Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Steven MacKinnon

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

141 words · 8 sentences · 10 clauses

Replying to Yves Perron (Bloc Québécois)

“Mr. Speaker, this time I will ask my colleague a question that relates to the topic at hand. That said, I really liked his previous answer, which I am sure will be greatly appreciated. My colleague referred earlier to the vote we took during the previous Parliament to maintain Quebec’s political representation at 78 ridings. We know that the demographic weight of the Quebec nation will continue to decline in the federal Parliament. There are groups currently putting pressure on the government to introduce some form of proportional representation in the electoral process. There is the issue of multiple candidates. Bill C-25 directly addresses the issue. Does my colleague think that, because the Constitution cannot be amended in Canada, it would be realistic at some point to embark on a process to introduce an element of proportionality into our voting system? That would certainly reassure our constituents.”

Statement grade

B–

74 / 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.

Thanks 4%Procedure 10%Aside 32%Claims 42%Promise 8%Positioning 5%

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

Mr. Speaker, Thanks · 5 wordsthat is an excellent question, ThanksProcedure · 14 wordsbut first I want to come back to my colleague’s previous question about music.Procedure Aside · 45 wordsI want to recommend that he listen to Le Diable à Cinq, a group that has done La Petite Nation proud.¹ This band just released a new album and I would invite my colleague to get a copy and listen to it all summer long.²AsideOff point Claims · 59 wordsAs for the issue of proportional representation or democratic reform, we tried to bring about democratic reform here and it became quite clear that there was a lack of consensus, both among parliamentarians and among Canadians.³ We have a great democracy. In my opinion, we have one of the best democratic systems in the world.Partly on point It is not perfect, Promise · 11 wordsbut that is why we are making a few changes today. Positioning · 7 wordsWe can be proud of our democracy.PositioningPartly on point

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 · 44

5 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.

Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “that is an excellent question,”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “but first I want to come back to my colleague’s previous question about music.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “I want to recommend that he listen to Le Diable à Cinq, a group that has done La Petite Nation proud.”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “This band just released a new album and I would invite my colleague to get a copy and listen to it all summer long.”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “We can be proud of our democracy.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 80

5 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 point put to the member, and the motion under debate.

Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “I want to recommend that he listen to Le Diable à Cinq, a group that has done La Petite Nation proud.”Recommends a music band, unrelated to the question or the bill.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “This band just released a new album and I would invite my colleague to get a copy and listen to it all summer long.”Promotes the band’s new album, unrelated to the question or the bill.
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 a great democracy.”General praise of Canadian democracy, not an answer on proportionality.
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 “In my opinion, we have one of the best democratic systems in the world.”Praise of the existing system without addressing the proposal 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 “We can be proud of our democracy.”Restates pride in democracy without addressing the proportionality question.

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 · 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“Le Diable à Cinq, a group that has done La Petite Nation proud”The band Le Diable à Cinq is associated with La Petite Nation.search
2“just released a new album”Le Diable à Cinq recently released a new album.search
3“we tried to bring about democratic reform here and it became quite clear that there was a lack of consensus”A previous federal attempt at democratic reform failed because of a lack of consensus among parliamentarians and Canadians.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20