Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on The Economy 2026-06-15

84 words · 8 sentences · 9 clauses

Replying to Rhonda Kirkland (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, Canadians are seeing through the illusions. The Liberals keep rolling out more programs and calling them progress. If we need more government supports just to get by, that is not success. It is an admission of failure. All of the G7 countries face the same global pressures, yet only one has managed to turn these shared challenges into a recession at home. That is our Canada under the Liberal Prime Minister. Since the same global pressures are affecting everyone, why is Canada the only G7 country in a recession, while others have managed to avoid it?”

Statement grade

64 / 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.

Procedure 15%Claims 69%Promise 15%

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

Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 13 wordslet me tell the member and her entire bench what success looks like.Procedure Claims · 58 wordsSuccess looks like creating twice as many jobs per capita as the United States.¹ Success looks like diversifying our trade. Success looks like Contrecœur.² Success looks like high‑speed rail in Ontario and Quebec, ³Partly on pointwhich her party is against.⁴Off point Success looks like an MOU with the Province of Alberta.⁵ Success looks like economic development from one coast to another.Partly on point Promise · 13 wordsWe are going to keep getting success, notwithstanding the opposition of these guys.Off 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 · 80

1 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.

Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “let me tell the member and her entire bench what success looks like.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 34

8 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 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 “Success looks like creating twice as many jobs per capita as the United States.”Offers a jobs statistic on the economy but does not explain the recession.
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 “Success looks like diversifying our trade.”About trade diversification, not why Canada alone is in recession.
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 “Success looks like Contrecœur.”Names a project as an economic success without addressing the recession question.
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 “Success looks like high‑speed rail in Ontario and Quebec,”Names a rail project as an economic success without addressing the recession 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 “which her party is against.”An attack on the opposition’s position rather than the recession question.
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 “Success looks like an MOU with the Province of Alberta.”Names an agreement with Alberta without addressing the recession question.
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 “Success looks like economic development from one coast to another.”A general claim of economic development that does not answer the recession 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 “We are going to keep getting success, notwithstanding the opposition of these guys.”Criticizes the opposition instead of addressing the recession 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 · 77

1 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.

A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “We are going to keep getting success”It commits the speaker’s side to an outcome with no measure, date or named action defining what ‘success’ involves.

Claims · 5

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“creating twice as many jobs per capita as the United States”Canada is creating twice as many jobs per capita as the United States.search
2“Contrecœur”The Contrecœur port project is cited as an example of economic success.search
3“high‑speed rail in Ontario and Quebec”A high-speed rail project in Ontario and Quebec has been announced or is under way.search
4“her party is against”The Conservative Party is opposed to the high-speed rail project in Ontario and Quebec.search
5“an MOU with the Province of Alberta”The federal government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Province of Alberta.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20