Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Jean-Denis Garon

Bloc Québécois on Business of Supply 2026-06-02

274 words · 19 sentences · 21 clauses

Replying to Carlos Leitão (Liberal)

“Madam Speaker, we could have said a lot of things, but we are short on time. I will just say two things. First, when we break down GDP, we should note that one of the sources of weakness in the first quarter was government spending. We know this is temporary. It is an adjustment, and it will change. However, I agree with my colleague that one of the main issues is exports. Indeed, exports to the United States are a significant problem, and it will need to be addressed over time. I would like to know what my colleague thinks about private investment, especially in a climate of uncertainty. After all, the decline in exports and the trade war are also creating a great deal of uncertainty. Another trend we are seeing is a freeze on private investment, particularly in machinery, equipment, and so on. What does my colleague have to say about that?”

Statement grade

Average 79 / 100

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

Procedure 3%Aside 17%Positioning 14%Claims 61%Reasoning 6%

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

Madam Speaker, Procedure · 7 wordsI would like to say two things.Procedure Aside · 20 wordsMy colleague, who knows I hold him in high regard, thinks that we do not have enough time for debate.Aside Positioning · 37 wordsI suggest that he go and talk to cabinet and tell them to stop imposing gag orders because we are not short on time in the House.¹ They are the ones who do not want to debate.Positioning Claims · 7 wordsThey have a caucus meeting tomorrow morning. Aside · 26 wordsI think that the member should strongly argue his point. If I could support him, I would, but I have no intention of crossing the floor.Aside Claims · 160 wordsWhen it comes to private investment, we have issues with stagnation, competitiveness and productivity. It is true that there are issues that need to be addressed. However, while private investment is factored into GDP today, it is one of the main drivers of future growth. It is true that certain factors remain constant. It is true that the Prime Minister is doing what is taught in a first-year economics course. He is saying that the economy is not doing well so we are going to spend and do what we always do in a crisis. That is undeniably Canadian and that is what is taught in school. However, exports are a key issue. We cannot allow our exports to keep falling by 2%, 3% or 4% year after year, quarter after quarter.² This decline in our exports is not slowing down. It is getting worse and we have not yet seen the full impact of the tariffs announced in April.³ Reasoning · 17 wordsIn my opinion, that is the only thing that we should be talking about today, nothing else.Partly on point

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 55

7 of 15 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 would like to say two things.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “My colleague, who knows I hold him in high regard, thinks that we do not have enough time for debate.”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “I suggest that he go and talk to cabinet and tell them to stop imposing gag orders because we are not short on time in the House.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “They are the ones who do not want to debate.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “I think that the member should strongly argue his point.”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “If I could support him, I would,”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “but I have no intention of crossing the floor.”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 62

8 of 15 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 point put to the member, and the motion under debate.

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 is true that the Prime Minister is doing what is taught in a first-year economics course.”About the Prime Minister’s spending approach, not the private investment 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 “He is saying that the economy is not doing well so we are going to spend and do what we always do in a crisis.”About government spending in a crisis, not the state of private investment 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 undeniably Canadian and that is what is taught in school.”A comment on the textbook nature of the spending response, not on private investment.
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, exports are a key issue.”Shifts to the decline in exports, which the question raised as context but did not ask 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 “We cannot allow our exports to keep falling by 2%, 3% or 4% year after year, quarter after quarter.”About falling export figures, not the private investment 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 “This decline in our exports is not slowing down.”About the continuing decline in exports rather than the private investment view sought.
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 is getting worse and we have not yet seen the full impact of the tariffs announced in April.”About the impact of the April tariffs on exports, not the private investment 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 “In my opinion, that is the only thing that we should be talking about today, nothing else.”A claim that exports alone deserve debate, not a view on private investment.

Respect · 100

0 of 15 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 15 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 · 3

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“stop imposing gag orders”The Liberal government has imposed time allocation (gag orders) on debates in the House.search
2“our exports to keep falling by 2%, 3% or 4% year after year, quarter after quarter”Canadian exports have been falling by roughly 2% to 4% quarter after quarter.search
3“the tariffs announced in April”New tariffs were announced in April 2026.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20