Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Wayne Long

Liberal on Government Business No. 12—Proceedings on Bill C-30 2026-06-15

114 words · 13 sentences · 13 clauses

Replying to Greg McLean (Conservative)

“Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his responses to many of the questions being asked of him today. This is an important question, because Canadians have seen over the last number of years, and increasingly so, the limits of debate in this House in terms of how we address government bills. When Canadians elect a Parliament, they elect a government, with the most seats, and they elect an opposition. The tools of the opposition, of course, are to make sure the government is held accountable for what it is doing, and it brings those things forward through a process that has been well understood for a long time. If the government thinks that our role as the opposition is just to roll over and not perform our role as His Majesty’s loyal opposition, then it is mistaken. We need to continue to look at what the government is proposing. I have a number of issues with the bill at hand, including why we have allocated less than half the credit for carbon capture, utilization and storage in enhanced oil recovery than in any other of the environmental approaches. It is the most accessible way we can reduce CO2 emissions in this bill, and yet it is not going to be debated at committee. These are the types of things that have to be brought forth, and we have to respect the fact that Canadians need to see democracy being performed in the House where they elect people to represent them. Can my colleague please tell us where he thinks Canadians will get a view of how we are getting things done here in a democratic forum when his leader is using it less and less?”

Statement grade

D–

42 / 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.

Positioning 32%Claims 68%

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

Madam Speaker, Positioning · 7 wordswe are here to deliver for Canadians.PositioningOff pointVague promise Claims · 62 wordsAgain, I have sat on committees. We know when committees are productive and functioning well. Yes, the opposition has a role to play for sure. We should be challenged.Partly on point I will say that I have been here through the elections of 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2025.¹ We have been in government and are now into our 11th year.² Canadians have spoken again. Positioning · 16 wordsCanadians want real leadership.Unearned certainty The members opposite at times wonder why they sit on that side.Positioning Claims · 12 wordsSome of them have been over there for 11 years or longer.³ Positioning · 14 wordsIt is because they are not offering viable solutions, a viable government for Canadians.Positioning Claims · 3 wordsCanadians have spoken.Off point

At a glance

Lost points for
Didn't answerNone of this reply addressed the specific point raised or the topic under debate.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 62

4 of 19 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 “we are here to deliver for Canadians.”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 “Canadians want real leadership.”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 “The members opposite at times wonder why they sit on that side.”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 because they are not offering viable solutions, a viable government for Canadians.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 12

13 of 19 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 “we are here to deliver for Canadians.”A general pledge to deliver for Canadians, not the question of where Canadians see democracy performed.
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 “Again, I have sat on committees.”About the member’s committee experience, touching the motion’s committee timetable but not answering the point put.
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 know when committees are productive and functioning well.”About when committees function well, on the motion’s subject but not addressing what was 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 “Yes, the opposition has a role to play for sure.”Concedes the opposition’s role but does not answer where Canadians will see democracy performed.
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 should be challenged.”On the government being challenged, staying on the debate-limit subject without answering the question.
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 will say that I have been here through the elections of 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2025.”About the member’s years in the House and elections, not the question or the motion.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “We have been in government and are now into our 11th year.”About the government’s years in office, not the point put or the motion.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “Canadians have spoken again.”Praise of the election outcome, not the question of democratic forum or the motion.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “Canadians want real leadership.”A general claim about Canadians wanting leadership, not the point put or the motion.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “The members opposite at times wonder why they sit on that side.”About why the opposition members sit where they do, not the question or the motion.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “Some of them have been over there for 11 years or longer.”About how long opposition members have been in opposition, not the point put.
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 because they are not offering viable solutions, a viable government for Canadians.”A claim that the opposition offers no viable solutions, not the question of democratic forum.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “Canadians have spoken.”A repeat that Canadians have spoken, not the point put or the motion.

Respect · 100

0 of 19 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 · 87

2 of 19 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 here to deliver for Canadians”The commitment names no measure, date or success condition.
Something stated as certain with nothing to back it.What the tags mean “Canadians want real leadership”The claim about what Canadians want is asserted without any source.

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“I have been here through the elections of 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2025”Wayne Long has served as an MP through the federal elections of 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2025.search
2“We have been in government and are now into our 11th year”The Liberal Party has been in federal government for 11 years as of June 2026.search
3“Some of them have been over there for 11 years or longer”Some current Conservative MPs have been in opposition for 11 years or longer as of 2026.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20