All sittings← 2023-03-302023-04-17 →
Friday, March 31, 2023 · sitting No. 177
Liberals move second reading of bill to create corporate ownership registry
François-Philippe Champagne moved second reading of Bill C-42, which would amend the Canada Business Corporations Act to establish a public registry of beneficial owners. The minister said the measure would combat money laundering and bring Canada into line with G7 standards. Ziad Aboultaif asked how much the bill would reduce money laundering and what total figure the government believes exists. Gabriel Ste-Marie said the Bloc Québécois supports the bill and noted that Quebec's registry went online the same morning.
Daniel Blaikie asked for an update on federal negotiations with the provinces and territories. Champagne replied that 112 countries have committed to similar registries.
From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard
Question Period – March 31, 2023. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube
Who held the floor · 2023-03-31
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
Government Appointments
Pierre Poilievre said the appointment of a minister's sister-in-law as interim Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner created an appearance of conflict. Kevin Lamoureux replied that the appointee is a career public servant who began her service under the Harper government.
Read the exchangeTelecommunications
Pierre Poilievre accused the government of approving a merger that would reduce competition in telecommunications. François-Philippe Champagne said 21 conditions had been attached to ensure lower prices for consumers.
Read the exchangeCarbon Pricing
Pierre Poilievre said the Parliamentary Budget Officer found that 80 per cent of Canadians would pay more after the midnight increase. Terry Duguid replied that rebate cheques would offset costs and help with affordability.
Read the exchangePublic Safety
Pierre Poilievre criticized the Prime Minister's handling of the RCMP. Pam Damoff said the Mass Casualty Commission report provided a roadmap for reforms on semi-automatic firearms and gender-based violence.
Read the exchangePoints of Order
Laila Goodridge accused Jennifer O'Connell of making an unparliamentary remark about her pregnancy. O'Connell denied the accusation and withdrew an earlier word after being called to order.
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
- deflectedGovernment AppointmentsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer ignores the claim about family and friend appointments and instead highlights one commissioner's public service background.
the interim Ethics Commissioner is a career public servant who has served in a senior role in the Ethics Commissioner's office for more than 10 years, beginning when the Harper government was in office.
- deflectedTelecommunicationsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer attacks the Conservatives and restates the government's competition policy without addressing the merger approval timeline or consumer impact.
we will take no lessons from the Conservatives and their leader, that is for sure.
- deflectedCarbon PricingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. Terry Duguid (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer shifts to climate reality and rebate cheques instead of addressing the carbon tax increase or the PBO report on net costs.
This will mean $1,000 to residents in Manitoba.
- partly answeredPublic SafetyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Ms. Pam Damoff (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer acknowledges the report and outlines planned reforms but does not address reversing the appointment of the RCMP commissioner or the claimed damage to the force.
It is a road map to pursue necessary changes, whether within the RCMP or in regard to semi-automatic firearms or gender-based violence.
- answeredClimate ChangeMrs. Marilène Gill (Bloc) asked Mr. Terry Duguid (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly lists concrete measures including eliminating fossil fuel subsidies ahead of schedule.
Very importantly, we are going to be eliminating fossil fuel subsidies, and we are going to be doing that two years in advance of the predicted schedule.
- deflectedClimate ChangeMrs. Marilène Gill (Bloc) asked Randy Boissonnault (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer highlights clean economy investments but does not address the Arctic offshore development or new subsidies raised in the question.
In the budget tabled this week, we committed to increasing the country's clean electricity capacity.
- deflectedTelecommunicationsMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer repeats the fourth-player competition narrative and conditions but does not explain why the merger was approved despite committee and bureau opposition.
Not only will we have a fourth national player, but we also imposed 21 conditions in an unprecedented contract with Canadians.
- deflectedTelecommunicationsMr. Brian Masse (NDP) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer claims respect for the colleague then repeats the same competition talking points without addressing the Competition Bureau or committee concerns.
I have enormous respect for my colleague, but when we gave the red light, we did not approve the transfer of licence from Shaw to Rogers.
- deflectedCarbon PricingMr. Dan Mazier (Conservative) asked Mr. Terry Duguid (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses rebates and climate costs without addressing the request to cancel the tax.
There is a cost to climate change and we are addressing—
- deflectedCarbon PricingMr. Jeremy Patzer (Conservative) asked Mr. Francis Drouin (Liberal). substantive question.The answer shifts to input costs from demand and budget support instead of addressing the carbon tax vote or exemption.
Input costs have risen, and not because of any taxes but because of demand.
- misdirectedCarbon PricingMr. Arnold Viersen (Conservative) asked Mr. Terry Duguid (Liberal). substantive question.The answer attacks the opposition leader on cryptocurrency advice rather than addressing when the carbon tax increase will be canceled.
What will not leave people better off is investing in cryptocurrency.
- misdirectedCarbon PricingMr. Colin Carrie (Conservative) asked Mr. Terry Duguid (Liberal). loaded question.The answer accuses Conservatives of flip-flopping on carbon pricing instead of addressing the question about the tax increase and climate plan.
The Conservatives need to stop flip-flopping, get serious about climate change and present their own plan.
- deflectedCarbon PricingMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Randy Boissonnault (Liberal). substantive question.The answer notes the tax does not apply in Quebec and attacks Conservative voting record instead of addressing the impact on families.
as my hon. colleague knows very well, the price on pollution does not apply in Quebec.
- deflectedCarbon PricingMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Randy Boissonnault (Liberal). substantive question.The answer emphasizes climate change costs and the need for a price on pollution without addressing the specific impact on costs for Quebeckers.
- partly answeredGovernment AppointmentsMr. René Villemure (Bloc) asked Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses the commissioner's qualifications and prior service but does not address reconsidering the appointment due to conflict concerns.
the interim Ethics Commissioner is a career public servant who has served in a senior role in the Ethics Commissioner's office for more than 10 years.
- deflectedGovernment AppointmentsMr. René Villemure (Bloc) asked Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Liberal). substantive question.The answer again highlights the commissioner's civil service record without addressing the pattern of appointments to those with Liberal connections.
the interim Ethics Commissioner who is being referenced is a career public servant.
- deflectedTelecommunicationsMr. Ryan Williams (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.The minister highlights benefits of the deal rather than addressing the need for more competition.
Canadians know that we have their backs and western Canadians understand that.
- deflectedTelecommunicationsMr. Rick Perkins (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.Focuses on due process and general competition instead of lobby meetings.
One thing he would know is that, as the regulator, they do not meet with the parties.
- deflectedTelecommunicationsMr. Rick Perkins (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.Praises the achievement without explaining the timing or legal challenges.
For the first time in Canada's history, more than 150 years, we have binding legal commitments by telecom in a contract with Canada to bring prices lower in Canada.
- answeredTelecommunicationsMr. Bernard Généreux (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.Directly states they are the regulator and two parties involved, which is why commitments were obtained.
It is fairly straightforward. We are the regulator and there are two parties involved, which is why we were able to get commitments from both Videotron and Rogers.
- partly answeredNatural ResourcesMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Ms. Julie Dabrusin (Liberal). substantive question.Affirms support for grid and jobs but provides no specific funding details.
this budget that we tabled this week shows exactly our commitment to a strong, sustainable electrical grid.
- deflectedNatural ResourcesMs. Laurel Collins (NDP) asked Seamus O'Regan (Liberal). substantive question.Defends the budget and role of workers without addressing elimination of subsidies.
I would say "forced" is a little harsh.
- answeredGovernment AppointmentsMrs. Shannon Stubbs (Conservative) asked Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Liberal). loaded question.Provides factual background on the appointee's prior service under Harper.
The interim Ethics Commissioner is a career public servant who has served in a senior role in the Ethics Commissioner's office for more than 10 years, and that began when the Harper government was in office.
- partly answeredGovernment AppointmentsMr. Mel Arnold (Conservative) asked Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Liberal). loaded question.Notes the recusal but avoids discussing the choice of appointee.
the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs recused himself from all deliberations and decisions related to the appointment of the interim Ethics Commissioner.
- deflectedFisheries and OceansMichael Chong (Conservative) asked Ms. Jennifer O'Connell (Liberal). substantive question.The answer avoids addressing the timeline for DFO compliance by instead criticizing the prior Conservative government.
it was in fact Conservative members who underfunded and did not increase funding to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.
- partly answeredNational DefenceMichael Chong (Conservative) asked Mr. Bryan May (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses past and ongoing defence investments but does not commit to providing the requested GDP percentage projections.
We are also undertaking a review of our defence policy in the face of a changing global environment.
- answeredEmployment InsuranceMs. Louise Chabot (Bloc) asked Mr. Irek Kusmierczyk (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly addresses the question by outlining specific EI investments and reform steps for seasonal and other workers.
budget 2023 invests in seasonal workers so they have five additional weeks of coverage for a total of 45 weeks.
- deflectedEmployment InsuranceMs. Louise Chabot (Bloc) asked Randy Boissonnault (Liberal). substantive question.The answer avoids explaining the use of EI premiums for pandemic debt and instead offers general statements on modernization.
The minister has been focusing on the modernization of the EI system.
- answeredTaxationMr. Pat Kelly (Conservative) asked Randy Boissonnault (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly commits to pausing the escalator tax as requested in the question.
we are going to pause the escalator tax on beer, wine and spirits for one year at 2%.
- misdirectedTaxationMr. Pat Kelly (Conservative) asked Randy Boissonnault (Liberal). substantive question.The answer turns to attacking the Conservatives' voting record instead of addressing the tax increase or affordability concerns.
When we lowered, not once, not twice but three times, taxes on middle-class Canadians, how did the Conservatives vote?
- partly answeredImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Scott Reid (Conservative) asked Mrs. Marie-France Lalonde (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges challenges and mentions Bill C-41 but does not commit to changing the specific eligibility criteria raised.
we know that in reality, with everything that has been happening, there have been challenges and obstacles.
- deflectedDemocratic InstitutionsMr. Michael Cooper (Conservative) asked Ms. Jennifer O'Connell (Liberal). substantive question.The answer avoids providing the briefing dates and instead highlights committee work without addressing the obstruction claim.
the PROC committee has been working diligently on this issue, continuing to hold more meetings to bring in more witnesses as opposition members have requested
- deflectedGovernment AppointmentsMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends the appointee's background without addressing revocation of the appointment.
the interim Ethics Commissioner is a career public servant who has served in a senior role in the Ethics Commissioner's office for more than 10 years, beginning when the Harper government was in office.
- deflectedGender-Based ViolenceMs. Leah Gazan (NDP) asked Ms. Jenna Sudds (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses shelter funding instead of police reform or RCMP culture changes.
Our government is working hard to ensure that every woman has the support she needs and a place to sleep each and every night.
- partly answeredFinanceMr. Alain Rayes (Independent) asked Greg Fergus (Liberal). loaded question.The answer notes similarity to prior trips and ongoing monitoring but does not address approval or ending waste.
the expenses related to this trip by the Governor General were similar to other trips made by previous governors general.
- misdirectedPoints of OrderMrs. Laila Goodridge (Conservative) asked Ms. Jennifer O'Connell (Liberal). substantive question.The answer attacks the asker by accusing her of lying rather than addressing the demand for an apology.
I am absolutely disgusted that the member opposite would outright lie, and yes, I am saying "outright lie".
- deflectedPoints of OrderMrs. Karen Vecchio (Conservative) asked Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Liberal). substantive question.The answer redirects to concluding a prior point of order instead of engaging the current one.
I think it is best that you conclude the first point of order.
- misdirectedPoints of OrderMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Mrs. Sherry Romanado (Liberal). substantive question.The answer shifts to attesting about a different exchange rather than clarifying the speaking list issue.
I was literally sitting in front of the member and heard the exchange.