Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on Justice 2026-05-29

71 words · 6 sentences · 6 clauses

Replying to Yves Perron (Bloc Québécois)

“Mr. Speaker, it was the Prime Minister who started this debate, not the Bloc Québécois. He was the one who raised the issue of referendum clarity. What is more, he did so regarding a referendum in Alberta where the law does not even apply. He cannot help himself. He just had to demonstrate that he will not respect democracy if he is not happy with what the people choose. The fact that he was so eager to start this debate when it was not even necessary speaks volumes. Why is he so eager to prove that he is willing to cheat to win?”

Statement grade

76 / 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 17%Claims 83%

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

Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 12 wordslet us talk about democracy. Let us talk about the democratic process.Procedure Claims · 59 wordsThere will be an election in Quebec this fall.¹ It has not even yet begun.² The fate of my colleague’s parent party has not yet been decided. Quebec is still a long way from achieving independence, even though the Bloc Québécois is working hard to cause this break, this separation, this split within Canada that would destabilize Quebec’s economy.Partly on point

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 · 79

2 of 6 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 “let us talk about democracy.”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 “Let us talk about the democratic process.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 46

4 of 6 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.

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 “There will be an election in Quebec this fall.”About the upcoming Quebec election, not why the Prime Minister started the debate on referendum clarity.
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 has not even yet begun.”About the timing of the Quebec election, not 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 “The fate of my colleague’s parent party has not yet been decided.”About the Bloc Québécois’s electoral fate, not why the Prime Minister raised referendum clarity.
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 “Quebec is still a long way from achieving independence, even though the Bloc Québécois is working hard to cause this break, this separation, this split within Canada that would destabilize Quebec’s economy.”About the Bloc’s pursuit of separation and its economic effects, not the question of why the Prime Minister started the debate.

Respect · 100

0 of 6 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 6 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“There will be an election in Quebec this fall”There will be a Quebec provincial election in the fall of 2026.search
2“It has not even yet begun”As of May 29, 2026, the Quebec provincial election campaign had not yet begun.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20