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MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

Joanne Thompson

Liberal St. John's East 36 statements translated

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Thompson is the fisheries minister pressing for almost $1 billion to repair small craft harbours, a balanced aquaculture decision for British Columbia salmon, and owner-operator licensing tied to coastal and Indigenous communities. She often answers questions with something else entirely, usually her engagements and spending in Newfoundland and Labrador, and scolds the questioner: “I certainly do not need lessons on how to speak with people.”Written by AI from their statements. Updated .

Average grade
C
64 / 100 over 26 statements
Signal 62 / 100
Relevance 43 / 100
Respect 100 / 100
Clarity 88 / 100
Averaged over the 26 of 36 statements graded so far.

In their own words

Loses points more than most for

Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.2.2 times as often as most members.What the tags mean ×2.2

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

A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.1.7 times as often as most members.What the tags mean ×1.7

Statements 36

Oral Questions ·

The Economy

In response to a question from Bob Zimmer

“We are finding new trade partners, speeding up big projects, investing in workers, and lowering costs. The Conservatives are just playing politics instead of supporting projects that help Canadians.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

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

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, apart from the suite of supports that my colleagues have outlined already today, we are also diversifying our trade partners, supercharging major projects, investing in workers, drawing down costs and keeping the needs of Canadians foremost in every decision. The other side of the House is just playing politics today. Why do the Conservatives not come along with the projects that are actually making a difference for this country and in people’s lives?

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Oral Questions ·

Fisheries and Oceans

In response to a question from Ted Falk

“I did not make an offensive gesture. I just moved my hand, and his claim is insulting.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I can assure the member that whatever he said I did was just a hand movement, and I find the statement offensive.

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In response to a question from Elizabeth May

“Salmon are important to west coast communities. Our task force has met with First Nations and other groups more than 120 times. We are reviewing what they told us to decide how best to move forward with fish farming in British Columbia.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, our government understands the importance of salmon to communities on Canada’s west coast. The government’s interdepartmental task force has conducted over 120 engagements with first nations and stakeholders. The government is reviewing the different perspectives to consider how best to move forward on sustainable aquaculture in British Columbia.

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Oral Questions ·

The Environment

In response to a question from Shannon Miedema

“Canada is leading the world in ocean protection. We are spending over $1.2 billion to keep oceans safe, support fisheries, and grow the ocean economy. We will also host a major world ocean conference in Halifax this May.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for her passion for ocean protection. She is right. Canada is stepping up as a global leader. Recently, I joined the Prime Minister as he announced the start of Canada’s oceans strategy, with more than $1.2 billion in new funding to strengthen marine safety, reinforce our fisheries and build a stronger, more sustainable ocean economy. We are not done there. In May, Canada will host the Our Ocean Conference. I look forward to welcoming all of Canada to Halifax.

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Oral Questions ·

Fisheries and Oceans

In response to a question from Clifford Small

“I already have strong relationships with the fishery sector in Newfoundland and Labrador, and I talk with them often. We are doing the work Canadians asked for by making programs that work with the people who need them. The member's attacks do not help anyone.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 13 of 100

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 26 of 100

    Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind my colleague across the aisle that I work in dialogue and actually have very strong relationships with the fishery sector in Newfoundland and Labrador. I certainly do not need lessons on how to speak with people from the member, but I will remind him that we are doing the work that Canadians have asked us to do. We are meeting this moment with strong strategies and programs that work, and we are meeting it in relationship and in dialogue with the people who need us to work alongside them. This rhetoric is not doing anyone any benefit.

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In response to a question from Clifford Small

“The member has not spoken in the House for a long time. I want to know if he still thinks our school food program is garbage. Canadians and the people in his riding need to work together right now. It is wrong that he is playing cheap politics.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 20 of 100

    Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, it is nice to hear the member stand in the House again. It has been a long time since we have heard from him. I want to take this opportunity to see if he still believes that our school nutrition program is garbage. Let me remind him that we are facing a time in our country when we need to come together. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians understand this. The constituents in his riding understand this. It is a shame that he still has to play cheap politics.

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In response to a question from Jonathan Rowe

“French officials confirmed that no new snow crab licence was issued. People in the member's riding reach out to me about real issues like harbours, energy agreements, and job training. We need to stop the nonsense and work together.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I will not play politics with issues as important as this. What I will say is that French officials confirmed that no new snow crab licence was issued. What I will say to the member is that the residents and constituents in his riding reach out to me regularly to talk about the things that matter: small craft harbours, the Churchill Falls agreement, the work on training our young people for Red Seal certifications, and on and on it goes. It is enough of the nonsense. We have work to do. Canadians know we need to work together. The member needs to— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

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Oral Questions ·

Taxation

In response to a question from Carol Anstey

“I want the member to support our bill. People in her riding and across Newfoundland and Labrador want our investments in harbours, wild salmon, Churchill Falls, and the Goose Bay military base. These give our province real results.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, off the top I will say to the member to support Bill C-38. I will remind her that I speak with residents in her riding and across Newfoundland and Labrador on a regular basis, and they support the $1 million for small craft harbours. They support the $81 million for wild Atlantic salmon, which is going to see real benefits in our province. They support Churchill Falls and what it is going to mean for our economy. They support 5 Wing Goose Bay and the millions of dollars that are going to move into that community and the province. These are tangible results. She needs to speak to more of her residents.

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In response to a question from Carol Anstey

“If the member wants to help her community, she should talk about the help people just received for food and basics. She should also vote for the bill that extends tax relief on diesel fuel. These things give real help to Canadians.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, if the member opposite wants to do something tangible for the residents of her riding, the first thing she can do is speak to them about how important it was to receive the food and essentials benefit yesterday. Second to that, she could support Bill C-38, which will see the extension of the excise tax relief on diesel. These are tangible benefits for Canadians, not rhetoric.

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In response to a question from Carol Anstey

“I want to start my point over. If the member opposite wants to help the people in her riding, she should tell them about the benefits our government gives them.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I will go from the top. If the member opposite would like to support her constituents— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

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In response to a question from Carol Anstey

“The member should tell people in her riding about the money our government just sent them for food and essentials.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, if the member opposite would like to do something tangible for the residents of her riding, she needs to speak to them about the benefits they received through the food and essentials benefit yesterday, and also— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

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Oral Questions ·

Fisheries and Oceans

In response to a question from Clifford Small

“We make fisheries decisions using science, talks with fishers, and economic needs. Other departments help with international talks. I met with fishers in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon this summer, and we agreed to work together.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I welcome the member back after the summer and certainly look forward to working with him and the fisheries committee. I want to remind the member that we make decisions locally based on science, consultation with harvesters and economic opportunities. We make decisions in the international space with other departments that are part of broader negotiations. I was in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon this summer, and I met with harvesters. I spent three days in the community, and we have agreed to work collaboratively going forward.

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Oral Questions ·

Taxation

In response to a question from Carol Anstey

“Our government is helping Newfoundland and Labrador. We put $10 billion toward the Churchill Falls project, and I just helped fund 114 affordable homes in my riding. The member can get things done for her riding too if she does the work.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, there is a series of things we are currently doing to improve the lives of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and Canadians. Recently, we had the investment in Churchill Falls, a $70-billion investment, and $10 billion of that money is federal funds. This is transformative for our province. I want to remind the member of projects we can do locally. In my riding, in the last two weeks, I announced 114 deeply affordable housing units. The member is able to do this as well, but she has to put the work in.

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Oral Questions ·

Public Safety

In response to a question from Jonathan Rowe

“Our government is making laws to improve public safety. It is unfair for the Conservatives to criticize us when they vote against every measure we propose.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 13 of 100

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

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 39 of 100

    Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome everyone back to the House after the summer. I want to reply to the hon. member from Newfoundland and Labrador. We are moving forward with legislation across the entire sector, but it is very difficult to stand and push back when the Conservatives vote against every single measure the government brings forward. I am sorry, but there is a level of hypocrisy here that is very difficult to listen to.

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Oral Questions ·

Fisheries and Oceans

In response to a question from Garnett Genuis

“I base my decisions as fisheries minister on facts from my department and talks with local communities. I will not answer conspiracy theories. I am proud of our work.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I can assure all members of this House that when I make decisions as the fisheries minister, they are always balanced, with information through the department and consultations with people in the communities. I am not going to comment on conspiracy theories, but I will say I am proud of the work we do in the department.

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Oral Questions ·

Fisheries and Oceans

In response to a question from Mel Arnold

“I have met with different groups in B.C. We are working on a decision that balances recreational fishing, commercial fishing, and Indigenous harvesting.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for the opportunity for me to once again say that I have met with stakeholders in B.C., across all perspectives. We are working on the decision. There is space for recreational fishing and commercial, and the need for indigenous harvesting. We will balance the decision.

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Oral Questions ·

The Economy

In response to a question from Rachael Thomas

“Our government is helping people with the cost of living. We are giving money for groceries to 12 million Canadians. We also have 10-dollar-a-day child care, money for families with kids, free food at schools, and more affordable housing.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand here today and share with Canadians that 12 million Canadians will benefit from the groceries and essentials benefit. I am proud to talk about the benefits associated with $10‑a‑day child care, which allows families to be able to go into the workplace and know their kids are well cared for. I am proud to stand here and talk about the Canada child benefit. I am proud to stand here and talk about the benefits of the school nutrition program. I will talk about the housing initiative, affordable housing for people who need it the most, and on and on it goes. This is where—

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In response to a question from Rachael Thomas

“Our government is investing billions of dollars in Labrador, small harbours, and job training for young people. I want the opposition to stop arguing and support this work.”

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to talk about the $8‑billion investment in 5 Wing Goose Bay in Labrador, in my province. I will also take the opportunity to talk about the almost $1 billion in small craft harbours and the funding available to help our young people train in Red Seal industries. We are building this country, we are investing in Canadians, and we are protecting Canadians. I invite the member to stop the nonsense and join us.

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Oral Questions ·

The Economy

In response to a question from Carol Anstey

“Our job training programs help young people get good jobs in construction. This improves the economy and increases employment. The opposition should work with us instead of using negative slogans.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I will once again remind the member opposite that when we get people to work, when we invest in our young Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and Canadians with programs like the apprenticeship program, which walks with them throughout the journey to a Red Seal designation, and when we have construction jobs, it enhances our economy and it raises our employment numbers, which we are now seeing. This is what it takes to build Canada strong. Empty slogans and negative responses are not helpful. I invite the member to work alongside us.

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In response to a question from Carol Anstey

“Newfoundland and Labrador is growing. More people have jobs, and the government is spending money on harbours, fisheries, housing, roads, and community centres. The member across the way should support this.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I want to remind my opposition colleague from Newfoundland and Labrador that employment numbers are up in our province. I also want to remind her once again of the almost $1 billion for small craft harbours, growing our rural, coastal and indigenous communities that support our fisheries, an essential part of rural Newfoundland and Labrador. There are also supports around housing, road construction, infrastructure, community centres, and on and on this goes. We are actually in a time of growth. I hope the member gets on board.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B+ View analysis