Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Tom Osborne

Liberal on Adjournment Proceedings 2026-05-07

434 words · 24 sentences · 29 clauses

Replying to Garnett Genuis (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, tonight I am following up on a question that I asked about the crisis in youth unemployment. Life is very challenging right now in this country, especially for youth and for young families. People who are struggling to get their start in life struggle to access employment. They struggle with housing affordability. This makes it difficult and leads to delays in family formation. We know, statistically, that if we ask women how many children they want to have and compare that to our current fertility rate, there is a gap of almost one child per woman. Many Canadian families are not having as many children as they would like to have. I think that has a lot to do with challenges in employment and challenges in housing affordability, these basic challenges in getting started in life here in Canada because of how difficult those start-up costs are. The youth unemployment crisis is a big part of it. It is very clear that what the government is doing or says it is doing in this regard is just not working. Listening to question period today, I heard that the government wants to celebrate, allegedly, this initiative or that initiative, but the overall numbers paint a clear picture, which is a metastasizing, unprecedented youth unemployment crisis that is connected to and contributes to challenges that families are facing as well. Conservatives have taken a very constructive approach to the employment file. We have developed and offered the government concrete solutions to these problems. Obviously, the government is the government. It has the power to implement these things and we do not, but we have put constructive solutions on the table and asked the government to implement all or part of what we put forward. This fall, we put forward the Conservative youth jobs plan, a clear plan addressing the youth unemployment crisis, with proposals to unleash the economy, fix immigration, fix training and build homes where the jobs are. Just today, we announced another suite of policy initiatives, this time targeting the challenges that young families are facing. We are proposing substantial parental leave reform that would make life easier for those who are trying to start a family. These policy proposals involve flexible parental leave, allowing a person on parental leave to pause and resume that leave. We proposed learning on leave, allowing anyone to take courses of study while they are on parental leave so that they can upgrade their skills and strengthen their ability to meet the labour market again once their leave is over. We also proposed a caregiving exception to EI parental leave benefit clawbacks. This would allow somebody who is caring for their own children to also do paid caregiving work on the side. Perhaps while they are watching their own child, their neighbour pays them to watch their child as well. Removing the clawbacks associated with earning in this situation would increase the availability of child care, which, in many cases, notwithstanding the exaggerated promises of the government, simply is not available to many parents. We are working hard to propose constructive solutions to the very real and practical challenges facing youth and young families today. I would like to know why the government has not taken the opportunity to embrace these solutions. I think it would be a political win for them and it would be a win for youth and families. Will the government take on these good ideas that we have proposed?”

Statement grade

C+

67 / 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.

Positioning 21%Claims 65%Reasoning 2%Promise 10%Procedure 2%

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

Mr. Speaker, Positioning · 56 wordswe are always prepared to look at good ideas, but we are also acting and putting in place measures that really make a difference for Canadians.Vague promise We could not agree more that Canadians are looking for hope and real solutions. Preparing Canadians for good jobs is a top priority of ours, especially during these challenging times.Positioning Claims · 25 wordsWe are renewing Canada’s workforce strong, team Canada strong.¹ It is a $6-billion promise to protect our workforce and our capacity to grow the workforce, ²Reasoning · 9 wordsbecause without skilled workers, we cannot meet the moment. Promise · 25 wordsThat is why, under team Canada strong, we will recruit, train and hire up to 100,000 new Red Seal workers in the next five years.³Partly on point Procedure · 3 wordsThis is critical, ProcedureClaims · 16 wordsbecause within seven years there will be more than 410,000 vacant skilled trades positions across Canada.⁴Partly on point Procedure · 6 wordsThere is no time to waste.Procedure Claims · 104 wordsTeam Canada strong will expand our union training and innovation program, ⁵so that union-run training centres can upgrade their facilities and invest in modern equipment. Small and medium-sized businesses will be supported when they hire new first-year apprentices.⁶ The build Canada apprenticeship program will help employers hire and train apprentices, providing them with up to $10,000.⁷ Once certified as a Red Seal tradesperson, they will receive a $5,000 completion bonus.⁸ The new apprenticeship training grant means that apprentices can receive an income top-up of $400 per week while they are getting technical training.⁹ This comes out of a total payment of $16,000 per apprentice.¹⁰ Positioning · 16 wordsWe know that there is more that needs to be done to weather the current storm.Positioning Claims · 73 wordsThat is where the labour market development agreements and the workforce development agreements come in. These represent a $2.9-billion annual investment in training and employment assistance services to help hundreds of thousands of Canadians upgrade their skills and find employment.¹¹ Our programs help workers complete their studies, build their skills and access opportunities that lead to successful careers. Since 2019, Canada summer jobs has helped more than 600,000 young people find summer employment.¹² Promise · 19 wordsThis summer, the program will support up to 100,000 jobs for youth between the ages of 15 and 30.¹³ Claims · 63 wordsAll told, we are supporting over 175,000 opportunities for youth and students this year under the student work placement program, the youth employment and skills strategy, ¹⁴and the Canada summer jobs. In 2026-27, the student work placement program will support up to 55,000 work-integrated learning opportunities with employers for post-secondary students.¹⁵ Over 34,000 employers and 420 post-secondary institutions have participated in this program.¹⁶ Positioning · 19 wordsWe are focused on delivering the results that Canadians need and creating the opportunities that will strengthen the economy.PositioningPartly on pointVague promise

At a glance

Lost points for
Echo ×8“Train and hire up to 100,000 new Red Seal trades workers in the next five years.” Said 8 times by 7 members.Every time it was said

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 61

8 of 36 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 “we are always prepared to look at good ideas,”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 “but we are also acting and putting in place measures that really make a difference for Canadians.”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 “We could not agree more that Canadians are looking for hope and real solutions.”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 “Preparing Canadians for good jobs is a top priority of ours, especially during these challenging times.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “This is critical,”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “There is no time to waste.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “We know that there is more that needs to be done to weather the current storm.”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 “We are focused on delivering the results that Canadians need and creating the opportunities that will strengthen the economy.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 37

26 of 36 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 on notice, as the member's speech raises it.

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 we are also acting and putting in place measures that really make a difference for Canadians.”Touts the government’s own measures instead of saying whether it will adopt the proposals.
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 could not agree more that Canadians are looking for hope and real solutions.”Agrees Canadians want solutions but does not say whether the government will adopt the ones put forward.
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 “Preparing Canadians for good jobs is a top priority of ours, especially during these challenging times.”States a general priority on jobs, not whether the member’s proposals will be taken up.
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 renewing Canada’s workforce strong, team Canada strong.”Names the government’s own workforce plan, not the proposals 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 is a $6-billion promise to protect our workforce and our capacity to grow the workforce,”Describes the government’s own program funding, not the member’s proposals.
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 “because without skilled workers, we cannot meet the moment.”A general statement about skilled workers, 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 “That is why, under team Canada strong, we will recruit, train and hire up to 100,000 new Red Seal workers in the next five years.”Details the government’s own recruitment plan, not whether it will adopt the proposals.
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 “because within seven years there will be more than 410,000 vacant skilled trades positions across Canada.”A statistic on skilled trades vacancies, not on whether the proposals will be adopted.
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 “Team Canada strong will expand our union training and innovation program,”Describes the government’s own training program, not the member’s proposals.
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 “so that union-run training centres can upgrade their facilities and invest in modern equipment.”Details of the government’s union training program, not the proposals 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 “Small and medium-sized businesses will be supported when they hire new first-year apprentices.”A measure on apprenticeship hiring by the government, not the proposals 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 “The build Canada apprenticeship program will help employers hire and train apprentices, providing them with up to $10,000.”Details of the government’s apprenticeship program, not the member’s proposals.
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 “Once certified as a Red Seal tradesperson, they will receive a $5,000 completion bonus.”A bonus under the government’s own program, not an answer on the proposals.
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 new apprenticeship training grant means that apprentices can receive an income top-up of $400 per week while they are getting technical training.”Details of the government’s training grant, not the proposals 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 “This comes out of a total payment of $16,000 per apprentice.”A figure about the government’s grant, not on whether the proposals will be adopted.
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 there is more that needs to be done to weather the current storm.”A general acknowledgement more must be done, not an answer on the proposals.
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 “That is where the labour market development agreements and the workforce development agreements come in.”Names the government’s own labour market agreements, not the member’s proposals.
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 “These represent a $2.9-billion annual investment in training and employment assistance services to help hundreds of thousands of Canadians upgrade their skills and find employment.”Describes funding under the government’s own agreements, not the proposals 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 “Our programs help workers complete their studies, build their skills and access opportunities that lead to successful careers.”A general claim about the government’s programs, not whether it will adopt the proposals.
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 “Since 2019, Canada summer jobs has helped more than 600,000 young people find summer employment.”A statistic on the government’s summer jobs program, not the proposals 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 “This summer, the program will support up to 100,000 jobs for youth between the ages of 15 and 30.”A figure on the government’s summer jobs program, not an answer on the proposals.
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 “All told, we are supporting over 175,000 opportunities for youth and students this year under the student work placement program, the youth employment and skills strategy,”Figures on the government’s own youth programs, not the member’s proposals.
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 “and the Canada summer jobs.”Continues listing the government’s own youth programs, not the proposals 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 “In 2026-27, the student work placement program will support up to 55,000 work-integrated learning opportunities with employers for post-secondary students.”A projection for the government’s work placement program, not the proposals 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 “Over 34,000 employers and 420 post-secondary institutions have participated in this program.”Participation figures for the government’s program, not whether the proposals will be adopted.
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 focused on delivering the results that Canadians need and creating the opportunities that will strengthen the economy.”A general statement about delivering results, not an answer on the proposals.

Respect · 100

0 of 36 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 · 83

2 of 36 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 also acting and putting in place measures that really make a difference”No measure, actor or success condition is named for the action being claimed.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “We are focused on delivering the results that Canadians need”No date, measure or success condition accompanies the commitment to deliver results.

Echo · 1 repeated line

Words members of Parliament keep repeating, found by the same rule for every member. No score depends on it.

“Train and hire up to 100,000 new Red Seal trades workers in the next five years.”Said 8 times by 7 members.Every time it was said

Claims · 16

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“team Canada strong”The government has a workforce initiative called ‘Team Canada Strong’.search
2“$6-billion promise”The Team Canada Strong initiative is a $6-billion commitment to protect and grow the workforce.search
3“up to 100,000 new Red Seal workers in the next five years”Team Canada Strong aims to recruit, train and hire up to 100,000 new Red Seal workers over five years from 2026.search
4“more than 410,000 vacant skilled trades positions”Within seven years of May 2026 there will be more than 410,000 vacant skilled trades positions across Canada.search
5“expand our union training and innovation program”Team Canada Strong will expand the union training and innovation program.search
6“Small and medium-sized businesses will be supported when they hire new first-year apprentices”Small and medium-sized businesses will be supported when they hire new first-year apprentices under Team Canada Strong.search
7“up to $10,000”The build Canada apprenticeship program provides employers up to $10,000 to hire and train apprentices.search
8“$5,000 completion bonus”Red Seal certified tradespersons under the build Canada apprenticeship program receive a $5,000 completion bonus.search
9“$400 per week”The new apprenticeship training grant gives apprentices an income top-up of $400 per week during technical training.search
10“total payment of $16,000 per apprentice”The apprenticeship supports total $16,000 per apprentice.search
11“$2.9-billion annual investment”The labour market development agreements and workforce development agreements represent a $2.9-billion annual investment in training and employment assistance services.search
12“more than 600,000 young people”Since 2019, the Canada summer jobs program has helped more than 600,000 young people find summer employment.search
13“up to 100,000 jobs”In summer 2026, the Canada summer jobs program will support up to 100,000 jobs for youth aged 15 to 30.search
14“over 175,000 opportunities”In 2026 the government is supporting over 175,000 opportunities for youth and students under the student work placement program, the youth employment and skills strategy, and Canada summer jobs.search
15“up to 55,000 work-integrated learning opportunities”In 2026-27, the student work placement program will support up to 55,000 work-integrated learning opportunities for post-secondary students.search
16“Over 34,000 employers and 420 post-secondary institutions”Over 34,000 employers and 420 post-secondary institutions have participated in the student work placement program.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20