Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on The Economy 2026-05-26

99 words · 7 sentences · 7 clauses

Replying to Pierre Poilievre (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, he is bringing down Canada. It does not help the Canadians who cannot pay their bills for that minister to get up and take credit for projects that were approved 14 years ago, nor does it help when the Prime Minister of Canada refuses to even stand on his feet and defend his disastrous economic record at a time when our households are by far the most indebted anywhere in the G7 because the Liberals block projects, because they have raised taxes and because they have caused inflation and the highest housing costs in the entire group of seven nations. Will the Prime Minister reverse these inflationary policies before Canadians lose their homes?”

Statement grade

46 / 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.

Positioning 91%Claims 9%

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

Mr. Speaker, Positioning · 85 wordswe know why this member asks all the questions. It is to save him writing the questions out for all the other members of the bench who do not get to ask the questions.Partly on pointMockery While we are asking questions, when is that member going to answer why he would refuse saving Canadians thousands of dollars on child care? When is he going to justify his opposition to reducing taxes for Canadians? When is he going to justify his opposition to creating the Canada child benefit?¹Positioning Claims · 9 wordsAll of these things save Canadians thousands of dollars. Positioning · 5 wordsWhy is he against them?PositioningOff point

At a glance

Lost points for
Didn't answerNone of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.
Personal attackThis statement targeted a person rather than their actions or views: “It is to save him writing the questions out for all the other members of the bench who do not get to ask the questions”.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 31

5 of 13 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.

Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “we know why this member asks all the questions.”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 “While we are asking questions, when is that member going to answer why he would refuse saving Canadians thousands of dollars on child care?”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 “When is he going to justify his opposition to reducing taxes for Canadians?”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 “When is he going to justify his opposition to creating the Canada child benefit?”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 “Why is he against them?”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 16

7 of 13 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 know why this member asks all the questions.”On the subject of the question, but no answer to what was asked can be drawn from it.
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 “It is to save him writing the questions out for all the other members of the bench who do not get to ask the questions.”On the subject of the question, but no answer to what was asked can be drawn from it.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “While we are asking questions, when is that member going to answer why he would refuse saving Canadians thousands of dollars on child care?”Demands the member justify his record on child care instead of answering the question about reversing policies.
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 is he going to justify his opposition to reducing taxes for Canadians?”Demands justification of the member’s tax record instead of answering 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 “When is he going to justify his opposition to creating the Canada child benefit?”Demands justification of the member’s past opposition to a benefit instead of addressing the question.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “All of these things save Canadians thousands of dollars.”Cites the value of government measures rather than the question of reversing inflationary policies.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “Why is he against them?”A question about the member’s stance on those measures, not an answer on reversing policies.

Respect · 68

1 of 13 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.

Mocking a person instead of answering their argument.What the tags mean “It is to save him writing the questions out for all the other members of the bench who do not get to ask the questions”It ridicules the member personally, casting him as a stand-in reading scripts for others rather than attacking his record.

Clarity · 100

0 of 13 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“his opposition to creating the Canada child benefit”Pierre Poilievre opposed the creation of the Canada child benefit.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20