Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on Natural Resources 2026-04-28

96 words · 5 sentences · 9 clauses

Replying to Christine Normandin (Bloc Québécois)

“Mr. Speaker, there is a lot of buzz in Ottawa about building a new pipeline in western Canada, but no one in the private sector is interested because demand for oil is going to peak in 2029. It is not profitable. What is profitable is investing in the transition, funding clean technologies, and funding climate change adaptation, yet the Prime Minister of Canada tells us that, in the name of Canadian nationalism, we should add $10 billion in public funds to build a new pipeline, even though it is not profitable. If the private sector does not think it is profitable, then why would the government invest Quebeckers’ money in it?”

Statement grade

B–

74 / 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 85%Reasoning 15%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 82 wordsit is because Canada is investing in Quebec and we will also be undertaking major projects in the mining sector in Quebec.Vague promise There is Nouveau Monde Graphite, which represents thousands of jobs, the designation of the Port of Québec as a first port of arrival for our country, ¹²and the expansion of the Port of Montreal, ³which will increase capacity in Contrecœur by 60%.⁴ These are megaprojects that represent tens of thousands of jobs and economic opportunities for Quebeckers.⁵ We are investing. Reasoning · 14 wordsThat is what economic nationalism is all about, and that is good for Quebec.Partly on point

At a glance

Lost points for
Didn't answerNone of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.
Echo ×7“The expansion of the Port of Montreal.” Said 7 times by 5 members.Every time it was said

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 100

0 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.

Nothing lost points.

Relevance · 44

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 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 “it is because Canada is investing in Quebec and we will also be undertaking major projects in the mining sector in Quebec.”Points to investments in Quebec generally, not to why public money would fund the pipeline 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 “There is Nouveau Monde Graphite,”Names a Quebec mining project instead of answering the pipeline 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 “which represents thousands of jobs, the designation of the Port of Québec as a first port of arrival for our country,”Lists other projects and jobs, not the profitability of the pipeline 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 “and the expansion of the Port of Montreal,”Cites another port project, not the question about pipeline investment.
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 “which will increase capacity in Contrecœur by 60%.”Details the Montreal port expansion rather than the pipeline investment.
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 “These are megaprojects that represent tens of thousands of jobs and economic opportunities for Quebeckers.”Summarizes the economic benefits of other projects, not the pipeline’s profitability.
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 are investing.”Affirms investing generally without addressing why the pipeline merits public funds.
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 “That is what economic nationalism is all about,”Restates the nationalism theme but does not answer why public money goes to an unprofitable pipeline.
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 that is good for Quebec.”Asserts benefits for Quebec without addressing the pipeline investment 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 · 71

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 “we will also be undertaking major projects in the mining sector in Quebec”The commitment names no project, date, measure, or success condition beyond the label ‘major projects’.

Echo · 1 repeated line

Words members of Parliament keep repeating, found by the same rule for every member. No score depends on it.

“The expansion of the Port of Montreal.”Said 7 times by 5 members.Every time it was said

Claims · 5

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“which represents thousands of jobs”The Nouveau Monde Graphite project represents thousands of jobs.search
2“the designation of the Port of Québec as a first port of arrival for our country”The Port of Québec has been designated as a first port of arrival for Canada.search
3“the expansion of the Port of Montreal”The Port of Montreal is undergoing an expansion.search
4“which will increase capacity in Contrecœur by 60%”The Port of Montreal expansion will increase capacity at Contrecœur by 60%.search
5“These are megaprojects that represent tens of thousands of jobs”These projects together represent tens of thousands of jobs.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20