All sittings← 2023-02-072023-02-09 →
Wednesday, February 8, 2023 · sitting No. 156
Commons advances investment security bill amid economy clashes
The House spent the largest share of its sitting on second reading of Bill C-34, the National Security Review of Investments Modernization Act. Liberal MP Mark Gerretsen and Liberal MP Julie Dzerowicz defended the bill's updates to the Investment Canada Act as necessary for protecting strategic sectors while encouraging growth. Conservative MP Rick Perkins and Conservative MP Pat Kelly pressed for tighter links between the legislation and national security rather than subsidy announcements.
In Question Period, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre repeatedly asked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to take responsibility for inflation, housing costs and service delivery failures, citing Bank of Canada and Parliamentary Budget Officer reports. Trudeau replied that the government had reversed previous Conservative cuts to seniors' benefits and was adding supports for renters and dental care. Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh challenged the adequacy of the new health funding offer to the provinces.
Private members' business saw third reading of Bill C-248 to create an urban park on the Detroit River, moved by NDP MP Brian Masse. Conservative, Bloc Québécois and Green members supported the measure; the government side indicated it preferred the existing Parks Canada process.
Decided that day
- Bill C-282 passed second reading
- Bill C-293 passed second reading
- Bill C-226 passed report-stage concurrence
- Opposition motion on carbon tax defeated
From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard
Question Period – February 8, 2023. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube
Who held the floor · 2023-02-08
63Bills Move Forward Amid InterruptionsThe House advanced three bills through recorded votes while an opposition motion on carbon pricing failed. Most speaking time addressed substantive topics, though Question Period yielded few direct answers and several points of order arose.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
Public Safety
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre asked the Prime Minister for an update on the bus crash at a Laval day care that killed two children; Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed condolences and thanks to first responders.
Read the exchangeCarbon Pricing
Conservative MP John Barlow said the carbon tax would cost a typical farmer $150,000 a year and drive up food prices; Prime Minister Justin Trudeau replied that farmers are focused on climate adaptation and long-term sustainability.
Read the exchangeOfficial Languages
Bloc Québécois MP Mario Beaulieu asked whether the Prime Minister would ensure Bill C-13 protects French in Quebec without restricting anglophone health services; Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the bill protects both linguistic minorities and French in Quebec.
Read the exchangeLabour
NDP MP Matthew Green called on the government to pass anti-scab legislation already introduced by the member for Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie; Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said consultations had concluded and legislation would be tabled by year-end.
Read the exchangePrivilege
Conservative MP Andrew Scheer raised a question of privilege after interpretation failed during the Conservative caucus meeting; Conservative MP Luc Berthold added that francophone members were left without access.
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
- partly answeredPublic SafetyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer offers condolences but does not provide an update or specific government actions.
We will be there for them in the coming days, months and years as they endure unimaginable grief.
- deflectedThe EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The response avoids taking responsibility and lists past actions instead.
We increased old age security by 10% for seniors aged 75 and over.
- deflectedThe EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Responds by criticizing opposition's past instead of addressing current issues.
it is ironic that the member opposite speaks about fixing things.
- deflectedHousingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Shifts to past Conservative record rather than addressing the question.
The previous Conservative government consistently nickelled and dimed seniors and veterans
- misdirectedPublic Services and ProcurementPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer discusses health care investments instead of addressing the PBO comment.
That is why this government has been stepping up.
- answeredHealthMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Directly addresses the funding amount clarification.
the federal government will invest an additional $198 billion in health care systems across the country, and that includes $46 billion in new money
- partly answeredHealthMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Explains focus on needs but does not commit to improving the offer.
we are focused on what Canadians need.
- answeredHealthMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Directly counters the misinformation claim about the meeting.
One of the very first things I said when I sat down with the premiers yesterday was about respect for our universal public system
- answeredHealthMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The response directly refutes the flip-flop claim by stating the principle upheld in the meeting.
The first thing I said when I sat down with the premiers yesterday to talk about health care and the investments that the federal government will make to help people is that we need to uphold the Canada Health Act and continue with our universal public system, which provides services to Canadians across the country.
- deflectedThe EconomyMs. Melissa Lantsman (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids taking responsibility by listing past supports and attacking the Conservatives instead.
Unfortunately, the Conservatives, despite their rhetoric, stood against those last two measures and refused to help Canadians who need it.
- deflectedThe EconomyMs. Melissa Lantsman (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The response sidesteps the cost-of-living question by mocking Conservatives and pivoting to pandemic supports and carbon tax benefits.
it is interesting to see the lengths to which Conservatives will go to pretend the pandemic never happened.
- deflectedSeniorsMr. Jasraj Singh Hallan (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the carbon tax impact on seniors and instead highlights past Liberal actions while attacking Conservatives.
Then we moved forward with an increase in the guaranteed income supplement of 10% for the most vulnerable single seniors; that party voted against the increase.
- deflectedThe EconomyMr. Jasraj Singh Hallan (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The response evades the question by repeating past supports and noting Conservative votes against them.
Despite all the rhetoric from the Conservatives, they cannot dodge the fact that they voted against those initiatives.
- deflectedGovernment PrioritiesMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids responsibility for Canada being broken by emphasizing community support and attacking the Conservative vote record.
- deflectedGovernment PrioritiesMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The response sidesteps service delivery failures by noting pandemic challenges and ridiculing Conservative cryptocurrency suggestions.
It has nothing to offer Canadians except recommendations like investing in cryptocurrencies to avoid the effects of inflation.
- partly answeredHealthMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses the funding request by noting investments and the need for more than money while expressing willingness to work with provinces.
Quebeckers and all Canadians understand full well that it will take additional investments in our health care system.
- deflectedHealthMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer ignores the question on health rhetoric and budget passage to defend past spending and attack the Bloc.
We will work hand in hand, not constantly pick fights like the Bloc.
- deflectedJusticeMs. Raquel Dancho (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids bail reform to pivot to gun control and attack Conservatives as tied to the NRA.
The Conservatives continue to be in the pockets of the Canadian NRA.
- partly answeredJusticeMs. Raquel Dancho (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer addresses the bail criteria and reverse onus but does not commit to new fixes or accept blame.
When we moved forward on our bill, Bill C-75 , we did not change the criteria for when accused persons can be released.
- partly answeredJusticeRob Moore (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer restates Bill C-75 details and denies changes to release criteria but offers no new action.
When we brought out, for example, the criteria for when accused persons can be released, they were not changed by Bill C-75 .
- deflectedJusticeMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer sidesteps the home-sentencing example and Bill C-5 to speak generally about appeals and dignity.
It is important that our justice system include a mechanism that allows for decisions to be appealed and reviewed.
- partly answeredSeniorsMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer cites new standards and $4 billion but does not explain the absence of long-term care in the premiers' offer.
We have also provided $4 billion to support provinces and territories in their efforts to improve long-term care in their jurisdictions
- deflectedHousingMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer lists housing measures but ignores the Bank of Canada admission and rate-hike criticism.
in our last budget, we moved forward with historic investments to support people buying their homes
- deflectedCarbon PricingMr. John Barlow (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to climate change and sustainability instead of addressing carbon tax costs to farmers or food prices.
That is why they are focused on fighting climate change and doing so in a way that is going to make sure we are building a stronger future for everyone.
- deflectedCarbon PricingMr. John Barlow (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer pivots to climate impacts without addressing the carbon tax bill or price increases raised.
the farmers I speak to talk about the fact that flood, drought, fire and upheavals in our climate are the challenges they are most worried about
- misdirectedCarbon PricingMs. Michelle Ferreri (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks Conservatives and restates rebate facts instead of addressing the request to remove the tax.
Conservatives continue to pretend that we can have a plan for the future of the economy without having a plan to fight climate change
- deflectedCarbon PricingMs. Michelle Ferreri (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer corrects the member on misinformation and cites rebate amount but avoids any response to removing the tax.
if the hon. member were listening to her constituents instead of Conservative misinformation, she would have heard that a family of four in her riding just received the first of four cheques for $185
- deflectedOfficial LanguagesMr. Mario Beaulieu (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer shifts to personal pride in Quebec identity without addressing the committee conduct or disinformation claim.
I am proud to be a member from Quebec and a proud Quebecker who stands up in the House today and every day
- misdirectedOfficial LanguagesMr. Mario Beaulieu (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer attacks the Bloc Québécois motives instead of confirming language protections in health care.
I fundamentally believe that the Bloc Québécois is not concerned one bit about the fate of French in Canada
- answeredHealthMr. Stephen Ellis (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer directly details new health funding allocations matching the concerns on access and emergency rooms.
yesterday we announced $198 billion worth of additional funds in health care over the coming 10 years
- misdirectedThe EconomyMr. Stephen Ellis (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks Conservative positions on supports rather than addressing responsibility for broken systems.
Conservatives, other than telling them, "Oh, you can opt out of inflation by buying cryptocurrencies," which would have been devastating for family savings and totally reckless advice
- deflectedThe EconomyMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer lists poverty reduction and investments but sidesteps taking responsibility for costs of groceries, rent and gas.
In eight years, 2.7 million Canadians have been lifted out of poverty
- deflectedPublic Services and ProcurementMs. Leslyn Lewis (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the McKinsey and cancellation query to restate infrastructure spending while attacking Conservatives.
we will take no lessons from the Conservatives on not spending and investing in infrastructure, other than a few doorknobs here and there.
- deflectedPublic Services and ProcurementMr. Michael Barrett (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids the McKinsey corruption question entirely and pivots to listing government supports while criticizing Conservative austerity.
Unfortunately, the Conservatives continue to push for cuts and austerity.
- deflectedPublic Services and ProcurementMr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer sidesteps the Infrastructure Bank and McKinsey scandal to praise Canadians and note the member's votes against initiatives.
That member voted against those two initiatives in the House.
- partly answeredLabourMr. Matthew Green (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly addresses the delay by outlining the consultation process and planned legislation timeline.
We launched consultations, which have now wrapped up, and the results of those consultations will determine the legislation that will be tabled by the end of this year.
- partly answeredHousingMr. Mike Morrice (Green) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses the bill of rights promise by referencing the 2022 budget announcement but provides no delivery timeline.
That is why budget 2022 announced that we would work with provinces and territories to develop and implement a homebuyers' bill of rights and a national plan to end blind bidding.