Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Dominic LeBlanc

Liberal on Finance 2026-04-28

94 words · 5 sentences · 6 clauses

Replying to Melissa Lantsman (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, I doubt that Canadians will drink all that Kool-Aid, because they spent more and things actually got worse. After a decade of Liberal deficits, Canadians have the worst grocery inflation, the highest household debt, the worst housing costs and the second-highest unemployment in all of the G7. On top of all of that, Liberal ministers got rich and Canadians got the bill. These holdover ministers still have not learned that we cannot borrow our way to prosperity. I will ask again. How much more do Canadians have to pay before the government learns to live within its means?”

Statement grade

30 / 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 55%Aside 7%Procedure 7%Claims 30%

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

Mr. Speaker, Positioning · 25 wordsagain, we are very pleased that our colleague is able to use the same tired lines that they have been using for months and months.Positioning Aside · 7 wordsIt is great to hear the eight-track, AsideOff pointProcedure · 7 wordsbut good news is on the way.ProcedureVague promise Claims · 16 wordsIn less than an hour, my colleague, the finance minister, will share this good economic news.¹ Positioning · 27 wordsPerhaps our colleague will be disappointed that the tired talking points she has been using for the last number of months suddenly will no longer be relevant.Positioning Claims · 12 wordsShe can celebrate the great economic performance of Canadians and of Canada.Off point

At a glance

Lost points for
Didn't answerNone of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.
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 · 27

4 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.

Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “again, we are very pleased that our colleague is able to use the same tired lines that they have been using for months and months.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “It is great to hear the eight-track,”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 “but good news is on the way.”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 “Perhaps our colleague will be disappointed that the tired talking points she has been using for the last number of months suddenly will no longer be relevant.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 0

5 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 question asked.

Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “again, we are very pleased that our colleague is able to use the same tired lines that they have been using for months and months.”A remark about the member’s repeated lines, not an answer to what Canadians must pay.
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 is great to hear the eight-track,”A quip comparing the member’s lines to old music, addressing nothing asked.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “In less than an hour, my colleague, the finance minister, will share this good economic news.”Points to the upcoming update rather than answering the question asked.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “Perhaps our colleague will be disappointed that the tired talking points she has been using for the last number of months suddenly will no longer be relevant.”A remark about the member’s talking points becoming irrelevant, not the cost to Canadians.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “She can celebrate the great economic performance of Canadians and of Canada.”Invites the member to celebrate Canada’s economy instead of answering what was asked.

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

1 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.

A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “good news is on the way”The speaker’s side promises a positive outcome without naming any measure, actor or content.

Claims · 1

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“In less than an hour, my colleague, the finance minister, will share this good economic news”The finance minister was set to deliver the spring economic update later that day, April 28, 2026.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20