Oral Questions
Health
“I'm saying it can't be a cover-up because the Conservatives mentioned it a month ago. People already know. No cover-up here.”
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
Hon. Marjorie Michel
Michel often deflects tough questions by changing the subject to something that makes the Conservatives look bad, like blocking an AIDS study. She repeats talking points about reviewing problematic programs and working with provinces, but rarely gives satisfying details about where money went or why a program failed. When pressed, she'll blame the previous government or claim there was no wrong decision, just a program that didn't work out.
“I'm filling time with kind words and saying nothing anyone could pin down later.”
Oral Questions
Health
“I'm thanking my colleague for talking about a problem. I want to look good by saying many people shared their thoughts on how to fix the problem. The government will release a strategy to address the problem, so I want to look like I'm doing something about it.”
Oral Questions
Health
“I'm filling time with kind words and saying nothing anyone could pin down later.”
Oral Questions
Health
“We know the agency didn't do its job. That's why we stopped giving them money. But Canada's health care still needs to be modernized. The AI scribe program did well despite the problems.”
“I want to talk about something else. Conservatives are blocking a study on AIDS. There is a crisis. I will repeat my answer. I already said the board is reviewing it and will report by the end of summer.”
“I'll keep talking but avoid the real question. I admit there were problems and some people are trying to solve them. But I won't agree to the investigation you demand.”
“I talked to those companies because it's my job. I don't see the problem with that. And we won't allow anything too dangerous.”
“I want you to think I care about people's health. I also want big companies to like me. I think I can make everyone happy.”
Oral Questions
Health
“I want Canadians to know the Liberal government is working on eye care. The member's bill helped us create a big strategy with lots of partners. Good job.”
Oral Questions
Health
“I might not have actually given the money yet. I'm deciding whether to spend the $50 million. But let me say we need health data infrastructure!”
“I'm changing the subject to AIDS because it makes you look bad. I already appeared at Finance committee, so the Health committee doesn't need to study this. I've said enough and I don't want to answer any more questions about PrescribeIT.”
“I want to talk about something else. You're in the way. Maybe I'll talk about your thing later if you get out of the way now.”
Oral Questions
Health
“I don't really know what you are getting at. Canada Health Infoway isn't part of the government. We talk to them through someone on their board. I won't go into details of who said what.”
“I am deflecting. I don't want to say if I talked to the board or not. Health Canada has someone on the board. The CEO was removed. Things are happening.”
Oral Questions
Health
“I'll go to the committee eventually. Stop asking me about this. I already got rid of the CEO. I'll keep working on it.”
“I'm going to claim I took action by talking to the board. I want to look like I'm fixing this mess without giving real details.”
Oral Questions
Health
“I talked to Alberta's health minister. They haven't made the rules yet. For now, I can't say they're breaking the law. They told me they want to follow the law.”
“You're right, CEO was bad. I talked to the board. They took action. This year we'll give Infoway $50 million more of your dollars.”
“I'm going to repeat what I said before. The program started in 2017 and didn't work well. When I became the Minister, I looked at it and saw that it wasn't doing much. So we ended it to save money.”