House resumes debate on address in reply to throne speech

Other moments

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
   The EconomyStéphane Dion (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer emphasizes current surplus and international agreements rather than addressing the specific budget decisions mentioned.Canada has a surplus. It is the only country in the G-7, the only major industrialized nation, that has a surplus.
2. partly answered
   The EconomyStéphane Dion (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.Responds to the fiscal conservatism claim by explaining the deliberate tax stimulus actions.It is correct that the surplus is weaker than it was in the past because the government took deliberate action to provide long-term tax stimulus to the economy as the economy was slowing.
3. deflected
   The EconomyStéphane Dion (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). rhetorical question.Shifts focus to the recent election outcome instead of addressing the broken promises listed.this question has to do with the election, and the voters have made their decision.
4. deflected
   The EconomyJohn McCallum (Liberal) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.Focuses on the upcoming economic update rather than addressing the accusation of misleading Canadians.the fall economic update is about to be delivered.
5. deflected
   The EconomyJohn McCallum (Liberal) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.Accuses the questioner of partisan gamesmanship instead of addressing the policy responsibility.I would hope that the member opposite would rise above partisan gamesmanship.
6. partly answered
   Speech from the ThroneMr. Gilles Duceppe (Bloc) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.Defends the throne speech by noting steps taken to improve economy and openness to ideas.The reality is that this government has taken numerous steps in these areas to improve investment potential and to create jobs.
7. deflected
   Speech from the ThroneMr. Gilles Duceppe (Bloc) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.Provides general statements on Canada's economic position without addressing Quebec-specific priorities.Canada's current world position is stronger than that of the major industrialized powers.
8. partly answered
   Speech from the ThroneMr. Pierre Paquette (Bloc) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). loaded question.Discusses expansions to employment insurance without directly responding to the two-week waiting period proposal.we have expanded the employment insurance system in Canada.
9. deflected
   Speech from the ThroneMr. Pierre Paquette (Bloc) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). loaded question.Answer discusses aid for laid-off workers rather than retirees' evaporated savings from the stock market.We have already implemented several measures to help laid-off workers.
10. deflected
    Speech from the ThroneJack Layton (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer emphasizes Canada's relative position without addressing the lack of economic stimulus or job creation plans.Canada is in a much better position than the great majority of these countries.
11. misdirected
    Speech from the ThroneJack Layton (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer expresses disappointment in opposition instead of outlining action for the auto sector.I have to express a little bit of disappointment when some in the opposition oppose even a broad statement of principle.
12. answered
    Speech from the ThroneJack Layton (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.Answer directly justifies the corporate tax cuts by referencing the election mandate and cross-party support.The vast majority of the Canadian public understands that we cannot improve the performance of the economy by raising taxes on profitable business.
13. deflected
    The EconomyScott Brison (Liberal) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.Answer highlights past balanced budgets and tax cuts instead of addressing the elimination of the contingency reserve.We are proud of our record of three balanced budgets.
14. deflected
    The EconomyScott Brison (Liberal) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.Answer refuses to engage with the question about responsibility for the deficit.I am not going to go there, Mr. Speaker.
15. deflected
    The EconomyMs. Martha Hall Findlay (Liberal) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). substantive question.Answer notes inconsistencies in opposition messaging and invites suggestions rather than presenting a stimulus plan.I would love to hear their suggestions about the manner in which we can stimulate the economy.
16. answered
    The EconomyMs. Martha Hall Findlay (Liberal) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). substantive question.Answer directly addresses the RRIF transfer issue for seniors and outlines specific action taken.I am writing to them today asking them to clarify that and to ensure those transfers in kind can be made within those financial institutions at no cost to the customers.
17. deflected
    Securities CommissionMr. Jean-Yves Laforest (Bloc) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.The answer discusses setting up a panel without addressing the accusation of dismantling a working system or concentrating power.Setting up a panel of experts to advise the government on how to proceed is a necessary measure that will lay the foundation for future dialogue.
18. deflected
    Securities CommissionMr. Jean-Yves Laforest (Bloc) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.The answer shifts to the asset-backed commercial paper crisis instead of addressing the claim about concentrating financial autonomy.In the course of the past year, we have had to deal with the non-bank backed, asset backed commercial paper issue.
19. misdirected
    CultureMrs. Carole Lavallée (Bloc) asked James Moore (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the Bloc Québécois for voting against increases rather than explaining current policy on cultural funding.In the past, the Bloc Québécois voted against those increases.
20. misdirected
    CultureMrs. Carole Lavallée (Bloc) asked James Moore (Conservative). loaded question.The answer accuses the questioner of falsehoods and pivots to national understanding of francophones instead of addressing cuts to culture.Her statement that we gave that money to sports is false.
21. partly answered
    Manufacturing IndustryMr. Gerard Kennedy (Liberal) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). rhetorical question.The answer outlines past tax stimulus measures but does not directly address refusal to aid manufacturers or specific job losses.The cumulative effect on the economy is 1.4% of GDP stimulus this year.
22. misdirected
    Manufacturing IndustryMr. Gerard Kennedy (Liberal) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.The answer notes electoral results in specific ridings and cuts off without addressing U.S. proposals or protecting manufacturers.In fact, St. Catharines re-elected a Conservative member.
23. partly answered
    FinanceMr. Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.The answer defends existing tax stimulus but does not address the call for a new plan or comparisons to other countries' actions.in the first two and a half years of our government we created a stimulus that this year alone in the Canadian economy is $21 billion, which is 1.4% of GDP.
24. deflected
    FinanceMr. Pablo Rodriguez (Liberal) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.The answer invites constructive suggestions but avoids addressing past actions on forestry, artists, or future sectors targeted.If any members in the House have any constructive suggestions of ways in which the economy could be stimulated in addition to the tax reductions that we have already made, then I welcome them.
25. deflected
    Parliamentary Budget OfficerMr. Thomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer shifts responsibility to Parliament without addressing the request for legislative amendments.But this position was approved by Parliament, which is responsible for managing it.
26. deflected
    Parliamentary Budget OfficerMr. Thomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Mr. Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). substantive question.The answer restates the government's role in creating the position instead of addressing legislation for independence.It was this government and this party that created the position of Parliamentary Budget Officer.
27. partly answered
    Economic DevelopmentMr. Jean-Yves Roy (Bloc) asked Denis Lebel (Conservative). substantive question.The answer commits to examining programs but does not confirm restoration of funding.In our program analyses we will naturally take the time to examine, with respect to current world economic conditions, how the tools can best serve the regions of Quebec.
28. misdirected
    Economic DevelopmentMr. Jean-Yves Roy (Bloc) asked Denis Lebel (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the Bloc Québécois instead of addressing the funding question.the number of Bloc Québécois members here in the House and their reaction to the throne speech proves how little impact they have on the decisions reached by the government and on the outcome.
29. partly answered
    Public Service of CanadaMr. Marcel Proulx (Liberal) asked Vic Toews (Conservative). substantive question.The answer addresses privatization but does not specify what will be legislated.we have no intention of privatizing the public sector.
30. deflected
    Public Service of CanadaMr. Marcel Proulx (Liberal) asked Vic Toews (Conservative). substantive question.The answer emphasizes general principles of fairness without committing to negotiations.Our approach is a balanced one. This is about fairness, fairness to the employees and to the Canadian taxpayers.
31. answered
    Forestry IndustryMrs. Carol Hughes (NDP) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly lists government measures for the forestry sector.As noted in the Speech from the Throne, we are taking steps to ensure the long-term competitiveness of this sector.
32. misdirected
    The EconomyMr. Malcolm Allen (NDP) asked Mr. Mike Lake (Conservative). substantive question.The answer changes the subject to praise the leader instead of addressing the stimulus request.During question period today we have heard a lot of rhetoric, but it is important to understand that our leader is the envy of the world in terms of the way he is approaching the economic situation.
33. deflected
    Automotive IndustryMr. Francis Valeriote (Liberal) asked Mr. Mike Lake (Conservative). loaded question.The answer discusses global context and careful consideration but provides no timeline or specific action plan.The solution here needs to be a carefully considered one with a long-term view to the interests of Canadian consumers, Canadian workers, Canadian businesses and Canadian taxpayers.
34. deflected
    The EnvironmentMr. Bernard Bigras (Bloc) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). loaded question.The answer avoids addressing the reference year or Quebec concerns and instead pivots to alignment with Obama and the Bloc.I think the Bloc Québécois, the President-elect and the Government of Canada are all on the same page.
35. partly answered
    The EnvironmentMs. Linda Duncan (NDP) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). loaded question.The answer explains the need to balance environment and economy and references upcoming US and international developments but does not defend the specific plans mentioned.I welcome the hon. member to the House as an Albertan and as an Albertan I feel it is our responsibility in government to balance the environment and the economy.
36. partly answered
    EqualizationMr. Bill Casey (Independent) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). substantive question.The answer states the cap tied to nominal GDP growth but does not confirm the requested 3.5% guarantee regardless of economic performance.We made it clear that equalization itself, leaving aside other aspects of transfers to the provinces, would not grow faster than the rate of growth in the economy, that is nominal GDP.
37. answered
    Point of OrderMr. Michel Guimond (Bloc) asked Jay Hill (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly addresses the procedural question by stating the government's authority to assign responses.It is the government that decides who gets up to answer which questions.
38. partly answered
    Business of the HouseRalph Goodale (Liberal) asked Jay Hill (Conservative). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the request and promises details later but does not yet provide the agenda forecast or clarification on the economic statement timing.I will get to quite a number of questions that the hon. member had in relation to the economic and fiscal update later on in my short statement.