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Wednesday, December 8, 2021 · sitting No. 13

Commons spends most of day on supplementary estimates in committee of the whole

The House devoted the bulk of its sitting to a general debate on all votes in the supplementary estimates (B) for 2021-22. Members questioned ministers on tourism recovery, housing supply, vaccine rollout and supports for small business, with the committee of the whole continuing under the terms of the November 25 order.

In Question Period, Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole pressed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on inflation and variable-rate mortgages, while NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh criticized federal handling of the Peel basin land transfer in Montreal. Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet raised inconsistencies in new travel rules tied to the omicron variant.

Liberal MP Tony Van Bynen asked about targeted pandemic supports for workers and firms, and Green Party MP Elizabeth May called for federal funding of intercity bus and rail services outside major centres.

Decided that day

  • Time allocation for Bill C-3 passed
  • Motion to proceed to Orders of the Day passed
  • Opposition motion for special committee on Afghanistan passed
  • Amendment to Afghanistan motion passed
  • Senate bills S-202, S-203, S-206 and S-210 advanced one or more stages

From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard

Question Period – December 8, 2021. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube

Who held the floor · 2021-12-08

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 57%, opposition 43% of the words spokenQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 14:0015:0016:0017:0018:0019:0020:0021:0022:00Last speech 23:20Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 9 h 20 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
69Bills Advance While Supply Debate DominatesThe House devoted nearly all its time to substantive business and passed four recorded votes, including time allocation for a Criminal Code bill and an opposition motion creating a special committee on Afghanistan. Several Senate bills also moved forward through early stages despite a handful of points of order and mostly deflected answers during Question Period.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

Foreign Affairs

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole said Canada lagged allies on excluding Huawei from 5G networks and on the diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics.

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Canada-U.S. Relations

Conservative MP John Barlow accused the government of a self-imposed export ban on Prince Edward Island potatoes and urged an end to the dispute before Christmas.

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Public Safety

Bloc Québécois MP Kristina Michaud said Bill C-5 would eliminate minimum penalties for importing or using firearms and asked how the measure would curb shootings in greater Montreal.

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Criminal Code

NDP MP Peter Julian noted that all parties had united to pass a conversion-therapy ban the previous week and urged swift action on 10 days of paid sick leave for federally regulated workers.

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Jean and Gilles Duceppe

Bloc Québécois MP Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe marked the 31st anniversary of his grandfather Jean Duceppe's death and welcomed his father, former Bloc leader Gilles Duceppe, to the gallery.

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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
    Foreign AffairsErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer avoids the specific delays on Huawei and Olympics by restating general principles.our approach has always been to stand up strongly for Canadians, for Canadian interests and for Canadian values
  2. deflected
    The EconomyErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the question on families at risk from rate hikes and instead attacks Conservative policy.The Conservatives only offered tax breaks for Canada's wealthiest landlords in the last election campaign.
  3. partly answered
    The EconomyErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer affirms renewing the mandate but pivots to housing investments without confirming the 2% target.Yes, we will renew the mandate of the Bank of Canada, but we will also continue to step up with record investments in housing
  4. misdirected
    The EconomyErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer turns to attacking the opposition rather than addressing the cost of living crisis or monetary policy.while the Conservative Party flails around and offers personal insults, we are focused on Canadians.
  5. partly answered
    The EconomyErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer states an announcement is coming soon but does not give a yes or no on the 2% target.the opposition leader is well aware that we will be making an announcement about that soon.
  6. deflected
    HealthMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses general science-based adjustments without clarifying the inconsistent travel rules.the COVID-19 crisis requires adjustments that are based on science and respond to different situations.
  7. deflected
    HealthMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer refers travelers to authorities without detailing the rules for the hypothetical scenario.anyone who has to travel or decides to travel will have to consult public health authorities to see what rules apply to their situation.
  8. answered
    HousingMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly lists concrete investments and programs to address housing affordability.We are investing billions of dollars with municipalities to speed up access to housing.
  9. deflected
    HousingMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer sidesteps the Peel basin and Bronfman claim by pivoting to general housing partnerships.The reality is that we are here to work with municipalities to invest in housing.
  10. partly answered
    The EconomyMrs. Dominique Vien (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer confirms the 2% mandate exists and notes an upcoming renewal but does not directly commit to maintaining it.the Conservatives know very well that the Bank of Canada's current mandate is 2%.
  11. deflected
    The EconomyMrs. Dominique Vien (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer stresses Bank of Canada independence and lists unrelated spending instead of addressing the 2% guarantee.the Bank of Canada is independent and that it must remain free from political interference.
  12. misdirected
    The EconomyMrs. Dominique Vien (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the Conservative housing record rather than addressing inflation or consumer hardship.I find that a little surprising coming from a member whose election campaign was founded on a Conservative Party housing promise to give massive tax credits to landlords.
  13. deflected
    Canada-U.S. RelationsMr. John Barlow (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer reframes the question as a Conservative proposal for a U.S. ban instead of addressing the export ban timeline.I do not think I am hearing the Conservatives propose that we allow the Americans to impose a ban on P.E.I. potatoes
  14. deflected
    Canada-U.S. RelationsMr. John Barlow (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer calls for a team Canada approach and criticizes the questioner instead of committing to lift the ban.The Conservatives are busy throwing mud and do not actually understand the issue.
  15. deflected
    Canada-U.S. RelationsMr. John Barlow (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to past steel and aluminum actions and cuts off without addressing COOL or the potato ban.
  16. answered
    Public SafetyMs. Kristina Michaud (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly lists funding measures intended to address illegal guns and gun violence.That is why we are taking this issue seriously by investing $125 million to create a cross‑border task force to stop gun smuggling
  17. partly answered
    Public SafetyMr. Rhéal Fortin (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Lists other measures but does not address whether repealing penalties sends the right message amid shootings.
  18. answered
    The EconomyMichelle Rempel Garner (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Confirms the current mandate includes the 2% inflation target.the current mandate for the Bank of Canada is to keep the 2% target for inflation.
  19. partly answered
    The EconomyMichelle Rempel Garner (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Repeats the 2% target but avoids committing to an immediate announcement.we will be renewing the mandate in the coming days.
  20. deflected
    The EconomyMichelle Rempel Garner (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Shifts focus to criticizing Conservatives instead of addressing the Bank of Canada mandate.Conservatives have been misrepresenting this inflation crisis for the past many weeks.
  21. deflected
    The EconomyMichelle Rempel Garner (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Attacks Conservatives for playing games rather than confirming the 2% target.They play board games. We are focused on delivering on housing, child care and support that Canadians need, while the Conservatives play cheap political games.
  22. answered
    HousingMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). rhetorical question.Details programs specifically aimed at helping young people buy homes.These are things we have taken specifically to help young people buy a home.
  23. partly answered
    HousingMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Notes the measures were in the platform but does not commit to immediate fiscal update action.the three initiatives he said were all three initiatives we proposed in our platform just a few months ago.
  24. deflected
    The EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Ignores the premise and instead promotes the Liberal record while attacking Conservatives.Even though the member for Carleton kept saying we were doing too much for Canadians, we continued to step up and have their backs.
  25. deflected
    The EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Question mocks and assumes broken promise on deflation without direct ask; answer ignores inflation claim and pivots to attacking Conservatives.Mr. Speaker, we have seen over the past many weeks Conservatives simply try to play attacks, fling mud, label and distract, when the reality is Canadians deserve support.
  26. misdirected
    The EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Question personalizes inflation benefit to PM's assets; answer shifts to housing policy and attacks Conservative proposal instead of addressing query.Mr. Speaker, again we see the Conservatives choosing to focus on me when they should be focused, like we are, on Canadians.
  27. deflected
    The EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Question links government policy to inflation harming working class; answer evades by restating past Conservative housing plan and government focus.Mr. Speaker, a question like that from the Conservatives might have a shred of credibility, had it not been for the fact that their entire plan on fighting the housing crisis in the last election was about giving a half-billion dollar tax break to wealthy landlords to help them sell their buildings.
  28. partly answered
    Public SafetyMs. Kristina Michaud (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Question asks if Bill C-5 will make streets safer; answer directly states it will curb violence and enable police while listing other investments.Mr. Speaker, we introduced Bill C‑5 because we know it will help curb violence and enable the police to stop criminals.
  29. answered
    Public SafetyMr. Rhéal Fortin (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Question demands priority on border guns and gangs before minimum sentences; answer lists specific funding amounts for those exact priorities.Mr. Speaker, our priority has been to invest $125 million to create a cross-border task force to stop gun smuggling, $250 million to support community-based anti-gang programs, $327 million to ensure that police have the resources they need to better detect and prevent crime, and $1 billion to help Quebec and other willing provinces ban handguns entirely.
  30. deflected
    The EconomyErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Question asks PM to mandate Bank of Canada on 2% inflation; answer claims mandate already exists but pivots to criticizing Conservatives.Mr. Speaker, it is the Conservatives who have been saying that over the past many weeks.
  31. deflected
    The EconomyErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Question highlights cost rises and PM's monetary policy stance then asks to fight inflation; answer attacks Conservative desperation instead of responding on inflation.Mr. Speaker, one can always tell the Conservatives are getting desperate when they trot out every old attack line they have ever tried against me and against the Liberals instead of focusing on what actually needs to happen.
  32. answered
    The EconomyErin O'Toole (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Question demands PM ask Bank of Canada to return inflation to 2%; answer states the mandate already requires exactly that.Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the Leader of the Opposition that the Bank of Canada actually has a mandate to keep inflation at 2% right now, as we speak.
  33. deflected
    HealthMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer emphasizes general safety and vaccination without addressing specific quarantine hotel complaints.our priority must be to keep Canadians safe.
  34. deflected
    HealthMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The response highlights past supports and vaccination rates instead of current ministerial failures.Our country was at the top of the list in terms of vaccination.
  35. partly answered
    HealthMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.It defends the overall system and notes adjustments but ignores the call to coordinate ministers.we are protecting Canadians across the country with one of the best systems in the world
  36. answered
    HousingMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly outlines actions on speculation, foreign buyers, and affordable housing investments.we are working together on delivering massive investments to counter the housing challenges
  37. deflected
    TransportationMs. Elizabeth May (Green) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.It discusses general public transit funding without committing to a national rail and bus network.we put forward historic amounts of money to invest in public transit across the country