Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Pat Kelly

Conservative on Government Orders 2026-05-04

85 words · 7 sentences · 7 clauses

Replying to Mark Gerretsen (Liberal)

“Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the member’s comments toward the end of his speech about the use of the word député, which, as he knows, means “member of Parliament” in French. However, I am curious whether the member is equally as concerned about the time the member for Brantford—Brant South—Six Nations stood in the House in the middle of question period and, when he was responded to in French, challenged the minister for responding in French. The member said he wished he had answered the question in English. He must be equally as outraged about when that happened. Is that correct?”

Statement grade

C–

59 / 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.

Positioning 69%Claims 31%

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

Mr. Speaker, Positioning · 59 wordsI think the member completely missed the point. I was not speaking of the Prime Minister’s use of French or English. I was talking about his use of the English word “deputy” when clearly characterizing his MPs as his deputies.¹ The Prime Minister thinks that the MPs of his party are his deputies, just there to do his work.Positioning Claims · 26 wordsHowever, they are elected by the people of Canada. All MPs are elected by the people of Canada.² Nobody is the Prime Minister’s deputy around here.Partly 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 · 29

4 of 8 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 “I think the member completely missed the point.”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 “I was not speaking of the Prime Minister’s use of French or English.”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 “I was talking about his use of the English word “deputy” when clearly characterizing his MPs as his deputies.”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 “The Prime Minister thinks that the MPs of his party are his deputies, just there to do his work.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 69

4 of 8 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 Prime Minister thinks that the MPs of his party are his deputies, just there to do his work.”Returns to his original complaint about the Prime Minister and his MPs, not the question about the other member’s conduct.
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 “However, they are elected by the people of Canada.”Makes a point about MPs being elected, not about the incident the question asked about.
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 “All MPs are elected by the people of Canada.”Restates the election point without addressing 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 “Nobody is the Prime Minister’s deputy around here.”Continues the argument about deputies rather than answering the question about the French-language incident.

Respect · 100

0 of 8 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 8 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 · 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“his use of the English word “deputy””The Prime Minister used the English word ‘deputy’ in the House in reference to his MPs.search
2“All MPs are elected by the people of Canada.”All Canadian members of Parliament are elected by the people of Canada.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20