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Friday, November 22, 2024 · sitting No. 374

Commons spends day on privilege motion over unredacted documents

The House spent the largest share of its time debating a privilege motion concerning the government's refusal to produce unredacted documents. Conservative MP Jacques Gourde said the House had ordered the documents handed over so police could investigate fully. Liberal MP Francis Drouin replied that police could obtain the material through a search warrant and did not require House intervention.

Question period focused on the carbon tax and affordability measures. Conservative MP Tracy Gray pressed the government to call a carbon tax election and accused the NDP-Liberal coalition of raising taxes after a temporary GST break. Liberal MP Rachel Bendayan defended the two-month tax relief on groceries and children's items as direct help to families.

Further exchanges centred on ethics allegations against the former member for Edmonton Centre. Conservative MP Michael Cooper asked why the member's company remained eligible for federal contracts while under police investigation for fraud.

From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard

Question Period – November 22, 2024. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube

Who held the floor · 2024-11-22

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 29%, opposition 71% of the words spokenOrders of the DayQuestion PeriodOrders of the Day▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0511:0012:0013:00Last speech 14:20Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 4 h 15 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
16Another sitting that went nowhereThe House devoted most of its time to privilege debates and procedural interventions rather than legislation or policy. No bills advanced and recorded votes were absent.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

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Bloc Québécois MP Christine Normandin warned that Donald Trump's deportation plans were already prompting calls to Ontario immigration lawyers and asked whether the government would reopen Roxham Road. Immigration minister Marc Miller said the government wanted to avoid a repeat of 2016-2017 and would renegotiate the safe third country agreement.

Read the exchange

Housing

NDP MP Heather McPherson said four unhoused Edmontonians had died in a bus shelter and called for federal funding to go directly to local organizations rather than through the Alberta government. Liberal MP Peter Fragiskatos pointed to $250 million in federal encampment funding and the Reaching Home program.

Read the exchange

Taxation

Bloc Québécois MP Gabriel Ste-Marie said Canada now ranked fifth among the world's major tax havens and was depriving the treasury of $15 billion a year. Liberal MP Iqra Khalid replied that the Canada Revenue Agency was working with international partners to combat avoidance.

Read the exchange

National Defence

Conservative MP Dane Lloyd criticized the decision to scrap the Royal Canadian Navy march Heart of Oak and said the government should focus on replacing submarines instead of symbolic changes. Liberal MP Charles Sousa said the government was increasing support for the navy and planning fleet renewal.

Read the exchange

Fisheries and Oceans

NDP MP Gord Johns said a hydraulic oil spill had occurred during unsafe ship-breaking at Union Bay and accused the government of issuing only a warning. Environment minister Steven Guilbeault said the Department of Fisheries and Oceans was working with all parties to find a rapid solution.

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
    Carbon PricingMrs. Tracy Gray (Conservative) asked Ms. Rachel Bendayan (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids the election call and instead mocks the questioner with a slogan and Grinch reference.I think what we are seeing is the Conservative leader trying to be the Grinch who stole the holidays.
  2. deflected
    Carbon PricingMrs. Tracy Gray (Conservative) asked Ms. Rachel Bendayan (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to praising the tax break and economy while dismissing Conservatives without addressing the election demand.I guess it is just bad for Conservatives.
  3. misdirected
    Carbon PricingMrs. Tracy Gray (Conservative) asked Ya'ara Saks (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks Conservatives for voting against programs instead of responding to the carbon tax election question.I would like to know why the Conservatives continue to vote against Canadians, vote against the things they need, whether it is pharmacare, dental care or anything else.
  4. misdirected
    The EconomyMr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative) asked Ms. Rachel Bendayan (Liberal). loaded question.The answer shifts to accusing Conservatives of austerity and opposing programs rather than addressing the carbon tax or election call.By opposing our school food program, the Conservatives are showing they are against helping vulnerable children.
  5. deflected
    The EconomyMr. Jacques Gourde (Conservative) asked Ms. Rachel Bendayan (Liberal). loaded question.The answer accuses the questioner of partisanship and fails to engage with the request for an election or permanent relief.For the Conservatives, partisanship always comes first and Canadians come last.
  6. deflected
    Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMs. Christine Normandin (Bloc) asked Marc Miller (Liberal). substantive question.The answer criticizes the Bloc for past votes instead of outlining a plan to avoid Roxham Road-style crossings.Here we are again, with the feigned outrage of the Bloc Québécois rising in the House, while in April they opposed our asylum seeker reforms
  7. partly answered
    Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMs. Christine Normandin (Bloc) asked Marc Miller (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses border management principles but dismisses the question as naive without providing a concrete workforce or hotel plan.We have a safe third country agreement with the U.S. that has been in place for a very long time.
  8. deflected
    The EconomyMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Ms. Rachel Bendayan (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights the tax break benefit but ignores the specific exclusion of seniors and people with disabilities from cheques.all Canadians are going to benefit from the tax break that the Liberal government is offering, and I thank NDP members for their support for this measure.
  9. partly answered
    HousingMs. Heather McPherson (NDP) asked Mr. Peter Fragiskatos (Liberal). loaded question.Answer details federal homelessness programs but sidesteps the call for direct funding bypassing the province.That is why this federal government has responded to the issue by putting forward, among other things, $250 million for encampment response, something the Government of Alberta recently committed to matching.
  10. deflected
    The EconomyMr. Greg McLean (Conservative) asked Anita Anand (Liberal). loaded question.Answer highlights positive metrics and new spending but ignores the recession definition and election call.Canada has sustained a AAA credit rating and the lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7 and has repeatedly seen inflation decreasing, to 1.6% in September.
  11. deflected
    The EconomyMr. Greg McLean (Conservative) asked Anita Anand (Liberal). loaded question.Answer pivots to general economic beliefs and past electoral success without addressing the carbon tax or election demand.That is why Canada leads the G7 in terms of net debt-to-GDP ratio, that is why independent credit rating agencies have said that we should maintain our AAA credit rating and that is why Canadians have elected us numerous times, defeating many leaders of the official opposition.
  12. misdirected
    Carbon PricingMr. Corey Tochor (Conservative) asked Mr. Ryan Turnbull (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks Conservatives for opposing past measures instead of engaging the carbon tax or election question.When we proposed to do a middle-class tax cut way back in 2015, it was one of the first things this government did, they opposed it.
  13. misdirected
    Carbon PricingMr. Corey Tochor (Conservative) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). loaded question.Answer shifts to climate costs and opposition voting record rather than addressing the carbon tax election call.The Conservative Leader of the Opposition has voted 400 times against clean air, clean water and a clean environment for Canadian communities.
  14. deflected
    Carbon PricingMr. Dan Albas (Conservative) asked Anita Anand (Liberal). loaded question.Answer promotes the tax holiday and accuses Conservatives of obstruction without tackling the carbon tax coalition critique.That is, if the Conservatives could decide to actually support Canadians, rather than filibustering, being obstructionists and making sure they are playing their own partisan games.
  15. misdirected
    Carbon PricingMr. Dan Albas (Conservative) asked Mr. James Maloney (Liberal). loaded question.Answer mocks the opposition and cites local gratitude but evades the carbon tax and coalition questions entirely.crusading against tax cuts over the holidays.
  16. answered
    TaxationMr. Gabriel Ste-Marie (Bloc) asked Ms. Iqra Khalid (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly addresses tax avoidance efforts and international cooperation on the $15 billion loss.There are massive strategies that are being worked on with international partners to ensure that tax avoidance and tax evasion are being prevented.
  17. partly answered
    TaxationMr. Gabriel Ste-Marie (Bloc) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). rhetorical question.Answer addresses homelessness funding invitation and tax avoidance efforts but ignores the tax haven ranking and $15B vs $50M comparison.As for tax avoidance, the Government of Canada has made major investments in that regard.
  18. deflected
    Carbon PricingMr. Martin Shields (Conservative) asked Ya'ara Saks (Liberal). loaded question.Answer pivots to school meal investments instead of addressing the carbon tax critique or election call.Just now, we announced that Ontario will be able to feed nearly one million students, 75% of the province's schools, as of today.
  19. answered
    Carbon PricingMr. Martin Shields (Conservative) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly counters the premise by citing the quoted economist's support for carbon pricing.Interestingly enough, one of those 300 economists is the economist the member just quoted, Trevor Tombe, who has said on multiple occasions that the best way to fight climate change is to put a price on pollution.
  20. deflected
    Carbon PricingMr. Rob Morrison (Conservative) asked Ms. Rachel Bendayan (Liberal). loaded question.Answer shifts to attacking Conservatives on food insecurity rather than addressing the carbon tax or election question.I can hardly believe that the Conservatives are talking about food insecurity, especially today.
  21. partly answered
    National DefenceMr. Dane Lloyd (Conservative) asked Mr. Charles Sousa (Liberal). loaded question.Answer addresses submarine replacement and fleet renewal but ignores the march change and overall readiness critique.At the same time, we are looking at replacing the Victoria-class submarine, which is scheduled to depart in 2030.
  22. answered
    Foreign AffairsMs. Lindsay Mathyssen (NDP) asked Ms. Pam Damoff (Liberal). substantive question.Answer states respect for ICC independence and calls for ceasefire and adherence to international law.our government respects the independence of the International Criminal Court.
  23. partly answered
    Fisheries and OceansMr. Gord Johns (NDP) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). substantive question.Answer acknowledges the issue and states work with parties but provides no specifics on enforcement beyond warnings.the Department of Fisheries and Oceans takes this issue very seriously.
  24. misdirected
    EthicsMr. Eric Duncan (Conservative) asked Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Liberal). loaded question.Answer ignores the ethics questions about the former minister and instead attacks the Conservative leader on security clearance.What we see day after day is a gross amount of exaggeration coming from the Conservative ranks.
  25. misdirected
    EthicsMr. Eric Duncan (Conservative) asked Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the ethics question about the Liberal member and instead attacks the Conservative leader on security clearance.talking about unethical, how unethical is it for the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada to be the only leader not to get a security clearance?
  26. misdirected
    Public Services and ProcurementMr. Michael Cooper (Conservative) asked Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Liberal). substantive question.The answer claims the question was already answered then pivots to attacking the Conservative leader on security clearance.Interestingly enough, the Conservative caucus has guidelines and criteria if someone wants to be a summer intern: They have to get a security clearance.
  27. misdirected
    Public Services and ProcurementMr. Michael Cooper (Conservative) asked Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Liberal). substantive question.The answer evades the blacklist question by again shifting to a tweet about Conservative internships and security clearance.Maybe the leader of the Conservative Party should apply for the internship program, thereby obligating him to get a security clearance.
  28. partly answered
    Canada Revenue AgencyMr. Xavier Barsalou-Duval (Bloc) asked Ms. Iqra Khalid (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses whistle-blower protections and data security but does not directly respond to the threat of jail time for public servants.With respect to what the member has talked about, we have supported whistle-blower rights, as shown in our support of the member's caucus bill, Bill C-290
  29. partly answered
    Canada Revenue AgencyMr. Xavier Barsalou-Duval (Bloc) asked Ms. Iqra Khalid (Liberal). substantive question.The answer reiterates respect for whistle-blowers and references the same bill but avoids addressing thanks versus threats.as I indicated earlier, we have the highest respect for whistle-blowers and support the private member's bill, Bill C-290
  30. deflected
    EthicsMr. Eric Melillo (Conservative) asked Mr. Jaime Battiste (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids the question about the Prime Minister's support and instead criticizes Conservatives on indigenous procurement.it seems the only time Conservatives want to talk about indigenous issues in the House is when it fits their cut, cut, cut agenda.
  31. deflected
    EthicsMr. Eric Melillo (Conservative) asked Mr. Jaime Battiste (Liberal). loaded question.The answer sidesteps the question on removal of the member and instead criticizes Conservatives for wanting to determine indigenous identity.However, the Conservatives have a different idea.
  32. deflected
    Emergency PreparednessMr. Gerald Soroka (Conservative) asked Steven Guilbeault (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the question about the environment minister and instead blames the prior Harper government for funding cuts.for five consecutive years, the Harper government cut funding for fire prevention in Jasper by $30 million per year.
  33. deflected
    Public SafetyMr. Bernard Généreux (Conservative) asked Ms. Jennifer O'Connell (Liberal). substantive question.The answer mentions investments but pivots to attacking Conservatives for blocking a report rather than addressing when action will be taken.What I find ironic is that the Conservatives actually asked that question.
  34. deflected
    Public SafetyMr. Bernard Généreux (Conservative) asked Ms. Jennifer O'Connell (Liberal). substantive question.The answer references investments and committee work but shifts to criticizing Conservatives for blocking proposals instead of outlining new steps.However, what happens in committee is that we do the work to put forward proposals to help support Canadians, which they speak of, and Conservatives block that work.
  35. misdirected
    Public SafetyMr. Ziad Aboultaif (Conservative) asked Ms. Jennifer O'Connell (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the questioner for raising victims politically and defends existing programs without reversing the cited policies.what is truly disgusting in this place is this: Number one, that policy and that program have been in place since 2001; however, Conservatives feel the need to bring it forward now as some sort of political weapon and bring up victims.
  36. partly answered
    PensionsMr. Richard Cannings (NDP) asked Anita Anand (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly addresses the pension surplus by stating reports will be tabled soon and defers further comment to that time.Very soon, I will table three actuarial reports on the public service pension plan.
  37. misdirected
    Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Kevin Vuong (Independent) asked Marc Miller (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the immigration processing question entirely and instead attacks the MP personally about past allegations and party status.I do not know why we give this guy the time of day.