All sittings← 2023-06-072023-06-09 →
Thursday, June 8, 2023 · sitting No. 209
Bloc motion on wildfires and climate action dominates supply day
The House spent the largest share of its sitting on a Bloc Québécois supply-day motion expressing solidarity with those affected by forest fires, recognizing the link between climate change and extreme weather, and calling on the government to invest more in emissions reduction and disaster support while ending subsidies to the oil and gas sector. Yves-François Blanchet moved the motion and Steven Guilbeault said the government would support it.
Question period featured repeated Conservative attacks on Liberal spending, which members said has driven inflation and nine interest-rate hikes that threaten mortgage holders. Melissa Lantsman, Gérard Deltell and Jasraj Singh Hallan pressed the government on household debt and mortgage defaults, while Terry Beech, Rachel Bendayan and Mark Holland defended the fiscal record and new affordability measures.
Further exchanges saw Conservatives question the integrity of special rapporteur David Johnston over alleged conflicts and demand a public inquiry into foreign interference, with Marco Mendicino and Mark Holland defending the process and the rapporteur’s credentials.
Decided that day
- Bill C-47 passed third reading and adoption
From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard
Question Period – June 8, 2023. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube
Who held the floor · 2023-06-08
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
Competition Act
Ryan Williams introduced a private member’s bill to remove the efficiencies defence from the Competition Act, arguing that lax rules have allowed monopolies in telecom, banking and airlines to raise prices for Canadians.
Read the exchangePetitions
Laurel Collins tabled a petition calling for a ban on thermal coal exports while Dan Mazier presented one urging repeal of the government’s bail reforms that residents of Swan River say have increased local crime.
Read the exchangeDemocratic Institutions
Michael Barrett accused the rapporteur of conflicts of interest for sharing a communications firm with a former Liberal MP under investigation and demanded a public inquiry; Marco Mendicino replied that the Conservatives were ignoring the substance of the foreign-interference review.
Read the exchangeOil and Gas Industry
Charlie Angus asked why the government has allowed oil and gas production to rise 109 million barrels a day instead of imposing the promised emissions cap; Julie Dabrusin said the emissions-reduction plan already covers the sector and progress is being made.
Read the exchangeImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Tom Kmiec said Liberal and NDP members on the immigration committee had blocked four attempts to help victims of a fake-admission-letter fraud; Marie-France Lalonde replied that the government is focused on identifying the perpetrators while assisting affected students.
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
- deflectedHousingMs. Melissa Lantsman (Conservative) asked Mr. Terry Beech (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the request for mortgage cost figures and pivots to unrelated economic comparisons and investments.
when we compare ourselves to our economic peers, we have a lower deficit, a lower net debt-to-GDP ratio, the fastest-growing economic growth in the G7 and lower interest rates.
- misdirectedHousingMs. Melissa Lantsman (Conservative) asked Mr. Terry Beech (Liberal). loaded question.The answer shifts to attacking Conservative positions on spending instead of addressing rising mortgage defaults or debt levels.
over the last week, the Conservative Party has tried to convince Canadians that we would be better off if we did not make those investments in health care, if we did not invest in dental care, and if we reduced investments in seniors' pensions and retirement security.
- misdirectedDemocratic InstitutionsMs. Melissa Lantsman (Conservative) asked Marco Mendicino (Liberal). loaded question.The answer redirects to criticizing the Conservatives for partisan attacks rather than clarifying the conflict of interest raised.
Despite all of that, they would rather focus on partisan attacks than the actual hard work of fighting foreign interference together.
- misdirectedHousingMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Ms. Rachel Bendayan (Liberal). substantive question.The answer attacks the Conservative leader's speech length and content instead of addressing spending control to reduce inflation.
While those difficult conversations were happening at the supper table, the Conservative leader was in the House, where I heard him rambling on and on for four hours.
- deflectedFinanceMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Ms. Rachel Bendayan (Liberal). substantive question.The answer reframes the balanced budget question around government programs without confirming agreement on deficit reduction.
We have struck a balance between fiscal responsibility and compassion.
- answeredClimate ChangeMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly affirms the link between fossil fuels, climate change, and the fires while supporting the motion.
There is a clear link between the forest fire season we are currently experiencing in Canada and the use of fossil fuels.
- partly answeredClimate ChangeMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses redirecting funds by noting ongoing investments but does not commit to halting all oil and gas funding.
We are not going to wait until fossil fuel subsidies are completely eliminated.
- deflectedClimate ChangeMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights subsidy elimination efforts without addressing the call for stronger immediate climate action.
We put a stop to international subsidies last year, and we were applauded by NGOs like Environmental Defence and Equiterre and by international organizations like Oil Change International.
- answeredClimate ChangeMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). loaded question.The minister directly confirms they are eliminating fossil fuel subsidies and investing in clean tech as requested.
we are eliminating fossil fuel subsidies.
- deflectedFinanceMr. Jasraj Singh Hallan (Conservative) asked Mr. Terry Beech (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights falling inflation and job creation but avoids addressing the call to rewrite the budget or cancel spending plans.
It is actually projected to continue coming down to below 3% very soon.
- misdirectedFinanceMr. Jasraj Singh Hallan (Conservative) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). loaded question.The response pivots to attacking the Conservative leader's cryptocurrency comments instead of addressing the budget or debt concerns.
If Canadians had followed that advice, and sadly many did, they not only would have been reduced, if they had invested in Terra, Celsius or FTX—
- misdirectedHousingMr. Philip Lawrence (Conservative) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer shifts to praising Canada and criticizing the opposition's view of Ireland rather than addressing deficits or housing losses.
I would say that the facts show that this is the greatest country on earth.
- deflectedHousingMr. Philip Lawrence (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). loaded question.The response counters with Conservative cuts but does not engage the specific question on deficits driving housing defaults.
Let us cut the Canada child benefit.
- deflectedHousingMr. Joël Godin (Conservative) asked Pascale St-Onge (Liberal). loaded question.The answer promotes government supports but sidesteps the query on mortgage increases and Liberal advice on borrowing.
On this side of the House, we will continue to be there for Canadians while being fiscally responsible.
- partly answeredHousingMr. Joël Godin (Conservative) asked Ms. Rachel Bendayan (Liberal). loaded question.The response partially addresses inflation trends and credits but ignores the core question about struggling families and mortgage defaults.
inflation in Canada peaked at 8.1% and has now fallen to 4.4%.
- answeredClimate ChangeMs. Monique Pauzé (Bloc) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). loaded question.The minister directly lists multiple climate actions including a cap on emissions in response to the call to divest from oil and gas.
Fighting climate change is the reason why we are putting a cap on greenhouse gas emissions and bringing in many other measures.
- deflectedNatural ResourcesMs. Monique Pauzé (Bloc) asked Ms. Julie Dabrusin (Liberal). substantive question.Answer discusses exploration licences and Bill C-49 instead of addressing the request to correct the colleague on marine refuge boundaries.
It is quite possible that such a project would be rejected.
- deflectedNatural ResourcesMs. Kristina Michaud (Bloc) asked Ms. Julie Dabrusin (Liberal). substantive question.Answer highlights conservation targets and renewables but avoids committing to ending oil development in marine refuges.
We will keep doing this great work.
- misdirectedDemocratic InstitutionsMr. Michael Barrett (Conservative) asked Marco Mendicino (Liberal). substantive question.Answer attacks Conservatives and their leader's past statements rather than addressing the call for a public inquiry.
They now appear to disagree with their former Conservative leader.
- misdirectedDemocratic InstitutionsMr. Michael Barrett (Conservative) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). substantive question.Answer focuses on the Leader of the Opposition's past comments about Mr. Johnston instead of the listed conflicts of interest.
I do not understand how the Conservatives can say that now and pretend that he has no credibility.
- misdirectedDemocratic InstitutionsMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Marco Mendicino (Liberal). substantive question.Answer dismisses the question as personal attacks and pivots to protecting institutions without addressing the Navigator conflict or inquiry demand.
the Conservatives will continue their personal attacks against Mr. Johnston, despite the support he received from the current leader of the Conservative Party of Canada.
- partly answeredOil and Gas IndustryMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Ms. Julie Dabrusin (Liberal). substantive question.Answer affirms a cap on oil and gas emissions and references the emissions reduction plan but does not explain the reported production increase.
it has been very clear that we are putting a cap on oil and gas emissions
- answeredOil and Gas IndustryMs. Laurel Collins (NDP) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly states the timeline for phasing out domestic fossil fuel subsidies and notes progress on international ones.
we are on track to phase out domestic fossil fuel subsidies this year, in 2023, two years earlier than any of our G20 partner countries.
- deflectedHousingMrs. Tracy Gray (Conservative) asked Mr. Terry Beech (Liberal). substantive question.Answer highlights falling inflation and tax measures but does not address stopping deficit spending to prevent mortgage defaults.
it is very important to reiterate that inflation is coming down.
- deflectedHousingMrs. Tracy Gray (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). loaded question.The response justifies government spending rather than addressing ending deficits.
When the Conservatives talk about those deficits, those deficits were spent on such things as CERB, the Canada emergency response benefit, or the Canada emergency wage subsidy, which quite literally kept households afloat during the pandemic.
- misdirectedThe EconomyMr. Blake Richards (Conservative) asked Ahmed Hussen (Liberal). loaded question.The answer criticizes opposition members' positions on housing instead of addressing the budget or inflation.
The member for Edmonton Riverbend believes that we should download responsibility for housing to provinces and territories, as does the member for Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon
- deflectedThe EconomyMr. Blake Richards (Conservative) asked Kamal Khera (Liberal). loaded question.The answer lists existing supports and rebates without addressing the budget, carbon tax or listening to advice.
since 2015, we have been there supporting Canadians, including seniors.
- partly answeredDemocratic InstitutionsMr. René Villemure (Bloc) asked Marco Mendicino (Liberal). substantive question.The response explains measures taken and next steps but avoids committing to a public inquiry.
the short answer is that we are not waiting for anything.
- misdirectedDemocratic InstitutionsMs. Marie-Hélène Gaudreau (Bloc) asked Marco Mendicino (Liberal). loaded question.The answer focuses on accusing the opposition of personal attacks rather than addressing the inquiry request.
if we have accused the opposition of making personal attacks against Mr. Johnston, it is because those are the facts.
- deflectedFinanceMr. Pat Kelly (Conservative) asked Mr. Terry Beech (Liberal). loaded question.The response highlights falling inflation and child care savings instead of addressing deficit reduction.
inflation is coming down in Canada, and it is actually below inflation in the United States, inflation in Europe and inflation in the OECD.
- misdirectedFinanceMr. Pat Kelly (Conservative) asked Mr. Arif Virani (Liberal). loaded question.The answer begins politely then pivots to criticizing the opposition's voting record on supports.
what I appreciated about the question from the member opposite is that he is concerned about the welfare of Canadians.
- answeredImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Tom Kmiec (Conservative) asked Mrs. Marie-France Lalonde (Liberal). loaded question.The answer acknowledges the fraud issue and outlines steps to identify perpetrators and support affected students.
I thank the member for his question, because I think we collectively agree that this is unacceptable and we are seized with this situation that these international students are facing.
- deflectedFinanceMr. Warren Steinley (Conservative) asked Ms. Rachel Bendayan (Liberal). loaded question.The response ignores the spending question entirely and pivots to wildfires plus Conservative filibustering.
at a time when wildfires are raging across Quebec and Canada, the Conservatives' priority is to filibuster a bill for implementing the measures set out in our budget.
- partly answeredFinanceMr. Warren Steinley (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). loaded question.The answer lists specific benefit increases but does not address why many Canadians still lack money in their pockets.
We have put forward several initiatives to help Canadians, including the increase to the Canada workers benefit, the doubling of the GST tax credit, the grocery rebate
- deflectedFinanceMr. Bob Zimmer (Conservative) asked Dan Vandal (Liberal). loaded question.The reply lists existing programs instead of addressing the mortgage cost increase or ending deficit spending.
our government understands the needs of northerners and Canadians. That is why we have introduced the grocery rebate for all of Canada.
- partly answeredHuman RightsMr. Randall Garrison (NDP) asked Pascale St-Onge (Liberal). substantive question.The minister states intent to work with partners on rights but does not specify actions against Swimming Canada policies.
I will continue to work with all sports community partners so that, together, we can find a way to respect the rights of trans people, women and all communities
- answeredClimate ChangeMr. Mike Morrice (Green) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly states timelines for ending both international and domestic fossil fuel subsidies.
We will also eliminate all domestic fossil fuel subsidies in 2023, two years earlier than all of our G20 partners.
- misdirectedHonorary Canadian CitizenMr. Tom Kmiec (Conservative) asked The Speaker (Liberal). rhetorical question.The Speaker responds about voting app issues rather than the honorary citizenship motion.
Many employees worked last night to confirm, once again, that there was no generalized outage and that, with a few isolated exceptions, the application worked as intended.