Parliament AIIndependent · non-official

All sittings← 2020-11-062020-11-17 →

Monday, November 16, 2020 · sitting No. 29

House advances judges act amendments on sexual assault training

The House spent its longest stretch on Government Orders advancing Bill C-3 to amend the Judges Act and the Criminal Code. Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux secured unanimous consent to deem report stage motions adopted and move directly to concurrence. Liberal MP Arif Virani told the House the bill would require judges to receive training on sexual assault law and that the annual report to Parliament would track participation by judges.

Question period opened with Conservative MP Candice Bergen asking what the Prime Minister would do to keep Keystone XL moving forward after the U.S. election. Liberal MP Paul Lefebvre replied that the Prime Minister had raised the project in his first call with the president-elect and that Ottawa would continue to press the case. Conservative MP Gérard Deltell later asked the government to modernize the Official Languages Act without further delay after comments by the member for Saint-Laurent.

Bloc Québécois MP Claude DeBellefeuille pressed the Minister of Justice on judicial appointments, citing the Canadian Bar Association's criticism of Liberal patronage. Minister David Lametti defended the 2016 process as merit-based and noted the diversity of the 400 judges appointed since then.

Decided that day

  • Opposition motion on tax measures failed

From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard

Question Period – November 16, 2020. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube

Who held the floor · 2020-11-16

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 36%, opposition 64% of the words spokenPrivate membersGovernment businessQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 11:0512:0013:0014:0015:0016:0017:0018:00Last speech 19:05Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 8 h 0 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
49Judges Act talk, one motion flopsThe sitting devoted substantial time to the Judges Act and written questions yet produced scant results. An opposition tax motion failed and only one bill was introduced.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

Environmental Restoration Incentive Act

Conservative MP Shannon Stubbs moved second reading of Bill C-221, the environmental restoration incentive act, to allow flow-through shares for remediation of oil and gas wells. Bloc Québécois MP Mario Simard replied that the bill amounted to new subsidies for the oil industry.

Read the exchange

Health

NDP MP Jagmeet Singh asked why the government had not yet set national standards for long-term care homes after the first wave. Health Minister Patty Hajdu said Ottawa had provided $740 million through the safe restart agreement and would work with provinces and territories on standards.

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Public Safety

Conservative MP Shannon Stubbs asked how many people had been charged in Canada under Operation Fox Hunt. Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said security agencies had the authority and resources to detect and respond to such threats.

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Telecommunications

Conservative MP Pat Kelly said the government's broadband announcement would not help rural businesses until 2026-2030. Minister Maryam Monsef replied that phase two of the universal broadband fund included a rapid response stream and that tens of thousands of households would be connected by year end.

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Taxation

Bloc Québécois MP Martin Champoux urged the government to require web giants to charge GST immediately rather than wait for the next budget. Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault said the new broadcasting bill would deliver an additional $1 billion to Canadian creators.

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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. answered
    Natural ResourcesCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Mr. Paul Lefebvre (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly states the government's ongoing support and advocacy for the project.Our government has been and will be unwavering in its support for Keystone XL.
  2. deflected
    Natural ResourcesCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Mr. Paul Lefebvre (Liberal). loaded question.The response emphasizes climate efforts rather than detailing a plan for the project.One of the strongest arguments for this project is that we have a government that is fighting climate change, that is putting a price on pollution and that is making investments to help our energy sector become more sustainable than ever.
  3. misdirected
    Natural ResourcesCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Mr. Paul Lefebvre (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the previous government's record instead of outlining current plans.Its record of inaction and failure on the environment nearly doomed this project.
  4. partly answered
    Official LanguagesMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). substantive question.The response acknowledges the decline of French but does not address the specific member's statements.We recognize that French is a minority language in Canada and North America, that it is losing ground
  5. deflected
    Official LanguagesMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). loaded question.The answer criticizes the opposition's vote rather than providing a timeline for action.No one in the House will take lessons from my colleague because he and his party voted against the throne speech
  6. deflected
    JusticeMrs. Claude DeBellefeuille (Bloc) asked David Lametti (Liberal). loaded question.The response defends the appointment process but does not directly address allegations of patronage.we are very proud of the judicial appointment process we put in place in 2016.
  7. deflected
    JusticeMrs. Claude DeBellefeuille (Bloc) asked David Lametti (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights diversity in appointments without addressing the Canadian Bar Association's concerns.Of the judges appointed since 2016 with this new process, 10% are visible minorities, 5% identify as members of the LGBTQ2 community, 3% are indigenous and 50% are women.
  8. answered
    HealthMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.The answer outlines specific funding and commitment to national standards.we committed to the creation of national standards with provinces and territories.
  9. deflected
    HealthMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses general support to provinces but avoids committing to remove profit from senior care.We will be there for the provinces and territories as they work to protect long-term care residents from COVID-19.
  10. deflected
    Public Services and ProcurementMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Mr. Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). substantive question.The response praises the supplier's efforts instead of addressing the request for contract details.This Canadian small business ensured that these gowns could be distributed as quickly as possible by taking it upon itself to rent the biggest airplane in the world until all the gowns were delivered.
  11. deflected
    Public Services and ProcurementMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Mr. Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). substantive question.The answer focuses on procurement efforts rather than explaining the lack of information on contracts.We are working with Canadian companies, including small businesses in Ontario and Quebec and across Canada, from coast to coast, to meet our demands now, so that Canada is prepared to deal with any contingency.
  12. partly answered
    HealthMr. Todd Doherty (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.The minister expresses willingness to work on the issue but does not commit to the specific motion.The member opposite knows I want to work with him on making sure we have better and more rapid access to supports, wherever a person is in this country.
  13. partly answered
    HealthMr. Todd Doherty (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.The response reiterates collaboration without confirming support for immediate passage via unanimous consent.As I said to the member, I will work with his office tirelessly to make sure that we see his reality of better access to immediate care for people who are worrying about their mental health and considering suicide as a way to end their suffering.
  14. partly answered
    HealthMichelle Rempel Garner (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). loaded question.The answer provides current actions on tests but sidesteps accountability for past delays implied in the question.In fact, we have shipped over 4.2 million rapid tests to provinces and territories to date, over 1.7 million to Ontario, 1.2 million to Quebec and 345,000 to B.C.
  15. deflected
    HealthMichelle Rempel Garner (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). loaded question.The response highlights vaccine procurement without addressing the accusations of failure or unequal support.Canada has procured more doses of vaccine per capita than any other country in the world, and that light at the end of the tunnel should give us all hope.
  16. misdirected
    Official LanguagesMr. Mario Beaulieu (Bloc) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). loaded question.The answer criticizes the questioner's vote against the throne speech instead of directly addressing the concern about French.I hope that my colleague will support our position even though he voted against the Speech from the Throne.
  17. deflected
    Official LanguagesMr. Mario Beaulieu (Bloc) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to historical Liberal actions on bilingualism instead of addressing the specific votes or current undermining claim.This is the first time the government has recognized the situation, which is why we are going to take action.
  18. deflected
    Official LanguagesMr. Mario Beaulieu (Bloc) asked Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). loaded question.The answer restates general support for French and attacks the Bloc's motives rather than addressing Bill 101 or citizenship requirements.I know that the Bloc Québécois is still trying to pick fights.
  19. partly answered
    Public SafetyMrs. Shannon Stubbs (Conservative) asked Bill Blair (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges threats from China and references the NSICOP report but gives no concrete actions taken.we recognize the hostile activities of state actors, such as China, as a key and growing risk in this regard.
  20. deflected
    Public SafetyMrs. Shannon Stubbs (Conservative) asked Mr. Robert Oliphant (Liberal). loaded question.The answer disputes the premise of inaction and shifts to general representations without specifying protections for Canadians.the very premise of that question is that Canada is making strong representations on an almost daily basis
  21. deflected
    Public SafetyMrs. Shannon Stubbs (Conservative) asked Bill Blair (Liberal). substantive question.The answer assures vigilance and resources but avoids stating any charges related to Operation Fox Hunt.our security and law enforcement agencies have the skills, resources and legal authority they need to detect, investigate and respond to every such threat.
  22. partly answered
    COVID-19 Emergency ResponseMr. Gord Johns (NDP) asked Mary Ng (Liberal). substantive question.The answer lists existing programs and uptake numbers but does not address backdating CECRA to April.Over 780,000 businesses have taken advantage of the small business loan, with more to come as we increased it by another $20,000.
  23. deflected
    COVID-19 Emergency ResponseMs. Rachel Blaney (NDP) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.The answer emphasizes past financial supports to provinces but sidesteps the threat to remove supports or promise retroactive aid.We have been there for provinces and territories no matter what measures they needed and no matter what tools they needed
  24. deflected
    Public SafetyMr. James Cumming (Conservative) asked Navdeep Bains (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights due diligence and allies but does not explain why Huawei has not been restricted like in other Five Eyes countries.That is why we continue to do our due diligence and work with national security experts.
  25. deflected
    Public SafetyMr. James Cumming (Conservative) asked Navdeep Bains (Liberal). substantive question.The answer promotes the digital charter without addressing the specific question about PIPEDA and Huawei-like actions.That is why we have been very clear about presenting the digital charter, which has 10 principles that will guide future legislation, policies and programs, and will keep Canadians' privacy and data safe and secure.
  26. partly answered
    InfrastructureMs. Leona Alleslev (Conservative) asked Catherine McKenna (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses general transit investments and the need for a business case but does not explain why the government has not acted on this project.We look forward to receiving a business case for the extension so that we can get it built, creating jobs, reducing emissions and helping people get around their communities faster.
  27. partly answered
    InfrastructureMs. Leona Alleslev (Conservative) asked Catherine McKenna (Liberal). substantive question.The answer reiterates general commitments and again criticizes the prior government while conditioning action on a business case.We are committed to the Yonge North subway extension, but we need to be accountable to taxpayers.
  28. deflected
    TaxationMr. Martin Champoux (Bloc) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). substantive question.The answer shifts to the broadcasting bill and cultural funding instead of addressing immediate GST collection from web giants.Last week, we introduced a bill that seeks to reform Canada's Broadcasting Act for the first time in 30 years.
  29. deflected
    TaxationMr. Martin Champoux (Bloc) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). substantive question.The answer highlights pandemic support for arts and clarifies the bill is not about taxation rather than explaining inaction on GST.The broadcasting bill is not about taxation, it is about broadcasting.
  30. misdirected
    TelecommunicationsMr. Pat Kelly (Conservative) asked Maryam Monsef (Liberal). substantive question.The answer describes the broadband plan and thanks the Prime Minister instead of addressing delays or audits of small businesses.I want to thank the Prime Minister for his care and support for rural Canada and particularly for appointing the member for Long Range Mountains to co-lead this file with me.
  31. misdirected
    TelecommunicationsMr. Earl Dreeshen (Conservative) asked Maryam Monsef (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends overall investments and consensus without engaging the claim that the Canada Infrastructure Bank has completed zero projects.Because of our government's commitment to rural Canadians, we have put more in investments than all previous governments combined.
  32. partly answered
    TelecommunicationsMr. Richard Lehoux (Conservative) asked Maryam Monsef (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the constituent's issue and notes prior Quebec investments but provides no timeline for a concrete plan.Before the universal broadband fund was launched last week, our government had already invested five times more to connect the people of Quebec than the previous government.
  33. deflected
    Agriculture and Agri-FoodMr. Dan Mazier (Conservative) asked Marie-Claude Bibeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer gives general assurances of support without confirming inclusion in the specific audit relief mentioned.I can assure the member we will continue to make sure our farmers are well supported.
  34. partly answered
    COVID-19 Emergency ResponseMr. Brad Redekopp (Conservative) asked Marc Garneau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses ongoing work on rapid testing at select airports but does not address expanding it to all airports.We are also in parallel, led by the Minister of Health , working on rapid testing.
  35. partly answered
    InfrastructureSteven Blaney (Conservative) asked Catherine McKenna (Liberal). substantive question.The answer states the report is under analysis and updates will follow but provides no timeline or details on release.Mr. Charest's report is currently being analyzed.
  36. partly answered
    Indigenous AffairsMs. Niki Ashton (NDP) asked Marc Miller (Liberal). substantive question.The answer offers general assurances and an update on one community but does not outline specific new measures for all indigenous communities.First nations, Inuit and Métis should know that the Government of Canada will always be there for them and they will not be left behind.
  37. deflected
    Innovation, Science and IndustryMr. Paul Manly (Green) asked Navdeep Bains (Liberal). substantive question.The answer highlights private investments in Canadian firms but ignores both the cost question and the call to return to a public lab model.I am proud to say that we made significant investments in therapeutics and vaccine initiatives here in Canada.
  38. misdirected
    2020 U.S. ElectionMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Mr. Han Dong (Liberal). rhetorical question.The response raises an unrelated procedural point of order instead of addressing the proposed motion.I noticed that some members have their banners as a backdrop.