Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Wayne Long

Liberal on Small Business 2026-06-17

87 words · 5 sentences · 6 clauses

Replying to Dalwinder Gill (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, according to the CFIB, three in four small businesses do not feel supported by the Liberal government and more than half would not recommend starting a business in Canada, but the Liberals continue to punish small businesses with high taxes and red tape. There are 4,000 Canadian restaurants facing closure this year because of rising costs and taxes. Conservatives have a plan to cut taxes and red tape to keep our small businesses open. Will the Liberals reverse their economic policies so businesses can get ahead?”

Statement grade

C–

56 / 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 32%Reasoning 45%Positioning 23%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 28 wordsI have had the privilege of actually running small businesses in the economy, not like the Conservative leader who has never worked a day outside of this House.¹²Off pointInsult Reasoning · 39 wordsSometimes a small business or a government is faced with challenges or headwinds, and they can do one of two things. They can throw their hands up and offer no solutions or they can lead, pivot, rebuild and reinvest. Positioning · 20 wordsWe are doing just that on this side of the House.Partly on pointVague promise They offer nothing but empty parking lot press conferences.PositioningOff point

At a glance

Lost points for
Didn't answerNone of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.
Personal attackThis statement targeted a person rather than their actions or views: “not like the Conservative leader who has never worked a day outside of this House”.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 71

2 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.

Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “We are doing just that on this side of the House.”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 “They offer nothing but empty parking lot press conferences.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 26

6 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.

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 have had the privilege of actually running small businesses in the economy, not like the Conservative leader who has never worked a day outside of this House.”An attack on the Conservative leader’s work history, not an answer to the question about reversing policies.
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 “Sometimes a small business or a government is faced with challenges or headwinds,”A general remark about facing challenges, on the issue but not answering whether policies will be reversed.
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 “and they can do one of two things.”Sets up a general framing about choices without addressing the policies 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 “They can throw their hands up and offer no solutions or they can lead, pivot, rebuild and reinvest.”A general claim about offering solutions versus giving up, not a response on reversing economic policies.
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 doing just that on this side of the House.”A general claim that the government is acting, without saying what will be done about the policies raised.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “They offer nothing but empty parking lot press conferences.”An attack on the Conservatives’ press conferences, not an answer to the question.

Respect · 62

1 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.

An insult aimed at a person.What the tags mean “not like the Conservative leader who has never worked a day outside of this House”A named officeholder is singled out for a personal jab about his own life experience, not his positions or performance.

Clarity · 83

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 doing just that”The commitment to lead, pivot, rebuild and reinvest names no measure, actor or success condition.

Claims · 2

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 had the privilege of actually running small businesses in the economy”Wayne Long has run small businesses himself.search
2“the Conservative leader who has never worked a day outside of this House”The Conservative leader has never held a job outside of being a member of Parliament.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20