Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on Forestry Industry 2026-06-02

85 words · 4 sentences · 5 clauses

Replying to Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc Québécois)

“Mr. Speaker, in all of this, there is no provision for what virtually everyone in the field is asking for: a wage subsidy program that would help maintain employment relationships, preserve expertise within companies, and prevent foreign workers with specialized skills from being sent home. There is nothing on this for these companies. In the meantime, our forestry industry is in trouble and our sawmills are closing. Will the government implement the cost-free solution proposed by the forestry industry to resume lumber exports?”

Statement grade

C–

Average 55 / 100

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

Positioning 49%Claims 51%

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

Mr. Speaker, Positioning · 22 wordsobviously, we will be there for our forestry industry, just as we have been there for the aluminum, auto and steel sectors.PositioningVague promise Claims · 13 wordsWe are indeed facing headwinds on the trade front with the United States, Positioning · 9 wordsbut we will always be there for the people.PositioningPartly on pointVague promise Claims · 30 wordsIn fact, the Prime Minister will be in Quebec later today to drum up billions and billions of dollars in infrastructure investments for communities both small and large across Quebec.¹Off point Positioning · 11 wordsWe will always be there for Quebeckers and for the communities.PositioningPartly on pointVague promise

At a glance

Lost points for
Didn't answerNone of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.
VagueMuch of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 46

3 of 11 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 “obviously, we will be there for our forestry industry, just as we have been there for the aluminum, auto and steel sectors.”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 “but we will always be there for the people.”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 “We will always be there for Quebeckers and for the communities.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 29

5 of 11 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 “obviously, we will be there for our forestry industry, just as we have been there for the aluminum, auto and steel sectors.”Offers general support for the forestry sector but does not address the specific proposal 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 “We are indeed facing headwinds on the trade front with the United States,”Notes trade headwinds with the United States, context for the issue but not the proposal 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 “but we will always be there for the people.”A general pledge of support that stays on the topic without addressing the specific ask.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “In fact, the Prime Minister will be in Quebec later today to drum up billions and billions of dollars in infrastructure investments for communities both small and large across Quebec.”About the Prime Minister’s infrastructure investment visit in Quebec, not the forestry proposal.
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 will always be there for Quebeckers and for the communities.”A general pledge to Quebeckers and communities that stays on the topic without addressing the specific ask.

Respect · 100

0 of 11 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 · 46

3 of 11 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 “we will be there for our forestry industry”A commitment to support with no measure, date or success condition named.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “we will always be there for the people”A pledge of support with no actor’s action, measure or timeframe.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “We will always be there for Quebeckers and for the communities”An open-ended commitment of support with nothing specified to hold it against.

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“the Prime Minister will be in Quebec later today”The Prime Minister was scheduled to travel to Quebec on June 2, 2026.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20