Steven MacKinnon

In response to a question from Michael Barrett

“We support the Alto project because it helps build our country, and the Conservatives are wrong to oppose it. The finance minister follows strict rules approved by the ethics commissioner and always acts honestly.”

“Mr. Speaker, Alto is a nation-transforming project. We are pleased and proud to support it. Conservatives should be ashamed of their opposition to this nation-building project. With respect to how the conduct of the finance minister and the government is going, I will respond to my friend, the Death Valley well driller over there. The minister has put in place a rigid and approved set of measures from the Commissioner of Ethics and he will always act with integrity.”

• Personal attack
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  Government answer in Question Period

  Respect 58 of 100

  This statement targeted a person rather than their actions or views: “my friend, the Death Valley well driller over there”.

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In response to a question from Harb Gill

“Wars around the world are hurting the global economy. Our government has a plan to invest in building projects and job training for workers. The Conservatives should stop cheering for bad economic news and support our plan.”

“Mr. Speaker, Canadians are well aware of the headwinds facing the global economy: trade wars and actual wars in the Middle East and in Europe. This government has a plan: a plan for infrastructure, for major projects and for investing in people and skilled trades workers, giving our young people opportunities. I think Canadians are troubled by the enthusiasm and the glee that they witnessed when the Conservatives paraded in here this morning and trumpeted bad news in terms of these headwinds for the Canadian economy. It is time for the Conservatives to stop celebrating the challenges we face and get on board.”

• Didn't answer
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  Government answer in Question Period

  Relevance 22 of 100

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

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• Little substance
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  Government answer in Question Period

  Signal 43 of 100

  Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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In response to a question from Yves Perron

“Quebec will have an election this fall, and it is far from becoming an independent country. The Bloc Québécois is trying to separate Quebec from Canada, and that would hurt Quebec's economy.”

“Mr. Speaker, let us talk about democracy. Let us talk about the democratic process. There will be an election in Quebec this fall. It has not even yet begun. The fate of my colleague’s parent party has not yet been decided. Quebec is still a long way from achieving independence, even though the Bloc Québécois is working hard to cause this break, this separation, this split within Canada that would destabilize Quebec’s economy.”

• Didn't answer
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  Government answer in Question Period

  Relevance 46 of 100

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

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In response to a question from Gabriel Hardy

“We are acting to support gun owners who follow the law. The Conservatives oppose all our efforts to reduce crime and ban assault-style weapons.”

“Mr. Speaker, we are taking action precisely to support honest people who obey firearm laws. The real question is, why do the Conservatives constantly oppose every single measure we put forward to limit the presence of assault-style weapons on Canada’s streets, to limit crime? Every time we make a move to crack down on people, to crack down on criminals, we get blow-back from the Conservatives. Of course we want to support people who act within the law, but the Conservatives—”

• Vague
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  Government answer in Question Period

  Clarity 42 of 100

  Much of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

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In response to a question from Heather McPherson

“We will listen to people in the Toronto area and across Canada before we make any changes to the waterfront or the Billy Bishop airport.”

“Mr. Speaker, we will, of course, consider the views of all of the people in the GTA, indeed all Canadians, as we contemplate changes, if required, in the waterfront or at Billy Bishop airport. We will continue to listen to all of the heartfelt views of people who live along the harbour front, live in the GTA proper and deserve the best possible air service that can be provided to them.”

• Didn't answer
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  Government answer in Question Period

  Relevance 46 of 100

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

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• Vague
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  Government answer in Question Period

  Clarity 19 of 100

  Much of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

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In response to a question from Rachael Thomas

“We want big online platforms to support Canadian stories made by Canadians. There is no new tax. The opposition wants to defund the CBC and hurt our culture.”

“Mr. Speaker, the policy of the government, as my colleague has just laid out, is quite clear. Canadians deserve to have production, creation and their stories told by Canadians for Canadians in Canada, by these global giant platforms. There is no tax. There is no tax, period. It is imaginary. It is fake. These are the same people who want to defund the CBC, who want to kill our cultural industries, and who want to take Canada out of every single piece of culture that we can—”

• Little substance
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  Government answer in Question Period

  Signal 38 of 100

  Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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In response to a question from Gérard Deltell

“Canada is building military planes and opening new mines. We are bringing in a lot of money from other countries. Economists say foreign investment in 2025 was the highest it has been since 2007.”

“Mr. Speaker, what have we learned from the last six questions? We have learned that that we are going to build military aircraft in Canada. We have learned that we are building mines, particularly in Quebec, British Columbia and in the far north, and that we are attracting an incredible amount of investment. The folks at TD Economics, who are certainly very different from those in the Conservative Party’s war room, say that, in 2025, Canada experienced its highest level of foreign investment since 2007. Canada is clearly attracting investment.”

• Answered
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  Government answer in Question Period

  Relevance 100 of 100

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

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In response to a question from Dan Mazier

“We believe criminals should be jailed under the law. We also believe Canada must welcome vulnerable people who are fleeing war.”

“Mr. Speaker, we believe that criminals should be prosecuted and jailed to the full extent of the law. We also believe that Canada has an obligation under international treaties to accept vulnerable people from war-torn and ravaged areas around this world. Every single Canadian I know, except perhaps that member, would give care to a vulnerable human being who arrives on Canadian shores and needs our care.”

• Didn't answer
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  Government answer in Question Period

  Relevance 46 of 100

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

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In response to a question from Joël Godin

“The Conservatives say our spending makes life harder for people. But Canadians rely on our help for dental care, child care, and groceries. I want to know what the Conservatives' plan is to help people.”

“Mr. Speaker, my colleague from Hochelaga—Rosemont‑Est just asked a highly relevant question. What is inflationary spending? The Conservatives tell us that our spending is making life harder for Canadians. However, people rely on dental care. People rely on the Canada child benefit. People rely on the GST rebate for groceries. Conservative MPs seem to object to these measures, but we cannot understand why. Do they have a plan to help people, or is it all just empty opposition rhetoric?”

In response to a question from Sandra Cobena

“When the Prime Minister travels, he brings jobs, investment, and new technology to Canada. He also brings business opportunities for Indigenous people.”

“Mr. Speaker, when the Prime Minister travels, does the member know what happens? He brings back jobs. He brings back investment. He brings back opportunity for indigenous people to participate with equity in projects. He brings back technology. He brings back expertise. He brings back military and industrial benefits to Canada. The Prime Minister travels. Oh yes, he does, and do members know what he does? He brings back jobs, investment and energy to Canada.”

• Didn't answer
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  Government answer in Question Period

  Relevance 46 of 100

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

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In response to a question from Carol Anstey

“Canadians care about the big deals our government is making. We signed a long-term natural gas contract with Indigenous partners and our allies. We also made a deal with Sweden to build military planes here, which creates 3,000 jobs.”

“Mr. Speaker, do members know what Canadians are not talking about? It is whatever was written by the Leader of the Opposition for that member. Do members know what they are talking about? They are talking about the first-ever long-term contract for liquid natural gas off our west coast, a partnership with indigenous peoples, a partnership that lasts and a partnership with our allies, and that was all before noon. There is the first-ever deal with Sweden to manufacture military aircraft here in Canada, with 3,000 jobs. That is just before noon. We are just getting going.”

• Didn't answer
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  Government answer in Question Period

  Relevance 0 of 100

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

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“All parties have agreed to special rules for our spending debates on May 26 and May 28. I am asking the House to approve this plan so we can have extra debate time.”

“Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions among the parties and I believe you would find unanimous consent for the following motion: That, notwithstanding any standing order or usual practice of the House, on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, and Thursday, May 28, 2026, during the debate on the business of supply pursuant to Standing Order 81(4)(a): (a) the time provided for consideration of the Main Estimates in committee of the whole be extended beyond four hours, as needed, to include a minimum of 16 periods of 15 minutes each; (b) members wishing to speak during the debate may indicate to the Chair that they will be dividing their time with one or more members; (c) responses by the minister or parliamentary secretary approximately reflect the time taken by the question, provided that at least 15 seconds be allotted for each response; (d) no quorum calls, dilatory motions or requests for unanimous consent shall be received by the Chair; and (e) at the conclusion of the time provided for debate or when no member wishes to speak, whichever comes first, the committee shall rise, and the House shall immediately adjourn to the next sitting day.”

In response to a question from Dan Mazier

“Our government has reduced the number of temporary residents and asylum seekers, and we saved Canadians money. The minister will answer more questions this week to defend this work. The Conservatives need to explain why they oppose giving health care to vulnerable people fleeing war in Ukraine.”

“Mr. Speaker, the minister has just gone through and, this Thursday, will again be going through extensive questioning. She will be defending results that have achieved incredible results in one year of government. We have reduced the number of temporary Canadians. We have reduced the number of asylum seekers. We have saved money for Canadians. The real question is why Conservatives are against providing health care to some of the most vulnerable people on this earth, including claimants from Ukrainian war zones?”

In response to a question from Pierre Poilievre

“Under this Prime Minister, Canada leads the G7 in foreign investment. We have approved big projects, mines, and building, and we are training young workers. The opposition should stop talking down our country.”

“Mr. Speaker, in the first year of this Prime Minister’s tenure, we have the number one leading economy in the G7 for foreign investment. In this Prime Minister’s first year, we have approved major projects. We have approved mines. We have approved building. We are training young Canadians, and we are building this country brick by brick. The blame Canada brigade can sit down and take a seat.”

In response to a question from Michelle Rempel Garner

“Immigration is down and the number of asylum seekers is down because of the minister's work. The member needs to stop asking unfair and disrespectful questions.”

“Mr. Speaker, the minister recites the formidable accomplishments that are being realized under her tenure: Immigration is down, and asylum seekers are down. There are incredible accomplishments of the minister. The real question is, when will the member stop with the degrading and very condescending questioning that she continues to put, without any foundation, to the minister?”

• Didn't answer
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  Government answer in Question Period

  Relevance 24 of 100

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

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