Analysis · Speech on a motion · beta

Steven MacKinnon

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

105 words · 5 sentences · 6 clauses

Replying to Garnett Genuis (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, in the Liberals’ pursuit of an undemocratic majority, which they were not given at the ballot box, it has become clear that the Prime Minister and the Liberal government stand for absolutely nothing except the pursuit of power. They flattered and recruited a member who endorsed Avi Lewis and a member who endorsed the convoy, all in the pursuit of power. I have a specific question for the government House leader about their pursuit of power. Is there any member of this House, even one, whom the Liberals would not accept as a floor crosser in their pursuit of a majority?”

Statement grade

D–

40 / 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 19%Claims 81%

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

Positioning · 11 wordsHe may be leaving himself open on that one, Mr. Speaker.Positioning Claims · 64 wordsI would say that Canadians who live in Conservative ridings are increasingly asking their members of Parliament to be a positive part of the solution and a positive part of meeting these major and converging international crises, wars, supply chain issues, obviously, trade threats and climate change. All of these threats are converging, and Canadians are demanding a comprehensive and comprehensible response to them.Unearned certainty Positioning · 9 wordsWe believe that is what this government is offering.Positioning Claims · 21 wordsIt should be no surprise that many opposition MPs and their constituents want to be a positive part of the solution.Off point

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 80

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 “He may be leaving himself open on that one, Mr. Speaker.”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 believe that is what this government is offering.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 10

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 motion under debate.

Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “I would say that Canadians who live in Conservative ridings are increasingly asking their members of Parliament to be a positive part of the solution and a positive part of meeting these major and converging international crises, wars, supply chain issues, obviously, trade threats and climate change.”Discusses Canadians’ expectations of MPs in Conservative ridings, not the motion to continue debate.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “All of these threats are converging,”Lists converging international crises with no connection to the motion under debate.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “and Canadians are demanding a comprehensive and comprehensible response to them.”Speaks to a demand for a response to crises, not to the motion before the House.
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 believe that is what this government is offering.”Praises the government’s offering generally instead of addressing the motion.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “It should be no surprise that many opposition MPs and their constituents want to be a positive part of the solution.”Comments on opposition MPs’ constituents wanting to help, unrelated to the motion.

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 · 89

1 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.

Something stated as certain with nothing to back it.What the tags mean “Canadians are demanding”Asserts what Canadians demand as fact with no source or evidence offered.

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 2026-09-16