Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on Government Business No. 9—Changes to the Standing Orders 2026-04-27

130 words · 7 sentences · 8 clauses

Replying to Tamara Kronis (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, as I approach the first anniversary of my coming to this place, it is a good chance to reflect on the lessons I have learned. One of the important lessons someone learns in this place is that just because we can do something, it does not always mean it is a good idea. The government motion we have in front of us would increase the size of committees, as well as the government’s control over them. There is a Conservative amendment to this motion that would simply ensure that while committees are expanded, a small number of them would continue to be able to hold the government to account. It is not about blocking change. It is about protecting the independence and effectiveness of this place. I would like to ask the government House leader if he can explain why the government would oppose a straightforward amendment to keep committees representative of the House and preserve committees’ ability to properly scrutinize government activity.”

Statement grade

B+

Average 82 / 100

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

Thanks 5%Reasoning 27%Claims 68%

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

Mr. Speaker, Thanks · 7 wordsI respect my hon. colleague from Nanaimo—Ladysmith, ThanksReasoning · 35 wordsbut her suggestion would offend the very principles of the Westminster tradition that we are all sworn to uphold, whereby a majority in the Commons would represent a majority in the institutions of the Commons.Unearned certainty Claims · 88 wordsAll committees are equal. There are no tier one or tier two committees. Indeed, there are committees that provide oversight. Those functions are vital to the functioning of Parliament. Members on those committees, including the chairs, who the member correctly points out are members of the official opposition, retain all of the rights, all of the privileges and all of the abilities to send for witnesses, papers and evidence that they had previously.¹² Suggesting that there has been a change in those committees’ status would not be factual.Unearned certainty

At a glance

Lost points for
AnsweredOf this reply, 100% addressed the question or point raised.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 92

1 of 3 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.

Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I respect my hon. colleague from Nanaimo—Ladysmith,”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 100

0 of 3 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 point put to the member, and the motion under debate.

Nothing lost points.

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 · 53

2 of 3 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.

Something stated as certain with nothing to back it.What the tags mean “would offend the very principles of the Westminster tradition”Asserts a principled violation as settled fact without citing any rule or source.
Something stated as certain with nothing to back it.What the tags mean “would not be factual”Labels the opposing claim false by flat assertion without offering evidence.

Claims · 2

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 chairs, who the member correctly points out are members of the official opposition”The chairs of the Commons committees affected by the government’s Standing Orders motion are members of the official opposition.search
2“retain all of the rights, all of the privileges and all of the abilities to send for witnesses, papers and evidence that they had previously”Under the government’s proposed changes, committee members including chairs retain their existing rights to send for witnesses, papers and evidence.search

Analysed on 2026-09-16