Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Chris Lewis

Conservative on Business of Supply 2026-05-26

121 words · 7 sentences · 8 clauses

Replying to Carlos Leitão (Liberal)

“Mr. Speaker, I understand the situation very well. In my riding also, folks talk to us all the time about the high prices of gasoline and about the high cost of living. Everybody is worried about that. Also, folks do understand that the current high prices of gasoline come from the very sudden increase in crude oil prices, which is totally out of the government’s control. By the way, oil is a global commodity, so global oil prices affect everybody, including the United States. Does my colleague not think that an across-the-board reduction in gasoline taxes would benefit folks at the higher end of the income scale more than people—”

Statement grade

D+

54 / 100, held down by Signal

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

Thanks 9%Claims 20%Anecdote 64%Reasoning 7%

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

Mr. Speaker, Thanks · 7 wordsthe hon. member’s question was very respectful.Thanks Claims · 24 wordsI believe all 343 members of Parliament can probably point to local stories in their own ridings about the cost of everything these days.¹ Anecdote · 78 wordsOne of my favourite things I love to do is spend time with my sons and, when their buddies come over after a day of fishing or perhaps a day of hunting, listen to their stories. They are not talking about people who are overly privileged. They are talking about their own lives today and the very fact that they cannot afford to go somewhere or cannot afford to do something. They just want an opportunity going forward.AnecdotePartly on point Thanks · 4 wordsI appreciate the question, ThanksReasoning · 8 wordsbut quite frankly, it affects all of us.

At a glance

Lost points for
Little substanceMuch of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 24

6 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.

Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “the hon. member’s question was very respectful.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “One of my favourite things I love to do is spend time with my sons and, when their buddies come over after a day of fishing or perhaps a day of hunting, listen to their stories.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “They are not talking about people who are overly privileged.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “They are talking about their own lives today and the very fact that they cannot afford to go somewhere or cannot afford to do something.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “They just want an opportunity going forward.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I appreciate the question,”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 61

5 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 “I believe all 343 members of Parliament can probably point to local stories in their own ridings about the cost of everything these days.”About cost-of-living stories in ridings generally, not whether a tax cut skews to higher incomes.
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 “One of my favourite things I love to do is spend time with my sons and, when their buddies come over after a day of fishing or perhaps a day of hunting, listen to their stories.”A personal aside about time with his sons, not about the tax-cut 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 “They are not talking about people who are overly privileged.”Part of the anecdote about who the stories concern, not 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 “They are talking about their own lives today and the very fact that they cannot afford to go somewhere or cannot afford to do something.”About constituents’ affordability struggles, not whether the proposed cut would favour higher earners.
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 “They just want an opportunity going forward.”A general remark about constituents’ hopes, not the distributional question raised.

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 · 100

0 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.

Nothing lost points.

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“all 343 members of Parliament”The House of Commons of Canada has 343 members of Parliament.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20