Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Elizabeth May

Green on Business of Supply 2026-05-26

190 words · 5 sentences · 8 clauses

Replying to Eric Melillo (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands’ speech. I thought it was very thoughtful. I agree with many of the things she highlighted, one of which was this. If I am not mistaken, I believe she pointed out, quite rightly, that what the Liberals have proposed in terms of removing gas taxes until Labour Day is “insufficient” savings. I believe that was the word the member used. I would agree with that. That is why our Conservative team is bringing forward this motion today to remove all gas taxes for the rest of the year, which would save an average family over $1,200 for the year. I am sure the member would agree that Canadians are struggling with the cost of living. That being said, she has acknowledged that she will not be supporting this motion. I am curious if she can explain why she will not be supporting this motion, given her comments that what the Liberals have brought forward is insufficient. We are planning to go further to offer Canadians more savings.”

Statement grade

62 / 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.

Procedure 5%Positioning 57%Reasoning 17%Promise 21%

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

Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 9 wordsI do think it is important to remember that, ProcedurePositioning · 109 wordswhile it is rare that on any climate issue one would invoke Stephen Harper’s legacy, the current government’s climate policies are so bad that they do bring to mind things that Stephen Harper did better, such as deciding that the gas tax should be permanent and should be used to fund urban transit.¹Partly on point I think there is a bit of bait and switch when they say they are going to relieve this tax. I think what the Liberals are doing is fuelling, no pun intended, the wrong message, as if the narrative is correct that somehow it is the extra taxes from government that are making gas more expensive.Positioning Reasoning · 33 wordsIt is a factor, but a much larger factor is that we have structured our economy and our use of fossil fuels around shipping out low-value exports and not creating the jobs here. Promise · 39 wordsPart of the Green Party policy, just to make it clear for my friends across the way, is to pick a date on which we will transition off fossil fuels and only use Canadian fossil fuels till that date.²Partly on pointVague promise

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 · 32

5 of 8 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 “I do think it is important to remember that,”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 “while it is rare that on any climate issue one would invoke Stephen Harper’s legacy, the current government’s climate policies are so bad that they do bring to mind things that Stephen Harper did better, such as deciding that the gas tax should be permanent and should be used to fund urban transit.”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 “I think there is a bit of bait and switch when they say they are going to relieve this tax.”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 “I think what the Liberals are doing is fuelling, no pun intended, the wrong message,”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 “as if the narrative is correct that somehow it is the extra taxes from government that are making gas more expensive.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 66

2 of 8 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 “while it is rare that on any climate issue one would invoke Stephen Harper’s legacy, the current government’s climate policies are so bad that they do bring to mind things that Stephen Harper did better, such as deciding that the gas tax should be permanent and should be used to fund urban transit.”A historical comparison about Harper’s gas tax policy and transit funding, not a reason for her position on the motion.
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 “Part of the Green Party policy, just to make it clear for my friends across the way, is to pick a date on which we will transition off fossil fuels and only use Canadian fossil fuels till that date.”It sets out Green Party transition policy, an aside that does not address why she will not support the motion.

Respect · 100

0 of 8 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 · 71

1 of 8 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.

A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “we will transition off fossil fuels”The commitment names no date, measure or success condition, deferring even the date to a future pick.

Claims · 2

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“deciding that the gas tax should be permanent and should be used to fund urban transit”Under Stephen Harper, the federal gas tax was made permanent and dedicated to funding urban transit.search
2“Part of the Green Party policy, just to make it clear for my friends across the way, is to pick a date on which we will transition off fossil fuels”The Green Party’s policy includes picking a date to transition off fossil fuels, using only Canadian fossil fuels until then.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20