All sittings← 2022-12-082022-12-12 →
Friday, December 9, 2022 · sitting No. 145
Commons advances judges act bill at third reading
Justice Minister David Lametti moved third reading of Bill C-9 to amend the Judges Act. The bill received unanimous support at second reading and aims to improve handling of judicial conduct complaints while preserving judicial independence. Conservative MP Michael Cooper and Bloc Québécois MP Christine Normandin raised concerns about the judicial appointment process and its effect on public trust.
Question period featured repeated Conservative attacks on the carbon tax and federal spending. Conservative MPs Michael Barrett, Stephanie Kusie and Gérard Deltell pressed the government on rising costs for families. Liberal MPs Rachel Bendayan and Yasir Naqvi defended the price on pollution and pointed to supports such as the rental benefit and dental care.
Decided that day
- S-219 advanced in the Senate
- C-9 advanced in the House
From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard
Question Period – December 9, 2022. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube
Who held the floor · 2022-12-09
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
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Conservative MP Dave Epp said American partners are ready to abandon the Great Lakes Fishery Commission over unpaid Canadian commitments.
Read the exchangeHuman Rights in Iran
Conservative MP Michael Chong condemned the hanging of protester Mohsen Shekari and called for stronger sanctions against the Iranian regime.
Read the exchangeHealth
NDP MP Peter Julian criticized the prime minister for skipping a premiers' meeting on the crisis in children's hospitals and emergency rooms.
Read the exchangeFisheries and Oceans
Bloc Québécois MP Denis Trudel demanded compensation for fishers after Ottawa imposed a last-minute ban on herring and mackerel.
Read the exchangePublic Services and Procurement
Conservative MP Michael Cooper questioned how a contract for sensitive communications systems was awarded to a firm linked to espionage concerns.
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
- deflectedCarbon PricingMr. Michael Barrett (Conservative) asked Ms. Rachel Bendayan (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the carbon tax question and instead attacks Conservative positions on climate and other votes.
I understand that the Conservatives are still debating whether the climate crisis is real.
- deflectedCarbon PricingMr. Michael Barrett (Conservative) asked Ms. Rachel Bendayan (Liberal). loaded question.The answer sidesteps the carbon tax and spending criticism by pivoting to deficit stats and credit ratings.
If they bothered to look at the facts, they would see that we have the lowest deficit and the lowest debt of all G7 countries.
- deflectedCarbon PricingMrs. Stephanie Kusie (Conservative) asked Ms. Rachel Bendayan (Liberal). loaded question.The answer dismisses the carbon tax question by accusing the asker of feigned compassion and listing unrelated benefits.
nobody is believing this feigned compassion on behalf of the Conservatives.
- misdirectedTaxationMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Ms. Rachel Bendayan (Liberal). substantive question.The answer shifts to defending the carbon tax despite the question being about general tax increases and never answers yes or no.
the price on pollution does not apply to Quebec.
- misdirectedTaxationMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Ms. Rachel Bendayan (Liberal). substantive question.The answer again pivots to the carbon tax and accuses the asker of insincerity instead of confirming any tax plans.
Yes, I made reference to the carbon tax because that is the only tax the Conservatives could be referring to.
- answeredJusticeMs. Christine Normandin (Bloc) asked David Lametti (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly addresses judicial appointments by stating numbers appointed and positions remaining.
We appointed 10 people to that court this year, and there are still nine positions to fill.
- partly answeredJusticeMs. Christine Normandin (Bloc) asked David Lametti (Liberal). substantive question.The answer claims a diligent process but does not commit to a timeline for filling the remaining vacancies.
we are filling the positions as they come up.
- partly answeredHealthMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the ER crisis and notes federal funding but does not address the Prime Minister's absence.
That is why we have been there for provinces and territories, sending tens of billions of dollars in addition to the Canada health transfer over the last few months and years.
- deflectedNational DefenceMr. Randall Garrison (NDP) asked Anita Anand (Liberal). substantive question.Answer acknowledges the issue but pivots to Arbour report without addressing the specific proposal on self-harm.
I take the member opposite's question with great earnest and interest.
- deflectedFinanceMrs. Tracy Gray (Conservative) asked Mr. Arif Virani (Liberal). substantive question.Answer defends the program in general terms but ignores the reported lack of job placements and waste claim.
That is why we launched a $4-billion Canada digital adoption program.
- deflectedFinanceMrs. Tracy Gray (Conservative) asked Mr. Irek Kusmierczyk (Liberal). substantive question.Answer justifies pandemic spending approach but does not address the specific Auditor General findings or PBO comments on waste.
The Auditor General's report found that our individual support programs achieved their intended goals of getting money to Canadians quickly
- deflectedFinanceMrs. Rachael Thomas (Conservative) asked Mr. Irek Kusmierczyk (Liberal). substantive question.Answer explains post-payment verification but avoids addressing the listed examples of wasteful spending.
This work is ongoing and being done in a responsible and compassionate manner.
- deflectedFinanceMrs. Rachael Thomas (Conservative) asked Ms. Rachel Bendayan (Liberal). substantive question.Answer highlights economic rebound but does not engage with the specific spending examples or cost-of-living impacts raised.
We made responsible choices at a time of emergency in this country, and the result is that the Canadian economy is better for it.
- deflectedFinanceMr. Dan Muys (Conservative) asked Ms. Ya'ara Saks (Liberal). substantive question.Answer lists positive outcomes of spending but sidesteps the Auditor General findings on waste and current affordability issues.
Over two million Canadians have been lifted out of poverty in this country since this government came into power.
- misdirectedCarbon PricingMr. Ben Lobb (Conservative) asked Mr. Terry Duguid (Liberal). loaded question.Question builds on a premise linking debt and carbon tax directly to inflation; answer attacks Conservatives instead of addressing the tax cut request.
yesterday, the Conservatives had the opportunity to vote for affordability and they failed.
- partly answeredFisheries and OceansMr. Denis Trudel (Bloc) asked Mr. Mike Kelloway (Liberal). substantive question.Answer corrects the record on the minister's statement and explains the moratorium rationale but does not address compensation.
Our goal is to grow Canada's fish and seafood sector, and the science has been clear that mackerel stocks are in the critical zone and have been for more than a decade.
- deflectedFisheries and OceansMr. Denis Trudel (Bloc) asked Mr. Mike Kelloway (Liberal). substantive question.Answer shifts to stock health and communities without addressing compensation.
Our focus is on fishers and also on fishers' communities.
- answeredPublic Services and ProcurementMr. Michael Cooper (Conservative) asked Mr. Yasir Naqvi (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly states the contract was suspended and a review is underway.
it is our understanding that the RCMP has suspended that contract.
- deflectedPublic Services and ProcurementMr. Michael Cooper (Conservative) asked Mr. Yasir Naqvi (Liberal). loaded question.Answer avoids why it was approved and pivots to general agreement on security.
Safeguarding our democracy and our national security is of paramount importance.
- partly answeredForeign AffairsMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). loaded question.Answer acknowledges concern and mentions a lens but does not address wilful blindness or influence.
we will view things through a national security lens when it comes to all these decisions.
- misdirectedForeign AffairsMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks the questioner's preparation instead of addressing repeated warnings.
I think that my colleague should read Canada's Indo-Pacific strategy.
- deflectedFirearmsMs. Rachel Blaney (NDP) asked Mr. Yasir Naqvi (Liberal). substantive question.Answer restates handgun ban goal without addressing amendment concerns or reversal.
What we are not targeting are lawful hunters.
- partly answeredFirearmsMr. Gord Johns (NDP) asked Mr. Jaime Battiste (Liberal). substantive question.Answer affirms intent to respect rights but does not commit to fixing the amendment.
- deflectedFirearmsMr. Dane Lloyd (Conservative) asked Mr. Jaime Battiste (Liberal). loaded question.Answer claims rights will be respected without addressing consultation failure or scrapping the bill.
We will get it right and indigenous hunters will continue into the future.
- partly answeredFirearmsMr. Chris Lewis (Conservative) asked Mr. Yasir Naqvi (Liberal). loaded question.The answer addresses the premise of targeting hunters but ignores the CNC machine, buyback program and business closure concerns.
We are not targeting lawful rifles that are used by hunters.
- partly answeredFirearmsMr. Larry Maguire (Conservative) asked Mr. Yasir Naqvi (Liberal). loaded question.The answer rejects targeting hunters and indigenous rights but does not address illegal firearms from the US or crime sources.
We respect the sustenance rights of indigenous peoples.
- partly answeredFirearmsMr. Tako Van Popta (Conservative) asked Mr. Yasir Naqvi (Liberal). loaded question.The answer rejects targeting hunters but does not address the constituent's view that Bill C-21 lacks common-sense controls.
We are not targeting and, in fact, we respect hunters and indigenous peoples who rely on hunting.
- answeredChild CareMs. Sylvie Bérubé (Bloc) asked Ms. Ya'ara Saks (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly confirms respect for Quebec's jurisdiction and model without conditions.
Bill C-35 respects the jurisdictions of every province and territory in how they run their affordable child care systems.
- partly answeredChild CareMs. Sylvie Bérubé (Bloc) asked Ms. Ya'ara Saks (Liberal). substantive question.The answer affirms respect for Quebec's model and jurisdiction but omits any mention of opt-out rights or full compensation.
We want to respect the jurisdiction of all provinces and territories in running their early learning and child care systems
- deflectedCarbon PricingMrs. Laila Goodridge (Conservative) asked Mr. Terry Duguid (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to unrelated affordability supports and rebates instead of addressing the carbon tax's impact on heating costs.
We had rental supports, dental supports and other affordability measures that the Conservatives just voted against
- deflectedCarbon PricingMrs. Laila Goodridge (Conservative) asked Mr. Terry Duguid (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the Conservatives' record on climate instead of addressing carbon tax costs versus rebates or food bank data.
in listening to the Conservatives on the other side, the words "climate change" just never pass their lips.
- misdirectedCarbon PricingMr. Earl Dreeshen (Conservative) asked Ms. Julie Dabrusin (Liberal). loaded question.The answer shifts to international alliances and hydrogen deals rather than domestic carbon tax or home heating costs.
when the German Chancellor came to Canada, we worked with him to have a deal on hydrogen and critical minerals.
- misdirectedCarbon PricingMrs. Cathay Wagantall (Conservative) asked Mr. Terry Duguid (Liberal). loaded question.Answer shifts to accusing Conservatives of climate denial instead of addressing the carbon tax impact on home heating.
The Conservatives are in denial. When are they going to get serious about climate change?
- deflectedCarbon PricingMr. Bernard Généreux (Conservative) asked Ms. Julie Dabrusin (Liberal). loaded question.Answer highlights unrelated supports like dental care and notes Quebec exemption without addressing the carbon tax increase or immediate winter relief.
We just created a dental care plan and provided rental assistance.
- partly answeredConsular AffairsMichael Chong (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). loaded question.Answer affirms priority on health and safety and mentions ongoing work but does not commit to a resolution timeline or address the mediation distinction.
Obviously the health and safety of our diplomats and their families is at the core of our priorities.
- partly answeredFirearmsMs. Lori Idlout (NDP) asked Mr. Jaime Battiste (Liberal). substantive question.Answer acknowledges northern concerns and extra committee meetings but does not clarify how the amendment affects predator protection or hunting rights.
We know the committee added two extra meetings to make sure we are getting it right, because we always want to make sure we are respecting indigenous hunting rights.
- deflectedThe EnvironmentMs. Elizabeth May (Green) asked Mr. Terry Duguid (Liberal). substantive question.Answer discusses general biodiversity goals and the COP15 conference without addressing protection of the specific 215-hectare Montreal wetland site.
We are stepping up to preserve and conserve 30% of our land and waters by 2030, and we hope to inspire the world to do the same.