Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Patricia Lattanzio

Liberal on Justice 2026-05-08

78 words · 8 sentences · 8 clauses

Replying to Mario Simard (Bloc Québécois)

“Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Prime Minister and his Minister of Justice confirmed that any future referendum will be subject to the undemocratic Clarity Act. They want to pick the question and decide what constitutes a majority. We would remind them that a democratic majority is 50% of the votes plus one. That is the rule wherever democracy exists. We would also remind them that the difference between a democracy and a banana republic is that in a banana republic, the government interferes with its citizens’ democratic choice. Is the government going to respect democracy?”

Statement grade

A–

Average 87 / 100

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

Promise 59%Claims 41%

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

Mr. Speaker, Promise · 46 wordsour government will always protect the Constitution and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.Vague promise We will always defend them.Vague promise We are not going to speak on that at this stage. We will wait for the results to come in and see what happens in Alberta.Partly on point Claims · 32 wordsHowever, the Prime Minister has been very clear. The rules are clear. A majority is 50% of the votes plus one.¹ There are laws on that and they have to be upheld.

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 100

0 of 4 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.

Nothing lost points.

Relevance · 79

2 of 4 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 are not going to speak on that at this stage.”Declines to comment at this stage rather than addressing the democracy 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 “We will wait for the results to come in and see what happens in Alberta.”Defers to future Alberta results instead of answering the question asked.

Respect · 100

0 of 4 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 · 69

2 of 4 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 “will always protect the Constitution”An open-ended commitment by the speaker’s own government with no measure, date or success condition.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “We will always defend them”A commitment with no specified action or measure, only an indefinite pledge.

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“A majority is 50% of the votes plus one.”A majority is 50% of the votes plus one.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20