Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Gregor Robertson

Liberal on The Economy 2026-06-08

91 words · 5 sentences · 7 clauses

Replying to Kelly DeRidder (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, I have hope that one day the government will actually answer questions and take accountability, but it seems as though today is not that day. When the news broke that Canada is in a recession, my very first thought was, “When is the government going to ask for another blank cheque?” It is already borrowing over its budget. The spring economic update said it would borrow $65 billion this year. However, the budget watchdog says it is going to be $72 billion. I would like to know just how much the Prime Minister will tell Canadians it is going to take to fix it.”

Statement grade

64 / 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.

Claims 75%Positioning 25%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 68 wordswe are making unprecedented investments in Canada’s community infrastructure: $51 billion in the build communities strong fund, ¹which is going into our communities for community centres, for housing-enabling infrastructure and for public transit. These are unprecedented investments to make Canada more affordable and to get jobs on the ground across Canada for our young people, with 100,000 new tradespeople who will be trained, supported by this House again.²Partly on point Positioning · 23 wordsThe other side of the House does not support any of this action. They are just negative. They should get with the program.PositioningOff 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 · 69

3 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 “The other side of the House does not support any of this action.”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 “They are just negative.”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 “They should get with the program.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 34

7 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 making unprecedented investments in Canada’s community infrastructure:”About infrastructure investments, not the borrowing amount or the recession 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 “$51 billion in the build communities strong fund,”A spending figure on infrastructure, not an answer on total borrowing or the 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 “which is going into our communities for community centres, for housing-enabling infrastructure and for public transit.”Details of infrastructure spending, not the borrowing question 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 “These are unprecedented investments to make Canada more affordable and to get jobs on the ground across Canada for our young people, with 100,000 new tradespeople who will be trained, supported by this House again.”Jobs and training benefits from the investments, not the borrowing or recession asked about.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “The other side of the House does not support any of this action.”An attack on the opposition’s support, in place of an answer on borrowing.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “They are just negative.”A characterization of the opposition, not the borrowing or recession 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 “They should get with the program.”A remark aimed at the opposition, not the question asked.

Respect · 100

0 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.

Nothing lost points.

Clarity · 100

0 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.

Nothing lost points.

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“$51 billion in the build communities strong fund”The build communities strong fund is $51 billion.search
2“100,000 new tradespeople who will be trained”The government’s plan would train 100,000 new tradespeople.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20