Analysis · Speech on a bill · beta

Claude DeBellefeuille

Bloc Québécois on Private Members' Business 2026-05-29

1291 words · 65 sentences · 78 clauses

Statement grade

B+

Average 84 / 100

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

Greeting 2%Claims 53%Thanks 8%Aside 1%Anecdote 5%Reasoning 13%The ask 7%Procedure 2%Positioning 3%Promise 6%

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

Mr. Speaker, Greeting · 24 wordsI must say that I am quite moved to speak today on the bill introduced by my colleague from Burnaby North—Seymour in British Columbia.¹Greeting Claims · 31 wordsIt is moving because this is a bill that will achieve consensus with financial support from the government and will truly change the lives of people who are experiencing immense suffering. Greeting · 4 wordsToday, I am moved.Greeting Thanks · 22 wordsI am happy for my colleague. I am happy for him because he managed to convince everyone, including members of the government.Thanks Claims · 62 wordsParents who are grieving the loss of a child will be able to continue receiving their employment insurance benefits without having to worry about paperwork and red tape.² They will be able to focus on their grief, come together as a family, and receive the support they need without worrying about a missed payment or a letter asking them to explain themselves. Aside · 12 wordsI feel that I am participating in a wonderful parliamentary moment today, AsideAnecdote · 23 wordsand it reminds me that one of the reasons that brought me here is that I love making a difference in people’s lives.Anecdote Claims · 76 wordsAs members of Parliament, we can do that, Off pointand this is a fine example of that. The beauty of private members’ bills is that they are often based on personal experience, an observation we have made, or a significant need we can address. When we have the privilege of having our name drawn, we realize we have the opportunity to introduce a bill that will make a real difference in the lives of individuals and families.Partly on point Thanks · 28 wordsI wanted to commend the member for his perseverance, his tenacity and the way he worked to mobilize us and bring us together on such an important issue.Thanks Claims · 11 wordsI am also pleased with the important amendments that were proposed. Reasoning · 25 wordsIn our view, the royal recommendation was the most important factor because, without it, the bill would have gone through the legislative process more quickly. Claims · 30 wordsClearly, any families who are listening at home, and certainly those who are currently grieving, want us to pass the bill quickly so that they can have peace of mind. The ask · 37 wordsI also agree with my colleague from Burnaby North—Seymour that we seem to be on the same page and that it would be really good to expedite passing the legislation so that families can benefit from it. Claims · 22 wordsThere is also one recommendation that matters to me a lot, the one that extends this privilege to self-employed workers as well. Procedure · 7 wordsI am going to make a statement.Procedure Anecdote · 25 wordsI have spent the past 42 years with the same man.³ He has been self-employed his entire life. He is an artist, a graphic artist.AnecdotePartly on point Claims · 51 wordsA lot of people are self-employed, but it has not been that long since self-employed workers in Quebec were allowed to contribute to the Quebec pension plan to qualify for a pension.⁴ It might be 20 or so years ago. The whole issue of employment insurance for the self-employed was sticky. Thanks · 6 wordsI am pleased with this amendment, ThanksClaims · 15 wordsbecause it allows workers who chose self-employment access to the same protections as salaried workers. Reasoning · 8 wordsActually taking them into account is extremely important. Claims · 54 wordsIt reminds me of the need for EI reform across the board. My colleague from British Columbia managed to get his bill through the legislative process quite successfully, and families are happy with it, but we could have made plenty of other amendments to the Employment Insurance Act that would have righted certain wrongs. Procedure · 12 wordsI would like to share one that means a lot to me.Procedure Claims · 98 wordsIt concerns women who take maternity leave only to find out when then return to work that their position has been cut. These women are not eligible for EI benefits. In my opinion, this is discrimination. In fact, this has been denounced by all workers’ advocacy groups and unions. How can we still accept that, today, a woman who exercised her right to maternity leave is told, upon her return, that she no longer has a job and that she is also denied EI benefits on the grounds that she did not accumulate sufficient hours during her leave? Reasoning · 15 wordsThat is something that really needs to be looked at because it is quite unacceptable. Positioning · 28 wordsI even wonder why the Liberals, now that they have a majority, are not fixing this gender discrimination, since, the last time I checked, men cannot get pregnant.Positioning Claims · 65 wordsThat is something the government could change. My colleague Louise Chabot, who was here during the last Parliament, prepared a bill that included all the necessary changes to reform EI.⁵ There is a nice bill that is now dormant and contains all the amendments that could be made to modernize the Employment Insurance Act. Today, we are talking about one specific section, about specific individuals, Thanks · 10 wordsand that is great, we are very happy about that.Thanks Reasoning · 8 wordsHowever, the work to modernize EI must continue. Claims · 9 wordsWe believe that EI needs to be completely overhauled. Anecdote · 12 wordsLike my colleague, I also had the privilege of being randomly selected.Anecdote Promise · 12 wordsI will therefore have the pleasure of introducing a bill next week. Claims · 27 wordsMy bill seeks to increase old age security for seniors aged 65 to 74 who did not receive the increase that those aged 75 and older did.⁶ Promise · 12 wordsLike my colleague, I am definitely going to take up the torch, Vague promiseClaims · 28 wordsbecause I am surrounded by seniors who have no pension funds, who live solely on their old age pension and who cannot make ends meet because of inflation. Promise · 28 wordsLike my colleague, I will also make it my mission to try to convince everyone that seniors between the ages of 65 and 74 deserve the increase too.Vague promise The ask · 39 wordsThe government should grant a royal recommendation for our bill too so that vulnerable seniors, those who are not lucky enough to have a pension fund or a job that allowed them to save, can enjoy a dignified retirement. Reasoning · 31 wordsIt is up to the Quebec government and the federal government to provide seniors, the people who built the society we have today, with the means to enjoy a dignified retirement.Off point Procedure · 9 wordsThis is the first time I am asking this, ProcedureThe ask · 13 wordsbut I encourage everyone to seriously consider how we treat our seniors today. Positioning · 11 wordsAre they really the ones that we are choosing to abandon?Positioning Claims · 11 wordsPersonally, I have lots of ideas on how to fund solutions, Promise · 12 wordsbut I will come back to them in my speech next week.Off point Thanks · 24 wordsI want to sincerely and warmly congratulate my colleague for choosing to come to the aid of parents grieving the loss of a child.Thanks Claims · 17 wordsThe worst suffering a parent can experience must be to lose a child while on maternity leave. Reasoning · 14 wordsWe have to cut through the red tape and give parents time to grieve. Claims · 16 wordsIn committee, we unequivocally expressed the view that the benefit period should increase to 50 weeks.⁷ Reasoning · 42 wordsIt is wrong to think that healing from loss takes only a few weeks. We believe that it would have been advisable to increase the number of weeks of benefits so that people could truly work their way through the grieving process. Claims · 41 wordsTogether with our colleagues across the way and with our Conservative colleagues, we agreed not to put any obstacles in the way that would prevent the government from backpedaling on the royal recommendation. We were able to agree on fast-tracking it. Thanks · 5 wordsI sincerely congratulate my colleague.Thanks Claims · 24 wordsI also want to tell the people listening to us or watching us that all parties in the House of Commons can work together. Reasoning · 22 wordsWhen parties work in good faith and focus on the common good, we get results that make a difference in people’s lives. Thanks · 11 wordsI want to thank him and wish him all the best.Thanks Promise · 12 wordsThe Bloc Québécois looks forward to voting in favour of the bill.

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 73

21 of 43 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.

Greetings and pleasantries.What the tags mean “I must say that I am quite moved to speak today on the bill introduced by my colleague from Burnaby North—Seymour in British Columbia.”A greeting: no claim, reason or ask.
Greetings and pleasantries.What the tags mean “Today, I am moved.”A greeting: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I am happy for my colleague.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I am happy for him because he managed to convince everyone, including members of the government.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “I feel that I am participating in a wonderful parliamentary moment today,”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “and it reminds me that one of the reasons that brought me here is that I love making a difference in people’s lives.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I wanted to commend the member for his perseverance, his tenacity and the way he worked to mobilize us and bring us together on such an important issue.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “I am going to make a statement.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “I have spent the past 42 years with the same man.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “He has been self-employed his entire life.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “He is an artist, a graphic artist.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I am pleased with this amendment,”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “I would like to share one that means a lot to me.”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 “I even wonder why the Liberals, now that they have a majority, are not fixing this gender discrimination, since, the last time I checked, men cannot get pregnant.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “and that is great, we are very happy about that.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “Like my colleague, I also had the privilege of being randomly selected.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “This is the first time I am asking this,”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 “Are they really the ones that we are choosing to abandon?”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I want to sincerely and warmly congratulate my colleague for choosing to come to the aid of parents grieving the loss of a child.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I sincerely congratulate my colleague.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I want to thank him and wish him all the best.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 70

20 of 43 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 bill under debate.

Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “I feel that I am participating in a wonderful parliamentary moment today,”A remark about the parliamentary moment and the speaker’s feelings, not the bill.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “and it reminds me that one of the reasons that brought me here is that I love making a difference in people’s lives.”About the speaker’s personal motivation for entering politics, not the bill.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “As members of Parliament, we can do that,”A general remark about members’ ability to make a difference, not the bill.
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 beauty of private members’ bills is that they are often based on personal experience, an observation we have made,”About the nature of private members’ bills in general rather than what this bill proposes.
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 “or a significant need we can address.”About private members’ bills in general rather than what this bill proposes.
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 “When we have the privilege of having our name drawn, we realize we have the opportunity to introduce a bill that will make a real difference in the lives of individuals and families.”About the opportunity of having a bill drawn rather than what this bill proposes.
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 “He has been self-employed his entire life.”About the speaker’s spouse’s work history, not the bill.
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 “He is an artist, a graphic artist.”About the speaker’s spouse’s occupation, not the bill.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “Like my colleague, I also had the privilege of being randomly selected.”About the speaker’s own bill to be introduced, not Bill C-222.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “I will therefore have the pleasure of introducing a bill next week.”About the speaker’s own forthcoming bill, not Bill C-222.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “My bill seeks to increase old age security for seniors aged 65 to 74 who did not receive the increase that those aged 75 and older did.”About the speaker’s bill on old age security, not Bill C-222.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “Like my colleague, I am definitely going to take up the torch,”About the speaker’s plan to promote her own bill, not Bill C-222.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “because I am surrounded by seniors who have no pension funds, who live solely on their old age pension and who cannot make ends meet because of inflation.”About seniors’ income and the speaker’s own bill, not Bill C-222.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “Like my colleague, I will also make it my mission to try to convince everyone that seniors between the ages of 65 and 74 deserve the increase too.”About the old age security increase in the speaker’s bill, not Bill C-222.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “The government should grant a royal recommendation for our bill too so that vulnerable seniors, those who are not lucky enough to have a pension fund or a job that allowed them to save, can enjoy a dignified retirement.”About a royal recommendation for the speaker’s own seniors bill, not Bill C-222.
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 up to the Quebec government and the federal government to provide seniors, the people who built the society we have today, with the means to enjoy a dignified retirement.”About governments’ duties toward seniors, not Bill C-222.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “but I encourage everyone to seriously consider how we treat our seniors today.”About the treatment of seniors, not Bill C-222.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “Are they really the ones that we are choosing to abandon?”About whether seniors are being abandoned, not Bill C-222.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “Personally, I have lots of ideas on how to fund solutions,”About the speaker’s funding ideas for a future bill, not Bill C-222.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “but I will come back to them in my speech next week.”About the speaker’s coming speech on her own bill, not Bill C-222.

Respect · 100

0 of 43 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 · 95

2 of 43 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 “I am definitely going to take up the torch”A personal commitment expressed only as a metaphor, with no measure, date or success condition named.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “I will also make it my mission to try to convince everyone”The commitment names only persuasion as a mission, with no concrete step or way to know it succeeded.

Claims · 7

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 bill introduced by my colleague from Burnaby North—Seymour in British Columbia”Bill C-222 was introduced by the member for Burnaby North—Seymour.search
2“will be able to continue receiving their employment insurance benefits”Bill C-222 provides that parents remain eligible for employment insurance parental benefits even if the child dies during the benefit period.search
3“I have spent the past 42 years with the same man.”Claude DeBellefeuille has been with the same partner for 42 years.search
4“it has not been that long since self-employed workers in Quebec were allowed to contribute to the Quebec pension plan”Self-employed workers in Quebec became allowed to contribute to the Quebec pension plan roughly 20 years before 2026.search
5“My colleague Louise Chabot, who was here during the last Parliament, prepared a bill that included all the necessary changes to reform EI.”Louise Chabot, an MP in the previous Parliament, prepared a bill containing changes to reform employment insurance.search
6“increase old age security for seniors aged 65 to 74 who did not receive the increase that those aged 75 and older did”Claude DeBellefeuille intends to introduce a bill to increase old age security for seniors aged 65 to 74, who did not receive the increase given to those 75 and older.search
7“the benefit period should increase to 50 weeks”The Bloc Québécois expressed in committee that the benefit period under Bill C-222 should increase to 50 weeks.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20