Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Ali Ehsassi

Liberal on Adjournment Proceedings 2026-05-26

574 words · 28 sentences · 29 clauses

Replying to Jacob Mantle (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, I am rising to follow up on a question I asked in question period on the topic of the economy and, in particular, the spring economic update, which we have been debating these last few weeks. In the spring economic update, the government’s charts show that Canada has one of the lowest net debt-to-GDP ratios. In fact, the government brags that Canada’s net debt-to-GDP ratio is far below the G7 average of about 100% and is around 10%. However, with every financial statement, I have learned that we have to read the notes, because in the notes we find the information we need to understand these numbers. When we read the notes to these charts, charts 34, 35 and 36, I believe, in the spring economic update, we will find the following in relation to defining government net debt: “The internationally comparable definition of ‘all levels of government’ includes the central, state, and local levels of government, and social security funds. For Canada, this includes the federal, provincial, territorial, and local and Indigenous government sectors, and the Canada Pension Plan and the Québec Pension Plan.” That is the key provision in the note, right at the end, where it says, “and the Canada Pension Plan and the Québec Pension Plan.” What the government is saying is that it has included in its calculation of debt and assets Canada’s pension plans. Of course, including Canada’s pension plans and their assets will lower the net debt-to-GDP ratio, but these assets have been earmarked for future pension obligations. They are not, or at least should not be, available to satisfy general government debt. Of course, the CPP and QPP are independently managed, as they should be. The government is suggesting in its spring economic update that the pension of Canadians be available to satisfy its debts. I am not arguing about the calculation of net debt to GDP right now. I am simply focused on the idea that the government is suggesting that the assets of the CPP and QPP could be used to satisfy government debts. My question to the parliamentary secretary this evening is this: Is it the position of the Liberal government that the CPP and the QPP could be raided by foreign creditors to satisfy the government’s debts?”

Statement grade

64 / 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.

Claims 92%Reasoning 2%Procedure 4%Promise 2%

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

Madam Speaker, Claims · 48 wordsallow me to start off by emphasizing that the global landscape is rapidly changing, leaving businesses, workers and families under a cloud of uncertainty. As a result of all these geopolitical shifts, the costs of groceries and everyday essentials in Canada have been high for way too long. Reasoning · 10 wordsWe believe our economy is stronger when it serves everyone. Claims · 276 wordsThat is why we took action to make groceries and other essentials more affordable in the near term and, in parallel, to promote food security and support innovation in the agricultural and food sectors.Vague promise To support the people most affected by the rising price of food, in January 2026 we announced a new Canada groceries and essentials benefit to help more than 12 million Canadians afford day-to-day essentials.¹ The Canada groceries and essentials benefit builds on the existing goods and services tax credit and will provide $11.7 billion in additional support over six years.² This includes a one-time top-up payment to be issued June 5, equal to a 50% increase in the annual 2025-26 value of the GST credit.³ This delivers, of course, $3.1 billion in assistance to individuals and families who currently get the GST credit.⁴ We know that Canadian household budgets are feeling the squeeze from higher costs. There is no doubt that this spike is causing financial difficulties for far too many individual Canadians. To help Canadians and businesses manage such pressures, our government introduced a temporary suspension of the federal fuel excise tax on gasoline, diesel and aviation fuels.⁵ The suspension came into effect on April 20 and will stay in place until and including Labour Day, September 7.⁶ This step is expected to lower Canadian bills at the gas station by up to 10¢ per litre in gasoline and four cents on diesel.⁷ Such temporary suspensions are expected to save Canadians up to an estimated $5.75 on gasoline when filling up a typical 50-litre tank of fuel.⁸ Overall, the suspension is estimated to provide relief of over $2.4 billion in 2026-27.⁹Partly on point Procedure · 19 wordsWe have done even more to alleviate the pressure from the high cost of fuels on Canadian household budgets.Procedure Claims · 71 wordsRight after taking office, the Prime Minister cancelled the federal consumer fuel charge, effective April 1, 2025, in a move that directly helped Canadians save money at the pump.¹⁰ As of that very same date, our government also removed the requirement for provinces and territories to have a consumer-facing carbon price.¹¹ These actions helped reduce gas prices in most provinces and territories by about 18¢ per litre in comparison to 2024-25.¹²Partly on point Procedure · 3 wordsThere is more.Procedure Claims · 133 wordsOur government is also delivering major tax breaks to Canadians. Since July 1, Canadians have been paying less tax, after the government lowered the first marginal personal income tax rate from 15% to 14%.¹³ Thanks to this change, I would add, 22 million Canadians benefit from tax relief of up to $420 per person, saving two-income families up to $840 this year.¹⁴ Our government has eliminated the GST for first-time buyers on new homes up to $1 million and reduced the GST for first-time homebuyers on new homes between $1 million and $1.5 million.¹⁵ In addition, we have also made the national school food program permanent, providing school meals for up to 400,000 children each year.¹⁶ Despite what the member is suggesting, there are a number of different affordability measures in the update. Promise · 14 wordsWe are working on that.Vague promise We are working on investments, Vague promiseand we will continue—Partly on pointVague promise

At a glance

Lost points for
Didn't answerNone of this reply addressed the specific point raised or the topic under debate.
Echo ×29“We introduced the Canada groceries and essentials benefit.” Said 29 times by 19 members.Every time it was said
Echo ×14“We have also made the national school food program permanent.” Said 14 times by 11 members.Every time it was said
Echo ×11“We have effectively eliminated GST for first-time homebuyers on new homes up to $1 million and reduced GST for first-time homebuyers on new homes between $1 million and $1.5 million.” Said 11 times by 8 members.Every time it was said
Echo ×8“We introduced a temporary suspension of the federal fuel excise tax on gasoline.” Said 8 times by 7 members.Every time it was said
Echo ×7“Since July 1, Canadians have been paying less tax, after the government lowered the first marginal personal income tax rate from 15% to 14%.” Said 7 times by 7 members.Every time it was said
Echo ×7“Our government also removed the requirement for provinces and territories to have a consumer-facing carbon price.” Said 7 times by 5 members.Every time it was said
Echo ×4“22 million Canadians benefit from tax relief of up to $420 per person.” Said 4 times by 4 members.Every time it was said
Echo ×4“Saving two-income families up to $840 this year.” Said 4 times by 4 members.Every time it was said
Echo ×4“Equal to a 50% increase in the annual 2025-26 value of the GST credit.” Said 4 times by 3 members.Every time it was said

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 90

2 of 33 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 “We have done even more to alleviate the pressure from the high cost of fuels on Canadian household budgets.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “There is more.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 34

27 of 33 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 on notice, as the member's speech raises 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 “allow me to start off by emphasizing that the global landscape is rapidly changing, leaving businesses, workers and families under a cloud of uncertainty.”About global economic uncertainty generally, not the pension plans’ treatment in the debt calculation.
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 “As a result of all these geopolitical shifts, the costs of groceries and everyday essentials in Canada have been high for way too long.”About high grocery and essential costs, not the question on the CPP and QPP.
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 believe our economy is stronger when it serves everyone.”A general statement about the economy, not the pension plans asked about.
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 “That is why we took action to make groceries and other essentials more affordable in the near term and, in parallel, to promote food security and support innovation in the agricultural and food sectors.”About government affordability and food-security actions, not the debt calculation 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 “To support the people most affected by the rising price of food, in January 2026 we announced a new Canada groceries and essentials benefit to help more than 12 million Canadians afford day-to-day essentials.”Describes the groceries and essentials benefit, not the CPP and QPP 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 “The Canada groceries and essentials benefit builds on the existing goods and services tax credit and will provide $11.7 billion in additional support over six years.”Details of the groceries benefit, not the pension plans’ treatment in the debt figures.
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 “This includes a one-time top-up payment to be issued June 5, equal to a 50% increase in the annual 2025-26 value of the GST credit.”Details of the top-up payment, not the question asked about the economic update’s debt notes.
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 “This delivers, of course, $3.1 billion in assistance to individuals and families who currently get the GST credit.”Figures for the GST credit assistance, not the pension plan 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 “We know that Canadian household budgets are feeling the squeeze from higher costs.”About household budget pressures, not the debt calculation 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 “There is no doubt that this spike is causing financial difficulties for far too many individual Canadians.”About financial difficulties from cost spikes, not the pension plans.
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 “To help Canadians and businesses manage such pressures, our government introduced a temporary suspension of the federal fuel excise tax on gasoline, diesel and aviation fuels.”About the fuel excise tax suspension, not the CPP and QPP 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 “The suspension came into effect on April 20 and will stay in place until and including Labour Day, September 7.”Dates of the fuel tax suspension, not the question on the debt figures.
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 “This step is expected to lower Canadian bills at the gas station by up to 10¢ per litre in gasoline and four cents on diesel.”Expected savings at the gas pump, not the pension plan 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 “Such temporary suspensions are expected to save Canadians up to an estimated $5.75 on gasoline when filling up a typical 50-litre tank of fuel.”Estimated fuel savings for fill-ups, not the debt calculation 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 “Overall, the suspension is estimated to provide relief of over $2.4 billion in 2026-27.”Estimated relief from the fuel suspension, not the CPP and QPP 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 “Right after taking office, the Prime Minister cancelled the federal consumer fuel charge, effective April 1, 2025, in a move that directly helped Canadians save money at the pump.”About cancelling the consumer fuel charge, not the pension plans’ treatment in the debt figures.
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 “As of that very same date, our government also removed the requirement for provinces and territories to have a consumer-facing carbon price.”About removing the carbon price requirement, not the question on the debt notes.
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 “These actions helped reduce gas prices in most provinces and territories by about 18¢ per litre in comparison to 2024-25.”About gas price reductions, not the CPP and QPP 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 “Our government is also delivering major tax breaks to Canadians.”About tax breaks generally, not the pension plan 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 “Since July 1, Canadians have been paying less tax, after the government lowered the first marginal personal income tax rate from 15% to 14%.”About the lowered income tax rate, not the debt calculation 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 “Thanks to this change, I would add, 22 million Canadians benefit from tax relief of up to $420 per person, saving two-income families up to $840 this year.”About tax relief figures, not the CPP and QPP 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 “Our government has eliminated the GST for first-time buyers on new homes up to $1 million and reduced the GST for first-time homebuyers on new homes between $1 million and $1.5 million.”About GST changes for first-time homebuyers, 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 “In addition, we have also made the national school food program permanent, providing school meals for up to 400,000 children each year.”About the school food program, not the pension plans’ treatment in the debt figures.
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 “Despite what the member is suggesting, there are a number of different affordability measures in the update.”Points to affordability measures in the update but does not address the pension plan question raised about 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 “We are working on that.”A general assurance of work in progress, not an answer on the CPP and QPP.
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 are working on investments,”A general reference to investments, not the question on the debt calculation.
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 “and we will continue—”An unfinished assurance of continuing action, not the pension plan question.

Respect · 100

0 of 33 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 · 80

4 of 33 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 took action to make groceries and other essentials more affordable”A commitment to affordability with no specific measure, date or success condition named.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “We are working on that”No actor, measure or outcome specified in the commitment.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “We are working on investments”No measure, amount or timeline identified for the investment commitment.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “we will continue—”An unfinished commitment with no actor, measure or success condition.

Echo · 9 repeated lines

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

“We introduced the Canada groceries and essentials benefit.”Said 29 times by 19 members.Every time it was said
“We have also made the national school food program permanent.”Said 14 times by 11 members.Every time it was said
“We have effectively eliminated GST for first-time homebuyers on new homes up to $1 million and reduced GST for first-time homebuyers on new homes between $1 million and $1.5 million.”Said 11 times by 8 members.Every time it was said
“We introduced a temporary suspension of the federal fuel excise tax on gasoline.”Said 8 times by 7 members.Every time it was said
“Since July 1, Canadians have been paying less tax, after the government lowered the first marginal personal income tax rate from 15% to 14%.”Said 7 times by 7 members.Every time it was said
“Our government also removed the requirement for provinces and territories to have a consumer-facing carbon price.”Said 7 times by 5 members.Every time it was said
“22 million Canadians benefit from tax relief of up to $420 per person.”Said 4 times by 4 members.Every time it was said
“Saving two-income families up to $840 this year.”Said 4 times by 4 members.Every time it was said
“Equal to a 50% increase in the annual 2025-26 value of the GST credit.”Said 4 times by 3 members.Every time it was said

Claims · 16

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“in January 2026 we announced a new Canada groceries and essentials benefit to help more than 12 million Canadians”In January 2026 the federal government announced a new Canada groceries and essentials benefit to help more than 12 million Canadians afford day-to-day essentials.search
2“$11.7 billion in additional support over six years”The Canada groceries and essentials benefit provides $11.7 billion in additional support over six years and builds on the GST credit.search
3“a one-time top-up payment to be issued June 5, equal to a 50% increase in the annual 2025-26 value of the GST credit”A one-time top-up payment to the GST credit, equal to a 50% increase in its annual 2025-26 value, was scheduled to be issued on June 5, 2026.search
4“$3.1 billion in assistance to individuals and families who currently get the GST credit”The GST credit top-up delivers $3.1 billion in assistance to individuals and families who currently receive the GST credit.search
5“a temporary suspension of the federal fuel excise tax on gasoline, diesel and aviation fuels”The federal government introduced a temporary suspension of the federal fuel excise tax on gasoline, diesel and aviation fuels.search
6“The suspension came into effect on April 20 and will stay in place until and including Labour Day, September 7”The federal fuel excise tax suspension came into effect on April 20, 2026, and is set to stay in place until and including September 7, 2026.search
7“lower Canadian bills at the gas station by up to 10¢ per litre in gasoline and four cents on diesel”The fuel excise tax suspension is expected to lower gas prices by up to 10 cents per litre for gasoline and four cents for diesel.search
8“up to an estimated $5.75 on gasoline when filling up a typical 50-litre tank of fuel”The fuel excise tax suspension is estimated to save Canadians up to $5.75 when filling a typical 50-litre tank of gasoline.search
9“relief of over $2.4 billion in 2026-27”The fuel excise tax suspension is estimated to provide relief of over $2.4 billion in 2026-27.search
10“the Prime Minister cancelled the federal consumer fuel charge, effective April 1, 2025”The Prime Minister cancelled the federal consumer fuel charge effective April 1, 2025.search
11“removed the requirement for provinces and territories to have a consumer-facing carbon price”As of April 1, 2025, the federal government removed the requirement for provinces and territories to have a consumer-facing carbon price.search
12“reduce gas prices in most provinces and territories by about 18¢ per litre in comparison to 2024-25”Gas prices in most provinces and territories fell by about 18 cents per litre compared with 2024-25, attributed to these actions.search
13“lowered the first marginal personal income tax rate from 15% to 14%”The federal government lowered the first marginal personal income tax rate from 15% to 14%, effective July 1.search
14“22 million Canadians benefit from tax relief of up to $420 per person, saving two-income families up to $840 this year”The personal income tax cut benefits 22 million Canadians by up to $420 per person, saving two-income families up to $840 this year.search
15“eliminated the GST for first-time buyers on new homes up to $1 million and reduced the GST for first-time homebuyers on new homes between $1 million and $1.5 million”The federal government eliminated the GST for first-time buyers on new homes up to $1 million and reduced it on new homes between $1 million and $1.5 million.search
16“made the national school food program permanent, providing school meals for up to 400,000 children each year”The federal government made the national school food program permanent, providing school meals for up to 400,000 children each year.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20