Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Costas Menegakis

Conservative on Business of Supply 2026-04-30

137 words · 11 sentences · 11 clauses

Replying to Anthony Housefather (Liberal). The question was off topic, so this reply is judged against the motion.

“Mr. Speaker, in fact, I have recently been going door to door. I knocked on a lot of doors in Terrebonne. Given the results of the three recent by-elections, where the Conservative vote plummeted in Terrebonne, I think going from 18% to 3%, and lost half their vote in both University—Rosedale and Scarborough Southwest, I am wondering why the member thinks that Canadian voters as a whole are so blind to the brilliance that he brings to the debate.”

Statement grade

46 / 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.

Thanks 16%Claims 50%Positioning 34%

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

Mr. Speaker, Thanks · 22 wordsI want to thank the hon. member for acknowledging that I am brilliant in this debate. I appreciate him making that comment.Thanks Claims · 50 wordsThe member refers to three by-elections in the country and is trying to correlate it somehow to what is happening in this debate here.¹Off point We are debating the budget of the government and the indebtedness it is putting on Canadians. He wants to talk about politics and percentages in elections. Positioning · 33 wordsI can say that if they keep this up, we will see what happens in the next election. We are here and not going anywhere. We are going to keep fighting for Canadians.PositioningVague promise Claims · 18 wordsOur job as members of the official opposition in this country is to hold the government to account. Positioning · 14 wordsIt is getting no free lunch.Off point Canadians deserve better than what they are getting.PositioningPartly on point

At a glance

Lost points for
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 · 44

7 of 16 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.

Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I want to thank the hon. member for acknowledging that I am brilliant in this debate.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I appreciate him making that comment.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “I can say that if they keep this up, we will see what happens in the next election.”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 here and not going anywhere.”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 going to keep fighting for Canadians.”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 “It is getting no free lunch.”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 “Canadians deserve better than what they are getting.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 16

8 of 16 deductions are Relevance

The question was off topic, so this reply is judged against the motion.

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 motion under debate.

Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “The member refers to three by-elections in the country and is trying to correlate it somehow to what is happening in this debate here.”About the member’s question and by-election results, not the motion’s fund.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “He wants to talk about politics and percentages in elections.”About election politics and percentages, not the motion.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “I can say that if they keep this up, we will see what happens in the next election.”About the outcome of the next election, not the motion’s subject.
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 here and not going anywhere.”About the party’s electoral standing, not the motion’s subject.
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 keep fighting for Canadians.”A pledge to keep fighting for Canadians, not tied to the fund the motion addresses.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “Our job as members of the official opposition in this country is to hold the government to account.”About the general role of the opposition, not the motion’s proposal.
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 getting no free lunch.”A general grievance about the government, not addressing the fund the motion concerns.
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 “Canadians deserve better than what they are getting.”A general claim that Canadians deserve better, without addressing the proposed fund or its effects.

Respect · 100

0 of 16 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 · 91

1 of 16 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 are going to keep fighting for Canadians”A commitment by the speaker’s side with no measure, date or success condition named.

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“The member refers to three by-elections”Anthony Housefather referred to three by-elections in his question on 2026-04-30.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20