Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on Finance 2026-04-29

92 words · 5 sentences · 5 clauses

Replying to Dan Muys (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, yesterday’s statement proved nothing has changed: more debt, more costs, more spending, more taxes, more of the same. Canada has the worst housing costs, worst growth and worse food inflation in the G7. As The Globe and Mail said, “This ‘New Government’ has no interest in arresting our economic decline”. Why have the Liberals doubled Justin Trudeau’s deficit and doubled down on costly credit card budgeting, forcing Canadians to pay more for gas, groceries and housing?”

Statement grade

D–

44 / 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.

Procedure 33%Positioning 52%Promise 15%

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

Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 30 wordsas we conclude this question period with about 32 identical questions from the Conservative Party straight off of the Leader of the Opposition’s desk, let us conclude it this way.¹Procedure Positioning · 36 wordsEvery time we propose what that member purports to want, such as lower costs, lower prices, higher salaries, new dental care or new social programs, every single support, they are against it.²Partly on point We are for it.Positioning Promise · 14 wordsWe are going to go back and do the work of building Canada strong.Vague promise Positioning · 12 wordsThey are going to go and write a new question for tomorrow.PositioningOff 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 · 14

4 of 9 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.

Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “as we conclude this question period with about 32 identical questions from the Conservative Party straight off of the Leader of the Opposition’s desk, let us conclude it this 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 “Every time we propose what that member purports to want, such as lower costs, lower prices, higher salaries, new dental care or new social programs, every single support, they are against it.”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 “We are for it.”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 “They are going to go and write a new question for tomorrow.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 24

4 of 9 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 “Every time we propose what that member purports to want, such as lower costs, lower prices, higher salaries, new dental care or new social programs, every single support, they are against it.”About the parties’ positions on cost supports and programs, not the deficit or budgeting asked about.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “We are for it.”Praise of the speaker’s own side, not an answer to the deficit question.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “We are going to go back and do the work of building Canada strong.”A general pledge about the government’s agenda, not the deficit or budgeting asked about.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “They are going to go and write a new question for tomorrow.”A remark about the opposition writing questions, not the deficit or budgeting asked about.

Respect · 100

0 of 9 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 · 73

1 of 9 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 “do the work of building Canada strong”The commitment names no measure, date or success condition.

Claims · 2

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“about 32 identical questions from the Conservative Party”The Conservative Party asked about 32 identical questions during this question period on April 29, 2026.search
2“new dental care or new social programs, every single support, they are against it”The Conservative Party voted against the dental care program and other supports proposed by the Liberal government.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20