Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Heather McPherson

NDP on Business of Supply 2026-05-28

116 words · 6 sentences · 6 clauses

Replying to Jonathan Rowe (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, there is a lot of talk about Donald Trump and tariffs. There was a lot of talking during the campaign about potential retaliation tariffs. Do the NDP and the member across the way view this as a retaliation tariff to Trump, or is this simply something that we are doing that is not a retaliation tariff?”

Statement grade

D+

52 / 100, held down by Signal

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

Claims 24%Anecdote 6%Positioning 70%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 28 wordslet us be very clear that this is part of legislation that was passed years ago.¹Unearned certainty This is making the playing field more fair for Canadian content creators. Anecdote · 7 wordsI think about things like Heated Rivalry.²Anecdote Positioning · 81 wordsWe are all so impressed and so proud when we are able to have productions like that in our country.Partly on point Now there is this idea that we would allow somebody like Donald Trump to decide what our cultural policy should be and how we have any domestic policy that impacts how we support workers and how we support culture and arts in this country. It is so disappointing that this is the hill that the Conservatives decided to fight on today.PositioningOff point

At a glance

Lost points for
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 · 22

4 of 9 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.

A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “I think about things like Heated Rivalry.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “We are all so impressed and so proud when we are able to have productions like that in our country.”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 “Now there is this idea that we would allow somebody like Donald Trump to decide what our cultural policy should be and how we have any domestic policy that impacts how we support workers and how we support culture and arts in this country.”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 so disappointing that this is the hill that the Conservatives decided to fight on today.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 32

4 of 9 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 think about things like Heated Rivalry.”Names a Canadian production as an example of the fairness point, without addressing whether the levy is retaliatory.
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 all so impressed and so proud when we are able to have productions like that in our country.”Pride in a Canadian production, not the question of whether the levy is retaliatory.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “Now there is this idea that we would allow somebody like Donald Trump to decide what our cultural policy should be and how we have any domestic policy that impacts how we support workers and how we support culture and arts in this country.”About not letting Trump set Canadian cultural policy, not whether the levy is a retaliation tariff.
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 so disappointing that this is the hill that the Conservatives decided to fight on today.”Criticism of the Conservatives’ choice of hill, offering no answer on the levy’s character.

Respect · 100

0 of 9 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 · 81

1 of 9 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.

Something stated as certain with nothing to back it.What the tags mean “let us be very clear”The formula asserts certainty in place of any source for what follows.

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“part of legislation that was passed years ago”The streaming revenue requirement being debated stems from legislation that Parliament passed years earlier.search
2“things like Heated Rivalry”Heated Rivalry is a production made in Canada.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20