Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Evan Solomon

Liberal on Finance 2026-05-04

88 words · 7 sentences · 8 clauses

Replying to Melissa Lantsman (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister told Canadians that he was the guy who people hire in a crisis, and then spent double what the last guy spent. Just five years from now, the Liberal credit card bill will reach $1 trillion. All that spending has brought us the highest grocery prices, the worst housing crisis and two-dollar-a-litre gasoline while everybody falls behind. The crisis guy is racking up more debt and promising that somehow it is going to be different this time. When are the Liberals finally going to stop the credit card craziness so Canadians can afford to live?”

Statement grade

D–

42 / 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.

Claims 68%The question 25%Aside 7%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 20 wordsspeaking of credit, we have the best credit rating in the world.¹ Wages have grown twice as fast as inflation.²Partly on point The question · 14 wordsWhat would the opposition cut? For example, would they cut support for our workers? Claims · 40 wordsJust today, we have invested $1 billion to support the steel, aluminum and copper industries hit by a trade war that the Conservatives deny, with another $500 million for good jobs, like at Beau-Roc, ³⁴⁵where they are building with steel. The question · 8 wordsWould these guys cut support for those industries? Aside · 6 wordsYou can ask them, Mr. Speaker.AsideOff point

At a glance

Lost points for
Didn't answerNone of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 91

1 of 9 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.

A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “You can ask them, Mr. Speaker.”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 12

8 of 9 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 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 “speaking of credit, we have the best credit rating in the world.”About the government’s credit rating, not when or whether it will stop the spending.
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 “Wages have grown twice as fast as inflation.”About wage growth versus inflation, not whether the government will curb the spending asked about.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “What would the opposition cut?”A counter-question demanding the opposition name cuts instead of answering the spending 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 “For example, would they cut support for our workers?”A rhetorical question about what the opposition would cut, not about the government’s spending.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “Just today, we have invested $1 billion to support the steel, aluminum and copper industries hit by a trade war that the Conservatives deny, with another $500 million for good jobs, like at Beau-Roc,”Praise of the government’s own new investments in place of an answer on stopping spending.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “where they are building with steel.”A detail about a company building with steel, not the spending 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 “Would these guys cut support for those industries?”Another question about the opposition’s hypothetical cuts, not the government’s spending.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “You can ask them, Mr. Speaker.”A procedural aside telling members to ask the opposition, not an answer on spending.

Respect · 100

0 of 9 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 9 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 · 5

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“we have the best credit rating in the world”Canada has the best credit rating in the world.search
2“Wages have grown twice as fast as inflation”Canadian wages have grown twice as fast as inflation.search
3“we have invested $1 billion to support the steel, aluminum and copper industries”On May 4, 2026, the federal government invested $1 billion to support the steel, aluminum and copper industries.search
4“another $500 million for good jobs”The federal government announced an additional $500 million for jobs alongside the steel, aluminum and copper support on May 4, 2026.search
5“hit by a trade war”The Canadian steel, aluminum and copper industries are affected by a trade war.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20