Analysis · Debate reply · beta

François-Philippe Champagne

Liberal on Business of Supply 2026-05-26

154 words · 11 sentences · 14 clauses

Replying to Raquel Dancho (Conservative)

“Madam Chair, I do believe Volkswagen has written down $6 billion because of losses in electric vehicles. These CEOs are really showing what the market is demanding, and that is not electric vehicles. If we look at Stellantis, for example, it wrote down $26 billion on EV investments. Stellantis cited that its customers were not buying them, and that is why it just could not make a profit from EVs. Just in January, GM, which also received subsidies from the Liberal government and the taxpayer, announced $6 billion of write-downs as well on EV operations. They warned that more EV writedowns may be happening. In December, Ford announced nearly $20 billion of writedowns. It just keeps coming on EV productions. After years of trying to make them profitable, they are just not profitable. Again, how can the minister stand here and say that the government has spent hundreds of millions of dollars and committed billions more, yet the CEOs themselves are saying that they cannot make a profit with these EVs?”

Statement grade

A–

Average 87 / 100

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

Greeting 3%Claims 81%Aside 9%Positioning 7%

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

Mr. Chair, Greeting · 4 wordsit is a pleasure.Greeting Claims · 48 wordsI know the member knows the sector because she has New Flyer in her riding, ¹which I am still looking forward to visiting because it is a great company, and it is also looking at electric buses.Partly on point My colleague will be happy to learn we were very disciplined. Aside · 14 wordsThe Chair will remember this because I know he took note at the time.AsidePartly on point Claims · 44 wordsWe were talking about production subsidies. This was on the back of the Inflation Reduction Act.² In order to attract these investments, we were very smart, because we said we would only pay out when a number of units had been built and sold.³ Positioning · 11 wordsMembers should be reassured that we have been good fiscal stewards.Positioning Claims · 33 wordsWe have attracted investment. We have been very disciplined in how we structured these deals. I would say to my colleague that she should keep in mind that the electric stack is the—Partly on point

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 75

3 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.

Greetings and pleasantries.What the tags mean “it is a pleasure.”A greeting: no claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “The Chair will remember this because I know he took note at the time.”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “Members should be reassured that we have been good fiscal stewards.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 74

5 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 “I know the member knows the sector because she has New Flyer in her riding,”About the member’s local connection to the bus maker, not the challenge on unprofitable EV subsidies.
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 “which I am still looking forward to visiting because it is a great company,”A remark about visiting a company in her riding, not the profitability of EV investments.
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 it is also looking at electric buses.”About electric buses as a product, not answering the challenge on subsidy spending and losses.
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 Chair will remember this because I know he took note at the time.”An aside addressed to the Chair, not to the point put.
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 would say to my colleague that she should keep in mind that the electric stack is the—”An unfinished remark on EV cost structure that does not complete a point on the challenge.

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 · 100

0 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.

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“she has New Flyer in her riding”Raquel Dancho’s riding contains a New Flyer facility.search
2“the Inflation Reduction Act”Canada’s electric vehicle production subsidy negotiations followed the United States’ Inflation Reduction Act.search
3“we said we would only pay out when a number of units had been built and sold”Canada’s EV production subsidy agreements were structured so that payments are made only after a number of units have been built and sold.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20