House advances economic recovery bill amid stimulus debate

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
   Employment InsuranceMr. Michael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer restates government policy on freezing premiums without addressing the claim that increases will kill jobs.Unlike the previous Liberal government, we do not intend to raise premiums and use the money for other government spending.
2. misdirected
   Employment InsuranceMr. Michael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The response diverts entirely to praising the finance minister and stimulus efforts instead of addressing EI tax increases.During this very difficult past year, he has been recognized for running one of the largest economic stimulus programs in the world with one of the smallest deficits, a program that has been both effective and leaves us in a strong, long-term fiscal position.
3. misdirected
   Employment InsuranceMr. Michael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the opposition's inconsistency rather than addressing the request for a PBO review of EI impacts.That is why when we undertake decisions on employment insurance, we make sure they are short-term, we make sure they are affordable in the long-term, and we make sure we have a plan.
4. deflected
   Employment InsuranceMrs. Alexandra Mendes (Liberal) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). loaded question.The answer highlights the new commission without addressing the specific claim that premium increases constitute a tax killing jobs.We have established a commission that will set premiums on a break-even basis over time for EI so that we do not have what the Liberals had, which was a huge surplus so they could pay off their political friends.
5. deflected
   Employment InsuranceMs. Yasmin Ratansi (Liberal) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). loaded question.The answer notes the freeze and quotes a third party without addressing the economist's claim that the increases will kill jobs.we did freeze EI premiums during this economic crisis and, thankfully, the Liberals supported it at that point in time because they realized that was good for the economy.
6. misdirected
   CinarMr. Gilles Duceppe (Bloc) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer deflects by pointing to the previous government and suggesting the asker contact authorities instead of addressing the call for a public inquiry.If the Bloc leader has real accusations to make against his centralist allies in this House, he can give that information to the authorities.
7. misdirected
   CinarMr. Gilles Duceppe (Bloc) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer accuses the asker of inconsistency and redirects to authorities rather than addressing the demand to release the memo.If the Bloc leader, who has an alliance with the Liberals, is now claiming that they are corrupt, if he truly has accusations to make, he can pass that information on to the authorities.
8. deflected
   CinarMrs. Carole Lavallée (Bloc) asked Rob Nicholson (Conservative). substantive question.The answer points to the director of public prosecutions and prior events without addressing the specific request to charge Cinar with fraud.I appreciate that the Bloc members are new to the justice file, but I would point out to them that now we have a director of public prosecutions to ensure there is absolutely no political interference with the investigations of any allegations.
9. answered
   CinarMrs. Carole Lavallée (Bloc) asked Rob Nicholson (Conservative). substantive question.Answer directs to the proper prosecution office and invites evidence submission, directly addressing the call for charges.If Bloc members have any evidence about their former friends or present friends, they should turn that information over to that office or the appropriate office.
10. deflected
    AfghanistanJack Layton (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). rhetorical question.Question is rhetorical and accusatory about fear; answer restates cooperation without addressing the specific concern over sealed testimony.We are cooperating with the tribunal based on its decisions and its jurisdiction, and we will continue to do so.
11. deflected
    AfghanistanJack Layton (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer repeats general cooperation claim but avoids the question about suppressing Colvin's testimony.We follow all the rules and, obviously, will ensure all documents, to which the commission has a right, are seen and all witnesses are heard by the commission.
12. misdirected
    AfghanistanJack Layton (NDP) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.Answer shifts to lecturing the asker about rules and evidence instead of addressing why specific testimonies are challenged.Now the leader of the opposition may think he will have a Matlock moment on the floor of the House of Commons but he ought to respect the rules of evidence of the commission.
13. deflected
    Foreign AffairsJoseph Volpe (Liberal) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). loaded question.Answer discusses general agency role and statistics rather than explaining the minister's actions in the specific case.In fact, in the first eight months of this year the agency prevented over 4,000 people attempting to come into our country using false passports or other people's passports.
14. deflected
    Foreign AffairsJoseph Volpe (Liberal) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). substantive question.Answer reiterates general duties of officials without addressing the changed position or continued pursuit after identity confirmation.They do that to the best of their abilities, asking questions, looking for answers and trying to determine what they need to determine to protect the integrity of our country's immigration system and our citizenship.
15. partly answered
    AfghanistanBob Rae (Liberal) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.Answer notes the arm's-length nature of the inquiry but does not address who will independently review the evidence.The commission itself is not politically influenced.
16. deflected
    AfghanistanBob Rae (Liberal) asked Peter MacKay (Conservative). substantive question.Answer accuses the asker of suggesting interference and restates existing processes without proposing a review solution.Now we hear that there may be a further appeal.
17. misdirected
    Democratic ReformMr. Pierre Paquette (Bloc) asked Steven Fletcher (Conservative). substantive question.The answer attacks the Bloc Québécois instead of addressing whether the government will comply with the National Assembly motion.I would like to point out to the House that if the Bloc ever achieved its number one objective, Quebec would have no seats in the House of Commons.
18. deflected
    Democratic ReformMr. Pierre Paquette (Bloc) asked Steven Fletcher (Conservative). loaded question.The answer dismisses the premise and pivots to attacking the Bloc rather than engaging the representation percentages or recognition of Quebec.The only party that does not want Quebec represented in the House of Commons is the Bloc.
19. deflected
    Employment InsuranceMr. Yves Lessard (Bloc) asked Jean-Pierre Blackburn (Conservative). substantive question.The answer lists prior measures and notes Bloc votes against them instead of addressing the accuracy of figures or need for a full overhaul.
20. deflected
    Employment InsuranceMrs. Josée Beaudin (Bloc) asked Jean-Pierre Blackburn (Conservative). loaded question.The answer repeats the number of beneficiaries and urges support without addressing regional impacts or the Ontario-Quebec disparity claim.189,000 people could benefit from 5 to 20 additional weeks of employment insurance.
21. partly answered
    Fisheries and OceansMs. Siobhan Coady (Liberal) asked Gail Shea (Conservative). substantive question.The answer states support for the amendments and notes initial provincial agreement but does not address the experts' concerns about sovereignty.these amendments came into being with the blessing of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
22. deflected
    Fisheries and OceansMs. Siobhan Coady (Liberal) asked Gail Shea (Conservative). loaded question.The answer shifts blame to the prior government rather than addressing the call for full debate on the amendments.We all know the party that was in government at that time.
23. answered
    Fisheries and OceansKeith Martin (Liberal) asked Gail Shea (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly responds by confirming planning is underway for an assessment and a government response.Planning is currently under way, as I have said, and a government response is forthcoming.
24. partly answered
    Fisheries and OceansKeith Martin (Liberal) asked Gail Shea (Conservative). substantive question.The answer lists funding initiatives but does not specify a timeline or plan to reach the 25% marine protected areas target.since 2006, our government has invested $61.4 million in the health of the oceans, government-wide.
25. deflected
    Tax HarmonizationMs. Libby Davies (NDP) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.The answer states it is a provincial decision without addressing HST impacts on seniors or the why question.the decision by a particular province whether to harmonize its sales tax with the federal sales tax is a decision of that province.
26. deflected
    Tax HarmonizationMs. Olivia Chow (NDP) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.The answer avoids the tax impact on retirement savings and instead attacks the NDP voting record.I do not need any lectures from the NDP about taxes.
27. answered
    The EnvironmentMr. Bernard Bigras (Bloc) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). loaded question.The answer directly explains the single-voice policy and provincial invitation to the delegation.The provinces are invited to join the Canadian delegation in Copenhagen. However, Canada will speak with a single voice during negotiations.
28. deflected
    The EnvironmentMr. Bernard Bigras (Bloc) asked Jim Prentice (Conservative). loaded question.The answer restates government targets and continental approach while attacking opposition parties instead of addressing Quebec's role.By contrast, the Bloc, the Liberals and the NDP would have us divert from this continental approach—
29. deflected
    HealthMr. Bernard Patry (Liberal) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). substantive question.The answer explains the error and future controls but refuses the requested public apology.He and I agree that it is time to move on and focus on the real issues.
30. answered
    HealthMr. Bernard Patry (Liberal) asked Leona Aglukkaq (Conservative). loaded question.The answer directly corrects the premise about FluMist availability and confirms the Canadian vaccine timeline.the story the member is referring to is false.
31. partly answered
    PensionsMr. Wayne Marston (NDP) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). substantive question.The answer acknowledges pension challenges and notes ongoing work but does not address the requested emergency summit.That is why we went ahead with some pension reforms, some regulatory reforms, already this year.
32. answered
    PensionsMr. Wayne Marston (NDP) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). substantive question.The answer affirms that the government is already working with Parliament and provinces on pension reform.We are already doing that, Mr. Speaker.
33. misdirected
    Aboriginal AffairsMr. Todd Russell (Liberal) asked Chuck Strahl (Conservative). substantive question.The answer diverts to a personal attack on the questioner instead of addressing the request for a national investigation.If the member wants to do something about abuse toward aboriginal women, he could stand in his place and apologize to the member for Saint Boniface for the abusive language he used toward her yesterday in committee.
34. answered
    Citizenship and ImmigrationMr. Thierry St-Cyr (Bloc) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.The minister directly explains the government's view that another appeal level is unnecessary and that multiple appeals already exist.We need a much more efficient system, not another level of appeal.
35. deflected
    Public SafetyMr. Don Davies (NDP) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). substantive question.The response shifts responsibility for the detachments to the provinces rather than addressing the call for federal resources or action.as the hon. member knows, the decisions on policing at the local level are in the hands of the provinces.