Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on Rail Transportation 2026-05-05

76 words · 5 sentences · 5 clauses

Replying to Sébastien Lemire (Bloc Québécois)

“Mr. Speaker, Alto has confirmed that the section of high-speed rail between Montreal and Ottawa will go through 1,700 properties. With no input from the owners, 500 of our best pieces of farmland will be cut in half. When the Alto people tell us that they are consulting towns and farmers, it is all for show, because they already know exactly where they want to go and what land they want to expropriate. Alto is steamrolling our farmers. Will the Prime Minister finally ask it to get the farmers’ consent, instead of running roughshod over them?”

Statement grade

B+

Average 80 / 100

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

Promise 84%Claims 16%

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

Mr. Speaker, Promise · 64 wordsof course we are going to get the farmers’ consent.Vague promise Of course we are going to work with communities, with mayors, with reeves, with all the stakeholders in Ontario and Quebec.Vague promise We are going to build green technology that will be a game-changer for mobility in Canada. We are going to invest in this project because Canada is ready to welcome cutting-edge mobility technologies. Claims · 12 wordsIt will make a difference in the lives of 40% of Canadians.¹Partly on point

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 100

0 of 5 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.

Nothing lost points.

Relevance · 65

3 of 5 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 “We are going to build green technology that will be a game-changer for mobility in Canada.”About the project’s green technology benefits, not the consent of affected farmers.
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 are going to invest in this project because Canada is ready to welcome cutting-edge mobility technologies.”About investment in the project, not the consultation or consent 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 “It will make a difference in the lives of 40% of Canadians.”About the project’s benefits to Canadians, not the question of farmers’ consent.

Respect · 100

0 of 5 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 · 54

2 of 5 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 “we are going to get the farmers’ consent”The commitment names no date, measure or process for how consent will be obtained.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “we are going to work with communities”Promising to work with stakeholders names no action, date or success condition.

Claims · 1

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“make a difference in the lives of 40% of Canadians”The Alto high-speed rail project will make a difference in the lives of 40% of Canadians.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20