Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Mark Gerretsen

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

113 words · 6 sentences · 8 clauses

Replying to Dave Epp (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the chief government whip for representing the largest riding in Canada by population. I am not sure if he is aware of that. The member cited a number of examples of precedents of floor crossing. However, he acknowledged that it is unprecedented that we now have a majority government by a combination of by-elections and floor crossings. Obviously, the by-elections change nothing, but would the member acknowledge that this is the first time a minority has tipped to a majority due to floor crossings and that this is a result of an orchestrated campaign from the Prime Minister’s Office?”

Statement grade

C+

69 / 100, held down by Signal

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

Aside 26%Procedure 9%Claims 25%Reasoning 6%Positioning 22%The question 12%

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

Mr. Speaker, Aside · 29 wordsthe only reason the member knows I represent the riding with the largest population is that he represents the second-largest, ¹and I believe his used to be the largest.Aside Procedure · 10 wordsI will agree with the member on the first point.Procedure Claims · 22 wordsThis is the first time that I have found, not just in Canada but in Westminster Parliaments generally, when this has happened, ²Reasoning · 7 wordsbut that does not make it illegitimate. Positioning · 25 wordsOn the second point, I would encourage the Conservatives to take off the tinfoil hats and stop the conspiracy theories about backroom deals and stuff.Positioning The question · 14 wordsThe member can tell me what the people who crossed the floor have received. Claims · 6 wordsI am not aware of anything.

At a glance

Lost points for
Little substanceMuch of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.
AnsweredOf this reply, 100% addressed the question or point raised.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 39

4 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.

A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “the only reason the member knows I represent the riding with the largest population is that he represents the second-largest,”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “and I believe his used to be the largest.”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “I will agree with the member on the first point.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “On the second point, I would encourage the Conservatives to take off the tinfoil hats and stop the conspiracy theories about backroom deals and stuff.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 100

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

Nothing lost points.

Respect · 100

0 of 4 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 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.

Nothing lost points.

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“he represents the second-largest”Mark Gerretsen represents the second-largest riding in Canada by population.search
2“This is the first time that I have found, not just in Canada but in Westminster Parliaments generally, when this has happened”Mark Gerretsen claims that the scenario of a minority government tipping to a majority due to floor crossings is the first time this has occurred in Canada and in Westminster Parliaments generally.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20