Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Elizabeth May

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

125 words · 6 sentences · 9 clauses

Replying to Kevin Lamoureux (Liberal)

“Mr. Speaker, I am very much aware of the situation that the leader of the Green Party finds herself in. I served in the Manitoba legislature, and there were often just two people. We never really had party status, except for the first few years. My daughter is the only Liberal MLA in the Province of Manitoba. She has been able to pass legislation and resolutions and work her way onto committees. The leader of the Green Party is fairly effective in doing likewise, getting herself in a position where she can provide comments and so on. I have also been in minority governments, in opposition and in government, and majority governments, in opposition and in government, and what we need to understand is that there is nothing in this motion that would take away anything from independent members. I was an independent member for many years. I would ask the member, does she not support the principle, which is done reasonably well, that a majority in the House should mean a majority in committees?”

Statement grade

75 / 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.

Claims 93%Aside 7%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 31 wordsmy hon. colleague from Winnipeg North will recall that nowhere in my speech did I draw attention to any difficulties myself, as three of my private member’s bills have become law.¹ Aside · 9 wordsI think that exceeds the batting average for most.Aside Claims · 85 wordsWhat I am pointing out is that members of committees should have been considered from more than just the three recognized parties. With only three recognized parties, power has shifted even more into a centralized role. I agree that this motion does not change my rights, but it does give me an opportunity to point out that the recognized party rules are misinterpreted and misunderstood, and I am not an independent member.²³ I am a member here on behalf of the Green Party of Canada.Partly on point

At a glance

Lost points for
Didn't answerNone of this reply addressed the specific point raised or the topic under debate.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 90

1 of 10 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.

A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “I think that exceeds the batting average for most.”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 45

9 of 10 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.

Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “my hon. colleague from Winnipeg North will recall that nowhere in my speech did I draw attention to any difficulties myself,”Rebuts how he described her situation rather than answering whether she supports the principle he asked about.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “as three of my private member’s bills have become law.”Cites her legislative record in reply to his remarks, not his question about majority representation in committees.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “I think that exceeds the batting average for most.”A joking aside about her record that addresses nothing asked.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “What I am pointing out is that members of committees should have been considered from more than just the three recognized parties.”Restates her own position on committee membership without saying whether she supports the majority principle asked about.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “With only three recognized parties, power has shifted even more into a centralized role.”Commentary on centralized power under three recognized parties, not an answer to the question put.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “I agree that this motion does not change my rights,”Agrees with one part of his statement about her rights but does not address the majority-in-committees question.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “but it does give me an opportunity to point out that the recognized party rules are misinterpreted and misunderstood,”Returns to her critique of recognized party rules rather than the principle she was asked to support or oppose.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “and I am not an independent member.”Disputes his label of her as an independent without engaging the question about committee majorities.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “I am a member here on behalf of the Green Party of Canada.”States her party affiliation in rebuttal to his framing, not the principle asked about.

Respect · 100

0 of 10 deductions are Respect

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.

Nothing lost points.

Clarity · 100

0 of 10 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 · 3

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“three of my private member’s bills have become law”Three of Elizabeth May’s private member’s bills have become law.search
2“I am not an independent member”Elizabeth May is not an independent member and sits on behalf of the Green Party of Canada.search
3“I am not an independent member”Elizabeth May sits in the House as a member of the Green Party of Canada, not as an independent.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20