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Wednesday, April 19, 2023 · sitting No. 180
Commons debates budget as Poilievre presses Trudeau on ethics and carbon tax
The House spent the largest share of the day on the budget under Government Orders, with debate continuing on the federal-provincial fiscal arrangements and related measures after second reading.
In Question Period the main clashes centred on ethics and the carbon tax. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre pressed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to repay the value of a private vacation at a donor-linked villa and to cancel the carbon tax, while Trudeau defended both the trip and the tax as consistent with ethics rules and climate goals.
New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh criticized the government for failing to reach a deal with striking public-service workers and called on Trudeau to avoid back-to-work legislation.
Decided that day
- Budgetary policy passed
- Bill C-239 second reading failed
- 14th report of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration passed
From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard
Question Period – April 19, 2023. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube
Who held the floor · 2023-04-19
63Budget passes while ethics debate dragsThe sitting devoted nearly equal time to the budget and ethics questions, yet recorded three votes that settled concrete matters. Question Period produced mostly deflected answers and three speaker interventions, but substantive business accounted for four-fifths of the words spoken.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
Labour
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said the government had both raised bureaucracy costs 50 per cent and triggered the largest general strike in four decades, while Trudeau replied that negotiators were bargaining in good faith.
Read the exchangeDemocratic Institutions
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet said the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation had solicited funds from the Chinese Communist Party, and Trudeau replied that he has had no involvement with the foundation for a decade.
Read the exchangeEmployment
Liberal MP Brenda Shanahan asked about the addition of the Davie shipyard in Lévis to the national shipbuilding strategy, and Trudeau said the expansion would bring $21 billion in benefits and 4,500 jobs in the Quebec City region.
Read the exchangeFinancial Protection for Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Farmers Act
Conservative MP Scot Davidson moved second reading of Bill C-280 to create a deemed trust for perishable fruits and vegetables in bankruptcy proceedings, and NDP MP Niki Ashton said her party supports the measure to give Canadian farmers parity with those in the United States.
Read the exchangePersons with Disabilities
NDP MP Bonita Zarrillo pressed for faster action on the Canada disability benefit, citing a constituent facing eviction, and Parliamentary Secretary Irek Kusmierczyk said the government is consulting to get the details right.
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
- deflectedLabourPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer emphasizes bargaining principles without addressing the strike, cost increases or service failures raised.
we have ensured that the work is done at the bargaining table.
- deflectedLabourPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer repeats calls to stay at the bargaining table without addressing the cost or strike failures mentioned.
That is why we are encouraging everyone to stay at the bargaining table.
- deflectedEthicsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer explains the vacation as with friends and Ethics Commissioner review but avoids the repayment request.
Of course, in all these situations, we work with the Ethics Commissioner to ensure that all the rules are followed
- deflectedEthicsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer details family ties and security needs but does not address repaying the accommodation cost.
Of course, we worked with the Ethics Commissioner to make sure all rules were followed
- misdirectedEthicsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer shifts to attacking the opposition leader's billionaire friends instead of addressing the repayment demand.
Canadians are worried about his billionaire friends that he is using to attack local news for Canadians right across the country.
- deflectedDemocratic InstitutionsMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer claims no involvement with the foundation but does not address the inquiry distance question.
For the past decade, I myself have not had any direct or indirect involvement with the foundation and the decisions that it makes.
- answeredEthicsMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly states unawareness of the specific donation amount and reaffirms no involvement.
No, I was not aware of the donation by the Green family.
- partly answeredLabourMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer affirms bargaining in good faith but does not commit to avoiding back-to-work legislation.
government negotiators are, as we speak, at the table with the unions, bargaining in good faith toward getting to the right solution
- deflectedLabourMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses ongoing negotiations but avoids any commitment on back-to-work legislation.
Our negotiators are at the table with the unions.
- answeredEthicsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer directly denies any discussion or knowledge involving his brother and the foundation.
That includes not knowing what donations are taken, what decisions they are making or what my brother is doing on the foundation.
- misdirectedEthicsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the questioner's word choice and pivots to unrelated government achievements instead of addressing involvement.
I believe the Leader of the Opposition needs to look in a dictionary for the definition of "inactive".
- deflectedEthicsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer shifts focus to the opposition's priorities and budget voting rather than reconciling the listed activities.
viewers watching at home may be surprised to see the extent to which the leader of the official opposition is choosing to focus on me
- answeredEthicsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer explicitly repeats “no” to the question about discussing the donation with his brother.
I have already said "no" to that question.
- deflectedEthicsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the repayment demand and pivots to unrelated health care and dental care announcements.
we will continue to focus on Canadians, including by moving forward on strengthening health care.
- misdirectedEthicsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer accuses the opposition of not accepting “no” and attacks their motives instead of addressing the brother testifying request.
I do not know why it is so hard for people in the Conservative Party of Canada to accept that "no" means "no"
- answeredEthicsMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer directly denies speaking with his brother about the foundation's operations.
That includes not speaking with my brother about the foundation's operations.
- deflectedEthicsMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer addresses only the 2016 foundation media questions while ignoring the current interference and vacation allegations.
The whole reason my office had to ask for answers to the questions we were getting from the media was because we were unaware of what was happening at the Trudeau Foundation and because I have had no direct or indirect involvement with the Trudeau Foundation for a decade.
- deflectedEthicsMs. Melissa Lantsman (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer begins to explain the personal connection but cuts off without addressing repayment of costs.
I went with my family and my children to a place that I have been to probably dozens and dozens of times over the past decades because they are long-standing—
- misdirectedEthicsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer ignores the insult and pivots to attacking the Conservatives on unrelated budget items.
it is interesting to see the extent to which the Conservative Party does not want to talk about budget 2023 and all the measures we are putting forward to support Canadians
- deflectedEthicsMs. Melissa Lantsman (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer explains the friendship but then attacks Conservatives on dental care and child care instead of addressing pay-to-play or repayment.
Canadians are probably puzzled as to why the Conservative Party continues to stand against dental care, against for low-income Canadians and against child care, which is saving Canadians hundreds of dollars a month at a time of need.
- answeredEthicsMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly states that the Ethics Commissioner was consulted and rules were followed regarding the Jamaica trip.
In this particular situation, specifically my vacation while staying with friends, we worked with the Ethics Commissioner to make sure that all the rules were followed, and they were.
- answeredEthicsMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly affirms consultation with the Ethics Commissioner and compliance with rules on the vacation.
Obviously, as in every case, we worked with the Office of the Ethics Commissioner to ensure that all the rules were followed, and they were.
- partly answeredLabourMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses good-faith negotiation but does not confirm whether back-to-work legislation will be avoided.
We are working in good faith at the negotiating table.
- deflectedLabourMs. Lindsay Mathyssen (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer defends past labour actions and attacks Conservatives rather than committing to no back-to-work legislation.
I question the member opposite's mention of our Conservative colours.
- deflectedEthicsMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer evades the count of visits by accusing opponents of conspiracy theories instead of providing numbers.
the Conservatives are once again attempting to peddle conspiracy theories.
- answeredEthicsMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly states the number of visits as Prime Minister and as MP.
this was the only time I have gone to see these friends since I became Prime Minister.
- deflectedEthicsMr. Mark Strahl (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the repayment question and pivots to attacking Conservatives on the budget.
if the Conservative Party really cared about Canadians and affordability, instead of personal attacks on me, they would move forward on supporting the budget we are putting forward tonight
- deflectedLabourMrs. Stephanie Kusie (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer avoids apologizing or taking responsibility by contrasting with Conservative tactics instead.
we know all too well what the Conservative playbook would be on this: back-to-work legislation even before the picket lines were brought up.
- deflectedEthicsMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer restates no involvement without addressing the office's contact with the foundation.
I have had no direct or indirect involvement with the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation for 10 years.
- misdirectedDemocratic InstitutionsMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer turns the inquiry into a demand to support the budget rather than addressing the inquiry proposal.
if the leader of the Bloc Québécois wants this government to continue to do its job, all he has to do is vote in favour of our budget this evening.
- misdirectedCarbon PricingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer lists past programs instead of addressing the carbon tax or food bank statistics.
We have lifted over 435,000 children out of poverty through the Canada child benefit, which his party campaigned against.
- deflectedCarbon PricingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends the carbon tax policy without engaging the specific request to axe it.
everyone in Canada knows that we cannot have a plan for growing the economy if we do not have a plan to fight climate change.
- deflectedCarbon PricingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer promotes rebates and voting instead of addressing starvation or food tax claim.
our solution is to continue to invest in affordability for Canadians, including with a grocery rebate.
- deflectedCarbon PricingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer suggests visiting riding and highlights cheques rather than addressing axing the tax.
I suggest that the member opposite choose to spend a little time in his riding of Carleton
- deflectedCarbon PricingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer cites family benefits then attacks Conservatives on climate denial instead of PBO net cost.
What is less clear is how the Conservative Party of Canada plans to grow the economy and create good jobs for the future when it refuses to accept climate change is real
- deflectedCarbon PricingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer shifts to climate change costs and cuts off without addressing minister admission or scam claim.
To think that there is no cost associated with climate change—
- deflectedLabourMr. Blake Desjarlais (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer discusses negotiations but avoids yes/no on forcing workers back.
Our negotiators and the unions are hard at work finding a way to ensure that we continue to support and respect the extraordinary public servants
- misdirectedCarbon PricingMr. Kevin Vuong (Independent) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks the member for his riding instead of addressing carbon tax or GST on taxes.
I can only think of the poor residents of Spadina—Fort York , who elected a member who would promise to fight for the environment, fight—