Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Sherry Romanado

Liberal on National Defence 2026-05-29

103 words · 5 sentences · 5 clauses

Replying to Bruce Fanjoy (Liberal)

“Mr. Speaker, the Victoria Cross is the highest military honour Canada awards for acts of extraordinary valour. It was created in 1993, yet has never been awarded. Constituents in my riding are calling for an independent review of military decorations from the Afghanistan mission. The time for action is now. Can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence inform this House how the government is committed to a fair and transparent process to honour the valour of our veterans?”

Statement grade

B+

Average 80 / 100

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

Positioning 15%Thanks 17%Claims 19%Promise 50%

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

Mr. Speaker, Positioning · 15 wordshonouring bravery and sacrifice in service to Canada is among our government’s most solemn responsibilities.PositioningPartly on point Thanks · 17 wordsWe are profoundly grateful to all those who have served and who continue to serve our country.Thanks Claims · 20 wordsMilitary honours, including Canada’s Victoria Cross, are subject to a thorough and rigorous review process by the Canadian Armed Forces. Promise · 51 wordsI can confirm that the government agrees to the establishment of an independent military honours review board to review Afghanistan veteran cases where new evidence may suggest that the criteria for the Victoria Cross may have been met.¹ I look forward to providing further updates to this House in due course.Partly on pointVague promise

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 62

2 of 5 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.

Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “honouring bravery and sacrifice in service to Canada is among our government’s most solemn responsibilities.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “We are profoundly grateful to all those who have served and who continue to serve our country.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 79

2 of 5 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 “honouring bravery and sacrifice in service to Canada is among our government’s most solemn responsibilities.”A general statement about honouring service, not the review process 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 look forward to providing further updates to this House in due course.”A promise of future updates, not a substantive answer on the review process.

Respect · 100

0 of 5 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 · 80

1 of 5 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 “in due course”The commitment to update the House names no date, measure or success condition.

Claims · 1

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“agrees to the establishment of an independent military honours review board to review Afghanistan veteran cases”On May 29, 2026, the government agreed to establish an independent military honours review board to review Afghanistan veteran cases where new evidence may suggest the Victoria Cross criteria were met.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20