Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on Agriculture and Agri-Food 2026-06-05

95 words · 6 sentences · 6 clauses

Replying to Dave Epp (Conservative)

“Madam Speaker, Canada is the only G20 country in a recession, under the Liberal Prime Minister. Farmers warn that food security begins with protecting valuable farmland, yet the Liberals continue to advance the $90-billion Alto rail project, despite concerns about its impact on more than 5,500 farms. While $2.5 million in bonuses has already been paid before a single inch of track has been laid, Canadians across the country pay and local communities suffer. Is the Liberals’ plan for food security to slice up farmland? Is this what they call governing in a technical recession, or is it really just a technical war on agriculture?”

Statement grade

D–

42 / 100, held down by Clarity

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

Claims 24%Aside 26%Promise 32%Positioning 18%

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

Madam Speaker, Claims · 14 wordswe are so proud to be pursuing the development of high-speed rail throughout Canada.¹Partly on pointVague promise Aside · 25 wordsIn fact, we look forward to the day when that member can hail a high-speed train in his sector of the woods in southwestern Ontario.Off pointMockery Promise · 30 wordsWe will, of course, achieve that by working with farmers and their representatives.Vague promise We will, of course, do that by upholding principles whereby agriculture continues to flourish in our country.Vague promise Claims · 9 wordsWe do note the Conservatives’ opposition to this project. Positioning · 17 wordsI can tell that member that most Canadians have noted their opposition to that project as well.PositioningOff pointUnearned certainty

At a glance

Lost points for
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 · 77

1 of 10 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 “I can tell that member that most Canadians have noted their opposition to that project as well.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 48

4 of 10 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 “we are so proud to be pursuing the development of high-speed rail throughout Canada.”States pride in the rail project without addressing whether it threatens farmland or food security.
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, we look forward to the day when that member can hail a high-speed train in his sector of the woods in southwestern Ontario.”A jibe about the member’s riding, not the farmland question.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “We do note the Conservatives’ opposition to this project.”Points to the Conservatives’ opposition to the project instead of answering the question.
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 can tell that member that most Canadians have noted their opposition to that project as well.”Continues the point about the Conservatives’ opposition rather than addressing farmland or food security.

Respect · 100

1 of 10 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.

Mocking a person instead of answering their argument.What the tags mean “that member can hail a high-speed train in his sector of the woods in southwestern Ontario”Sarcasm directed at the member himself, mocking where he lives rather than anything he has said or done.

Clarity · 12

4 of 10 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 “pursuing the development of high-speed rail”The commitment names no measure, date or success condition beyond pursuing development.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “working with farmers and their representatives”Working with a group names no actor’s specific steps, date or measure.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “upholding principles whereby agriculture continues to flourish”A commitment to uphold unnamed principles sets no measure or success condition.
Something stated as certain with nothing to back it.What the tags mean “most Canadians have noted”Asserts what most Canadians think without any source.

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“pursuing the development of high-speed rail throughout Canada”The government is pursuing the development of high-speed rail in Canada.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20