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Tuesday, November 24, 2020 · sitting No. 35
Commons opens debate on digital privacy bill as vaccine timeline draws fire
The House spent the largest share of its sitting on second reading of Bill C-11, the digital charter implementation act. Minister of Innovation Science and Industry Navdeep Bains moved that the bill be read a second time and referred to committee, describing it as a response to rapid changes in data use and digital commerce. Conservative MP Dane Lloyd and Bloc Québécois MP Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay questioned its effects on small businesses and provincial jurisdiction over privacy.
Question period focused on the timing of vaccine deliveries. Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole pressed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on why Canada would receive doses after the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany. Trudeau replied that Canada had secured one of the largest per-capita portfolios of potential vaccines and expected deliveries to begin in early 2021.
Further exchanges addressed French-language protections in federally regulated workplaces and Canada's United Nations votes on Israel. Bloc Québécois MP Mario Beaulieu urged support for Bill C-254, while Conservative Leader O'Toole criticized the government's position on Israel.
From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard
Question Period – November 24, 2020. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube
Who held the floor · 2020-11-24
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
Petitions
Conservative MP Garnett Genuis presented a petition urging use of the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act to sanction those responsible for abuses against Uighurs in China.
Read the exchangeOfficial Languages
Liberal MP Mélanie Joly told Bloc Québécois MP Mario Beaulieu that the government would respect Quebec's jurisdiction while protecting French inside and outside the province.
Read the exchangeAgriculture and Agri-Food
Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau assured Bloc Québécois MP Yves Perron that the government had protected supply management in recent trade deals and had begun compensation payments to dairy producers.
Read the exchangeAir Transportation
New Democrat MP Brian Masse warned that removal of the Windsor air-traffic control tower would end commercial passenger service and create safety risks; Transport Minister Marc Garneau replied that safety would remain paramount.
Read the exchangePost-Secondary Education
New Democrat MP Heather McPherson sought unanimous consent to extend the student-loan repayment moratorium through May 2021; consent was denied.
Read the exchangeQuestion 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
- deflectedForeign AffairsErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer restates Canada's UN position without addressing the demand for an apology or the comparison to authoritarian regimes.
Canada's vote was a reflection of our long-standing commitment to the right of self-determination for both the Palestinian people and for Israelis.
- deflectedForeign AffairsErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends the government's record on Israel but avoids disavowing the Deputy Prime Minister's comments.
We have stood up consistently against the illegitimate singling-out of Israel through one-sided votes at the United Nations.
- partly answeredHealthErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights the vaccine portfolio but does not address the timeline or how many months it will take to flatten the curve.
Canada is actually being lauded as one of the countries that has achieved the best and largest portfolio of potential vaccines for its citizens.
- deflectedHealthErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer claims the opposite is true and repeats the portfolio claim without addressing the back-of-the-line timeline.
Since the beginning, we have been negotiating and signing contracts with a record number of companies that could produce a vaccine
- deflectedHealthErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to distancing and provincial restrictions instead of providing a vaccine timeline for Canadians.
That is why it is so important to keep distancing.
- partly answeredHealthMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the lack of domestic production capacity and explains the quantity strategy but does not commit to matching other countries' timelines.
we knew from the beginning that we would have challenges because, unlike the Germans, the Americans and the Brits, we do not have the capacity for mass vaccine production in Canada.
- misdirectedHealthMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer shifts to record PPE, tests and transfers to provinces rather than addressing the negotiation of vaccine agreements.
That is why we delivered record amounts of PPE and a record number of tests.
- deflectedHealthMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer repeats the portfolio claim and pivots to flattening the curve without stating when Canadians will receive a vaccine.
we have secured access to more vaccines than any other country.
- partly answeredHealthMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Addresses portfolio and distribution plans but omits any timeline for receipt.
Canada has successfully signed contracts to have the best portfolio of potential vaccines of any of our peer countries around the world.
- deflectedForeign AffairsCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.Restates general foreign policy stance without addressing domestic operations plan.
Our policy is very simple: to be firm and smart.
- misdirectedForeign AffairsCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.Shifts to international examples and defends unrelated OECD staffing instead of protection efforts.
When the member asked about Canadians wanting to lead international organizations, we should all be proud that Canadians are putting themselves forward to lead international organizations.
- deflectedForeign AffairsCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.Highlights past actions on Hong Kong but avoids committing to new domestic or abroad protection measures.
Canada was the first country in the world to suspend its extradition treaty with Hong Kong.
- misdirectedHealthMichelle Rempel Garner (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). loaded question.Ignores the Mexico timeline claim and pivots to general Canadian capacity.
Canada has robust experience in delivering vaccinations and the distinct advantage of a public health care system
- misdirectedHealthMichelle Rempel Garner (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). loaded question.Denies the premise but again supplies no timeline or comparison to Mexico.
the member opposite is putting words in my mouth.
- partly answeredHealthMichelle Rempel Garner (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.Explains portfolio and regulatory status but still gives no Canadian rollout date.
We have options on seven promising candidates, three of which are in regulatory review already as we speak
- partly answeredOfficial LanguagesMr. Mario Beaulieu (Bloc) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). substantive question.Affirms contact with Quebec but does not commit to supporting the bill.
I have been in contact with my Quebec counterpart, Simon Jolin-Barrette.
- deflectedOfficial LanguagesMr. Mario Beaulieu (Bloc) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). substantive question.The answer promotes cooperation without addressing support for the bill.
We want to work together to do just that.
- misdirectedOfficial LanguagesMr. Richard Martel (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). substantive question.Turns to attacking Conservatives instead of answering about the bill.
they have no credibility when it comes to protecting the French language.
- deflectedOfficial LanguagesMr. Richard Martel (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). substantive question.Emphasizes independence and general desire without specific commitment.
- misdirectedOfficial LanguagesMr. Alain Rayes (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). loaded question.Responds by accusing Conservatives of double-talk rather than addressing the question.
I am tired of hearing the Conservatives' double-talk.
- deflectedOfficial LanguagesMr. Alain Rayes (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). substantive question.Offers cooperation but no specific timeline or commitment.
Let us work together to make sure that we protect the French language
- answeredIndigenous AffairsMr. Taylor Bachrach (NDP) asked Marc Miller (Liberal). substantive question.Commits to investigating and apologizing if involved.
We will take responsibility for that action, apologize, move forward
- partly answeredAir TransportationMr. Brian Masse (NDP) asked Marc Garneau (Liberal). substantive question.Focuses on safety without addressing the specific threat to the tower.
there will never be a compromise with the safety of air passengers.
- misdirectedCOVID-19 Emergency ResponsePierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.Denies the premise without explaining the specific recipients mentioned.
the premise underlying his question is false.
- deflectedCOVID-19 Emergency ResponsePierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The response labels the question ridiculous and highlights program benefits without addressing the specific allegation about deficit funds going to insiders.
that question is absolutely ridiculous.
- misdirectedCOVID-19 Emergency ResponsePierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the member's past positions and labels him an opportunist instead of addressing the deficit breakdown.
again, the member is putting forward falsehoods in an attempt to spin a political narrative that suits his interests
- deflectedFinancePierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer uses a literary quote to imply cynicism and lists program values without specifying debt limits.
it was Oscar Wilde who described a cynic as someone who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.
- partly answeredAgriculture and Agri-FoodMr. Yves Perron (Bloc) asked Marie-Claude Bibeau (Liberal). substantive question.The response confirms past actions and commitment but provides no new details or timeline for upcoming compensation.
- deflectedAgriculture and Agri-FoodMr. Yves Perron (Bloc) asked Marie-Claude Bibeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer emphasizes protection of supply management and past compensation without addressing support for the bill.
we also just protected the supply management system during our negotiations with the United Kingdom.
- partly answeredAgriculture and Agri-FoodMr. Brad Vis (Conservative) asked Marie-Claude Bibeau (Liberal). substantive question.The response mentions past payment but does not provide the requested date for compensation.
Less than a year ago, 11,000 dairy farmers received $345 million.
- partly answeredAgriculture and Agri-FoodMr. Bernard Généreux (Conservative) asked Marie-Claude Bibeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer references the initial payment and commitment but avoids specifying when the next round will be paid.
Less than a year ago we paid the first instalment of compensation of $345 million to our 11,000 dairy farmers
- deflectedAgriculture and Agri-FoodMr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative) asked Marie-Claude Bibeau (Liberal). substantive question.The response affirms the commitment to compensate but does not confirm action before December 31, 2020.
I assure the House that we will keep our promise.
- deflectedImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMs. Raquel Dancho (Conservative) asked Marco Mendicino (Liberal). loaded question.The answer restates general commitments without addressing missed deadlines or specific cases.
far from breaking that promise, we are living up to it every day, and that includes in meeting the service standard with regard to reuniting families.
- partly answeredTelecommunicationsMr. Doug Shipley (Conservative) asked Maryam Monsef (Liberal). substantive question.The response notes upcoming connections and offers help but gives no specific assurance of change for the riding.
Canadians like those in my hon. colleague's community can reach out to us and can figure out which program works best for them.
- answeredPersons with DisabilitiesMr. Garnett Genuis (Conservative) asked David Lametti (Liberal). substantive question.The answer explains the decision to remove the waiting period based on consultation feedback about suffering.
What we heard about the 10-day waiting period was univocal. It caused suffering in people.
- partly answeredVeterans AffairsMs. Rachel Blaney (NDP) asked Lawrence MacAulay (Liberal). substantive question.The minister promises to investigate promptly but does not commit to stopping re-eligibility checks.
I will look into this situation and address it promptly to make sure that the veterans receive the benefits they should receive in a timely manner.
- deflectedInternational TradeMr. Paul Manly (Green) asked Mary Ng (Liberal). loaded question.The response affirms values without addressing past deals or committing to new prioritization standards.
I can assure my hon. colleague and all Canadians that our trade policy will always be motivated by what is in the interests of Canadians.