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Tuesday, March 23, 2021 · sitting No. 74

Conservatives move supply day motion seeking COVID-19 reopening plan

The House spent most of the sitting on a Conservative opposition day motion that called on the government to present within 20 days a data-driven plan with benchmarks for permanently lifting COVID-19 restrictions. Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner moved the motion and defended it against charges that it would override provincial jurisdiction. Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux replied that provinces hold constitutional responsibility for public-health measures.

Question period featured repeated exchanges on the same theme, with Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole pressing the Prime Minister for a reopening timetable and Justin Trudeau replying that decisions rest on science and provincial authority. Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh raised health transfers and long-term care, while questions on military misconduct and WE Charity also arose.

Decided that day

  • Opposition motion on removing profit from long-term care defeated
  • Bills C-278 and C-277 introduced

From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard

Question Period – March 23, 2021. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube

Who held the floor · 2021-03-23

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 35%, opposition 65% of the words spokenGovernment businessQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0511:0012:0013:0014:0015:0016:0017:00Last speech 18:35Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 8 h 30 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
64Supply day ends with motion defeatedMost of the sitting was consumed by an opposition supply motion that ultimately failed, while Question Period featured largely evasive answers. Two private members' bills were introduced and little else was resolved.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

Criminal Code

Conservative MP Pierre Paul-Hus introduced Bill C-277 to amend the Criminal Code in response to recommendations from the Quebec National Assembly's select committee on the sexual exploitation of minors.

Read the exchange

Civil Air Navigation Services Commercialization Act

NDP MP Brian Masse introduced Bill C-278 to amend the Civil Air Navigation Services Commercialization Act, citing proposed closures of traffic control centres in Whitehorse, Windsor, Regina and other cities.

Read the exchange

Sri Lanka Human Rights

Liberal MP Jennifer O'Connell spoke of recent reports of human rights abuses in Sri Lanka, including forced cremations affecting Muslim communities, and welcomed Human Rights Council resolution 46-1.

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Public Safety

NDP MP Rachel Blaney asked the government to act on a Civilian Review and Complaints Commission report that found discrimination against Colten Boushie's mother and destruction of records by the RCMP.

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The Budget

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland announced that budget 2021 will be presented on April 19.

Read the exchange

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
    The EconomyErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer emphasizes general support and science without providing a reopening timeline or plan.We are all looking forward to a better summer, but to get there we have to work together to make sure we are pushing back on those variants, getting everyone vaccines and keeping healthy.
  2. misdirected
    The EconomyErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer shifts to attacking Conservatives on masks instead of addressing the requested reopening plan.We will continue to ground our decisions based in science and evidence, unlike the Conservative Party that continues to doubt the use of masks from time to time.
  3. deflected
    The EconomyErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends existing actions and provincial roles without addressing delays or comparisons to other countries.We also respect the provinces that make their own determinations around spacing of intervals of doses.
  4. partly answered
    The EconomyErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses rapid testing distribution but ignores the broader reopening plan and timeline.On the contrary, for months now, we have been sending millions and tens of millions of rapid tests to the provinces, territories, the private sector, and even individuals.
  5. misdirected
    The EconomyErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer pivots to climate change instead of confirming or timing an economic reopening plan.Unfortunately, this weekend, we saw that he has not yet understood that we cannot have a plan for the economy if we do not have a plan to fight climate change.
  6. partly answered
    HealthMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer notes past transfers but defers increased health transfers until after the pandemic.Tens of billions of dollars have been transferred to the provinces and territories to help them ease the pressure on our health care system.
  7. answered
    Canadian HeritageMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly affirms current health funding transfers during the crisis.That is what we have been saying and doing since day one.
  8. deflected
    National DefenceMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer explains the process but avoids any apology or commitment to prevent recurrence.It is not up to politicians to make these decisions and conduct investigations; it is up to the independent authorities, and that is exactly what happened in this situation.
  9. deflected
    HealthMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer emphasizes constitutional jurisdiction instead of addressing support for the motion.Unlike the NDP, we understand and respect the Constitution of Canada that designates certain areas of jurisdiction as being provincial authority
  10. deflected
    HealthCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.Redirects responsibility to provinces and territories without providing federal direction.it is provinces and territories that set the public health guidelines
  11. misdirected
    HealthCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.Shifts to criticizing Conservative position on harm reduction.I certainly hope it reflects a change in stance by the Conservative Party in its opposition to having compassionate harm reduction care
  12. deflected
    The EconomyMr. James Cumming (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.Provides positive economic news instead of outlining a recovery plan.Canada's AAA ratings are underpinned by the country's considerable fundamental strengths
  13. deflected
    The EconomyMr. James Cumming (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.Highlights past impacts rather than explaining current decision-making process.without our government's economic response, real output would have declined by an additional 7.8 percentage points last year
  14. partly answered
    HealthMichelle Rempel Garner (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.Includes an unrelated jab at the opposition on climate change while noting existing guidance.unlike the party opposite, we believe in science and evidence, including the evidence that climate change is real
  15. deflected
    HealthMichelle Rempel Garner (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.Focuses on encouraging vaccination instead of addressing guidance on activities.it is really important that Canadians accept vaccination when it is their turn
  16. deflected
    HealthMr. Stéphane Bergeron (Bloc) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.Emphasizes existing supports without committing to increased transfers.We have been there for the provinces and territories throughout this pandemic, whether it is through billions of dollars in direct financial support
  17. deflected
    HealthMr. Stéphane Bergeron (Bloc) asked Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). substantive question.Answer discusses pandemic aid but avoids the question on increasing health transfers.We are there when it comes to health and we have been there from day one of the pandemic, bringing in testing, providing personal protective equipment and procuring vaccines.
  18. partly answered
    EthicsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Bardish Chagger (Liberal). substantive question.Answer addresses the public service role but not the adviser's involvement mentioned in the email.the non-partisan public service recommended that this was the only organization that could deliver the Canada student service grant in the time and capacity that was required.
  19. deflected
    EthicsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). substantive question.Answer addresses ministers at committees but ignores the request for the adviser to testify.That is why we never turn away from having our ministers appear at committee.
  20. deflected
    National DefenceMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Harjit S. Sajjan (Liberal). substantive question.Answer states pay is independent but does not address the message sent to women in the military.I do not determine pay increases. That is done independently based on the advice and recommendations of the public service.
  21. misdirected
    National DefenceMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Harjit S. Sajjan (Liberal). loaded question.Answer praises service but evades the yes/no question about what the minister would say to female colleagues.I am sure when the member served he served honourably, and I did the same thing.
  22. answered
    Public SafetyMs. Rachel Blaney (NDP) asked Bill Blair (Liberal). substantive question.Answer acknowledges the issue and lists concrete actions on oversight, training and reform.we have made a clear declaration of moving forward on enhanced civilian oversight for all law enforcement agencies, including the RCMP.
  23. partly answered
    Indigenous AffairsMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Carolyn Bennett (Liberal). substantive question.Answer explains the court request for review but does not address exclusion of survivors or suppressed evidence.Canada has approached the court to request an independent third party review of the St. Anne's Indian Residential School independent assessment process claims
  24. partly answered
    Agriculture and Agri-FoodMs. Lianne Rood (Conservative) asked Marie-Claude Bibeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer acknowledges the testing challenge and mentions added resources but does not solve courier or rural access issues.We know there is a challenge around day 10 tests, but I can assure the member that we are working on it.
  25. deflected
    International DevelopmentMr. Garnett Genuis (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). substantive question.The answer praises humanitarian work but does not address the request for an exemption.However, we stand by the important work humanitarian workers are doing.
  26. deflected
    HealthMr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.The response emphasizes border measures without addressing the specific request about hotel quarantine.as returning Canadians arrive in Canada, they will be expected to follow the regulations in place for all returning travellers.
  27. partly answered
    HealthMr. Gerald Soroka (Conservative) asked Marco Mendicino (Liberal). substantive question.Addresses exemptions but not the specific incidents or chaos mentioned.At the same time, we have introduced exemptions for workers, including essential workers, to ensure that we can keep our economy going.
  28. partly answered
    Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe (Bloc) asked Marco Mendicino (Liberal). substantive question.Explains the review process without providing a specific answer on granting citizenship.We are reviewing the requirements in the Citizenship Act, in light of the fact that Mr. Badawi is not on Canadian soil.
  29. deflected
    Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe (Bloc) asked Marco Mendicino (Liberal). substantive question.Reiterates concerns and collaboration without addressing the discretionary power or timeline.It requires careful consideration.
  30. deflected
    Small BusinessMr. Pat Kelly (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.Promotes legislation rather than addressing the need for a reopening plan.This is legislation that would help small businesses, and he does not need to listen to me.
  31. partly answered
    Small BusinessMr. Pat Kelly (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.Provides a date for the budget but defends the bill without new measures for the specific issue.as I announced earlier today, we will be presenting our budget on April 19.
  32. answered
    Canada Revenue AgencyMr. Philip Lawrence (Conservative) asked Diane Lebouthillier (Liberal). substantive question.Clarifies that systems were not breached and affected users will reset credentials.The CRA's systems were not breached.
  33. deflected
    The EconomyMr. Glen Motz (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.The answer lists actions taken but does not provide a data-driven recovery plan or explain ongoing restrictions.We have delivered over 31 million rapid tests and we have ensured that provinces and territories have the money, the expertise and the support they need to protect the health of the citizens of whom they are responsible for taking care.
  34. partly answered
    HealthMrs. Cathy McLeod (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.The response acknowledges the data but explains evolving research without committing to an update timeline.Where the research is still evolving is the effect on transmission.
  35. misdirected
    The EconomyMr. Dan Mazier (Conservative) asked Maryam Monsef (Liberal). loaded question.The answer rejects the premise and highlights government actions instead of addressing the focus on election.I disagree entirely with my hon. colleague's assertion.
  36. partly answered
    Child CareMs. Lindsay Mathyssen (NDP) asked Ahmed Hussen (Liberal). loaded question.The answer outlines ongoing commitments without confirming immediate relief or addressing the broken promise claim.We are committed to, of course, continuing our investments, but also to a more ambitious plan to ensure that each and every child in Canada has access to affordable and high-quality child care from coast to coast to coast.
  37. answered
    HealthMr. Ramesh Sangha (Independent) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.The response details the timeline and funding provided for domestic vaccine development.Within 12 days of the World Health Organization declaring a pandemic, we were already there with $200 million to support a made-in-Canada vaccine and therapeutics.