Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Mark Gerretsen

Liberal on Business of Supply 2026-06-02

123 words · 6 sentences · 8 clauses

Replying to Xavier Barsalou-Duval (Bloc Québécois)

“Mr. Speaker, in this and previous speeches, the member opposite boasted about using AI to analyze the Conservatives’ motion, so I have a lot of questions. I was under the impression that people elected members of Parliament so they could do their own thinking about topics of debate in the House. Lately, elected Liberal MPs have been using algorithms from foreign platforms to analyze bills and opposition motions, and so has a government spokesperson. I would like to know just how common this has become on the other side of the House.”

Statement grade

C–

59 / 100, held down by Relevance

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

Aside 4%Claims 76%Procedure 7%The question 14%

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

Mr. Speaker, Aside · 5 wordsthat is a nice try.AsideOff point Claims · 48 wordsI am probably one of the very few members of the House who does not read from or use a script or anything when I am speaking in the House. I literally spoke to the Speaker the whole time and read four sentences from something on my phone.Partly on point Procedure · 8 wordsWe are about to go into question period, ProcedureClaims · 23 wordsand every single question we hear, including from the Bloc, at least 70% or 80% of the time, will be a written-out question.¹ The question · 17 wordsI would love to know who writes out those questions for the Bloc or for the Conservatives.Off point Claims · 22 wordsAs far as it goes for me, I stand here, I speak my mind, and I speak it without notes or assistance.Partly on point

At a glance

Lost points for
Didn't answerNone of this reply addressed the specific point raised or the topic under debate.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 86

2 of 9 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.

A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “that is a nice try.”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “We are about to go into question period,”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 29

7 of 9 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.

Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “that is a nice try.”A dismissal of the question, not an answer to it.
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 am probably one of the very few members of the House who does not read from or use a script or anything when I am speaking in the House.”About the member’s own speaking practice, not how common AI use is among Liberal members.
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 literally spoke to the Speaker the whole time and read four sentences from something on my phone.”Speaks only to the member’s own habits, not the prevalence of AI use on the government side.
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 every single question we hear, including from the Bloc, at least 70% or 80% of the time, will be a written-out question.”About the prevalence of written-out questions from all parties, not AI use to analyze bills and motions.
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 would love to know who writes out those questions for the Bloc or for the Conservatives.”A counter-question about who writes other parties’ questions, not about the AI use 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 “As far as it goes for me, I stand here, I speak my mind,”Restates the member’s own practice, not how widespread AI use is among Liberal members.
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 I speak it without notes or assistance.”Again only about the member’s own habits, not the prevalence asked about.

Respect · 100

0 of 9 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 9 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 · 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“at least 70% or 80% of the time, will be a written-out question”At least 70% or 80% of questions asked during question period, including by the Bloc, are written-out questions.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20