Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault

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

205 words · 11 sentences · 13 clauses

Replying to Alexis Deschênes (Bloc Québécois)

“Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague and riding neighbour for his contribution. I would like to add a dose of moderation to our discussion. People boast that our electoral system is strong. However, it took a bill, the one that we are about to pass, to make it clear that bribes meant to force a vote, or bribes meant to persuade someone to vote one way or another, are prohibited. The infamous “brownies” made headlines. How does my colleague explain the fact that we had to wait over 150 years following Confederation before a clause like this was introduced?”

Statement grade

A+

Average 98 / 100

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

Claims 53%Procedure 4%Reasoning 43%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 74 wordsthere are already measures in place to protect the integrity of the election itself. When someone runs as a candidate or raises money for a political association, the contributions are registered and certain information must be provided.¹ There is already a framework in place for that. That said, some situations, not necessarily at the federal level, that the media have reported on have led us to propose amendments to further strengthen our electoral system. Procedure · 9 wordsMy colleague talked about nomination contests and leadership races.Procedure Claims · 22 wordsSeveral provisions that currently apply to general elections under the Canada Elections Act did not apply to leadership races or nomination contests.² Reasoning · 57 wordsTherefore, it is not just this specific example that is being addressed; a whole series of measures will now apply to nomination contests and leadership races.³ As I mentioned in my speech, I think it was essential to take action. General elections are obviously important moments in our democracy, but so are nomination contests and leadership races. Claims · 12 wordsThese events have real consequences, particularly for the composition of the House. Reasoning · 31 wordsI think that taking some of the measures already set out in the Canada Elections Act and applying them to these other important moments in our democracy is a good decision.

At a glance

Lost points for
AnsweredOf this reply, 100% addressed the question or point raised.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 93

1 of 1 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.

Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “My colleague talked about nomination contests and leadership races.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 100

0 of 1 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 bill under debate.

Nothing lost points.

Respect · 100

0 of 1 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 1 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“When someone runs as a candidate or raises money for a political association, the contributions are registered and certain information must be provided.”Under the current rules, contributions to candidates and political associations must be registered and certain information provided.search
2“Several provisions that currently apply to general elections under the Canada Elections Act did not apply to leadership races or nomination contests.”Several provisions of the Canada Elections Act that apply to general elections did not apply to leadership races or nomination contests before Bill C-25.search
3“a whole series of measures will now apply to nomination contests and leadership races.”Bill C-25 extends a series of Canada Elections Act measures to nomination contests and leadership races.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20