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Tuesday, May 16, 2023 · sitting No. 198
Commons debates gun bill amendments through most of sitting
The House devoted the bulk of its time to Government Orders on Bill C-21, an act to amend the Criminal Code on firearms. Conservative MP Raquel Dancho moved multiple motions to delete clauses, while Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino proposed targeted changes to surrender timelines and record-keeping requirements for certain devices.
In Question Period, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre pressed Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on rising inflation and new deficit spending, while NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh questioned the impact of high rents on single parents. Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet challenged the government over immigration targets and their effect on French in Quebec.
Liberal ministers defended the strength of the Canadian economy and the government's approach to foreign interference, with Democratic Institutions Minister Dominic LeBlanc confirming that briefings for targeted members would continue.
Decided that day
- Concurrence at report stage of Bill S-5 passed
- One motion on Bill S-5 failed
- One motion on Bill S-5 passed
- Bills S-265 and C-48 introduced
From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard
Question Period – May 16, 2023. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube
Who held the floor · 2023-05-16
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
Committees of the House
Conservative MP Brad Redekopp tabled a supplementary report to the citizenship committee's study on asylum seekers, arguing the government could have closed the Roxham Road crossing sooner.
Read the exchangeHealth
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre asked Health Minister Carolyn Bennett to cancel funding for so-called safe supply after evidence that some drugs were being resold, and to redirect resources to treatment.
Read the exchangeThe Environment
Bloc Québécois MP Kristina Michaud accused Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault of authorizing oil drilling inside marine refuges on the east coast while claiming to protect biodiversity.
Read the exchangeAutomotive Industry
NDP MP Matthew Green warned that 2,500 union jobs at the Stellantis plant in Windsor are at risk because federal and provincial governments have not reached a funding deal.
Read the exchangeNational Police Week
Bloc Québécois MP Kristina Michaud marked National Police Week by noting that ten officers have died in the line of duty since September and called for better resources.
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
- deflectedFinancePierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer cites inflation numbers and credit rating but does not address reversing the cited policies.
the reality is that inflation is going down.
- deflectedFinancePierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer shifts to G7 comparisons and unemployment without addressing deficit reversal.
The reality is that Canada has the strongest economy of all the G7 countries.
- deflectedFinancePierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks Conservative claims and cites core inflation metrics instead of addressing policy reversal.
yet again, despite the best efforts, which actually are not that good, of the Conservatives to mislead Canadians, the Canadian economy is strong.
- misdirectedFinancePierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to attacking the questioner on crypto advice rather than deficits or inflation.
Would that ex-minister stop leading Canadians astray, urging them, recklessly, to invest in crypto?
- misdirectedFinancePierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the questioner on crypto and Bank of Canada firing instead of addressing mortgage costs or deficits.
Canadians know better than to listen to the Leader of the Opposition when it comes to money, because he did, after all, urge them to invest in crypto.
- deflectedImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer affirms support for Quebec but does not address the immigration target or Century Initiative.
French in Canada is very important and the Quebec nation is a priority for our government and for me personally.
- deflectedImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer lists investments in Quebec without addressing immigration management or targets.
That is why we are investing in the French language across Canada.
- partly answeredHousingMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer lists some housing and affordability measures but does not calculate the specific remaining income after rent.
helping that single mother with two kids is a priority for our government.
- partly answeredHousingMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.Answer addresses child benefits and agrees more housing work is needed but ignores the specific rent affordability calculation.
I do agree that we have more work to do on housing.
- deflectedFinanceMr. Jasraj Singh Hallan (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.Answer avoids the budget's inflation impact by restating Canada's G7 fiscal position instead.
Canada has the strongest fiscal position in the G7.
- misdirectedFinanceMr. Jasraj Singh Hallan (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.Answer turns to defending attendance at G7 meetings rather than addressing the budget or inflation claims.
Are the Conservatives proposing that finance ministers should not attend meetings of the G7?
- deflectedFinanceMs. Melissa Lantsman (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.Answer counters by attacking Conservative rhetoric instead of addressing accountability for inflation or debt.
the people who talk to Canadians as if they are in kindergarten are the Conservatives.
- deflectedFinanceMs. Melissa Lantsman (Conservative) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). loaded question.Answer shifts to global inflation context and G7 comparisons without addressing specific broken promises.
Canada is doing better than the G7 average and the G20 average
- deflectedFinanceMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.Answer reiterates fiscal ratings and contrasts with Conservative cuts but ignores Montreal-specific housing crisis.
it is our government that shows them compassion.
- misdirectedFinanceMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks Conservatives on cuts and avoids responding to Montreal MPs' silence or inflation effects.
Where exactly are the Conservatives, who have a habit of leaving Canadians to their own devices, going to make their cuts?
- partly answeredDemocratic InstitutionsMr. René Villemure (Bloc) asked Marco Mendicino (Liberal). substantive question.Answer acknowledges concerns and outlines new resources but does not explain the two-year delay in informing MPs.
That is why the government, with help from CSIS, will continue to provide briefings.
- deflectedDemocratic InstitutionsMr. René Villemure (Bloc) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). loaded question.The answer restates general instructions on informing MPs but avoids the timing delay and partisan bias questions.
We will ensure that the elected officials in question are informed and that the appropriate measures are taken.
- deflectedDemocratic InstitutionsMs. Marie-Hélène Gaudreau (Bloc) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to past government actions and awaiting the rapporteur instead of addressing the call for an immediate inquiry.
Like our colleague, we are eagerly awaiting the report of the Right Hon. David Johnston in this matter.
- partly answeredJusticeRob Moore (Conservative) asked David Lametti (Liberal). loaded question.The answer introduces the new bill and quotes support but does not confirm it ends catch-and-release as asked.
I had the honour today to introduce in the House Bill C-48 , which represents targeted measures to strengthen our bail system to meet the concerns raised by provincial premiers, our counterpart justice and public safety ministers across Canada, police associations and others.
- deflectedJusticeMs. Raquel Dancho (Conservative) asked David Lametti (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer dismisses the question as a slogan and shifts to general collaboration without addressing the call for overhaul.
I appreciate that on the other side of the House, they believe that complex criminal justice policy resolves itself into a simple, silly slogan.
- partly answeredJusticeMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked David Lametti (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights the new bill and stakeholder quotes but sidesteps whether C-75 will be fully fixed.
today I had the honour of introducing Bill C‑48 precisely so we can work with the provinces, with the territories, and with police associations across Canada to strengthen the bail system in Canada.
- deflectedJusticeMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked David Lametti (Liberal). loaded question.The answer repeats the need for collaboration and rejects slogans but gives no yes/no confirmation on fully solving C-75 issues.
To improve the system and ensure that Canadians have confidence in the system, we must work with the provinces, territories, stakeholders and police associations.
- partly answeredThe EnvironmentMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges federal work with leaders but does not address the request for a parliamentary inquiry.
Indigenous Services Canada, indeed the federal government, has been working with Kanesatake leaders to determine a solution to move forward in a way that protects the health and safety of the community.
- deflectedAutomotive IndustryMr. Matthew Green (NDP) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer lists past investments and calls for shares from others but avoids committing to immediate action on the Stellantis jobs.
We are going to ensure a fair deal for Canadians across our whole country, and that does mean that Ontario needs to do its fair share, and it means that Stellantis needs to do its fair share as well.
- deflectedHealthPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Carolyn Bennett (Liberal). loaded question.The response attacks the opposition's stance without addressing whether the program will be canceled.
We cannot allow the Conservatives to take us back to the failed ideology of the past.
- deflectedHealthPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Carolyn Bennett (Liberal). loaded question.The answer begins to restate a talking point but does not engage the specific policy question.
Mr. Speaker, people are dying—
- deflectedHealthPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Carolyn Bennett (Liberal). loaded question.The response defends the program but avoids answering why it will not be ended.
Safe supply allows people to stay alive long enough.
- misdirectedHealthPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer turns to attacking the asker personally instead of addressing the policy question.
I heard the Leader of the Opposition shout across the aisle, "You are killing them." That is shameful.
- deflectedThe EnvironmentMs. Kristina Michaud (Bloc) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). loaded question.The response highlights unrelated achievements rather than addressing the drilling authorization.
Canada was there for the international community, for science and for the protection of nature.
- misdirectedThe EnvironmentMs. Kristina Michaud (Bloc) asked Ms. Julie Dabrusin (Liberal). loaded question.The answer provides some clarification but ends by attacking the Bloc leader's past record.
He said, "I will tell you in no uncertain terms, the Government of Quebec intends to make progress in developing the oil industry in Quebec."
- deflectedHealthMr. Stephen Ellis (Conservative) asked Carolyn Bennett (Liberal). loaded question.The response criticizes past Conservative policy without addressing the current overdose statistics or plan.
We lived through 10 years of the Conservative government taking harm reduction out.
- deflectedHealthKerry-Lynne Findlay (Conservative) asked Carolyn Bennett (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends the safer supply approach but does not address ending the program or implementing treatment beds.
Supporting a safer supply is just one of the evidence-based, comprehensive public health responses to the toxic drug and overdose crisis.
- deflectedHealthMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer pivots to local Quebec examples of harm reduction without addressing the claimed national worsening or need for a new approach.
If my colleague is willing, he is welcome to come visit these people.
- deflectedHealthKerry-Lynne Findlay (Conservative) asked Carolyn Bennett (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends safe supply with a quote but ignores the call to prioritize treatment beds over drug distribution.
There is no indication that prescribed safe supply is contributing to illicit drug deaths.
- misdirectedHealthMr. Stephen Ellis (Conservative) asked Carolyn Bennett (Liberal). loaded question.The answer opens with a sharp retort attacking the premise rather than engaging the request for rehab focus.
it is impossible to bring one's loved ones home if they are dead.
- partly answeredLabourMr. Chris Lewis (Conservative) asked Seamus O'Regan (Liberal). substantive question.The answer notes mediators are at the table and cites past success rates but does not address taxes, inflation or pilots leaving.
Last year, they resolved 93% of federal disputes without any work stoppage.
- answeredInfrastructureMs. Bonita Zarrillo (NDP) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly addresses the funding delay concern by confirming an upcoming meeting and the permanent fund already created.
I am looking forward to meeting later this afternoon with mayors from the greater Vancouver area regarding TransLink.
- deflectedRail TransportationMr. Taylor Bachrach (NDP) asked Ms. Annie Koutrakis (Liberal). loaded question.The answer begins with thanks but shifts to general reliability without addressing the privatization choice or public model.
Canadians deserve reliable railway service and public funds are—
- deflectedRail TransportationMr. Daniel Blaikie (NDP) asked Ms. Annie Koutrakis (Liberal). substantive question.The answer is only a clarification request and does not engage the substance of public delivery.