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Friday, March 22, 2024 · sitting No. 294

Bloc Québécois votes prop up Liberals after opposition motion fails

Question period on government priorities consumed the largest share of sitting time as Conservatives pressed the Bloc Québécois to explain its decision to defeat a motion that would have triggered an election. Conservative MP Luc Berthold said Quebeckers were disappointed the Bloc had chosen to save the Prime Minister rather than support the call for a vote. Liberal MP Jean-Yves Duclos replied that the Conservatives opposed the Canada child benefit and dental care for seniors.

The House spent the morning on government orders resuming debate on Bill C-38, an act to amend the Indian Act. Conservative MP Cathay Wagantall continued a speech begun in October and stressed that first nations want to be shareholders rather than stakeholders. Bloc Québécois MP Marie-Hélène Gaudreau asked why the government had disregarded Amnesty International’s report on violence against indigenous women.

Points of order arose during statements when New Democrat MP Heather McPherson and NDP MP Charlie Angus accused Conservative MP Michael Cooper of making statements previously ruled out of order; Conservative MP Scott Reid objected to the personal language used against Cooper.

Decided that day

  • C-34, C-67 and C-68 received royal assent
  • C-386 introduced

From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard

Question Period – March 22, 2024. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube

Who held the floor · 2024-03-22

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 44%, opposition 56% of the words spokenGovernment businessQuestion PeriodRoutine proceedingsGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0511:0012:0013:00Last speech 14:00Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 3 h 55 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
59Bills Advance Amid Privilege SpatsThe House granted royal assent to three bills and introduced another while spending substantial time on government priorities and carbon pricing. Thirty-four points of order or privilege consumed much of the sitting and Question Period produced mostly deflected or misdirected answers.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

Carbon Pricing

Conservative MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay said the NDP and Liberals had ignored 70 per cent of Canadians by voting to raise the carbon tax 23 per cent on April 1. Liberal MP Adam van Koeverden replied that carbon pricing is driving down emissions while rebates return money to eight out of 10 families.

Read the exchange

Public Services and Procurement

Conservative MP Michael Cooper asked how much money had been awarded to fraudsters and when taxpayers would receive a refund after the government tabled documents on the ArriveCAN app. Liberal MP Jennifer O'Connell said allegations were taken seriously and new measures had been put in place.

Read the exchange

Foreign Affairs

Conservative MP Melissa Lantsman asked when the government would list the IRGC as a terrorist organization. Liberal MP Jennifer O'Connell said the government had implemented sanctions and would follow advice from security services.

Read the exchange

Housing in St. John's

Liberal MP Joanne Thompson said St. John’s would receive more than $10 million from the housing accelerator fund to add over 4,000 homes in the next 10 years.

Read the exchange

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
    Carbon PricingKerry-Lynne Findlay (Conservative) asked Mr. Adam van Koeverden (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer promotes carbon pricing and attacks Conservatives rather than addressing the call for an election.It is very clear what they work for. It is not Canadians; it is big oil and gas. This is Conservative hypocrisy at its finest.
  2. deflected
    Carbon PricingKerry-Lynne Findlay (Conservative) asked Mr. Adam van Koeverden (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer shifts to defending carbon pricing and inflation stats while accusing Conservatives of using affordability as a wedge.I find it shameful that the Conservatives continue to use the affordability crisis and Canadians who are experiencing difficulty financially at home as a wedge against climate policy.
  3. misdirected
    Carbon PricingKerry-Lynne Findlay (Conservative) asked Ms. Jennifer O'Connell (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the carbon tax and food bank points entirely and pivots to attacking Conservative lobbyists on unrelated issues.They are lobbying for higher Internet costs. The Conservatives should come clean about whom they are standing up to.
  4. misdirected
    Government PrioritiesMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids the Bloc deal question and instead criticizes Conservatives on child benefit and dental care.It is surprising that the Conservatives are being so hypocritical and saying things that do not make sense.
  5. misdirected
    Government PrioritiesMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). loaded question.The answer sidesteps the Bloc deal and food bank query to repeat praise for the child benefit while attacking Conservatives.In 2024, however, the Conservative leader continues to oppose the Canada child benefit.
  6. partly answered
    Intergovernmental AffairsMs. Marie-Hélène Gaudreau (Bloc) asked Mr. Paul Chiang (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses immigration levels and provincial collaboration but does not directly respond to the specific Quebec requests mentioned.We will continue to work with provinces and territories to plan for sustainable and strategic immigration while building the homes we need.
  7. deflected
    Intergovernmental AffairsMs. Marie-Hélène Gaudreau (Bloc) asked Mrs. Marie-France Lalonde (Liberal). loaded question.The answer reframes the question as Bloc provocation and emphasizes general collaboration without addressing the listed refusals.We have even engaged with Quebec on child care to look at what they are doing, so we can implement it nationally.
  8. partly answered
    News Media IndustryMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Mr. Ryan Turnbull (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges job cuts and profits but focuses on general worker protections rather than specific action against Bell or journalism funding.Our government will stand up to protect workers' rights.
  9. deflected
    Families, Children and Social DevelopmentMr. Alistair MacGregor (NDP) asked Mr. Peter Fragiskatos (Liberal). substantive question.The minister explicitly refuses to address the budget question and pivots to past achievements while attacking Conservatives.I am not going to talk about what may or may not be in the budget, but what we do focus on is the well-being of Canadian families.
  10. deflected
    Carbon PricingMr. Jasraj Singh Hallan (Conservative) asked Randy Boissonnault (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights rebate benefits and shifts to climate impacts without addressing the priority question or public opinion.the fact of the matter is that Albertans have $700 more in their pockets every year because of the Canada carbon rebate
  11. misdirected
    Carbon PricingMr. Jasraj Singh Hallan (Conservative) asked Randy Boissonnault (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the questioner and Conservatives on climate instead of addressing the job references or tax question.Where was that person when there were floods in Calgary and when there were forest fires burning Fort McMurray?
  12. deflected
    Carbon PricingMr. Doug Shipley (Conservative) asked Mr. Adam van Koeverden (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends the rebate and criticizes Conservative use of food bank references without addressing the hike or public opinion.none of those experts, economists or charities suggest that ditching our environmental plan and axing the tax would help Canadians.
  13. deflected
    Carbon PricingMr. Doug Shipley (Conservative) asked Mr. Adam van Koeverden (Liberal). loaded question.The answer cites the PBO on carbon taxes generally and accuses selective facts without addressing the specific family cost or election call.what the Parliamentary Budget Officer said is that he is distressed with the selective use of facts from these reports.
  14. misdirected
    Carbon PricingMrs. Cathay Wagantall (Conservative) asked Ms. Jennifer O'Connell (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks Conservative lobbying ties instead of addressing the carbon tax hike or premiers' positions.their own chief lobbyist for the leader of the official opposition is also lobbying on behalf of big grocers to not sign our code of conduct.
  15. misdirected
    Carbon PricingMrs. Cathay Wagantall (Conservative) asked Ms. Jennifer O'Connell (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to attacking the opposition leader's strategist instead of addressing consultant spending or the carbon tax cost.The very next day, the Conservatives' chief strategist created a secret lobbying company.
  16. partly answered
    InfrastructureMr. Xavier Barsalou-Duval (Bloc) asked Mr. Peter Fragiskatos (Liberal). substantive question.The answer affirms strong municipal relations and ongoing engagement but does not confirm renewal without conditions.We will continue to engage with municipalities on infrastructure matters and related matters.
  17. deflected
    InfrastructureMr. Xavier Barsalou-Duval (Bloc) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). substantive question.The answer pivots to praising a housing agreement instead of addressing conditions on the gas tax fund.That is exactly what we have seen in recent weeks with the extraordinary $1.8‑billion agreement to support housing projects in Quebec.
  18. misdirected
    Carbon PricingMr. Pat Kelly (Conservative) asked Mr. Adam van Koeverden (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks Alberta's tax policy and calls it hypocrisy rather than addressing the federal carbon tax or premiers' request.It is Conservative hypocrisy at its finest.
  19. misdirected
    Carbon PricingMike Lake (Conservative) asked Mr. Adam van Koeverden (Liberal). loaded question.The answer shifts to blaming Alberta's gas price hike instead of addressing the PBO report or the question about deception.
  20. deflected
    Carbon PricingMike Lake (Conservative) asked Mr. Adam van Koeverden (Liberal). substantive question.The answer criticizes selective use of the report and pivots to climate costs instead of addressing the net loss calculation for Alberta families.It is atrocious that the Conservatives stand in the House and misuse the Parliamentary Budget Officer's report.
  21. deflected
    Carbon PricingMr. Richard Lehoux (Conservative) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). loaded question.The answer promotes the carbon rebate and attacks Conservatives instead of addressing any promise made to the Bloc.the Canada carbon rebate is putting more money in the pockets of eight out of 10 families.
  22. partly answered
    Climate ChangeMs. Laurel Collins (NDP) asked Mr. Adam van Koeverden (Liberal). substantive question.The answer lists existing youth programs but does not commit to creating a youth climate corps.We are employing more of them through the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association's green jobs program, through Canada summer jobs and through the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
  23. partly answered
    Natural ResourcesMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Mr. Marc Serré (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the tax credit's importance and mentions ongoing work but gives no clear commitment on extension.We are working with the industry right now.
  24. misdirected
    Carbon PricingMr. Todd Doherty (Conservative) asked Mr. Ryan Turnbull (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the Conservative leader's advisor and pivots to hypocrisy instead of addressing the carbon tax vote or election call.
  25. misdirected
    Carbon PricingMr. Ziad Aboultaif (Conservative) asked Mr. Ryan Turnbull (Liberal). loaded question.Answer ignores carbon tax entirely and attacks a lobbyist instead.If that is not double-dipping, I am not sure what is.
  26. deflected
    Agriculture and Agri-FoodMr. Robert Kitchen (Conservative) asked Mr. Francis Drouin (Liberal). loaded question.Answer shifts to bill stalling and program funding rather than addressing carbon tax on farmers.the only party stalling Bill C-234 is their party.
  27. misdirected
    Carbon PricingMr. Arnold Viersen (Conservative) asked Randy Boissonnault (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks questioner as climate dinosaur and pivots to rebates and provincial taxes.What they are trying to peddle to Albertans is shameful.
  28. partly answered
    Small BusinessMs. Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné (Bloc) asked Mr. Bryan May (Liberal). substantive question.Answer addresses CEBA repayments and credit card fee cuts but not the reported insolvency spike.We recently finalized an agreement to cut credit card fees by up to 27%
  29. partly answered
    Small BusinessMs. Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné (Bloc) asked Mr. Bryan May (Liberal). substantive question.Answer covers repayment extensions and new funding but ignores bankruptcy statistics and case-by-case flexibility.small businesses have nearly three years, until the end of 2026, to repay their CEBA loans
  30. misdirected
    Government PrioritiesMr. Bernard Généreux (Conservative) asked Randy Boissonnault (Liberal). loaded question.Answer labels Conservatives as party of despair and avoids any deal with Bloc.The Conservatives just want to pick fights.
  31. misdirected
    Government PrioritiesMr. Bernard Généreux (Conservative) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). loaded question.Answer lists past Liberal tax measures and housing projects while attacking Conservative record.The first thing the Conservatives did was vote against that.
  32. partly answered
    Public Services and ProcurementMr. Michael Cooper (Conservative) asked Ms. Jennifer O'Connell (Liberal). substantive question.Answer notes seriousness and new measures but supplies no fraud amount or refund timeline.The CBSA has already put in place several new measures to improve the procurement process.
  33. deflected
    Foreign AffairsMs. Melissa Lantsman (Conservative) asked Ms. Jennifer O'Connell (Liberal). substantive question.The answer emphasizes existing sanctions and advisor input without addressing the timeline for listing the IRGC.We will take the advice from our national security advisors and officials who make these recommendations.
  34. deflected
    Foreign AffairsMs. Melissa Lantsman (Conservative) asked Ms. Jennifer O'Connell (Liberal). substantive question.The answer restates sanctions and recognition of terrorism without providing a date or new commitment on listing the IRGC.We will continue to listen to the advice of security services, but make no mistake: We recognize that the IRGC is a state sponsor of terrorism
  35. deflected
    Foreign AffairsMr. Shuvaloy Majumdar (Conservative) asked Ms. Jennifer O'Connell (Liberal). substantive question.The answer highlights sanctions and immigration bans but sidesteps any commitment or timeline for designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization.This is precisely why, as I said in my earlier answers, we have put in place robust sanctions against the IRGC.
  36. partly answered
    The EnvironmentMr. Taylor Bachrach (NDP) asked Mr. Adam van Koeverden (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses weather infrastructure broadly via new radar stations but does not confirm resources for existing coastal stations or involve the finance minister.It offers me an opportunity to highlight the announcement we made last week for 32 new state-of-the-art radar stations right across this country.
  37. misdirected
    Government PrioritiesMr. Kevin Vuong (Independent) asked Mr. Peter Fragiskatos (Liberal). rhetorical question.The question is rhetorical and sarcastic while the answer attacks the asker's past affiliations instead of addressing government priorities.I remember that not too long ago the member was begging to be a member of the Liberal caucus.