Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on Climate Change 2026-05-07

91 words · 7 sentences · 7 clauses

Replying to Patrick Bonin (Bloc Québécois)

“Mr. Speaker, it is ridiculous that the Liberals are using pipelines to fight climate change. According to Radio-Canada, later this week, the Liberals will be announcing that they intend to scrap the regulatory framework for pipelines. That is good timing, given that Danielle Smith will be in town tomorrow for a far-right convention. Who would have thought that the Liberals would get a standing ovation from a think tank founded by Preston Manning? Strangely enough, for months now, the Liberals have been trying to cobble together a majority, one floor crosser at a time. Would it not have been easier for them all to just cross over to the Conservative side?”

Statement grade

D+

52 / 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 65%Positioning 35%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 59 wordswe know that transportation accounts for a large share of our greenhouse gas emissions, at 20%.¹ However, the government is proposing a high-speed rail project that will cross Quebec.² The train will travel 1,000 km in four hours, from Quebec City to Toronto.³Partly on point The Bloc Québécois is opposed to this project.⁴ They are opposed to this major environmental project. Positioning · 32 wordsWhy is the Bloc against one of the best things we can do for the environment and for helping Quebeckers get around? Why is the Bloc Québécois so stubbornly against the environment?PositioningOff 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 · 59

2 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.

Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “Why is the Bloc against one of the best things we can do for the environment and for helping Quebeckers get around?”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 “Why is the Bloc Québécois so stubbornly against the environment?”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 22

7 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 “we know that transportation accounts for a large share of our greenhouse gas emissions, at 20%.”About transportation emissions generally, not the pipeline regulatory framework 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 “However, the government is proposing a high-speed rail project that will cross Quebec.”About a high-speed rail proposal, not the pipeline regulation question raised.
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 train will travel 1,000 km in four hours, from Quebec City to Toronto.”Details of the rail project, not what was asked about pipelines.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “The Bloc Québécois is opposed to this project.”About the Bloc’s position on the rail project, a different subject from the 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 “They are opposed to this major environmental project.”An attack on the Bloc over the rail project in place of an answer on pipelines.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “Why is the Bloc against one of the best things we can do for the environment and for helping Quebeckers get around?”About the Bloc’s opposition to the rail project, not the pipeline framework 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 “Why is the Bloc Québécois so stubbornly against the environment?”A general attack on the Bloc over the rail project, not the question raised.

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 · 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“transportation accounts for a large share of our greenhouse gas emissions, at 20%”Transportation accounts for 20% of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions.search
2“the government is proposing a high-speed rail project that will cross Quebec”The Canadian government is proposing a high-speed rail project that would cross Quebec.search
3“The train will travel 1,000 km in four hours, from Quebec City to Toronto”The proposed high-speed rail project would travel 1,000 km in four hours from Quebec City to Toronto.search
4“The Bloc Québécois is opposed to this project”The Bloc Québécois is opposed to the proposed high-speed rail project between Quebec City and Toronto.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20