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Thursday, May 23, 2024 · sitting No. 316
Bloc motion on federal intrusions dominates commons sitting
The House devoted 82 per cent of its sitting to a Bloc Québécois supply motion that condemns repeated federal intrusions into areas of exclusive provincial jurisdiction. The motion, moved by Yves-François Blanchet, demands that Ottawa offer Quebec, the provinces and territories unconditional opt-outs with full compensation whenever it interferes in their jurisdictions.
Conservative MPs used Question Period to press the government on reports showing increased homelessness and hunger after nine years of Liberal-NDP spending. Liberal MPs countered that Conservatives had voted against child care, school food programs and housing supports.
Liberal MP Soraya Martinez Ferrada told Pierre Poilievre that his party had opposed every measure aimed at putting roofs over Canadians' heads.
From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard
Question Period – May 23, 2024. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube
Who held the floor · 2024-05-23
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Other moments
Democratic Institutions
Conservative MP Michael Cooper asked whether the Prime Minister would end obstruction and turn over all documents requested by Madam Justice Hogue unredacted. Dominic LeBlanc replied that the government is cooperating fully with the commission.
Read the exchangeThe Environment
Bloc Québécois MP Alexandre Boulerice called on the environment minister to give the St. Lawrence River legal status to protect biodiversity. Steven Guilbeault pointed to federal progress toward protecting 30 per cent of waters by 2030.
Read the exchangeEthics
Conservative MP Michael Barrett said another director at the sustainable development technology fund had funnelled $42 million to companies in which she held stakes before being promoted to the Infrastructure Bank. François-Philippe Champagne replied that investigations are under way after the initial allegations surfaced.
Read the exchangeOfficial Languages
Bloc Québécois MP René Villemure said the proportion of Gatineau residents working mainly in French had fallen from 77 per cent to 62 per cent between 2016 and 2021. Steven MacKinnon said the government had increased Quebec representation in the federal public service.
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
- misdirectedGovernment PrioritiesPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Soraya Martinez Ferrada (Liberal). loaded question.The response accuses the Conservatives of hypocrisy instead of addressing the question about the Bloc's vote on spending.
I find that to be a rather hypocritical question.
- misdirectedGovernment PrioritiesPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Soraya Martinez Ferrada (Liberal). loaded question.The response accuses the Conservatives of hypocrisy and lists past votes instead of addressing the question on spending and hunger.
that is the height of hypocrisy.
- misdirectedGovernment PrioritiesPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Anita Anand (Liberal). loaded question.The response attacks the Conservatives' voting record rather than addressing the question on homelessness and hunger.
we will take no lessons from the Conservatives, who purport to care about poverty and Canadians, when every single time they vote against supports, such as $10-a-day child care and early learning and childhood education.
- deflectedGovernment PrioritiesPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Anita Anand (Liberal). loaded question.The response discusses government measures on inflation and housing but avoids directly answering why spending forces Canadians to feed the government over families.
our government is actually focused on keeping inflation low so interest rates can come down.
- misdirectedGovernment PrioritiesPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). loaded question.The response attacks the questioner's past record as minister instead of addressing the question on homelessness and broken government.
when the member was the minister responsible for housing, there were more than two million more Canadians living in poverty, and the number of times he talked about vulnerable people or taking action to help the homeless was zero.
- answeredDemocratic InstitutionsMr. Alain Therrien (Bloc) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). substantive question.The response directly confirms commitment to providing the commission with access to documents.
We will always be available to work with the commission so that it has access to all the appropriate documents.
- answeredDemocratic InstitutionsMr. Alain Therrien (Bloc) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). substantive question.The response directly affirms ongoing transparency and cooperation with the commission.
We will continue to be transparent and co-operate with the commission.
- deflectedThe EnvironmentMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). substantive question.The response discusses marine protection percentages instead of addressing legal status for the St. Lawrence River.
when we took office in 2015, Canada was not even protecting 1% of its territorial waters and coastlines.
- misdirectedThe EnvironmentMs. Laurel Collins (NDP) asked Jonathan Wilkinson (Liberal). loaded question.The answer acknowledges fires but pivots to attacking Conservatives instead of addressing the watershed fund request.
The Conservative Party of Canada has a climate plan: It is to let the planet burn.
- misdirectedThe EconomyMs. Melissa Lantsman (Conservative) asked Mr. Ryan Turnbull (Liberal). loaded question.The answer discusses inflation and reforms but avoids assigning fault and attacks Conservatives on a different program.
However, it is a bit rich for the Conservatives to point to food bank lineups when they oppose a national school food program
- misdirectedThe EconomyMs. Melissa Lantsman (Conservative) asked Mr. Peter Fragiskatos (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends housing programs but attacks the asker personally and on unrelated positions rather than addressing the hunger and homelessness data.
This is also from the deputy leader, who made clear only a few weeks ago, on a yacht no less, that fewer homes have to be built in Canada.
- misdirectedThe EconomyMr. Eric Duncan (Conservative) asked Mr. Ryan Turnbull (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to defending a school food program and attacks the questioner instead of addressing carbon tax impacts on food banks.
I find it more than ironic that the Conservative member across the way mentions children when he is going to stand up in short order and oppose a national school food program
- deflectedThe EconomyMr. Eric Duncan (Conservative) asked Jenna Sudds (Liberal). loaded question.The answer promotes the school food program and cites positive statements but ignores the carbon tax and food bank failure grade questions.
Breakfast Club of Canada released a statement saying that this program "marks a turning point in the country's commitment to the well-being of all children".
- deflectedRegional Economic DevelopmentMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Soraya Martinez Ferrada (Liberal). loaded question.The answer invites the opposition to change its plan but does not address the Salvation Army report or inflationary spending claims.
I would invite the member to tell his Conservative Party colleagues to include the words "homelessness", "fighting poverty" and "investing in Canadians" in their plan
- deflectedRegional Economic DevelopmentMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Soraya Martinez Ferrada (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends pandemic spending and lists desired votes but avoids admitting fault for the crisis or curbing spending.
Today, we are in a better position because a Liberal government was there to support Canadians during the biggest crisis we have ever gone through.
- deflectedOfficial LanguagesMr. René Villemure (Bloc) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). loaded question.The answer affirms support for Francophonie but ignores the specific allegations of infiltration and anglicization of the APF.
Under the circumstances, we will not only continue to support the assemblée, but we should also be proud of the fact that it is a Canadian, a truly great Canadian, a Franco-Ontarian, who chairs this organization.
- misdirectedOfficial LanguagesMr. René Villemure (Bloc) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the Bloc Québécois instead of addressing the question on French use in the federal public service.
we will take absolutely no lessons from the Bloc Québécois.
- partly answeredOfficial LanguagesMr. René Villemure (Bloc) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends Quebec representation and bilingualism but does not engage with the specific decline statistics cited.
This government has increased Quebec's representation in the federal public service.
- deflectedCarbon PricingMr. Richard Bragdon (Conservative) asked Mr. Ryan Turnbull (Liberal). loaded question.The answer shifts to criticizing Conservative history and opposing programs rather than addressing the carbon tax request.
I do not know how the Conservatives can say they care about struggling Canadians, when they oppose these programs
- misdirectedCarbon PricingMr. Richard Bragdon (Conservative) asked Bill Blair (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the questioner's voting record instead of responding to the request to axe the carbon tax.
I marvel at the temerity of a person who would stand in the House, vote against a well-earned pay raise for every member of the Canadian Armed Forces
- misdirectedCarbon PricingMr. Warren Steinley (Conservative) asked Mr. Peter Fragiskatos (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the Conservative leader's past comments rather than addressing the carbon tax or food insecurity data.
He went to someone's home, stood in front of it and called it a shack.
- answeredNatural ResourcesMs. Bonita Zarrillo (NDP) asked Jonathan Wilkinson (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly addresses pipeline safety measures and the role of the Canada Energy Regulator.
We will ensure that all of the safeguards are put into place and that the pipeline operates in a safe and efficient manner.
- partly answeredThe EnvironmentMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Mrs. Jenica Atwin (Liberal). substantive question.The answer mentions funding and legislation but does not specify steps against the mill or cleanup plans for the river.
Budget 2024 also provides an additional $57.5 million for the construction of a mercury care home.
- deflectedHousingMrs. Tracy Gray (Conservative) asked Jenna Sudds (Liberal). loaded question.The answer criticizes Conservative votes instead of addressing the homelessness statistics or spending results.
I have a really hard time listening to the Conservatives on that side of the House profess concern for Canadians who are struggling
- deflectedHousingMs. Michelle Ferreri (Conservative) asked Jenna Sudds (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the homelessness increase and instead attacks Conservative voting records on unrelated programs.
When we put forward measures like the national school food program to ensure 400,000 more children have access to food at school, what do we see? We see the Conservatives vote against.
- deflectedHousingMr. Rick Perkins (Conservative) asked Mr. Peter Fragiskatos (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids the 38% homelessness rise and pivots to defending not-for-profit funding while accusing Conservatives of politicizing the issue.
However, the Conservatives are not capable of that, as we see.
- misdirectedHousingMr. Rick Perkins (Conservative) asked Mr. Peter Fragiskatos (Liberal). loaded question.The answer sidesteps Halifax encampment numbers and instead attacks the opposition leader's housing plan while redefining gatekeepers as municipal officials.
- deflectedPost-Secondary EducationMr. Martin Champoux (Bloc) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.The answer dismisses the federal interference claim by mocking the Bloc for raising science funding instead of addressing EDI criteria or university autonomy.
now I have seen it all. The Bloc Québécois is trying to pick a fight about science.
- deflectedPost-Secondary EducationMr. Martin Champoux (Bloc) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.The answer again mocks the Bloc for questioning EDI rules and pivots to general praise for science investment without addressing the discrimination concern.
The Bloc Québécois is now trying to pick fights about science. Imagine that.
- misdirectedAgriculture and Agri-FoodMr. Richard Lehoux (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). loaded question.The answer redirects to Quebec's carbon price exemption and opposition House leader control rather than responding to farm bankruptcies or Bill C-234.
the Conservative Party knows full well that the price on pollution does not apply in Quebec.
- deflectedAgriculture and Agri-FoodMr. Richard Lehoux (Conservative) asked Soraya Martinez Ferrada (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights CED support for green transition in agriculture but ignores record food bank use and farm closures in the riding.
If there is one sector that CED has assisted in every region, including the regions of Quebec, it is agriculture.
- misdirectedThe EconomyMr. Richard Martel (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks Conservatives for voting against benefits and accuses them of planning cuts instead of addressing inflation or Bloc spending votes.
Every Conservative who rose today voted against the Canada child benefit.
- answeredEthicsMr. Michael Barrett (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.The answer directly confirms an investigation into every dollar spent.
We are going to make sure that every dollar that is spent is going to be well spent.
- misdirectedEthicsMr. Michael Barrett (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). loaded question.The response ignores the question and instead attacks the opposition on unrelated nomination issues.
I want to know why a woman in Aurora, named Sabrina Maddeaux, and another woman, named Rachel Gilliland, are alleging things that do not seem quite kosher in Conservative nomination land.
- answeredDemocratic InstitutionsMr. Michael Cooper (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). loaded question.The answer directly denies obstruction and explains document handling per agreed terms.
my hon. friend knows very well that there is no obstruction at all.
- deflectedCanada Post CorporationMr. Taylor Bachrach (NDP) asked Mr. Charles Sousa (Liberal). substantive question.The response acknowledges the issue but avoids stating any specific number of closures.
We are having deliberations over it.
- deflectedThe EconomyMr. Kevin Vuong (Independent) asked Anita Anand (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer promotes government plans without addressing the resignation demand.
our government is focused on keeping inflation low so that interest rates can come down.
- answeredBusiness of the HouseAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). substantive question.The answer provides the detailed schedule for upcoming House business.
Tomorrow, we will call Bill C-58 , concerning replacement workers, at report stage and at third reading.