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MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal Gatineau 266 statements translated

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MacKinnon spends his time defending Bill C-39’s one-year review deadlines for major projects, the Alto high-speed rail line, the Churchill Falls hydro agreement, and plans to regulate airport fees. In debate he often mocks the questioner rather than the argument, calling opposition points “spaghetti at the wall” and telling one member he “lives with regret,” while his commitments frequently come without dates or measures: “We will continue to be world leaders in oceans protection.”Written by AI from their statements. Updated .

Average grade
C+
66 / 100 over 221 statements
Signal 69 / 100
Relevance 53 / 100
Reasoning 74 / 100
Respect 99 / 100
Clarity 81 / 100
Averaged over the 221 of 266 statements graded so far.

In their own words

Loses points more than most for

Mocking a person instead of answering their argument.3 times as often as most members.What the tags mean ×3.0

A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.2.1 times as often as most members.What the tags mean ×2.1

Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.1.8 times as often as most members.What the tags mean ×1.8

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

Says again and again

Echo

Statements 266

Oral Questions ·

Business of the House

In response to a question from Luc Berthold

“I am sharing the plan for what the House will debate in the coming days. Today we will keep debating the social media safety bill. Tomorrow we will debate medical assistance in dying rules. Monday is an opposition day. Next Tuesday and Wednesday we will debate the budget bill. Next Thursday we will debate a health care bill, and the finance minister will give the budget speech at 4 p.m.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 9 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, it has been a historic week here in Ottawa. It culminated in our annual meeting with our friends and cousins from the European Union, with whom we are now developing deeper ties in order to diversify our foreign trade and provide Canadians with prosperity, quality of life and new employment opportunities for future generations. Concerning the budget, I am not sure whether my esteemed colleague will like it, because it is going to focus on affordability and Canada’s competitiveness. We often see that the Conservatives are not always thrilled with Canada’s success. That said, we continue to act in a spirit of collaboration and reach out to our Conservative friends. This afternoon, we will continue the debate at second reading of Bill C-34. Tomorrow we will call Bill C-41, the medical assistance in dying safeguards act, which was introduced earlier this week. Monday of next week shall be an opposition day. On Tuesday and Wednesday, we will begin debate at report stage and third reading of Bill C-31, a second act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2025. On Thursday, we will begin debate on Bill S-5, the connected care for Canadians act, and at 4 p.m., as my esteemed colleague mentioned, the Minister of Finance and National Revenue will deliver his budget speech.

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Oral Questions ·

Taxation

In response to a question from Jacques Gourde

“The Conservatives oppose a project that will help Quebec. We will keep listening to farmers about high-speed rail and fuel costs. We already cut the fuel tax for farmers and extended that cut.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 46 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, it should come as no surprise that the Conservatives are doubling down on their opposition to a promising project that will benefit all Quebeckers. Of course we will continue to listen to the agricultural community when it comes to building high-speed rail. We will also continue to listen to the agricultural community when it comes to the cost of fuel. We have cut the tax and we have extended that cut in fuel prices for the farming community. We will continue to listen.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B– View analysis

Oral Questions ·

Government Appointments

In response to a question from Carol Anstey

“I want the member to be held accountable. She was not there when we announced a $70 billion investment at Churchill Falls that will create jobs for the next generation.”

  • 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, what I would like to know in terms of accountability is where the member was when we announced $70 billion of investment at Churchill Falls, which is going to put Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to work for the next generation. She was nowhere to be found. Let us have accountability, please.

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In response to a question from Carol Anstey

“The Prime Minister's wife volunteered to help lead Canada's work on ocean conservation. Government ministers are still the ones responsible for this program and will answer questions about it.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 48 of 100

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

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, as I just answered, the Prime Minister’s spouse has volunteered to spearhead Canadian efforts in public diplomacy and oceans conservation. Ministers remain responsible and accountable for answering any and all questions about our programming on oceans conservation. What I would like to know in terms of accountability— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

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In response to a question from Carol Anstey

“Canada leads the world in protecting oceans and species at risk. We will announce more measures soon, and our ministers are accountable for all the money spent. I thank the Prime Minister's wife for her leadership on this issue.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 33 of 100

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

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Speaker, Canada is a world leader in oceans conservation. We have a number of programs, as the member correctly points out, to protect our oceans and protect the species, including species at risk, that exist in the oceans. We will today and tomorrow announce further measures to protect our oceans. Many ministers are responsible for a variety of these programs. They are, of course, always accountable for the spending that is undertaken in the name of oceans conservation. We thank the Prime Minister’s wife for her leadership on this file.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade C View analysis

Oral Questions ·

International Trade

In response to a question from Mario Simard

“Europe wants to work more closely with Canada. We are building stronger ties with France, Romania, Spain, and Germany. This will give Canadian and Quebec businesses better access to European markets.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Europe is throwing open its doors to co-operation with Canada. It was a historic day, during which we explored a wide range of opportunities to deepen our co-operation with France, Romania, Spain and Germany. We will continue to strengthen these relationships across a number of sectors, expanding access to European markets for Canadian companies and individuals, including Quebeckers, who stand to benefit greatly.

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In response to a question from Christine Normandin

“Our government supports Quebec's clean aluminum industry. If the Bloc Québécois wants to cut greenhouse gases, they should back our high-speed train project between Quebec and Ontario.”

  • 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, Quebec’s aluminum is one of the greenest in the world. Our government has attracted new investments and collaborations with Canadian aluminum producers, and we are not stopping there. To be very clear: If the Bloc Québécois is interested in reducing greenhouse gases, all it has to do is support the biggest greenhouse gas reduction project of all: the high-speed rail project connecting cities in Quebec to cities Ontario.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B View analysis

In response to a question from Christine Normandin

“The Bloc Québécois is spreading falsehoods. We work closely with the European Union on artificial intelligence, democracy, and other areas. We are also helping them with energy, including our first shipments of liquefied natural gas from the west coast.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 40 of 100

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

    See full analysis

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 41 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, the Bloc Québécois is peddling all sorts of falsehoods. First, we are working with the European Union on a wide range of collaborative projects, whether in the fields of artificial intelligence, democracy or closer co-operation in a number of areas. We are also working with the European Union because it needs energy. I was particularly interested to hear my colleague, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announce that the first shipments of LNG have left Canada’s west coast.

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In response to a question from Pierre Poilievre

“The Prime Minister is meeting with European Union leaders today to agree on new work together on trade, technology, and transport. Working with our European partners opens new markets and keeps Canadians working.”

  • 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

Mr. Speaker, I think Canadians look, with a great deal of pride, at the events in Montreal today, where our Prime Minister is going to break new trails in terms of co-operation with the European Union, and with new arrangements in AI, in democracy, in transportation and in trade. These are all areas where we can more closely collaborate with our European friends, diversify our markets, build Canada strong, and make sure that Canada works with like-minded nations to keep our people prosperous and keep our people working.

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In response to a question from Pierre Poilievre

“Our free trade deal with Europe is in place right now. Canada is on track to more than double our sales to countries other than the United States over the next ten years. We will do this by putting money into our ports, energy, and workers.”

  • 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

Mr. Speaker, we have a free trade arrangement with Europe. It is in effect right now. I have even better news. The Prime Minister has set an ambitious objective for Canada to double our non-U.S. exports. I want to tell the leader the news is in: We are on track and beyond to doubling our non-U.S. exports over the next 10 years. We will do it by investing in our ports. We will do it by investing in projects, in energy and especially in our people by building Canada strong.

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In response to a question from Pierre Poilievre

“Canada is working closely with the European Union on energy. We recently sent our first gas shipments from the West Coast to Germany, and we will do more work like this together.”

  • 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

Mr. Speaker, among the many areas of co-operation with Europe that we will obviously be discussing today and will be discussing going forward, in terms of our much closer arrangement with the European Union, will indeed be energy. I noted with great pleasure that my colleague, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources saluted the fact that the first gas shipments going to Germany left the West Coast in these past months, and we can expect much more energy co-operation with our friends in the European Union.

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In response to a question from Pierre Poilievre

“Free trade with Europe is good for Canada. It helps us work together on defence, buying equipment, artificial intelligence, and protecting democracy. It also gives young Canadians more chances to study and do research.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 19 of 100

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

    See full analysis

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 44 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, this guy talks like Kramer. He just walks into the room and, every time, says something weird. More seriously, free trade with Europe is a great thing for Canada. More collaboration with Europe on defence and procurement, and making sure that Canadians and Canadian youth can study and research, and we can co-operate on things like AI. Yes, his least favourite topic will be co-operating on democracy. I want to thank the Leader of the Opposition. It is going to be great.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade D View analysis

In response to a question from Pierre Poilievre

“Our government is meeting with European leaders to work together beyond our current trade deals. We are expanding our markets so we rely less on the United States. This is good for Canada.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 45 of 100

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

    See full analysis

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Reasoning 100 of 100

    This statement drew 3 conclusions and gave a reason for each one.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, if anyone would know anything about Seinfeld, it is that leader who wakes up every day and lives the same recurring nightmare, every single day. The Prime Minister and my colleagues are in Montreal for the annual Canada-EU Summit. This year we are exploring many areas of further co-operation beyond the free trade arrangements we have with Europe. We are going to diversify our markets, we going to diversify them away from the United States, and that is good news for Canada.

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In response to a question from Pierre Poilievre

“The Prime Minister and other ministers are in Montreal for our yearly meeting with European Union leaders. We are working together on more than just our trade deal. Canada needs to sell to more places in the world, and that is what we are doing.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 40 of 100

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

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we are delighted to have the Prime Minister, as well as many of my colleagues, in Montreal today for our annual meeting with European Union leaders. We will explore a wide range of opportunities for collaboration beyond the free trade agreement we have already negotiated. Canada needs to diversify its markets, and that is exactly what we are doing.

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Oral Questions ·

Labour

In response to a question from Leah Gazan

“We respect workers and their right to bargain together, but sometimes they need federal help to do it. Our bill adds new measures to help both sides reach a deal. We want strikes to happen much less often.”

  • 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, obviously, we honour the role of workers, honour the role of organized labour and recognize that, in fact, there are rights to collectively bargain, but sometimes those rights, in order to be exercised, need federal support, especially in Canada Labour Code situations. We will, under Bill C-39, put in place new, expanded measures in order to support parties that find it difficult to achieve a collective agreement. We want to make those strikes all too rare.

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Oral Questions ·

Natural Resources

In response to a question from Jeff Kibble

“The west coast economy is growing. The Port of Vancouver just set a record for shipments, which helps us trade with more countries and will help double our exports outside the United States over the next 10 years. We are building British Columbia and Canada.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 47 of 100

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

    See full analysis

  • 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, there is so much going on on the west coast that is driving up economic growth and opportunity for that member’s constituents that it is hard to name them. In addition to what my colleague, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, just laid out, let me just congratulate the port of Vancouver for an all-time record of shipments going out of that port that is building our country strong and diversifying our trade markets. It has us on the path to double non-U.S. exports over the next 10 years. We are building British Columbia and we are building Canada—

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Oral Questions ·

Finance

In response to a question from Pierre Paul-Hus

“The Conservatives talk about government spending causing high prices, but they never say which spending they mean. Do they mean child benefits, money sent to the provinces, or military funding? I want them to explain what spending they are talking about.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 0 of 100

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

    See full analysis

  • A repeated line

    “Is it the Canada child benefit?”

    Said 7 times by 3 members since April 23.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, occasionally, we like to rise in the House to remind the Conservatives that they have never defined what they mean by inflationary spending. Is it the Canada child benefit? Is it equalization? Is it our military spending that has increased and will continue to increase to reach 5% of GDP? What does my Conservative friend consider to be inflationary spending?

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Oral Questions ·

The Economy

In response to a question from Michael Chong

“Every time we try to make life more affordable, the Conservatives vote against it. They oppose our cuts to fuel taxes and our benefits for food and children. They complain even when we grow the economy and protect jobs.”

  • 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, every time we propose a measure to make life easier and more affordable and to make conditions for Canadians just a little better, whether it is reducing fuel taxes, whether it is a Canada food and essentials benefit or whether it is the Canada child benefit, these Conservatives, led by that finance critic, get up and oppose it. When we grow the economy, they decry that. When we protect jobs in Hamilton, they—

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In response to a question from Michael Chong

“Canada faces economic challenges from a foreign war and unfair trade attacks, but our economy will still lead the G7. The Conservatives should admit these outside pressures and celebrate Canada's success.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 16 of 100

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

    See full analysis

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 19 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, we have had a display in question period today where the Conservatives are trying to catch up with my colleague with respect to steel. I note the member’s question over there. Why can the Conservatives not just once stand up and say that there is a war in the Strait of Hormuz or that there is a trade attack that is illegal and unjustified on Canada. Yes, we are facing economic headwinds, and the G7 is going to be led by Canada despite all of that. The Conservatives should stand up and celebrate Canada’s success and its— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

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Oral Questions ·

Finance

In response to a question from Dominique Vien

“The member asks about high costs, but she voted against help for Canadians. She voted against help for dental care, child benefits, and groceries. She must explain those votes to the people who elected her.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 6 of 100

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

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the MP rose to speak about affordability, yet time and again she has voted against measures designed to help Canadians, to help the people in her constituency. Whether it is dental care, the Canada child benefit or the groceries and essentials benefit, she has consistently opposed any support for Canadians. She will have to explain those choices to her constituents.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade F View analysis