Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Jamie Schmale

Conservative on Criminal Code 2026-05-04

165 words · 9 sentences · 14 clauses

Replying to Sébastien Lemire (Bloc Québécois)

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes for his concern, which we can feel, and for his commitment to this issue. These are deeply troubling issues that are difficult to address, but I think that he is doing so with great dignity. The fact that the bill is now at third reading is also a testament to his strong leadership. We just quickly completed report stage, but I think it is important to talk about the testimony that we heard from victims in committee. For example, Nicole Rabbit was scheduled for a C-section at the University of Saskatoon on September 11, 2001. We are talking about something that happened less than 30 years ago. She said: I trusted the medical team but knew something wasn’t right when I smelled the burning flesh. These were strangers who I had no previous encounters with who insisted I tie my tubes. The medical team took advantage of me in a vulnerable state....No one asked me what I wanted. No one explained to me why I apparently needed this done, and I didn’t sign any forms. I still have no real idea what the options were and why they said it was best for them to sterilize me. I know now that the sterilization can’t be reversed. My colleague talked about reconciliation and systemic issues. I would like to hear his thoughts on what we can do to ensure real reconciliation.”

Statement grade

B–

Average 74 / 100

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

Thanks 38%Claims 55%Positioning 2%The ask 5%

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

Mr. Speaker, Thanks · 63 wordsalthough my friend from the Bloc is not on the indigenous and northern affairs committee anymore, I did appreciate working with him during the many years of that committee.¹ He was a great asset to the group. I miss his contribution greatly, but I do appreciate his support, both of Bill S-250, the previous bill, ²and also of Bill S-228, the current bill.³Thanks Claims · 90 wordsThe member from the Bloc articulated some of the comments we heard and the testimony we heard at committee. That little segment was from just one witness’s testimony, but when hearing the story, we could feel the trauma that the person endured. As the member mentioned, it is not as if it happened many years ago. That is in recent memory. It is trauma that is still fresh in someone’s mind, and someone will have to live with the knowledge that they will not be able to have any children. Positioning · 3 wordsThis touches everyone, PositioningThe ask · 9 wordsand I think we need to act right now.Partly on point

At a glance

Lost points for
Didn't answerNone of this reply addressed the specific point raised or the topic under debate.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 52

6 of 15 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 “although my friend from the Bloc is not on the indigenous and northern affairs committee anymore, I did appreciate working with him during the many years of that committee.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “He was a great asset to the group.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I miss his contribution greatly,”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “but I do appreciate his support, both of Bill S-250, the previous bill,”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “and also of Bill S-228, the current bill.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “This touches everyone,”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 45

9 of 15 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 point put to the member, and the bill under debate.

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 member from the Bloc articulated some of the comments we heard and the testimony we heard at committee.”It recalls the witness testimony the questioner cited but offers no thoughts on what can be done for reconciliation.
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 “That little segment was from just one witness’s testimony,”It identifies the source of the quoted testimony without addressing what can be done for reconciliation.
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 “but when hearing the story, we could feel the trauma that the person endured.”It reflects on the witness’s trauma without addressing what can be done for reconciliation.
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 the member mentioned, it is not as if it happened many years ago.”It restates that the events were recent without addressing what can be done for reconciliation.
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 “That is in recent memory.”It repeats that the events are in recent memory without addressing what can be done for reconciliation.
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 trauma that is still fresh in someone’s mind,”It describes the lasting trauma without addressing what can be done for reconciliation.
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 “and someone will have to live with the knowledge that they will not be able to have any children.”It describes the witness’s loss without addressing what can be done for reconciliation.
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 touches everyone,”It says the issue affects everyone without addressing what can be done for reconciliation.
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 “and I think we need to act right now.”It calls for action on the issue in general but names no measure toward the reconciliation asked about.

Respect · 100

0 of 15 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 15 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“my friend from the Bloc is not on the indigenous and northern affairs committee anymore”Sébastien Lemire, the Bloc Québécois member for Berthier—Maskinongé, is no longer a member of the indigenous and northern affairs committee.search
2“his support, both of Bill S-250, the previous bill”Sébastien Lemire supported Bill S-250, the previous bill on sterilization procedures.search
3“also of Bill S-228, the current bill”Sébastien Lemire supported Bill S-228, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (sterilization procedures), during the 2026 debate.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20