All sittings← 2023-10-242023-10-26 →
Wednesday, October 25, 2023 · sitting No. 239
Commons advances Criminal Code changes on sex offender registry
The House spent the largest share of its sitting on government orders debating Bill S-12, which amends the Criminal Code, the Sex Offender Information Registration Act and the International Transfer of Offenders Act. Liberal MP James Maloney said the bill responds to concerns around sexual offending and includes modifications reported by the justice committee. Conservative MP Frank Caputo questioned whether sexual offences could lead to house arrest.
Question period featured repeated exchanges on carbon pricing and housing between Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Poilievre cited Food Banks Canada data showing record visits and asked the government to reverse planned carbon tax increases on farmers and truckers. Trudeau defended child benefit and child care measures and said the government is working with municipalities to build more homes.
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet pressed Trudeau on a National Assembly motion recognizing Quebec's economic viability as a sovereign state. Trudeau replied that Quebeckers see their future inside Canada and cited joint investments such as the Réseau express métropolitain.
Decided that day
- Bill C-284 passed third reading and adoption
- Bill C-280 passed third reading and adoption
- Bill C-252 passed third reading and adoption
- Bill C-278 failed at second reading
- Motion M-79 and its amendment both failed
From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard
Question Period – October 25, 2023. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube
Who held the floor · 2023-10-25
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
Foreign Affairs
NDP MP Blake Desjarlais asked the government to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and cited a constituent's 12-year-old daughter trapped there. Trudeau condemned Hamas, supported Israel's right to self-defence under international law and said Canada backs humanitarian pauses.
Read the exchangeForeign Affairs
Poilievre asked whether the government would ban the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps after The Wall Street Journal reported its role in training Hamas. Trudeau said listing a terrorist organization requires a meticulous process led by intelligence agencies.
Read the exchangeIndigenous Affairs
Liberal MP Brendan Hanley asked about the Federal Court decision on compensation for first nations children. Trudeau called the $23-billion settlement the largest in Canadian history and an important step toward reconciliation.
Read the exchangeSmall Business
Blanchet asked the government to extend repayment deadlines for pandemic emergency loans to Quebec businesses. Trudeau said an extra year and additional flexibilities had already been announced.
Read the exchangeCanadian Aviation Regulations
Liberal MP Ken Hardie moved a motion requiring airport firefighters to reach all points on operational runways within three minutes. Conservative MP Dan Muys asked whether the proposal should first go to the transport committee.
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
- deflectedCarbon PricingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids the carbon tax and food bank question entirely by shifting to condolences for a senator.
It is with incredible sadness that I rise in this place to mourn the loss of our friend and fellow parliamentarian, Senator Ian Shugart.
- deflectedCarbon PricingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer sidesteps the food insecurity and tax question by listing past Liberal programs opposed by Conservatives.
We will continue to be there to help families in these difficult times.
- deflectedCarbon PricingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the carbon tax and food bank statistics to repeat talking points on child care and poverty reduction.
We will continue to help Canadians.
- misdirectedCarbon PricingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the questioner's past record on seniors instead of addressing the carbon tax or Nova Scotia food bank concerns.
if the hon. member actually cared about seniors, he would not have been part of the government that raised the retirement age, driving seniors further into poverty.
- deflectedHousingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids the housing and food bank question by claiming the asker has no plan and listing one provincial announcement.
as the Leader of the Opposition has put forward no plan for housing, he lacks credibility on this issue.
- deflectedIntergovernmental AffairsMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer reframes the sovereignty question into praise for federal investments in Quebec rather than addressing economic viability.
The reality is that, of course, Quebeckers are a proud people from a proud nation ready to build a better future, but they know very well that their brightest future is within Canada.
- partly answeredIntergovernmental AffairsMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges Quebec's economic capability but pivots to federal-provincial collaboration without directly affirming sovereignty viability.
we know that Quebec is capable of doing more, and we know that Quebec is poised for economic growth.
- deflectedThe EconomyMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer lists government rebates and programs instead of engaging with the claim that greedy CEOs cause food bank use.
we are taking concrete actions to support them through this, whether it be with the grocery rebate, whether it be with $10-a-day child care, whether it be with dental care that is going to support young children
- deflectedThe EconomyMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer promotes government actions on affordability without addressing the demand to admit the approach is a failure.
our goal is to make life more affordable and ensure that companies pay their share.
- misdirectedThe EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks Conservative proposals instead of addressing the call to reverse specific policies.
The Conservative Party is proposing cuts to government services, cuts to investments that are going to support seniors and cuts to investments that are going to support families
- deflectedFinancePierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer shifts entirely to housing investments and avoids the question on whether government spending adds to inflation.
Canadians know we need more supply on the housing crisis.
- deflectedFinancePierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to housing legislation and avoids answering yes or no on deficits driving inflation.
inflation is steadily coming down, even as we continue to sign agreements with communities across the country.
- deflectedFinancePierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer again promotes housing supply measures and does not engage with the evidence cited on deficits and inflation.
What Canadians need is greater investment in the supply of housing.
- partly answeredHousingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer provides examples of ongoing housing projects but does not address the timeline for completed homes or the failure of past promises.
we were standing on the site of a building that we announced two years ago, which would be opening its doors to new residents today.
- misdirectedHousingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer attacks the questioner's record as housing minister rather than responding to the contrast on results.
When he was housing minister, he announced $300 million and got 99 homes built.
- deflectedIntergovernmental AffairsMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer reframes the issue around what Quebeckers want to discuss instead of stating a position on the funding motion.
they no longer want to talk about sovereignty.
- deflectedIntergovernmental AffairsMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer ignores the independence claim and pivots to unrelated policy priorities.
The reality is that we all have to work together to deliver for Quebeckers, to deliver housing, to deliver affordable groceries, to deliver a safer, cleaner planet.
- deflectedFinancePierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer avoids addressing the Bank of Canada report and instead attacks Conservative policy alternatives.
At a time when Canadians are struggling and suffering, he is proposing cuts to services and to the help that we are offering.
- partly answeredFinancePierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses fiscal responsibility and deficit reduction but does not directly confirm or deny agreement with the Governor on spending driving inflation.
As is clear from the public accounts, we have reduced the deficit without cutting the supports Canadians depend on.
- deflectedFinancePierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer shifts to housing supply instead of addressing whether deficits drive inflation and interest rates.
Canadians are facing a housing crisis. The Conservatives' solution is to reduce the government's investments in housing.
- misdirectedHousingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer corrects a factual claim about past housing spending while attacking the questioner's record rather than addressing the broader critique.
as the member opposite knows full well, and he can look in the history records, it was a $300-million program that delivered 99 homes.
- partly answeredHousingMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses federal housing agreements with municipalities but does not address the loss of affordable homes or the winter crisis timeline.
we are working very closely with municipalities across this country on housing and homelessness, on building more homes and on improving supply.
- answeredForeign AffairsMr. Blake Desjarlais (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly states Canada's position on humanitarian pauses, aid corridors, and hostages without evasion.
As I said, there are ongoing diplomatic conversations about the consideration of humanitarian pauses, and that is something Canada supports.
- deflectedRoyal Canadian Mounted PolicePierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer notes ongoing investigations but avoids any comment on alleged interference or blocked testimony.
the RCMP and the CBSA's professional integrity division are investigating.
- deflectedRoyal Canadian Mounted PolicePierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer ignores the RCMP testimony request and pivots to criticizing the opposition's lack of vision.
when the opposition leader is bringing up matters that were duly settled four years ago, it is obvious they have no vision for the future of this country, no plan to move Canada forward and nothing to offer Canadians except cuts, austerity and partisan attacks.
- deflectedPublic Services and ProcurementPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer mentions ongoing investigations but shifts to attacking the opposition's ideology and pandemic stance.
He does not much care about facts or process, just his hidden agenda driven by ideology, an ideology rooted in denying that the government had to act fast in a once-in-a-century moment to keep Canadians safe.
- deflectedPublic Services and ProcurementPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer references investigations but pivots to accusing the asker of divisive games and wearing a tinfoil hat.
He continues to play divisive games to try to divide Canadians on a matter core to public health and public safety.
- answeredSmall BusinessMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly confirms extended deadlines and flexibilities for loan repayment.
That is why we announced extended deadlines, providing an additional year for term loan repayment and additional flexibilities for loan holders looking to benefit from loan forgiveness.
- deflectedSmall BusinessMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights federal assistance but avoids addressing the call for further extensions or Quebec independence.
SMEs are the backbone of our economy. We were there for businesses during the pandemic and we will continue to be there for them as they recover.
- deflectedForeign AffairsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer notes a rigorous process and past Conservative inaction instead of committing to a ban.
for years, during the previous Conservative government's attacks and rhetoric against Iran, including the closing of the embassy, the Conservatives never moved forward on banning the IRGC and declaring it a terrorist organization.
- deflectedForeign AffairsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer emphasizes a meticulous process and protecting Canadians but sidesteps a direct yes-or-no on banning the IRGC.
The fact of the matter is that the listing of an organization as a terrorist organization is actually a meticulous process led by intelligence and security agencies and carefully calibrated to do no harm to Canadians or Canadian military members serving overseas.
- deflectedForeign AffairsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer states all options are on the table but avoids confirming a ban on the IRGC.
All options, as always, are on the table.
- deflectedForeign AffairsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer references different regimes and general options without addressing the specific request to ban the IRGC.
We continue to have all options on the table, as we have said.
- deflectedForeign AffairsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer lists existing sanctions and concerns but avoids committing to the private member's bill.
we will continue to do everything we can to hold the Iranian regime accountable for its actions.
- deflectedForeign AffairsPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer agrees on the regime's nature and recalls a personal anecdote without addressing adoption of the proposal.
That is why we have continued to pursue every available means to hold the Iranian regime to account, to support people fighting for freedom in their country and to support Iranian Canadians.
- deflectedClimate ChangeMs. Niki Ashton (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer praises indigenous partnerships but does not address stopping payments to big oil or investing in the specified priorities.
They are essential partners and we are lucky to be working with them.
- partly answeredForeign AffairsMr. Mike Morrice (Green) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer supports humanitarian pauses and aid but does not directly respond to calling for a ceasefire.
As I said, there are ongoing diplomatic conversations about consideration of humanitarian pauses, which is something that Canada supports.