Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on Steel and Aluminum Industry 2026-06-09

104 words · 4 sentences · 4 clauses

Replying to Jason Groleau (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, over the past few days, we have met with dozens of businesses across Quebec regarding the CUSMA review. The situation is clear: This Liberal government has completely abandoned businesses in the steel industry. The United States is protecting its steel market with tariffs of up to 100% on Asian imports. What are the Liberals doing here in Canada? They are doing nothing at all. Worse still, they are letting Asian countries dump their steel products here and flood our Canadian market. Will this Liberal government put its foot down and defend the Canadian steel industry?”

Statement grade

30 / 100, held down by Signal

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

Positioning 100%

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

Mr. Speaker, Positioning · 104 wordsit is funny to be sitting here listening to the Conservatives talk about SMEs when they are against the high-speed rail project that will create thousands of jobs in SMEs across Quebec.Off point It is funny to hear them talk about steel when we are planning a project that is incredibly promising for steel producers.Partly on pointVague promise It is mind-boggling to hear the Conservatives taking a stand against a transformative project that will improve mobility, connect the four biggest cities in Quebec and create thousands of jobs for our SMEs.¹ It is quite ironic that they are standing up to talk about what our SMEs are experiencing.PositioningOff point

At a glance

Lost points for
Didn't answerNone of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.
Little substanceMuch of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 0

4 of 9 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 “it is funny to be sitting here listening to the Conservatives talk about SMEs when they are against the high-speed rail project that will create thousands of jobs in SMEs across Quebec.”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 “It is funny to hear them talk about steel when we are planning a project that is incredibly promising for steel producers.”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 “It is mind-boggling to hear the Conservatives taking a stand against a transformative project that will improve mobility, connect the four biggest cities in Quebec and create thousands of jobs for our SMEs.”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 “It is quite ironic that they are standing up to talk about what our SMEs are experiencing.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 10

4 of 9 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.

Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “it is funny to be sitting here listening to the Conservatives talk about SMEs when they are against the high-speed rail project that will create thousands of jobs in SMEs across Quebec.”About the Conservatives’ opposition to a rail project, not the steel 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 “It is funny to hear them talk about steel when we are planning a project that is incredibly promising for steel producers.”Mentions a planned project for steel producers but gives no action on tariffs or dumped steel as asked.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “It is mind-boggling to hear the Conservatives taking a stand against a transformative project that will improve mobility, connect the four biggest cities in Quebec and create thousands of jobs for our SMEs.”About the rail project’s mobility and jobs, not the steel industry measures 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 “It is quite ironic that they are standing up to talk about what our SMEs are experiencing.”An attack on the questioner’s standing to speak, in place of an answer on steel.

Respect · 100

0 of 9 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 · 73

1 of 9 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 “we are planning a project that is incredibly promising for steel producers”The speaker commits his side to a project without naming it, its measures, dates or how it helps steel producers.

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“connect the four biggest cities in Quebec”The high-speed rail project the government is planning would connect the four biggest cities in Quebec.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20