Finance minister tables budget forecasting $34 billion deficit

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 EconomyMr. Michael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer congratulates and shifts to current budget without addressing the specific period asked.This government took action more than a year ago at the beginning of the crisis.
2. answered
   The EconomyMr. Michael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The response clarifies the fiscal position and prior statements about deficits.Prior to the budgetary actions we will take in the upcoming budget, the government has been in surplus for the current fiscal year.
3. partly answered
   The EconomyMr. Michael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Provides history of spending increases but does not give new assurances on delivery.Even before this budget, federal infrastructure spending was scheduled to double in the coming year.
4. deflected
   The EconomyMarlene Jennings (Liberal) asked Mr. Ted Menzies (Conservative). substantive question.The answer avoids the specific question about 2008-09 deficit by referring to the upcoming budget.I encourage the hon. member, as the Prime Minister has, to take a very serious look at what is going to be tabled here later today.
5. deflected
   The EconomyMarlene Jennings (Liberal) asked Mr. Ted Menzies (Conservative). loaded question.Responds by defending past actions rather than addressing the credibility question directly.It was the fall statement of 2007 that the Prime Minister and the finance minister recognized what was on the horizon.
6. partly answered
   FinanceMr. Gilles Duceppe (Bloc) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.Addresses transfers but sidesteps the specific opposition to the securities commission and equalization cap.As for the securities commission, this government intends to act in accordance with its own constitutional authority and with the willing participation of the provinces.
7. deflected
   FinanceMr. Gilles Duceppe (Bloc) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.Provides transfer figures without addressing the broken commitment allegation.under this government, federal transfers to Quebec have risen to nearly $17 billion, an increase of $5 billion a year since we came to power.
8. partly answered
   FinanceMr. Pierre Paquette (Bloc) asked Mr. Ted Menzies (Conservative). loaded question.Justifies the policy but avoids confronting the opposition from Quebec.Our concern is protecting Canadians' investments. That has to be primary here.
9. deflected
   FinanceMr. Pierre Paquette (Bloc) asked Mr. Ted Menzies (Conservative). loaded question.The answer ignores the specific claim about Toronto and Quebec interests and restates general talking points on a regulator.We have 13 jurisdictions across this country. When one company wants to invest in Canada, it has to apply 13 times.
10. misdirected
    The EconomyJack Layton (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer quotes an NDP member instead of addressing the Prime Minister's past statements on the economy.MPs should not say how they will vote on a budget or a bill until they see it...we have an economic budget coming...where we announce billions of dollars of spending in deficit...So I think we should at least have a look at it before you say yes or no.
11. partly answered
    The EconomyJack Layton (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer addresses infrastructure spending but deflects on Senate appointments by attacking the asker.obviously, the hon. member speaks to different mayors than we do.
12. deflected
    The EconomyJack Layton (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer shifts to Senate reform legislation without addressing the Prime Minister's changes in position.I would encourage the leader of the NDP to actually look at our Senate reform legislation before he takes a position and give it his consideration.
13. answered
    Foreign AffairsBob Rae (Liberal) asked Lawrence Cannon (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly states the unchanged position and reasons regarding Khadr.Our position on Mr. Khadr remains unchanged.
14. misdirected
    Foreign AffairsBob Rae (Liberal) asked Lawrence Cannon (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks inconsistencies in the Liberal position rather than addressing Canada's responsibilities.Where there is inconsistency is in the Liberal Party's position.
15. answered
    Nuclear EnergyGeoff Regan (Liberal) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). substantive question.The answer addresses the spill, impacts, and public information by stating no adverse effects occurred.I have been informed that Chalk River has had no adverse effects on human health or the environment during this period of time.
16. partly answered
    Nuclear EnergyGeoff Regan (Liberal) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). loaded question.The answer repeats safety assurances but does not address the ongoing leak or lack of public information.as indicated already, at no time did any of the events that took place at Chalk River have an adverse effect on human health or the environment.
17. partly answered
    The EnvironmentMr. Bernard Bigras (Bloc) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). substantive question.Answer offers platform commitments but does not address absence from the throne speech.We will implement a North American cap and trade system for greenhouse gas emissions and atmospheric pollution, and we will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020.
18. deflected
    The EnvironmentMr. Bernard Bigras (Bloc) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). substantive question.Answer shifts to harmonization efforts without addressing profitability or carbon exchange issue.We are working on that issue with the United States.
19. partly answered
    Arts and CultureMrs. Carole Lavallée (Bloc) asked James Moore (Conservative). substantive question.Answer cites funding amounts but does not confirm restoration of specific cuts for international tours.We will also invest $2.3 billion in our artists, the largest amount ever budgeted by the federal government.
20. misdirected
    Arts and CultureMrs. Carole Lavallée (Bloc) asked James Moore (Conservative). substantive question.Answer attacks the Bloc and references a provincial election instead of addressing the transfer proposal.this idea was presented to Quebeckers by Ms. Marois during the last provincial election campaign and Quebec rejected the proposal.
21. deflected
    Forestry IndustryHedy Fry (Liberal) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). loaded question.Answer points to upcoming budget without explaining prior inaction or throne speech claim.I look forward very much to hearing from the Minister of Finance later today exactly what he will be offering to the forestry sector.
22. partly answered
    IndustryMrs. Alexandra Mendes (Liberal) asked Tony Clement (Conservative). substantive question.Answer references past investments but does not explain lack of preventive action in the November update.We invested in the aerospace sector in the 2007 and 2008 budgets, and we will increase our investments in the current budget, I hope.
23. deflected
    The EconomyMs. Martha Hall Findlay (Liberal) asked Mr. Ted Menzies (Conservative). substantive question.Answer notes net job gains since 2006 but avoids current forecasts and budget protections.What we talked about in the fall economic statement is just a reflection of the job losses that we may see in the future.
24. deflected
    The EconomyMs. Martha Hall Findlay (Liberal) asked Mr. Ted Menzies (Conservative). substantive question.Answer jokes about waiting for the budget rather than providing any numerical answer.I would love to be able to share what is in the budget, but if the hon. member goes back for a nap, there is one more nap before the finance minister delivers the budget.
25. deflected
    The BudgetMr. Thomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Mr. Ted Menzies (Conservative). loaded question.The answer ignores the breach of confidentiality and trust question to attack the NDP instead.It is highly disrespectful to Canadians to suggest that one is not even going to read the budget before one votes against it.
26. deflected
    The BudgetMr. Thomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Mr. Ted Menzies (Conservative). loaded question.The answer sidesteps the credit card rate question entirely and pivots to urging support for the budget.It is very important that we take a very serious and hard look at this budget.
27. partly answered
    Foreign AffairsMr. Paul Crête (Bloc) asked Lawrence Cannon (Conservative). substantive question.The answer addresses the monitoring of US actions but does not commit to bringing Khadr back.We will continue to closely monitor any progress.
28. deflected
    Foreign AffairsMr. Paul Crête (Bloc) asked Lawrence Cannon (Conservative). substantive question.The answer avoids any action on repatriation and simply defers to awaiting US review.Clearly, the wisest course of action is to wait for those authorities to make their decision.
29. answered
    Ottawa Transit StrikeMr. David McGuinty (Liberal) asked Rona Ambrose (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly states ongoing work with mediators to urge compromise and reach settlement.We will continue to work through our mediators to try and find a negotiated settlement as quickly as possible.
30. partly answered
    Ottawa Transit StrikeMauril Bélanger (Liberal) asked Rona Ambrose (Conservative). substantive question.The answer notes existing flexibilities but does not confirm new measures or parking.I know that the public service and the federal government have allowed people to work from home.
31. misdirected
    The EconomyMs. Libby Davies (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer ignores the list of broken promises and attacks the NDP while listing unrelated past achievements.What we need is for the NDP to read the budget and support our great plans to provide hope to Canada.
32. misdirected
    The EconomyMs. Libby Davies (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer evades the confidence question and instead urges the NDP to read and support the budget.What we ask of the NDP is what we ask of every member of this House: we ask that they read the budget and that they look at the new measures we have put in place
33. deflected
    Food SafetyWayne Easter (Liberal) asked Gerry Ritz (Conservative). loaded question.Answer avoids the inquiry powers and broken word claim by quoting media approval instead.And it's not clear to us that Canada needs another costly and lengthy forum for lawyers to cross-examine those involved in the outbreak.
34. deflected
    Employment InsuranceMr. Yvon Lévesque (Bloc) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.Answer ignores the locked-out workers exception and bill support, pivoting to upcoming budget.I am expecting that there will be increased employment insurance benefits in this budget.
35. deflected
    Employment InsuranceMr. Yvon Godin (NDP) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). loaded question.Answer sidesteps EI fund theft and specific reforms, focusing on training and jobs instead.We do not want workers to be unemployed; we want to help them return to work with new skills.
36. partly answered
    InfrastructureMr. Gerard Kennedy (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.Answer explains non-lapsing funds and new approvals but does not address the dysfunction or trust issues.