Commons spends day on budget debate as opposition attacks tax measures

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
   TaxationMs. Megan Leslie (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer pivots to attacking NDP tax policies instead of addressing the cited budget taxes.I know that the NDP wants to increase the GST for consumers across Canada.
2. deflected
   TaxationMs. Megan Leslie (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer repeats general talking points on NDP taxes without addressing the specific tariff and credit union claims.I know that the NDP is in favour of raising taxes in order to sink us deeper in debt and increase spending.
3. deflected
   TaxationMs. Megan Leslie (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer lists NDP tax ideas rather than responding to the budget pages or backbench frustration.I know we will have very strong support on this side of the House.
4. deflected
   EthicsMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Tony Clement (Conservative). substantive question.Answer highlights the Accountability Act instead of explaining why ministers did not report calls to the Ethics Commissioner.It was this caucus, this party, this government that actually created the Federal Accountability Act back in 2006.
5. misdirected
   EthicsMr. Charlie Angus (NDP) asked Tony Clement (Conservative). substantive question.Answer attacks NDP union payment instead of addressing the Prime Minister's ethical standards for cabinet.However, on the other side of the House, that party, the NDP caucus, had a $300,000 payment by the unions, contrary to our laws, contrary to the finances act.
6. partly answered
   The EnvironmentBob Rae (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer confirms ongoing government communications but does not address the proposed team Canada delegation.I can certainly assure the leader of the Liberal Party that our government is making its views known at every level of the American government on an ongoing basis on this matter
7. partly answered
   The EnvironmentBob Rae (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer notes coordination with supportive governments but sidesteps the call for opposition inclusion in a delegation.I can assure the House that this government is coordinating its activities with the other governments in Canada, the vast majority of which strongly support this project.
8. answered
   The EnvironmentBob Rae (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer accepts the idea of working with Liberals who share objectives and thanks the asker.I would be delighted, as I said, to work with any members of the Liberal Party who share our objectives.
9. deflected
   TaxationMs. Peggy Nash (NDP) asked Ted Menzies (Conservative). loaded question.Answer avoids admitting any tax hikes by pivoting to unrelated tariff reductions.Since 2006, we have actually eliminated 1,900 different tariffs.
10. deflected
    TaxationMs. Peggy Nash (NDP) asked Ted Menzies (Conservative). substantive question.Answer ignores the specific life insurance tax question and repeats general tax relief claims.In fact, $65 million in tax reductions comes from the six free trade agreements we have signed since forming government.
11. misdirected
    TaxationMs. Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe (NDP) asked Ted Menzies (Conservative). loaded question.Answer shifts to palliative care and redefines the parking tax as ending a special reduction rather than addressing seniors' costs.We have a very good program that was initiated at the hospital here in Ottawa.
12. deflected
    TaxationMs. Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe (NDP) asked Ted Menzies (Conservative). loaded question.Answer pivots to past NDP votes and federal regulation instead of confirming or denying the listed tax increases.As credit unions are growing, and we continue to support credit unions, they actually wanted to be federally regulated.
13. deflected
    TaxationMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Ted Menzies (Conservative). loaded question.Answer lists past tax reductions and an OECD quote while ignoring the enumerated new taxes in the budget.The average Canadian family of four is paying $3,200 less every year.
14. misdirected
    TaxationMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Ted Menzies (Conservative). loaded question.Answer invites support for the budget and mentions capital cost allowance instead of addressing the denial of tax hikes.
15. answered
    TaxationMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Maxime Bernier (Conservative). substantive question.Answer directly explains the policy rationale for ending the labour-sponsored funds credit.Investors in Canada and Quebec will stop subsidizing very well-capitalized labour-sponsored funds to the tune of $140 million a year.
16. partly answered
    Canada Revenue AgencyMr. Murray Rankin (NDP) asked Gail Shea (Conservative). loaded question.Answer addresses tax evasion measures but does not engage with the CRA budget cut contradiction.Since 2006, our government has introduced more than 75 measures to improve the integrity of our tax system.
17. partly answered
    Canada Revenue AgencyMr. Murray Rankin (NDP) asked Gail Shea (Conservative). substantive question.Answer addresses audit positions but pivots to overhead savings without tackling the $100M cut or 3000 staff claim.not one audit position will be eliminated. As a matter of fact, we will add to those positions.
18. deflected
    The BudgetBob Rae (Liberal) asked Denis Lebel (Conservative). substantive question.Answer disputes interpretation and promotes the new plan without addressing the specific spending reduction figures raised.People see this as the largest plan Canada has ever seen.
19. partly answered
    The BudgetBob Rae (Liberal) asked Denis Lebel (Conservative). substantive question.Answer explains cash management and provincial routing but does not reconcile the $1.5B versus $200M discrepancy.We pay when we receive the invoices, and that is that.
20. deflected
    The BudgetBob Rae (Liberal) asked Denis Lebel (Conservative). substantive question.Answer repeats program timelines and Quebec routing process while avoiding the year-over-year spending drop.The money that is being invested this year came from that program.
21. partly answered
    Aboriginal AffairsMs. Jean Crowder (NDP) asked Mr. Greg Rickford (Conservative). substantive question.Answer provides per-student spending comparison and references prior budget but ignores the new report's 50% gap claim.we spend an average of approximately $13,500 per student on reserve, and this is comparable to provincial funding for education.
22. misdirected
    Aboriginal AffairsMr. Jonathan Genest-Jourdain (NDP) asked Mr. Greg Rickford (Conservative). substantive question.Answer shifts to jobs and resource development then attacks NDP carbon tax instead of naming the follow-up lead for January 11 commitments.Unfortunately, the NDP is more interested in increasing the cost of living for Canadians living in northern areas with its carbon tax.
23. answered
    The EnvironmentMs. Anne Minh-Thu Quach (NDP) asked Peter Kent (Conservative). loaded question.Answer directly counters the premise by detailing distribution and archiving of the round table materials.the national round table's entire e-collection has been distributed to over 20 libraries, including university libraries, across the country.
24. answered
    The EnvironmentMr. François Choquette (NDP) asked Peter Kent (Conservative). substantive question.Answer confirms archiving and distribution steps matching the request to protect and release the documents.the national round table e-collection is being distributed to over 20 libraries, including university libraries, right across the country.
25. deflected
    Regional Economic DevelopmentMr. Robert Aubin (NDP) asked Denis Lebel (Conservative). loaded question.Answer shifts to deficit and NDP carbon tax instead of addressing post office closures.They would resolve this by devising a $21 billion carbon tax.
26. deflected
    Canada PostMs. Paulina Ayala (NDP) asked Denis Lebel (Conservative). loaded question.Answer repeats independence claim and deficit but offers no explanation for closures.Canada Post had an operating deficit of $253 billion in 2011.
27. deflected
    Canada PostMr. Réjean Genest (NDP) asked Denis Lebel (Conservative). substantive question.Answer attacks NDP ideology rather than stating how many offices will close.Everything is always about ideology to them.
28. partly answered
    Canada PostMr. Brian Masse (NDP) asked Denis Lebel (Conservative). substantive question.Answer confirms arm's-length status and job continuity but does not address callousness or specific cuts.Canada Post operates at arm's-length from the federal government.
29. misdirected
    Elections CanadaBob Rae (Liberal) asked Mr. Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). substantive question.Answer praises Penashue and ignores the Elections Canada investigation and byelection timing.we have in Labrador a great leader in Peter Penashue, who has delivered jobs for his constituents through the Lower Churchill project.
30. deflected
    JusticeBob Rae (Liberal) asked Rob Nicholson (Conservative). substantive question.Answer refers to unrelated legislation instead of addressing any change of heart on gay marriage.there is legislation before Parliament right now that deals with this issue.
31. misdirected
    International TradeMs. Hélène Laverdière (NDP) asked Ed Fast (Conservative). substantive question.Answer attacks NDP leader on Keystone instead of addressing Korea trade deal status or deficit.he ignores all of the science on the Keystone XL project, undermines our efforts to grow our economy and badmouths Canadians and our economy.
32. deflected
    International TradeMr. Don Davies (NDP) asked Ed Fast (Conservative). substantive question.Answer begins by noting rarity of question rather than defending tariff or trade policy.this is the first question the official critic for trade from the NDP has asked me about trade in four months.
33. answered
    Canadian HeritageBob Rae (Liberal) asked James Moore (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly confirms the name will remain unchanged per the Broadcasting Act.No, the name of CBC/Radio-Canada is not going to change.
34. partly answered
    Agriculture and Agri-FoodMr. François Lapointe (NDP) asked Gerry Ritz (Conservative). substantive question.The response addresses the repayable nature and audits but omits why funding was initially granted or specific job safeguards.It also falls under clear-cut audits that are currently under way to make sure that all of that money was spent properly.
35. deflected
    The EnvironmentMr. Dennis Bevington (NDP) asked Mr. Greg Rickford (Conservative). substantive question.The reply discusses remediation steps without addressing the cost increase or alternative treatment options raised.We expect to receive the report from the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board very soon and we will continue to take the necessary steps to protect the health and safety of workers in nearby communities.
36. partly answered
    Air CanadaMrs. Maria Mourani (Bloc) asked Ms. Kellie Leitch (Conservative). loaded question.The answer explains EI policy on severance but sidesteps the specific Aveos case and accusations of attacking workers.EI is made available to eligible individuals in a timely manner because of the amount of time that it takes to finalize bankruptcy proceedings.
37. answered
    Hon. Member for Toronto CentreRalph Goodale (Liberal) asked John Baird (Conservative). rhetorical question.Both statements are tributes with no actual question posed or factual query to answer.The member for Toronto Centre will not know this, but about 20 years ago, I was thinking about running for the Ontario legislature.