Analysis · Debate question · beta

Steven Guilbeault

Liberal on Budget 2025 Implementation Act, No. 2 2026-05-27

118 words · 7 sentences · 9 clauses

Following a speech by Patrick Bonin (Bloc Québécois)

“Mr. Speaker, today I want to heartily commend the member for Laurier—Sainte‑Marie, the former minister of environment and heritage, for his public service. I am even taking the unusual liberty of addressing him by name, Steven, this one last time. He and I have known each other for 25 years. Back then, he was with Greenpeace. He had long hair and a longer beard, but with fewer grey hairs. He enjoyed climbing towers and installing solar panels on premiers’ homes. Some people even called him “Jesus of Montreal”. We crossed paths for years within the Quebec, Canadian and international environmental movements, and at over 30 international climate conferences, or COPs, which he participated in and excelled at, including a number which he attended as environment minister. Without a doubt, one of his greatest achievements was the Kunming-Montreal agreement on biodiversity, a resounding success that would not have been possible without him. His accomplishments also and obviously include the climate change plan, which may not have been perfect or ambitious enough, but was by far the most ambitious in Canada’s history. We have certainly had our differences when it comes to the best way to serve the environmental cause. We did not always agree on the best strategy to take. We were sometimes critical of one another, but I never doubted his commitment to fighting climate change. On behalf of the Bloc Québécois and myself, I want to wish him all the best going forward. I know that he will continue to advocate for the environment and climate in other forums and other groups, and I would be pleased to be able to work with him again one day. It is unfortunate that he is leaving, but it is a consequence and an illustration of a fundamental divide in Canada. He was by far the most ambitious environment minister in the history of this country, the one who did the most. He is, without a doubt, the best environment minister this country has ever known. However, it was too much for Canada, and yet despite always being between a rock and a hard place, he truly did everything that he could. For that, I sincerely thank you, Steven. Now that he might have more free time on his hands this summer, I heard that, if he wants to have a bit of fun and if he wants to send a clear message to the government about climate change, he can always visit the CN tower. The question that I want to ask him today and the one that is on everyone’s mind is this: Will he take this opportunity to give us a sneak peek at what he plans to do next?”

Statement grade

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Not graded

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

Greeting 20%Anecdote 23%Aside 16%Promise 41%

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

Mr. Speaker, Greeting · 24 wordsI would like to thank my long-time friend, the leader of the Green Party and member of Parliament for Saanich—Gulf Islands, for her remarks.¹Greeting Anecdote · 27 wordsWe have indeed known each other for a very long time. We worked together before we entered politics, although her political career began much earlier than mine.Anecdote Aside · 19 wordsWe have a lot in common, including our birthday, ²which is coming up soon, for those who are interested.Aside Promise · 48 wordsI want to assure her that I will continue to be there for her and for everyone who wants to work on issues related to fighting climate change and protecting biodiversity.Vague promise I will never be far away if they need me. I will always be happy to help.Partly on point

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 37

6 of 15 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 “I would like to thank my long-time friend, the leader of the Green Party and member of Parliament for Saanich—Gulf Islands, for her remarks.”A greeting: no claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “We have indeed known each other for a very long time.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “We worked together before we entered politics,”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “although her political career began much earlier than mine.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “We have a lot in common, including our birthday,”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “which is coming up soon, for those who are interested.”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 48

8 of 15 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 speech it follows, and the bill 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 “We have indeed known each other for a very long time.”Personal reminiscence about their friendship, not the achievement 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 “We worked together before we entered politics,”About their shared work before politics, not the achievement 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 “although her political career began much earlier than mine.”A remark on their respective career timelines, not the achievement 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 “We have a lot in common, including our birthday,”A personal aside about a shared birthday, not the achievement 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 “which is coming up soon, for those who are interested.”A personal aside about the upcoming birthday, not the achievement 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 “I want to assure her that I will continue to be there for her and for everyone who wants to work on issues related to fighting climate change and protecting biodiversity.”An assurance of future involvement on climate and biodiversity, not the achievement 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 “I will never be far away if they need me.”A promise to remain available, not the achievement 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 “I will always be happy to help.”A promise of willingness to help, not the achievement asked about.

Respect · 100

0 of 15 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 · 34

1 of 15 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 “I will continue to be there for her”A personal commitment to future support that names no measure, date or way to tell if it was kept.

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 leader of the Green Party and member of Parliament for Saanich—Gulf Islands”Elizabeth May is the leader of the Green Party and the member of Parliament for Saanich—Gulf Islands.search
2“our birthday”Steven Guilbeault and Elizabeth May share the same birthday.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20