Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Ali Ehsassi

Liberal on Adjournment Proceedings 2026-05-26

161 words · 9 sentences · 10 clauses

Replying to Grant Jackson (Conservative)

“Madam Speaker, that was a lesson in obfuscation that would give even the Manitoba provincial NDP a run for their money, and that is saying something. My colleague from Winnipeg North will know what I am talking about. The member did eventually get to domestic food production at about minute three in that response, but the vast majority of what he talked about was grocery benefits that will not help farmers and producers grow more food domestically. That needs to be more than just a footnote at the very end of the government’s responses. It needs to be the primary focus. More supply means cheaper groceries and produce at the store. If there were a small greenhouse benefit, there may be some merit to that, but there needs to be far more done by the government to increase domestic food production. We see it happening when government acts appropriately. The previous PC government in Manitoba provided the right tax incentives to Vermillion Growers in Dauphin. It has set up a massive tomato greenhouse in rural Manitoba in the Parkland region, which is growing year-round, providing fresh produce to Manitobans and those in eastern Saskatchewan. These things can be done if they are done appropriately. How much longer does the government want to take?”

Statement grade

49 / 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 73%Claims 18%Reasoning 9%

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

Madam Speaker, Positioning · 13 wordsI am not quite sure what he means when he talks about obfuscating.Positioning Claims · 12 wordsI listed a number of measures that have been introduced by government. Reasoning · 15 wordsIf the member chooses to ignore them, then I cannot possibly be charged with obfuscating.Partly on point Positioning · 50 wordsIt is interesting that the member claims to care about food, but he does not seem to find it within himself to support any of those programs that I listed for him, whether it is the Canada child benefit or cutting taxes for Canadians and providing timely and meaningful supports.Positioning Claims · 17 wordsHe has also, I would say, voted against the national school food program to feed hungry children.¹ Positioning · 54 wordsOf course, he does not think much of that program.Off point With many people feeling the strain of rising everyday expenses, our government will continue to take responsible and pragmatic approaches.Partly on pointVague promise While conservatives will focus on slogans and social media clips, we are tackling long-term structural challenges.Off pointVague promise We are acting now to support all Canadians.PositioningPartly 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.
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

7 of 20 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 “I am not quite sure what he means when he talks about obfuscating.”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 “It is interesting that the member claims to care about food,”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 “but he does not seem to find it within himself to support any of those programs that I listed for him, whether it is the Canada child benefit or cutting taxes for Canadians and providing timely and meaningful supports.”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 “Of course, he does not think much of that program.”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 “With many people feeling the strain of rising everyday expenses, our government will continue to take responsible and pragmatic approaches.”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 conservatives will focus on slogans and social media clips, we are tackling long-term structural challenges.”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 “We are acting now to support all Canadians.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 19

10 of 20 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 question on notice.

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 am not quite sure what he means when he talks about obfuscating.”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 “I listed a number of measures that have been introduced by government.”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 “If the member chooses to ignore them, then I cannot possibly be charged with obfuscating.”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 “It is interesting that the member claims to care about food,”About the member’s record on government programs, not the timing of action on food production.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “but he does not seem to find it within himself to support any of those programs that I listed for him, whether it is the Canada child benefit or cutting taxes for Canadians and providing timely and meaningful supports.”About the member’s lack of support for listed programs, not the question of increasing food production.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “He has also, I would say, voted against the national school food program to feed hungry children.”About the member’s vote on the school food program, not domestic food production.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “Of course, he does not think much of that program.”A remark on the member’s view of the school food program, not the food production 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 “With many people feeling the strain of rising everyday expenses, our government will continue to take responsible and pragmatic approaches.”A general statement on affordability without answering how soon the government will act on food production.
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 conservatives will focus on slogans and social media clips, we are tackling long-term structural challenges.”About the Conservatives’ slogans rather than government action on food production.
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 acting now to support all Canadians.”A general pledge to support Canadians that does not answer the question about food production.

Respect · 100

0 of 20 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 · 65

3 of 20 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 “will continue to take responsible and pragmatic approaches”The commitment names no measure, date or success condition, only a general approach.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “we are tackling long-term structural challenges”No specific measure or goal is named for what is being tackled.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “We are acting now to support all Canadians”The action claimed names no measure, actor beyond ‘we’, or outcome.

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“voted against the national school food program”Grant Jackson (Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa—Cowichan-Sidney area? — the member who raised the question) voted against the national school food program.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20