All sittings← 2022-03-302022-04-01 →
Thursday, March 31, 2022 · sitting No. 50
Conservatives move supply motion urging fiscal restraint and no new taxes
The House spent nearly half the sitting on a Conservative supply day motion that called on the government to present a federal budget rooted in fiscal responsibility, with no new taxes, a path to balance and a meaningful fiscal anchor. Ed Fast moved the motion, citing rising deficits, national debt and inflation at a 31-year high, along with automatic tax increases on carbon, alcohol and the Canada Pension Plan. Kevin Lamoureux and Daniel Blaikie pressed the Conservatives on their own record and on temporary tax relief.
Question period featured repeated exchanges on the economy, with Luc Berthold and Ed Fast accusing the government of fuelling inflation through carbon-tax increases and NDP-influenced spending. Justin Trudeau defended the carbon price as essential to climate action and economic growth, while Randy Boissonnault highlighted Canada’s AAA credit rating and recent economic growth.
Further clashes arose over military misconduct allegations involving General Vance and over delays in processing Ukrainian refugees, with opposition members pressing the Prime Minister on accountability and visa-free travel.
Decided that day
- Bill C-5 passed second reading
- Bills C-15 and C-16 received royal assent
From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard
Question Period – March 31, 2022. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube
Who held the floor · 2022-03-31
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
Privilege
James Bezan rose on a question of privilege concerning the third report of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics tabled earlier in the day.
Read the exchangeSupport for Ukraine
Yvan Baker noted that five Ukrainian members of parliament were in Canada seeking military assistance amid Russia’s invasion.
Read the exchangeFisheries and Oceans
Joyce Murray defended her decision to close the Atlantic mackerel fishery, saying the stock requires time to recover to support lobster and crab harvesters.
Read the exchangeRail Transportation
Taylor Bachrach cited the Transportation Safety Board report on the 2019 Field, British Columbia derailment and called for stronger oversight of CP Rail.
Read the exchangeSmall Business
Mary Ng announced an additional $80 million in support for women-owned businesses under the women entrepreneurship strategy.
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
- deflectedThe EconomyMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer ignores carbon tax and budget questions to list unrelated promises.
We promised to be there to support them, and we are continuing to support them this week with important announcements on the fight against climate change and on reconciliation with indigenous peoples, as well as major announcements about $10-a-day child care within five years across the country.
- misdirectedThe EconomyMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks Conservatives instead of addressing revenue use or family relief choice.
The Conservative politicians are the only ones who still do not understand that the economy and the environment go hand in hand.
- deflectedNational DefenceMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer discusses general culture change but avoids Vance case specifics and inaction claims.
Yes, there is a lot of work to be done, and yes, it is taking too long, but we will continue to work on it every day to make sure that our Canadian Armed Forces live up to the expectations of everyone who chooses to serve their country.
- deflectedNational DefenceKerry-Lynne Findlay (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer repeats support for armed forces culture without addressing Vance extension or raise.
We need to make sure that we are continuing to transform the culture and continuing to create supports and resources for everyone who serves in the armed forces.
- misdirectedNational DefenceKerry-Lynne Findlay (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer accuses opposition of scoring points rather than addressing survivor trust or Vance handling.
Obviously, we fundamentally disagree with the characterizations and the picture painted by the members opposite who are trying to score cheap political points on the fact that all of us need to work together to transform, for the better, the culture of the armed forces.
- answeredImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly covers visa easing, work permits and unlimited applications for Ukrainians.
We are moving as quickly, safely and efficiently as possible to enable Ukrainians to come to Canada, and there is no limit to the number of people who can apply.
- deflectedDiversity and InclusionMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer praises science funding but ignores the exclusion versus inclusion question in education.
Our investments and programs support world-class science and research across the country.
- deflectedThe EnvironmentMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer cites plan endorsements without addressing oil production increase or industry handouts.
I am not the only one to say so: the Canadian Climate Institute, Équiterre, Clean Prosperity and other leading scientists have all approved our plan.
- deflectedThe EnvironmentMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). rhetorical question.Answer restates the emissions plan without addressing broken promises or urgency.
we will cap emissions from oil and gas and ensure the sector reaches net zero by 2050.
- deflectedThe EconomyEd Fast (Conservative) asked Randy Boissonnault (Liberal). loaded question.Answer pivots to COVID spending history instead of addressing inflation or the budget plan.
Our response to COVID was $511 billion invested in the lives, livelihoods, communities and provinces of this country.
- misdirectedHousingMr. Dan Albas (Conservative) asked Ahmed Hussen (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks Conservative colleagues instead of explaining the mortgage policy difference.
maybe the hon. member needs to have a conversation with his colleague from Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry , who stood up in the House last week and said that we should not help first-time homebuyers.
- partly answeredHousingMr. Matt Jeneroux (Conservative) asked Ahmed Hussen (Liberal). substantive question.Answer lists housing programs but does not quantify budget affordability for average buyers.
we are moving ahead to make sure we implement the housing accelerator fund to offer more housing supply.
- deflectedFinanceMs. Melissa Lantsman (Conservative) asked Randy Boissonnault (Liberal). loaded question.Answer cites credit ratings and growth instead of addressing NDP platform costs or affordability.
The fact is that the world's two leading rating agencies, S&P and Moody's, have reaffirmed Canada's AAA credit rating.
- answeredFinanceMrs. Dominique Vien (Conservative) asked Randy Boissonnault (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly compares Canada's inflation rate to G7, G20 and OECD averages.
Our inflation rate is lower than the G7 average of 5.8%, the G20 average of 6.2% and the OECD average of 7.2%.
- deflectedFinanceMrs. Dominique Vien (Conservative) asked Randy Boissonnault (Liberal). substantive question.Answer repeats COVID spending history instead of outlining new budget measures on groceries or housing.
We made investments of $511 billion in Canadians' lives, in communities, in businesses, in the province, in Quebec and across the country
- deflectedDiversity and InclusionMr. Martin Champoux (Bloc) asked Mr. Andy Fillmore (Liberal). substantive question.Answer affirms support for researchers but avoids taking a position on excluding white men from applications.
our government firmly supports all scientists and researchers.
- deflectedDiversity and InclusionMr. Martin Champoux (Bloc) asked Mr. Andy Fillmore (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses support for scientists but ignores the question about exclusion in research funding.
We remain committed to providing the resources and tools our scientists need to bring tangible benefits to Canadians' health, environment, communities and economy.
- deflectedDiversity and InclusionMr. Maxime Blanchette-Joncas (Bloc) asked Mr. Andy Fillmore (Liberal). substantive question.Answer promotes diversity without addressing interference with science.
We applaud scientific research institutions that are taking steps to include diversity and inclusion in their hiring practices, and we will always support Canadian researchers.
- partly answeredImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Jasraj Singh Hallan (Conservative) asked Sean Fraser (Liberal). substantive question.Provides updates on programs but does not commit to visa-free travel.
We are going to continue to do what we can to welcome as many people as possible and will follow the advice of security experts, including to eliminate the requirement for biometrics for children, seniors and those with a travel history to Canada.
- partly answeredImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMrs. Laila Goodridge (Conservative) asked Sean Fraser (Liberal). substantive question.Responds with compassion and details but pivots to security without answering visa-free.
We are responding in real time to a crisis in a way that does not just get people here quickly, but gets people here in a way that we trust can be secure.
- partly answeredForeign AffairsMr. James Bezan (Conservative) asked Mr. Bryan May (Liberal). substantive question.Details past aid without committing to immediate new lethal equipment requested.
This represents well over $100 million in military aid to Ukraine.
- partly answeredRail TransportationMr. Taylor Bachrach (NDP) asked Omar Alghabra (Liberal). substantive question.Commits to examining and acting on report but does not address standing up to corporations specifically.
We are going to examine it, we are going to act upon it and we are going to build on the interim measures that we put in place immediately after the accident.
- partly answeredNational DefenceMs. Lindsay Mathyssen (NDP) asked Mr. Bryan May (Liberal). substantive question.Lists actions but does not confirm implementing the specific Deschamps report.
We are committed to supporting survivors, and that is why we have committed over $236 million through budget 2021 to eliminate sexual misconduct and gender-based violence in the CAF, transferred misconduct cases to the civilian system and passed the victims bill of rights, and that is only the beginning.
- answeredFisheries and OceansMr. Rick Perkins (Conservative) asked Joyce Murray (Liberal). loaded question.Directly states the goal is to grow the industry and addresses the misquote.
my goal is to grow the fish and seafood industry, and for that we need sustainable stocks.
- partly answeredFisheries and OceansMr. Rick Perkins (Conservative) asked Joyce Murray (Liberal). substantive question.The answer explains the stock decline and notice period but does not address reversing the closure.
The mackerel stock has been in a very critical state for many, many years, and it needs a break so that it can recover and be there as bait for the lobster and crab fishers.
- deflectedFisheries and OceansMr. Clifford Small (Conservative) asked Joyce Murray (Liberal). loaded question.The answer justifies the closure on conservation grounds and avoids the question about economic impact versus activists.
the mackerel stocks have been in a very critical state for a decade, and the time has come to give them a chance to regenerate and rebound
- partly answeredFisheries and OceansMr. Blaine Calkins (Conservative) asked Joyce Murray (Liberal). substantive question.The answer offers to look into the specific condition but pivots to general reconciliation principles.
With respect to the question, I am happy to look into it for the member.
- answeredImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe (Bloc) asked Sean Fraser (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly addresses expedited arrivals, numbers processed, and ongoing efforts including private-sector options for travel support.
We are having conversations with the private sector to see what we can do to bring people here as quickly as possible.
- answeredImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe (Bloc) asked Sean Fraser (Liberal). substantive question.The answer details waived fees, priority processing, new two-week program, and settlement supports without deflection.
We introduced a new program so that people could get here in two weeks.
- deflectedFisheries and OceansMr. Mel Arnold (Conservative) asked Joyce Murray (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses consultations and mandate but does not address the lack of transition funding for workers.
Last year, the department held preliminary engagements with first nations and many other stakeholders.
- deflectedFisheries and OceansMr. Mel Arnold (Conservative) asked Joyce Murray (Liberal). substantive question.The answer emphasizes indigenous rights and consultations but does not reconcile the contradiction on final quota cuts.
That is why we have been in consultation with the crab fishers and the elver harvesters to have an industry-led way forward on these matters.
- misdirectedFisheries and OceansMr. Bernard Généreux (Conservative) asked Joyce Murray (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends the program as non-partisan and cites past investment but ignores the partisan allocation statistics presented.
- partly answeredFisheries and OceansMrs. Tracy Gray (Conservative) asked Joyce Murray (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses the topic of invasive mussels and mentions recent action but does not outline a full plan for western Canada.
my department is very seized with preventing and dealing with invasive species that are indeed a scourge of Canadian waters from east to west.
- partly answeredFisheries and OceansMr. Clifford Small (Conservative) asked Joyce Murray (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses the importance of salmon protection and engagement with fishers but does not directly state whether retention will be allowed.
Any measures that we put in place are to protect and to help regrow the stocks of wild salmon.
- misdirectedTaxationMr. Pat Kelly (Conservative) asked Randy Boissonnault (Liberal). substantive question.The answer ignores the bill and tax question entirely and instead attacks the Conservatives' voting record.
What did the Conservatives do? They voted against it.
- partly answeredIndigenous AffairsMs. Lisa Marie Barron (NDP) asked Mr. Jaime Battiste (Liberal). substantive question.The answer provides details on funding and commitment to calls to justice but does not specify timelines.
we put $2.2 billion in a five-year federal action plan to make sure we are addressing that