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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 ·

Transportation

In response to a question from Grant Jackson

“I am sorry about the fatal crash in Brandon. Highway safety is mainly a provincial job, but Manitoba wants a national list of certified trucking companies. The federal government is ready to help make that happen.”
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, we are of course saddened at the tragic accident in Brandon, and I express my condolences to the victims, their families and indeed all the constituents of that member. Highway safety is an incredibly important issue in this country. It is also an issue that provinces have a duty, in their jurisdiction, to uphold. I want to applaud the Minister of Transportation in Manitoba, who has called for a national collaboration and a database for the certification of trucking companies. The federal government stands ready to support this initiative at any moment.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B+ View analysis

Oral Questions ·

The Economy

In response to a question from Branden Leslie

“We have started many major building projects across the country, and more are coming. Global investments keep coming in, and we will keep building Canada.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 100 of 100

    Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

    See full analysis

  • A repeated line

    “We are going to build Canada strong.”

    Said 33 times by 14 members since April 24.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, we have already announced several major projects. We have put shovels in the ground on several more, and there are several more to come. I can assure my hon. friend that, whether someone lives in his province of Manitoba, or in Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec or the Atlantic provinces, there are major projects. They are coming. There is a pipeline full of them. The investments keep coming in from around the world, and we are going to build Canada strong.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A View analysis

In response to a question from Todd Doherty

“Canada's economy is doing well because of our workers in manufacturing and construction. Since December 2024, Canada has added more than twice as many jobs per person as the United States.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 44 of 100

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

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Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, I think we can conclude at this point in question period on Friday that the Conservatives did not skip into the House with their usual glee. Why is that? It is because they know. They know that the Canadian economy is proving to be very resilient. The hero of the day is the Canadian worker, the Canadian workers in manufacturing and construction. Just for the naysayers, and it bears repeating, it is very important for Canadians to know that we have added almost twice, that is double, the jobs per capita of the United States of America since December 2024, which is 5.4 per thousand versus 2.5 per thousand. We are outperforming the United States. We are outperforming the G7.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B– View analysis

In response to a question from Jasraj Hallan

“The Conservatives keep asking the same fake question, but they vote against helping people. Today, our government is sending out money for groceries and essentials, including $543 for single people. The Conservatives oppose this help, but we support Canadians.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 18 of 100

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

    See full analysis

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 34 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, I think people are really puzzled at these scripted questions from the Leader of the Opposition. Over 35 times a day, the Conservatives stand up and read the same wrong, fake question, yet they fail to defend their votes to the very people they pretend to uphold. Today, in Canadians’ bank accounts, we will see the groceries and essentials benefit, which will provide a single person with a base GST credit of $543. The Conservatives are against it. We are supporting Canadians.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade D View analysis

Oral Questions ·

Canadian Identity and Culture

In response to a question from Yves Perron

“The Bloc Québécois ignored culture in its platform, but our government is focused on the economy. Our economy has created 88,000 jobs, and Quebec now has the second-lowest unemployment rate in the country.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 16 of 100

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

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 26 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, I understand why the Bloc is trying to redeem itself, given that it did not even mention culture in its election platform or budget requests. I also understand why it wants to ignore today’s good news about employment and the job market in Quebec. For our part, we are focusing on the economy, on creating opportunities for young people and on delivering major projects. The economy has created some 88,000 jobs. Quebec stands out as having the second-lowest unemployment rate among all the provinces, thanks in particular to the manufacturing and construction sectors. Well done, young Quebeckers. That is good news.

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Oral Questions ·

The Economy

In response to a question from Gérard Deltell

“We helped Canadian workers by adding 88,000 jobs in May, and the unemployment rate went down. Quebec now has the second lowest unemployment rate in the country, led by young people working in construction and manufacturing.”
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, we are very proud of the results we delivered for Canadian workers this morning: 88,000 jobs were created in the month of May alone. The unemployment rate has dropped. For my colleague’s information, the unemployment rate in Quebec, which interests me and my colleague, who is from Quebec, is the second lowest of all the Canadian provinces. That result is driven by the construction and manufacturing sectors and led by young Quebeckers.

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In response to a question from Garnett Genuis

“Canada added 88,000 jobs in May, mostly full-time work in the private sector. Since December 2024, Canada has added more jobs per person than the United States.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 46 of 100

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

    See full analysis

  • A repeated line

    “Canada has added more jobs per capita than the United States.”

    Said 4 times by 3 members since June 2.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, members will appreciate that this morning we woke up to some incredibly good news for Canadian workers: The Canadian economy added 88,000 jobs in May alone, mainly in the private sector and mainly in full-time work. Job growth in May was broad-based across all industries, but get this: Since December 2024, Canada has added more jobs per capita than the United States. We have incredibly good news from one coast of this country to another to another, and we are celebrating today for—

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B View analysis

Oral Questions ·

The Economy

In response to a question from Melissa Lantsman

“The Conservatives only changed their questions because we criticized their leader. He lived in official housing all summer while taxpayers spent $2 million to help him win his seat back. I cannot answer for his actions.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 0 of 100

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

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Respect 38 of 100

    This statement targeted a person rather than their actions or views: “their dear leader”.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we now have the answer to the question of what will get the Conservatives to change their script after 38 of the same question, which is to dare touch their dear leader, who squatted at Stornoway for an entire summer while Canadian taxpayers shelled out $2 million to get his sorry you-know-what back into the House of Commons. I cannot answer for all of this stuff from the Leader of the Opposition. Maybe they can.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade F View analysis

In response to a question from Dominique Vien

“Our government is helping Quebec's economy grow. We are supporting the Davie shipyard, the Port of Québec, and a high-speed train project. These projects create jobs for people in Quebec.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 100 of 100

    Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I will pick up where my colleague from Quebec City left off, because he was too modest. He did not mention the Davie shipyard or its inclusion in the national shipbuilding strategy. He did not mention the Port of Québec as the first port of arrival. He did not mention developments such as the high-speed rail project in the national capital. Quebec and the City of Quebec are benefiting enormously from this growth. They are benefiting enormously from our strategy to build a very strong Canada, to create opportunities and to create jobs for the people of Quebec.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B View analysis

In response to a question from John Brassard

“The Leader of the Opposition spent $8.8 million on his office in 2024. The Prime Minister spent $4.1 million. The Conservative leader spent more than double, and he needs to explain why.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 0 of 100

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

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we have some news here. We looked up leader expenditures for 2024, and I will be very interested to look at 2025, because we all know what happened there. We had a summer sojourn at Stornoway that was a little iffy. However, in 2024, Mr. Leader of the Opposition spent $8.8 million in the Leader of the Opposition’s office, and he does not have to make one single decision. The Liberal leader spent $4.1 million. That is double. That is bad. They have some answering to do.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade F View analysis

In response to a question from Jasraj Hallan

“When the Prime Minister travels, he brings new business and investment back to Canada. I hope he travels more so we can keep building more ports, railways, and bridges.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 46 of 100

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

    See full analysis

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 38 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, I am happy, because we had a nice exchange this morning at the finance committee on this very issue. Every time the Prime Minister travels somewhere, he comes back and tells his ministers about the investments and the economic opportunities that are coming back to this country. It keeps us very busy, thanks very much. For my part, I hope he travels more, because we will be building more infrastructure, we will be building more ports, we will be building more railways, we will be building more bridges, we will be building this country strong and we will be building it well.

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In response to a question from Jacob Mantle

“Canada faces economic challenges, partly because the United States started an unfair trade war with us. We are taking steps to grow our economy. Canada is still a better place to live than the other countries mentioned.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, as we know, the world has gone through some incredible headwinds. Canada has been no exception and perhaps has been singled out as we are a neighbour of the country that has launched an unprovoked and unjustified trade war. That is why we are putting in place measures that will grow our economy. However, I do want to ask this member which of the countries that he listed would he rather live in. I know there is 173 of us who would rather live in and face the economic prospects of this country, Canada. Long live Canada.

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Oral Questions ·

The Economy

In response to a question from Gabriel Hardy

“We just announced major investments for forestry towns and $10 billion for infrastructure in Quebec. I do not understand why this member from Quebec will not talk about this progress.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 0 of 100

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the member for being the fourth member other than the Leader of the Opposition to be allowed to ask a question today. Canadians do not understand why, on a day when we are announcing major investments in the forestry communities of Quebec and Canada, and the day after announcing $10 billion in infrastructure across Quebec, this member from Quebec cannot talk about the progress being achieved in Quebec.

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In response to a question from Pierre Poilievre

“The Conservatives seem happy when Canada faces economic problems from trade wars and conflict abroad. They just blame Canada instead of supporting it.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 18 of 100

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

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Respect 64 of 100

    This statement targeted a person rather than their actions or views: “such apparent glee on the part of the Leader of the Opposition”.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I speak to a lot of people like Brad in my own riding of Gatineau. What they ask me is why there is such apparent glee on the part of the Leader of the Opposition and his troops when they march in here. Canada faces some economic headwinds from an unprovoked trade war, and they blame Canada. Canada faces economic headwinds from a war in the Middle East, and they blame Canada. People cannot help but notice that the Leader of the Opposition and his entire bench walk in here with glee when Canada faces—

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Oral Questions ·

Forestry Industry

In response to a question from Yves-François Blanchet

“We will support the forestry industry, even with our trade problems with the United States. Today, the Prime Minister is in Quebec to announce billions of dollars for local infrastructure.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 29 of 100

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

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  • 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, obviously, we will be there for our forestry industry, just as we have been there for the aluminum, auto and steel sectors. We are indeed facing headwinds on the trade front with the United States, but we will always be there for the people. In fact, the Prime Minister will be in Quebec later today to drum up billions and billions of dollars in infrastructure investments for communities both small and large across Quebec. We will always be there for Quebeckers and for the communities.

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Oral Questions ·

The Economy

In response to a question from Pierre Poilievre

“Canada faces global challenges, but our economic plan is working. We are investing in defence, industry, and major projects. The Leader of the Opposition should present his own plan instead of celebrating hard times.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Respect 70 of 100

    This statement targeted a person rather than their actions or views: “why does the Leader of the Opposition seem so happy to gloat”.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we have a plan, but we are also facing headwinds. It is clear that with the tariff threats, wars in the Middle East and wars in Europe, Canada is facing headwinds, but we have a plan. Our plan is working. We have a defence plan to spend money here. We have a plan for industry and, indeed, businesses are purchasing more equipment and materials. We have a plan for major projects. The real question is why does the Leader of the Opposition seem so happy to gloat over the fact that Canada is facing headwinds? Why is he not presenting his own plan?

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Oral Questions ·

Budget 2025 Implementation Act, No. 2

“We could not agree on how long to debate the budget 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 second reading stage of Bill C-31, a second act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2025. 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 ·

The Economy

In response to a question from Kathy Borrelli

“Government members follow all travel rules. The Conservatives keep asking the same scripted questions instead of focusing on serious problems like foreign wars and trade fights with the United States. Our government has a plan for these challenges.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 32 of 100

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

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, of course, government members follow all federal regulations when they travel. The allegation was absurd. The Conservatives read the same questions prepared by their leader 32 times a question period. I think Canadians have taken note this morning of a very important thing. Conservatives paraded into the House with glee, while we know Canadians face historic headwinds, wars in the Middle East, war in Europe and a trade war with our closest neighbour and trading partner. Canadians know that the government has a plan.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade C View analysis

Oral Questions ·

Public Safety

In response to a question from Todd Doherty

“We have introduced strong bills to fight crime. The member of Parliament for Williams Lake voted against them. Those bills would keep violent criminals in jail, protect places of worship, and punish people who harm children.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 13 of 100

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

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, my colleague just set out a number of bills, and he was quite right. This is the most ambitious agenda on fighting crime ever presented before the House. What have we been met with? I want the people of Williams Lake to know that their member of Parliament stood up and obstructed and voted against measures that would help that community: measures that would keep violent criminals in jail, measures that would keep places of worship safe and measures that would keep child pornographers and extortionists behind bars. The people of Williams Lake need to know that.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade D– View analysis

Oral Questions ·

Rail Transportation

In response to a question from Michael Barrett

“Via Rail will stay an important part of our travel network. We will protect the environment and farm land as we build this new high-speed rail project.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 0 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, Via Rail will always be a prominent feature of our transportation network. Via Rail will continue to be a source of pride and, obviously, utility for Canadians. I will note that this is the first time, I think, in the history of the chamber that we have heard the Conservatives utter the word “biosphere”. I can assure him that the environment, farms and agriculture will be treated with the utmost sensitivity as we build this very popular, very important high-speed rail project in Canada.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade F View analysis