Parliament AIIndependent · non-official

All sittings← 2024-06-032024-06-05 →

Tuesday, June 4, 2024 · sitting No. 324

NDP motion targets grocery profits as house limits debate on oversight bill

The House spent the largest share of its time on an NDP opposition day motion calling on the government to force big grocery chains to lower essential food prices or face caps and other measures, to speed up reforms to the Nutrition North program and to end corporate handouts to grocers. New Democrat MP Alistair MacGregor led the debate and said successive Liberal and Conservative governments had allowed corporations to profit at the expense of families. Liberal MP Ken Hardie said he supported the goal but questioned how a price cap would work in practice.

Later the government moved time allocation on Bill C-20 to establish a public complaints and review commission for the RCMP and Canada Border Services Agency. Conservative MP Kelly McCauley asked why closure was needed on a bill that had already been before the House three times. Liberal House leader Dominic LeBlanc said Conservative delays at committee left no choice.

In Question Period Conservatives pressed the Prime Minister on Auditor General findings of improper spending in the green slush fund and sole-sourced McKinsey contracts, while the Prime Minister said measures had already been taken to strengthen oversight.

Decided that day

  • Time allocation for Bill C-20 passed
  • S-252 advanced in first chamber
  • S-280 passed second reading
  • S-282 passed second reading

From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard

Question Period – June 4, 2024. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube

Who held the floor · 2024-06-04

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 34%, opposition 66% of the words spokenGovernment businessGovernment businessGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0512:0013:0014:0015:0016:0017:0018:0019:0020:0021:0022:00Last speech 23:45Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 13 h 40 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
64Bills inch forward in supply marathonThe sitting devoted nearly all its time to substantive business, advancing three Senate bills and approving time allocation for Bill C-20. Question Period produced few direct answers, yet the House recorded minimal procedural interruptions.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 leader Pierre Poilievre said the Parliamentary Budget Officer had confirmed a secret government report showing most Canadians are worse off under the carbon tax and accused the government of a gag order. Liberal MP Adam van Koeverden said the PBO had corrected an earlier flawed estimate and that eight out of 10 Canadians receive more in rebates than they pay.

Read the exchange

Democratic Institutions

Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet said a National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians report showed confusion and inaction in the Prime Minister's Office on foreign interference and that some MPs may be under foreign influence. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the government had created the committee and introduced a foreign influence transparency registry.

Read the exchange

Pharmacare

Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux said Conservatives and the Bloc had formed an unholy alliance to vote against a national pharmacare plan that would cover contraceptives and diabetes medication. He said the vote showed the difference between the parties on health care.

Read the exchange

Human Rights in China

Liberal MP Ken Hardie rose to mark the 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre and said the Chinese Communist Party's decision to send in the military ended a movement that had spread to 400 cities. Bloc Québécois MP Stéphane Bergeron said western countries including Canada had placed commercial interests above human rights.

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
    Innovation, Science and IndustryPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer thanks the AG and pivots to climate goals without addressing responsibility for alleged corruption.as always, we thank the Auditor General for her work.
  2. deflected
    Public Services and ProcurementPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer restates general contract oversight without addressing McKinsey favoritism or committing to changes.we have already put measures in place to ensure that the contracts awarded by the public service follow the strictest, most transparent rules.
  3. deflected
    Carbon PricingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer corrects PBO analysis but avoids explaining any withheld economic report and shifts to rebate promotion.the Parliamentary Budget Officer admitted that he made a mistake with his carbon pricing reports, using incorrect analysis and modelling
  4. deflected
    Innovation, Science and IndustryPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer claims measures were taken but does not accept personal responsibility for the alleged rule-breaking spending.the minister has already taken measures to ensure that these programs are properly spent and that the processes are properly followed in terms of contracts.
  5. deflected
    Public Services and ProcurementPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer discusses oversight improvements without committing to stop future McKinsey contracts.we have continued to strengthen our oversight and the measures whereby public servants grant contracts, including to outside consultants.
  6. answered
    Democratic InstitutionsMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly lists concrete steps taken against foreign interference.We established oversight and accountability bodies.
  7. misdirected
    Democratic InstitutionsMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer ignores the question and instead attacks the Bloc leader for lacking security clearance.it is a little ironic that the leader of the Bloc Québécois is asking these questions, because he himself refused to obtain the necessary security clearance
  8. answered
    Democratic InstitutionsMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Answer enumerates specific measures introduced since 2015 to counter foreign interference.
  9. partly answered
    Democratic InstitutionsMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.Addresses foreign interference tools but omits specific accountability steps for India.not only are we giving our security and intelligence agencies, as well as parliamentarians, new tools to counter foreign interference
  10. deflected
    Innovation, Science and IndustryMs. Melissa Lantsman (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.Shifts focus to climate change and past investigations instead of addressing the reported misuse of funds.I think Canadians are seeing how far the Conservatives will go when we are talking about climate change.
  11. deflected
    Innovation, Science and IndustryMs. Melissa Lantsman (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.Avoids the question of ministerial responsibility and consequences by restating governance changes.The Auditor General's report was very clear.
  12. deflected
    Innovation, Science and IndustryMr. Michael Barrett (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.Ignores the severance query and pivots to arm's-length history and future clean-tech support.again, let me tell Canadians that the Conservatives at the time, 20 years ago, wanted that to be an independent organization
  13. deflected
    Innovation, Science and IndustryMr. Michael Barrett (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.Repeats investigation steps and small-business support without committing to recovering funds.The CEO of the organization has resigned.
  14. deflected
    Innovation, Science and IndustryMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). loaded question.Answers about McKinsey standing offers rather than the green-fund governance failures cited.In light of the previous findings, we have been taking action for over a year to put an end to all the standing offers
  15. deflected
    Innovation, Science and IndustryMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.Dismisses the question with sarcasm and restates prior investigations instead of addressing repayment.the Conservatives are just waking up.
  16. deflected
    Democratic InstitutionsMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). rhetorical question.Avoids naming or confirming any MPs by cautioning against discussing intelligence publicly.it is important to be very careful when publicly discussing intelligence in any detail.
  17. partly answered
    Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe (Bloc) asked Marc Miller (Liberal). substantive question.Answer acknowledges record claims and support efforts but pivots to needing Quebec support without addressing timeline or work permits.We need Quebec's support. I want to point out how important it is that the Bloc Québécois continue to advocate to ensure that asylum seekers are welcomed in Quebec and Canada.
  18. partly answered
    Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe (Bloc) asked Marc Miller (Liberal). loaded question.Answer corrects timeline claim and notes efforts but deflects by emphasizing need for provincial support rather than federal fixes.People are not entitled to a work permit before three months. We are doing our best to give them one.
  19. partly answered
    Public Services and ProcurementMrs. Stephanie Kusie (Conservative) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). loaded question.Answer thanks AG and notes actions taken but does not address sole-sourcing or favouritism claims directly.Based on those previous findings, we have been acting for more than a year to end the standing offers with McKinsey and all similar companies
  20. deflected
    Public Services and ProcurementMrs. Stephanie Kusie (Conservative) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). loaded question.Answer repeats prior points on AG report and actions but ignores Dominic Barton and Infrastructure Bank meeting entirely.The report reaches conclusions similar to those in the report that was released by the government last year.
  21. misdirected
    Public Services and ProcurementMrs. Kelly Block (Conservative) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). loaded question.Answer claims no political interference found then pivots to attacking Conservative leader on dental care instead of addressing McKinsey ban.Now, why is a Conservative leader misinforming and hurting seniors by telling them it does not exist?
  22. deflected
    Public Services and ProcurementMr. Garnett Genuis (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.Answer notes question already answered then shifts to capital gains tax and income inequality without addressing McKinsey contracts.It is a concern that we share. The good news for the Conservatives is that they have the opportunity to support us and to support our increase in the capital gains inclusion rate
  23. deflected
    LabourMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Anita Anand (Liberal). substantive question.Answer asserts talks are ongoing but provides no detail on recommendations or timeline for border officers' benefits.We are at the table. We are pursuing talks because an agreement that is fair to taxpayers and public servants is crucial.
  24. deflected
    Northern AffairsMs. Lori Idlout (NDP) asked Dan Vandal (Liberal). substantive question.Answer discusses general affordability and child care but ignores airline gouging, baggage fees and northern travel promises.We have brought forward $10-a-day child care for affordability. Nunavut was the first province or territory to take advantage of that.
  25. deflected
    Innovation, Science and IndustryMr. Larry Brock (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.Answer explains actions taken after allegations but avoids why directors were not fired by attacking Conservatives instead.it seems that the Conservatives have not really listened.
  26. deflected
    Innovation, Science and IndustryMr. Rick Perkins (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.Answer repeats prior actions taken but sidesteps calling police or repayment by shifting blame to Conservatives sleeping at the switch.it seems that there were a lot of people on their side sleeping at the switch.
  27. deflected
    Innovation, Science and IndustryMr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.Answer details timeline of response but evades why taxpayer money was wasted by mocking the member for waking up late.now the member for Lévis—Lotbinière is waking up.
  28. deflected
    Innovation, Science and IndustryMr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.Answer acknowledges theatrical talents but avoids addressing cronies and conflicts by restating resignations and new governance.everyone in the House can recognize the member for Lévis—Lotbinière's theatrical talents, but the reality is simple.
  29. partly answered
    Public Services and ProcurementMs. Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné (Bloc) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). substantive question.Answer thanks Auditor General and notes actions on McKinsey contracts but only partly addresses why non-competitive awards and public service growth occurred together.We are also introducing stricter and more legitimate requirements for all other government departments to do their own contracting.
  30. partly answered
    Public Services and ProcurementMrs. Julie Vignola (Bloc) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). substantive question.Answer addresses security and spending concerns raised but only partly explains how rules were circumvented by noting need for more information capacity.the Auditor General was very clear. She said that we needed more information and more capacity to store and share this information at the appropriate time.
  31. misdirected
    Carbon PricingMr. Jasraj Singh Hallan (Conservative) asked Mr. Adam van Koeverden (Liberal). loaded question.Answer corrects PBO record and defends carbon pricing but turns to attacking Conservative math instead of addressing gag order or secret report.
  32. misdirected
    Carbon PricingMr. Jasraj Singh Hallan (Conservative) asked Mr. Adam van Koeverden (Liberal). loaded question.Answer defends rebates and attacks Conservative misinformation but ignores call for election or lifting gag by insulting Opposition math skills.it is probably elementary school he needs to go back to.
  33. misdirected
    Carbon PricingMr. Philip Lawrence (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the carbon tax report request and instead attacks Conservatives on abortion rights.there is someone who is being gagged, and that is an MP who sits in the House of Commons, the MP for Peace River—Westlock .
  34. misdirected
    TaxationMr. Bernard Généreux (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer evades the gas tax and PBO report query by pivoting to Conservative climate and abortion positions.The thing that concerns me is the Conservatives' future about-face on a woman's right to choose.
  35. misdirected
    TaxationMr. Marty Morantz (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer sidesteps the carbon tax report entirely and accuses a Conservative MP of intending to end abortion rights.the only person being gagged in Ottawa right now is the Conservative member of Parliament for Peace River—Westlock .
  36. answered
    TaxationMr. Adam Chambers (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly addresses the timing of capital gains legislation and states it will begin before the House rises.I am so glad to say that we will begin the legislative process to raise the capital gains inclusion rate before the House rises.
  37. partly answered
    Public Services and ProcurementMr. Blake Desjarlais (NDP) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the Auditor General report and notes actions taken on McKinsey contracts but does not address the broader consultant spending.we are, for instance, removing McKinsey and similar companies from standing offers.
  38. partly answered
    Persons With DisabilitiesMs. Bonita Zarrillo (NDP) asked Kamal Khera (Liberal). substantive question.The answer explains the new disability benefit but does not address the specific claim that the $200 plan leaves people below the poverty line.Through this budget, we have committed over $6.1 billion as the initial investment for the Canada disability benefit.