Parliament AIIndependent · non-official

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Monday, October 3, 2022 · sitting No. 106

Commons concurs in report condemning fake Ukraine referendums

The largest portion of the sitting was devoted to routine proceedings on committees of the House. Conservative MP Garnett Genuis moved concurrence in the fourth report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, which condemns the fake referendums held in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine. Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux urged all parties to maintain a unified voice in support of Ukraine.

Question period featured repeated clashes over taxation. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre asked the government three times to cancel plans to triple the carbon tax, citing its impact on housing affordability and household costs. Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault defended carbon pricing as the most efficient emissions-reduction tool and noted that most revenue is returned to families.

Debate on the Cost of Living Relief Act, No. 2 saw Conservative MP Michael Cooper call the bill half-measures that ignore root causes of inflation, while Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux pointed to Canada's lower inflation rate relative to the United States and European Union and highlighted the bill's dental-care provisions for children.

From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard

Question Period – October 3, 2022. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube

Who held the floor · 2022-10-03

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 38%, opposition 62% of the words spokenPrivate membersGovernment businessQuestion PeriodRoutine proceedings▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 11:0012:0013:0014:0015:0016:0017:00Last speech 18:40Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 7 h 40 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
36House Debates Taxes, Decides NothingThe sitting devoted the largest block of time to committee matters and the cost-of-living file, yet no bill advanced a stage and an opposition motion on new taxes was defeated. Question period produced mostly deflected answers and only one call to order interrupted proceedings.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

Copyright Act

Conservative MP Ted Falk, Bloc Québécois MP Sébastien Lemire, NDP MP Taylor Bachrach, Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux and Conservative MP Erin O'Toole all spoke in support of Bill C-244, which would amend the Copyright Act to permit circumvention of technological protection measures for diagnosis, maintenance and repair of devices.

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Employment Insurance

NDP MP Peter Julian asked the government to waive employment-insurance rules for Atlantic Canadians still without power after Hurricane Fiona, and Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough said Service Canada had already waived the record-of-employment requirement while examining further measures.

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Foreign Affairs

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre pressed the government to list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization, and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said new sanctions on the IRGC's core leadership would be imposed shortly.

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Public Safety

Bloc Québécois MP Kristina Michaud noted that more firearms are seized in Montreal and Toronto than at the border and asked what measures address trafficking, and Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino cited Bill C-21 and new border investments as the government's response.

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Dental Care

Liberal MP Lloyd Longfield asked why Conservatives oppose pediatric dental benefits, and Parliamentary Secretary Adam van Koeverden said the measures would reduce the burden of dental disease on low-income families and cut missed school days.

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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
    TaxationPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). substantive question.The answer promotes carbon pricing benefits without addressing the cancellation request.our carbon pricing program is one of the most effective in the world
  2. deflected
    TaxationPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). substantive question.Uses a riddle to highlight opposition's past statements instead of answering.I have a riddle. Who said, "We recognize that the most efficient way to reduce our emissions is to use pricing mechanisms?"
  3. deflected
    TaxationPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). substantive question.Accuses opposition of flip-flopping rather than addressing the question.Next time, when they flip-flop again on carbon pricing, like they have done about 15 times in the last 10 years
  4. partly answered
    TaxationPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). substantive question.Offers an alternative program instead of canceling the tax.we are putting in place a program to help tens of thousands of Canadians get off home heating oil.
  5. deflected
    TaxationPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.Discusses broader climate goals without addressing the tax cancellation.Our government believes that we need to help Canadians with the green transition.
  6. partly answered
    Public Services and ProcurementMr. René Villemure (Bloc) asked Helena Jaczek (Liberal). substantive question.Explains policy on disclosure without fully answering the request.Disclosing confidential contractual information would violate the agreement we have with the supplier.
  7. deflected
    Public Services and ProcurementMr. René Villemure (Bloc) asked Helena Jaczek (Liberal). substantive question.Reiterates commitment to transparency without disclosing contracts.Our government is delivering open, fair and transparent procurement processes, while obtaining the best value for Canadians.
  8. answered
    Employment InsuranceMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Carla Qualtrough (Liberal). substantive question.Directly responds with actions taken to help.Service Canada has waived the requirement for record of employment.
  9. partly answered
    Employment InsuranceMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Carla Qualtrough (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer states a general commitment to EI modernization but provides no timeline or response to the Atlantic Canada or recession timing query.We look forward to launching our long-term plan to improve the EI system.
  10. partly answered
    Foreign AffairsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Marco Mendicino (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses sanctions on the morality police but avoids the direct question on banning the IRGC.There needs to be consequences for everyone who was responsible for that killing and, indeed, all of the transgressions of human rights in Iran
  11. partly answered
    Foreign AffairsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). substantive question.The answer notes sanctions on IRGC leadership but does not confirm a full ban or address the legality of fundraising.we are sanctioning the IRGC's core leadership.
  12. deflected
    TaxationMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). substantive question.The answer pivots to the Canada child benefit instead of addressing the request not to raise taxes amid food insecurity.That is why we introduced the Canada child benefit in 2015.
  13. deflected
    TaxationMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer promotes an inflation relief plan and other measures while ignoring the carbon tax cancellation demand.That is why we are going to increase our inflation relief plan.
  14. misdirected
    TaxationMr. John Williamson (Conservative) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). substantive question.The answer attacks the Conservatives' math skills rather than addressing the carbon tax tripling claim.I know math is not the Conservative Party of Canada's forte.
  15. deflected
    TaxationMr. John Williamson (Conservative) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses pollution reductions in other jurisdictions but does not address canceling the carbon tax increases.in fact, B.C. has had a price on carbon for the last 10 years, and its pollution level has gone below 2007 levels.
  16. answered
    Employment InsuranceMs. Louise Chabot (Bloc) asked Carla Qualtrough (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly explains the extension of the seasonal worker pilot and commitment to EI modernization.that is exactly why we decided to extend the pilot project for seasonal workers and why we have committed to fully modernizing Canada's EI system.
  17. deflected
    Employment InsuranceMs. Louise Chabot (Bloc) asked Carla Qualtrough (Liberal). loaded question.Answer restates general EI support without addressing seasonal industry impacts or winter EI loss.we understand the unique challenges facing seasonal workers.
  18. deflected
    Employment InsuranceMs. Louise Chabot (Bloc) asked Carla Qualtrough (Liberal). loaded question.Answer lists past changes but avoids addressing pilot project failures or regional decline risks.We have made many changes to our EI system, including extending sickness benefits from 15 to 26 weeks
  19. deflected
    TaxationMr. Warren Steinley (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.Answer pivots to GST rebate and other programs instead of addressing the triple tax hike question.That will mean nearly $500 for Canadian families, and 11 million Canadian households will get that support.
  20. misdirected
    TaxationMr. Warren Steinley (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks Conservative math and shifts to child care in Saskatchewan, not the tax hike.I see the Conservatives are doubling down on their bad math today.
  21. deflected
    TaxationMrs. Tracy Gray (Conservative) asked Mr. Arif Virani (Liberal). substantive question.Answer highlights past pandemic supports and strategies but ignores current payroll tax hike plans.What we have been doing for the past two and a half years is supporting small businesses through the pandemic with targeted wage supports
  22. partly answered
    HealthMr. Gord Johns (NDP) asked Carolyn Bennett (Liberal). substantive question.Answer details existing investments but does not commit to the promised $4.5 billion or timeline.Since 2015, we have made historic investments in support: $5 billion to the provinces from 2017
  23. deflected
    Families, Children and Social DevelopmentMs. Leah Gazan (NDP) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.Answer promotes child benefit and child care while ignoring the specific clawback versus corporate subsidy contrast.That is why the Canada child benefit, which has lifted hundreds of thousands of Canadian children out of poverty, is such an important program.
  24. deflected
    TaxationMr. Mel Arnold (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.Answer defends EI and CPP contributions without addressing the planned premium increases or spending concerns.Right now, at a time of real uncertainty and volatility in the global economy, it would be the height of irresponsibility to cut our contributions to the Canada pension plan and to EI.
  25. misdirected
    TaxationEd Fast (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.Answer ignores the carbon tax question entirely and pivots to an unrelated past quote.I wonder if the member for Abbotsford has persuaded his new leader to see the wisdom of his previous comment.
  26. misdirected
    TaxationMr. Rob Morrison (Conservative) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). loaded question.Answer sidesteps the carbon tax question by citing past remarks from other MPs.I would also like to refer to the member for New Brunswick Southwest , who also urged his premier to adopt the federal system because "cheques will begin to roll out to New Brunswick families".
  27. deflected
    TaxationMr. Richard Lehoux (Conservative) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). loaded question.Answer addresses Quebec's system but avoids the national tripling plan for farmers.I know it is a bit complicated, but the federal government's pollution pricing does not apply to Quebec because Quebec has its own cap-and-trade system.
  28. partly answered
    Public SafetyMs. Kristina Michaud (Bloc) asked Marco Mendicino (Liberal). substantive question.Answer acknowledges the issue and outlines border investments and Bill C-21 but does not directly confirm awareness of lacking trafficking measures.Over the past year, we have invested $321 million to strengthen the integrity of our border.
  29. partly answered
    Public SafetyMs. Kristina Michaud (Bloc) asked Marco Mendicino (Liberal). substantive question.Answer agrees on the cycle and cites investments plus Bill C-21 but does not address the growth of gun culture under the government.That is why we will continue to make investments in collaboration with Quebec, including $40 million to help police services
  30. partly answered
    Foreign AffairsMs. Melissa Lantsman (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). substantive question.Answer discusses sanctions and meetings but does not specify a time for listing the IRGC.We have imposed sanctions. We will do more. We will be imposing new sanctions very soon.
  31. deflected
    Foreign AffairsMs. Melissa Lantsman (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). loaded question.Answer calls for unity and non-partisanship without addressing the specific demand to list the IRGC.I really hope I can work with my colleague on this and with all members of the opposition, because, of course, we are united in making sure to hold accountable the perpetrators in this awful regime.
  32. partly answered
    Foreign AffairsMr. Garnett Genuis (Conservative) asked Marco Mendicino (Liberal). substantive question.Answer lists specific actions taken on related entities but does not address the four-year delay on the full IRGC listing.this government has taken concrete action by ensuring that the state is listed as a supporter of terrorist activity, by listing the IRGC Quds Force
  33. deflected
    Foreign AffairsMr. Marty Morantz (Conservative) asked Marco Mendicino (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses general sanctions and human rights actions without addressing the specific request to list the IRGC as a terrorist organization.We will ensure that those responsible are sanctioned, and we will continue to explore all options to defend human rights here and around the world.
  34. deflected
    Foreign AffairsMrs. Rachael Thomas (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). substantive question.The answer expresses agreement and mentions sanctions but avoids answering when the IRGC will be designated a terrorist organization.That is why we are sanctioning the IRGC and sanctioning the key leaders, the perpetrators, behind this tragedy and these atrocities.
  35. deflected
    Foreign AffairsMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). substantive question.The answer focuses on sanctions and accuses the asker of playing politics instead of addressing the designation timeline.I hope that my colleague will not play politics, because right now, this is a situation that requires the unanimity of the House.
  36. partly answered
    Climate ChangeMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Seamus O'Regan (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses investments and job creation for energy workers but does not commit to specific funding for a just transition.We are delivering strategic investments in skills and training, regional strategies and projects right across Canada that will create sustainable jobs.
  37. misdirected
    Climate ChangeMs. Elizabeth May (Green) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends Canada's emission reductions instead of identifying which leaders the UN Secretary General was referencing.We are doing more right now than any other country in the G7 to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.