Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Jacques Gourde

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

53 words · 3 sentences · 6 clauses

Replying to Maxime Blanchette-Joncas (Bloc Québécois)

“Mr. Speaker, the world is upside down. We are experiencing something never seen before because this is the first time it has happened in Canada’s history. A government elected as a minority has managed to persuade members from different parties to join its minority government ranks and transform it into a majority government. Not only that, but the government wants to change the committees’ composition. It calls it a matter of tradition. In addition to expanding the committees by not just one but two additional government members, the government will be reducing the opposition parties’ speaking time. Is my colleague concerned that he might not be able to uncover potential new scandals?”

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.

Positioning 51%Procedure 8%Claims 42%

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

Mr. Speaker, Positioning · 27 wordsthis is a scandal in itself, but what saddens me most is that the Liberals, through their actions, are building a case for political cynicism in Canada.PositioningPartly on point Procedure · 4 wordsLet me remind everyone: ProcedureClaims · 22 wordsCanadians elected a Liberal minority government.¹ We now have a Liberal majority government, not because Canadians chose it, ²but because of defections.³Partly on point

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.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 39

3 of 7 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 “this is a scandal in itself,”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 “but what saddens me most is that the Liberals, through their actions, are building a case for political cynicism in Canada.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “Let me remind everyone:”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 54

4 of 7 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 “but what saddens me most is that the Liberals, through their actions, are building a case for political cynicism in Canada.”About the Liberals fostering cynicism generally, not the concern about uncovering scandals or the committee change 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 “Canadians elected a Liberal minority government.”Restates the election result without addressing the question about uncovering scandals or the committee change.
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 “We now have a Liberal majority government, not because Canadians chose it,”About how the majority came about, not the concern about uncovering scandals that was 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 “but because of defections.”About defections producing the majority, not the question about uncovering scandals or the committee change.

Respect · 100

0 of 7 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 7 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“Canadians elected a Liberal minority government”The 2025 Canadian federal election resulted in a Liberal minority government.search
2“We now have a Liberal majority government”As of April 2026, the Liberals hold a majority of seats in the House of Commons.search
3“because of defections”The Liberals gained their majority through members of other parties defecting to the government rather than through an election.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20