Government Orders
Business of Supply
“These measures are temporary. I want you to think the provinces will cover these people soon.”
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
Hon. Lena Metlege Diab
Diab rarely gives a clear yes or no answer and frequently dodges around questions in the House, filling time with slogans about 'protecting Canadians' and the government's plans. She openly says she won't answer specific questions if they're 'traps' or demands she doesn't like, and often pretends not to understand the real point. When she does give concrete numbers, they're usually self-flattering stats or promises of deportations she claims will happen eventually.
“I don't want to say who's paying. The program is normal just like other programs.”
“I'm going to keep talking so I don't have to answer the question. I want you to think I care without giving you a real answer.”
“Okay, yes, the website does say it takes 10 years to get a start-up visa in Canada. But 80% of applications are processed within our service standards! See, we're hitting our own targets. And we're doing our best to train staff to keep up with demand. What more do you want from us?”
“I'm the minister and I'm saying the department is looking at it.”
“Don't put words in my mouth. The program was paused because it was uncontrollable. I don't want to admit that my department did anything wrong. I'm going to blame the high volume of applications instead.”
“I want to look like I'm doing something about the fraud everyone has heard about in this immigration program. To do that, I'm emphasizing how I've talked about the problem transparently in public. But notice I don't give any specifics on how I'll actually fix the underlying issues - I just keep repeating that we've 'paused' the program. My real goal here is to sound competent and in control, not to commit to any difficult policy changes that would stop the fraud.”
“I'm defending the existing law. This law gives us more control over citizenship. That's good.”
“I don't need to answer your specific question. I think you should already know what I think.”
“What the minister told cabinet is none of your business. Trust us, it's fine.”
“I don't like your accusation. I'll just repeat myself until it goes away.”
“I won't answer numbers. I'll just say rules exist and move on.”
“I don't like the Conservative's characterization. I'm assuring you the law has strict rules. Applicants must prove their ancestry.”
“I don't want to give a straight answer. I'm going to vaguely imply something about rules instead.”
“I'm saying the bill has good rules for who gets to be a citizen, and it keeps out the kinds of citizens I want to keep out.”
“I want to minimize the number of new Canadians. Many apply, but I will not say how many will actually get citizenship.”
“I want to make it look like we are putting clear rules in place.”
“I like my friend. I think she does a good job. I want more people to come here and study. I want to make that easy. It will help us later.”
“I want taxpayer money to help my preferred people. Lots of programs and numbers show I'm working hard!”
“I don't want to answer that question. I'll just repeat something nice about language and Quebec instead.”