Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on Ethics 2026-04-28

91 words · 5 sentences · 5 clauses

Replying to John Brassard (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, in a review of the Conflict of Interest Act, the ethics committee heard that while the Prime Minister was Trudeau’s economic adviser and chair of Brookfield, he set up one of Canada’s largest tax-dodging schemes by hiding $5.3 billion in offshore tax havens. Brookfield’s CEO also confirmed that the Prime Minister will make millions from what is in his blind trust by aligning public policy with Brookfield’s strategy. The committee recommended that the Prime Minister divest his holdings to ensure that he is acting in the best interests of the country and not his personal self-interest. Will the Prime Minister divest his Brookfield assets to eliminate his conflicts of interest?”

Statement grade

Average 91 / 100

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

Positioning 7%Claims 93%

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

Mr. Speaker, Positioning · 6 wordsof course those accusations are ridiculous.Positioning Claims · 85 wordsJust like us, the 343 members of this House, the Prime Minister has abided by some of the strictest rules in the entire world. These rules were put in place by the Conservatives and Mr. Harper.¹ The Prime Minister placed all of his assets in a blind trust on the day he was elected leader of the Liberal Party, even before he became Prime Minister.² Contrast that with the Leader of the Opposition, who has spent 20 years in the House without a security clearance.³Off point

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 91

1 of 2 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 “of course those accusations are ridiculous.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 72

1 of 2 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 “Contrast that with the Leader of the Opposition, who has spent 20 years in the House without a security clearance.”About the Leader of the Opposition’s security clearance, not whether the Prime Minister will divest his Brookfield assets.

Respect · 100

0 of 2 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 2 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“These rules were put in place by the Conservatives and Mr. Harper”The conflict-of-interest rules applying to members were put in place by the Conservatives under Stephen Harper.search
2“The Prime Minister placed all of his assets in a blind trust on the day he was elected leader of the Liberal Party”The Prime Minister placed all his assets in a blind trust on the day he was elected Liberal Party leader, before becoming Prime Minister.search
3“has spent 20 years in the House without a security clearance”The Leader of the Opposition has sat in the House of Commons for 20 years without holding a security clearance.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20