Liberals press Conservatives on medical isotope shortage

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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
   Medical IsotopesMr. Michael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). rhetorical question.The answer supplies details on upcoming isotope deliveries and international efforts but sidesteps the accusation of offering only a crisis after 18 months.We have been in contact with industry with respect to the supply of medical isotopes.
2. partly answered
   Medical IsotopesMr. Michael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). loaded question.The response reiterates supply figures and meetings but does not resolve the dispute over actual Canadian hospital deliveries.as I just indicated to the House, indeed we do have an indication of what amount of isotopes will be available next week to the Canadian public.
3. partly answered
   Medical IsotopesMr. Michael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). substantive question.The answer lists alternatives provided to provinces but gives no timeline for resuming isotope-based tests.We have identified alternatives to the medical community while we are dealing with the shortage of medical isotopes.
4. partly answered
   Medical IsotopesMr. David McGuinty (Liberal) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). loaded question.The reply defends reactor reliability and foreign help yet avoids explaining any prior dismissal of risks or advising specific patients.It had been doing so at an increasingly larger rate last fall when we were supplying the world.
5. partly answered
   Medical IsotopesMr. David McGuinty (Liberal) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). loaded question.The answer describes expert recommendations on triage and scheduling but does not address why the crisis reached children with cancer.Some of the recommendations that came from the medical experts on isotopes are initiatives such as triaging patients to ensure when alternatives are not available that they can receive the TC99 isotopes
6. deflected
   Medical IsotopesMr. Gilles Duceppe (Bloc) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). rhetorical question.The response shifts to historical Liberal failures and MAPLEs decisions instead of justifying retention of the minister.
7. deflected
   Medical IsotopesMr. Gilles Duceppe (Bloc) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). rhetorical question.The answer pivots to past government actions and Liberal inaction rather than addressing expert calls for the minister's removal.Indeed a difficult decision was taken to disband the MAPLEs project in 2008.
8. deflected
   Medical IsotopesMs. Paule Brunelle (Bloc) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). rhetorical question.The reply highlights an expert panel and approved alternatives but ignores the demand to fire the minister over her remarks.That ad hoc group of health experts prepared a report on lessons learned, which this government responded to and acted upon.
9. deflected
   Medical IsotopesMr. Luc Malo (Bloc) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). loaded question.The answer discusses collaboration but avoids any response to the demand that the minister be fired.we are working very, very closely with all the provincial and territorial counterparts and, at the same time, the medical experts on isotopes with regard to identifying the options.
10. misdirected
    Medical IsotopesJack Layton (NDP) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). substantive question.The answer supplies no dollar figure and pivots to attacking the previous Liberal government.It is the Liberal opposition that starved AECL and starved Chalk River in the 10 years--
11. deflected
    Medical IsotopesJack Layton (NDP) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). loaded question.The answer lists existing measures but does not address the claim that the minister has lost the confidence of experts.I am pleased to say again that the recommendations made by the medical isotope experts have been implemented and we are working very closely with the medical isotope experts.
12. deflected
    The EnvironmentJack Layton (NDP) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). loaded question.The answer denies the quoted remarks and changes the subject to a new carbon-market announcement.The government is committed to protecting the environment.
13. answered
    Medical IsotopesMrs. Alexandra Mendes (Liberal) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly lists concrete steps taken to increase international supply.Through our leadership, we have been able to have the Netherlands increase its production by 50%, have South Africa increase its production by 30%, and have Australia bring on its reactor earlier than anticipated.
14. answered
    Medical IsotopesMrs. Alexandra Mendes (Liberal) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). substantive question.The answer specifies the alternative isotopes now being supplied to provinces.Thallium-201 can be used as an alternative for most heart tests, which account for approximately half of all the Tc99 procedures in Canada.
15. misdirected
    Medical IsotopesRalph Goodale (Liberal) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). substantive question.The answer supplies no shortfall numbers and instead attacks the questioner’s record from 2003.I wish he had asked as many questions then, because we would not be in the situation we are in now.
16. misdirected
    Medical IsotopesRalph Goodale (Liberal) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). substantive question.The answer again avoids current figures and attacks the previous government’s handling of the MAPLE reactors.It was a case of either being ignorant of the situation or not caring themselves.
17. deflected
    The EnvironmentMr. Bernard Bigras (Bloc) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). loaded question.Answer ignores the specific accusation of hypocrisy on targets and pivots to announcing a new policy and criticizing partisanship.we can always expect a partisan attitude from the Bloc Québécois.
18. misdirected
    The EnvironmentMr. Bernard Bigras (Bloc) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). loaded question.Answer attacks the Bloc for not joining a trip instead of addressing whether the government cares about international talks.I invited the Bloc Québécois to join me on this trip, but the Bloc prefers to play the armchair critic here.
19. partly answered
    CFB ValcartierMs. Christiane Gagnon (Bloc) asked Mr. Laurie Hawn (Conservative). substantive question.Answer affirms existing programs and risk mitigation but does not confirm a specific decontamination plan for the 71 sites.When contaminated sites are discovered, National Defence takes all the steps required to mitigate any potential risk.
20. deflected
    CFB ValcartierMs. Christiane Gagnon (Bloc) asked Mr. Laurie Hawn (Conservative). substantive question.Answer cites ongoing litigation to avoid comment and offers only general information on past investments rather than new concrete actions.since there is a class action before the courts, it would be inappropriate for me to make any further comment on this specific point at this time.
21. partly answered
    Medical IsotopesGeoff Regan (Liberal) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). substantive question.Answer acknowledges varying supply but does not confirm whether hospitals will run out by the stated deadline.the situation related to the supply will vary by day, by community and by provinces.
22. deflected
    Medical IsotopesGeoff Regan (Liberal) asked Lisa Raitt (Conservative). loaded question.Answer emphasizes leadership and a future conference instead of admitting limits on predicting international supply contributions.What is important is to show and indicate that we have close contact with the industry on this issue.
23. answered
    Medical IsotopesKeith Martin (Liberal) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). loaded question.Answer directly identifies available alternatives such as thallium for the isotope shortage in regional hospitals.again, there are alternatives available to provinces and territories now, such as thallium, which is used for heart tests.
24. answered
    Medical IsotopesKeith Martin (Liberal) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). loaded question.Answer states the contingency plan exists, was developed with experts, and is being implemented with alternatives.18 months ago we developed the plan on contingency measures that we could all take to mitigate the shortage of medical isotopes.
25. deflected
    TradeMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Mr. Gerald Keddy (Conservative). loaded question.Answer attacks NDP ideology instead of addressing human rights concerns about Colombia.I really wish the hon. member would stop hiding behind his ideology.
26. deflected
    TradeMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Mr. Gerald Keddy (Conservative). loaded question.Answer pivots to criticizing NDP trade stance rather than responding to the specific allegations about the Colombian president.The reality and principle here is the NDP is simply against anything that improves the status of any group of people that involves a free trade agreement.
27. partly answered
    Foreign AffairsMs. Francine Lalonde (Bloc) asked Mr. Deepak Obhrai (Conservative). substantive question.Answer explains legal barriers and government actions but does not commit to negotiating the return as requested.Due to international law, Ms. Morin and her husband must resolve custody before a Saudi court before the children, who are all Saudi citizens, are able to return to Canada.
28. partly answered
    Foreign AffairsMs. Francine Lalonde (Bloc) asked Mr. Deepak Obhrai (Conservative). loaded question.Answer repeats the legal explanation and prior engagement but sidesteps the Charter rights claim and demand for immediate action.Due to international law, Ms. Morin and her husband must resolve the custody issue before a Saudi court, because the children are all Saudi citizens.
29. partly answered
    HealthAnita Neville (Liberal) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). loaded question.Answer outlines general planning and investments but does not address the specific delays or 13 offers of help from Manitoba.In fact, we have been planning for this pandemic since 2006.
30. deflected
    HealthAnita Neville (Liberal) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). substantive question.Answer restates ongoing vigilance and contact with WHO without providing a concrete plan for aboriginal communities.We have remained vigilant on this issue.
31. misdirected
    HealthMs. Niki Ashton (NDP) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). loaded question.Answer dismisses the question as insulting and avoids discussing disproportionate impact or an emergency summit.as an aboriginal person, I find that line of questioning insulting.
32. deflected
    HealthMs. Niki Ashton (NDP) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). substantive question.Answer refers back to the existing plan without addressing the call for a field hospital or root causes like living conditions.the pandemic plan that was established for this country in 2006 applies to every single Canadian.
33. deflected
    Canada-U.S. BorderMr. Todd Russell (Liberal) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). loaded question.The answer counters the premise of no talks by citing past meetings but avoids addressing the call for current dialogue and instead pivots to policy justification.In fact, the Canada Border Services Agency has met and spoken with the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne close to a dozen times, I think, in the past year to discuss our implementation initiative.