Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on International Trade 2026-04-24

86 words · 4 sentences · 5 clauses

Replying to Mel Arnold (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, is the Prime Minister waving the white flag on U.S. tariffs? He sits by and does nothing while U.S. tariffs on steel have doubled, and they have tripled on lumber. He has failed in negotiating the reduction of a single tariff. Sawmills and the B.C. towns that they support are reeling from his failure to negotiate a deal. Speeches, illusions, excuses and failures are not going to cut it for the millions of families’ livelihoods that are at stake. When will the Prime Minister start delivering results instead of excuses?”

Statement grade

C+

Average 65 / 100

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

Promise 58%Claims 42%

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

Mr. Speaker, Promise · 45 wordsthe Prime Minister and his team, the ambassador and the ministers involved, we are prepared and ready and stand willing to negotiate in good faith a deal with the United States.Vague promise It will not be any deal; it will be a deal acceptable for Canada.Vague promise Claims · 36 wordsContrast that with the Conservative position, with the member’s colleague going to Washington and saying that Canadians are having a hissy fit and their getting up every day and systematically urging us to take any deal.¹ Promise · 5 wordsWe will not do that.Off point

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 · 100

0 of 4 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.

Nothing lost points.

Relevance · 47

2 of 4 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 “Contrast that with the Conservative position, with the member’s colleague going to Washington and saying that Canadians are having a hissy fit and their getting up every day and systematically urging us to take any deal.”Attacks the Conservative position instead of answering what the government is doing on tariff negotiations.
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 will not do that.”Continues the partisan contrast rather than addressing the question about negotiating results.

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 · 49

2 of 4 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 “prepared and ready and stand willing to negotiate in good faith”It states willingness to negotiate with no date, measure, or success condition.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “a deal acceptable for Canada”The commitment defines no criteria, actor, or test for what would make a deal acceptable.

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“the member’s colleague going to Washington and saying that Canadians are having a hissy fit”A Conservative colleague of Mel Arnold went to Washington and said that Canadians are having a hissy fit.search

Analysed on 2026-09-15