephanie Kusie (Conservative) asked Mr. Peter Schiefke (Liberal). loaded question.Answer emphasizes general balance of growth and environment without admitting policy impact or addressing job losses.our government is committed to working with the resource sector to ensure jobs are created for Canadians from coast to coast to coast, while at the same time protecting our environment.
  16. deflected
    Rail TransportationMs. Kristina Michaud (Bloc) asked Marc Garneau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer highlights resolution of blockades but does not address compensation for economic losses.The rail blockades were unfortunate, but we worked very hard, around the clock, to resolve the crisis.
  17. deflected
    HealthMr. Luc Thériault (Bloc) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses briefings and coordination but avoids committing to sharing the full action plan.We will continue to make ourselves available so they can understand the rapidly changing situation with COVID-19.
  18. deflected
    HealthMr. Luc Thériault (Bloc) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.The answer covers scenario planning and a committee but does not specify any contingency plan threshold.We have scenario planning that is under way, so we can understand how it will impact the various different components that, as we can see around the world, are being impacted by disruption.
  19. deflected
    HealthMr. Alain Rayes (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.The answer criticizes the question and describes screening without addressing a ban on travellers.that question indicates that more briefing is required for that member, to let him know exactly what is happening at the borders.
  20. partly answered
    HealthMr. Matt Jeneroux (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.The answer explains recent letters to provinces but does not address why readiness checks occurred only after the first death.The Prime Minister 's letter follows the one I sent to my counterparts not long ago, also requesting they put on paper exactly where they thought they were going to have shortages.
  21. partly answered
    HealthMr. Matt Jeneroux (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.The answer confirms use of the Quarantine Act for self-isolation checks but does not address mandatory quarantine enforcement.When we ask people from affected regions to self-isolate for 14 days, it requires a mandatory check-in with public health, which then continues to confirm the person is complying with the self-isolation practices that are necessary.
  22. answered
    HealthMr. Don Davies (NDP) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly affirms providing resources to hospitals and describes current coordination work.
  23. answered
    HealthMs. Leah Gazan (NDP) asked Marc Miller (Liberal). loaded question.The answer directly corrects the premise by confirming the minister's inclusion on the committee.as the Minister of Indigenous Services, I can confirm that I am on the committee.
  24. deflected
    Public SafetyMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Bill Blair (Liberal). substantive question.The answer outlines ongoing reviews with allies but avoids stating any timeline or decision on banning Huawei.We are doing the work necessary to make sure the decision is the right one for Canadians.
  25. deflected
    Public SafetyMr. Rob Morrison (Conservative) asked Bill Blair (Liberal). loaded question.The answer discusses general discussions with allies but avoids any commitment on banning Huawei.there is a very robust and important discussion going on between ourselves and our allies to ensure that the decision we make in Canada's best interests
  26. deflected
    National DefenceMrs. Cheryl Gallant (Conservative) asked Harjit S. Sajjan (Liberal). substantive question.The answer blames the previous government and avoids providing any timeline for the hospital.If the previous government had started investing in infrastructure, we would not be in this situation.
  27. misdirected
    National DefenceMr. James Bezan (Conservative) asked Harjit S. Sajjan (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the previous government's record instead of addressing the current infrastructure audit issues.he was the parliamentary secretary of national defence when the Conservatives actually did not invest in infrastructure.
  28. partly answered
    HealthMr. Stéphane Bergeron (Bloc) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the global situation and thanks Quebec but does not outline the full contingency plan.I am very confident in the work that the provinces and territories are doing
  29. deflected
    HealthMs. Kristina Michaud (Bloc) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.The answer praises staff efforts but does not address setting up detection measures at borders.We will make sure that the people who are doing this hard work for us are recognized for that work and are supported in that work.
  30. deflected
    Public Services and ProcurementMrs. Kelly Block (Conservative) asked Anita Anand (Liberal). loaded question.The answer describes routine projects but avoids addressing the missed modernization goal or canceling renovations.This initiative addressed spaces that required modest, cost-effective repairs during the 2019 recess period and general election.
  31. deflected
    Public Services and ProcurementMrs. Kelly Block (Conservative) asked Anita Anand (Liberal). loaded question.The answer reiterates routine projects but does not address canceling vanity projects or redirecting resources.I want to reiterate that these are routine projects.
  32. partly answered
    Foreign AffairsMr. Garnett Genuis (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.The answer states concerns were raised at the UN but does not address concrete legal responses or sanctions.Canada has also repeatedly voiced its concern at the United Nations Human Rights Council.
  33. partly answered
    Public SafetyMr. Tony Baldinelli (Conservative) asked Bill Blair (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the concern and offers future action but admits the issue has not yet been raised.This issue has not, at this point in time, been raised with them, but I will be happy to enter into that discussion on the member's behalf.
  34. partly answered
    International TradeMrs. Tracy Gray (Conservative) asked Ms. Rachel Bendayan (Liberal). substantive question.The response highlights meetings and commitment but provides no timeline or concrete solution to the WTO issue.We have been working very hard in order to resolve the dispute with Australia.
  35. partly answered
    Public SafetyMr. Earl Dreeshen (Conservative) asked Bill Blair (Liberal). substantive question.The answer explains existing safeguards and risk assessments but does not address when or if the minister will act on the union's concerns.The Correctional Service of Canada conducts a thorough risk assessment before any inmate is approved to participate in this program, and in every case appropriate safeguards are put in place to ensure that needles are safely stored and are accounted for at all times.
  36. answered
    Regional Economic DevelopmentMs. Laurel Collins (NDP) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). substantive question.The answer opens with an explicit yes to the investment question and references the infrastructure plan as evidence.the short answer to the question is yes.
  37. partly answered
    HealthMr. Paul Manly (Green) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.The response commits to supporting workers and mentions EI changes but does not confirm support for non-EI-eligible workers.we know that we must support Canadians who may not be able to work because of illness or quarantine.