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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
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 ·

The Economy

In response to a question from Pierre Paul-Hus

“The Prime Minister is doing a good job representing Canada in world trade talks during a hard time. His work brings jobs and investment to Canadians, and he should keep going.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 31 of 100

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

    See full analysis

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 25 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, Canadians watch the proceedings of the House, and I do not think that they appreciate that accusatory tone. Canadians know full well that we are in the midst of intense trade negotiations. There are wars in Europe and in the Middle East. The Prime Minister proudly represents us. He is bringing back agreements, investments and opportunities for Canadians across the country. We are proud of our Prime Minister. We are proud of the efforts that he is making on the international stage, and I hope he will keep going.

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In response to a question from Jasraj Hallan

“The world is facing trade disputes and wars in Europe and the Middle East. The Prime Minister is working with other countries to bring back deals and investments that create Canadian jobs.”

  • 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

    “We are in the midst of a trade war.”

    Said 3 times by 3 members since June 9.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, as Canadians know all too well, we are in the midst of a trade war. We are in the midst of negotiating some of the most signal world events that we have seen in a generation, including two wars, one in the Middle East and one in Europe. Our Prime Minister is representing our country proudly on the international stage. When he goes there, he comes home with agreements, with deals and with investments that give opportunity to Canadians, that supply jobs to Canadians and that help us get things done for Canadians so we can ensure our prosperity.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B– View analysis

In response to a question from Jasraj Hallan

“We are mourning the death of a first responder today. The official opposition should ask better, more serious questions instead of playing politics.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 0 of 100

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

    See full analysis

  • 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, on a day when we are mourning the loss of a first responder, people should really wonder, as they look on the House of Commons, why folks look down on some of the antics here, when we follow up such a constructive exchange with something penned quite obviously from the desk of the Leader of the Opposition. I expect 30 more of those today. Let us just hope they can up their game a bit.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade F View analysis

In response to a question from Jasraj Hallan

“People look down on how politicians act in the House of Commons.”

  • 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, people wonder why people look down on the antics in the House of Commons— An hon. member: It’s a $200,000 catering bill there, Steve.

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Government Orders ·

Government Orders

“We could not agree on how much time to spend on this elections bill. I am giving notice that the government will set a time limit on the debate.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, an agreement could not be reached under the provisions of Standing Order 78(1) or 78(2) with respect to the third reading stage of Bill C‑25, an act to amend the Canada Elections Act and to enact an act to change the names of certain electoral districts, 2026. Under the provisions of Standing Order 78(3), I give notice that a minister of the Crown will propose at the next sitting a motion to allot a specific number of days or hours for the consideration and disposal of proceedings at the said stage.

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Oral Questions ·

Air Transportation

In response to a question from Heather McPherson

“Liberal MPs from Toronto represent their city well and work to bring housing and investments there. We will keep listening to people in the Toronto area on this issue.”

  • 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 want to assure the member from Edmonton that the 23 Liberal MPs from the 416 are incredible members who represent their people and that city to make sure that we have housing and other investments that will move that city forward. We will, of course, continue to listen to the people of the GTA. We will, of course, listen to the voices of Toronto as we continue to move forward on this very important file.

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Oral Questions ·

Rail Transportation

In response to a question from Jean-Denis Garon

“I do not need the member to introduce me to farmers. I respect farmers and listen to them as we build this train project connecting major cities in Quebec. We will respect everyone's views.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I would like to reassure the member that we have freedom of movement in Canada. I can get from my riding of Gatineau, in the Outaouais region, to his riding pretty quickly. I do not need him to introduce me to farmers. I have great respect for them, I listen to them carefully and I am fully considering their views while implementing this wonderful, major project, which will link the four largest cities in Quebec, as well as Trois-Rivières, among other destinations. This project will be carried out with the utmost respect for everyone’s views.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B+ View analysis

In response to a question from Jean-Denis Garon

“I talk to farmers often and understand them. We will listen to their concerns as we build this rail project. The Bloc Québécois broke its promise to support the project, but trains need tracks on the ground.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I want to reassure the member that I do not need his help to meet with farmers. I come from a farming family myself. I visit farmers often. I talk to farmers all the time. It is out of this respect for the agricultural community that we will carry out this project with the highest regard for the concerns of farmers. It is unfortunate that the Bloc Québécois is now breaking its promise to support this project. I do not know what the Bloc members were thinking. Did they think these trains would fly? Trains run on tracks that have to be on the ground.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B– View analysis

Oral Questions ·

International Trade

In response to a question from Christine Normandin

“A strong Canada builds big projects with Canadian workers and materials to create opportunities for young people. The Bloc Québécois does not understand this and has never helped build it.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 0 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, I will provide the definition of Canada strong. It is a Canada that knows how to achieve great things, that knows how to build projects using Quebec and Canadian labour, Canadian materials, Canadian steel and Canadian aluminum. It is a society that knows how to dream, that takes charge of its own future, and that creates opportunities for its young people. That is what it means to build Canada strong. Unfortunately, the Bloc Québécois knows nothing about this, has never made decisions on this, and is not involved in this.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade F View analysis

In response to a question from Christine Normandin

“We are ready to negotiate trade deals. The Bloc Québécois is only asking these questions to distract people because Quebec mayors and newspapers criticized them yesterday for opposing high-speed rail.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 7 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, obviously, the government is more than ready to enter into trade negotiations, but why are the Bloc Québécois members asking these questions? It is because they had a very bad day yesterday after their fierce opposition to the high-speed rail project. The mayors of Quebec’s big cities have denounced the Bloc’s position. Even Le Journal de Montréal has criticized their position, saying they have shot themselves in the foot. I can confirm that they have indeed shot themselves in the foot.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade F View analysis

Oral Questions ·

Member for Côte-du-Sud—Rivière-du-Loup—Kataskomiq—Témiscouata

In response to a question from Pierre Poilievre

“I support the member for Côte-du-Sud—Rivière-du-Loup—Kataskomiq—Témiscouata. We look forward to him returning to Parliament and to his family.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 28 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

  • 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, of course I also want to express my support for the member for Côte‑du‑Sud—Rivière-du-Loup—Kataskomiq—Témiscouata, along with all my colleagues on this side of the House. He comes from an area that I know well, and he is a member who I also know well; he is a bit mischievous. We eagerly look forward to enjoying his wonderful personality, spirit of co-operation and big smile when he returns here, to his parliamentary family, but mostly to his own family.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade C– View analysis

Oral Questions ·

Employment

In response to a question from Michelle Rempel Garner

“The number of temporary foreign workers has dropped by over half, but we still have more work to do. Small businesses in rural areas still need workers. The opposition is being hypocritical by saying one thing in English and another in French.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the number of temporary foreign workers in this country is down by over 50%. That does not mean we have reached equilibrium. There are legitimate issues in rural and other parts of this country, including in small businesses in rural Quebec, and members from that side of the House quite accurately reflect it. I thought we had put a stop to the highly duplicitous practice of saying one thing in English and something else in French in the House 20 years ago. We are fed up with the hypocrisy.

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In response to a question from Michelle Rempel Garner

“The opposition is being hypocritical about temporary foreign workers. Small businesses in rural Quebec tell us they need more of these workers. Meanwhile, opposition members blame these workers for our problems. The opposition needs to make up its mind.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 23 of 100

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

    See full analysis

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 27 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, I thought what my hon. colleague was pointing out was the utter abject hypocrisy coming from that side of the House. We receive multiple interventions, legitimate interventions, on the part of small and medium-sized businesses in rural Quebec that seek to have more temporary foreign workers. The words of that member and another colleague from British Columbia try to demagogue this issue and blame situations on temporary foreign workers. These guys are going to have to come to some form of agreement on temporary foreign workers.

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Oral Questions ·

Steel and Aluminum Industry

In response to a question from Jason Groleau

“The Conservatives say they support small businesses and steel makers, but they oppose our high-speed train project. That project will help steel producers, connect Quebec's four biggest cities, and create thousands of jobs for small businesses.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 10 of 100

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

    See full analysis

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 0 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 is funny to be sitting here listening to the Conservatives talk about SMEs when they are against the high-speed rail project that will create thousands of jobs in SMEs across Quebec. It is funny to hear them talk about steel when we are planning a project that is incredibly promising for steel producers. It is mind-boggling to hear the Conservatives taking a stand against a transformative project that will improve mobility, connect the four biggest cities in Quebec and create thousands of jobs for our SMEs. It is quite ironic that they are standing up to talk about what our SMEs are experiencing.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade F View analysis

Oral Questions ·

The Economy

In response to a question from Pierre Poilievre

“We believe Canadians can build major projects. Our plan for high-speed rail will bring billions of dollars and 51,000 jobs to our economy, including in Alberta. The Conservatives do not believe Canadians can do this.”

  • 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, the core difference between the people on this side of the House and the Leader of the Opposition and the people who read his questions is that we believe Canadians can do it. We believe Canadians can create a project that will add 51,000 jobs to our economy, including thousands of electricians. We believe we can add billions to our national economy with a transformative high-speed rail project. This includes, by the way, one that is going to be proposed in Alberta. We believe in the future of this country. He does not.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B– View analysis

In response to a question from Pierre Poilievre

“The head of the electrical workers union supports our plan for big projects. Our high-speed rail project will create a huge number of jobs for electricians.”

  • 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 Leader of the Opposition should talk to the national president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, who has systematically applauded our approach to building big projects in this country, including the largest electrification of mobility in the history of this continent, which is a high-speed rail project that will employ more electricians than this guy could meet in 15 years.

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Oral Questions ·

Health

In response to a question from Burton Bailey

“Conservatives only talk about bad economic news and blame Canada for it. They ignore good news, like 88,000 new jobs.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 0 of 100

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

    See full analysis

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 31 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, these questions, written by the Leader of the Opposition, are not really convincing anyone. What is convincing people is this attitude coming from the Conservative benches that what is a headwind and a challenge for Canada ought to be blamed on Canada. The “blame Canada brigade”, as people are calling them, skips in here at any hint of bad news for the Canadian economy, but when we remind them about 88,000 new jobs, they go into hiding. Hooray for Canada.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade F View analysis

Oral Questions ·

The Economy

In response to a question from Gabriel Hardy

“People are still struggling to afford daily life. That is why we sent a one-time payment to 12 million Canadians last Friday, including $543 for single people and $1,086 for families of four.”

  • 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, despite the good news we received last Friday regarding employment and unemployment, we know that there are still people in this country who are struggling with affordability. That is why, also on Friday, the Canada groceries and essentials benefit was paid into the bank accounts of 12 million Canadians, providing $543 to single people and $1,086 to couples with two children. That is one-time assistance to Canadians who need it.

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In response to a question from Gabriel Hardy

“Canada created about 88,000 jobs last month, and unemployment went down in Quebec for women, youth, and men. Our economy is doing well, and we will keep making it stronger.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, obviously, the member opposite missed the stellar jobs report that came out last Friday. Had he read it, he would have seen that Canada has created some 88,000 jobs. However, there is more good news. In our province, Quebec, the province with the second-lowest unemployment rate, unemployment rates fell for women, youth and men. Across the country, this is good news for Canada. We are going to keep building Canada very strong.

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Oral Questions ·

Agriculture and Agri-Food

In response to a question from Dave Epp

“We are building high-speed rail across Canada, including in southwestern Ontario. We will work with farmers so this project helps agriculture. The Conservatives oppose this project, and Canadians see that.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 12 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

Madam Speaker, we are so proud to be pursuing the development of high-speed rail throughout Canada. In fact, we look forward to the day when that member can hail a high-speed train in his sector of the woods in southwestern Ontario. We will, of course, achieve that by working with farmers and their representatives. We will, of course, do that by upholding principles whereby agriculture continues to flourish in our country. We do note the Conservatives’ opposition to this project. I can tell that member that most Canadians have noted their opposition to that project as well.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade D– View analysis