Parliament AIIndependent · non-official

All sittings← 2023-02-152023-02-17 →

Thursday, February 16, 2023 · sitting No. 162

NDP motion on for-profit clinics dominates supply day debate

The House spent most of the day on a New Democratic motion moved by NDP MP Don Davies that calls on the government to strengthen the Canada Health Act against for-profit clinics. The motion criticizes the prime minister for praising Ontario Premier Doug Ford's expansion of such clinics and argues that they would poach staff from the public system and lengthen wait times.

In Question Period, Conservative MP Andrew Scheer said eight years of Liberal deficits and waste have driven up interest rates and mortgage costs. Liberal MP Ahmed Hussen replied that the government has delivered the Canada housing benefit and a one-time top-up for renters. Conservative MP Pierre Paul-Hus pressed Justice Minister David Lametti on Bill C-5 and community sentences for sexual assault cases.

Decided that day

  • Bill C-40 was introduced

From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard

Question Period – February 16, 2023. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube

Who held the floor · 2023-02-16

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 42%, opposition 58% of the words spokenGovernment businessQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0511:0012:0013:0014:0015:0016:0017:00Last speech 18:00Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 7 h 55 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
38Supply debate drones, nothing decidedThe sitting devoted the bulk of its time to Business of Supply debate while Question Period produced mostly deflected or misdirected answers. Only one minor procedural step occurred amid two calls to order and no recorded votes.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

Official Languages

Bloc Québécois MP Alain Therrien said several Quebec Liberal members oppose modernizing the Official Languages Act and asked whether there would be a free vote on Bill C-13. Liberal MP Ginette Petitpas Taylor replied that the bill would expand the powers of the Commissioner of Official Languages and protect French across the country.

Read the exchange

Carbon Pricing

Conservative MP Jasraj Singh Hallan said the carbon tax is driving newcomers to leave Canada and urged the government to axe it. Liberal MP Steven Guilbeault said New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs had chosen the federal pricing system because it provides relief while fighting climate change.

Read the exchange

Justice

Liberal MP Emmanuel Dubourg asked about the steering group for Canada's Black justice strategy. Justice Minister David Lametti said the committee of nine Black experts would address systemic discrimination faced by Black people in the justice system.

Read the exchange

Indigenous Affairs

NDP MP Leah Gazan said the government had spent only 5 per cent of a violence-prevention fund for Indigenous women and girls. Liberal MP Ahmed Hussen said CMHC had selected 22 projects and would make announcements soon.

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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
    The EconomyAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Ahmed Hussen (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights opposition votes instead of addressing responsibility for the cost of living crisis.What did the party opposite do despite the rhetoric? Not only did it vote against it, in the fall the Conservatives played procedural games in the House to delay much-needed rental supplements to almost two million Canadians.
  2. misdirected
    Government PrioritiesAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer shifts to unemployment stats and past child care policy rather than addressing ethics violations.a lot of things have changed since the Conservatives were in power, one of them is Canada's unemployment rate, which under their watch was 7%; it is now 5%.
  3. deflected
    Government PrioritiesAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to celebrating an EV project and criticizing opposition rhetoric instead of addressing ethics breaches.Canadians are tired of those Conservatives talking down our economy and talking down Canada.
  4. answered
    JusticeMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked David Lametti (Liberal). loaded question.The answer directly explains reforms and investments to protect sexual assault victims.as a government, we have acted on several fronts to ensure that victims of sexual assault are treated with dignity and respect.
  5. deflected
    JusticeMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked David Lametti (Liberal). loaded question.The answer refuses to comment on the case and explains the bill's purpose instead of addressing amendments.as the Attorney General, it would be inappropriate for me to comment not just on a case that could be appealed, but on a case where there is not yet a final decision.
  6. answered
    Official LanguagesMr. Alain Therrien (Bloc) asked Ginette Petitpas Taylor (Liberal). loaded question.The answer affirms the government's unchanged commitment and details bill provisions.Our commitment has not changed. Our government stands firm. We will do everything to protect and promote French across the country, including in Quebec
  7. deflected
    Official LanguagesMr. Alain Therrien (Bloc) asked Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the Bloc-Conservative coalition instead of confirming how Liberals will vote.The Bloc Québécois-Conservative coalition is going to try to bring down a bill that is good for French everywhere.
  8. partly answered
    FinanceMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Ahmed Hussen (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses housing benefits but does not address the requested GST rebate doubling.we are a government that has introduced the groundbreaking Canada housing benefit that is delivering almost $2,500 to vulnerable renters across the country.
  9. deflected
    FinanceMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Randy Boissonnault (Liberal). substantive question.The answer explicitly refuses to address the budget question and pivots to general support.My colleagues in the House know very well that I cannot comment on the budget.
  10. deflected
    Carbon PricingMr. Jasraj Singh Hallan (Conservative) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). loaded question.The answer shifts focus to a provincial adoption decision instead of the carbon tax policy.Today, Premier Higgs of New Brunswick decided to go with the federal plan on carbon pricing.
  11. deflected
    Carbon PricingMr. Jasraj Singh Hallan (Conservative) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights emissions stats while ignoring the cost and PBO critique raised.I have been Minister of Environment and Climate Change for a year and emissions are down 9% below 2005 levels.
  12. misdirected
    Carbon PricingMrs. Rachael Thomas (Conservative) asked Jonathan Wilkinson (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends the refund mechanism and challenges the opposition's reading of the report.The Conservatives keep quoting the PBO report. I would invite them to actually read it.
  13. deflected
    Carbon PricingMrs. Rachael Thomas (Conservative) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). loaded question.The answer reiterates emissions reductions rather than addressing affordability or the tax itself.Emissions pollution under our watch is down 9% below 2005 levels, on our way to reducing them by at least 40% by 2030.
  14. misdirected
    The EconomyMr. Kyle Seeback (Conservative) asked Randy Boissonnault (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks Conservative views and lists job numbers instead of engaging the contraction claim.it must really be tough to be a Conservative these days. There is nothing so devastating for a Conservative than for the facts to get in the way of a good economic reality.
  15. deflected
    The EconomyMr. Kyle Seeback (Conservative) asked Ms. Ya'ara Saks (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to past Conservative cuts and CCB achievements rather than current affordability issues.it seems that my colleagues across the way have amnesia about when they were cutting cheques for millionaires instead of helping Canadian families.
  16. answered
    Official LanguagesMr. Mario Beaulieu (Bloc) asked Ginette Petitpas Taylor (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly affirms recognition of French decline and progress on protective legislation.We are the first government to recognize the decline of French in the country and that is precisely why we are moving forward with an ambitious bill.
  17. deflected
    Official LanguagesMr. Mario Beaulieu (Bloc) asked Ginette Petitpas Taylor (Liberal). substantive question.Answer expresses general support for the bill but never addresses whether Liberal MPs will vote for it.I hope that, eventually, this bill will get passed, since implementing this legislation is going to make a real difference.
  18. deflected
    Official LanguagesMr. Denis Trudel (Bloc) asked Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). substantive question.Answer ignores the request for an apology and instead attacks the Bloc's choice of opposition day topic.It just had a whole opposition day, and members could have talked about the environment, our seniors, the fight against poverty or even French, but no, they got together and decided to talk about the Constitution.
  19. deflected
    Carbon PricingMr. Damien Kurek (Conservative) asked Marie-Claude Bibeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer dismisses the question as disinformation without addressing the carbon tax impact on farmers or the call to axe it.that is complete disinformation. It is irresponsible to increase the anxiety of farmers when they are the first ones to be impacted by climate change—
  20. misdirected
    Carbon PricingMr. Philip Lawrence (Conservative) asked Jonathan Wilkinson (Liberal). substantive question.Answer attacks the opposition's climate beliefs instead of addressing the carbon tax increase or affordability concerns.it would be enormously important for Canada if we actually had an official opposition that believed in the reality of climate change
  21. deflected
    Climate ChangeMr. Philip Lawrence (Conservative) asked Jonathan Wilkinson (Liberal). loaded question.Answer defends the government's climate record but does not respond to the accusation of missing targets or the call to step aside.We put together the most comprehensive climate plan Canada has ever had.
  22. partly answered
    HousingMs. Lori Idlout (NDP) asked Mr. Terry Duguid (Liberal). substantive question.Answer acknowledges the housing crisis and cites $200 million in funding but does not address the specific $500 million request.Through Northern Affairs alone, we are investing $200 million to support housing and related infrastructure in the north.
  23. partly answered
    HousingMr. Blake Desjarlais (NDP) asked Ahmed Hussen (Liberal). substantive question.Answer references broader indigenous housing investments but does not commit to the $500 million or directly address the specific request.budget 2022 included over $4 billion more to close the gap in indigenous housing.
  24. misdirected
    Canadian HeritageMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). substantive question.Answer mocks the questioner for raising the issue late rather than addressing Quebec's request to be heard in committee.Is it only now that my colleague is waking up, a whole year later? Even Sleeping Beauty did not sleep that long.
  25. misdirected
    Canadian HeritageMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks Conservatives instead of addressing assurance on Quebec at committee.my colleague is taking it to a new level, to the point that there will be a photo of the Conservative caucus next to the definition in the dictionary.
  26. deflected
    Canadian HeritageMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). loaded question.Answer ignores meeting request and pivots to groundhog metaphor attacking Conservatives.It is like we are dealing with a groundhog that has just woken up from its winter slumber and is telling us how well it slept, now that it has finally woken up.
  27. misdirected
    Canadian HeritageMr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative) asked Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks sleeping Conservatives rather than addressing Quebec's requested changes to bills.I am glad that my colleague did not yell too loudly or he might have woken up his gang that has been asleep for the past year.
  28. partly answered
    JusticeMr. Rhéal Fortin (Bloc) asked David Lametti (Liberal). substantive question.Answer addresses serious crimes and Bill C-5 goals but not the specific Bloc compromise or Quebec concerns.serious crimes always deserve serious consequences.
  29. deflected
    JusticeMr. Rhéal Fortin (Bloc) asked David Lametti (Liberal). substantive question.Answer focuses on systemic racism and new steering group, avoiding openness to Bloc bill or compromise.Yesterday, we announced the creation of a steering group to develop a justice strategy for Canada's Black people.
  30. deflected
    Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMrs. Stephanie Kusie (Conservative) asked Mrs. Marie-France Lalonde (Liberal). loaded question.Answer cites former Conservative leader instead of confirming or denying McKinsey role in policy.The attacks levied against [Dominic Barton] by the Conservative party I once led are baseless.
  31. misdirected
    EthicsMr. Michael Barrett (Conservative) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks Conservative policies and past elections rather than addressing law-breaking by Liberals.They undercut our efforts all over the world to deal with climate change, and they were seen as an agent to destroy action on climate change in the world.
  32. misdirected
    EthicsMr. Michael Barrett (Conservative) asked Randy Boissonnault (Liberal). loaded question.Answer highlights past Conservative record and current Liberal achievements instead of taking responsibility for law-breaking.Some 2.7 million people have been lifted out of poverty since we have been on this side.
  33. deflected
    SeniorsMr. Mel Arnold (Conservative) asked Mr. Darren Fisher (Liberal). loaded question.The answer promotes government programs but avoids responsibility by attacking the opposition instead of addressing the food insecurity claim.We will take no lessons from that party on this side of the House.
  34. partly answered
    Aviation IndustryMr. Michael Kram (Conservative) asked Omar Alghabra (Liberal). loaded question.The answer explains COVID-related delays and hiring efforts but does not address the specific eight-month backlog for pilot licences.Transport Canada has put in place changes to the processing and assessment of files to improve the efficiency of the review process.
  35. misdirected
    Aviation IndustryMr. Michael Kram (Conservative) asked Omar Alghabra (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the Conservatives as ambulance chasers and ignores the backlog question entirely.The Conservatives have no idea what they are talking about. They are ambulance chasers.
  36. answered
    Indigenous AffairsMs. Leah Gazan (NDP) asked Ahmed Hussen (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly addresses the spending delay by detailing project selections and upcoming announcements.CMHC has already selected 22 projects to move forward, and we expect concrete announcements in the next few weeks.
  37. partly answered
    Public SafetyMr. Kevin Vuong (Independent) asked Marco Mendicino (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses Toronto-specific funding for mental health but does not commit to a national urban public safety strategy.I share my hon. colleague's concern, which is one of the reasons why we partnered directly with the City of Toronto, in the form of an announcement of $12 million to address many of the social determinants that he mentioned in his question.
  38. answered
    Points of OrderMr. Tom Kmiec (Conservative) asked Marie-Claude Bibeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly retracts the statement as requested.Mr. Speaker, I will retract my comments, no problem.
  39. deflected
    Points of OrderMr. Dan Albas (Conservative) asked Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Liberal). substantive question.The answer changes the subject to the gallery instead of addressing the unparliamentary language complaint.during question period you made reference to the gallery, after the Minister of Justice made his comments, but nowhere in his comments did he make reference to Susan Milgaard being in the gallery.
  40. partly answered
    Business of the HouseAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer outlines upcoming legislation but ignores the request to table the PBO report.Tomorrow, we will resume debate on Bill C-34 to amend the Investment Canada Act at second reading.