Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on Marine Transportation 2026-06-11

79 words · 5 sentences · 7 clauses

Replying to Gord Johns (NDP)

“Mr. Speaker, Canada’s national shipbuilding strategy focuses on building and maintaining vessels, but there is no plan for responsibly retiring them. More than 900 derelict and end-of-life vessels sit off B.C.’s coast, threatening the marine environment. While aging navy and Coast Guard vessels approach retirement, Canada lacks the capacity to safely recycle them here at home. Will the Prime Minister finally commit to investing in dry dock infrastructure, in world-class ship recycling facilities and in regulations, and make ship recycling a core component of the national shipbuilding strategy?”

Statement grade

75 / 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 68%Promise 32%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 30 wordsship recycling is a multi-billion-dollar, worldwide industry and also an opportunity.¹ Indeed, as the member points out, there are many derelict vessels, including many owned by the people of Canada. Promise · 10 wordsWe will continue to work very hard on this file.Vague promise Claims · 24 wordsI am very well aware of the interest in the Port Alberni area in engaging in this industry. We are extremely interested in it, Promise · 15 wordsand I will be very pleased to continue working with the member on that issue.Partly on pointVague promise

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 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.

Nothing lost points.

Relevance · 45

7 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.

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 “ship recycling is a multi-billion-dollar, worldwide industry and also an opportunity.”About the recycling industry as an opportunity, not the commitment to invest or regulate that was 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 “Indeed,”On the subject of the question, but no answer to what was asked can be drawn from it.
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 “as the member points out, there are many derelict vessels, including many owned by the people of Canada.”Acknowledges the derelict vessels problem but gives no answer on the investment and regulation 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 will continue to work very hard on this file.”Says the government will keep working on the file without committing to the investments or regulatory changes 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 “I am very well aware of the interest in the Port Alberni area in engaging in this industry.”About local interest in Port Alberni, not the commitment sought.
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 extremely interested in it,”Expresses interest in the industry but does not commit to the measures 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 “and I will be very pleased to continue working with the member on that issue.”Offers to work with the member rather than answering whether the government will invest and regulate.

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 · 63

2 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 will continue to work very hard on this file”A commitment to future effort with no actor’s action, measure, date or success condition.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “I will be very pleased to continue working with the member on that issue”A promise of ongoing collaboration naming no measure, date or outcome.

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“ship recycling is a multi-billion-dollar, worldwide industry”Ship recycling is a multi-billion-dollar worldwide industry.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20