Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Carlos Leitão

Liberal on The Economy 2026-05-29

82 words · 8 sentences · 11 clauses

Replying to Gérard Deltell (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, there is a misunderstanding. How can the parliamentary secretary say something that is in no way based in reality? Is my colleague familiar with Statistics Canada? It just so happens that it is part of the Government of Canada. Statistics Canada states that Canada is in a recession and that it is the only G7 country in this situation. While all G7 countries are facing the same challenges, Canada has the worst record and is the only country in a recession. How can the parliamentary secretary say the opposite of the truth? Canadians have had enough of this sort of lie.”

Statement grade

A–

Average 85 / 100

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

Procedure 6%Claims 89%Reasoning 5%

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

Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 5 wordsI will say it again: ProcedureClaims · 65 wordsCanada is not in a recession.¹ Statistics Canada has never said that we are in a recession.² The financial markets will determine that. There is no cause for alarm. However, our economy is under threat. Our economy is directly affected by the tariffs. We are the only G7 country that borders the United States, ³and we are heavily dependent on trade with the United States.⁴ Reasoning · 4 wordsThat is our problem, Claims · 8 wordsand we have a plan to address it.Partly on pointVague promise

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 92

1 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 will say it again:”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 63

6 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 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 “However, our economy is under threat.”About threats to the economy generally, not whether Canada is in a recession as 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 “Our economy is directly affected by the tariffs.”About tariffs affecting the economy, not the recession question put.
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 the only G7 country that borders the United States,”About geography relative to the United States, not whether Canada is in a recession.
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 “and we are heavily dependent on trade with the United States.”About trade dependence on the United States, not the recession claim 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 “That is our problem,”Identifies trade dependence as the problem without addressing the recession question.
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 “and we have a plan to address it.”Announces a plan without saying what it does or answering the question asked.

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 · 86

1 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.

A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “we have a plan to address it”The speaker commits to a plan without naming any measure, actor, date or success condition.

Claims · 4

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“Canada is not in a recession”Canada is not in a recession as of May 2026.search
2“Statistics Canada has never said that we are in a recession”Statistics Canada has never declared that Canada is in a recession.search
3“We are the only G7 country that borders the United States”Canada is the only G7 country that borders the United States.search
4“we are heavily dependent on trade with the United States”Canada’s economy is heavily dependent on trade with the United States.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20