Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Carlos Leitão

Liberal on Business of Supply 2026-04-30

81 words · 3 sentences · 6 clauses

Replying to Pat Kelly (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, there was a lot in the member’s speech, but I want to focus on one specific thing he said that was extraordinarily misleading. This is a talking point we have heard before. He claimed that Canada’s total debt-to-GDP was 10%, unlike the United States at 110% or whatever. Does he believe that the entire asset base of the Canada pension plan is free-flowing cash that could be used to repay the debts of Canada, or is it that, with the true meaningful proportion of our debt, which would include subnational debt and does not subtract the assets of the Canada pension plan, the debt-to-GDP is truly over 100%?”

Statement grade

A+

Average 100 / 100

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

Claims 75%Reasoning 25%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 18 wordsI did point out that was on net federal debt.¹ I was not talking about the total debt, Reasoning · 20 wordsbut if we want to include total debt, including the provinces, then we also have to look at the assets. Claims · 43 wordsThere are many financial assets that the provinces also own, but if we want to look at debt, excluding the CPP, then the total Canadian federal debt is still around 40% of GDP, ²which is still one of the lowest in the OECD.³

At a glance

AnsweredOf this reply, 100% addressed the question or point raised.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 100

Nothing lost points on 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.

Relevance · 100

Nothing lost points on 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 point put to the member, and the motion under debate.

Respect · 100

Nothing lost points on 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.

Clarity · 100

Nothing lost points on Clarity.

Clarity checks for plain speaking, clear ownership of actions, and honest limits on certainty. A low score means vague promises or evasive language.

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“that was on net federal debt”In his earlier remarks in this debate, Carlos Leitão said the debt-to-GDP figure he cited referred to net federal debt.search
2“the total Canadian federal debt is still around 40% of GDP”Canada’s federal debt excluding the Canada Pension Plan is around 40% of GDP.search
3“still one of the lowest in the OECD”Canada’s federal net debt-to-GDP ratio is among the lowest in the OECD.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20