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Tuesday, February 14, 2023 · sitting No. 160

Conservatives move supply motion on inflation and housing costs

Conservative MP Jasraj Singh Hallan moved a supply day motion that blamed eight years of Liberal government for a 40-year high in inflation, doubled rents and mortgages and record food bank use. The motion called on the government to table a plan to lower the cost of living. Debate featured exchanges with Liberal MP Rachel Bendayan, who defended the national housing strategy, and Bloc Québécois MP René Villemure, who questioned the motion's repetition of earlier Conservative arguments.

In question period Conservatives pressed the government over a reported $7,000-a-night London hotel stay and its effect on public confidence amid rising housing costs. Liberal ministers Ahmed Hussen and Robert Oliphant countered that Conservatives had voted against multiple housing supports including the Canada housing benefit and first-time home buyer measures. Separate exchanges saw New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh urge the government to block the Rogers-Shaw merger and Bloc Québécois MP Alain Therrien criticize the new federal-provincial health funding offer as insufficient.

From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard

Question Period – February 14, 2023. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube

Who held the floor · 2023-02-14

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 33%, opposition 67% of the words spokenGovernment businessQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0011:0012:0013:0014:0015:0016:0017:00Last speech 18:15Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 8 h 15 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
40Supply day yields heat, few answersThe sitting centred on extended Business of Supply debate with little else advanced. Question period produced mostly deflected or incomplete replies and no recorded votes occurred.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

Health

Bloc Québécois MP Alain Therrien said the federal offer raised Ottawa's share of health costs only from 22 per cent to 24 per cent and failed to meet the 35 per cent demanded by provinces. Liberal MP Pablo Rodriguez replied that the deal would improve access to family doctors and support health workers.

Read the exchange

Carbon Pricing

Conservative MP Jasraj Singh Hallan said the carbon tax had raised the cost of groceries and home heating without cutting emissions. Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault accused Conservatives of flip-flopping on carbon pricing.

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Telecommunications

New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh asked whether the government would block the Rogers-Shaw merger to protect consumers from higher cellphone and internet fees. Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne said Ottawa had directed the CRTC to increase competition and lower prices.

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Justice

Bloc Québécois MP Rhéal Fortin defended the notwithstanding clause as Quebec's constitutional tool to protect language and secularism laws. Justice Minister David Lametti said pre-emptive use of the clause undermines dialogue between courts and legislatures.

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Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Bloc Québécois MP Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe raised U.S. concerns about dangerous winter crossings at Roxham Road and urged suspension of the safe third country agreement. Liberal MP Marie-France Lalonde said the government was working with American counterparts to modernize the agreement.

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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
    FinanceAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Ahmed Hussen (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the hotel bill question and pivots to Conservative votes on unrelated housing supports.Canadians have the right to ask themselves why it is that every time real supports for renters come to the floor of the House, the Conservatives vote against them.
  2. deflected
    FinanceAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Ahmed Hussen (Liberal). loaded question.The answer lists housing programs Conservatives opposed rather than addressing the hotel expense or mortgage costs raised.does the hon. member think it was smart to vote against real help for homebuyers, the first-time homebuyer incentive, $40,000 tax-free savings account for first-time homebuyers, doubling the first-time homebuyers' tax credit, introducing a once-in-a-lifetime rent-to-own program, $200 million in supports for first-time homebuyers in terms of increasing supply, and banning foreigners from owning Canadian residential real estate?
  3. misdirected
    FinanceAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Robert Oliphant (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the opposition's focus instead of responding to the cover-up allegation or hotel spending.While that side of the House is focusing on us, we are focusing on Canadians.
  4. deflected
    FinanceMrs. Dominique Vien (Conservative) asked Pascale St-Onge (Liberal). loaded question.The answer reframes the spending cap question as an attack on social programs without addressing fiscal measures requested.when the people in the Conservative Party talk about spending and waste, it is important to understand what they are really talking about.
  5. deflected
    The EconomyMrs. Dominique Vien (Conservative) asked Pascale St-Onge (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights past poverty reduction instead of addressing the hotel cost, food bank demand, or apology demanded.Since taking office, we have lifted over 2.7 million people out of poverty.
  6. partly answered
    HealthMr. Alain Therrien (Bloc) asked Mr. Adam van Koeverden (Liberal). loaded question.The answer confirms meetings and the deal announcement but does not address the 35% funding demand or imposition criticism.After the Prime Minister convened the meeting on health care last week, we met with the provincial and territorial premiers and the health ministers from across the country.
  7. answered
    HealthMr. Alain Therrien (Bloc) asked Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). loaded question.The answer directly defends the funding increase and deal terms as improving access despite the share percentage dispute.It is a good agreement that will improve access to family doctors.
  8. answered
    TelecommunicationsMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.The answer states the government's position against the merger to protect consumers and lower prices.We stand on the side of Canadians.
  9. deflected
    TelecommunicationsMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.The answer promotes CRTC policy on prices but never addresses whether the merger will be blocked.we issued a new direction to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission yesterday, asking the CRTC to adopt policies to lower prices in Canada and increase competition.
  10. deflected
    Climate ChangeMr. Jasraj Singh Hallan (Conservative) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). loaded question.The answer discusses reducing fossil fuel dependency but ignores the cancelled pipelines and carbon tax questions.the policies we are putting in place will help Canadians reduce their dependency on expensive fossil fuels and replace them with Canadian-generated clean electricity
  11. misdirected
    Carbon PricingMr. Jasraj Singh Hallan (Conservative) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the opposition's consistency on carbon pricing instead of addressing the plan or targets.it is somewhat rich coming from the opposition that flip-flops on carbon pricing faster than I can flip my pancakes in the morning.
  12. partly answered
    Carbon PricingMrs. Tracy Gray (Conservative) asked Jonathan Wilkinson (Liberal). loaded question.The answer begins to rebut the premise about families but is cut off before fully addressing the carbon tax increase.it is important in the House that we are actually not misleading Canadians. As the official opposition members know, eight out of 10 Canadian families—
  13. deflected
    The EconomyMrs. Tracy Gray (Conservative) asked Jonathan Wilkinson (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to defending the carbon tax and attacking the opposition rather than addressing student affordability or broken promises.My goodness, it is far past time that the official opposition actually acknowledged the reality of climate change and put forward a plan that Canadians can look at.
  14. misdirected
    Carbon PricingTim Uppal (Conservative) asked Randy Boissonnault (Liberal). loaded question.The answer lists past opposition votes instead of responding to the carbon tax or heating costs.members on the other side voted against a $500 top-up on housing. They voted against dental supports for 500,000 kids.
  15. deflected
    Carbon PricingTim Uppal (Conservative) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights climate costs but avoids the carbon tax's impact on households or the PBO statement.What is the answer from this reckless opposition party? It is to make pollution free again.
  16. answered
    JusticeMr. Rhéal Fortin (Bloc) asked David Lametti (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly explains the government's position against pre-emptive use of the notwithstanding clause.our government has always been clear about its concerns regarding the pre-emptive use of the notwithstanding clause.
  17. partly answered
    JusticeMr. Rhéal Fortin (Bloc) asked David Lametti (Liberal). loaded question.The answer engages the notwithstanding clause history but avoids the accusation of Liberal motives.The notwithstanding clause was always there as the last word during constitutional negotiations.
  18. misdirected
    JusticeMr. Rhéal Fortin (Bloc) asked Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). loaded question.The response attacks the Bloc's topic choice instead of addressing the notwithstanding clause question.The Bloc Québécois had an entire opposition day to talk about an issue of their choice.
  19. deflected
    Carbon PricingMr. Matt Jeneroux (Conservative) asked Mary Ng (Liberal). loaded question.The answer lists pandemic supports but ignores the carbon tax and small business cost question.During the pandemic, it was about keeping their employees on the payroll.
  20. misdirected
    Carbon PricingMr. Matt Jeneroux (Conservative) asked Randy Boissonnault (Liberal). loaded question.The response criticizes the member's past vote and cites jobs instead of addressing heating costs or carbon tax.I wonder why my colleague from Edmonton voted against tax breaks for small business when he had the opportunity to support them.
  21. partly answered
    Carbon PricingMr. Marc Dalton (Conservative) asked Jonathan Wilkinson (Liberal). loaded question.The answer begins addressing rebates but is cut off before fully responding to the carbon tax responsibility question.I would remind my hon. colleague that eight out of 10 Canadian families actually get more money back than they pay on the price on pollution
  22. answered
    Carbon PricingMr. Marc Dalton (Conservative) asked Jonathan Wilkinson (Liberal). loaded question.The answer directly corrects the rebate claim and points to provincial implementation.Eight out of 10 Canadians get more money back under the federal system.
  23. answered
    HealthMr. Don Davies (NDP) asked Mr. Adam van Koeverden (Liberal). substantive question.The answer affirms commitment to the Canada Health Act and need-based care as asked.Our discussions with the premiers included the importance of upholding the Canada Health Act, which means making sure that services are based on need and not a person's ability to pay.
  24. deflected
    InfrastructureMs. Bonita Zarrillo (NDP) asked Ms. Jennifer O'Connell (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends the bank with one project but avoids the secrecy and delivery failure question.Would the member opposite like to tell those residents, those people who are employed, that the Infrastructure Bank is doing nothing for them?
  25. deflected
    Canadian HeritageMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). substantive question.The answer ignores the specific request about a consultation mechanism and sending the bill to committee, instead attacking the Conservatives.There is a party that decided to abandon the cultural industry, as well as our actors, our creators, our producers and our directors.
  26. deflected
    Canadian HeritageMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). substantive question.The answer sidesteps the question on sending the bill to committee by accusing Quebec MPs of opposing the bill and attacking Conservatives.I wonder how a member from Quebec and the other colleagues from Quebec can come here to debate and say that we do not need this bill when everyone in Quebec is calling for it.
  27. deflected
    Canadian HeritageMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). substantive question.The answer avoids addressing Quebec's request or committee study by accusing Conservatives of filibustering and pivoting to the need for the bill.The Conservatives just want to filibuster.
  28. misdirected
    Canadian HeritageMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). substantive question.The answer dismisses the question by mocking the Conservatives and claiming dialogue with Quebec without confirming committee referral.As far as dog-and-pony shows go, this is the biggest one of the year.
  29. misdirected
    Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe (Bloc) asked Mrs. Marie-France Lalonde (Liberal). substantive question.The answer attacks the premise about asylum seekers instead of addressing concerns over irregular crossings and American warnings.it is absolutely unacceptable to say that asylum seekers are taking advantage of the system.
  30. partly answered
    Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe (Bloc) asked Mrs. Marie-France Lalonde (Liberal). substantive question.The answer partially addresses the safe third country agreement by stating intent to modernize it but first attacks the Bloc's credibility.We are speaking with our American counterparts, and we will modernize this agreement.
  31. partly answered
    Canada Revenue AgencyMr. Adam Chambers (Conservative) asked Mr. Peter Fragiskatos (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses the ongoing verification work but deflects criticism by accusing Conservatives of political games.this verification work is ongoing.
  32. misdirected
    Public Services and ProcurementMr. Garnett Genuis (Conservative) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer ignores the question on consultants and McKinsey by shifting to unrelated job and poverty statistics.There are 2.7 million Canadians who are not in poverty now, who were when the Conservatives were in power.
  33. deflected
    Public Services and ProcurementMr. Garnett Genuis (Conservative) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). loaded question.Answer avoids the specific question about McKinsey recruitment by pivoting to conspiracy theories and public service independence.The number of conspiracy theories the member has peddled have been disproven in front of committee.
  34. deflected
    Foreign AffairsMr. Michael Barrett (Conservative) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). loaded question.Answer rejects the premise of the question about foreign interference tolerance rather than addressing the warnings or actions taken.The idea that there is anybody in the House who would tolerate foreign interference in any form is simply inaccurate and not appropriate to put forward as a supposition.
  35. deflected
    Foreign AffairsMr. Michael Barrett (Conservative) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). loaded question.Answer continues to reject aspersions on loyalty instead of responding to the question about who the minister takes advice from.I think that we need to be very careful when we talk to one another about casting aspersions about our loyalty to this country and our loyalty to democracy.
  36. deflected
    Foreign AffairsMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). loaded question.Answer dismisses the question by declaring all members loyal rather than addressing the conflict of interest or resignation demand.It is unacceptable to say otherwise.
  37. partly answered
    Northern AffairsMs. Lori Idlout (NDP) asked Dan Vandal (Liberal). substantive question.Answer confirms investments and meetings on the project but does not commit to inclusion in the 2023 budget.We have invested significant sums in the Kivalliq project, as well as in the Atlin project in Yukon and Taltson in Northwest Territories.
  38. partly answered
    LabourMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Jonathan Wilkinson (Liberal). substantive question.Answer outlines existing measures like tax credits but does not confirm new budget commitments and ends by attacking the opposition.Again, it would be lovely if, in the House, the Conservative Party would actually acknowledge the reality of climate change and have a relevant economic plan.