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Monday, October 28, 2024 · sitting No. 360
Commons honours late MP Robert Sopuck in day-long tributes
The House devoted the largest share of its sitting to tributes for former Conservative MP Robert Sopuck, who represented Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa until 2019 and died last week. Conservative MP Branden Leslie opened the statements and received consent to move closer to colleagues who had known Sopuck. Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux recalled Sopuck's strong personality and commitment to the outdoors, while Bloc Québécois MP Yves Perron offered condolences on behalf of his caucus.
Question Period focused on housing costs and the federal sales tax on new homes. Conservative MP Andrew Scheer pressed the government to adopt the Conservative plan to remove the tax, claiming it would save buyers $40,000 on an $800,000 home. Housing Minister Sean Fraser replied that the Conservative proposal would cut funding for affordable housing and other social programs.
Members also clashed over rising food-bank use. Conservative MP John Barlow said the carbon tax had doubled visits since 2019, while Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland accused Conservatives of planning cuts to the Canada child benefit and dental care.
From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard
Question Period – October 28, 2024. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube
Who held the floor · 2024-10-28
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
Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada
Liberal MP Terry Sheehan said the Conservative leader refuses to obtain a security clearance, while Conservative MP Sameer Zuberi asked why the leader continues to decline one.
Read the exchangeJustice
Bloc Québécois MP Luc Thériault asked the government to align the Criminal Code with Quebec's advance-request rules by October 30, and Health Minister Mark Holland replied that a national conversation is required first.
Read the exchangeHealth
New Democrat MP Jenny Kwan said clinic closures show Liberal words are insufficient and called for legislation to protect access, while Health Minister Mark Holland pointed to Conservative caucus members who oppose abortion rights.
Read the exchangeCarbon Pricing
Conservative MP Rosemarie Falk asked the Prime Minister to call a carbon-tax election, and Liberal MP Arif Virani replied that Conservatives favour tax cuts for the rich over programs for those in need.
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
- deflectedHousingAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer shifts focus to Conservative cuts on unrelated programs instead of addressing the GST removal on new homes.
They want to cut the programs that are going to deliver housing for low-income and middle-class families today, just like they plan to cut the programs that are going to provide dental care for families who need it;
- deflectedHousingAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer criticizes the Conservative plan's funding and bureaucracy claims without engaging the core proposal to axe the GST.
He must not have read the line in his own plan that says that they want to hire new bureaucrats just to run a snitch line for those who do not like their neighbours' housing policies.
- deflectedHousingAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer corrects housing starts data and pivots to attacks on Conservative cuts rather than responding to the GST axe request.
when the Conservatives came up with a new idea on housing, they said they were going to pay for it by cutting programs that build middle-class and low-income housing for families right across this country.
- deflectedHousingMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights Conservative cuts without addressing the GST removal on new homes or the housing accelerator fund critique.
Under the Conservatives, Canadians would have fewer homes, and they would be built more slowly.
- misdirectedHousingMr. Luc Berthold (Conservative) asked Soraya Martinez Ferrada (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the questioner over Quebec housing impacts instead of addressing the GST proposal or housing advisor critique.
How is this member from Quebec going to tell the Government of Quebec that he wants to eliminate 8,000 social and affordable housing units in Quebec?
- answeredImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Alain Therrien (Bloc) asked Marc Miller (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly confirms the government has a plan for potential increased asylum seekers.
Mr. Speaker, the answer is yes.
- partly answeredImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Alain Therrien (Bloc) asked Marc Miller (Liberal). substantive question.The answer affirms border management experience but provides no specific details on a plan for a massive influx.
we have always managed the border with the United States effectively.
- misdirectedHealthMs. Jenny Kwan (NDP) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to attacking Conservatives on abortion rights instead of outlining actions for equal access to abortion care.
when the Conservatives have such a huge number of people in their caucus who are anti-choice who are standing up against women's rights, we have to call that out.
- misdirectedHealthMs. Rachel Blaney (NDP) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.Answer attacks Conservatives instead of addressing support for NDP accessibility measures.
It is a Conservative caucus over there, with a third of their members having been green-lit by anti-choice organizations across this country.
- deflectedThe EconomyMr. John Barlow (Conservative) asked Jenna Sudds (Liberal). substantive question.Answer lists government investments but does not address ending carbon tax or calling an election.
The Leader of the Opposition has continued to oppose us at each and every step and now has announced his plans to cut even further.
- misdirectedThe EconomyMr. John Barlow (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). loaded question.Answer pivots to attacking Conservative cuts rather than responding to carbon tax or election call.
Now we know. They are going to cut child care, they are going to cut the Canada child benefit, they are going to cut dental care, they are going to cut pharmacare, they are going to cut support for seniors.
- misdirectedThe EconomyMr. Jasraj Singh Hallan (Conservative) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). substantive question.Answer shifts to US health comparisons and Conservative cuts instead of addressing food bank data or carbon tax.
Do members know that in the United States, life expectancy is five years lower?
- misdirectedThe EconomyMr. Jasraj Singh Hallan (Conservative) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). loaded question.Answer blames misinformation and lists diseases instead of engaging with food insecurity or carbon tax claims.
It is because the slogan machines on the other side, diving deep into the threads on Reddit, are creating and spreading information that confuses the health landscape.
- deflectedThe EconomyMs. Michelle Ferreri (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). substantive question.Answer promotes existing programs and criticizes Conservative cuts but avoids carbon tax election question.
What is the Conservative plan? It is to cut those programs.
- deflectedThe EconomyMs. Michelle Ferreri (Conservative) asked Karina Gould (Liberal). substantive question.Answer defends Canada child benefit and accuses Conservatives of slogans but does not address election call or food bank stats.
Who is doing the gaslighting? It is the Conservative members of Parliament, who want to sell slogans instead solutions.
- answeredJusticeMr. Luc Thériault (Bloc) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly explains need for national conversation and caution on advance requests for MAID.
On an issue as sensitive as advance requests, it is absolutely crucial that we engage in a national conversation and make sure our system is ready.
- deflectedJusticeMr. Luc Thériault (Bloc) asked Arif Virani (Liberal). substantive question.The answer emphasizes consultation with provinces rather than addressing the call for immediate Criminal Code amendment.
We are also well aware that we need to consult all of the other provinces to come to a national consensus on this issue.
- deflectedJusticeMr. Luc Thériault (Bloc) asked Mark Holland (Liberal). substantive question.The response stresses the need for more time and national conversation instead of committing to action on the bill.
A national conversation is absolutely vital. I need time to talk with my provincial and territorial counterparts and make sure that the system is ready.
- misdirectedThe EconomyMrs. Rosemarie Falk (Conservative) asked Jenna Sudds (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to listing child care investments without addressing the carbon tax or election request.
We have seen almost one million families benefit from our $10-a-day national child care program.
- misdirectedCarbon PricingMrs. Rosemarie Falk (Conservative) asked Arif Virani (Liberal). loaded question.The response attacks Conservative policies and the opposition rather than answering about the carbon tax election.
it is getting a little difficult to take seriously anything that comes from that side of the House.
- misdirectedCarbon PricingMr. Stephen Ellis (Conservative) asked Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer launches a personal attack on the questioner's spending habits instead of addressing the carbon tax question.
it is extremely difficult to take a question of that nature from a Conservative member who himself goes on trips worth tens of thousands of dollars and sips $1,700 bottles of champagne
- partly answeredTaxationMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges food bank issues and supports programs but deflects by criticizing Conservative opposition.
Why, then, do the Conservative members oppose the Breakfast Club of Canada and La Cantine pour tous
- answeredPersons with DisabilitiesMs. Bonita Zarrillo (NDP) asked Sean Fraser (Liberal). substantive question.The response directly details ongoing large-scale investments and timelines for accessible public transit funding.
We are moving forward with what will be the largest investment in the history of this country when it comes to public transit.
- misdirectedHousingMrs. Tracy Gray (Conservative) asked Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer criticizes the Conservative leader's position on a housing fund and calls the member's stance awkward rather than addressing the GST question.
The member is now in the awkward position of defending an increase of taxes to her constituents of $31.5 million.
- misdirectedHousingMrs. Tracy Gray (Conservative) asked Sean Fraser (Liberal). substantive question.The answer attacks the opposition leader's tax stance and accuses the MP of opposing funds for her riding rather than addressing the housing accelerator fund.
It is unthinkable that a member would come here and oppose money for their own riding.
- misdirectedHousingMr. Jamil Jivani (Conservative) asked Sean Fraser (Liberal). substantive question.The answer shifts to accusing the MP of borrowing US right-wing policies and opposing affordable housing instead of responding to the housing accelerator fund criticism.
it is interesting to me how often I see Canadian Conservatives borrowing their policy positions from the right-wing populous in the United States.
- deflectedHousingMr. Jamil Jivani (Conservative) asked Chrystia Freeland (Liberal). substantive question.The answer pivots to Conservative cuts and austerity without addressing the GST on housing or the housing cost statistics raised.
We will never agree to the Conservative agenda of cuts and austerity, cuts that would hit the most vulnerable the hardest.
- partly answeredPublic SafetyMr. Rhéal Éloi Fortin (Bloc) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the concern and mentions meetings on tools and technologies but provides no specific explanation of how orders are issued from prison.
I have met with representatives of the Correctional Service Canada union and administration to discuss next steps, as well as additional tools and technologies
- partly answeredPublic SafetyMr. Rhéal Éloi Fortin (Bloc) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). substantive question.The answer references investments in technology like drone interception but avoids detailing why cellphones remain accessible or specific actions taken.
I saw how drones can be intercepted before they get there.
- misdirectedHousingMr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative) asked Soraya Martinez Ferrada (Liberal). substantive question.The answer counters by questioning the MP on cutting social housing units instead of addressing the GST removal or photo-op fund criticism.
How will he respond to Quebeckers when he tells them he is going to cut the 8,000 social housing units that are part of the housing accelerator program?
- misdirectedHousingMr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative) asked Jean-Yves Duclos (Liberal). substantive question.The answer attacks the Conservative leader's past record on affordable housing units rather than addressing current housing costs or calling an election.
, the member's own leader, built six affordable housing units across the entire country during his entire term in office.
- answeredCanada Revenue AgencyMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Marie-Claude Bibeau (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly addresses fraud measures, detection procedures, and notifications without deflection.
The CRA has protection procedures for detecting and blocking fraud.
- deflectedCanada Revenue AgencyMr. Adam Chambers (Conservative) asked Marie-Claude Bibeau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer claims action is being taken but avoids addressing the specific request to involve the RCMP.
I can assure the House that our government is taking appropriate action.
- deflectedLabourMr. Kyle Seeback (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). substantive question.Answer discusses monitoring and mediation but does not address the request for ministerial intervention.
Mediators are working with the parties and are available to assist at any time.
- misdirectedLabourMr. Kyle Seeback (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). rhetorical question.Answer attacks the Conservatives' labour record instead of addressing the ongoing strike.
we will take no lessons from the right-to-work Conservative Party on labour relations in Canada
- deflectedTelecommunicationsMr. Brian Masse (NDP) asked Mr. Ryan Turnbull (Liberal). loaded question.Answer highlights general consumer protections but does not answer the yes-or-no question on banning Rogers from contracts.
Since 2023, we have been holding companies like Rogers accountable by eliminating switching fees and attacking extra and unnecessary fees
- misdirectedCBC/Radio-CanadaMr. Alain Rayes (Independent) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). substantive question.Answer pivots to an unrelated attack on Conservative abortion policy before addressing the bonuses.
I thank my colleague from Richmond—Arthabaska for his question, as well as for his courage in speaking out against the Conservative Party of Canada and its position on a woman's right to choose.