Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on Finance 2026-05-27

95 words · 7 sentences · 8 clauses

Replying to Carol Anstey (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, costly Liberal policies drive inflation up, forcing Canadians to pay more for gas, food and rent. Members do not need to take my word for it. The April stats prove it. Inflation, gas prices and food prices are all up, yet the Liberal Prime Minister keeps spending: $290 million for the failed PrescribeIT scandal, $200 million for a gravel space pad in a Liberal riding and $742 million for a failed gun grab. It is more costs, more taxes, more debt and more on the national credit card. The Prime Minister is just another costly Liberal with nothing to show for his waste. When will he stop?”

Statement grade

30 / 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.

Procedure 18%Claims 77%Positioning 5%

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

Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 9 wordsdo members know what Canadians are not talking about?Procedure Claims · 14 wordsIt is whatever was written by the Leader of the Opposition for that member.Off point Procedure · 8 wordsDo members know what they are talking about?Procedure Claims · 59 wordsThey are talking about the first-ever long-term contract for liquid natural gas off our west coast, a partnership with indigenous peoples, a partnership that lasts and a partnership with our allies, ¹and that was all before noon. There is the first-ever deal with Sweden to manufacture military aircraft here in Canada, with 3,000 jobs.² That is just before noon. Positioning · 5 wordsWe are just getting going.PositioningOff pointVague promise

At a glance

Lost points for
Didn't answerNone of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 71

3 of 10 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 “do members know what Canadians are not talking about?”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 “Do members know what they are talking about?”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 “We are just getting going.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 0

6 of 10 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.

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 whatever was written by the Leader of the Opposition for that member.”About who wrote the questioner’s remarks, not when the spending will stop.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “They are talking about the first-ever long-term contract for liquid natural gas off our west coast, a partnership with indigenous peoples, a partnership that lasts and a partnership with our allies,”Praise of an LNG partnership announcement, not an answer on stopping spending.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “and that was all before noon.”A timing aside about the announcements, not the spending 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 “There is the first-ever deal with Sweden to manufacture military aircraft here in Canada, with 3,000 jobs.”Praise of a military aircraft deal and jobs, not an answer on stopping spending.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “That is just before noon.”A timing aside about the announcements, not the spending 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 “We are just getting going.”A boast about more announcements to come, not the spending question.

Respect · 100

0 of 10 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 · 91

1 of 10 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 are just getting going”It commits the speaker’s side to more unspecified action with no measure, actor or date.

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“the first-ever long-term contract for liquid natural gas off our west coast”They are talking about a first-ever long-term contract for liquid natural gas off the west coast involving partnerships with indigenous peoples and allies.search
2“the first-ever deal with Sweden to manufacture military aircraft here in Canada, with 3,000 jobs.”There is a first-ever deal with Sweden to manufacture military aircraft in Canada, which involves 3,000 jobs.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20