Analysis · Members' statement · beta

Greg Fergus

Liberal on Jean Augustine 2026-06-01

192 words · 9 sentences · 12 clauses

Statement grade

–

Not graded

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

Procedure 8%Claims 70%Thanks 18%The ask 5%

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

Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 15 wordsI rise to pay tribute to a true mother of Confederation, the Hon. Jean Augustine.Procedure Claims · 134 wordsJean is in Ottawa today to receive the Pearson Laureate Award, its highest honour, joining such past honourees whose leadership has helped make Canada a better country, including Jean Chrétien, Joe Clark and Irwin Cotler.⁵ Born in Grenada, she emigrated to Canada in 1960 under the West Indian domestic scheme, the same scheme under which my mother came to Canada.⁶ She worked in education, and later served on the founding committee to organize Caribana, now known as the Toronto Caribbean Carnival.⁷ Jean Augustine was the first Black woman elected to the House of Commons in 1993, ³and became the first Black woman to serve in a federal cabinet.⁴ She introduced the motion to recognize February as Black History Month.¹ She also introduced a motion to have the Famous Five monument erected on Parliament Hill.² Thanks · 34 wordsOn behalf of the entire House, I would like to salute Jean Augustine for her life of public service, and thank her for helping make Canada the modern and inclusive country we enjoy today.Thanks The ask · 9 wordsI hope all members will join us this evening— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 68

3 of 3 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 rise to pay tribute to a true mother of Confederation, the Hon. Jean Augustine.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “On behalf of the entire House, I would like to salute Jean Augustine for her life of public service,”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “and thank her for helping make Canada the modern and inclusive country we enjoy today.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · no score

Not applicable: nothing to answer. Excluded from the average.

Relevance checks whether the speaker stays on topic and answers the question asked. A low score means the speaker dodged the issue.

Respect · 100

0 of 3 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 3 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 · 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“introduced the motion to recognize February as Black History Month”Jean Augustine introduced the motion to recognize February as Black History Month.search
2“introduced a motion to have the Famous Five monument erected on Parliament Hill”Jean Augustine introduced a motion to have the Famous Five monument erected on Parliament Hill.search
3“first Black woman elected to the House of Commons in 1993”Jean Augustine was the first Black woman elected to the House of Commons in 1993.search
4“first Black woman to serve in a federal cabinet”Jean Augustine became the first Black woman to serve in a federal cabinet.search
5“in Ottawa today to receive the Pearson Laureate Award”Jean Augustine is in Ottawa today to receive the Pearson Laureate Award.search
6“Born in Grenada, she emigrated to Canada in 1960 under the West Indian domestic scheme”Jean Augustine was born in Grenada and emigrated to Canada in 1960 under the West Indian domestic scheme.search
7“served on the founding committee to organize Caribana, now known as the Toronto Caribbean Carnival”Jean Augustine served on the founding committee to organize Caribana, now known as the Toronto Caribbean Carnival.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20