Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on Finance 2026-05-06

72 words · 3 sentences · 4 clauses

Replying to Sandra Cobena (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, we can follow the money and we will know what the Liberal government really cares about. It has wasted $750 million on a failed gun grab, $300 million on the PrescribeIT scandal, $80 billion on interest payments for bankers and bondholders and over half a million dollars on the Prime Minister’s catering on flights. What was he having, gold flakes on his cappuccinos? Why will the Liberals not cut all taxes on gas for the rest of the year? Is it because they care more about Liberal insiders than everyday Canadians?”

Statement grade

76 / 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 81%Positioning 19%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 58 wordsit has been several days, if not weeks, since we asked the Conservatives to table a list of programs they would like to cut, things that they label “inflationary spending”.¹ The possibilities are old age security, the Canada child benefit, the school food program, support to our workers, building the country, building major projects and building it strong. Positioning · 14 wordsWhich of these things are inflationary spending in the eyes of the Conservative Party?PositioningPartly on 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 · 76

1 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.

Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “Which of these things are inflationary spending in the eyes of the Conservative Party?”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 46

4 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 “it has been several days,”About how long the government has awaited a Conservative list, not the gas tax 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 “if not weeks, since we asked the Conservatives to table a list of programs they would like to cut, things that they label “inflationary spending”.”About the government’s demand that the Conservatives table a list of cuts, not the gas tax 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 “The possibilities are old age security, the Canada child benefit, the school food program, support to our workers, building the country, building major projects and building it strong.”Lists federal programs as possible Conservative cuts, offering the government’s own theme in place of an answer on gas taxes.
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 of these things are inflationary spending in the eyes of the Conservative Party?”A question put back to the Conservatives about their spending labels, not the gas tax question.

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 · 100

0 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.

Nothing lost points.

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“we asked the Conservatives to table a list of programs they would like to cut”The Liberal government asked the Conservative Party to table a list of the programs they would cut, which the Conservatives label ‘inflationary spending’, in the days or weeks before May 6, 2026.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20