Commons opens budget debate with focus on pensions and seniors

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. answered
   LibyaJack Layton (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly confirms the mission objective remains aligned with the UN resolution.Our work in Libya is in accordance with the UN resolution.
2. partly answered
   LibyaJack Layton (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer agrees on humanitarian support but avoids committing to strict adherence to the UN mandate.we appreciate that advice and agree with the Leader of the Opposition .
3. deflected
   LibyaJack Layton (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer turns to general values and willingness to consult rather than addressing past investments or new steps.I am certainly very happy to entertain any ideas or suggestions that the Leader of the Opposition has in this regard.
4. partly answered
   Auditor General's ReportJack Layton (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer explains the rationale for fund use and accepts some AG recommendations but does not justify non-border spending.The Auditor General has made some important recommendations on transparency and accountability to Parliament and this government completely agrees.
5. deflected
   Auditor General's ReportJack Layton (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer defends the projects as infrastructure but does not address their distance from the border or summit.These were all public infrastructure projects that came in on budget.
6. deflected
   Air IndiaBob Rae (Liberal) asked Vic Toews (Conservative). substantive question.The answer highlights the inquiry commission but avoids any decision on ex gratia payments.One of the first acts of our government was to commission an inquiry into the Air India bombing, something that had been left long neglected by the prior Liberal government.
7. partly answered
   Air IndiaBob Rae (Liberal) asked Vic Toews (Conservative). substantive question.The answer references an action plan but does not address ex gratia payments or specific RCMP/CSIS recommendations.This action plan is a road map, a document that looks at where we were, where we are and where we need to go to help ensure that such a horrific attack does not occur again.
8. answered
   Search and RescueStéphane Dion (Liberal) asked Keith Ashfield (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly states there will be no negative impact on service levels or official languages.the consolidation of the search and rescue dispatch centres into the joint rescue coordination centres will have no negative impact on the current levels of service provided by the Coast Guard.
9. deflected
   Auditor General's ReportMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer denies the premise of a slush fund and restates that funds were accounted for without addressing the specific diversion or lack of oversight.Just about everything the member opposite said is not the case.
10. deflected
    Auditor General's ReportMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer corrects a detail about committee decisions but avoids explaining the spending spree or producing documentation.None of the decisions with respect to the 32 projects was approved by that committee or any of the three individuals who served on it.
11. partly answered
    Government SpendingMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer addresses the existence of contribution agreements and project outcomes but sidesteps the change in approach to record-keeping and ministerial responsibility.There was a full and complete contribution agreement for each of the 32 public infrastructure projects that were accounted for.
12. misdirected
    Government SpendingMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). loaded question.The answer shifts to praising overall infrastructure spending and an unrelated A grade instead of addressing G8 waste or service cuts.The Auditor General, in her last report in 2010, looked at that and gave the government an A.
13. deflected
    EmploymentMs. Peggy Nash (NDP) asked Diane Finley (Conservative). substantive question.The answer pivots to general training investments rather than explaining refusal to support families or the 1.4 million unemployed.that is exactly what we tried to do with our economic action plan.
14. deflected
    EmploymentMs. Peggy Nash (NDP) asked Ted Menzies (Conservative). loaded question.The answer highlights job numbers but ignores corporate tax cuts and the call to tie incentives to job creation.May saw 22,000 more Canadians working.
15. deflected
    International TradeMr. Robert Chisholm (NDP) asked Ed Fast (Conservative). substantive question.The answer welcomes the member and promotes general trade policy without outlining a plan for the trade deficit.I would encourage him to get on side with this government as we seek to build that long-term security for our country.
16. deflected
    International TradeMr. Robert Chisholm (NDP) asked Ed Fast (Conservative). loaded question.The answer promotes expanding trade relationships but does not address subsidies, dollar value, or targeted export measures.the best way to boost exports is to expand our trading relationships around the world.
17. deflected
    Forestry IndustryMr. Mathieu Ravignat (NDP) asked Denis Lebel (Conservative). loaded question.The answer addresses market challenges but avoids the premise of favoring oil over forestry.Unfortunately, the United States construction industry has encountered major problems, which means that our Quebec and Canadian companies are not able to export as much lumber to the United States.
18. partly answered
    Foreign InvestmentMr. Marc Garneau (Liberal) asked Christian Paradis (Conservative). substantive question.The answer notes ongoing reviews and committee study but does not provide the requested clarity on net benefit criteria.I know the House committee was studying the Investment Canada Act before the opposition called an unnecessary election.
19. deflected
    Foreign InvestmentMr. Marc Garneau (Liberal) asked Christian Paradis (Conservative). substantive question.The answer repeats general statements on investment and committee study without addressing the urgency for immediate net benefit rules.I know that the House committee was studying the Investment Canada Act before the opposition provoked an unnecessary election.
20. deflected
    Canada Revenue AgencyMs. Joyce Murray (Liberal) asked Gail Shea (Conservative). loaded question.The answer highlights government initiatives but ignores the audit findings on inflated service grades.An important example of this is our government's creation of the taxpayers bill of rights, along with the Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsman.
21. partly answered
    Canada Post CorporationMr. Yvon Godin (NDP) asked Ms. Kellie Leitch (Conservative). substantive question.The answer expresses disappointment and urges agreement but does not address reinstating the contract or pushing Canada Post.I urge both parties to reach a negotiated agreement as soon as possible.
22. answered
    Canada Post CorporationMr. Yvon Godin (NDP) asked Ms. Kellie Leitch (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly urges negotiation and confirms monitoring with mediation support.The minister is monitoring the situation closely and will continue to provide the parties with the support and assistance required through the mediator from Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services.
23. deflected
    Status of WomenMs. Françoise Boivin (NDP) asked Tony Clement (Conservative). loaded question.The answer is incomplete in the record and does not engage the pay equity implementation issue.
24. partly answered
    Status of WomenMs. Françoise Boivin (NDP) asked Tony Clement (Conservative). substantive question.The answer explains joint responsibility under new rules but does not commit to the 2004 task force recommendations.Under this new legislation, the employer and the bargaining agent are jointly responsible for ensuring equitable compensation when they are setting wages and not through a separate pay equity process or judicial enforcement.
25. deflected
    Canada Revenue AgencyMr. Hoang Mai (NDP) asked Gail Shea (Conservative). substantive question.The answer promotes general accountability measures without tackling the audit findings on manipulated data.As a result of this internal audit, CRA has in place an action plan designed to continue to improve the ways Canadians can interact with CRA regarding their taxes and their benefits.
26. partly answered
    Canada Revenue AgencyMr. Hoang Mai (NDP) asked Gail Shea (Conservative). substantive question.The answer confirms an RCMP investigation but sidesteps timelines for action against the alleged fraudsters.The RCMP, of course, is investigating this case and our officials are working with the RCMP.
27. misdirected
    Canadian Food Inspection AgencyMr. Jean Rousseau (NDP) asked Mr. Pierre Lemieux (Conservative). substantive question.The answer pivots to urging a budget vote instead of stating how many new CFIA hires are inspectors.I would ask that member to stand in his place this afternoon and vote in favour of our government's budget.
28. deflected
    Canadian Food Inspection AgencyMr. Malcolm Allen (NDP) asked Mr. Pierre Lemieux (Conservative). substantive question.The answer cites overall budgets and an OECD ranking while avoiding the specific funding and inspector shortfall raised.Canada is one of the best-performing countries in the 2010 Food Safety Performance World Ranking study.
29. answered
    G8 SummitHedy Fry (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly accepts accountability and endorses the Auditor General's call for greater transparency on the fund use.The Auditor General has come forward and said that she would like greater transparency and greater accountability.
30. deflected
    Treasury BoardMr. Francis Scarpaleggia (Liberal) asked Tony Clement (Conservative). loaded question.The answer restates the government's balanced-budget plan without addressing the specific spending increases in ministers' offices.we ran on the principle that it is time to balance the budget.
31. misdirected
    Canada-U.S. BorderMr. Brian Masse (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer shifts to praising infrastructure spending in the member's riding rather than addressing the consultation process.In fact, his riding is receiving some of the highest amounts for public infrastructure in all of Canada.
32. deflected
    Canada-U.S. BorderMr. Brian Masse (NDP) asked John Baird (Conservative). substantive question.The answer offers to welcome input but does not explain why broader public consultation was limited to a four-point questionnaire.If the member opposite or his constituents have any ideas on how we can de-thicken the border, we are certainly prepared to do that.
33. deflected
    Veterans AffairsMr. Sean Casey (Liberal) asked Steven Blaney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer restates general instructions without confirming specific follow-up contact with the veteran.I have instructed my officials and they are closely monitoring the situation so we take care of the health of this veteran and of all veterans.
34. deflected
    Foreign AffairsMs. Hélène Laverdière (NDP) asked Diane Ablonczy (Conservative). substantive question.The answer describes ongoing work but avoids committing to repatriation measures.Consular officials will continue to work with Ms. Morin and Saudi officials toward a positive resolution to the matter.
35. deflected
    Citizenship and ImmigrationMs. Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet (NDP) asked Jason Kenney (Conservative). substantive question.The answer cites privacy rules to avoid addressing the specific request for a stay.So I encourage any member who has concerns about a specific case to raise them with me in private so that I can provide them with answers.
36. deflected
    Foreign AffairsMr. Jean-François Fortin (Bloc) asked Diane Ablonczy (Conservative). substantive question.The answer references legal constraints without committing to diplomatic pressure for repatriation.However, I would advise the House that we are bound by both Saudi law and the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, under which the children cannot leave the country without the consent of both parents.