Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Melissa Lantsman

Conservative on Business of Supply 2026-05-28

81 words · 5 sentences · 6 clauses

Replying to Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe (Bloc Québécois)

“Madam Speaker, here is what I want to know. The fourth point of the Conservative motion basically says that we are scared of Donald Trump, that we should lower the tax and overrule the CRTC’s decision because we are scared of Donald Trump. The Liberals did just that last July. They repealed the digital services tax out of fear of Donald Trump. They believed they would get something in return. In the end, they got diddly-squat. I love that expression. If it did not work for the Liberals, why do the Conservatives think it will work for them?”

Statement grade

Average 76 / 100

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

Procedure 23%Claims 63%Positioning 14%

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

Madam Speaker, Procedure · 19 wordsI am not sure where the member was going with that question, but I will highlight what he highlighted.Procedure Claims · 51 wordsThe Prime Minister went to Washington last year and rescinded a 3% digital sales tax, getting nothing in return.¹ Now we see the Liberal government imposing a 15% tax, many more times than 3%, on Canadian families for watching streaming services that the CRTC does not even count as Canadian content.² Positioning · 11 wordsIt makes no sense. It makes no sense in our negotiations—PositioningPartly on point

At a glance

Lost points for
Didn't answerNone of this reply addressed the specific point raised or the topic under debate.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 59

4 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.

Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “I am not sure where the member was going with that question,”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 “but I will highlight what he highlighted.”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 “It makes no sense.”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 makes no sense in our negotiations—”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 47

4 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 “The Prime Minister went to Washington last year and rescinded a 3% digital sales tax, getting nothing in return.”Restates the member’s own point about the digital services tax repeal without addressing why the Conservative approach would succeed.
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 “Now we see the Liberal government imposing a 15% tax, many more times than 3%, on Canadian families for watching streaming services that the CRTC does not even count as Canadian content.”About the size of the streaming tax, not why rescinding it would succeed where the earlier repeal did not.
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 “It makes no sense.”A general criticism of the tax that does not answer 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 “It makes no sense in our negotiations—”Begins a point about negotiations without addressing why the approach would work.

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 · 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 Prime Minister went to Washington last year and rescinded a 3% digital sales tax”Canada’s Prime Minister went to Washington in 2025 and the government rescinded the 3% digital services tax.search
2“the Liberal government imposing a 15% tax”In 2026 a 15% levy on online streaming services’ Canadian revenues was imposed under the CRTC’s order.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20