Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Dominic LeBlanc

Liberal on Finance 2026-04-28

77 words · 4 sentences · 4 clauses

Replying to Melissa Lantsman (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, red ink is flowing here in Liberal Ottawa, as the government puts the final touches on today’s fiscal update. The Prime Minister’s promise to spend less money quickly turned into a pledge to load up the taxpayer credit card and blow right past the limit. He could not even stay remotely close to the $31 billion left over by the last Liberal fiscal disaster. In fact, he actually doubled it. Will he end this costly credit card budgeting, cut spending or, at a minimum, cap the deficit at the already reckless $31 billion the last guy left behind?”

Statement grade

Average 76 / 100

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

Positioning 27%Claims 65%Procedure 8%

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

Mr. Speaker, Positioning · 21 wordswe certainly appreciate our colleague’s enthusiasm about the upcoming spring economic update. She paints a picture that is negative and inaccurate.Positioning Claims · 50 wordsThe good news is that in less than an hour, she will be enlightened by the good economic news, the effective spending controls our government has brought in and the investments we are making to build a truly competitive national economy, diversify our trading partners and build big once again.Partly on point Procedure · 6 wordsGood news is on the way.Procedure

At a glance

Lost points for
Didn't answerNone of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 60

3 of 6 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 “we certainly appreciate our colleague’s enthusiasm about the upcoming spring economic update.”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 “She paints a picture that is negative and inaccurate.”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 “Good news is on the way.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 46

3 of 6 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 question 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 “we certainly appreciate our colleague’s enthusiasm about the upcoming spring economic update.”A dismissive aside about the member’s enthusiasm, not an answer on spending or the deficit.
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 “She paints a picture that is negative and inaccurate.”On the subject of the question, but no answer to what was asked can be drawn from it.
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 “The good news is that in less than an hour, she will be enlightened by the good economic news, the effective spending controls our government has brought in and the investments we are making to build a truly competitive national economy, diversify our trading partners and build big once again.”It points to the upcoming update rather than answering whether spending will be cut or the deficit capped.

Respect · 100

0 of 6 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 6 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 · 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 2026-10-20