All sittings← 2020-12-022020-12-04 →
Thursday, December 3, 2020 · sitting No. 42
Conservatives move supply day motion seeking vaccine rollout plan
The House devoted most of the sitting to a Conservative motion on COVID-19 vaccine deployment. Erin O'Toole moved that the government table by December 16 a status update on delivery, storage, distribution, first deployment dates and rates for each vaccine type, as well as provincial and territorial readiness.
During question period O'Toole asked how many Canadians would be vaccinated by the end of March. Health Minister Patty Hajdu replied that Canada has secured the most doses per capita in the world and is working with provinces on logistics.
O'Toole also pressed for modernization of the Official Languages Act and application of the Charter of the French Language to federally regulated businesses in Quebec. Official Languages Minister Mélanie Joly said the government is in discussions with Quebec and has invested to protect French.
Decided that day
- Bill C-7 advanced after concurrence vote at report stage
- Three private members' bills introduced
From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard
Question Period – December 3, 2020. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube
Who held the floor · 2020-12-03
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
École Polytechnique in Montreal
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole marked the 31st anniversary of the École Polytechnique massacre, with O'Toole calling it a terrorist attack and femicide.
Read the exchangeCanada Labour Code
NDP MP Scott Duvall introduced Bill C-258 to amend the Canada Labour Code on replacement workers and Bill C-259 to protect pensions and benefits in bankruptcy proceedings.
Read the exchangeIndigenous Affairs
NDP MP Niki Ashton described the COVID-19 outbreak in Shamattawa First Nation and asked for immediate federal support; Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller said a rapid response team and shelters had been deployed.
Read the exchangePublic Safety
Liberal MP Marci Ien asked about new funding for community programs; Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said the government would invest $250 million in municipalities and marginalized communities.
Read the exchangeEmployment
Conservative MP Warren Steinley raised the impending loss of 591 jobs at Evraz in Regina; Employment Minister Filomena Tassi cited the wage subsidy as support for workers.
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
- deflectedHealthErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses vaccine portfolio and approvals but provides no number for vaccinations by March.
Canadians can be assured by the fact that Canada has been aggressive in putting together the most comprehensive vaccine portfolio in the world, with the most doses per capita in the world.
- partly answeredHealthErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses provincial preparation and military role but does not explain the timing of the plan.
for months now we have been working hand in glove with the provinces and territories to prepare vaccinations for Canadians.
- deflectedHealthErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). loaded question.The answer restates government actions on health and economy without addressing the six-month delay claim.
it is this government that has known that health and the economy are deeply intertwined.
- partly answeredHealthErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.The answer references a technical briefing and timelines but does not specify arrival or distribution details.
We provided even more details on the planning and preparation that is under way with the provinces and territories to deploy vaccines when they become available.
- partly answeredOfficial LanguagesErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). substantive question.The answer lists past investments but does not give a timeline for modernizing the Official Languages Act.
What have we done over the past five years to protect the French language and both official languages?
- partly answeredOfficial LanguagesMr. Alain Therrien (Bloc) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges discussions with Quebec but offers no commitment on applying Bill 101.
we are in discussions with the Government of Quebec.
- answeredOfficial LanguagesMr. Kenny Chiu (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly addresses the interpretation request by continuing in French.
as I was saying, we are there to protect the French fact in Quebec and across the country.
- deflectedOfficial LanguagesMr. Alain Therrien (Bloc) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). substantive question.The answer lists past actions but does not address applying Bill 101 to federally regulated businesses.
There is opposition talk, and then there is our action, which proves we stand with francophones.
- deflectedHealthMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). loaded question.The answer promotes the government's vaccine purchases without addressing the shortage for seniors over 70.
We have aggressively purchased vaccines.
- deflectedHealthMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). loaded question.The answer repeats claims of aggressive purchasing and global leadership without addressing the shortage for seniors over 70.
In fact, we have been noted around the world for having the most doses per capita expected here in Canada.
- deflectedHealthMr. James Bezan (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). loaded question.The answer cites military integration from the beginning without addressing the timing of Operation Vector or late tasking.
Major Fortin pointed to the integration of military personnel in PHAC for months.
- partly answeredHealthMr. James Bezan (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.The answer expresses confidence in the military's ability to manage responsibilities but does not guarantee resources or address compromised operations.
I have confidence General Vance and the many people leading the Canadian Armed Forces can manage their responsibilities appropriately.
- deflectedHealthMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses planning and dry runs with provinces but does not provide numbers for priority groups or confirm sufficient doses.
In fact, yesterday there was a dry run held with provinces and territories to identify gaps in the plan and strengthen them before the vaccine is approved and arrives on Canadian soil.
- deflectedHealthMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.The answer quotes General Vance on readiness but does not explain the distribution plan for indigenous communities or the Armed Forces.
We are as well poised as any country...And when the vaccines arrive, we'll be able to support the federal-provincial-territorial rollout plans.
- deflectedHealthMichelle Rempel Garner (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). loaded question.The answer expresses confidence in experts without addressing the official's comment or concerns of families in long-term care.
we have utmost confidence in the public health experts, the scientists, the researchers, the logisticians who are helping not only to deploy vaccines, but to get us through this pandemic every step of the way.
- deflectedHealthMichelle Rempel Garner (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights regulatory standards without providing details on vaccine delivery timelines or addressing the obsession comment.
Canadians can be confident that, when a vaccine is approved for use here in Canada, it is safe and we are ready to deploy.
- deflectedHealthMr. Gabriel Ste-Marie (Bloc) asked Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). substantive question.The answer avoids committing to increased transfers and pivots to general collaboration and a future meeting.
Soon, on December 10, there will be a meeting where we will address several topics, including this one.
- partly answeredHealthMr. Gabriel Ste-Marie (Bloc) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). rhetorical question.Addresses funding provided but sidesteps the call for increased transfers or the implied problem.
we have been there for provinces and territories since the beginning of this pandemic with historic amounts of funding, including $24 billion in transfers for things like personal protective equipment, testing, contact tracing, data, long-term care and mental health supports.
- misdirectedHealthMr. Gabriel Ste-Marie (Bloc) asked Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). substantive question.Turns to attacking the Bloc for picking a fight instead of addressing the request for transfers.
Instead of coming here to pick a fight, as the Bloc is currently doing, why not figure out how all of us, including our friends in the Bloc Québécois, can work together to do better for our seniors across the country?
- deflectedOfficial LanguagesMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). substantive question.Avoids the question on applying Bill 101 and instead questions the Conservatives' past record.
However, the reality is that in all the years they were in government, the Conservatives never recognized the vital importance of the French language.
- deflectedOfficial LanguagesMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). loaded question.Praises the question but sidesteps specifics on Bill 101 application and modernization timeline.
For the first time in history, we talked about the importance of supporting French in Quebec.
- partly answeredOfficial LanguagesMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). substantive question.Addresses modernization but deflects specific compliance failures with a personal jab at the asker.
I would like to remind him, however, that he once told our unilingual francophone Minister of National Revenue that it is unfathomable that she cannot speak English in the House of Commons.
- answeredIndigenous AffairsMs. Niki Ashton (NDP) asked Marc Miller (Liberal). substantive question.Directly confirms actions taken and ongoing support for the community.
A rapid response team has been deployed, along with BLU-MED shelters that have been in operation since last week.
- partly answeredHealthMs. Heather McPherson (NDP) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.Mentions speaking with the minister and offering supports but does not outline a broader federal plan.
I spoke with Minister Shandro last night and offered him a variety of supports in addition to the field hospitals that he is asking for.
- deflectedFinancePierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer thanks the deputy but pivots to attacking the questioner and defending spending without addressing the resignation cause.
This morning, he distastefully compared our government's emergency measures to a rich kid smoking drugs on his parents' money.
- deflectedFinancePierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the resignation query and instead attacks the opposition while defending pandemic spending.
If the hon. member is concerned with the cost of doing too much, I would ask him to consider the cost of doing too little.
- deflectedEmploymentMr. Warren Steinley (Conservative) asked Filomena Tassi (Liberal). substantive question.The answer lists general supports but does not address what the Prime Minister would say to the specific laid-off workers.
There is the emergency response benefit.
- deflectedEmploymentMr. Warren Steinley (Conservative) asked Seamus O'Regan (Liberal). loaded question.The answer promotes the wage subsidy and challenges the opposition to vote rather than addressing the layoffs or bills mentioned.
The question for the opposition is this: Will they support oil and gas workers and will they vote in favour of our fall economic statement?
- partly answeredHealthMr. Sébastien Lemire (Bloc) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses the portfolio strength and rollout readiness but does not specify doses or timing by March.
we have the best vaccine portfolio in the world, with more doses per capita than any other country in the world.
- deflectedHealthMr. Sébastien Lemire (Bloc) asked Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). substantive question.The answer mocks the Bloc for asking questions and notes agreements but provides no specifics on doses or March timing.
It is the only party that campaigns on a promise to ask questions.
- partly answeredHealthMr. Corey Tochor (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.The answer notes provincial delivery and a stress-tested plan but offers no detailed federal timeline or specifics.
Yesterday, we stress-tested that plan with the provinces and territories.
- partly answeredHealthMr. Jamie Schmale (Conservative) asked Mr. Darren Fisher (Liberal). substantive question.The answer confirms work on a distribution plan with provinces but does not give a date for vaccine access.
Work is already under way with the provinces and territories and the military to create a distribution plan so that Canadians can get vaccinated.
- deflectedNatural ResourcesMr. Mark Strahl (Conservative) asked Seamus O'Regan (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids addressing specific job losses or project support failures by restating general industry aid.
The opposition can keep asking time and time again about why we fail to support the energy sector.
- partly answeredHealthMr. Rob Morrison (Conservative) asked Mr. Darren Fisher (Liberal). substantive question.The answer covers national funding and measures but does not commit to specific Shuswap funding or collaboration.
We have responded. We have invested over $425 million in emergency responses, restoring harm reduction, approving over 40 supervised consumption sites, cutting red tape and removing barriers to treatment.
- misdirectedPublic Services and ProcurementSteven Blaney (Conservative) asked Mr. Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). substantive question.The answer attacks the previous Conservative government's record instead of addressing the Diefenbaker contract timeline.
That was something that the hon. member opposite was unable to do when the Conservatives were in power.
- answeredHealthMr. Tony Baldinelli (Conservative) asked Mr. Darren Fisher (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly counters the premise with delivered test numbers and ongoing approvals.
I reject the premise of the question because we have already delivered over 5.5 million rapid tests, with over 2 million to Ontario, 1.3 million to Quebec, over 600,000 to B.C. and almost 600,000 to Alberta.
- partly answeredThe EnvironmentMr. Taylor Bachrach (NDP) asked Mr. Peter Schiefke (Liberal). substantive question.The answer affirms a plan exists and a new target is coming but does not confirm delivery by year end.
We have already put together the most comprehensive plan, which will see the biggest emissions reduction in Canadian history, but we know we have more work to do.
- deflectedWomen and Gender EqualityMrs. Jenica Atwin (Green) asked Maryam Monsef (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer discusses general progress and awareness without addressing whether the minister believes the current generation can end gender-based violence.
We are here now. We have made tremendous progress over the past five years, but every time a woman or a child experiences violence is one too many times.