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MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

Joël Lightbound

Liberal Louis-Hébert 103 statements translated

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Lightbound, the minister for government transformation, public works and procurement and Quebec lieutenant, defends the “buy Canadian” procurement policy, Bill C-40 to speed up defence buying, and Quebec projects such as the Quebec City tramway and high-speed rail. In debate he often turns from the question to his opponents’ record, asking members to “explain that to the 24,366 children and their families” who receive the child benefit, and he answers with specific figures.Written by AI from their statements. Updated .

Average grade
C+
65 / 100 over 95 statements
Signal 73 / 100
Relevance 50 / 100
Reasoning 76 / 100
Respect 100 / 100
Clarity 89 / 100
Averaged over the 95 of 103 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.2.3 times as often as most members.What the tags mean ×2.3

Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.1.7 times as often as most members.What the tags mean ×1.7

Loses points less than most for A story that illustrates instead of making a point.Less often than most members.What the tags mean A remark off to the side of the point.Less often than most members.What the tags mean

Says again and again

Echo

Statements 103

Oral Questions ·

Finance

In response to a question from Gérard Deltell

“Canada has one of the best credit ratings and lowest debts among our peer countries. The member should vote for our programs, like dental care and help with groceries, which support thousands of families in his own riding.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 11 of 100

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

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, let us be clear about Canada’s fiscal position. Canada is one of only two G7 countries with a AAA rating. We have a better debt-to-GDP ratio and deficit-to-GDP ratio than our G7 peers. However, what I still do not understand is why the member insists on systematically voting against measures that have a very direct impact, whether it is a tax cut, the groceries and essentials benefit or the Canadian dental care plan. Those programs affect 23,614 residents in his riding, not to mention the 23,000 children who are benefiting from the Canada child benefit. If he wants to talk about helping families, he should put his vote where his mouth is.

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In response to a question from Gérard Deltell

“Our government has focused on lowering costs by cutting taxes and helping with grocery bills. I want the member to explain why he voted against child benefit payments that give 22,000 children in his riding about $3,500 each.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 18 of 100

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

    See full analysis

  • A repeated line

    “We introduced the Canada groceries and essentials benefit.”

    Said 29 times by 19 members since April 23.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, if the member opposite had been paying attention to what the government has been doing for almost a year and a half now, he would see that we have been focusing on affordability. We lowered taxes for 22 million Canadians. We introduced the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. However, there is something that I still do not understand and that is why I am asking him this question: Given the cost of living, why did he vote against the Canada child benefit, which provides $79 million for 22,845 children in his riding of Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk? That is approximately $3,500 per child in his riding, and his riding is home to nearly 23,000 children. Why did he vote against that?

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Oral Questions ·

Intergovernmental Affairs

In response to a question from Mario Simard

“The Bloc Québécois gets outraged over everything. All summer, they criticized us for doing too much for Quebec, including spending billions on infrastructure, supporting thousands of shipyard and train manufacturing jobs, backing the Churchill Falls project, and moving forward with high-speed rail. They are trying to divide people, while our government is working to build Quebec.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 0 of 100

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

    See full analysis

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Reasoning 38 of 100

    This statement drew 4 conclusions, but gave no reasons for 2 of them.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, let us talk about the Bloc Québécois’s outrage over everything. All summer long, the Bloc criticized us for doing too much for Quebec: too much for infrastructure, with $10 billion in investments; too much for the Davie shipyard in Lévis, with 5,000 jobs in Quebec; too much for Alstom in La Pocatière and Saint‑Bruno‑de‑Montarville. The Bloc Québécois criticized us for supporting the Churchill Falls project, which will ensure prosperity for generations of Quebeckers. It is criticizing us for going ahead with the high-speed rail project, which will help build Quebec. The Bloc Québécois is busy stoking division and outrage. Our government is busy building Quebec.

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In response to a question from Mario Simard

“The Bloc Québécois does not speak for all Quebeckers, and they get outraged by everything. Quebeckers want closer ties with the European Union. Those ties are good for Quebec and Canada. We are working together, and I hope Quebec joins us at the summit.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, when I get up in the morning, I am certain of three things: The sun will rise in the east, the leader of the Bloc Québécois and Bloc members will be outraged by anything and everything, and Bloc members will claim to speak on behalf of all Quebeckers. Those are certainties. Quebeckers are asking for closer ties with the European Union. Obviously, they want that to be done in partnership with Quebec, as it was in the lead-up to this summit. Closer ties with the European Union are good for Quebec and good for Canada. I sincerely hope that Quebec will be there with us.

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In response to a question from Pierre Poilievre

“We are building closer ties with the European Union because its market is huge and good for Canada and Quebec. All the premiers are invited to this summit, and I hope Quebec's premier will attend.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, doing the right thing means strengthening our ties with the European Union, which represents 450 million consumers and 18% of the global economy. That is exactly what we are doing in the interests of Quebec and in the interests of Canada as a whole. I want to commend the Quebec delegation for the work it did in preparation for this summit. I also want to point out that the Premier of Quebec and all the other premiers are invited to this very important event. I hope that the Premier of Quebec will be there in the best interests of Quebec.

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Oral Questions ·

Small Business

In response to a question from Jean-Yves Duclos

“We chose to invest in Canadian businesses to create good jobs. Our productivity tax deduction will bring $22 billion to the economy and support up to 80,000 jobs each year. It gives Canada the most competitive tax rate in the OECD and helps our businesses grow and innovate.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Reasoning 25 of 100

    This statement drew 4 conclusions, but gave no reasons for 3 of them.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Québec Centre. He is right. We made a choice: to invest in Canadian businesses and create good-paying jobs. That is exactly what we are doing with the productivity mega deduction, which will generate $22 billion in annual economic benefits and support up to 80,000 new jobs each year. In fact, what we are doing is making Canada the OECD country with the most competitive tax rate by a wide margin. This will empower our small, medium-sized and large businesses to achieve their ambitions, to grow, succeed and innovate. That is how we build Canada strong and ensure that we remain masters in our own house, now and forever.

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Oral Questions ·

Finance

In response to a question from Eric Lefebvre

“Families in the member's riding benefit from our child support money and dental plan. Does he tell his voters that he always votes against these programs?”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 14 of 100

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

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, no one can remain indifferent to the account he shared concerning his constituent. Keeping in mind those families who are struggling to make ends meet, for example, let us look at the Conservative reality. At every turn, they vote against measures that have a real impact on people’s lives. I am thinking of the member opposite and, more specifically, his riding of Richmond—Arthabaska—des-Sources, where 20,587 children are receiving an average of $4,176 a year through the Canada child benefit, and 34,563 of his constituents are benefiting from the Canadian dental care plan. I know he is very active in his riding. Does he tell the people he meets that he has consistently voted against all these measures that are helping residents?

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Oral Questions ·

Intergovernmental Relations

In response to a question from Yves-François Blanchet

“We invited the Premier of Quebec to this dinner, along with other premiers and business leaders from Quebec. The invitation is still open. I want the Government of Quebec to attend.”

  • 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, I would like to point out that the Premier of Quebec was invited to welcome the dignitaries and attend the dinner, as were several other provincial premiers who will be there, as well as a number of representatives of major industries, major businesses and major institutions in Quebec who will also be there. The invitation is still open. I think it would be good for the Government of Quebec to be there.

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In response to a question from Yves-François Blanchet

“Quebeckers want us to expand our trade with the European Union, which has 450 million consumers. Canada negotiates for the whole country, including Quebec, and we will keep doing that.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 41 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

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 45 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, what we hear in Quebec City, what we heard today and yesterday, is that Quebeckers want us to pursue our efforts to diversify our markets, especially with the European Union. Why? It is because the EU represents 450 million consumers and 18% of global GDP. Also, Canada negotiates in the interest of Canada, in the interest of all the provinces and in the interest of Quebec. I commend the Quebec delegation to Brussels for its contributions to our diplomatic efforts to strengthen our ties with the European Union. We are going to stay the course.

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In response to a question from Yves-François Blanchet

“The Bloc leader's point is a stretch. Quebeckers voted for 44 Liberals, and they want us to keep building trade with other countries. Exports outside the United States went up 11% this past year, and we signed 20 trade and security deals. We will keep doing this work with the provinces.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I will leave it to the leader of the Bloc Québécois to choose his own analogies, but I believe that is a bit of a stretch. Does the member know what I am hearing from the Quebeckers I meet? I am talking about the Quebeckers who elected 44 Liberal members from Quebec, including the recent election in Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, where the Liberal candidate received more than 50% of the vote. They are saying that they want us to continue diversifying our markets and strengthening the resilience of the Quebec and Canadian economies. They are encouraged to see that exports to markets outside the United States have increased by 11% over the past year. They are pleased that, over the past year, Canada has signed 20 trade and security agreements with countries around the world. It is the Government of Canada doing that work, in partnership with the provinces and territories, and we will continue that work in the interest of all Canadians.

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Oral Questions ·

The Economy

In response to a question from Pierre Poilievre

“Our economy is getting results. Our exports to countries other than the U.S. went up by $33 billion, which is an 11% increase. The opposition leader claims our spending causes inflation, but he never explains what he means. Does he think the child benefit money we send to hundreds of thousands of Quebec families causes inflation?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, there is far too much to unpack in that question. First, he said we are “all talk and no action” and that there have been few results, but I would point out that our non-U.S. exports have increased by $33 billion in recent years. That is an 11% increase at a time when we are seeing a realignment of the Canadian economy to be more resilient and more self-reliant. Now, whenever he talks about inflationary programs, I always ask the Leader of the Opposition the same question, but he is never able to come up with an answer: What exactly is an inflationary program? For example, is it the 213,000 children in Quebec who benefit from the Canada child benefit and the $819 million that is sent to Quebec families to meet their needs? Is that an inflationary program?

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In response to a question from Pierre Poilievre

“Canada is building closer ties with the European Union, which has 450 million consumers and nearly a fifth of the world's economy. This work helps businesses and citizens across Canada and Quebec, and I want to thank Quebec's team in Brussels for helping.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 46 of 100

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

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, let us not forget that the European Union represents 450 million consumers and 18% of global GDP. I am very proud that there is a rapprochement happening between the European Union and Canada. Our diplomatic efforts are bearing fruit. It should also be noted that the benefits that Canada negotiates in the interest of Canadians are in the interest of Quebec. These are opportunities for our businesses and our citizens. I would like to commend the Quebec delegation in Brussels for its contributions to Canada’s diplomatic efforts.

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Oral Questions ·

The Economy

In response to a question from Eric Lefebvre

“Quebecers rejected the Conservative approach. We grow the economy through major building projects. We also help vulnerable people with tax cuts, child benefits, dental care, grocery rebates, and school food. The Conservatives voted against all of these helpful programs.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 38 of 100

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

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, hearing the member speak like that, I can understand exactly why Quebeckers rejected the Conservative approach. On this side of the House, we believe that we can grow the economy with major projects, such as the high-speed rail project, the Contrecoeur port project, the Nouveau Monde Graphite project and the Port of Québec project. We also believe that the government has a role to play in ensuring that the most vulnerable people get the help they need. Some of the ways we are doing that include a tax cut, the Canada child benefit, the Canadian dental care plan, the Canada groceries and essentials benefit and the national school food program. These are all measures that the Conservatives voted against but that make a real difference for millions of Quebeckers and Canadians.

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In response to a question from Eric Lefebvre

“Conservatives say our spending causes inflation, but they do not explain what they mean. In Quebec, over 200,000 children get more than $800 million every year to help their families pay bills. Conservatives voted against that.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 0 of 100

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

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I am left completely perplexed when I hear the Conservatives talk so much about inflationary programs without ever defining what an inflationary program is. Is it, for example, the 219,416 children in Quebec who receive more than $800 million through the Canada child benefit every year to help their families pay their bills? Is that an inflationary program? The Conservatives voted against that.

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Oral Questions ·

Labour

In response to a question from Patrick Bonin

“Workers still have the right to strike under this bill. We are adding limits to the rules so talks start early and avoid strikes. This will give businesses more certainty as we build major projects and grow the economy.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 30 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

Madam Speaker, there is a lot of talk about this bill, but the right to strike is protected. The goal is to add guardrails around section 107 and its use. We want to ensure balance, and we want negotiations to start early to avoid strikes as much as possible so that we have greater predictability and certainty as we build this country, build major projects and build a strong economy.

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Oral Questions ·

The Economy

In response to a question from Jacques Gourde

“The member says he wants practical solutions, but he has voted against them for 10 years. He voted against the child benefit and against the dental care plan, even though thousands of families in his riding use them. We also created 5,000 shipyard jobs, which he should support.”

  • 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

Madam Speaker, my colleague wants practical solutions, yet he has voted against practical solutions for the past 10 years. One practical solution is the Canada child benefit, which provides 21,316 children with an average $3,237. That amount of assistance is considerable and substantial for families. He voted against it. Another practical solution is the Canadian dental care plan, which 19,770 constituents in his riding are using. Something else we strive for is to create good jobs. At the Davie shipyards, we created 5,000 jobs related to the icebreakers. He should be thrilled by this program.

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Oral Questions ·

Official Languages

In response to a question from Xavier Barsalou-Duval

“The Bloc Québécois is confusing interpreters with the Translation Bureau. Interpreters speak for the House and committees, while the Translation Bureau translates documents. Any future cuts to the Translation Bureau will match our work needs and happen only as people leave their jobs.”
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, first of all, we need to clarify one thing. There are interpreters, and there is the Translation Bureau. They do not perform the same function. I just want to be clear. The Translation Bureau is responsible for translating documents, while interpreters provide services to the House and its committees. I want this distinction to be clear. It seems to me that the Bloc Québécois is not clear on that. I just wanted to clarify that. As for the Translation Bureau, we respond to departments’ needs by translating the documents they provide and by ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality work. Any reduction in staffing over the coming years will be based on operational requirements and will occur through natural attrition.

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In response to a question from Yves Perron

“We are keeping high standards for our translators and interpreters. We are not lowering our rules to let new interpreters in. Instead, we are spending money on training programs to prepare new interpreters so our work can continue in English and French.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 100 of 100

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

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, again I thank my colleague for the question. I want to assure him that we will always endeavour to maintain the highest standards of quality in interpretation and translation at Parliament. As for the interpreters, I want to assure my colleague that there is no lowering of standards in terms of accreditation. In fact, we want to ensure that we have the next generation of interpreters. That is why we are investing in programs to train new interpreters coming to lend us a hand so that our work may continue in both official languages at the highest quality.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A– View analysis

In response to a question from Yves Perron

“The Translation Bureau is keeping up with Parliament's needs. Demand has dropped, so some jobs will be cut over time as people leave. We will still make sure our official languages meet the highest standards here.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 41 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

Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for his question and for his commitment to official languages. I share that commitment, as does everyone on this side of the House. This also gives me an opportunity to thank the interpreters, who do an outstanding job every day to ensure that we can continue our work. With regard to the Translation Bureau, we are meeting the demand from Parliament. There has been a drop in demand. Some jobs will indeed be eliminated through attrition over the coming years. We will always ensure that the highest standards for official languages are upheld in Parliament.

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Oral Questions ·

The Economy

In response to a question from Eric Lefebvre

“The child benefit helps more than 20,000 children in my colleague's area, giving them an average of over $4,000. My colleague voted against that money for those kids.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 11 of 100

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

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, I would also like to pay tribute to the organizations in my colleague’s constituency. They are undoubtedly doing remarkable work, as we have seen happening across the country. Similar organizations in my constituency were the first to welcome the Canada child benefit and to see the impact it has on the lives of households in my constituency. I am sure this is also the case in my colleague’s constituency. In fact, let us talk about his constituency. There are 20,587 children who receive an average of $4,176 thanks to the Canada child benefit. My colleague voted against this measure. He talks about reducing the tax on diesel. He voted against $4,176 for 20,587 children in his constituency. He voted against 34,563—

View on ourcommons.ca Grade D– View analysis