Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on Health 2026-06-17

72 words · 4 sentences · 5 clauses

Replying to Helena Konanz (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, we need to hear from the chair of the health committee as to why he cancelled tomorrow’s meeting. Hundreds of millions of health care dollars remain unaccounted for in the $300‑million PrescribeIT scandal. Why? It is because Liberal MPs keep turning off the cameras at the health committee. They turned off the cameras again yesterday. Canadians will not know what was said there for 30 years. Will the chair of the health committee tell Canadians today why he cancelled tomorrow’s meeting, blocking Parliament from investigating PrescribeIT?”

Statement grade

D–

41 / 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 22%Positioning 78%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 16 wordsthe health minister has answered that question several dozen times over the course of this session.¹Partly on point Positioning · 56 wordsThis is a perfect example for the Canadians watching at home, as the Conservatives yell at me from across the aisle, of the obstruction and the waiting and the pointless talking. Anything they can possibly do to halt the work of Canadians that gets done in this place is what Conservatives do. They use this tactic— PositioningOff pointSome hon. members: Oh, oh!

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 · 21

4 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.

Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “This is a perfect example for the Canadians watching at home,”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 “as the Conservatives yell at me from across the aisle, of the obstruction and the waiting and the pointless talking.”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 “Anything they can possibly do to halt the work of Canadians that gets done in this place is what Conservatives do.”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 use this tactic—”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 11

5 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.

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 health minister has answered that question several dozen times over the course of this session.”About the minister having answered already, not why the committee meeting was cancelled.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “This is a perfect example for the Canadians watching at home,”A remark framing the exchange for viewers, not about the meeting or PrescribeIT.
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 Conservatives yell at me from across the aisle, of the obstruction and the waiting and the pointless talking.”About the Conservatives’ yelling and delaying conduct in the chamber, not 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 “Anything they can possibly do to halt the work of Canadians that gets done in this place is what Conservatives do.”A general attack on the Conservatives’ conduct, not the committee meeting or PrescribeIT.
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 use this tactic—”An accusation about Conservative tactics, offering no answer to what was asked.

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 · 100

0 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.

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“the health minister has answered that question several dozen times over the course of this session”Health Minister Marjorie Michel has answered questions about PrescribeIT several dozen times over the course of the parliamentary session as of June 17, 2026.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20