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Thursday, February 8, 2024 · sitting No. 278

Bloc motion on immigration targets leads supply day debate

The House devoted half its sitting to a Bloc Québécois motion under government orders that recalls the November 1, 2023 unanimous vote on reviewing immigration targets after consultation with Quebec, the provinces and territories on integration capacity. Yves-François Blanchet moved the motion, which also calls for a meeting with provincial and territorial counterparts and for federal funding to support those capacities. Kevin Lamoureux replied for the Liberals that consultation is important and that Quebec's uniqueness and the French language must be respected.

Question period featured repeated Conservative attacks on the government's crime and housing records. Andrew Scheer said car thefts have risen 34 per cent under the Liberals because of easy bail, while Gérard Deltell and Kyle Seeback said rents and mortgage payments have doubled. Liberal ministers replied that they are working with police and municipalities on concrete measures rather than slogans.

Routine proceedings included committee reports on Bills S-205 and C-53, several petitions on cybersecurity, Gaza and volunteer firefighters, and points of order on amendments to Bill C-318.

Decided that day

  • Bill C-374 introduced

From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard

Question Period – February 8, 2024. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube

Who held the floor · 2024-02-08

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 39%, opposition 61% of the words spokenRoutine proceedingsGovernment businessQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0011:0012:0013:0014:0015:0016:00Last speech 17:50Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 7 h 50 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
38Supply talk, deflected answers, no votesThe sitting devoted most time to Business of Supply yet recorded sixteen points of order or privilege and five Speaker interventions. Question Period produced only two full answers while twenty-one questions were deflected and no recorded votes occurred.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

Privilege

Steven MacKinnon told the House the Prime Minister had said neither he nor his office was involved in inviting the individual to the parliamentary event and that the former Speaker had admitted sole responsibility for the decision.

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Points of Order

Kevin Lamoureux argued that amendments adopted at the human resources committee on clauses 8, 14 and 17 exceeded the bill's scope and require a royal recommendation, and should therefore be ruled inadmissible.

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Public Safety

Rachael Thomas said the 72 per cent rise in sexual assault cases since 2015 is a direct result of the Liberal government's soft-on-crime bail policies. Jennifer O'Connell replied that the government supported judicial training legislation and is addressing under-reporting.

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Carbon Pricing

Damien Kurek asked what the agriculture minister would say to a greenhouse operator forced to sell because of the carbon tax. Steven Guilbeault said Conservatives had voted against funds for sustainable agriculture.

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Justice

Claude DeBellefeuille said Quebec's National Assembly unanimously wants the Criminal Code amended so the province can proceed with advance requests for medical assistance in dying. Jean-Yves Duclos replied that the government will continue working with Quebec on the sensitive issue.

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Question 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

  1. deflected
    Public SafetyAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Ms. Jennifer O'Connell (Liberal). substantive question.The answer shifts focus to historical data under Conservatives instead of addressing current policies.Would the Conservatives actually like to know that, since 2006, the five years with the highest amount of car thefts in Canadian history were under the Steven Harper government?
  2. deflected
    Carbon PricingAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.The answer pivots to competition policy and attacks Conservatives rather than addressing the carbon tax hike.we have a plan to stabilize prices in this country. It is called "competition".
  3. deflected
    Carbon PricingAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the relationships mentioned and pushes competition instead of responding to the carbon tax claim.I am happy to talk about that, because that is actually what we are trying to bring. We are trying to bring more competition.
  4. misdirected
    HousingMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.The answer attacks Conservatives for insulting mayors instead of addressing housing actions.if there is one thing the Conservatives are champions at, it is insulting mayors.
  5. misdirected
    HousingMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.The answer diverts to a video about auto theft rather than responding on housing policy.In the last video we saw of the Conservative leader, he was in front of the port of Montreal. He thought a video would solve the issue of auto theft.
  6. answered
    JusticeMrs. Claude DeBellefeuille (Bloc) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges Quebec's role and commits to working together on the issue.recognize, as my colleague did, the important contribution that the Government of Quebec and Quebeckers have made
  7. partly answered
    JusticeMrs. Claude DeBellefeuille (Bloc) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses related issues like choice and jurisdictions but avoids a direct commitment to legislate.We know that we need to work very closely with health care providers, develop case studies and, obviously, work on jurisdictions for issues that fall more under the Criminal Code
  8. partly answered
    Grocery IndustryMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.The answer notes inclusion of NDP ideas but does not address the vote against the bill or the accusation.We included many of the NDP leader's recommendations in our three-pronged approach to competition reform.
  9. partly answered
    Grocery IndustryMs. Lindsay Mathyssen (NDP) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.Answer acknowledges NDP proposals and references the bill but avoids the accusation of voting to keep prices high.A lot of what has been proposed by the leader of the NDP has already been included in our bill to reform competition in the country.
  10. partly answered
    Public SafetyMrs. Rachael Thomas (Conservative) asked Mr. James Maloney (Liberal). loaded question.Answer lists bills passed but does not address the 72% increase or soft-on-crime claim directly.The Liberal government has taken steps through Bill S-12 , Bill C-3 and Bill C-51 .
  11. deflected
    Public SafetyMrs. Rachael Thomas (Conservative) asked Ms. Jennifer O'Connell (Liberal). loaded question.Answer pivots to judge training legislation and Conservative senators instead of addressing bail or crime statistics.including the fact that we supported legislation, non-partisan legislation, to have proper training for judges, something, unfortunately, Conservative senators blocked.
  12. deflected
    Public SafetyMs. Michelle Ferreri (Conservative) asked Ms. Jennifer O'Connell (Liberal). loaded question.Answer calls the issue non-partisan and mentions gun bans but ignores the specific bail and policy reversal demand.It is something that we are working hard on with not just the Minister of Public Safety but across governments to ensure that women across the country are not only safe but are safe to report violence.
  13. deflected
    Public SafetyMs. Michelle Ferreri (Conservative) asked Ms. Jennifer O'Connell (Liberal). loaded question.Answer welcomes Conservative passion while pivoting to handgun freeze and avoiding reversal of policies or timelines.I am glad to see the Conservatives fired up about taking violence against women seriously.
  14. deflected
    Public SafetyMrs. Dominique Vien (Conservative) asked Pascale St-Onge (Liberal). loaded question.Answer notes Conservative opposition to past measures and invites solutions instead of stating current actions on bail or sentencing.Unfortunately, as we saw, the Conservatives opposed these measures to protect women and to restrict the use of firearms.
  15. deflected
    Public SafetyMrs. Dominique Vien (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). loaded question.Answer highlights past elections won on firearms policy and mocks sudden Conservative interest rather than addressing bail or sentencing.I am pleased to see that my female colleagues on the other side of the House are suddenly interested in the plight of women who are victims of violence in this country.
  16. answered
    News Media IndustryMr. Martin Champoux (Bloc) asked Pascale St-Onge (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly explains refusal of further funding and points to existing CRTC relief and corporate profits.Bell Canada is still making billions of dollars in profit this year.
  17. deflected
    News Media IndustryMr. Martin Champoux (Bloc) asked Pascale St-Onge (Liberal). substantive question.Answer shifts blame to Conservatives on Broadcasting Act instead of addressing media funding options or action timeline.The regulatory framework would have been in place for three years now if they had not opposed it spouting nonsense like censorship.
  18. deflected
    Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe (Bloc) asked Marc Miller (Liberal). substantive question.Answer avoids confirming or denying visa reinstatement and instead warns against public discussion without committing to action.If he thinks I am going to do it publicly, he should think twice, because there are people who pay attention to every word the immigration minister says and can exploit us and those vulnerabilities in the future.
  19. misdirected
    Carbon PricingMr. Damien Kurek (Conservative) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks Conservative voting record on unrelated funds rather than responding to the greenhouse operator's carbon tax concerns.I find it quite ironic to be lectured by the Conservative Party on our support for farmers when, just at the end of last year, the Conservatives voted against the climate action fund to support sustainable agriculture.
  20. deflected
    Carbon PricingMr. Dave Epp (Conservative) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). substantive question.Answer counters the grocery price premise with a US comparison but does not address axing the carbon tax or the mushroom business impact.I would agree with the Conservative member for Regina—Lewvan , who recognized that there is absolutely no data to support any link between the price on pollution and higher grocery pricing.
  21. deflected
    Carbon PricingMr. Dan Muys (Conservative) asked Lawrence MacAulay (Liberal). substantive question.Answer defends the pollution tax principle and cites lack of data on grocery prices without addressing the specific greenhouse carbon tax costs or axing timeline.In fact, last Tuesday in committee, Tyler McCann of the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute indicated to the committee members that there is no data to support that carbon pricing is resulting in any increase in the price of groceries.
  22. deflected
    Foreign AffairsMs. Heather McPherson (NDP) asked Robert Oliphant (Liberal). substantive question.Answer highlights increased Gaza aid totals but sidesteps the UNRWA funding suspension decision and accountability question.The funding that Canada is giving to civilians in Gaza has increased: just last week, $40 million more on top of the $60 million that was already there.
  23. partly answered
    The EnvironmentMs. Laurel Collins (NDP) asked Ms. Julie Dabrusin (Liberal). substantive question.Answer acknowledges program popularity and mentions ongoing work on next steps for targeted access but does not commit to a new heat pump program.We are working on the next steps for the greener homes program, which is actually going to make sure that the people who most need the help have access to the program.
  24. misdirected
    HousingMr. Kyle Seeback (Conservative) asked Mr. Peter Fragiskatos (Liberal). loaded question.Answer accuses the member of contradiction and highlights past votes against measures instead of addressing housing affordability or the Conservative plan.Just a few days ago, he was praising the federal government's record on housing.
  25. deflected
    HousingMr. Kyle Seeback (Conservative) asked Mr. Peter Fragiskatos (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks opposition slogans and ideas rather than addressing housing investment declines or the call to support the Conservative plan.those are more slogans from the member and the party opposite.
  26. deflected
    HousingMrs. Tracy Gray (Conservative) asked Anita Anand (Liberal). loaded question.The answer promotes Liberal measures and criticizes Conservative voting record without addressing the CIBC report or photo-op criticism.All the while, the Conservatives on the other side of the House vote against measures to support Canadians.
  27. misdirected
    HousingMr. Richard Lehoux (Conservative) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to attacking the Conservative leader and Quebec City officials instead of responding to the housing bureaucracy or shelter overload claims.
  28. partly answered
    Official LanguagesMr. Rhéal Éloi Fortin (Bloc) asked Randy Boissonnault (Liberal). substantive question.The answer affirms commitment to bilingualism standards and francophonie funding but does not commit to bilingual commissioners for the review commission.We know we have standards when it comes to promoting bilingualism.
  29. partly answered
    Official LanguagesMr. Rhéal Éloi Fortin (Bloc) asked Randy Boissonnault (Liberal). substantive question.The answer states a bilingual report is coming but does not address the Privy Council translation refusal or cost concerns raised.A 2,000-page bilingual report that Canadians can read is coming.
  30. deflected
    Public SafetyRob Moore (Conservative) asked Mr. James Maloney (Liberal). loaded question.The answer emphasizes consultation and an auto summit without addressing the call to repeal soft-on-crime policies or admit error on penalties.It requires consultation with experts to find a proper solution, not slogans or simple criticism that does not really address the problem.
  31. deflected
    Public SafetyRob Moore (Conservative) asked Mr. James Maloney (Liberal). loaded question.The answer claims toughened rules but avoids admitting any failure or committing to changes like ending house arrest for theft.Some people just have a problem interpreting them.
  32. misdirected
    Public SafetyMr. Tony Baldinelli (Conservative) asked Mr. James Maloney (Liberal). loaded question.The answer dismisses the question with a personal attack on a Conservative figure instead of addressing ports, CBSA or policy reversals.Jenni Byrne has obviously been hired by the bumper sticker industry, and that is her pool over there for drafting them.
  33. deflected
    Indigenous AffairsMr. Jeremy Patzer (Conservative) asked Mr. Jaime Battiste (Liberal). loaded question.The answer thanks the asker but pivots to UNDRIP and accuses Conservatives of obstruction instead of addressing FNRC support.When Conservatives have the chance, they obstruct and vote against.
  34. deflected
    Public Services and ProcurementMr. Larry Brock (Conservative) asked Ms. Jennifer O'Connell (Liberal). loaded question.The answer affirms support for committee work and audits but avoids addressing what the government is trying to hide.We look forward to the results of that investigation, because any acts of wrongdoing will come with consequences.
  35. deflected
    Public Services and ProcurementMr. Larry Brock (Conservative) asked Ms. Jennifer O'Connell (Liberal). loaded question.The answer reiterates faith in audits and reports but sidesteps the specific allegations of hiding corruption.We look forward to these audits and the AG report, because if we can make further procurement improvements, we will.
  36. partly answered
    Indigenous AffairsMs. Niki Ashton (NDP) asked Mrs. Jenica Atwin (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the emergency and mentions ongoing meetings but does not commit to building the all-weather road.I understand that meetings are in place right now with the Minister of Transport and the community leaders.
  37. deflected
    The EnvironmentMr. Alain Rayes (Independent) asked Ms. Julie Dabrusin (Liberal). substantive question.The answer praises the program generally but ignores the specific complaints about reimbursement delays and denials.Our program will soon help people to be better able to make these changes to their homes.
  38. partly answered
    Business of the HouseAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). substantive question.The answer notes ongoing discussions for Bill C-62 next week and recalls the deadline but provides no firm plan for passage.we will continue to have ongoing discussions that would see us dealing with Bill C-62 , medical assistance in dying, next week.
  39. misdirected
    PrivilegeMr. Warren Steinley (Conservative) asked Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Liberal). substantive question.The answer dismisses the privilege claim as mere debate and suggests embarrassment rather than engaging the substance of misleading statements.I realize that the member might have been embarrassed, but it does not justify bringing it into the chamber.