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Tuesday, November 15, 2022 · sitting No. 127
House advances fall economic statement bill amid carbon tax clashes
The House spent the largest share of the sitting on second reading of the Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2022. Liberal MP Andy Fillmore told the House the bill would cancel federal interest on student loans and expand housing measures. Conservative MP Ryan Williams pressed for faster action on skilled trades shortages to support secondary suite construction.
Question period featured repeated exchanges on the planned tripling of the carbon tax. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said the increase would raise heating costs for rural and Acadian families using diesel. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland defended the tax as part of a broader affordability plan that includes doubled GST credits and student debt relief.
New Democratic Leader Jagmeet Singh raised emergency room overcrowding affecting children. Freeland said federal health transfers this year total $45.2 billion.
Decided that day
- Extended sitting hours
- Passed closure on extension motion
From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard
Question Period – November 15, 2022. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube
Who held the floor · 2022-11-15
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
Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2022
NDP MP Taylor Bachrach asked why the fall statement omitted GST removal from home heating bills. Liberal MP Andy Fillmore pointed to existing loan and rebate programs for switching to decarbonized systems.
Read the exchangeOfficial Languages
Bloc Québécois MP Alain Therrien said Bill C-13 lets Air Canada avoid the Charter of the French Language. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said the government has been clear with the airline on the importance of French.
Read the exchangeDemocratic Institutions
Conservative MP Michael Chong asked which 11 candidates received funds funneled through Beijing's Toronto consulate in 2019. Liberal MP Pam Damoff said the RCMP and intelligence agencies are investigating.
Read the exchangeForeign Affairs
Bloc Québécois MP Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe called on the government to recognize the treatment of Uighurs as genocide. Liberal MP Robert Oliphant said Canada has condemned China at the UN and with G7 partners.
Read the exchangeExtension of Sitting Hours and Conduct of Extended Proceedings
Government House leader Mark Holland moved to end debate on the motion to extend sitting hours. Conservative MP Luc Berthold said the motion further limits opposition members' ability to speak.
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
- deflectedTaxationPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer lists unrelated government programs instead of addressing the carbon tax on diesel.
We have already doubled the GST, which will help 11 million Canadian households.
- misdirectedTaxationPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the questioner's crypto advice and demands an apology rather than addressing the carbon tax.
If people had listened to him, and I fear some probably did, they would have lost at least 65% of their money, or maybe all of it.
- misdirectedTaxationPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer repeats attacks on the opposition's other policies instead of responding to the carbon tax question.
He wants to eviscerate the EI system that so many Canadians depend on.
- deflectedTaxationPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer shifts to criticizing Conservative tactics on unrelated bills rather than the carbon tax rebate figures.
The Conservatives are blocking and delaying our efforts to make housing more affordable with measures such as an anti-flipping tax and a tax-free first homes savings account.
- deflectedTaxationPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer promotes other elements of the government plan without addressing the carbon tax or home heating costs.
We are going to permanently eliminate interest on Canada student and apprentice loans, and we are going to move the Canada workers benefit to advance payments.
- partly answeredOfficial LanguagesMr. Alain Therrien (Bloc) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer affirms support for French but does not address the specific loophole in Bill C-13 for companies like Air Canada.
We understand how difficult it is for the Quebec nation to continue speaking French in an anglophone continent.
- partly answeredOfficial LanguagesMr. Alain Therrien (Bloc) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer states the government has been clear with Air Canada but avoids the timing and loophole issue raised.
our government has been very clear with Air Canada about the importance of the French language and the use of French within the company.
- partly answeredHealthMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer provides federal health funding figures but does not address emergency room access or immediate action on children's care.
federal support this year will amount to $45.2 billion, which is an increase of 4.8%.
- partly answeredHealthMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges concerns and references recent federal-provincial work but shifts to general funding figures without addressing specific ER capacity for children.
Our Minister of Health did some important work with his provincial and territorial colleagues last week.
- misdirectedTaxationMr. Jasraj Singh Hallan (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the carbon tax and home heating question entirely and instead attacks the opposition leader over unrelated crypto advice.
What is out of touch is to advise Canadians, Canadians who are legitimately concerned about inflation, and say to them, "I have a magic solution to your problems", and advise those worried Canadians to invest in crypto.
- deflectedTaxationMr. Jasraj Singh Hallan (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids the carbon tax question and instead lists existing benefit programs while criticizing opposition advice.
That is why we are going to stick with our plan.
- deflectedInfrastructureMs. Leslyn Lewis (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). substantive question.The answer congratulates the critic and discusses general policy differences on the Infrastructure Bank without explaining what happened to the $655 million.
We have a fundamental difference with respect to the Conservative Party.
- deflectedTaxationMs. Leslyn Lewis (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer begins discussing inflation and fiscal responsibility but does not address the cancelled project or the $655 million.
I want to spend a moment talking about inflation and our government's fiscally responsible approach.
- partly answeredClimate ChangeMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses returning money to provinces but does not state Canada's ranking on the climate performance list.
With respect to climate action, we return more money to the provinces where pollution pricing is in place.
- misdirectedClimate ChangeMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the Conservatives' credibility on climate instead of addressing Canada's ranking or the carbon tax impact.
The Conservatives have no credibility whatsoever when it comes to climate change.
- partly answeredHealthMr. Luc Thériault (Bloc) asked Mr. Adam van Koeverden (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses medication shortages but does not respond to the request for $28 billion in health transfers or the ER overflow crisis.
We have secured an additional foreign supply of children's acetaminophen that will be available for sale at retail and community pharmacies in the coming weeks to help address the immediate situation.
- partly answeredHealthMr. Mario Simard (Bloc) asked Mr. Adam van Koeverden (Liberal). substantive question.Mentions specific increases but does not address permanent transfer hike.
we will increase Canada health transfers by 10% in March 2023.
- deflectedInfrastructureMr. Mario Simard (Bloc) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). substantive question.Attacks Bloc instead of addressing cooperation on funding deadlines.
I do not think we need a lecture about starting fights from the Bloc Québécois, which is always spoiling for a fight.
- deflectedDemocratic InstitutionsMichael Chong (Conservative) asked Ms. Pam Damoff (Liberal). substantive question.Discusses motives and investigations without naming candidates.
The RCMP and our intelligence agencies are investigating.
- deflectedDemocratic InstitutionsMichael Chong (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). substantive question.Focuses on protocol success rather than identifying recipients.
It worked very well and there was no change in the outcome of the election.
- deflectedDemocratic InstitutionsMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Ms. Pam Damoff (Liberal). loaded question.Repeats general stance on interference without addressing PM knowledge.
The agencies responsible, the RCMP and the intelligence agencies, are investigating.
- misdirectedDemocratic InstitutionsMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.Shifts to unrelated national security measures instead of candidates.
we recently implemented restrictions to protect our scientists and research in Canada
- partly answeredIndigenous AffairsMs. Lori Idlout (NDP) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.Acknowledges report and spending but offers no timeline for new investment.
the Government of Canada was spending extraordinary amounts of money helping people respond to climate change.
- partly answeredHousingMs. Jenny Kwan (NDP) asked Ahmed Hussen (Liberal). substantive question.Cites existing strategy and acceptance of recommendations without new commitments.
we have ensured that tens of thousands of people were prevented from joining homelessness
- deflectedTaxationMrs. Shannon Stubbs (Conservative) asked Mr. Terry Duguid (Liberal). loaded question.The response highlights rebates and climate costs instead of addressing cancellation of the tax increase.
Climate change has a cost; the Conservatives have no plan.
- misdirectedTaxationMrs. Shannon Stubbs (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.The response attacks the Conservative leader on crypto advice rather than addressing the carbon tax question.
If Canadians had listened to him, a $10,000 investment would have shrunk by 65%.
- deflectedTaxationMr. John Barlow (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). loaded question.The response defends the government's poverty record instead of addressing new taxes on food or the inflation question.
it is hard to stomach what the Conservatives are saying, because at every opportunity when they could have supported Canadians in need, they voted against it.
- deflectedTaxationMr. John Barlow (Conservative) asked Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The response pivots to costs of climate inaction on farms rather than addressing the carbon tax on food and fuel.
the farmers in my community right now are telling me how expensive it is to deal with inaction on climate change
- deflectedForeign AffairsMr. Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe (Bloc) asked Robert Oliphant (Liberal). loaded question.The response expresses concern and lists condemnations but avoids recognizing the situation as genocide.
We have condemned China at every opportunity with our Five Eyes partners, with G7 partners, at the UN Human Rights Council, at the UN and, most important, with Chinese officials directly.
- deflectedForeign AffairsMr. Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe (Bloc) asked Robert Oliphant (Liberal). loaded question.The response urges respect for human rights but does not acknowledge genocide or answer the call for recognition.
we continue to urge China to respect its international human rights obligations and address the concerns raised in the Bachelet report.
- deflectedPublic Services and ProcurementMr. Michael Barrett (Conservative) asked Ms. Pam Damoff (Liberal). loaded question.The response defends the ArriveCAN app as necessary but does not address releasing documents or ending spending.
ArriveCAN was an extraordinary measure in an extraordinary time.
- deflectedFinanceMr. Adam Chambers (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.The response cites credit ratings and G7 comparisons instead of addressing ending inflationary spending.
Canada has the lowest deficit in the G7.
- deflectedTaxationMrs. Dominique Vien (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the specific spending examples and tax question to restate fiscal metrics.
Our economic plan is fiscally responsible.
- deflectedTaxationMr. Richard Martel (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids any commitment on taxes and repeats the same fiscal talking points.
Canada has the lowest deficit and the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7.
- misdirectedTaxationMr. Brad Vis (Conservative) asked Mr. Terry Duguid (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to climate impacts and attacks Conservatives instead of addressing the tax plan.
The Conservatives have no plan.
- misdirectedTaxationMrs. Cheryl Gallant (Conservative) asked Mr. Terry Duguid (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks Conservatives on climate history rather than responding to the tax question.
for 10 long years, they did absolutely nothing on climate change.
- partly answeredHealthMr. Don Davies (NDP) asked Mr. Adam van Koeverden (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses the immediate shortage with a supply action but only acknowledges the public manufacturer idea without committing.
we secured an additional foreign supply of children's acetaminophen, which will be available for sale at retail and community pharmacies in the coming weeks
- partly answeredHealthMr. Daniel Blaikie (NDP) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.The answer defends existing investments in domestic production but does not address starting work on a public manufacturer.
We brought Moderna to Canada to produce vaccines.