Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on Housing 2026-06-18

94 words · 6 sentences · 7 clauses

Replying to Pierre Poilievre (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, the government is at war with its own statistical agencies. It is incredible. The CMHC, the Liberals’ housing agency, says construction is down by 6%. Their housing agency says it will drop another 18%. Instead of another photo op, another announcement or another dazzling speech, will the Prime Minister go over to the CMHC and find out how he is pulling back on homebuilding by another 18%?”

Statement grade

D+

54 / 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 11%Claims 44%Promise 46%

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

Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 10 wordsit is interesting that the number six just came up, ProcedureClaims · 41 wordsbecause when that member was the minister responsible for the CMHC, do members know how many units of affordable housing he built during his entire tenure? One, two, three, four, five, six units of housing were built under this person’s tenure.¹Off point Promise · 43 wordsWe are going to build hundreds of thousands of homes for young Canadians. We are going to give them a reduction in GST. We are going to put builders to work.Vague promise We are going to put housing in every place in this country.Partly on 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 · 86

1 of 9 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 “it is interesting that the number six just came up,”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 24

6 of 9 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.

Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “because when that member was the minister responsible for the CMHC, do members know how many units of affordable housing he built during his entire tenure?”Raises the questioner’s past tenure as CMHC minister instead of addressing 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 “One, two, three, four, five, six units of housing were built under this person’s tenure.”A statistic about the questioner’s past record, offered in place of an answer.
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 are going to build hundreds of thousands of homes for young Canadians.”States the government’s own homebuilding plans without addressing the question about CMHC or the projected drop.
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 are going to give them a reduction in GST.”Names a government measure on housing but does not answer 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 “We are going to put builders to work.”A general commitment on housing, not a response to 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 “We are going to put housing in every place in this country.”A general housing pledge, not a response to the question about CMHC.

Respect · 100

0 of 9 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 · 71

2 of 9 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 put builders to work”No measure, date or success condition is named for this commitment.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “We are going to put housing in every place in this country”An unbounded commitment with no date, plan or measure attached.

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“six units of housing were built under this person’s tenure”During Pierre Poilievre’s tenure as the minister responsible for the CMHC, six units of affordable housing were built.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20