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Monday, July 20, 2020 · sitting No. 42

Commons advances further COVID-19 measures bill after ethics clashes

The House spent the largest share of its time on second reading of Bill C-20, An Act respecting further COVID-19 measures. Liberal MP Mona Fortier moved the bill and described it as a response to economic shocks from the pandemic, with debate continuing on wage-subsidy adjustments and interactions with the Canada Emergency Response Benefit.

In Question Period, Conservative MP Andrew Scheer pressed the government on the WE Charity contract and family payments, asking why the Prime Minister was absent. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland replied that the public service had recommended the delivery structure and that the government was co-operating with committee review.

Bloc Québécois MP Yves-François Blanchet raised the case of seriously ill workers seeking longer employment-insurance benefits, and Conservative MP Tom Kmiec questioned a CMHC study on home-equity taxation.

From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard

No CPAC Question Period upload is on file for this day. CPAC’s channel goes back to December 2019.

Who held the floor · 2020-07-20

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 32%, opposition 68% of the words spokenGovernment businessQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 12:0513:0014:0015:0016:0017:00Last speech 18:25Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 6 h 20 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
48Two Bills Tabled, Questions Mostly SidesteppedThe sitting devoted the largest share of time to the Further COVID-19 Measures Act and saw two bills introduced, yet Question Period produced only four direct answers out of 36 exchanges. Six points of order or privilege and no recorded votes left little resolved beyond procedural steps.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

Privilege

Conservative MP Andrew Scheer rose on a question of privilege concerning events in committee of the whole on July 8 and asked the Speaker to rule on the matter.

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WE Charity Funding

Conservative MP Cheryl Gallant stated during members' statements that the government had directed millions to WE Charity and called the arrangement morally reprehensible.

Read the exchange

Foreign Affairs

Conservative MP Garnett Genuis asked the government to commit against awarding a contract to Nuctech because of the firm's involvement in Xinjiang.

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Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Conservative MP Peter Kent asked what plans exist for a possible surge of asylum seekers from Hong Kong after the new national-security law.

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Natural Resources

Conservative MP Blaine Calkins said the energy sector had waited 118 days for promised support and asked how the government would replace lost tax revenue.

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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
    EthicsAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). rhetorical question.The question mocks the PM's absence and scandal without seeking substantive info, while the answer avoids both and pivots to general accountability.It is a privilege for me to answer questions on behalf of the government from members on the other side of the House, and I am very happy to answer any questions the opposition has today.
  2. partly answered
    EthicsAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses the recommendation process but ignores the awareness question and shifts to regret.The non-partisan public service recommended this structure as the only way to deliver the program in the required time.
  3. deflected
    EthicsAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.The question frames the scandal with criminal implications and demands testimony; the answer repeats the public service line without addressing the request.the non-partisan public service recommended this structure as the only way to deliver the program in the required time.
  4. deflected
    EthicsAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer again attributes the decision solely to the public service and sidesteps the prepping question.as we heard clearly last week at committee, it was the non-partisan public service that recommended this structure as the only way to deliver the program in the required time.
  5. misdirected
    EthicsAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.The question poses a false dichotomy of corruption or incompetence; the answer flatly denies it and repeats the public service claim without engaging the evidence presented.
  6. deflected
    Employment InsuranceMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.The question seeks a specific commitment on EI benefits; the answer offers only general support language.We understand the importance of supporting Canadians.
  7. partly answered
    Employment InsuranceMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the issue and promises work but does not confirm consideration of the exact 50-week request.We do understand the importance of supporting people with serious illnesses.
  8. misdirected
    EthicsMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.The question accuses the government of favoring friends over students; the answer pivots to general youth support without addressing the motive claim.What our government understands is the importance of helping young Canadians today.
  9. deflected
    EthicsMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the accusation of favoritism and pivots to general youth support statements.We understand that economic recessions and depressions pose a particular threat to young people, and that is why we acted swiftly to support young Canadians.
  10. deflected
    EthicsMr. Michael Barrett (Conservative) asked Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids addressing obstruction claims by asserting committee independence without evidence.my colleague knows full well that committees are independent and make their own decisions.
  11. partly answered
    EthicsMr. Michael Barrett (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly states the minister signed off on the public service recommendation but does not address prior knowledge of WE's finances.It was a contribution agreement that was negotiated and signed between the public service and WE Charity.
  12. deflected
    EthicsMr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative) asked Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). loaded question.The answer repeats committee independence without addressing obstruction or cover-up allegations.I would like to remind my colleague that members act independently in committee.
  13. deflected
    EthicsMr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses testifying and public service advice but ignores the request to waive cabinet confidence.The Standing Committee on Finance asked me to come and testify and I did.
  14. deflected
    EthicsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). substantive question.The answer claims due diligence by public servants but does not confirm knowledge of the real estate holdings.I am confident that the public servants did their due diligence.
  15. deflected
    EthicsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses recusal and commissioner investigation but evades whether the Prime Minister will testify.We know that the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner is doing an investigation.
  16. deflected
    EthicsMr. Rhéal Fortin (Bloc) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). loaded question.The answer describes the public service process but does not explain the sole-source choice or address the loyalty program claim.I asked some questions, and it made a recommendation, which I accepted.
  17. deflected
    EthicsMr. Rhéal Fortin (Bloc) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). loaded question.The answer lists student support programs instead of addressing the call for the Prime Minister to step down.we know this is a very unprecedented and challenging time and that Canadians are hurting.
  18. deflected
    EthicsMr. Rhéal Fortin (Bloc) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). loaded question.The answer restates the Prime Minister's acceptance of responsibility but avoids explaining the omission about family payments.on the contrary, the Prime Minister said that he should not have been there when the decision was made.
  19. partly answered
    EthicsMr. Damien Kurek (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses the minister's own awareness and actions but does not speak for the rest of cabinet.The member asks very good questions, and that is exactly why, when members of all parties supported a motion at finance committee to have us appear, I appeared.
  20. deflected
    EthicsMs. Jag Sahota (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to committee appearances and student supports rather than addressing when the Prime Minister will testify.Members of all parties at the finance committee asked me to appear and I appeared, and the officials appeared as well.
  21. deflected
    EthicsMr. Michael Cooper (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). loaded question.The answer explains program funding details but does not address the request for the Prime Minister to appear before committee.There was a substantial line item of $912 million for the Canada student service grant.
  22. deflected
    EthicsMs. Lindsay Mathyssen (NDP) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). loaded question.The answer repeats the list of student supports instead of addressing prioritization of friends over students.I would like to share the following with the member, because she obviously has not seen the $9-billion student support program that we put forward.
  23. partly answered
    EthicsMr. Matthew Green (NDP) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). substantive question.The answer states compliance with the Ethics Commissioner but does not address waiving cabinet confidentiality or attending committee.we have been clear that we will be complying with the Ethics Commissioner, and that is something we have always done.
  24. answered
    TaxationMr. Tom Kmiec (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly states that no tax changes on principal residences are being considered.I want to be very clear. This is not something that this government is considering.
  25. answered
    TaxationMr. Richard Lehoux (Conservative) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer directly denies any plan for a home equity tax on primary residences.
  26. deflected
    Agriculture and Agri-FoodMr. Richard Lehoux (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). substantive question.The answer offers general support statements but provides no date or timeline for compensation.We will always be there to defend their reality, especially during this pandemic and this economic crisis, but also, given that we have signed a free trade agreement with Europe.
  27. deflected
    Veterans AffairsMrs. Cathay Wagantall (Conservative) asked Mona Fortier (Liberal). substantive question.The answer avoids addressing awareness by stating an ongoing review without any information.as we know, we are still looking into it, and I will come back to her with a specific answer as soon as I can.
  28. misdirected
    EthicsMr. Alain Therrien (Bloc) asked Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). loaded question.The answer shifts to defending the House sitting schedule and accuses the asker of partisanship instead of addressing the ethics request.I do not think that this type of partisanship is appropriate today.
  29. deflected
    EthicsMr. Alain Therrien (Bloc) asked Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). loaded question.The answer dismisses the question as a dog and pony show while pivoting to unrelated government priorities.The Bloc Québécois can put on a dog and pony show, but the reality is that this government is focusing on what it needs to do and that is to help all Quebeckers and Canadians.
  30. answered
    Foreign AffairsMs. Rachael Harder (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.The answer directly corrects the premise by stating no contract has been awarded and reviews are underway.No contract has been awarded to Nuctech at this time.
  31. partly answered
    Foreign AffairsMr. Garnett Genuis (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.The answer confirms no purchase but then shifts to listing unrelated foreign policy actions rather than committing on Nuctech.There has been no purchase made under this contract.
  32. partly answered
    Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipPeter Kent (Conservative) asked Marco Mendicino (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges exploring immigration options but gives no concrete plan or details for asylum seekers.Canada is exploring measures beyond those announced, including exploring immigration options, and we will have more to say in due course.
  33. answered
    Tourism IndustryMr. Bob Zimmer (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly references the regional recovery fund as support for outfitters.That is why we decided to come up with a new fund, the regional recovery fund, which is there to help them.
  34. deflected
    Natural ResourcesMr. Blaine Calkins (Conservative) asked David Lametti (Liberal). loaded question.The response highlights existing supports without addressing the accusation of illegal funding.We have taken action to create jobs through the remediation of inactive and abandoned wells, a program that has seen tens of thousands of applications in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
  35. deflected
    EthicsMr. Kevin Waugh (Conservative) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). loaded question.The answer explains the approval process but avoids the question about payment to the Prime Minister's mother.WE Charity was one of several organizations to have submitted a Canada 150 proposal to the Department of Canadian Heritage, and it was subsequently selected.
  36. deflected
    EthicsMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). loaded question.The response lists student supports instead of addressing the ethics accusation directly.When it comes to supports for students, the Canada student service grant was an additional measure for students.