Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

John Zerucelli

Liberal on Housing 2026-06-18

70 words · 8 sentences · 8 clauses

Replying to Pierre Poilievre (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, I forgive the member for getting his numbers wrong. He cannot count numbers bigger than the number of fingers on his hands. The reality is that politicians do not build homes. When I was housing minister— Some hon. members: Oh, oh! Hon. Pierre Poilievre: Mr. Speaker, no, they do not. Politicians do not build homes. Carpenters— Some hon. members: Oh, oh! Mr. Speaker, politicians do not build homes. Carpenters, electricians and plumbers build homes. What one does is have the policies that get out of the way so they can do that. If the member wants some stats, when I was minister, there were 200,000 homes built in one year. The average cost was $450,000. The average rent was $950. Today, it is nearly double that on both counts. The Prime Minister has claimed that he would increase homebuilding by 100%, but it is down 6%, so enough with the illusions. Canadians cannot afford their rent or their mortgage. Will the Prime Minister defend his disastrous results?”

Statement grade

Average 62 / 100

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

Procedure 13%Positioning 47%Claims 40%

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

Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 9 wordsI have a news flash for the hon. member.Procedure Positioning · 14 wordsWho builds houses? The building trades build houses.¹ Who is supporting the building trades?Positioning Claims · 28 wordsIt is the current government, with $6 billion in skilled trades to build right across this country.³Partly on point We are building bridges, roads and hospitals right across this country.²Off point Positioning · 19 wordsWe are going to stand up for our workers every single day.Partly on pointVague promise When will the Conservatives get on board?PositioningOff point

At a glance

Lost points for
Didn't answerNone of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.
Little substanceMuch of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 37

6 of 14 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 “I have a news flash for the hon. member.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “Who builds houses?”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 building trades build houses.”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 “Who is supporting the building trades?”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 “We are going to stand up for our workers every single day.”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 “When will the Conservatives get on board?”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 33

7 of 14 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 “Who builds houses?”On the subject of the question, but no answer to what was asked can be drawn from it.
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 “The building trades build houses.”On the subject of the question, but no answer to what was asked can be drawn from it.
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 “Who is supporting the building trades?”On the subject of the question, but no answer to what was asked can be drawn from it.
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 “It is the current government, with $6 billion in skilled trades to build right across this country.”On the subject of the question, but no answer to what was asked can be drawn from it.
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 building bridges, roads and hospitals right across this country.”About bridges, roads and hospitals, not the housing results asked about.
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 stand up for our workers every single day.”About standing up for workers generally, not the housing results asked about.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “When will the Conservatives get on board?”A demand that the Conservatives act, in place of an answer to the question.

Respect · 100

0 of 14 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 14 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 stand up for our workers every single day”The commitment names no measure, date or success condition beyond the speaker’s own side.

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“The building trades build houses.”The building trades build houses.search
2“We are building bridges, roads and hospitals right across this country.”The current government is building bridges, roads, and hospitals across the country.search
3“$6 billion in skilled trades”The current government has allocated $6 billion for skilled trades to build right across this country.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20