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MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

Heath MacDonald

Liberal Malpeque 22 statements translated

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MacDonald defends federal farm spending and rules as agriculture minister: the $3.2-billion national food security strategy, biofuel incentives, excise tax relief on diesel, research stations, and a bill to ease farm transfers and paperwork. His case leans on open-ended promises — “We are taking steps,” “we are going to continue” — with dates and measures usually left for later, and he answers critics by listing companies investing in Canadian agriculture.Written by AI from their statements. Updated .

Average grade
B+
81 / 100 over 19 statements
Signal 82 / 100
Relevance 73 / 100
Respect 100 / 100
Clarity 77 / 100
Averaged over the 19 of 22 statements graded so far.

In their own words

Loses points more than most for

A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.4 times as often as most members.What the tags mean ×4.0

Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.1.8 times as often as most members.What the tags mean ×1.8

Loses points less than most for Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.Less often than most members.What the tags mean

Statements 22

Oral Questions ·

Agriculture and Agri-Food

In response to a question from Chi Nguyen

“We are helping people get food right now. We are giving up to $10 million each to Food Banks Canada and Second Harvest to share with food banks across the country. We are also working on a plan to keep food secure in the future.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the government is taking immediate action through the groceries and essentials benefit, through the school of food program and through the local food infrastructure fund community support stream. Food Banks Canada and Second Harvest will both receive up to $10 million. These two recipients will distribute that food to eligible food banks and not-for-profit, community-based organizations across the country. We are focused on the present, but we are also building our national food security strategy for the future.

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Oral Questions ·

Agriculture and Agri-Food

In response to a question from Jessica Fancy

“This bill makes life easier for farmers by cutting paperwork. It speeds up reviews for farm products, makes it easier to pass farms down to family, and removes old age limits. Farmers have asked for these changes for a long time.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 48 of 100

    Much of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for the question and congratulate her on her new role. Our government has been focused on making life easier for farmers, ranchers and producers. Farmers want to be farming, not filling out forms and applications. That is exactly what this legislation is all about. We are taking steps to make it easier to streamline assessments for important agriculture products, reduce administrative burdens, transfer farms from one generation to the next and remove long-standing age restrictions. These are practical changes that farmers have been asking for for some time. We are moving forward in the farming and agriculture sectors.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B– View analysis

Oral Questions ·

Agriculture and Agri-Food

In response to a question from Dominique O'Rourke

“We have a $3.2-billion food plan. We are spending $1 billion to improve how food is stored, moved, and sold. This will support farmers and strengthen our food supply.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, food security is national security. I thank the member for all her hard work in her riding. We have an ambitious $3.2-billion national food security strategy in play, the largest and, further, most invested in AFC’s history. We have just announced a $1-billion food link. We are investing in transportation, we are investing in storage and we are investing in distribution and market connections to strengthen the food supply chains to support our farmers and make them more sustainable and prosperous for years to come. This means more choice, more Canada and more control.

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Oral Questions ·

Agriculture and Agri-Food

In response to a question from Andrew Scheer

“We are not cutting farm research. The federal government is keeping its 17 research sites across Canada, and work at the Indian Head centre will continue through 2027. We are doing better research with universities.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 100 of 100

    Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we have been doing research in this country for 140 years through the federal government, and we are going to continue. There are 17 sites right across the country, with one in every province. Let me inform the hon. member that I am pleased to say that the operations of the seed increase unit will be continuing at the Indian Head research centre for the 2027 growing season, including forage and wheat. We are not doing less research. We are doing more precise research. We are doing more sustainable research. We are doing research with academia right across the country, and we are going to continue to do research for agriculture.

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Oral Questions ·

Taxation

In response to a question from Leslyn Lewis

“High diesel prices are a world problem, not just a Canadian one. Our government has already paused the fuel tax and cut the carbon tax to help Canadians and farmers. We will keep working hard for our farmers.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 45 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, everybody is familiar with the story of the Strait of Hormuz and what it is doing to the world, including global market prices on diesel. This is not just a Canadian problem. It is a world problem. We suspended the excise tax. We also cut the carbon tax when we were first elected, a promise we made to Canadians across this country and to farmers. We will continue working hard for farmers as we go forward.

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In response to a question from John Barlow

“We are not ignoring farmers. We are working with them and investing in them. We announced over 370 million dollars to help make biofuels, which creates clean fuel from Canadian crops.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 45 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal Party of Canada is not turning its back on farmers. We are making all kinds of investments alongside farmers. We are working alongside them, and we will continue to work alongside them. We announced more than $370 million in new biofuels production incentive programs to support Canadian producers and biodiesel. With the Imperial Strathcona project, which we heard of yesterday, 2.5 million tonnes of canola are being used to produce about a billion litres of biodiesel fuel. We are going to continue to invest alongside farmers.

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Oral Questions ·

Agriculture and Agri-Food

In response to a question from Rachael Thomas

“High diesel prices are a world problem, not just a Canadian one. Farmers are hurt by these costs. We lowered fuel taxes to help them, and we will keep supporting them.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 45 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

    See full analysis

  • A repeated line

    “We will continue to work with our border, immigration and law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety and security of all Canadians.”

    Said 7 times by 3 members since April 30.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, members of the chamber are well aware today that this is a global issue. It is caused by a geopolitical situation. Farmers are on the front line, and we sympathize with them. That is why we brought in the reduction of the excise tax. That is why we are seeing all the countries around the world working together to reduce the cost of diesel. We will continue to work with our farmers. We will continue to support them through programs, and we appreciate everything they do.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B View analysis

Oral Questions ·

Taxation

In response to a question from John Barlow

“World events are causing high diesel prices, not our policies. Our government is supporting farmers by opening new trade markets, helping them hire young workers, and offering tax breaks.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, it has been talked about in the House what is causing diesel prices to rise: the geopolitical situations we find ourselves in. It is hard, but farmers are resilient. We are starting to see some real progress in farming across this country and growth. Growing market access to Indonesia, Mexico and China is really important. We are investing $75 million in AgriMarketing and $27 million in the youth employment and skills program to help farmers hire young people. We have created the productivity superdeduction, which is extremely important to farmers in this country. We are standing alongside farmers and—

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Oral Questions ·

The Economy

In response to a question from John Barlow

“Wars in Europe and the Middle East are causing high fuel prices around the world, not our policies. We are helping people by cutting taxes on fuel, giving people money for groceries, and investing in farming.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, there are a number of geopolitical issues causing most of the fuel increases around the world, particularly in Canada. There is a war in the Middle East and one in Europe, and broader supply chain disruptions. We are doing everything we can. We are reducing the excise tax. We are doing more with the groceries and essentials benefit. We will continue to advance Canadian agriculture and agri-food and make investments. I met with the Canadian Cattle Association this morning, and things are moving in the right direction for agriculture.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A– View analysis

Oral Questions ·

Agriculture and Agri-Food

In response to a question from Kent MacDonald

“We are spending 3.2 billion dollars to support farmers and make food more affordable. This money will help fix how food is sold, transported, and distributed across Canada.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, last week was an exciting time for processors, farmers and the Canadian public. This approach is about finding solutions at home that will improve access and affordability, with a $3.2-billion investment, the largest investment in AAFC’s history. It means addressing the underlying challenges for food affordability, the way food is being sold, transported and distributed. That will support farmers, consumers and small independent grocers. A more Canadian food system means one that is more reliable and supports local food, lower costs and stronger communities. More choice means more control and more Canada.

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In response to a question from John Barlow

“We are watching world events closely, especially the shortage of fertilizer. I met with other world leaders last week to talk about this. We will do everything we can to support our farmers.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 39 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we are caught in a geopolitical situation around the world. We are certainly keeping an eye on the situation. Hopefully, the peace talks are going forward for the Strait of Hormuz. We understand that there has been a real issue relevant to fertilizer. We are monitoring the situation closely. I met with my G7 partners last week. We had a good discussion. The whole topic was on fertilizer in this country and around the world. We will consider every opportunity to make sure that we stand behind our farmers.

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Oral Questions ·

Agriculture and Agri-Food

In response to a question from Jeremy Patzer

“Work at the research station is continuing as usual. Agricultural research is important to Canada, and our more than 17 research stations will stay open.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 100 of 100

    Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I think the hon. member across the way knows exactly what took place at the research station relevant to the organic growth. They are plowing the fields and working the land, as they do every other year, and they will continue to do that. Research is important in this country. We have been doing it for 140 years. We have over 17 stations that will remain open, and we will continue to grow our research in Canada.

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Oral Questions ·

The Economy

In response to a question from Dave Epp

“Big foreign companies are investing hundreds of millions of dollars across Canada. They trust our country and our workers, but the Conservatives do not.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 41 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, that gives me the opportunity to talk a little bit about foreign direct investment. Again, these executives are confident in Canada. Imperial Oil is investing $700 million in Strathcona; Kraft Heinz is investing $250 million in Montreal; Bayer is investing $45 million in canola research in Winnipeg; Froneri, an ice cream giant, is expanding Canadian operations; Mars Canada is investing $180 million across Ontario; and Coca-Cola is investing $141 million in a Brampton facility. They have confidence in this country and our workers. Why is it that the Conservatives do not?

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In response to a question from Dave Epp

“We are putting a lot of money into farming and food processing, including in Leamington. Companies are opening and expanding there, and we will keep investing in Ontario.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 100 of 100

    Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I have the utmost respect for my hon. colleague. We talk to each other quite often about processing in his area, mostly in and around Leamington, and there are going to be vast investments in Leamington. He knows that. There is Ideal Can, which is moving to Leamington, one of the only canning companies in the country using aluminum and steel from Canada. We are going to continue to invest in the processing sector and in agriculture. There are all kinds of companies. I am talking about Massilly North America’s $85-million new food packaging processor and Agropur’s plans to invest nearly $1 billion in plants in eastern Canada. We are going to continue to invest in Ontario.

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Oral Questions ·

The Economy

In response to a question from Pierre Poilievre

“I will keep speaking up about farmers to make the opposition care about how important farming is.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 0 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, every time I get on my feet in this House and talk about farmers, it is a good day. If that is what it takes to get a reaction over there about how important farming is in this country, then that is what we need to do, and I will do it every time.

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In response to a question from Pierre Poilievre

“The opposition is just talking. I have been travelling across Canada talking to farmers, and they have not.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 18 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, in the House today, there is a lot of rhetoric coming from the other side. Let me say that I have been travelling across the country talking to farmers. Nobody over there has been talking to farmers. Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

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Oral Questions ·

The Economy

In response to a question from Pat Kelly

“Big companies are investing billions of dollars in Canada. They are doing this because they believe in our country and our economy.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

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    Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, sometimes it would be a good question to ask some of the CEOs of these companies that are making massive investments in Canada, like Kraft Heinz investing $250 million in Montreal and Bayer investing $45 million in canola research in Winnipeg. A couple of weeks ago, I was at K+S Potash in Saskatchewan, which is investing $3 billion over 10 years. Cargill in Saskatchewan is investing $350 million in a new crushing plant, and Imperial Oil in Strathcona is investing in biofuels. Are all these CEOs of these major international and national companies making a major mistake, or do they actually believe in Canadians like we do?

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Oral Questions ·

Agriculture and Agri-Food

In response to a question from Jacques Gourde

“Our government is supporting Canadian farmers. We have new research coming soon. We are also letting Prairie farmers use strychnine, updating farm rules, expanding aid programs, and creating a new tax break for farm equipment.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 100 of 100

    Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, it is always said that politics is a bit of theatre, but that was pretty good, I must admit. Let me say this. We are going to continue to build the agriculture community in this country. We know how important it is. There are going to be good-news announcements coming up very shortly in reference to research. We are working extremely hard. We are granting an exemption for the use of strychnine in Alberta and the Prairies. We are moving to change the mandates of the CFIA and the PMRA. We are adding pasture rentals to AgriStability, enhancements to the APP and new funding for AgriMarketing, and we are introducing the productivity superdeduction. We are just getting started.

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In response to a question from Jacques Gourde

“We have 17 research centres across the country. We work with universities, provinces, and businesses to do this research. We will keep funding it because it helps industry.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 46 of 100

    Much of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

    See full analysis

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 100 of 100

    Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, from the very beginning, I made it clear that we would work with the provinces, the territories, academia and the private sector to ensure that we have strong, effective research centres across this country. We have 17 of them across the country. We have been doing research for 140 years, and we are going to continue. We have been working with Laval. We have been working with the University of Saskatchewan. We have been working with the University of Alberta. We have been working with the governments in those provinces. We are going to continue to build research in this country because it is needed, but we are going to do research for industry, not for the opposition.

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Government Orders ·

Government Orders

“I am introducing a bill to put parts of the budget into law.”
Official Hansard

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-31, A second Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2025.

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