Commons debates economic recovery bill as potash takeover decision nears

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
   Potash IndustryMichael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer avoids committing to any decision on the sale and instead emphasizes following legal process without addressing the demand to say no.The government must listen to all parties interested in this transaction before it makes a decision.
2. misdirected
   Potash IndustryMichael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the Liberal record on past transactions rather than addressing the specific concerns about the potash deal or Saskatchewan.that is a fascinating position from a party that did not just approve some transactions, did not just approve most transactions, but rubber-stamped every transaction for 13 years.
3. misdirected
   Potash IndustryMichael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the previous Liberal government and NDP policies instead of responding to the call for a clear no on the deal.Unlike the rubber-stamp policies of the previous government or the anti-foreign investment policies of the NDP, this government will make a considered decision that is in the best interests of the Canadian economy.
4. deflected
   The EnvironmentMichael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer outlines government actions on climate change but ends by questioning the Liberal position instead of committing to a standalone Canadian plan.I still do not know the Liberal Party's position on this international accord.
5. misdirected
   National DefenceMichael Ignatieff (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer defends the contract and accuses the Liberals of playing politics for votes rather than addressing the call for a competitive bid.But instead, for the sake of getting the anti-military vote on the left, with the NDP and the Bloc, the Liberals are playing this game.
6. answered
   Securities IndustryMr. Gilles Duceppe (Bloc) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer directly explains that the initiative is voluntary and that Quebec's choice not to participate is respected.There are 10 jurisdictions that want to participate in a Canada-wide system.
7. partly answered
   Securities IndustryMr. Gilles Duceppe (Bloc) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.The answer addresses the voluntary nature and decentralization but does not engage with the accusation of spending to promote Toronto.the system will be decentralized.
8. partly answered
   Harmonized Sales TaxMr. Daniel Paillé (Bloc) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.The answer acknowledges ongoing talks with Quebec but does not address the demand for compensation equivalent to other provinces.Progress has been made, but there are still a number of important issues to resolve.
9. partly answered
   Harmonized Sales TaxMr. Daniel Paillé (Bloc) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). substantive question.Addresses ongoing talks but sidesteps the demand for payment of the claimed debt.Our negotiations are continuing. We are negotiating in good faith.
10. deflected
    Potash IndustryJack Layton (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). loaded question.Ignores the call to reject the takeover and instead criticizes opposition for chasing rumours.The opposition chases one set of rumours one day and another set of rumours on another day.
11. deflected
    Potash IndustryJack Layton (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Shifts focus to criticizing NDP policy rather than addressing whether the review process needs change.The NDP's position is to oppose any foreign investment.
12. deflected
    Potash IndustryJack Layton (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). rhetorical question.Rejects automatic rejection or approval but avoids committing to any reform of the process.The government will not automatically say no or automatically say yes to every single investment, unlike the parties opposite.
13. deflected
    Government SpendingScott Brison (Liberal) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.Defends forecasts via private-sector sources and attacks PBO consistency instead of addressing the deficit-target criticism.The PBO is in disagreement with all of them.
14. deflected
    Government SpendingScott Brison (Liberal) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.Points to past documents and IMF support while ignoring the request for a credible plan.the plan is in the economic and fiscal update, as it was in the budget this year, as it was in the budget last year.
15. partly answered
    Government PrioritiesMrs. Bonnie Crombie (Liberal) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.Lists expanded EI eligibility but does not retract the vacation-time remark or offer new solutions.That is why we have expanded the eligibility for people to claim benefits, to take time off to spend with their loved ones.
16. partly answered
    Government PrioritiesMrs. Bonnie Crombie (Liberal) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.Recites existing programs without addressing the demand for fresh solutions or retracting prior statements.We have assisted them in taking time off to provide the attention and emotional support that their loved ones need.
17. deflected
    HydroelectricityMs. Paule Brunelle (Bloc) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.The answer avoids the accusation of unfair treatment by pivoting to the arm's-length status of PPP Canada Inc.It assesses each application on its merits. It does not take direction from the government on its assessment of applications, including this one, which I understand is from Newfoundland and Labrador.
18. deflected
    HydroelectricityMs. Paule Brunelle (Bloc) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.The answer explains a technical difference but sidesteps the core claim of inconsistent treatment under flexible federalism.the difference is that Hydro One only does transmission work. That is the difference between the two systems.
19. partly answered
    International TradeMr. Jean-Yves Laforest (Bloc) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). loaded question.The answer affirms intent to defend cultural interests but shifts focus to economic benefits instead of addressing the minister's attitude.as always, we intend to defend the interests of cultural communities, with a cultural exemption for industries in Canada, in the negotiations with the European Union.
20. deflected
    International TradeMr. Jean-Yves Laforest (Bloc) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). substantive question.The answer discusses provincial involvement at the table but does not confirm that EU-style exemptions will apply to Canada or Quebec.this time, for the first time in Canadian history and in the history of such free trade negotiations, the provinces and territories are at the negotiating table.
21. deflected
    Office of the Prime MinisterMr. Marcel Proulx (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer claims compliance with rules but pivots to criticizing the question by suggesting the appointment should be celebrated.We should be celebrating that someone successful in the private sector is prepared to put aside a career and come to Ottawa to make a contribution to Canada.
22. deflected
    Office of the Prime MinisterMr. Marcel Proulx (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer references the Ethics Commissioner but ignores the specific examples of conflicts raised in the question.The Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner recently appeared before a parliamentary committee. She reported that she has been very vigilant on conflict of interest issues
23. misdirected
    Office of the Prime MinisterWayne Easter (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the questioner's ethics record and the prior Liberal government instead of addressing Wright's specific conflicts.I am very happy to debate ethical issues with him any time, any day, any place.
24. deflected
    Office of the Prime MinisterWayne Easter (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer cites the Federal Accountability Act and commissioner advice but does not address why Wright receives a special exemption on stock options.That is why Mr. Wright has consulted with the independent Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner. He is following all of that advice and will continue to do so.
25. deflected
    Harmonized Sales TaxMs. Libby Davies (NDP) asked Jim Flaherty (Conservative). loaded question.The answer avoids federal responsibility by restating that taxation decisions are provincial.provincial taxation is, of course, a provincial responsibility and the decisions are made by the provinces themselves.
26. misdirected
    Harmonized Sales TaxMs. Libby Davies (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer changes the subject to praise a minister instead of addressing the question on HST responsibility.All across British Columbia, the phone lines are buzzing.
27. partly answered
    Quebec City ArenaMr. Michel Guimond (Bloc) asked Josée Verner (Conservative). substantive question.The answer addresses collaboration and deadlines but does not commit to the specific meeting or timeline requested.we continue to work in close collaboration with elected officials from the Quebec City region.
28. deflected
    Quebec City ArenaMr. Michel Guimond (Bloc) asked Josée Verner (Conservative). substantive question.The answer restates general principles of fairness without addressing the 45% funding commitment or deadline.if the government were to contribute to a project of this size, it would do so in a fair and affordable manner throughout the country.
29. partly answered
    Government SpendingMs. Siobhan Coady (Liberal) asked Stockwell Day (Conservative). loaded question.The answer explains some spending drivers and notes freezes but does not address the specific increases cited.it is very clear that there were unprecedented demands on the government, especially last year
30. misdirected
    Government SpendingMs. Siobhan Coady (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks a Liberal senator's spending instead of responding to the question on government waste.a member of the Liberal caucus has spent $700,000 over the last three years, despite the fact that he was suspended from the Senate three years ago.
31. deflected
    Mining IndustryMr. Claude Gravelle (NDP) asked Tony Clement (Conservative). loaded question.The answer discusses infrastructure projects but does not address the net benefit of the specific takeovers mentioned.this government has approved many different infrastructure projects for the city of Sudbury, working with municipal officials.
32. misdirected
    Mining IndustryMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Tony Clement (Conservative). loaded question.The answer attacks the questioner's record on unrelated bills instead of addressing the net benefit of the takeover.I would like to know where the hon. member was when the mining industry needed some help to defeat a bill that would have hobbled them on world markets.
33. misdirected
    TelecommunicationsMr. Anthony Rota (Liberal) asked Tony Clement (Conservative). loaded question.The answer mentions a broadband fund but primarily attacks the asker on an unrelated gun registry vote instead of addressing rural internet funding.Where was the hon. member when the long gun registry vote occurred in the House? He was voting against his rural constituents in favour of the Toronto elites.
34. partly answered
    ImmigrationMr. Thierry St-Cyr (Bloc) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer explains federal immigration actions on Haiti but notes lack of control over the separate Quebec program responsible for the low numbers.It is true that the Quebec government created its own program. We just began receiving applications from people who went through the Quebec program.
35. misdirected
    Steel IndustryMs. Chris Charlton (NDP) asked Tony Clement (Conservative). substantive question.The answer defends the court action but diverts to attacking the member and Liberals rather than explaining net benefit for Hamilton jobs.Certainly the Liberals when they were in power never did that. The hon. member neglects all the other great things we have done for the Hamilton area
36. misdirected
    TelecommunicationsMr. Anthony Rota (Liberal) asked Tony Clement (Conservative). substantive question.The response references rural internet subsidies but immediately pivots to criticizing the member's long gun registry vote.Again, the hon. member cannot lose the responsibility for voting against the interests of his constituency when it came to the long gun registry.
37. answered
    Points of OrderJoseph Volpe (Liberal) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly clarifies the specific trade agreements referenced and their status.I was in fact referring to the Canada-Israel trade agreement and those with Costa Rica and Chile, all of which I am very pleased to report we are now upgrading from minor first-tier basic free trade agreements to much broader ambitious comprehensive free trade agreements.