Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Aaron Gunn

Conservative on Business of Supply 2026-05-07

137 words · 4 sentences · 7 clauses

Replying to Alexis Deschênes (Bloc Québécois)

“Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his speech. As I listened to him, I wondered what he was actually proposing. What we are seeing here is the Conservative Party attacking guideline number 14, arguing that limitation defences were not argued. We see that it is possible for the attorney general to raise limitation arguments under common law simply by obtaining authorization from the assistant deputy attorney general. Now, my colleague has been talking a lot about the possibility of strengthening property rights and giving them constitutional status. I just want to make sure I understand this correctly. Is he proposing today that we reopen the Constitution so that property rights can be enshrined into it? I would like him to clarify that.”

Statement grade

C+

Average 67 / 100

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

The ask 37%Positioning 24%Promise 39%

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

Mr. Speaker, The ask · 51 wordsthe first thing to do is to remove these legal guidelines that have restricted our Crown counsel from defending private property rights with all of the tools in their tool kit.¹ There should be no further agreements or treaties made with first nations without explicit protections for private property embedded within. Positioning · 33 wordsAs far as what comes beyond that, my position, which I believe is also the position of my colleagues, is that when it comes to defending private property, we do whatever it takes.PositioningVague promise Promise · 53 wordsObviously, we are going to support the appeal of the Cowichan decision through the courts, but there is no step along this way, along this path, where we are going to allow the private property rights, the fundamental human rights of our fellow Canadians, to be abridged and to be up for debate.Partly on pointVague promise

At a glance

Lost points for
Didn't answerNone of this reply addressed the specific point raised or the topic under debate.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 69

2 of 11 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 “As far as what comes beyond that, my position,”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 “which I believe is also the position of my colleagues, is that when it comes to defending private property, we do whatever it takes.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 44

7 of 11 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.

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 first thing to do is to remove these legal guidelines that have restricted our Crown counsel from defending private property rights with all of the tools in their tool kit.”It names a motion measure on the guidelines but does not say whether he proposes constitutional change.
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 “There should be no further agreements or treaties made with first nations without explicit protections for private property embedded within.”It restates the motion’s demand on future agreements without addressing the constitutional question put.
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 “As far as what comes beyond that, my position,”It only introduces his position without stating what comes beyond the motion’s measures.
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 I believe is also the position of my colleagues, is that when it comes to defending private property, we do whatever it takes.”It offers a general commitment to defend property rather than answering whether the Constitution would be reopened.
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 “Obviously, we are going to support the appeal of the Cowichan decision through the courts,”It is about supporting the appeal, a motion measure, not about the constitutional 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 “but there is no step along this way, along this path,”It is a transitional remark about the path ahead, not an answer to the question put.
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 “where we are going to allow the private property rights, the fundamental human rights of our fellow Canadians, to be abridged and to be up for debate.”It restates his general commitment to property rights without clarifying whether constitutional change is proposed.

Respect · 100

0 of 11 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 · 56

2 of 11 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 do whatever it takes”The speaker commits his side to action with no specific measure, date or success condition named.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “we are going to allow the private property rights”A sweeping commitment about what will not happen, with no concrete step or measure identified.

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“legal guidelines that have restricted our Crown counsel from defending private property rights”The federal government’s litigation guidelines, including Litigation Guideline #14 of the Directive on Civil Litigation Involving Indigenous Peoples, restrict Crown counsel from defending private property rights with all available legal arguments.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20