Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Gregor Robertson

Liberal on Build Canada Homes Act 2026-06-09

171 words · 10 sentences · 10 clauses

Replying to Jeremy Patzer (Conservative)

“Madam Speaker, we have heard quite a bit, and rightfully so, about the problems with all the bureaucracies that the government is creating, but one thing it has not done in 11 years is negotiate a new softwood lumber agreement with the United States. In fact, the minister’s own province of British Columbia has had close to 35 sawmills close in the last five years. We were reading lots of articles about sawmills closing in Quebec. The ability to produce the goods that are needed to build homes in this country is being severely limited, yet the government has done nothing about that. Is the minister going to advocate and push to try to get the sawmills open again so that Canada can produce the things that are needed, which, by doing so, would actually bring down the cost of building homes in this country?”

Statement grade

B–

Average 70 / 100

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

Thanks 4%Claims 68%Promise 27%

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

Madam Speaker, Thanks · 7 wordsI appreciate the member’s concern around softwood.Thanks Claims · 87 wordsWe see enormous opportunity with Build Canada Homes to focus on building with Canadian wood. That would benefit our industries from B.C. to Quebec and New Brunswick, provinces that rely heavily on softwood and forestry. We have real opportunities to scale up the value-added industry and make sure we are protecting jobs with softwood here in Canada.Vague promise Buy Canadian is a key element with Build Canada Homes. That has gone into the investment criteria.¹ We are seeing proposals come in that would use Canadian wood to build. Promise · 47 wordsWe want to see, in the manufacturing sector, mass timber and value-added products built with Canadian wood. That is our focus with Build Canada Homes, making sure we do everything we can to use Canadian materials, to strengthen Canadian homebuilding and manufacturing, right into the forest industry.Vague promise Claims · 30 wordsI am working in collaboration with the Minister of Industry and the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources to make sure we are maximizing that opportunity and supporting that industry.Partly 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.
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 · 94

1 of 13 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.

Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I appreciate the member’s concern around softwood.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 43

9 of 13 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 point put to the member, and the motion under debate.

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 see enormous opportunity with Build Canada Homes to focus on building with Canadian wood.”It describes Build Canada Homes’ opportunity with Canadian wood, not whether the minister will push on the softwood agreement or sawmills.
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 would benefit our industries from B.C. to Quebec and New Brunswick, provinces that rely heavily on softwood and forestry.”It is about benefits to forestry provinces, not the question of reopening sawmills or negotiating the agreement.
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 real opportunities to scale up the value-added industry and make sure we are protecting jobs with softwood here in Canada.”It is about scaling up the value-added industry and protecting jobs, not the action 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 “Buy Canadian is a key element with Build Canada Homes.”It is about a Buy Canadian element of Build Canada Homes, not the softwood agreement or sawmills.
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 has gone into the investment criteria.”It is about investment criteria under the bill, not the action the question asked for.
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 seeing proposals come in that would use Canadian wood to build.”It is about proposals using Canadian wood, not whether the minister will advocate on sawmills or the agreement.
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 want to see, in the manufacturing sector, mass timber and value-added products built with Canadian wood.”It is about mass timber and value-added manufacturing, not 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 “That is our focus with Build Canada Homes, making sure we do everything we can to use Canadian materials, to strengthen Canadian homebuilding and manufacturing, right into the forest industry.”It restates the bill’s focus on Canadian materials without addressing the softwood agreement or sawmill closures.
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 “I am working in collaboration with the Minister of Industry and the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources to make sure we are maximizing that opportunity and supporting that industry.”It is about collaboration with other ministers to support the industry, not whether the minister will push to reopen sawmills or negotiate an agreement.

Respect · 100

0 of 13 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 · 43

3 of 13 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 “make sure we are protecting jobs with softwood here in Canada”No measure, date or success condition is given for how jobs will be protected.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “do everything we can to use Canadian materials”An all-steps commitment with no specific action, actor or measure named.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “working in collaboration with the Minister of Industry and the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources”Collaboration is named but no concrete measure, date or outcome is committed to.

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“That has gone into the investment criteria.”Buy Canadian provisions are part of the investment criteria for Build Canada Homes.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20