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Jennifer McKelvie

Liberal on Adjournment Proceedings 2026-04-30

593 words · 29 sentences · 33 clauses

Replying to Grant Jackson (Conservative)

“Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise today. Last week, I asked the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food about the sorry state of food affordability in Canada and what exactly the government was doing to increase food production in this country. It makes sense to me that if we grow more and produce more food, the price of food should come down. It is not impacted by tariffs that we have seen, nor by inclement weather in other parts of the world, which often affects prices in this country. Unfortunately, the response I got was anything but an answer. The Minister of Agriculture went on to list a whole bunch of programs that have nothing whatsoever to do with food production or increasing it in this country. Therefore, I would like to give the member across the way another crack at the same question. What exactly is the government doing to increase food production in Canada, and when will the Liberals finally recognize that when regions like mine that grow the food cannot even afford to buy it, the rest of the country is certainly in crisis?”

Statement grade

D+

50 / 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.

Positioning 11%Claims 82%Reasoning 3%Promise 2%Procedure 2%

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

Madam Speaker, Positioning · 14 wordsour government is relentless in its efforts to make life more affordable for Canadians.Positioning Claims · 20 wordsMany hard-working Canadians continue to face affordability pressures as the cost of essential goods, housing and everyday expenses remains high. Reasoning · 20 wordsThis is why our actions have been focused on ensuring Canadians keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets. Claims · 55 wordsThe spring economic update, “Canada Strong for All”, ¹which our government delivered on April 28, includes the next steps toward meeting our objective of building a stronger, more resilient and more affordable country.²Vague promise We recently introduced Bill C-30, an act to implement certain provisions of the spring economic update tabled in Parliament on April 28.³ Positioning · 15 wordsIt is a key piece of legislation to help ease the sting of higher prices.Positioning Claims · 102 wordsLet us begin with the rising cost of food, which is a major concern for Canadians. On June 5, more than 12 million Canadians will receive additional support through the new Canada groceries and essentials benefit.⁴ The spring economic update, via Bill C-30, is proposing additional measures to support Canadians even more as they deal with the financial squeeze of food bills.Partly on point The passage of Bill C-30 would help growers supercharge domestic food production in Canada with tax changes that would allow the immediate expensing of greenhouse buildings.⁵ The measure is projected to provide $41 million of tax relief over six years.⁶ Promise · 12 wordsThe government is also committed to developing a national food security strategy.⁷Vague promise Claims · 62 wordsThe strategy would make it easier for Canadians to access affordable and nutritious food and build Canada’s resilience and capacity to meet domestic needs. Bill C-30 would amend the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act and the Pest Control Products Act to include the consideration of food security and the cost of food.⁸Partly on point Bill C-30 also promises to help address housing affordability concerns.Off point Procedure · 3 wordsIt is clear: ProcedureClaims · 113 wordsThe high cost of housing is putting significant pressure on household budgets, especially for younger Canadians. Our government recognizes that many Canadians who have recently purchased their first home or are planning to do so could benefit from a boost to their cash flow. That is why Bill C-30 proposes extending the grace period during which homebuyers are not required to start repaying their homebuyers’ plan withdrawals from their RRSPs.⁹ The proposed extension is from two years to five years.¹⁰ This change would deliver cash flow relief of up to $4,000 per individual per year over three years, during which time they would not be required to repay the amount into their RRSP.¹¹Off point Procedure · 6 wordsThere is more in Bill C-30.Procedure Claims · 132 wordsThe legislation proposes an important change to the Canada pension plan to ensure Canadians keep more of their money in their bank accounts.¹² The CPP is the cornerstone of Canada’s retirement income system, providing stable and predictable pension income to millions of Canadians. To help address affordability pressures faced by so many households, Canada’s ministers of finance unanimously agreed in April to reduce the contribution rate for the CPP.¹³ The change would lower the contribution rate in the base CPP from 9.9% to 9.5%, effectively January 1, 2027.¹⁴ This 40-basis points reduction to the CPP contribution rate would translate into annual savings of up to $133 for an employee earning $70,000 a year, with equivalent savings for their employer.¹⁵ The change would do this while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the CPP.Off point Positioning · 39 wordsAs members can see, our government is moving swiftly to improve affordability.Partly on point We have already accomplished so much, and these are only the latest examples of how we are working hard to lift some of the barriers off Canadians.PositioningOff pointVague promise

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 72

7 of 39 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 “our government is relentless in its efforts to make life more affordable 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 a key piece of legislation to help ease the sting of higher prices.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “It is clear:”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “There is more in Bill C-30.”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 “As members can see, our government is moving swiftly to improve affordability.”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 have already accomplished so much,”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 “and these are only the latest examples of how we are working hard to lift some of the barriers off Canadians.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 20

29 of 39 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 on notice, as the member's speech raises it.

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 “our government is relentless in its efforts to make life more affordable for Canadians.”A general claim about affordability, not what is being done to increase food production.
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 “Many hard-working Canadians continue to face affordability pressures as the cost of essential goods, housing and everyday expenses remains high.”Restates the affordability problem without addressing food production measures.
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 “This is why our actions have been focused on ensuring Canadians keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets.”A general statement of the government’s focus, not a food production measure.
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 “The spring economic update, “Canada Strong for All”,”Names the economic update without addressing food production.
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 our government delivered on April 28, includes the next steps toward meeting our objective of building a stronger, more resilient and more affordable country.”General description of the update’s affordability objectives, not the food production 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 “We recently introduced Bill C-30, an act to implement certain provisions of the spring economic update tabled in Parliament on April 28.”Introduces the bill without saying what it does about food production.
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 a key piece of legislation to help ease the sting of higher prices.”A general claim about easing higher prices, not about increasing food production.
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 “Let us begin with the rising cost of food,”Turns to the cost of food, not to increasing its production.
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 is a major concern for Canadians.”A comment on Canadians’ concern about food costs, not a production measure.
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 “On June 5, more than 12 million Canadians will receive additional support through the new Canada groceries and essentials benefit.”The groceries benefit addresses food affordability, not increasing food production.
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 “The spring economic update, via Bill C-30, is proposing additional measures to support Canadians even more as they deal with the financial squeeze of food bills.”Support for food bills, not a measure to increase food production.
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 “The government is also committed to developing a national food security strategy.”A food security strategy commitment, not directly a measure to increase production.
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 “The strategy would make it easier for Canadians to access affordable and nutritious food and build Canada’s resilience and capacity to meet domestic needs.”Describes the strategy as about access to affordable food rather than production, though it touches capacity.
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 “Bill C-30 would amend the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act and the Pest Control Products Act to include the consideration of food security and the cost of food.”The amendments require food security and cost to be considered, which is not itself increasing production.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “Bill C-30 also promises to help address housing affordability concerns.”Housing affordability, not food production.
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 high cost of housing is putting significant pressure on household budgets, especially for younger Canadians.”About housing costs, not food production.
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 government recognizes that many Canadians who have recently purchased their first home or are planning to do so could benefit from a boost to their cash flow.”About homebuyers’ cash flow, not food production.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “That is why Bill C-30 proposes extending the grace period during which homebuyers are not required to start repaying their homebuyers’ plan withdrawals from their RRSPs.”About the RRSP homebuyers’ plan, not food production.
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 proposed extension is from two years to five years.”A detail of the homebuyers’ plan extension, not food production.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “This change would deliver cash flow relief of up to $4,000 per individual per year over three years, during which time they would not be required to repay the amount into their RRSP.”A housing cash flow figure, not food production.
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 legislation proposes an important change to the Canada pension plan to ensure Canadians keep more of their money in their bank accounts.”About the CPP, not food production.
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 CPP is the cornerstone of Canada’s retirement income system, providing stable and predictable pension income to millions of Canadians.”Background on the CPP retirement system, not food production.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “To help address affordability pressures faced by so many households, Canada’s ministers of finance unanimously agreed in April to reduce the contribution rate for the CPP.”About the CPP contribution rate decision, not food production.
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 change would lower the contribution rate in the base CPP from 9.9% to 9.5%, effectively January 1, 2027.”A CPP rate detail, not food production.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “This 40-basis points reduction to the CPP contribution rate would translate into annual savings of up to $133 for an employee earning $70,000 a year, with equivalent savings for their employer.”A CPP savings figure, not food production.
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 change would do this while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the CPP.”About the CPP’s sustainability, not food production.
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 “As members can see, our government is moving swiftly to improve affordability.”A general affordability claim, not what is being done to increase food production.
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 have already accomplished so much,”General self-praise of accomplishments, without content on the 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 “and these are only the latest examples of how we are working hard to lift some of the barriers off Canadians.”A general closing claim about lifting barriers, without addressing food production.

Respect · 100

0 of 39 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 · 78

3 of 39 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 “the next steps toward meeting our objective”No actor, measure, date or success condition is named for what these next steps are.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “committed to developing a national food security strategy”The commitment names no date, measure or content for the strategy.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “how we are working hard to lift some of the barriers”No measure, date or test is given for what barriers or how they are lifted.

Claims · 15

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““Canada Strong for All””The spring economic update tabled April 28, 2026 is titled ‘Canada Strong for All’.search
2“delivered on April 28”The Liberal government delivered the spring economic update on April 28, 2026.search
3“Bill C-30, an act to implement certain provisions of the spring economic update tabled in Parliament on April 28”Bill C-30 is an act to implement certain provisions of the spring economic update tabled in Parliament on April 28, 2026.search
4“On June 5, more than 12 million Canadians will receive additional support through the new Canada groceries and essentials benefit”More than 12 million Canadians will receive support through the new Canada groceries and essentials benefit on June 5, 2026.search
5“tax changes that would allow the immediate expensing of greenhouse buildings”Bill C-30 includes tax changes allowing the immediate expensing of greenhouse buildings.search
6“projected to provide $41 million of tax relief over six years”The immediate expensing of greenhouse buildings measure is projected to provide $41 million of tax relief over six years.search
7“committed to developing a national food security strategy”The government is committed to developing a national food security strategy.search
8“amend the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act and the Pest Control Products Act to include the consideration of food security and the cost of food”Bill C-30 would amend the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act and the Pest Control Products Act to include consideration of food security and the cost of food.search
9“extending the grace period during which homebuyers are not required to start repaying their homebuyers’ plan withdrawals from their RRSPs”Bill C-30 proposes extending the grace period before homebuyers must start repaying RRSP withdrawals under the homebuyers’ plan.search
10“from two years to five years”The proposed extension of the homebuyers’ plan grace period is from two years to five years.search
11“cash flow relief of up to $4,000 per individual per year over three years”The homebuyers’ plan grace period change would deliver cash flow relief of up to $4,000 per individual per year over three years.search
12“an important change to the Canada pension plan”Bill C-30 proposes a change to the Canada Pension Plan.search
13“Canada’s ministers of finance unanimously agreed in April to reduce the contribution rate for the CPP”Canada’s finance ministers unanimously agreed in April 2026 to reduce the CPP contribution rate.search
14“lower the contribution rate in the base CPP from 9.9% to 9.5%, effectively January 1, 2027”The agreed change would lower the base CPP contribution rate from 9.9% to 9.5% effective January 1, 2027.search
15“annual savings of up to $133 for an employee earning $70,000 a year”The CPP rate reduction would save an employee earning $70,000 a year up to $133 annually, with equivalent employer savings.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20