Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on Labour 2026-04-24

62 words · 4 sentences · 5 clauses

Replying to Christine Normandin (Bloc Québécois)

“Mr. Speaker, the federal government, in its laziness, assumes that all towns within the same census metropolitan area are the same, but I repeat: Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu is not Montreal. People from Montreal will not travel two and a half hours by public transit, one way, to come here and work. Let us not forget that we are a strategic national hub for defence and that, at a time when the federal government is investing in defence, local businesses are not allowed to hire staff or retain their existing workforce. Does the minister realize how absurd this is? Is she going to change the rules?”

Statement grade

D–

Average 43 / 100

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

Claims 56%Positioning 44%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 22 wordswe continue to engage with the Quebec government concerning temporary foreign workers.Vague promise We know how much the regions of Quebec need workers.Unearned certainty Positioning · 27 wordsNothing is sadder than an order going unfilled because of a shortage of workers.Off point We are keenly aware of the situation described by my Bloc Québécois colleague, PositioningUnearned certaintyClaims · 13 wordsand we continue to engage with the Government of Quebec on this matter.Vague promise

At a glance

Lost points for
VagueMuch of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 52

2 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 “Nothing is sadder than an order going unfilled because of a shortage of workers.”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 “We are keenly aware of the situation described by my Bloc Québécois colleague,”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 57

2 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 how much the regions of Quebec need workers.”A general remark about regional labour needs that does not address the question about Saint-Jean’s treatment under the program rules.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “Nothing is sadder than an order going unfilled because of a shortage of workers.”A general sentiment about unfilled orders that offers nothing in answer to whether the rules will change.

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 · 21

4 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.

A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “we continue to engage with the Quebec government”No outcome, measure or success condition is named for the engagement.
Something stated as certain with nothing to back it.What the tags mean “We know how much the regions of Quebec need workers”Asserts knowledge without citing any source or figure.
Something stated as certain with nothing to back it.What the tags mean “We are keenly aware of the situation”Claims awareness in place of any concrete commitment or evidence.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “we continue to engage with the Government of Quebec on this matter”The commitment names no action, date or result, and repeats the same promise made in c2.

Claims · 0

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

No checkable claims.

Analysed on 2026-09-15