Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on The Economy 2026-06-08

70 words · 3 sentences · 3 clauses

Replying to Gabriel Hardy (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, my colleague may not be aware of this, but on May 15, 2016, when the Prime Minister was the governor of the Bank of England, he said that the technical definition of a technical recession is two consecutive quarters of flat or negative growth. Let us look at what is happening in Canada. The economy has slowed down in three of the last four quarters. That is not two quarters, but rather three of the last four quarters. What will it take for the Prime Minister to realize that his plan is not working and that the Liberal government’s actions over the past 11 years have led us straight into a recession?”

Statement grade

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Not graded

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

Claims 100%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 70 wordsdespite the good news we received last Friday regarding employment and unemployment, we know that there are still people in this country who are struggling with affordability.Unearned certainty That is why, also on Friday, the Canada groceries and essentials benefit was paid into the bank accounts of 12 million Canadians, providing $543 to single people and $1,086 to couples with two children.¹² That is one-time assistance to Canadians who need it.Partly on point

At a glance

Lost points for
Didn't answerNone of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 100

0 of 4 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.

Nothing lost points.

Relevance · 46

3 of 4 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 “despite the good news we received last Friday regarding employment and unemployment, we know that there are still people in this country who are struggling with affordability.”It acknowledges affordability struggles, on the question’s broader issue but not the recession yes-or-no 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 “That is why, also on Friday, the Canada groceries and essentials benefit was paid into the bank accounts of 12 million Canadians, providing $543 to single people and $1,086 to couples with two children.”It describes a benefit payment, offering another measure instead of addressing whether Canada is in a recession.
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 one-time assistance to Canadians who need it.”It describes the nature of that same benefit, not the recession question put to the government.

Respect · 100

0 of 4 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 · 57

1 of 4 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.

Something stated as certain with nothing to back it.What the tags mean “we know that”The phrase asserts certainty about affordability struggles without citing any source or evidence.

Claims · 2

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 Canada groceries and essentials benefit was paid into the bank accounts of 12 million Canadians”On June 5, 2026, the Canada groceries and essentials benefit was paid into the bank accounts of 12 million Canadians.search
2“providing $543 to single people and $1,086 to couples with two children”The Canada groceries and essentials benefit paid $543 to single people and $1,086 to couples with two children.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20