Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

David Myles

Liberal on Taxation 2026-05-25

81 words · 6 sentences · 7 clauses

Replying to Rachael Thomas (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, last week the CRTC announced that it will be tripling the online streaming tax from 5% to 15%. This tax will now drive up the cost that consumers pay for things like Netflix or Disney+. Just this weekend, Spotify announced that, taking effect in July, they will be increasing their prices. For over 800 years, it has been parliamentary tradition that only Parliament imposes a tax. Regulators like the CRTC do not have the authority to do that. Will this government speak to the CRTC and make it reverse course?”

Statement grade

Average 79 / 100

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

Procedure 14%Positioning 30%Claims 57%

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

Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 11 wordslet me be very clear, this is not a new tax.¹ProcedureUnearned certainty Positioning · 24 wordsThis is an imaginary tax, once again brought up in the House. Our government is relentlessly focused on the cost of living for Canadians.Positioning Claims · 46 wordsThat is why we cut taxes for 22 million Canadians.²Off point This decision from the CRTC only ensures that existing rules are applied in a way that fosters fair competition.³ This is about protecting Canada’s distinct culture and identity, and ensuring the vitality of our cultural sectors.

At a glance

Lost points for
Echo ×17“We cut taxes for 22 million Canadians.” Said 17 times by 12 members.Every time it was said

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 51

3 of 6 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 “let me be very clear, this is not a new tax.”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 “This is an imaginary tax, once again brought up in the House.”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 “Our government is relentlessly focused on the cost of living for Canadians.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 64

2 of 6 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 “Our government is relentlessly focused on the cost of living for Canadians.”General praise of the government’s cost-of-living focus, not an answer on directing the CRTC.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “That is why we cut taxes for 22 million Canadians.”Touts the government’s own tax cuts, not the CRTC decision asked about.

Respect · 100

0 of 6 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

1 of 6 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.

Something stated as certain with nothing to back it.What the tags mean “let me be very clear”The formula asserts certainty in place of any source or argument for the denial.

Echo · 1 repeated line

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

“We cut taxes for 22 million Canadians.”Said 17 times by 12 members.Every time it was said

Claims · 3

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“this is not a new tax”The CRTC’s online streaming levy is not a new tax.search
2“we cut taxes for 22 million Canadians”The Liberal government cut taxes for 22 million Canadians.search
3“existing rules are applied”The CRTC’s streaming decision applies existing rules rather than creating new ones.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20