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Tuesday, October 22, 2024 · sitting No. 356
House debates privilege motion on SDTC documents
The House spent most of the day on a privilege motion ordering the government to table documents related to the Sustainable Development Technology Canada fund. Conservative MP Anna Roberts said the Auditor General report showed Liberal appointees awarded over $20 million to their own companies and called for full disclosure of the $400 million in grants. Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux said the motion risked circumventing normal investigative processes and accused Conservatives of discrediting the RCMP.
Bloc Québécois MP Yves Perron said his party supported tabling the documents and was ready to vote so the House could move on. Conservative MP Anna Roberts replied that the government must produce the documents so members could trace where the funds went.
In Question Period, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre pressed the Prime Minister on housing costs and carbon-tax increases while Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau defended pharmacare and child-care programs and accused the opposition of focusing on partisan attacks.
From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard
Question Period – October 22, 2024. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube
Who held the floor · 2024-10-22
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
Liberal MP John McKay presented the 14th report of the Standing Committee on National Defence on housing for Canadian Armed Forces members and families while Conservative MP Cheryl Gallant presented a dissenting report citing mould and vermin in barracks at Petawawa.
Read the exchange10th Anniversary of Attack on Parliament Hill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre both marked the tenth anniversary of the attack that killed Corporal Nathan Cirillo at the National War Memorial.
Read the exchangePharmacare
Liberal MP Brendan Hanley said the Pharmacare Act would give nine million women and gender-diverse Canadians access to free contraceptives and diabetes medications while Conservative MPs had voted against the bill.
Read the exchangeNew Brunswick Provincial Election
Liberal MP Wayne Long said New Brunswick had elected its first female premier, Susan Holt, after her party won a majority and ended six years of Conservative rule.
Read the exchangeGrocery Industry
NDP MP Alexandre Boulerice said 40 per cent of Quebeckers were within $200 of bankruptcy and called on the government to force grocery chains to control prices while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pointed to competition measures and a school-food program.
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
- deflectedLiberal Party of CanadaPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the question about caucus speech rules and pivots to unrelated government programs.
We are delivering results for Canadians on dental care, pharmacare and $10-a-day child care.
- deflectedLiberal Party of CanadaPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The response avoids the caucus freedom question by attacking the opposition's priorities instead.
We are here to invest in pharmacare, which will give free insulin to those who need it and will give prescription contraceptives to women across this country.
- deflectedLiberal Party of CanadaPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer sidesteps the gag-order claim by accusing the opposition of confusing caucus rules and focusing on politics.
it seems the Conservative leader is confusing rules that apply in the Conservative caucus with the rules we have in the Liberal Party.
- deflectedGovernment PrioritiesPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). loaded question.The reply ignores the call for a carbon tax election and instead attacks the opposition's proposed cuts.
His solution, however, is to offer them cuts, to offer them no programs that they can rely on, and to vote against things like dental care, pharmacare and investments in a green economy
- partly answeredGovernment PrioritiesMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses seniors' and farmers' issues by citing past actions but adds partisan attacks on the Bloc's votes.
we took action when we lowered the retirement age from 67, where the Conservatives had set it, to 65.
- partly answeredGovernment PrioritiesMr. Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The response acknowledges the need to support seniors but offers no new commitment to the specific proposal.
We remain open to working with everyone in the House to provide even more for seniors.
- deflectedGrocery IndustryMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer avoids forcing grocery price controls and instead lists existing programs while attacking Conservatives.
We are in the process of introducing a school food program that will save families across the country hundreds of dollars a year.
- partly answeredIndigenous AffairsMs. Lori Idlout (NDP) asked Justin Trudeau (Liberal). substantive question.The reply addresses ongoing work with indigenous groups but does not commit to the specific Human Rights Tribunal demand.
We will continue to be there to work in partnership with indigenous leadership and communities to deliver the supports so deeply needed by so many young people.
- deflectedFinanceMr. Jasraj Singh Hallan (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.Answer ignores the election call and pivots to a different PBO report while attacking Conservatives.
The only fiscal threat to Canada is the Conservatives, who would cut health care, child care and the national school food program.
- deflectedFinanceMr. Jasraj Singh Hallan (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.Answer dismisses the question with an insult rather than addressing any fiscal claims.
I am thankful for your remonstration, but speaking for myself, puerile playground insults from the maple syrup MAGA do not bother me one bit.
- misdirectedCarbon PricingMrs. Rosemarie Falk (Conservative) asked Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks the questioner for using slogans instead of addressing the carbon tax or election call.
I cannot imagine diminishing myself when I have the opportunity to represent my community in the House, or to cheapen the arguments that we can put forward on the floor of the House.
- partly answeredCarbon PricingMrs. Rosemarie Falk (Conservative) asked Jonathan Wilkinson (Liberal). loaded question.Answer directly rebuts the PBO claim on rebates but then shifts to attacking the opposition on climate denial.
The fact is that the PBO confirmed that the vast majority of Canadians get more money back than they pay.
- deflectedHousingMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Soraya Martinez Ferrada (Liberal). loaded question.Answer lists government housing programs but does not explain why housing costs rose or address the Prime Minister's role.
I would like to remind my colleague that it was this government that implemented the first national housing strategy and built thousands of homes across the country.
- misdirectedHousingMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks the Conservative leader's past record instead of addressing current housing prices or the Prime Minister.
When he was minister responsible for housing, in his entire time in that role across the entire country he built not one, two, three, four or five, but six affordable housing units.
- answeredJusticeMr. Martin Champoux (Bloc) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly confirms the jurisdictional point and advises the member where to raise the issue.
This falls under the Government of Quebec's jurisdiction.
- deflectedJusticeMr. Martin Champoux (Bloc) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). loaded question.Answer praises Quebec's model but avoids addressing whether federal multiculturalism conflicts with it.
Millions of Quebeckers, including newcomers, have the good fortune and privilege of learning French, integrating into Quebec, becoming a Quebecker, living up to being a Quebecker, growing up, living and flourishing in Quebec.
- deflectedJusticeMr. Martin Champoux (Bloc) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). loaded question.The answer accuses the asker of picking a fight rather than addressing the claims about federal policies.
my Bloc Québécois colleague, whom I hold in high regard, is trying to pick a fight.
- answeredCarbon PricingMrs. Laila Goodridge (Conservative) asked Randy Boissonnault (Liberal). loaded question.The answer directly corrects the PBO claim with specific figures and a counter-example.
the PBO has indicated that eight out of 10 Albertans get more money back from the Canada carbon rebate than they pay in carbon taxes.
- misdirectedCarbon PricingMrs. Laila Goodridge (Conservative) asked Randy Boissonnault (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to attacking the opposition's voting record instead of addressing the carbon tax impact on food banks.
Why did those on that side vote against the Canada child benefit, which gives $7,800 per kid in Alberta?
- misdirectedCarbon PricingMr. Warren Steinley (Conservative) asked Arif Virani (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the opposition's past policies on child benefits rather than responding to the carbon tax or election call.
When I was first elected nine years ago, that party used to send cheques to millionaires to help them with the cost of raising their families.
- misdirectedThe EconomyMr. Richard Martel (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the Conservative voting record instead of addressing rising costs or calling an election.
I am surprised to see that after voting against lowering the age of retirement to 65, after voting against the dental care plan, and after voting against increasing the guaranteed income supplement for the most vulnerable seniors, this gentleman is rising to ask us why the cost of living is going up.
- partly answeredHousingMr. Blake Desjarlais (NDP) asked Sean Fraser (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the issue and details federal funding efforts but does not address the specific winter crisis or timeline for action.
we have advanced billions of dollars specifically to help address some of these concerns, including support directly to the City of Edmonton, working with partner Homeward Trust
- deflectedTelecommunicationsMr. Brian Masse (NDP) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.The answer accuses the NDP of folding rather than addressing the Rogers cable billing or merger concerns.
it is quite ironic to hear from the New Democrats about standing up. When they had that opportunity, they folded.
- misdirectedInnovation, Science and IndustryMr. Rick Perkins (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the opposition leader's security clearance instead of addressing the document production or cover-up claims.
What he will not answer is why his leader is refusing to get a security clearance.
- misdirectedInnovation, Science and IndustryMr. Rick Perkins (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). loaded question.Answer ignores the document request and pivots to attacking the opposition leader's security clearance.
Why is that member, and all members of the Conservative Party, covering up for the Leader of the Opposition , who is refusing to get his security clearance?
- misdirectedInnovation, Science and IndustryMrs. Shelby Kramp-Neuman (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). loaded question.Answer avoids the Speaker's ruling and corruption claims by shifting to the opposition leader's security clearance.
This is unsurprising because they are also trying to cover up their own leader 's refusal to get his security clearance.
- misdirectedInnovation, Science and IndustryMr. Bernard Généreux (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). loaded question.Answer deflects the call for documents by repeatedly accusing the opposition leader of hiding something.
Is it because he has something to hide? Why is he refusing to get his security clearance?
- partly answeredPublic SafetyMr. Rhéal Éloi Fortin (Bloc) asked Arif Virani (Liberal). substantive question.Answer lists specific funding measures but does not address youth recruitment into gangs directly.
On this side of the House, we invested $390 million to fight guns and gangs.
- answeredPublic SafetyMs. Kristina Michaud (Bloc) asked Ms. Jennifer O'Connell (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly supports the prevention and crackdown points raised and references shared committee work.
We agree that it is crucially important to crack down on criminal organizations, particularly those that recruit young people to subvert the justice system.
- misdirectedPublic SafetyMs. Raquel Dancho (Conservative) asked Ms. Jennifer O'Connell (Liberal). loaded question.Answer ignores the Toronto police quote and gun violence stats by accusing Conservatives of gun-lobby talking points.
it is a shame to see, once again, Conservatives using the talking points of the gun lobby instead of standing up for victims of crime
- misdirectedPublic SafetyMs. Raquel Dancho (Conservative) asked Ms. Jennifer O'Connell (Liberal). loaded question.Answer sidesteps the police association criticism by attacking Conservative policy on guns instead.
Conservatives think that putting more guns on our streets is going to somehow keep our communities safer.
- misdirectedPublic SafetyMrs. Dominique Vien (Conservative) asked Ms. Rachel Bendayan (Liberal). loaded question.Answer pivots from the crime-rise question to accuse Conservatives of hypocrisy on handgun measures.
I cannot believe the Conservatives' hypocrisy. They voted against our measure to freeze the handgun market across the country, yet they come here and ask questions about gun violence.
- deflectedPublic Services and ProcurementMrs. Stephanie Kusie (Conservative) asked Ms. Jennifer O'Connell (Liberal). loaded question.The answer criticizes opposition theatrics instead of addressing the amount of money given to GC Strategies.
while the Conservatives play with theatrics, we are actually committed to ensuring that our procurement system is something Canadians have trust in.
- misdirectedPublic Services and ProcurementMrs. Kelly Block (Conservative) asked Ms. Jennifer O'Connell (Liberal). loaded question.The answer shifts blame to the Conservatives initiating the contracts rather than addressing recovery of funds.
it was the Conservative Party that first initiated contracts with GC Strategies.
- misdirectedPublic Services and ProcurementMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to attacking the Conservative leader's comments on bureaucracy instead of addressing GC Strategies contracts.
How does he explain the fact that his Conservative leader describes helping children go to school with a full belly as bureaucracy?
- answeredEmploymentMs. Jenny Kwan (NDP) asked Randy Boissonnault (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly states upcoming changes to the temporary foreign worker program to address exploitation.
Stay tuned later today for more changes to the temporary foreign worker program.
- partly answeredSportMs. Niki Ashton (NDP) asked Carla Qualtrough (Liberal). substantive question.The answer explains government actions taken but does not address why accountability measures were not supported.
upon learning of the scandal, the government took immediate action and suspended the funding to Canada Soccer for the coaches who were implicated.
- answered10th Anniversary of Attack on Parliament HillMs. Elizabeth May (Green) asked The Speaker (Liberal). rhetorical question.The question is a commemorative statement and the response appropriately honors the anniversary without needing factual reply.
We all mourn the terrible and senseless death of Corporal Nathan Cirillo.