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Monday, December 11, 2023 · sitting No. 265
House holds take-note debate on Indigenous services after bill on water tabled
The House devoted the largest share of its sitting to a take-note debate on Indigenous services. Minister of Indigenous Services Patty Hajdu tabled Bill C-61, an act respecting water, source water, drinking water, waste water and related infrastructure on First Nations lands. Parliamentary secretary Jenica Atwin said the bill follows five years of consultation and aims to move forward in partnership with First Nations.
Question Period featured repeated exchanges on housing costs and the carbon tax. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre pressed the government to adopt his plan to cut taxes and reduce red tape. Housing Minister Sean Fraser and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland defended recent investments and accused the Conservatives of voting against housing and military aid measures in the previous week.
New Democrat MP Jenny Kwan urged faster release of housing funds while Bloc Québécois MP Alain Therrien criticized the federal dental-care plan for encroaching on Quebec jurisdiction.
Decided that day
- Bill C-56 passed at third reading
From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard
Question Period – December 11, 2023. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube
Who held the floor · 2023-12-11
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
Affordable Housing and Groceries Act
Liberal MP Ken Hardie told the House that Bill C-56 targets anti-competitive behaviour in groceries and housing and will remain a permanent tool for future sectors.
Read the exchangeDental Care
NDP MP Don Davies said the dental-care plan will give nine million Canadians access to services and called the Conservative vote against it shameful.
Read the exchangeInnovation, Science and Industry
Conservative MP Michael Barrett said the Ethics Commissioner is investigating a second Liberal appointee at the green fund after more than $600,000 flowed to companies linked to appointees.
Read the exchangeVeterans Affairs
NDP MP Rachel Blaney asked Veterans Affairs Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor whether any families are yet receiving the survivors benefit promised four years ago.
Read the exchangePersons with Disabilities
Conservative MP Gérard Deltell noted that Canada ranked 58th on the previous year’s Climate Change Performance Index and asked where the country now stands.
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
- misdirectedHousingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the housing question entirely and instead attacks the questioner's attendance and voting record.
I guess there was not a fundraiser that he could attend.
- misdirectedCarbon PricingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Diane Lebouthillier (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids the carbon tax and food cost question by attacking the questioner's votes on unrelated programs.
Does going after vulnerable people make him feel stronger?
- misdirectedCarbon PricingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer changes the subject to Ukraine votes instead of addressing the carbon tax or food inflation.
On this side of the House, we are proud to say, " Slava Ukraini ".
- misdirectedCarbon PricingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to criticizing Conservative housing votes rather than responding to the carbon tax question.
- misdirectedCarbon PricingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). loaded question.The answer deflects by listing unrelated votes the Conservatives opposed instead of addressing the carbon tax.
When it came to supporting victims of gender-based violence, what did the Conservatives do? They voted against it.
- partly answeredDental CareMr. Alain Therrien (Bloc) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer addresses health benefits but sidesteps the core jurisdictional dispute raised in the question.
Today, dental care will be available across the country for everyone.
- answeredDental CareMr. Alain Therrien (Bloc) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly explains that the federal plan supplements rather than replaces provincial systems.
we do not want to replace provincial and territorial systems.
- deflectedDental CareMr. Don Davies (NDP) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer praises the NDP and attacks Conservatives instead of explaining the plan's impact on Canadians.
- deflectedDental CareMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). substantive question.Answer praises the program and NDP cooperation but ignores the question about delay in fulfilling commitments.
This is a historic day for our health care system.
- misdirectedCarbon PricingAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks Conservatives' voting record instead of addressing the carbon tax concerns or exemption request.
When they had a chance to stand up with first nations, what did they do? They voted against them.
- misdirectedCarbon PricingAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Jonathan Wilkinson (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks Conservative plan and voting record rather than responding to the carbon tax exemption request for northerners.
The Conservative leader says that he cares about affordability, but last week, in the middle of the night, they voted to cut affordable housing construction
- misdirectedCarbon PricingMr. Bob Zimmer (Conservative) asked Harjit S. Sajjan (Liberal). loaded question.Answer shifts to wildfires and Conservative votes instead of addressing the carbon tax exemption for Northwest Territories.
What did the Conservatives do? They voted against the measures that fight against climate change
- deflectedCarbon PricingMr. Bob Zimmer (Conservative) asked Dan Vandal (Liberal). substantive question.Answer discusses climate impacts on north but avoids the direct question about meeting residents or granting exemption.
Our government is focused on making ends meet for northerners, while at the same time battling climate change
- misdirectedCarbon PricingMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks Conservative votes on unrelated Quebec issues instead of addressing carbon tax increases or exemptions.
if I were a Conservative member from Quebec, I would be embarrassed this morning.
- misdirectedCarbon PricingMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Diane Lebouthillier (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks Conservatives on recent votes rather than addressing the carbon tax policy concerns raised.
Canadians feel betrayed that the Conservatives voted against measures, against food banks, against offering shelter and services to women and against Ukraine.
- partly answeredImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe (Bloc) asked Marc Miller (Liberal). substantive question.Answer acknowledges the meeting and notes ongoing discussions but does not confirm whether reimbursement occurred.
Now, we will see. The finance ministers are meeting and they will have good conversations on the issues that concern them.
- deflectedImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe (Bloc) asked Marc Miller (Liberal). loaded question.The answer dismisses the reimbursement demand without addressing it.
we will continue the conversation, but Bloc Québécois members will not be the first to know.
- misdirectedDemocratic InstitutionsMr. Rhéal Éloi Fortin (Bloc) asked Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal). loaded question.The response attacks the asker and pivots to unrelated Conservative cuts.
I understand that my colleague fantasizes about the monarchy and reopening the Constitution.
- deflectedCarbon PricingMr. Gary Vidal (Conservative) asked Jonathan Wilkinson (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights emissions targets instead of addressing the carbon tax request.
We will exceed the initial target of 30%, which we then raised to 40%.
- misdirectedCarbon PricingMr. Gary Vidal (Conservative) asked Lawrence MacAulay (Liberal). loaded question.The response attacks Conservatives on unrelated votes rather than addressing the carbon tax.
last Thursday evening and Friday, the Conservative Party of Canada explained exactly who they are and how much they support farmers.
- misdirectedCarbon PricingMr. Arnold Viersen (Conservative) asked Lawrence MacAulay (Liberal). loaded question.The answer shifts to criticizing Conservative votes on agriculture instead of the carbon tax.
Conservatives continually vote against agriculture and farmers.
- answeredHousingMs. Jenny Kwan (NDP) asked Sean Fraser (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly details current and upcoming housing funding measures.
just a few weeks ago, we announced more than $4 billion worth of loans; this is going to result in more than 12,000 new apartments being constructed.
- partly answeredForeign AffairsMs. Lindsay Mathyssen (NDP) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses efforts to help Canadians exit Gaza but does not explain the specific denial for the Kouta family.
The Minister of Immigration and I are working actively to find a very compassionate approach when it comes to Canadians and their families, and we will get Canadians out of Gaza.
- misdirectedCarbon PricingMr. Eric Melillo (Conservative) asked Jenna Sudds (Liberal). loaded question.The response attacks Conservatives on child care votes instead of addressing the carbon tax.
When given the chance to support increasing the number of child care spaces in rural and underserved communities, what did the Conservatives do? They voted against.
- deflectedCarbon PricingMr. Eric Melillo (Conservative) asked Mr. Adam van Koeverden (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks Conservatives and changes subject instead of addressing the court challenge or tax impacts.
the Conservatives are always trying to cancel climate action, but last week the Grinch, or the leader of the Conservative Party , tried to cancel Christmas as well.
- deflectedCarbon PricingMr. Jamie Schmale (Conservative) asked Arif Virani (Liberal). loaded question.Answer diverts to parliamentary sitting costs and past votes rather than the carbon tax question.
today I have heard a lot about rising costs. I just want to make sure Canadians watching appreciate that, when parliamentarians vote for 30 hours, and it costs about $70,000 an hour to keep this place running, it is costing Canadian taxpayers about $2 million.
- misdirectedCarbon PricingMr. Jamie Schmale (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). loaded question.Response shifts to criticizing Conservative votes on other issues instead of the carbon tax or court case.
if the Conservatives had wanted to make life easier for first nations people, they would not have voted against so many measures that first nations leaders need
- partly answeredClimate ChangeMr. Mario Simard (Bloc) asked Mr. Adam van Koeverden (Liberal). loaded question.Answer addresses the emissions cap plan but ignores the timing criticism and COP failure premise.
Canada is at COP28 to show that we are committed to advancing the low-carbon economy.
- deflectedClimate ChangeMr. Mario Simard (Bloc) asked Mr. Adam van Koeverden (Liberal). loaded question.Answer promotes government actions and contrasts with Conservatives rather than addressing the failure claim.
I would like to take the opportunity to, once again, say that Canada was the first nation ever to put a cap on oil and gas emissions at COP28.
- misdirectedClimate ChangeMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). substantive question.Response ignores the ranking question entirely and attacks Conservatives on unrelated votes.
The last battle on the Plains of Abraham took place in 1759, but during the votes last week, we saw that the Conservatives want to wage another battle on those plains.
- misdirectedClimate ChangeMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.Answer focuses on shaming Conservatives for votes instead of addressing the climate ranking drop.
The member for Louis-Saint-Laurent should be ashamed to have voted against the Plains of Abraham.
- misdirectedClimate ChangeMr. Michael Kram (Conservative) asked Jonathan Wilkinson (Liberal). loaded question.Response questions Conservative historical positions rather than addressing the current performance ranking.
not only is the Conservative Party opposed to addressing affordability in this country and not only is it opposed to fighting climate change, it has a hard time keeping its statements straight.
- deflectedInnovation, Science and IndustryMr. Michael Barrett (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks Conservatives and restates actions taken instead of addressing number of insiders.
These Conservatives are so against climate change that they want to cut one of the institutions that funds clean technology in this country.
- deflectedInnovation, Science and IndustryMr. Michael Barrett (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.Answer accuses Conservatives of making up stories and notes prior Conservative appointment rather than naming recipients.
what Canadians, those watching at home, cannot stand anymore is the fact that these Conservatives are making up stories and allegations.
- deflectedInnovation, Science and IndustryMr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.Answer dismisses the question as dramatic performance and restates investigation steps without addressing recouping funds.
I thank my colleague for his question and his dramatic performance.
- partly answeredVeterans AffairsMs. Rachel Blaney (NDP) asked Ginette Petitpas Taylor (Liberal). substantive question.Answer acknowledges the issue and references 2019 funding but does not confirm whether any families are currently receiving benefits.
In budget 2019, we announced an amount of money to make sure we put in place a program, and I am looking forward to making sure that the program rolls out in the very near future.
- partly answeredPersons with DisabilitiesMr. Mike Morrice (Green) asked Kamal Khera (Liberal). substantive question.Answer discusses consultations and priority but does not confirm a barrier-free process will be used.
We are doing it by extensively consulting with the disability community in the true spirit of "nothing without us".