Commons debates senate funding during main estimates vote

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
   EthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly specifies the clarification Duffy sought regarding caucus remarks on expenses.Mr. Duffy was seeking clarification on remarks I had made to this effect in caucus and I was adamant that any inappropriate expenses had to be reimbursed by him.
2. deflected
   EthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer restates the general view on expenses without addressing whether Wright attended the caucus meeting.I made this view known to my caucus and obviously to my staff.
3. deflected
   EthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer repeats the general position on expenses and staff without confirming Wright's presence at the PM-Duffy meeting.I already said that I made my view known to the entire caucus and all my employees.
4. deflected
   EthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer avoids stating the exact severance amount and instead denies any improper compensation link.Any suggestion that he is being compensated for any other reason, anything directly or indirectly, to do with his paying Mr. Duffy's expenses is categorically false.
5. misdirected
   EthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer ignores the yes/no question on authorizing the statement and instead attacks the NDP leader's past conduct.The leader of the NDP withheld information from the public about envelopes from the mayor of Laval for 17 years.
6. deflected
   EthicsMr. Justin Trudeau (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer claims Wright was clear but does not state the actual reasons given for writing the cheque.Mr. Wright has been clear about why he did what he did and the effect of what he did.
7. deflected
   EthicsMr. Justin Trudeau (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer restates that Wright repaid expenses but does not reveal the real reasons for the cheque.Mr. Wright said he wrote cheques to ensure that the taxpayers would be reimbursed, and he actually repaid taxpayers out of his own pocket.
8. deflected
   EthicsMr. Justin Trudeau (Liberal) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer sidesteps the appointment question and pivots to Senate reform while attacking the Liberals.On this side of the House, unlike the Liberal Party, we think the Senate needs to be reformed or abolished.
9. partly answered
   EthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer addresses the reimbursement motive but ignores the core point that the Senate could have forced payment without Wright's involvement.Mr. Wright spent his own money. He assured that that money went back to the Receiver General of Canada, to the taxpayers of Canada.
10. deflected
    EthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer denies giving an order but does not address the claim about the caucus meeting or Wright's motive to protect the PMO.I never gave any such order, any suggestion nor had any idea that Mr. Wright was using his personal money to make sure the taxpayers were reimbursed.
11. deflected
    EthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer gives a general statement on Senate standards instead of stating how many times the Prime Minister spoke to LeBreton.I speak to the senators regularly, and I encourage the Senate to take measures to ensure that senators treat taxpayers' money with respect and uphold the highest standards of behaviour.
12. answered
    EthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly states lack of awareness of any briefing on the preliminary audit results.I am not aware of the results of the audit.
13. answered
    EthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer directly reports that Wright said he had no similar arrangements with other senators.At the same time, I did ask Mr. Wright whether he had any similar arrangements or had discussed any similar arrangements or had any similar arrangements with other senators, and he said no.
14. misdirected
    EthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer shifts to an unrelated personal attack on Mulcair instead of addressing Perrin's possible involvement.While we are answering questions, exactly how many stuffed envelopes over his career in Quebec provincial politics was the leader of the NDP offered?
15. deflected
    EthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer asserts Wright acted alone but does not confirm or deny Novak's involvement in the discussions.I have no information before me to suggest they are anyone else's responsibility.
16. deflected
    EthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.The answer repeats that Wright alone is responsible but does not address whether MacDougall or Vallée participated in discussions.as I said, there is only one person responsible.
17. deflected
    EthicsThomas Mulcair (NDP) asked Stephen Harper (Conservative). substantive question.Answer ignores the question on staff attendance and restates unrelated points about Wright's actions.it was Mr. Wright who made the decision to take his personal funds and give those to Mr. Duffy so that Mr. Duffy could reimburse the taxpayers.
18. misdirected
    41st General ElectionMr. Marc Garneau (Liberal) asked Mr. Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). substantive question.Answer shifts to attacking Liberals on unrelated donation issues instead of addressing the voting legality question.There are $500,000 in such illegal donations currently held by the former Liberal leadership candidates.
19. misdirected
    41st General ElectionMr. Marc Garneau (Liberal) asked Mr. Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). substantive question.Answer pivots to Liberal illegal donations rather than responding to the order for Conservative MPs to leave the House.Liberal leadership candidates also received illegal donations.
20. deflected
    41st General ElectionMs. Judy Foote (Liberal) asked Mr. Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). loaded question.Answer avoids the scandals question by listing unrelated Conservative achievements and attacking Liberal record.This is the party that passed the Federal Accountability Act.
21. partly answered
    41st General ElectionMr. Craig Scott (NDP) asked Mr. Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). substantive question.Answer addresses the good faith and court review but ends by attacking the opposition leader on an unrelated matter.these members acted in good faith, and they were democratically elected by their constituents.
22. partly answered
    41st General ElectionMs. Alexandrine Latendresse (NDP) asked Mr. Pierre Poilievre (Conservative). substantive question.Answer covers good faith and court rights but does not address giving Elections Canada more powers.They now have the right to argue their case in court, and we respect that right.
23. answered
    Government AppointmentsMs. Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet (NDP) asked Ms. Kellie Leitch (Conservative). substantive question.Answer directly explains the merit-based appointment process for the tribunal positions.The members appointed were subject to a rigorous competency-based selection process and had to meet specific criteria relating to the experience and competencies required to perform these duties.
24. answered
    Government AppointmentsMs. Chris Charlton (NDP) asked Ms. Kellie Leitch (Conservative). substantive question.Answer directly restates the merit-based and competency selection process for appointments.Members appointed went through a rigorous, competency-based selection process where they had to meet specific experience and competency criteria in order to have the roles.
25. deflected
    Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceMs. Rosane Doré Lefebvre (NDP) asked Ms. Candice Bergen (Conservative). substantive question.Answer defends legislation and attacks NDP instead of addressing reassurance or culture change.Sadly, the NDP opposed this important piece of legislation, which was supported by police organizations, by civil liberties within B.C. and by justice ministers across the country.
26. deflected
    Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceMs. Niki Ashton (NDP) asked Ms. Candice Bergen (Conservative). substantive question.Answer claims witness support and attacks opposition without addressing out-of-court process request.The opposition members offer no solutions. All they do is oppose good, sound legislation.
27. partly answered
    Public Works and Government ServicesMs. Linda Duncan (NDP) asked Rona Ambrose (Conservative). substantive question.Answer lists safety measures taken but does not specify timeline for making compliance a priority.Since this incident we have made sure that the department has implemented a number of additional health and safety measures, including enhancing training and management oversight, conducting a review of the occupational health and safety training program, and investing in third-party procedural reviews.
28. partly answered
    Public Works and Government ServicesMr. Alexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Rona Ambrose (Conservative). substantive question.Answer describes enhanced measures and union consultation but avoids addressing law change for federal property workers.As I said, we have introduced a number of enhanced measures to make sure that this does not happen again.
29. deflected
    Employment InsuranceMr. Justin Trudeau (Liberal) asked Ms. Kellie Leitch (Conservative). substantive question.Answer explains EI purpose and promotes job grant instead of addressing premium increase rationale.More importantly, we are focused on ensuring that Canadians are connected to jobs so that they have the right skills in the right place so that they can provide for their families.
30. deflected
    Government AdvertisingMr. Justin Trudeau (Liberal) asked Tony Clement (Conservative). substantive question.Answer justifies advertising generally and compares to Liberals without addressing negative partisan spending.I would say, of course, that our rates of advertising are much lower than those of the previous Liberal government, and we will continue to do so to make sure that the taxpayer is defended.
31. misdirected
    International TradeMr. Don Davies (NDP) asked Ed Fast (Conservative). substantive question.Answer attacks NDP on China policy instead of explaining delay in FIPA ratification.While the NDP supports giving special breaks to Chinese manufacturers, it has no interest in protecting Canadians who are investing in China.
32. misdirected
    International TradeMr. Guy Caron (NDP) asked Ed Fast (Conservative). substantive question.Answer repeats praise for agreement and attacks NDP instead of addressing ratification delay.It is a shame the NDP is more interested in standing up for Chinese manufacturers than for Canadian investors.
33. deflected
    Government AdvertisingJohn McCallum (Liberal) asked Tony Clement (Conservative). loaded question.Answer shifts to spending percentage and Liberal comparison without addressing ad effectiveness or justification for more spending.advertising represents 0.3% of government spending, less than that in fact.
34. partly answered
    PensionsMs. Irene Mathyssen (NDP) asked Ted Menzies (Conservative). substantive question.Answer explains shared jurisdiction and ongoing consultations but does not confirm a specific meeting date or commitment.We continue to do that, but not all the provinces are in support now of expanding the Canada pension plan
35. deflected
    Air TransportationMr. José Nunez-Melo (NDP) asked Denis Lebel (Conservative). loaded question.Answer discusses user-pay principle and service quality without addressing compensation levels or the referenced bill.Canada's airline industry is based on a user-pay principle.
36. deflected
    The SenateMr. André Bellavance (Bloc) asked James Moore (Conservative). substantive question.Answer highlights new rules and Senate reform plans but ignores the call for statutory Auditor General reviews of expenses.last week, we took very responsible measures to protect the taxpayers' interests by adopting 11 tough new rules.
37. misdirected
    Points of OrderMr. Justin Trudeau (Liberal) asked Peter Van Loan (Conservative). substantive question.Answer attacks the asker's representation of constituents rather than engaging the point about questions from Canadians.I will not state the obvious, that he does not think he represents Canadians but only one constituency in the city of Montreal.