Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Shafqat Ali

Liberal on Access to Information 2026-06-15

71 words · 5 sentences · 6 clauses

Replying to Dominique Vien (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, the Liberals are totally out of touch, but I want to raise a different topic. Last week, the President of the Treasury Board was unable to answer a simple question from my colleague. That embarrassed his government and, according to La Presse, angered his fellow Liberal MPs. He has had all weekend to recover and find the right page in his briefing book. Does he believe he still has the Prime Minister’s confidence? I will give him a few seconds to find the answer in his briefing book.”

Statement grade

D–

43 / 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.

Claims 80%Reasoning 20%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 36 wordsmy hon. colleague made a statement, but there was no question in that statement.Partly on point As the President of the Treasury Board, I strongly support the government’s efforts to improve and modernize the access to information process. Reasoning · 14 wordsAccess to information is a fundamental part of ensuring transparency and accountability for Canadians. Claims · 21 wordsThat is why last March we launched a review of the Access to Information Act.¹Off point We have provided Library and Archives— Partly on pointSome hon. members: Oh, oh!

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 · 100

0 of 6 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.

Nothing lost points.

Relevance · 13

6 of 6 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 “my hon. colleague made a statement,”Characterizes the member’s turn as a statement, without addressing the confidence question it 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 “but there was no question in that statement.”Claims no question was asked, which does not answer whether he holds the Prime Minister’s confidence.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “As the President of the Treasury Board, I strongly support the government’s efforts to improve and modernize the access to information process.”About support for modernizing access to information, not the confidence 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 “Access to information is a fundamental part of ensuring transparency and accountability for Canadians.”About the value of access to information, not the confidence 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 “That is why last March we launched a review of the Access to Information Act.”About the launch of a review of the Access to Information Act, not the confidence 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 “We have provided Library and Archives—”On the subject of the question, but no answer to what was asked can be drawn from it.

Respect · 100

0 of 6 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 6 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 · 1

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“last March we launched a review of the Access to Information Act”The government launched a review of the Access to Information Act in March 2026.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20