Commons spends day on COVID-19 orders as opposition seeks wider aid

Other moments

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. partly answered
   Public SafetyAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the tragedy and ongoing investigation but provides no concrete update on the situation.This is an ongoing investigation, but I can assure them that the RCMP will keep us updated even as they themselves grieve their own loss of Constable Heidi Stevenson.
2. answered
   HealthAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly states the number of ventilators sent and future contracts.we have sent 400 ventilators to provinces and territories, and have contracts with three Canadian companies that will supply 30,000 ventilators starting in May.
3. deflected
   HealthAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer lists past actions without addressing trust in Chinese information.from the very beginning we followed the best public health advice.
4. partly answered
   HealthAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses general efforts but does not confirm details about the three planes.We have had challenges with those shipments, as the global competition for these items is fierce.
5. deflected
   HealthAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer addresses expired supplies but avoids when the Prime Minister signed off on disposal.we discovered that those items had actually been expired for five years and of course after five years are not suitable for use anywhere else.
6. answered
   SeniorsMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer summarizes specific measures taken to help seniors.We are helping protect their financial security through an extra GST/HST credit payment for low- and modest-income individuals.
7. partly answered
   SeniorsMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges ongoing work but does not provide a clear written response or timeline.we will continue to work together to address these challenges.
8. partly answered
   COVID-19 Emergency ResponseMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer explains eligibility and new programs but does not confirm universal access to CERB.we recognize that we need to do more for students like Camille, and we will do just that.
9. partly answered
   COVID-19 Emergency ResponseMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Recognizes student issues and mentions existing supports but does not address making CERB universal.We understand these stressors and are looking at ways to support students.
10. deflected
    HealthMr. John Brassard (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.Restates general intelligence involvement without providing the requested PCO briefing date.That is why in January the incident response group was convened by the Prime Minister , where briefings were shared and discussed.
11. deflected
    HealthMr. John Brassard (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.Discusses general pandemic cooperation and PPE shipment rationale but avoids confirming receipt of DND or PCO briefings.As such, and as a partner country with the WHO, Canada supplied some personal protective equipment that was rapidly becoming out of date to Canada and that could certainly be used in Wuhan's efforts to fight the virus there.
12. partly answered
    Public SafetyMr. Joël Godin (Conservative) asked Bill Blair (Liberal). substantive question.Provides post-agreement crossing numbers but does not address total illegal migrant entries since pandemic began.Since the time of that agreement, now 30 days ago, there have been fewer than 10 individuals who have crossed the border and been subsequently directed back to the United States.
13. partly answered
    COVID-19 Emergency ResponseMr. Joël Godin (Conservative) asked Mona Fortier (Liberal). substantive question.Acknowledges the rent assistance need and program intent but gives no timeline or details on rollout.Recognizing the challenges that Canadian businesses and property owners are facing, our government intends to introduce the Canada emergency commercial rent assistance program for small businesses.
14. deflected
    COVID-19 Emergency ResponseMr. Tom Kmiec (Conservative) asked Mary Ng (Liberal). substantive question.Highlights existing programs without addressing the dividend income exclusion gap raised.That is why we have made supports available through the Canada emergency business account, as well as the Canada emergency wage subsidy, so that businesses all across the country can access funds to help bridge some of the costs during this period and keep their employees.
15. answered
    COVID-19 Emergency ResponseMr. Tom Kmiec (Conservative) asked Mary Ng (Liberal). substantive question.Directly supplies the requested BDC/EDC loan approval count and notes expanded criteria.As of Friday, and today those numbers would be even higher, almost a quarter of a million business owners and businesses across the country have seen those loans approved.
16. deflected
    SeniorsMs. Andréanne Larouche (Bloc) asked Mona Fortier (Liberal). substantive question.Lists existing senior supports but does not address the specific $110 monthly OAS increase request.We are currently giving low- and modest-income seniors an extra GST credit payment of up to $400 per adult and $600 per couple.
17. partly answered
    SeniorsMs. Andréanne Larouche (Bloc) asked Mona Fortier (Liberal). substantive question.Addresses RRIF flexibility but ignores the $110 OAS increase request.We are lowering the minimum RRIF withdrawal amounts by 25% for 2020.
18. answered
    SeniorsMs. Andréanne Larouche (Bloc) asked Ahmed Hussen (Liberal). substantive question.Details concrete steps to improve Service Canada access including phone capacity and liaison officers.We have also increased the capacity of our phone lines and other supports to make sure that people can get the help they need.
19. partly answered
    HealthMs. Leona Alleslev (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.Agrees on coordination but supplies no timeline or specific national plan for testing or reopening.we are working with provinces and territories to address the many facets that she identifies.
20. partly answered
    HealthMs. Leona Alleslev (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.Repeats need for coordination without delivering the requested reopening plan.we will continue to update the House as we do it.
21. partly answered
    HealthMr. John Williamson (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.Notes current testing efforts and new kits but omits required kit numbers or detailed large-scale plan.we have approved the use of 10 new testing kits across the country which will help accelerate testing and speed up results.
22. answered
    HealthMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.Outlines federal actions on securing and producing PPE domestically.The federal government has been working very closely with our counterparts to ensure that we find supplies, that we place those orders together and that we are able to get those orders out of countries.
23. deflected
    TaxationMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Mona Fortier (Liberal). substantive question.Ignores tax-haven eligibility proposal and restates general economic support.Our government is committed to supporting Canadians, our health care system and our economy.
24. partly answered
    Forestry IndustryMr. Jamie Schmale (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.Acknowledges sector importance but provides no impact analysis or specific viability measures.Over the past week, I have had many discussions with leaders in our forestry sector and with the provinces about what we can do to support the industry today.
25. deflected
    Regional Economic DevelopmentMr. Jamie Schmale (Conservative) asked Mary Ng (Liberal). substantive question.The answer recognizes tourism challenges but pivots to existing funding announcements without addressing the two specific policy requests.These supports and investments are going to help this very critical sector and those many small and medium-sized businesses across the country.
26. partly answered
    Natural ResourcesMr. Glen Motz (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer rebuts the premise of indifference and cites the orphan wells program but does not address the hypothetical future losses or broader plan.That is why last week our government announced unprecedented support for workers in the energy sector in the form of support for orphan wells.
27. partly answered
    Agriculture and Agri-FoodMr. Jeremy Patzer (Conservative) asked Marie-Claude Bibeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer lists existing FCC loans, stay of default and CFIA funding but does not address the request for a new plan covering farmers ineligible for CEBA or FCC.Yes, we have put in place some additional measures through FCC, and more than $2 billion has been given in terms of loans to support them with their cash flow challenges.
28. deflected
    PensionsMr. Gabriel Ste-Marie (Bloc) asked Mona Fortier (Liberal). substantive question.The answer thanks the member and refers to general emergency measures without proposing any concrete protection for pension plans in bankruptcy.We will be looking ahead to see how we can continue to support Canadians and retirees in the coming weeks.
29. deflected
    PensionsMr. Gabriel Ste-Marie (Bloc) asked Mona Fortier (Liberal). substantive question.The answer again references the existing economic plan and offers no commitment on making pension plans priority creditors.We will continue to support Canadians and retirees.
30. deflected
    Foreign AffairsMr. Michael Cooper (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer emphasizes international cooperation and Canadian decision-making but does not outline any measures to hold China accountable.Having said that, decisions about Canada are made by Canadians based on the advice of Canada's world-renowned experts.
31. deflected
    Committees of the HouseMr. Scott Reid (Conservative) asked Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). substantive question.The answer justifies the special order and virtual operations but does not address amending it to restore committee powers to summon witnesses or documents.This is not a normal situation, and that is why we have taken very responsible measures that enable us to meet here from time to time, to continue sitting virtually
32. partly answered
    HealthMr. Chris Lewis (Conservative) asked Bill Blair (Liberal). substantive question.The answer confirms PPE and screening availability for essential workers but does not confirm deployment of health officers at land borders as requested.At the same time, I want to assure him, for those essential workers who are crossing each and every day, we are making available to them adequate screening and support through personal protection equipment
33. partly answered
    Regional Economic DevelopmentMr. Bob Zimmer (Conservative) asked Mary Ng (Liberal). substantive question.Mentions new northern support but does not address changes to programs like the wage subsidy.This is why we have introduced a number of measures, and one of the measures that we announced just the other day is support through the regional development agencies that will help those businesses in the north
34. partly answered
    EmploymentMr. Tony Baldinelli (Conservative) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). substantive question.Lists existing student supports but does not explain the eligibility statement or confirm CERB expansion.That is why we have reacted quickly by extending, for instance, student loans for at least six months, removing all interest and all capital payments;
35. answered
    Service CanadaMr. Doug Shipley (Conservative) asked Ahmed Hussen (Liberal). substantive question.Directly explains the closure decision and details alternative service modes.we took the decision to close in-person Service Canada centres for the safety of the public in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and also for the safety of our staff.
36. deflected
    Small businessMs. Lindsay Mathyssen (NDP) asked Ahmed Hussen (Liberal). substantive question.Restates original CERB rationale without addressing calls for universality or wage subsidy changes.we made the CERB decision for two reasons: the first was to get money quickly to Canadian workers and families, as they need it immediately, and the second was to get more money in the hands of those who need it, as opposed to sending a small amount of money to everyone.
37. deflected
    Small businessMr. Paul Manly (Green) asked Ahmed Hussen (Liberal). substantive question.Promotes current programs without addressing the request for a guaranteed livable income.our government is steadfast in making sure that we deliver help to everyone who needs help, whether through the Canada emergency response benefit,