Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on Finance 2026-05-25

75 words · 7 sentences · 7 clauses

Replying to Rhonda Kirkland (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, under this Prime Minister, we have the same old, same old, costly Liberals: more taxes, more debt, more on the national credit card and nothing to show for the waste. In April, gas prices exploded by 28.6¢ per litre, the largest monthly increase on record, hammering Canadians every time they fill up, and driving up the cost of everything. Now, the Liberal finance minister has even signalled that the Liberals think they have done enough. Does the Prime Minister actually believe Canadians can afford this level of Liberal inflation?”

Statement grade

30 / 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.

Procedure 7%Claims 75%The question 19%

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

Procedure · 5 wordsIt is good news, actually.Procedure Mr. Speaker, Claims · 56 wordsunfortunately, when we put things before this House that actually provide relief for Canadians, the member, at the absolute demand of her leader, stands up and votes against them. She votes against child care.¹ She votes against a reduction in fuel taxes.² She votes against dental care.³ She votes against training and opportunities for young people.⁴ The question · 14 wordsWhen will that member convince her leader to stop voting against help for Canadians?Off point

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 91

1 of 7 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.

Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “It is good news, actually.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 0

6 of 7 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.

Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “unfortunately, when we put things before this House that actually provide relief for Canadians, the member, at the absolute demand of her leader, stands up and votes against them.”About the member’s and her leader’s voting record, not whether Canadians can afford the inflation.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “She votes against child care.”About the member’s votes on child care, not the affordability question asked.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “She votes against a reduction in fuel taxes.”About the member’s votes on fuel taxes, not the affordability question asked.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “She votes against dental care.”About the member’s votes on dental care, not the affordability question asked.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “She votes against training and opportunities for young people.”About the member’s votes on youth training, not the affordability question asked.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “When will that member convince her leader to stop voting against help for Canadians?”A demand that the member change her leader’s conduct, not an answer on affordability.

Respect · 100

0 of 7 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 7 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“votes against child care”Rhonda Kirkland voted against the Liberal government’s child care legislation or funding.search
2“votes against a reduction in fuel taxes”Rhonda Kirkland voted against Liberal fuel tax reduction legislation.search
3“votes against dental care”Rhonda Kirkland voted against the Liberal government’s dental care programme legislation or funding.search
4“votes against training and opportunities for young people”Rhonda Kirkland voted against Liberal measures for training and opportunities for young people.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20