Budget debate takes up most of commons time as liberals offer qualified backing

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. partly answered
   The BudgetMr. Michael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer agrees on the importance of implementation but ignores the call to improve the accountability framework.Clearly, I want to see these measures implemented as soon as possible.
2. deflected
   The BudgetMr. Michael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer shifts to overall infrastructure spending totals instead of addressing the Building Canada fund specifically.I think we should correct the record on that question.
3. deflected
   The BudgetMr. Michael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer highlights equalization increases but avoids any discussion of consultation or confrontation with provinces.In fact, equalization payments to Quebec alone have increased 70%.
4. partly answered
   SecuritiesDenis Coderre (Liberal) asked Christian Paradis (Conservative). loaded question.The answer addresses the voluntary nature of the commission but sidesteps the call to drop the project amid the crisis.
5. deflected
   SecuritiesDenis Coderre (Liberal) asked Christian Paradis (Conservative). substantive question.The answer repeats the voluntary basis without engaging the request to drop the bill and focus on urgent needs.But the reality is that if the provinces do not want to be part of it, it is on a voluntary basis.
6. misdirected
   The BudgetMr. Gilles Duceppe (Bloc) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer lists supportive groups instead of addressing whether Quebec's needs were ignored for political reasons.I have heard from a number of groups in Quebec who support measures contained in this budget, for example the Quebec manufacturers and exporters association, the Federation of Canadian municipalities and its head, the mayor of Sherbrooke, the Union des municipalités du Québec, the Coalition pour le renouvellement des infrastructures du Québec, the mayor of Laval, the president of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec, the Fédération québécoise des municipalités, the Montreal chamber of commerce, the Conférence des recteurs et des principaux des universités du Québec and the Conseil du patronat du Québec.
7. deflected
   The BudgetMr. Gilles Duceppe (Bloc) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer claims the budget meets needs nationwide but does not address the specific disparity in funding between Ontario and Quebec.Many interest groups in Quebec recognize this and I encourage the leader of the Bloc to heed those Quebeckers.
8. deflected
   The BudgetMr. Jean-Yves Laforest (Bloc) asked Mr. Ted Menzies (Conservative). substantive question.The answer stresses high equalization levels but avoids the question about reneging on a specific commitment to Premier Charest.In fact, this government treats all provinces equally.
9. answered
   The BudgetMr. Jean-Yves Laforest (Bloc) asked Mr. Ted Menzies (Conservative). loaded question.Answer supplies specific equalization and transfer figures showing Quebec gains to counter the premise of detriment.Quebec's support through equalization and transfers has increased 37% during our government, as a matter of fact, $8.3 billion in equalization, which is a 70% increase over three years ago.
10. partly answered
    The BudgetJack Layton (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer addresses EI and training increases but ignores the tax-cut ratio and pay-equity attack.this budget increases employment insurance benefits and training funds for workers and the unemployed.
11. deflected
    The BudgetJack Layton (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer pivots to accusing the asker of not reading the budget instead of detailing the claimed supports.The difficulty is the leader of the NDP chose to oppose the budget before he read it.
12. misdirected
    The BudgetJack Layton (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.Answer attacks the NDP's past positions on tax cuts rather than addressing broken promises to veterans' widows.It is quite interesting to hear the leader of the NDP say that he is now against tax reductions for Canadian businesses.
13. answered
    The BudgetJohn McCallum (Liberal) asked Mr. Ted Menzies (Conservative). substantive question.Answer directly explains the deficit composition via prior debt repayment and current fiscal position.That is why we took early action and we paid down $37 billion in debt.
14. misdirected
    The BudgetJohn McCallum (Liberal) asked Mr. Ted Menzies (Conservative). substantive question.Answer shifts blame to past Liberal accounting instead of listing planned asset sales.when Petro-Canada was put on the books, it was a Liberal government that actually booked $2 billion in asset sales in the budget prior to that.
15. deflected
    The BudgetScott Brison (Liberal) asked Mr. Ted Menzies (Conservative). substantive question.Answer restates the general asset-review policy without addressing the timing or process concerns raised.For the first time in 15 years we are actually looking at the value of those assets and looking at whether the Government of Canada should still own them.
16. deflected
    The BudgetScott Brison (Liberal) asked Mr. Ted Menzies (Conservative). substantive question.Answer urges support for the budget and blames external crisis rather than confirming any asset-sale process or list.We are actually hoping that the Liberals will support this budget.
17. deflected
    Employment InsuranceMr. Yves Lessard (Bloc) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.The answer ignores eligibility criteria and the 53% statistic, pivoting instead to training programs.our government's priority is to help workers work and participate in the labour market.
18. partly answered
    Employment InsuranceMr. Yves Lessard (Bloc) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.The answer addresses older workers via the targeted initiative but does not engage the 53% figure or income support for those 55+.we introduced the targeted initiative for older workers, which has been very successful.
19. deflected
    CultureMrs. Carole Lavallée (Bloc) asked James Moore (Conservative). substantive question.The answer claims broad funding increases without addressing promotion of culture abroad or the specific complaint.There is more than a quarter of a billion dollars for artists in this budget.
20. misdirected
    CultureMrs. Carole Lavallée (Bloc) asked James Moore (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the Bloc Québécois voting record instead of addressing direct aid to creators or the Canada Council.every time we increase these investments, the Bloc Québécois votes against them.
21. partly answered
    Equalization PaymentsMs. Siobhan Coady (Liberal) asked Mr. Ted Menzies (Conservative). loaded question.The answer supplies offset payment figures but does not address the claimed $1.5 billion loss or vindictiveness.Newfoundland and Labrador will still be receiving a projected $1.2 billion in offset payments between 2009-10 and 2011-12.
22. answered
    Forestry IndustryMr. Scott Simms (Liberal) asked Stockwell Day (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly states that discussions are underway between the company and the province.there are discussions going on now with this difficulty between the company and the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
23. deflected
    Status of WomenAnita Neville (Liberal) asked Helena Guergis (Conservative). loaded question.The answer highlights funding levels but does not address the listed program eliminations or pay equity legislation.right now at Status of Women and the women's program, we have the highest level of funding in the history of the country
24. deflected
    Pay EquityMrs. Lise Zarac (Liberal) asked Vic Toews (Conservative). loaded question.The answer claims proactive legislation but does not address the accusation of sabotaging pay equity.we are introducing proactive pay equity legislation, as recommended by the Liberal task force in 2004.
25. deflected
    Northern Ontario CommunitiesMrs. Carol Hughes (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer ignores northern Ontario specifics and pivots to general municipal requests.on my desk I have literally thousands of requests for funding, where municipalities are stepping up to the plate and saying they have their third to join us in helping build Canada.
26. partly answered
    HousingMs. Megan Leslie (NDP) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.The answer states investment totals but dodges the guarantee and tax-credit accessibility issues.We are investing over $2 billion in social housing, renovations, upgrades and new builds right across this country.
27. misdirected
    The EnvironmentMr. Bernard Bigras (Bloc) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the Bloc and asserts disagreement instead of addressing the oil-sands versus green-energy critique.The Bloc should be congratulating us, not criticizing us.
28. deflected
    The EnvironmentMr. Bernard Bigras (Bloc) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). loaded question.The answer lists unrelated budget items and avoids the 1990 base-year and carbon-exchange question.For example, it includes funding for clean energy, investment in renovating and improving social housing, a commitment to cleaning up contaminated sites, and investment in VIA Rail.
29. partly answered
    Nuclear EnergyMr. David McGuinty (Liberal) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). substantive question.The answer acknowledges concern and orders an investigation but does not address ongoing tritium releases or transparency failures.The health and safety of Canadians is our number one priority.
30. deflected
    Nuclear EnergyMr. David McGuinty (Liberal) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). loaded question.The answer repeats the health-and-safety line and ignores the demand to release tritium test results.That is why we have asked the officials to get to the bottom of what happened on December 5, both through our Natural Resources Department and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.
31. deflected
    Equalization PaymentsMr. Jack Harris (NDP) asked Mr. Ted Menzies (Conservative). loaded question.The answer denies any change and claims equal treatment without engaging the $1.5-billion loss or EI/infrastructure requests.there has been no change to the offset agreement with Newfoundland and Labrador.
32. misdirected
    Equalization PaymentsMr. Jack Harris (NDP) asked Mr. Ted Menzies (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the Liberals and claims equalization was fixed rather than addressing broken promises or provincial figures.The Liberals sat on that issue for many years.
33. partly answered
    Sri LankaBob Rae (Liberal) asked Lawrence Cannon (Conservative). substantive question.The answer describes ongoing Canadian efforts but does not explain why Canada has not been more forthcoming.Mr. Speaker, of course Canada does continue its efforts with like-minded countries to deliver strong messages to all parties involved in this conflict in order to protect civilians by allowing them safe and voluntary movement from combat zones and by ensuring unhindered access for humanitarian workers.
34. partly answered
    Agriculture and Agri-FoodMr. André Bellavance (Bloc) asked Jean-Pierre Blackburn (Conservative). loaded question.The answer lists existing and new programs but does not address the claim that income security measures were excluded.Mr. Speaker, I would remind my hon. colleague that under the growing forward program, we already had $1.3 billion set aside to support the agricultural sector, and we have four business risk management programs: AgriStability, AgriInvest, AgriRecovery and AgriInsurance Furthermore, yesterday, we added $500 million to the budget to support our farmers under a new program called AgriFlex.
35. deflected
    The BudgetMr. Nathan Cullen (NDP) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). loaded question.The answer defends the budget's green measures but begins by attacking the questioner rather than addressing the lack of investment in renewables.Mr. Speaker, my friend goes too far, even by the standards of this House.
36. deflected
    Sri LankaBob Rae (Liberal) asked Lawrence Cannon (Conservative). substantive question.The answer restates general concern and the need for a political solution without committing to a UN envoy or increased aid.Recent developments in this conflict underline the urgent need for a meaningful and durable political solution that is acceptable to all communities involved in the conflict.