Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Rebecca Alty

Liberal on Business of Supply 2026-05-07

153 words · 10 sentences · 12 clauses

Replying to Glen Motz (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, I have sat here and heard for weeks now, since the decision was made, about how the Conservatives are spreading misinformation, yet we know government lawyers do not act on their own. They get direction, and that direction came directly from the cabinet to the government lawyers on principle 14 in this particular decision. Could the minister please clarify for Canadians the misinformation the Liberal Party is now propagating that suggests the misinformation is actually the failure to admit that the direction given to their own lawyers failed Canadians in this particular case?”

Statement grade

B+

Average 84 / 100

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

Claims 63%Positioning 37%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 17 wordsI want to mention litigation guideline number 14, which the Conservatives have referenced a number of times. Positioning · 15 wordsI encourage them to read beyond the first sentence and actually read the whole principle.Positioning Claims · 69 wordsIf they get to the second sentence, they will see that all defences are available.¹ However, “defences must not be pleaded simply in the hope that through discoveries or investigation some basis for the defence may be found.”² We can only use defences “where there is a principled basis and evidence to support the defence”.³ We are in active litigation.⁴ We are continuing to review all viable legal arguments.Vague promise Positioning · 41 wordsHowever, when the members mention guideline number 14, I really encourage them to read beyond sentence number one and get through the whole principle. I also encourage the Conservatives to read the whole directive, because I think it will enlighten them.Positioning Claims · 11 wordsAgain, we are looking at all viable options in the appeal.Vague promise

At a glance

Lost points for
AnsweredOf this reply, 100% addressed the question or point raised.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 56

4 of 6 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 encourage them to read beyond the first sentence and actually read the whole principle.”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 “However, when the members mention guideline number 14, I really encourage them to read beyond sentence number one and get through the whole principle.”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 also encourage the Conservatives to read the whole directive,”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 “because I think it will enlighten them.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 100

0 of 6 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 motion under debate.

Nothing lost points.

Respect · 100

0 of 6 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 · 82

2 of 6 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 continuing to review all viable legal arguments”No measure, date or success condition is named for the review the speaker commits her side to.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “we are looking at all viable options in the appeal”The commitment names no actor beyond ‘we’, no date and no measure by which it could be checked.

Claims · 4

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“all defences are available”Litigation Guideline #14 of the Directive on Civil Litigation Involving Indigenous Peoples states that all defences are available.search
2“defences must not be pleaded simply in the hope that through discoveries or investigation some basis for the defence may be found”The Directive on Civil Litigation Involving Indigenous Peoples contains language stating that defences must not be pleaded simply in the hope that some basis for the defence may be found later.search
3“where there is a principled basis and evidence to support the defence”The Directive on Civil Litigation Involving Indigenous Peoples limits the use of defences to where there is a principled basis and evidence to support the defence.search
4“We are in active litigation”The federal government is in active litigation in the Cowichan Tribes v Canada case.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20