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Wednesday, October 9, 2024 · sitting No. 352

Commons debates ethics committee report on facial recognition technology

The House spent the largest share of its time on routine proceedings, where members presented committee reports and began debate on a motion to concur in the sixth report of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics, entitled Facial Recognition Technology and the Growing Power of Artificial Intelligence.

Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre pressed the government repeatedly during question period on its refusal to hand over documents related to the sustainable development technology fund, citing the Auditor General's finding of 186 conflicts of interest and a $400-million scandal. Liberal ministers Karina Gould and François-Philippe Champagne countered that the motion risked circumventing Charter protections and that the RCMP had raised concerns about using the documents in any investigation.

Bloc Québécois MP Yves-François Blanchet questioned the government's commitment to supply management after two senators indicated the sector could still feature in future trade talks, while NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh raised corporate use of artificial intelligence to raise rents and the lack of safe drinking water in Shamattawa First Nation.

Decided that day

  • 31st report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts passed

From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard

Question Period – October 9, 2024. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube

Who held the floor · 2024-10-09

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 39%, opposition 61% of the words spokenQuestion PeriodRoutine proceedingsOrders of the Day▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 14:0515:0016:0017:0018:00Last speech 18:50Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 4 h 45 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
25Privilege Points Crowd Out Sparse ResultsThe sitting devoted most of its time to committee reports, privilege debates and points of order, with only 35 percent of words on substantive business. Just one committee report was adopted while Question Period produced few direct 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

Public Safety

Conservative MP Michael Chong asked why the government had not listed Samidoun as a terrorist entity given its founder's ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc replied that security agencies were conducting an expedited review.

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Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

NDP MP Jenny Kwan said no Sudanese refugees had yet arrived under the government's program and called for faster processing and expanded eligibility, while Immigration Minister Marc Miller said the plan aims to bring 8,000 people by year-end.

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Seniors

Bloc Québécois MP Andréanne Larouche pressed the government to raise benefits for seniors aged 65 to 74, and Seniors Minister Steven MacKinnon noted that the Bloc had voted against previous increases to the guaranteed income supplement.

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National Defence

Conservative MP Pat Kelly asked whether the government would reverse rent increases for Canadian Armed Forces members living on base, and Associate National Defence Minister Marie-France Lalonde defended continued investment in military housing.

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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
    Innovation, Science and IndustryPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer sidesteps the accusation of hiding documents by citing RCMP concerns and redirecting to committee referral."There is significant risk that the motion could be interpreted as a circumvention of normal investigative processes and Charter protections."
  2. misdirected
    Innovation, Science and IndustryPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer ignores the police-versus-committee question and instead attacks the Conservatives for obstruction and slogans.Canadians are fed up with the Conservative Party's games.
  3. deflected
    Innovation, Science and IndustryPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer disputes the premise of hiding documents by quoting the RCMP commissioner and again calls for committee referral.It is therefore highly unlikely that any information obtained by the RCMP under the Motion where privacy interests [exist] could be used to support a criminal prosecution or further a criminal investigation.
  4. deflected
    Innovation, Science and IndustryPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer avoids addressing the changing story or hidden documents by labeling it a witch hunt and pushing for committee review.These are files, such as personnel files, that contain private information of individuals who have nothing to do with what is going on.
  5. deflected
    Innovation, Science and IndustryPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer evades the hiding question by stating documents will go to police if requested and then accuses the asker of a vendetta against rights.when the leader of the Conservative Party is going after the rights of other Canadians, it is only a matter of time before his political vendetta comes after the rights of all Canadians.
  6. answered
    International TradeMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Lawrence MacAulay (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly affirms support for excluding supply management from trade deals and backs Bill C-282.Our government fully supports Bill C-282 and urges the other place to move on this legislation as quickly as possible.
  7. partly answered
    International TradeMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Marie-Claude Bibeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer defends the government's record on dairy farmers but sidesteps the senators' opposition by attacking the Bloc's understanding of independent senators.We chose to appoint independent senators.
  8. misdirected
    HousingMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the AI rent-ripping question and instead criticizes the NDP for not supporting Liberal housing policies.I only wish the NDP would care enough to join us in trying to do something about the problem.
  9. deflected
    Indigenous AffairsMr. Jagmeet Singh (NDP) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). loaded question.The answer shifts focus to past investments and blames Conservatives instead of addressing the court case or specific water issue.that is exactly what we have been doing over the last nine years, cleaning up the mess that the Conservatives left behind.
  10. misdirected
    Innovation, Science and IndustryMs. Leslyn Lewis (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks Conservatives for filibustering and changes the subject rather than addressing document production or the scandal.It is the Conservatives who are filibustering their own motion in the House because the RCMP and the Auditor General have both raised their extreme discomfort with the motion the Conservatives put forward.
  11. deflected
    Innovation, Science and IndustryMs. Leslyn Lewis (Conservative) asked Arif Virani (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to a general explanation of justice processes without addressing the demand to hand over documents.Let us talk about how justice works in this country.
  12. deflected
    Innovation, Science and IndustryMr. Kyle Seeback (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.The answer dismisses the question with slogans and accuses Conservatives of targeting employees instead of addressing document production.
  13. deflected
    Innovation, Science and IndustryMr. Kyle Seeback (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). loaded question.The answer accuses Conservatives of filibustering and quotes an external opinion rather than committing to produce the documents.again, the Conservatives are saying things that are false.
  14. partly answered
    Public SafetyMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges working with provinces and police but avoids addressing the call for an election.we are working with the provinces to address the situations he described.
  15. misdirected
    Public SafetyMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Arif Virani (Liberal). substantive question.The answer redirects blame to provincial governments instead of addressing changes to federal laws.If anyone believes that bail is a problem, they should ask governments like Mr. Legault's about it.
  16. deflected
    International TradeMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Marie-Claude Bibeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer restates support for supply management without addressing the specific inaction on Quebec farmers or independence remarks.once again, the Liberals are 100% behind the supply management system and 100% behind our dairy, poultry and egg farmers.
  17. misdirected
    International TradeMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer attacks the Bloc leader on sovereignty instead of addressing who holds power between the PM and senators.If there is anyone who is unable to get anything done for farmers and producers in Quebec, it is the leader of the Bloc Québécois, because he chose to be unable and to talk about sovereignty and independence instead of dealing with the urgent problems we are facing today.
  18. deflected
    Small BusinessMr. Brad Vis (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.The answer denies the premise and shifts blame to Conservatives rather than explaining the specific funding issue raised.what is not okay is for the Conservatives to repeat the same thing time and time again when they know it is false.
  19. deflected
    Small BusinessMr. Brad Vis (Conservative) asked Rechie Valdez (Liberal). loaded question.The answer lists government supports for small business but ignores the request to release green slush fund documents.we are going to continue to support small and medium-sized businesses.
  20. deflected
    Innovation, Science and IndustryMr. John Nater (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). loaded question.The answer disputes the premise and accuses Conservatives of political grudges instead of addressing the House order violation.Your ruling was very clear: because of the unprecedented nature of that motion, it should go to the procedure and House affairs committee for study.
  21. deflected
    Innovation, Science and IndustryMr. Bernard Généreux (Conservative) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). loaded question.The answer quotes the RCMP on independence to avoid releasing documents and mocks the question.Does that make it any clearer? Do Conservative members need a briefing with the RCMP commissioner to understand what he has been saying for weeks now?
  22. partly answered
    Indigenous AffairsMr. Blake Desjarlais (NDP) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses funding and partnership efforts with First Nations but does not directly explain why current housing and health crises persist.every step of the way over the past nine years, the government has worked with first nations leaders, indigenous leaders across the country to restore rights, to restore self-determination and to restore funding that was under heavy attack from the Conservative Party of Canada.
  23. answered
    LabourMs. Lisa Marie Barron (NDP) asked Anita Anand (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly explains the government's priority on services and hybrid work implementation with unions.Our top priority is to deliver quality programs and services to Canadians.
  24. deflected
    EthicsMrs. Kelly Block (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). loaded question.The answer cites the Ethics Commissioner to dismiss the call for resignation without addressing the specific misleading claims.the Ethics Commissioner has looked into this matter three times and each time has confirmed he has no concerns.
  25. deflected
    EthicsMr. Kelly McCauley (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). loaded question.The answer restates the Ethics Commissioner finding without addressing the new evidence of involvement raised in the question.the Ethics Commissioner has looked into this matter three times and each time has confirmed he has no concerns.
  26. deflected
    EthicsMr. Tom Kmiec (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). loaded question.The answer repeats the prior Ethics Commissioner reference and ignores the phone records and contempt finding cited.the Ethics Commissioner has looked into this matter three times and each time has confirmed he has no concerns.
  27. answered
    Public SafetyMichael Chong (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly explains the listing process relies on security advice and confirms an expedited review is underway.I have instructed the security and intelligence agencies that report to us to do, on an expedited basis, a review of these matters, and I have said we hope to come back to Canadians with information very soon.
  28. misdirected
    SeniorsMs. Andréanne Larouche (Bloc) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). substantive question.The answer shifts to attacking the Bloc's voting record instead of addressing the two-tier OAS policy question.They said no every time we increased support for seniors in Quebec and Canada.
  29. misdirected
    SeniorsMs. Andréanne Larouche (Bloc) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). substantive question.The answer pivots to criticizing the Bloc's vote on dental care rather than responding to the OAS increase demand.
  30. deflected
    The EconomyMr. John Barlow (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.The answer changes the subject to personal invitation and competition policy instead of addressing the carbon tax and food prices.I can assure the member that it is much cheaper to have Thanksgiving dinner in Shawinigan.
  31. deflected
    The EconomyMr. John Barlow (Conservative) asked Jenna Sudds (Liberal). loaded question.The answer promotes the child benefit and cuts off without addressing the carbon tax election call or food bank crisis.on this side of the House, I am proud that in 2016 we introduced the Canada child benefit.
  32. misdirected
    The EconomyMr. Joël Godin (Conservative) asked Ms. Rachel Bendayan (Liberal). substantive question.The answer attacks Conservative hypocrisy and a hidden agenda instead of addressing government spending and cost-of-living concerns.They have a hidden agenda, and everything they say in the House is bunk.
  33. misdirected
    Innovation, Science and IndustryMichael Chong (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). loaded question.The answer quotes RCMP concerns then pivots to accusing the opposition of not respecting police independence rather than addressing parliamentary supremacy.For a party that claims to respect the police, it certainly does not respect police independence.
  34. misdirected
    Innovation, Science and IndustryMichael Chong (Conservative) asked Arif Virani (Liberal). loaded question.The answer praises the member then shifts to defending RCMP independence and urging the member to listen to police instead of answering the democratic-rights question.I wish the member opposite would do the same.
  35. partly answered
    Public SafetyMr. Shuvaloy Majumdar (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). loaded question.The answer addresses the listing process and promises imminent action but avoids explaining the delay or the minister's alleged demographic remark.I talked to them as recently as this morning, and I am very confident that we will have some important news very quickly.
  36. partly answered
    Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMs. Jenny Kwan (NDP) asked Marc Miller (Liberal). substantive question.The answer explains the existing program and community consultations but does not commit to expediting or expanding eligibility for vulnerable children.I will constantly be working with community members, who I will be meeting with as early as tomorrow, to evolve the program if need be.
  37. deflected
    TaxationMr. Alain Rayes (Independent) asked Marie-Claude Bibeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the issue and past discussions but defers any fix to a future platform without committing to action.This is something that we could look at in an upcoming platform.
  38. deflected
    TaxationMr. Joël Godin (Conservative) asked Ms. Rachel Bendayan (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer avoids withdrawing the language and instead defers to the Chair while implying the word is acceptable.I think if you check, you will find that this word has been used in the past.