All sittings← 2024-02-282024-03-01 →
Thursday, February 29, 2024 · sitting No. 288
Liberals seek closure on child care bill as Conservatives delay with northern food report
The House spent the largest share of its time on the motion to concur in Senate amendments to Bill C-35, an act respecting early learning and child care in Canada. Government House leader Steven MacKinnon moved a motion to end further adjournment of debate. Conservative MP Michelle Ferreri said the legislation had produced chaos for operators and families, while Liberal MP Jenna Sudds said the bill had already received extensive study in committee and the Senate.
Question period featured repeated exchanges on national security after documents were released concerning the Winnipeg microbiology laboratory. Conservative MP Michael Chong asked why senior officials would escape accountability and whether collaboration with Chinese military researchers would continue. Health minister Mark Holland said the Public Health Agency of Canada had identified and dismissed the two scientists involved and that an RCMP investigation was under way.
Bloc Québécois members pressed the government to respect Quebec’s jurisdiction over secularism and health transfers. Conservative members also pressed for cancellation of the scheduled April 1 carbon-tax increase, citing rising food-bank use.
Decided that day
- Closure motion passed
- Motion to proceed to Orders of the Day passed
- S-16 reached second reading
- S-1001 and C-62 received royal assent
- C-64 introduced
From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard
Question Period – February 29, 2024. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube
Who held the floor · 2024-02-29
62Bills creep forward while answers dodgeSeveral bills advanced through readings and received royal assent while two procedural motions passed without recorded opposition. Question Period produced mostly deflected or incomplete replies despite the bulk of sitting time spent on substantive topics.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
Committees of the House
Conservative MP Anna Roberts presented a supplementary report to the Status of Women committee study on human trafficking, arguing that current penalties do not match the severity of crimes against children as young as nine.
Read the exchangeCommittees of the House
Conservative MP Jamie Schmale moved concurrence in the Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee report on food security in northern communities and began outlining record food-bank demand across the country.
Read the exchangePublic Services and Procurement
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh said a DND employee had been awarded an ArriveCAN contract and asked why spending on private consultants had tripled under the Liberals.
Read the exchangePharmacare
NDP MP Heather McPherson asked the government to secure pharmacare agreements with all provinces, including Alberta, after Premier Danielle Smith rejected free contraceptives.
Read the exchangeNews Media Industry
Heritage minister Pascale St-Onge told Liberal MP Sophie Chatel that Google had begun accepting applications from news organizations for the $100 million annual payment required under the Online News Act.
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
- deflectedPublic SafetyMichael Chong (Conservative) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer stresses agency independence and an RCMP probe without naming any cabinet accountability.
The RCMP is investigating. That is very important.
- deflectedPublic SafetyMichael Chong (Conservative) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer condemns foreign interference in general but never addresses halting collaborations with PRC entities.
It is the Public Health Agency that discovered that. It is the Public Health Agency that fired them.
- misdirectedPublic SafetyMichael Chong (Conservative) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer attacks the premise of weaponization and notes document release instead of confirming or correcting the minister's prior statements.
I do not think that it is at all appropriate to suggest that they were involved with weaponization or things of this nature.
- deflectedPublic SafetyMr. Stephen Ellis (Conservative) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer labels the question partisan and reframes the 2019 exchange as legitimate without addressing access controls or the prime minister's views.
some will attempt to turn national security concerns into partisan games.
- misdirectedPublic SafetyMr. Stephen Ellis (Conservative) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer accuses the opposition of seeking partisan interference and reiterates arm's-length process instead of stating when ministers learned of the events.
Conservatives actually refused to participate in the process.
- partly answeredJusticeMs. Christine Normandin (Bloc) asked Arif Virani (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the ruling and states intent to defend the Charter but does not commit to staying out of the case.
If this decision goes to the Supreme Court, we will be there to intervene.
- deflectedJusticeMs. Christine Normandin (Bloc) asked Arif Virani (Liberal). substantive question.The answer repeats the government's Charter defence without addressing whether it will refrain from intervening against Bill 21.
if this ruling ends up at the Supreme Court of Canada, we will be there to intervene.
- answeredPublic Services and ProcurementMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Bill Blair (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly confirms suspension of the contracts and the individual involved.
I can confirm for the House that all active contracts with Dalian have been suspended.
- deflectedHousingMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Soraya Martinez Ferrada (Liberal). loaded question.The answer promotes government funding and contrasts with Conservatives without addressing the specific family or the claimed loss of housing units.
We have doubled funding to communities in order to fight homelessness and ensure everyone has a place to call home.
- partly answeredPublic SafetyMr. James Bezan (Conservative) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer explains the document release process via NSICOP but avoids the core accusation of covering up espionage.
On the first order, the first offer was to have all parliamentarians to look at the documents through NSICOP.
- deflectedPublic SafetyMr. James Bezan (Conservative) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer disputes the word 'maliciously' and notes an ongoing investigation without addressing the cover-up claim.
the member says "maliciously", but we do not know what the intention was.
- deflectedPublic SafetyMr. James Bezan (Conservative) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer shifts to criticizing the Conservatives' hiring of the scientists rather than addressing the Prime Minister's actions.
At the time they were hired, these two Canadian citizens were eminent scientists who were well published and well regarded throughout North America.
- deflectedPublic SafetyMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer gives a general statement on national security threats without addressing the specific lab infiltration or cover-up.
That is why we have put in place policies to further strengthen public safety and to ensure that national security is not compromised.
- deflectedPublic SafetyMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.The answer accuses the opposition of politicizing the issue and lists government actions without addressing the Prime Minister's statements or the specific breach.
what Canadians watching at home are seeing today is deplorable.
- deflectedPublic SafetyMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.The answer reiterates a list of entities to avoid and accuses the opposition of politicizing without addressing the virus shipment or Prime Minister's role.
As I said in January, we have published a list of entities that Canadian research centres should avoid doing business with in the interest of protecting national security and intellectual property.
- partly answeredJusticeMr. Martin Champoux (Bloc) asked Arif Virani (Liberal). substantive question.The answer states the government's commitment to Charter rights and intent to intervene at the Supreme Court, directly addressing the choice posed.
If this case goes to the Supreme Court, we will be there to intervene.
- deflectedJusticeMr. Martin Champoux (Bloc) asked Arif Virani (Liberal). substantive question.The answer restates Charter commitments and concerns about the notwithstanding clause without addressing the request to respect the decision or hold off on challenges.
If this case goes to the Supreme Court, our government will intervene.
- deflectedJusticeMr. Rhéal Éloi Fortin (Bloc) asked Arif Virani (Liberal). substantive question.The answer repeats Charter commitments and concerns about the notwithstanding clause without acknowledging its use in Bill 21 as requested.
If this case goes to the Supreme Court, our government will be there to intervene.
- misdirectedPublic SafetyMr. Michael Cooper (Conservative) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the question on responsibility and instead criticizes the asker for partisanship while listing unrelated achievements.
He does not want to do that, and I get it.
- deflectedPublic SafetyMr. Michael Cooper (Conservative) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer disputes the premise and shifts to defending the agency's actions without addressing the Prime Minister's responsibility.
What is true is that the Public Health Agency of Canada, which is one of the most respected agencies in the world, and which was there for us throughout the pandemic, is entirely responsible for its operations.
- misdirectedPublic SafetyMrs. Shelby Kramp-Neuman (Conservative) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer calls the premise inaccurate then pivots to criticizing the opposition on unrelated issues like dental care instead of addressing the security breach.
The member opposite talked about working with another party and what that might accomplish.
- partly answeredHousingMs. Lisa Marie Barron (NDP) asked Mr. Peter Fragiskatos (Liberal). substantive question.The answer offers to discuss the specific case later and addresses the broader housing supply issue but does not commit to the requested funding.
Supply is always what underpins a housing crisis, in this country and every other country that is experiencing exactly that.
- deflectedPharmacareMs. Heather McPherson (NDP) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses pharmacare benefits but shifts to attacking the Conservatives for not supporting it instead of confirming agreements with all provinces.
- deflectedPublic SafetyAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights government actions on research funding but avoids addressing the cover-up allegation or the Prime Minister's role.
On January 16, we announced that we would ban funding for research in sensitive areas.
- deflectedPublic SafetyAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). loaded question.Answer explains process and criticizes supposition instead of addressing the cover-up accusation.
We obviously did not do that, particularly not with national security.
- deflectedPublic SafetyMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.Answer changes subject to January 16 announcement rather than addressing the hiding of documents.
On January 16, we announced that, as a government, we would stop funding research—
- deflectedPublic SafetyMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.Answer repeats January 16 measures and attacks Conservatives instead of addressing 2019 expulsion or cover-up claim.
We just explained to the Conservatives yet again that the Prime Minister and all government members on this side of the House take national security seriously.
- partly answeredHealthMr. Luc Thériault (Bloc) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). substantive question.Answer acknowledges the issue and states intent to reach agreement with Quebec.
I am sure that we will reach an agreement with Quebec.
- partly answeredPharmacareMr. Luc Thériault (Bloc) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). substantive question.Answer addresses pharmacare rollout but does not confirm opt-out with compensation for Quebec.
I am sure we can reach an agreement with Quebec as well.
- misdirectedCarbon PricingMs. Leslyn Lewis (Conservative) asked Mr. Peter Fragiskatos (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks the opposition on unrelated issues like pharmacare instead of addressing carbon tax hike.
The Leader of the Opposition ran away when asked if he would support pharmacare.
- misdirectedCarbon PricingMs. Leslyn Lewis (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). substantive question.Answer pivots to job numbers and attacks the member instead of addressing carbon tax impact on food costs.
that gloom-and-doom member who wants to take Canada out of the UN needs to know a bit of good news for a change.
- deflectedCarbon PricingMrs. Rosemarie Falk (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). loaded question.Answer accuses Conservatives of gloom and doom without addressing the carbon tax increase or food bank concerns.
Canadians have had enough of the gloom and doom coming from over there.
- deflectedPublic Services and ProcurementMr. Michael Barrett (Conservative) asked Bill Blair (Liberal). loaded question.The answer details contract suspensions but ignores the demand to release all documents.
We have suspended all contracts with Dalian.
- deflectedPublic Services and ProcurementMr. Michael Barrett (Conservative) asked Bill Blair (Liberal). loaded question.The response highlights quick action taken but does not address repaying funds to taxpayers.
This information came to our attention yesterday.
- misdirectedPublic Services and ProcurementMr. Larry Brock (Conservative) asked Bill Blair (Liberal). loaded question.The minister pivots to criticizing past Conservative defence cuts instead of addressing document release.
However, let us remember what they did when they were in government.
- partly answeredEmergency PreparednessMr. Richard Cannings (NDP) asked Harjit S. Sajjan (Liberal). substantive question.The answer describes immediate steps and a review but does not commit to creating a national wildfire fighting force.
Yes, we are reviewing the overall national system as well.
- deflectedForeign AffairsMr. Mike Morrice (Green) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). substantive question.The response stresses legal obligations and aid needs but avoids any timeline on UNRWA funding or calls on Israel.
both parties must respect the ICJ ruling.
- answeredBusiness of the HouseAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly outlines the upcoming legislative agenda and specific bills for debate.
When we return following the constituency weeks, we will resume second reading debate of Bill C-59 , the fall economic statement implementation act, 2023.