Oral Questions
The Economy
“I went to a fancy event. You did not. The government should spend money in Alberta. That will be good.”
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
Right Hon. Mark Carney
Carney deflects questions with rambling boasts about Canada's economy and the government's spending. Faced with any problem, he'll cite an investment, a jobs number, or a small tax cut as proof the government has it handled. When cornered, he fixates on how much worse other countries or past governments have it.
Oral Questions
Canadian Identity and Culture
“I'm sad. I think you didn't read the budget. But it spends lots of money! Millions of dollars for arts and culture programs. I want to brag about how much we spend on those programs.”
“The Bloc Québécois just complains and says no to everything. They even voted against money for electricity and healthcare.”
“The Bloc keeps voting against spending on culture. The budget already spends a lot on Quebec and Canadian culture. We even offered millions more for French culture programs. How can the Bloc complain about us not doing enough?”
Oral Questions
The Economy
“I want to talk about good numbers, not whatever my opponent asked about. 0.4% growth is really 5% if you stretch it out. We have more jobs than the US. Our economy is fine.”
“I want Canadians to believe the economy is good. Look, lots of Canadians have jobs. More women are working than in America. Businesses are investing. We have high foreign investment. Our trade numbers look good. The opposition is wrong to doubt Canada's economy. I'm the best leader to keep it strong.”
“The economy is transforming. Our plan created 88,000 full-time private sector jobs. That's twice the rate of the U.S. More Canadians and Canadian women are working than Americans. I'm saying nice things about our plan and the economy while ignoring the insolvencies and recession you brought up.”
Oral Questions
Rail Transportation
“I want this big train project to happen. We should spend lots of money on it. It will only take a little bit of land. Ignore the problems. Let's go!”
“Quebec voters elected us. We promised them a train. Trains mean jobs. Nobody can be against jobs and GDP.”
Oral Questions
The Economy
“I want to make the opposition leader's birthday worse. I say our government is building a stronger economy. I want to seem focused on voters and challenges from abroad.”
Oral Questions
Canadian Identity and Culture
“I want to look like I support Canadian culture. I'll spend lots of money on it. I'll point out that the other guy didn't vote for my budget.”
“I want to avoid the real question about taxes from web giants. Instead I will just talk about how I support people and culture. It sounds good to say I care about the cost for Canadians.”
“I want to look like I am helping ordinary people and Quebec culture. Don't worry about the lost tax money. We will spend other money instead.”
Oral Questions
The Economy
“I'm filling time with nice words about our economic plan. I won't say if we're in a recession or not.”
“I want to talk about my trips instead of our problems at home. Big investors like Canada. They give us lots of money. That's good, right?”
“I want to correct the record and remind everyone that I made a lot of promises during the election. My main promise was to protect Canadians from the opposition's policies. I also promised to introduce policies for a better economy. That's what we're doing now.”
“I don't want to directly answer your question about whether we're in a recession. Instead I'll cite some institutes that predict growth. Take that.”
“I want to look like I am doing well on the economy. I will ignore the bad GDP and jobs numbers and talk about how I want the economy to be good in the future.”
Oral Questions
Justice
“I want everyone to know that we follow Canada's laws. I will not say anything against the Clarity Act. I think Quebec should be strong and part of Canada.”
“I want to sound like a reasonable statesman. The Supreme Court said a clear majority needs more than just 50 percent plus one. So it would be wrong to separate with such a tiny margin.”