Oral Questions
Oil and Gas Industry
“I want to thank my friend for asking a question that lets me look good. I went to British Columbia, so that shows we're working hard to sell even more oil and gas overseas. Everyone should cheer for that.”
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
Hon. Tim Hodgson
Hodgson consistently dodges questions by cheerfully listing off government spending and projects, implying criticism of the economy is invalid because of these investments. He frequently tells the opposition to "read the news" or "talk to people" as if their concerns are ignorant, and paints a rosy picture of the economy while hand-waving away issues like inflation and foreign investment. The substance of his answers rarely deviates from this narrow script.
Oral Questions
Foreign Investment
“They say we have a problem. I think we are doing great! We're spending lots of money.”
“I want you to stop attacking the trip. I will list some good news and a quote to change the subject.”
Oral Questions
Natural Resources
“I agree with my friend here. We will study a plan to spend money connecting power grids. It will fight climate change and help the economy.”
Oral Questions
The Economy
“The Opposition Leader should stop exercising and come see our big projects. We are building many big things. He should come see how great we are.”
Oral Questions
Natural Resources
“You wouldn't have to ask if you were paying attention. We're totally building pipelines. Billions are getting spent. A new wind farm is getting built. That should keep you happy for now.”
“I'm cherry-picking a different CEO who said Canada is good. Look, some CEOs still invest billions here.”
Oral Questions
Natural Resources
“Don't listen to that guy. The real leader of his province is happy with us. He should suck up to us too.”
“I'm attacking the other guy's character so it seems like we're doing a good job with pipelines. Look at the shiny optimistic quote I found!”
“We're building pipelines. Those are good pipeline projects. I think they're very good. Why won't you admit they're good?”
Oral Questions
Taxation
“I say the head of the International Energy Agency thinks our government has it all. I want to paint a rosy picture and ignore the actual question about high gas prices.”
Oral Questions
Natural Resources
“I want to cheer for a program that spends money in my riding. A European company is investing in Canada. They want to build here. The opposition doesn't know what's really going on.”
“I want to paint a rosy picture of spending and jobs. I'm trying to make the Conservatives look out of touch. I want you to think everything is fine and we're doing a lot.”
“I want the Conservatives to quit attacking us and pay attention to the pipelines that are already being built. There are some real projects starting this summer. The Conservatives are ignoring that because they just want to make us look bad on social media.”
“If you spent less time on social media and more time talking to people in the industry, you would know that we approved some pipelines and companies are building them. Alberta is also working on a proposal. You're ignoring the progress we've made.”
Oral Questions
Finance
“Don’t just focus on the negative. We have good programs too! I want you to like our spending.”
“You say my budget will kill jobs. But I found one business that likes it and might make jobs! You must be wrong.”
Oral Questions
Finance
“The opposition says they care about making things affordable, but they voted against all our programs to help Canadians. They're full of crap. My government is the one actually helping people afford stuff.”
Oral Questions
Finance
“I'm going to list many projects to make us look productive. I hope this distracts from the actual question.”
“I want to brag about Canada's economy and debt rating. Conservatives don't know how to balance a budget.”