Translate Politics Parliament in plain language.

MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal Gatineau 266 statements translated

Follow by RSS

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
Respect 99 / 100
Clarity 81 / 100
Loses points more than most for Mocking a person instead of answering their argument.2.9 times as often as most members.What the tags mean ×2.9 A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.2 times as often as most members.What the tags mean ×2.0 Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.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 Averaged over the 221 of 266 statements graded so far.

Statements 266

Oral Questions ·

Rail Transportation

In response to a question from Sébastien Lemire

“We will get farmers' permission and work with local leaders in Ontario and Quebec on this rail project. We are investing in this green transit because it will help 40% of Canadians.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, of course we are going to get the farmers’ consent. Of course we are going to work with communities, with mayors, with reeves, with all the stakeholders in Ontario and Quebec. We are going to build green technology that will be a game-changer for mobility in Canada. We are going to invest in this project because Canada is ready to welcome cutting-edge mobility technologies. It will make a difference in the lives of 40% of Canadians.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B+ View analysis

Oral Questions ·

The Economy

In response to a question from Alexandre Boulerice

“Our government supports people in need with programs for dental care, medicine, food, seniors, and children. The Conservatives keep voting against this help.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, let us think about the dental care program, pharmacare, the school food program, the increase to old age security and the Canada child benefit. Canada is always there to help the less fortunate, those who need a hand to make ends meet. It will always be there. The real question is this: When will we get the support of all members of this House? The Conservatives are always voting against these measures.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B+ View analysis

Oral Questions ·

Natural Resources

In response to a question from Stephanie Kusie

“Enbridge is spending $4 billion to start building a natural gas pipeline this summer, with Indigenous partners. It will supply a plant that sells gas to the world and creates jobs across Canada.”

  • 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, the member may have missed the news last week, which said that $4 billion of capital from Enbridge, including over 10% indigenous participation, will go to putting shovels in the ground this summer for a natural gas pipeline. What will it go to? It will go to an LNG plant that goes to world markets, creating jobs, wealth and opportunity for Canadians all over this country.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B View analysis

In response to a question from Stephanie Kusie

“Canada is exporting hundreds of millions of dollars of liquefied natural gas. This creates jobs, brings money to governments, and includes Indigenous people. It is part of hundreds of billions of dollars in big projects we are building across the country.”

  • 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, as my colleague, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, just said, there is currently liquefied natural gas leaving Canada, hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth, which will employ Canadians, give royalties to governments and involve indigenous participation. That goes with the hundreds of billions of dollars of other major projects currently being constructed in Canada. We are building big, we are building with Canadians and we are going to build Canada strong.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B– View analysis

Oral Questions ·

Public Services and Procurement

In response to a question from Sébastien Lemire

“We are not hiding anything. We bought this software openly and stayed on budget. It helps millions of Canadian seniors get their payments safely every month.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, no one is hiding anything from anyone. Everything has been transparent. The procurement process was transparent. Budgets were transparent and were met. This software is helping us bring security to the lives of millions of Canadian seniors every month.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A View analysis

Government Orders ·

Military Justice System Modernization Act

“I want to limit debate on this military justice bill. We should spend only one more day on the report stage and one day on the final vote.”
Official Hansard

moved: That in relation to Bill C-11, An Act to amend the National Defence Act and other Acts, not more than one further sitting day shall be allotted to the consideration of the report stage and not more than one sitting day shall be allotted to the consideration of the third reading stage of the said bill; and That fifteen minutes before the expiry of the time provided for Government Orders on the day allotted to the consideration at report stage and on the day allotted to the consideration at the third reading stage of the said bill, any proceedings before the House shall be interrupted, if required for the purpose of this Order, and in turn every question necessary for the disposal of the stage of the bill then under consideration shall be put forthwith and successively without further debate or amendment.

View on ourcommons.ca View analysis

Oral Questions ·

Business of the House

In response to a question from Luc Berthold

“Conservatives spent today reading the exact same question over 30 times. Here is the schedule for the House. Today we will finish debating the Conservative motion. Tomorrow and next Wednesday we will debate our economic update bill. On Monday we will debate a bill to update the military justice system. Next Tuesday and Thursday are opposition days.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, people watching at home know that Conservative Party members asked literally the exact same question about 32 or 33 times today, written by their leader and handed to them. They were instructed to simply repeat what their leader says. I think that anyone who works as hard as we do to get into the House of Commons should be able to expect more than simply reading the Leader of the Opposition’s cue cards. Of course, we will continue to work with the opposition, and with all members of the House, in the most transparent and open manner possible to advance the issues that matter most to Canadians. This afternoon, we will continue our consideration of the Conservative Party’s opposition day motion. Tomorrow, we will begin second reading debate of Bill C-30, the spring economic update 2026 implementation act, which contains a lot of good news for Canadians. On Monday, we will resume consideration at report stage of Bill C-11, the military justice system modernization act. On Wednesday of next week, we shall return to second reading debate of Bill C-30, the spring economic update 2026 implementation act, and all of its good news for Canadians. Finally, Tuesday and Thursday of next week shall be allotted days.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B– View analysis

Oral Questions ·

Air Transportation

In response to a question from Alexandre Boulerice

“Canada has one of the safest aviation systems in the world. We are working with international partners and experts to keep safety standards high.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 27 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

Mr. Speaker, I can assure the House and all Canadians that our aviation safety system is among the best in the world. We are certainly working with all of our international partners, including the International Civil Aviation Organization, which is located in Montreal, to fine-tune the standards and continue to aim for the best. We will certainly continue to work with stakeholders, using the best science available, to keep everyone safe.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade C– View analysis

Oral Questions ·

Finance

In response to a question from Ziad Aboultaif

“Conservative MPs keep asking the exact same scripted question from their leader. They should ask questions that actually matter to Canadians' daily lives.”

  • 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 have lot of respect for that member of Parliament, but I would observe that, once again, 32 or 33 straight questions were all the same question, written right off of the desk of the Leader of the Opposition. I do have to ask this of the opposition: Is it the best that Canadians deserve to have scripted questions that came from the Leader of the Opposition 33 times here in question period, or should Conservatives be asking something more pertinent and relevant to Canadians’ daily lives?

View on ourcommons.ca Grade F View analysis

Oral Questions ·

Finance

In response to a question from Dan Muys

“The Conservatives ask the same questions every day. They vote against everything we propose to help people, like lower costs, higher pay, and dental care. We will keep doing the real work to make Canada stronger.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 24 of 100

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

    See full analysis

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 14 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, as we conclude this question period with about 32 identical questions from the Conservative Party straight off of the Leader of the Opposition’s desk, let us conclude it this way. Every time we propose what that member purports to want, such as lower costs, lower prices, higher salaries, new dental care or new social programs, every single support, they are against it. We are for it. We are going to go back and do the work of building Canada strong. They are going to go and write a new question for tomorrow.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade D– View analysis

In response to a question from Eric Lefebvre

“Only the Conservatives are unhappy. We are helping young people start careers, buy affordable homes, and build a good future in Quebec and Canada.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the only ones who are disappointed are that member, his inner circle and his party. Over here on this side of the House, we are helping young people launch their careers, helping them buy an affordable home and helping them look forward to a better economic future in Quebec and Canada. Over here on this side of the House, we are creating things and managing carefully.

View on ourcommons.ca View analysis

In response to a question from Eric Lefebvre

“We need to spend money on job training and big building projects. This will create jobs for young people and construction workers.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 35 of 100

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

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, let us talk about future generations. My colleague just mentioned the need for workforce training in Quebec and in the rest of the country. We also need to invest in ourselves and in major infrastructure projects. We are going to enable Canadians to benefit from construction and from building a better Canada. We are going to create job opportunities for our young people, job opportunities for the construction trades. We are going to benefit from our workforce and our investments. That is what building Canada is about.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade C+ View analysis

Oral Questions ·

Ethics

In response to a question from John Brassard

“These claims are completely fake conspiracy theories. The opposition should be ashamed for repeating them.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, these are, of course, the most spurious, bottom-of-the-barrel conspiracy theories and allegations that one can possibly imagine. It is imagined, it is fake, and the members of the opposition who continue with this fantasy tale should be ashamed of themselves.

View on ourcommons.ca View analysis

In response to a question from John Brassard

“These accusations are not true. The Prime Minister follows Canada's strict ethics rules, which were created by the Conservatives. He put his assets in a blind trust as soon as he became party leader. Meanwhile, the Conservative leader has spent 20 years in Parliament without a security clearance.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, of course those accusations are ridiculous. Just like us, the 343 members of this House, the Prime Minister has abided by some of the strictest rules in the entire world. These rules were put in place by the Conservatives and Mr. Harper. The Prime Minister placed all of his assets in a blind trust on the day he was elected leader of the Liberal Party, even before he became Prime Minister. Contrast that with the Leader of the Opposition, who has spent 20 years in the House without a security clearance.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A View analysis

In response to a question from Michael Cooper

“The Prime Minister follows Canada's strict ethics rules. He put all his assets into a blind trust before taking office. Meanwhile, the Leader of the Opposition has gone 22 years without getting a security clearance.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister, as we all must, all 343 of us, follows the rules, which are among the strictest in the world. These are rules that the Conservatives put in place under Prime Minister Harper. The Prime Minister has disposed of all his assets in a blind trust. He did so on the day of his election as the Liberal Party leader, five days before he was sworn in as Prime Minister. Contrast that with a 22-year run of not having a security clearance, which is the position in which the Leader of the Opposition finds himself.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A View analysis

Oral Questions ·

Natural Resources

In response to a question from Christine Normandin

“We are investing in Quebec, including in mining and port projects. These projects will create tens of thousands of jobs and help the economy.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 44 of 100

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

    See full analysis

  • A repeated line

    “The expansion of the Port of Montreal.”

    Said 7 times by 5 members since April 28.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, it is because Canada is investing in Quebec and we will also be undertaking major projects in the mining sector in Quebec. There is Nouveau Monde Graphite, which represents thousands of jobs, the designation of the Port of Québec as a first port of arrival for our country, and the expansion of the Port of Montreal, which will increase capacity in Contrecœur by 60%. These are megaprojects that represent tens of thousands of jobs and economic opportunities for Quebeckers. We are investing. That is what economic nationalism is all about, and that is good for Quebec.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B– View analysis

Oral Questions ·

Finance

In response to a question from Jasraj Hallan

“Inflation is back in the target zone. The Conservatives keep complaining about our spending, but they will not say what they would cut. I want the finance critic to show us their list of cuts.”

  • 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, my hon. friend is the finance critic, it must be said, for the official opposition. They keep talking about inflationary spending. First of all, inflation is in the target zone of the Bank of Canada and has been for some time. We have yet to see, and maybe the finance critic could help us out here, a list of proposed cuts. What do they define as inflationary spending and how do they propose to withdraw that from the people who benefit, like our seniors, for example? Where is the list? What is it? The finance critic—

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B View analysis

Government Orders ·

Canadian Space Launch Act

In response to a question from Tamara Jansen

“This space project in Nova Scotia could add 16,000 jobs and 300 million dollars to the economy. The opposition is focusing on online conspiracy theories instead of these economic benefits.”

  • Reply to a debate question

    Relevance 39 of 100

    None of this reply addressed the specific point raised or the topic under debate.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, that is an interesting one. I want to acknowledge the member’s, and perhaps that of other members of the opposition, devotion to following conspiracy theories online. Let us talk about economic impact. In one of the great places in Canada, which is Nova Scotia, it could add 16,000 jobs and add $300 million to our GDP alone. It is currently under construction and set to be completed in 2028. I will read a quote: “We are proud that Nova Scotia is home to Canada’s first commercial spaceport and recognize the critical role Maritime Launch [Services] will play in offering a satellite launch facility to the global market.” That was Premier Tim Houston in 2023.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade C+ View analysis

In response to a question from Dan Albas

“This bill sets up an insurance system for space launches like other countries have. Private companies will have to buy insurance to cover risks before they can launch anything. The government will check this insurance to keep Canadians safe.”

  • Reply to a debate question

    Relevance 100 of 100

    Of this reply, 100% addressed the question or point raised.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, I would encourage my hon. colleague to look around the world where space launches are permitted. Canada would do essentially what those other countries have done in terms of an insurance scheme and an insurance regulatory infrastructure. I would stress that private companies that are looking to launch satellites or other payloads would be required to have insurance that would protect from risks. The Government of Canada would, of course, assess their insurance and their coverage as it assesses the appropriateness of all of these launches. The Minister of Transport regulates a lot of things in this country. The number one thing that we regulate is safety. We are here to protect Canadians, and the powers we deploy are specifically and principally in service of that objective of keeping Canadians safe.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A+ View analysis

In response to a question from Kevin Lamoureux

“I support this bill. Canada is already good at space robotics and satellites. This bill lets us use our own workers, technology, and parts to launch our own spacecraft into space.”

  • Reply to a debate question

    Signal 40 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, my colleague hits the nail right on the head. This is a part of building Canada strong. This is about carving out a place to serve Canadians using Canadian hands, Canadian minds, Canadian ambition, Canadian technology and a Canadian supply chain that stretches right across this country. This would give Canada the ability to control end to end. We are already world leaders in satellites, robotics and space. Let us take our space assets and get them to the stars on our own.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B– View analysis