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September 29th, 2014

Conservative Question Period mantra – show up if you can…at least when the boss is around!

In responding to the NDP proposal to make government responses to questions relevant in the House of Commons, government House Leader Peter Van Loan had the following to say:

"Canada has the most accountable question period in the world, where the entire ministry [cabinet] must be available any day to respond to questions asked without advance notice.” – Peter Van Loan , Ottawa Citizen, September 27, 2014

Really? The whole cabinet must be there every day? Where is this wonderful question period and how do I get it on my television?

Let’s look at the statistics for the last two weeks of question period:

  • Of the 355 questions asked, 56.6% had responses from a full Minister, 43.4% had responses from Ministers of State and Parliamentary Secretaries
  • When Stephen Harper was present in QP, 85% of responses were from Ministers, only 48.4% when he was away
  • On both Fridays, 83.7% of responses came from Ministers of State and Parliamentary Secretaries.

Question Period can be improved right now by adopting the NDP’s simple and practical proposal.

Because Canadians deserve serious answers to serious questions.