Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on Strong and Free Elections Act 2026-06-11

142 words · 9 sentences · 12 clauses

Replying to Mel Arnold (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, after 11 summers in the House, it is interesting to see what happens, typically, every year in June, under this government. The Liberals cannot manage their agenda throughout the entire year, so they fall so far behind. They have put us on late-night hours, where we are sitting until midnight, and even then they have to cut debate short with these time allocation motions because they cannot handle the fact that we are here to debate on behalf of Canadians who have sent us to this place to debate the government bills and to make sure they are the best they can possibly be. I strongly oppose the time allocation motion, which will shut down debate once again, just as the Liberals have been doing in committees any time we try to hold them accountable for their failed attempts at governing this country.”

Statement grade

B–

71 / 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.

Aside 39%Positioning 14%Claims 46%

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

Mr. Speaker, Aside · 56 wordsl first want to say to my hon. friend, in the spirit of the season, that I can well understand why anyone with the very evocative riding name of Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies would be very anxious and excited to return to that place.¹ It sounds like an amazing place, and I hope to visit the member someday.Aside Positioning · 9 wordsHowever, in the meantime, we are here to work.Positioning Claims · 66 wordsThe member, perhaps, did not hear my earlier answer to his deputy House leader, where I expressed my real surprise. Yes, indeed, we are asking members of Parliament to work a little harder so that we can get the job done for Canadians, Vague promisebut that member voted to extend the hours until midnight.² He was for that. Three hours later, he voted to adjourn the House.³ Positioning · 11 wordsWe did not quite understand that. That sounded like a contradiction.Positioning

At a glance

Lost points for
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 · 41

6 of 7 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.

A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “l first want to say to my hon. friend, in the spirit of the season, that I can well understand why anyone with the very evocative riding name of Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies would be very anxious and excited to return to that place.”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “It sounds like an amazing place,”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “and I hope to visit the member someday.”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “However, in the meantime, we are here to work.”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 “We did not quite understand that.”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 “That sounded like a contradiction.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 100

0 of 7 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.

Nothing lost points.

Respect · 100

0 of 7 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 · 69

1 of 7 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 “so that we can get the job done for Canadians”The commitment to getting the job done names no measure, date or success condition.

Claims · 3

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“Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies”The member for Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies represents a riding with that name.search
2“voted to extend the hours until midnight”Mel Arnold, the member for Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, voted to extend House sitting hours until midnight.search
3“Three hours later, he voted to adjourn the House”Mel Arnold, the member for Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, voted to adjourn the House about three hours after voting to extend sitting hours until midnight.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20