Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on Finance 2026-04-24

78 words · 5 sentences · 5 clauses

Replying to Luc Berthold (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, I will not ask the finance minister to guess what is in my heart. What is in my heart is the worker I met last week who lost his job. What is in my heart is the family I see at the grocery store forced to choose what to put in their cart. What is in my heart is concern that Canadians are getting poorer, that Canada is changing and that this government is making things worse day after day. Yes, it is Friday. Can this minister show a little compassion and think about the Canadian families he is going to burden with debt while creating even more costs for everyone? That is what is in my heart.”

Statement grade

30 / 100, held down by Relevance

A score under 50 is red. Choose a measurement to see where it lost points and why; choose it again to clear.

Positioning 59%Claims 17%The ask 24%

This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.

Mr. Speaker, Positioning · 46 wordswe know that my colleague has a big heart. That is why we were a bit surprised that he voted against the OAS increase, the dental care program, the school food program and the Canada child benefit.¹ He voted against all that, despite his big heart.Positioning Claims · 13 wordsWe have challenged the Conservatives to tell us what cuts they are proposing. The ask · 19 wordsWill my colleague table in the House of Commons a list of the cuts the Conservative Party is proposing?Off point

At a glance

Lost points for
Didn't answerNone of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.
Little substanceMuch of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 37

3 of 8 deductions are Signal

Signal checks whether every part makes a point, gives a reason, or asks for action. A low score means the speaker filled time with fluff, pleasantries, or attacks.

Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “we know that my colleague has a big heart.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “That is why we were a bit surprised that he voted against the OAS increase, the dental care program, the school food program and the Canada child benefit.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “He voted against all that, despite his big heart.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 0

5 of 8 deductions are Relevance

Relevance checks whether the speaker stays on topic and answers the question asked. A low score means the speaker dodged the issue. Measured against the question asked.

Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “we know that my colleague has a big heart.”A personal jab about the member’s heart rather than a response to the concern about families’ costs.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “That is why we were a bit surprised that he voted against the OAS increase, the dental care program, the school food program and the Canada child benefit.”Lists the member’s past votes on programs, a political point instead of addressing the costs and compassion raised.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “He voted against all that, despite his big heart.”Repeats the jab about the member’s heart, offering nothing on the question asked.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “We have challenged the Conservatives to tell us what cuts they are proposing.”Pivots to demanding the Conservatives’ spending cuts, answering a different question than the one put.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “Will my colleague table in the House of Commons a list of the cuts the Conservative Party is proposing?”A counter-question about tabling a list of cuts, refusing to answer the concern raised.

Respect · no score

Not checked: graded before this measurement existed. Excluded from the average.

Respect checks whether the speaker argued with people’s positions and records rather than attacking the people: insults, mockery, or bad motives assigned to them. Criticism of what someone did, however strong, is not marked.

Clarity · 100

0 of 8 deductions are Clarity

Clarity checks for plain speaking, clear ownership of actions, and honest limits on certainty. A low score means vague promises or evasive language.

Nothing lost points.

Claims · 1

This list shows the factual statements you can check for yourself: the words as said, and the claim restated to stand on its own.

1“he voted against the OAS increase, the dental care program, the school food program and the Canada child benefit”Luc Berthold voted against the OAS increase, the dental care program, the school food program and the Canada child benefit.search

Analysed on 2026-09-15