Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Carlos Leitão

Liberal on Steel and Aluminum Industry 2026-06-03

369 words · 17 sentences · 18 clauses

Replying to Heather McPherson (NDP)

“Mr. Speaker, steel is not just another commodity in a trade ledger. Steel is the backbone of our economy. It builds our bridges, our transit systems, our housing, our energy projects and our manufacturing capacity. It is quite simply economic sovereignty in physical form, and if we cannot make it here, we are not economically sovereign. Steelworkers were in Ottawa recently to remind the government of that reality, and they were very clear. They did not come for photo ops; they came for a plan. They came for a national steel strategy, because steelworkers know something the government too often forgets: We do not build national economies by shutting out the people who actually do the work, the people who actually build. The United Steelworkers are calling for a comprehensive national steel industrial strategy, one that invests in domestic capacity, that strengthens supply chains and that protects good union jobs across this country. They are joined by the Canadian Labour Congress, which represents over three million workers who have been equally clear that workers must be at the table when decisions are being made about their futures. Right now, that is not what we are seeing. We are seeing CEOs and political insiders included in advisory structures. We are seeing labour excluded or minimized, and we are seeing the very people who built this economy treated as an afterthought in the decisions that shape it. That raises a simple question for me: How can the government claim to stand with workers while locking them out of the room? We have seen what happens when we invest in Canadian steel capacity. In Sault Ste. Marie, recent steel investments that were supported by the United Steelworkers and Local 2251 helped modernize production, and that is a great step, but it is a one-off. That is not a strategy, and what we need in this country is a strategy to move us forward. When steel is strong, the communities in which steelworkers work are strong, and when steel is weakened, everything else follows. I asked the government two simple questions. Will it work with the United Steelworkers to develop and implement a comprehensive national steel strategy? Why has it excluded labour, specifically the USW and the Canadian Labour Congress, from the CUSMA advisory council? Of course, we were happy to see that Unifor was included in that, but for the three million Canadians represented by the Canadian Labour Congress, not having the CLC at that table is a very big oversight. We are in a period of extraordinary trade instability. Tariffs and trade disruptions from the United States are not theoretical. They are real, and they are already hurting Canadian workers. That does not mean things on a spreadsheet. That means people not being able to pay their mortgage, not being able to pay their bills and not knowing where their next paycheque is coming from. We need to see more urgency, we need to see more action and we need to see the government recognize the impact this is having on Canadian workers.”

Statement grade

C+

68 / 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.

Procedure 8%Claims 46%Reasoning 32%Promise 14%

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

Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 28 wordsI am pleased to respond to comments by the hon. member for Edmonton Strathcona regarding the buy Canadian policy and the use of Canadian materials in public projects.¹Procedure Claims · 22 wordsWe have taken decisive and unprecedented action to help Canadian steel and aluminum producers secure a larger share of the Canadian market.Vague promise Reasoning · 25 wordsWith that in mind, one key element of our response to U.S. tariffs is to ensure that, moving forward, we become our own best customer. Claims · 45 wordsWe are therefore prioritizing Canadian steel and aluminum in government procurement contracts through our buy Canadian policy.² This policy ensures that federal spending prioritizes Canadian suppliers.³ For example, Canadian steel and aluminum will be used in future infrastructure projects, including ports, bridges and energy projects. Reasoning · 70 wordsThe government’s buy Canadian policy stimulates our economy while supporting local businesses and workers. By gearing government contracts to Canadian businesses, we keep investments in our country, support small and medium-sized businesses and strengthen supply chain resilience. This approach helps create good-paying jobs, encourages local production and reduces dependence on unstable global markets. It also ensures that taxpayer dollars provide communities with maximum benefits, while fostering sustainable and reliable production. Claims · 15 wordsIt is worth noting that this approach does not mean we are closing our borders. Reasoning · 23 wordsRather, it means we are building a stronger, more independent economy that puts Canada on the road to long-term prosperity and shared growth. Claims · 88 wordsTo further facilitate this transition, notably through the $5-billion strategic response fund, we are supporting companies that are shifting their production to Canadian supply chains.⁴ This program will provide Canadian steel and aluminum companies with the support they need to manufacture products that are in demand in the domestic market but are not yet produced here. Furthermore, in a trade environment marked by growing protectionism, the ongoing need for investment in defence equipment manufacturing and critical infrastructure is helping Canadian companies shift their production to meet domestic needs. Promise · 53 wordsOur government remains focused on stimulating domestic demand so that Canadian businesses and workers in the steel and aluminum sectors can maintain and expand their operations.Vague promise Above all, we will continue to support Canadian workers and businesses affected by the instability caused by the arbitrary and unfair tariffs imposed by the U.S. government.⁵Partly on pointVague promise

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 · 85

1 of 21 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 am pleased to respond to comments by the hon. member for Edmonton Strathcona regarding the buy Canadian policy and the use of Canadian materials in public projects.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 38

17 of 21 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 on notice, as the member's speech raises 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 “We have taken decisive and unprecedented action to help Canadian steel and aluminum producers secure a larger share of the Canadian market.”On government action for steel producers, not on a national steel strategy with the USW or the advisory council.
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 “With that in mind, one key element of our response to U.S. tariffs is to ensure that, moving forward, we become our own best customer.”On the buy Canadian response to tariffs, not the questions put.
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 therefore prioritizing Canadian steel and aluminum in government procurement contracts through our buy Canadian policy.”On procurement policy, not the strategy or advisory council 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 “This policy ensures that federal spending prioritizes Canadian suppliers.”On the procurement policy’s terms, not the questions put.
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 “For example, Canadian steel and aluminum will be used in future infrastructure projects, including ports, bridges and energy projects.”On planned use of Canadian steel in infrastructure, not the strategy or advisory council.
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 government’s buy Canadian policy stimulates our economy while supporting local businesses and workers.”On the buy Canadian policy’s economic benefits, not the questions put.
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 “By gearing government contracts to Canadian businesses, we keep investments in our country, support small and medium-sized businesses and strengthen supply chain resilience.”On procurement keeping investment in Canada, not the questions put.
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 approach helps create good-paying jobs, encourages local production and reduces dependence on unstable global markets.”On jobs and production benefits of the approach, not the questions put.
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 also ensures that taxpayer dollars provide communities with maximum benefits,”On taxpayer benefits of procurement, not the questions put.
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 “while fostering sustainable and reliable production.”On sustainable production under the approach, not the questions put.
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 worth noting that this approach does not mean we are closing our borders.”On the policy not closing borders, not the questions put.
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 “Rather, it means we are building a stronger, more independent economy that puts Canada on the road to long-term prosperity and shared growth.”On the policy’s aims for the economy, not the questions put.
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 “To further facilitate this transition, notably through the $5-billion strategic response fund, we are supporting companies that are shifting their production to Canadian supply chains.”On the strategic response fund, not a national steel strategy with the USW or the advisory council.
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 program will provide Canadian steel and aluminum companies with the support they need to manufacture products that are in demand in the domestic market but are not yet produced here.”On support for companies under the fund, not the questions put.
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 “Furthermore, in a trade environment marked by growing protectionism, the ongoing need for investment in defence equipment manufacturing and critical infrastructure is helping Canadian companies shift their production to meet domestic needs.”On defence and infrastructure demand, not the questions put.
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 “Our government remains focused on stimulating domestic demand so that Canadian businesses and workers in the steel and aluminum sectors can maintain and expand their operations.”On domestic demand for steel and aluminum, not the questions put.
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 “Above all, we will continue to support Canadian workers and businesses affected by the instability caused by the arbitrary and unfair tariffs imposed by the U.S. government.”On supporting workers against U.S. tariffs, not the strategy or advisory council asked about.

Respect · 100

0 of 21 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 · 65

3 of 21 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 “decisive and unprecedented action”The commitment is asserted with no actor measure or named step that could later be checked.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “remains focused on stimulating domestic demand”A continuing commitment with no named measure date or success condition.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “we will continue to support”An open-ended future commitment with no measure or success condition named.

Claims · 5

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“comments by the hon. member for Edmonton Strathcona”The member for Edmonton Strathcona (Heather McPherson) raised the buy Canadian policy and Canadian materials in this adjournment debate.search
2“prioritizing Canadian steel and aluminum in government procurement contracts through our buy Canadian policy”The federal government’s buy Canadian policy prioritizes Canadian steel and aluminum in government procurement contracts.search
3“This policy ensures that federal spending prioritizes Canadian suppliers”The government’s buy Canadian policy ensures federal spending prioritizes Canadian suppliers.search
4“the $5-billion strategic response fund”The government has a $5-billion strategic response fund supporting companies shifting production to Canadian supply chains.search
5“tariffs imposed by the U.S. government”The U.S. government has imposed tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20