Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Mark Carney

Liberal on Justice 2026-05-26

74 words · 3 sentences · 4 clauses

Replying to Christine Normandin (Bloc Québécois)

“Mr. Speaker, respecting democracy means not only avoiding interfering in referendum questions, but also avoiding interfering in the people’s answer. A clear majority is 50% of the votes plus one. As the Prime Minister knows, all his laws are passed with a majority of 50% plus one. His own majority is 50% plus one. Even his own parliamentary secretary for justice said that the rule is 50% plus one. That is democracy, except for referendums apparently, because of the Clarity Act. Will the Prime Minister stop this drift away from democracy?”

Statement grade

A+

Average 95 / 100

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

Reasoning 30%Claims 70%

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

Mr. Speaker, Reasoning · 22 wordswe need to respect democracy, we need to respect the laws of Parliament and the decisions of the Supreme Court of Canada.Partly on point Claims · 52 wordsUnder the Clarity Act, the House of Commons must consider the following factors to establish the definition of a clear vote: ¹“the size of the majority of valid votes cast in favour of the secessionist option [and] the percentage of eligible voters voting in the referendum”.² It is not 50% plus one.³

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 100

0 of 1 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 · 81

1 of 1 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 need to respect democracy, we need to respect the laws of Parliament and the decisions of the Supreme Court of Canada.”It affirms general respect for democracy and the law without giving an answer on the referendum rule.

Respect · 100

0 of 1 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 1 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 · 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“Under the Clarity Act, the House of Commons must consider the following factors to establish the definition of a clear vote”Under the Clarity Act, the House of Commons must consider specified factors to establish the definition of a clear vote on secession.search
2““the size of the majority of valid votes cast in favour of the secessionist option [and] the percentage of eligible voters voting in the referendum””The Clarity Act lists as factors for a clear vote ‘the size of the majority of valid votes cast in favour of the secessionist option’ and ‘the percentage of eligible voters voting in the referendum’.search
3“It is not 50% plus one”Under the Clarity Act, a clear majority for secession is not defined as 50% plus one of votes cast.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20