Analysis · Speech on a bill · beta

Chris Malette

Liberal on Government Orders 2026-04-23

1197 words · 51 sentences · 60 clauses

Statement grade

B+

Average 83 / 100

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

Procedure 2%Thanks 10%Anecdote 1%Positioning 7%Claims 50%Reasoning 20%Promise 9%

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

Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 13 wordsI am pleased to rise today for the report stage of Bill C-11.Procedure Thanks · 78 wordsI would first like to note that in rising for this, my first full speech on a bill in the people’s House, I do so with the pride of having been sent here with the overwhelming support of the people of the Bay of Quinte and the incredible men and women of 8 Wing CFB Trenton to represent them in addressing important issues like the environment and duty to them in their service to the Canadian Armed Forces, ThanksAnecdote · 10 wordsand that duty for me, which brings me here today.Anecdote Thanks · 39 wordsI would also like to thank the members of the Standing Committee on National Defence and acknowledge the witnesses, including the brave victims and survivors of sexual assault and misconduct, for their work on this important piece of legislation.Thanks Positioning · 21 wordsBill C-11 and cultural change at the heart of the Canadian Armed Forces come at a significant time for our military.Positioning Claims · 66 wordsThe norms and rules that once ensured Canada’s peace and prosperity are being rewritten.Unearned certainty The Canadian Armed Forces is operating in a volatile and unpredictable global security environment.Off point As Canada’s new government makes a generational investment into our military, including meeting NATO’s 2% target, we cannot forget that the women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces are the driving force behind our security and safety. Reasoning · 100 wordsThe members of the Canadian Armed Forces must be ready for the threats of today and those of tomorrow. A critical component to that readiness is ensuring that members have a work environment where they feel safe, protected and empowered to serve. This is essential to operational effectiveness, productivity and morale, as well as recruitment and retention. Part of these efforts is ensuring that the military justice system evolves alongside the culture of the Canadian Armed Forces and that it is aligned with the aims of Canada’s civilian criminal justice system, continuing to ensure fairness and accountability for all involved. Claims · 27 wordsBill C-11, first tabled as Bill C-66 in March 2024, ¹as we heard earlier, was reintroduced as Bill C-11 last fall to amend the National Defence Act.² Reasoning · 27 wordsThis was to help build trust in the military for our currently serving members and for those who are looking to the CAF as a future career. Claims · 144 wordsBill C-11 proposes a suite of changes to ensure the continued effectiveness, accountability and alignment of the military justice system with the operational needs of the CAF. The legislation is critical to ensuring the continued safety and well-being of our people in uniform.Unearned certainty Bill C-11 was introduced to address key recommendations brought forward by former Supreme Court justices Louise Arbour and Morris Fish. This included addressing recommendation 5 of Justice Arbour’s independent external comprehensive review report to the Minister of National Defence, delivered in May 2022.³ This recommendation aimed to remove the Canadian Armed Forces’ jurisdiction over Criminal Code sexual assault offences committed in Canada in the majority of cases, from investigation to prosecution and trial of offences.⁴ Of all of Justice Arbour’s 48 recommendations, recommendation 5 is the only one that must be implemented through a legislative amendment to the National Defence Act, ⁵Procedure · 5 wordswhich brings us here today.Procedure Claims · 91 wordsThe legislation also sought to address eight recommendations made by Justice Fish.⁶ The recommendations he proposed relate to the way in which we appoint key military justice actors like the Canadian Forces provost marshal, the director of military prosecutions and the director of defence counsel services, by making them Governor in Council appointments.⁷ Justice Fish’s report recognized the important role of these military justice actors in ensuring a fair and transparent process for victims and survivors. The legislation would also expand eligibility criteria for military judge appointments to include non-commissioned officers, ⁸Reasoning · 7 wordswhich would diversify the applicant pool further. Claims · 26 wordsIn response to another of Justice Fish’s recommendations, the proposed legislation would change the title of the Canadian Forces provost marshal to the provost marshal general.⁹ Reasoning · 26 wordsThis way, the title aligns more closely with the titles of other senior designations in the CAF, such as surgeon general, chaplain general, judge advocate general, Procedure · 3 wordsand so on.Procedure Claims · 78 wordsBill C-11 would also expand the class of people who could make an interference complaint to be addressed by the Military Police Complaints Commission.¹⁰ Further, it would require military police or others carrying out policing duties or functions under the responsibility of the provost marshal general to make such a complaint in certain circumstances.¹¹ Beyond addressing key recommendations from former justices Arbour and Fish, Bill C-11 would exclude military judges from being subjected to the summary hearing system.¹² Reasoning · 6 wordsThis is to reinforce judicial independence. Claims · 45 wordsMembers of the national defence committee heard time and again about the need to reinforce judicial independence to build trust in the system for all involved. Speaking of trust, Bill C-11 would expand access to the victims’ liaison officers under the Declaration of Victims Rights.¹³ Reasoning · 77 wordsThat way, an individual acting on behalf of a victim could request that a victim’s liaison officer be appointed to assist them.¹⁴ Through Bill C-11, we have brought forward these proposed amendments to ensure that the military justice system grows in tandem with the evolving culture of the Canadian Armed Forces. The military justice system must continue to function in alignment with our civilian criminal justice system and better respond to the needs of victims and survivors. Claims · 13 wordsCanadians expect Canada’s military justice system to reflect their values at all times.Unearned certainty Positioning · 33 wordsBill C-11 is an important piece of legislation that does just that.Unearned certainty It advances the culture of respect and accountability across all ranks of the defence team, regardless of role, position or rank.PositioningUnearned certainty Claims · 39 wordsThis legislation makes clear our commitment to modernize Canada’s military justice system. It makes clear our commitment to address the recommendations from independent external review reports, namely Justice Fish’s third independent review and Justice Arbour’s independent external comprehensive review. Positioning · 28 wordsAs well, it makes clear our commitment to the brave and skilled members of our Canadian Armed Forces and their civilian colleagues who serve this country every day.Positioning Claims · 27 wordsAt its core, the Canadian Armed Forces is defined by the people who serve in uniform. They are central to our defence and to our national security. Promise · 47 wordsWe will continue building a workplace free from harassment, discrimination and violence for all who serve and defend this country.Vague promise Bill C-11 will pave the way for future statutory, regulatory and policy amendments that will further evolve military culture and continue to modernize the military justice system.Vague promise Claims · 19 wordsThe legislation before us today represents their commitments to modernizing the military justice system and evolving Canada’s military culture. Promise · 24 wordsWe must also continue to strengthen the policies and programs that make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by harmful conduct.Vague promise Claims · 8 wordsWe are seeing encouraging signs of that today, Promise · 9 wordsbut our work will not stop with this legislation. Claims · 15 wordsThis week alone, we saw recruitment of the Canadian Armed Forces hit a 30-year high.¹⁵Unearned certainty Positioning · 4 wordsThis is remarkable progress, PositioningOff pointUnearned certaintyProcedure · 5 wordsbut we cannot stop here.Procedure Promise · 29 wordsWe must ensure that we are doing our part to protect our military and civilian members of the defence team who work hard every day to keep us safe. Thanks · 8 wordsWe are sincerely grateful for everything they do.Thanks

At a glance

Lost points for
Echo ×5“The director of military prosecutions and the director of defence counsel services.” Said 5 times by 4 members.Every time it was said

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 74

14 of 28 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 am pleased to rise today for the report stage of Bill C-11.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I would first like to note that in rising for this, my first full speech on a bill in the people’s House, I do so with the pride of having been sent here with the overwhelming support of the people of the Bay of Quinte and the incredible men and women of 8 Wing CFB Trenton to represent them in addressing important issues like the environment and duty to them in their service to the Canadian Armed Forces,”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “and that duty for me,”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “which brings me here today.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I would also like to thank the members of the Standing Committee on National Defence and acknowledge the witnesses, including the brave victims and survivors of sexual assault and misconduct, for their work on this important piece of legislation.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “Bill C-11 and cultural change at the heart of the Canadian Armed Forces come at a significant time for our military.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “which brings us here today.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “and so on.”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 “Bill C-11 is an important piece of legislation that does just that.”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 “It advances the culture of respect and accountability across all ranks of the defence team, regardless of role, position or rank.”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 well, it makes clear our commitment to the brave and skilled members of our Canadian Armed Forces and their civilian colleagues who serve this country every 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 “This is remarkable progress,”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “but we cannot stop here.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “We are sincerely grateful for everything they do.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 94

4 of 28 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 bill under debate.

Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “The norms and rules that once ensured Canada’s peace and prosperity are being rewritten.”Talks about global norms and rules being rewritten, not the bill.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “The Canadian Armed Forces is operating in a volatile and unpredictable global security environment.”General statement on the security environment, not about the legislation.
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 week alone, we saw recruitment of the Canadian Armed Forces hit a 30-year high.”Reports a recruitment statistic unrelated to the bill’s provisions.
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 remarkable progress,”Comments on the recruitment figure rather than the legislation.

Respect · no score

Not checked: graded before this measurement existed. Excluded from the average.

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.

Clarity · 80

10 of 28 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.

Something stated as certain with nothing to back it.What the tags mean “The norms and rules that once ensured Canada’s peace and prosperity are being rewritten.”A sweeping assertion offered with no source or evidence.
Something stated as certain with nothing to back it.What the tags mean “The legislation is critical to ensuring the continued safety and well-being of our people in uniform.”Asserts a critical link between the bill and member safety without evidence.
Something stated as certain with nothing to back it.What the tags mean “Canadians expect Canada’s military justice system to reflect their values at all times.”A claimed universal expectation attributed to all Canadians with no source.
Something stated as certain with nothing to back it.What the tags mean “does just that”Asserts the bill meets the expectation just described with no supporting evidence.
Something stated as certain with nothing to back it.What the tags mean “It advances the culture of respect and accountability across all ranks”Asserts a cultural outcome as achieved fact without evidence.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “We will continue building a workplace free from harassment, discrimination and violence”An open-ended commitment with no date, measure or success condition.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “will pave the way for future statutory, regulatory and policy amendments”Points to future amendments with no actor, date or content.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “We must also continue to strengthen the policies and programs”A commitment to continue with no specific action, actor or measure.
Something stated as certain with nothing to back it.What the tags mean “hit a 30-year high”A figure asserted with no source or citation.
Something stated as certain with nothing to back it.What the tags mean “This is remarkable progress”A verdict asserted without evidence beyond the speaker’s own framing.

Echo · 1 repeated line

Words members of Parliament keep repeating, found by the same rule for every member. No score depends on it.

“The director of military prosecutions and the director of defence counsel services.”Said 5 times by 4 members.Every time it was said

Claims · 15

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“first tabled as Bill C-66 in March 2024”The legislation that became Bill C-11 was first tabled as Bill C-66 in March 2024.search
2“was reintroduced as Bill C-11 last fall to amend the National Defence Act”Bill C-11 was reintroduced in the fall of 2025 to amend the National Defence Act.search
3“recommendation 5 of Justice Arbour’s independent external comprehensive review report to the Minister of National Defence, delivered in May 2022”Justice Louise Arbour’s independent external comprehensive review report was delivered to the Minister of National Defence in May 2022 and contained a recommendation 5.search
4“remove the Canadian Armed Forces’ jurisdiction over Criminal Code sexual assault offences committed in Canada in the majority of cases, from investigation to prosecution and trial of offences”Recommendation 5 of Justice Arbour’s report called for removing the Canadian Armed Forces’ jurisdiction over Criminal Code sexual assault offences committed in Canada in the majority of cases, from investigation through prosecution and trial.search
5“Of all of Justice Arbour’s 48 recommendations, recommendation 5 is the only one that must be implemented through a legislative amendment to the National Defence Act”Justice Arbour’s report contained 48 recommendations, and recommendation 5 is the only one requiring a legislative amendment to the National Defence Act.search
6“The legislation also sought to address eight recommendations made by Justice Fish.”The legislation seeks to address eight recommendations made by Justice Morris Fish.search
7“the way in which we appoint key military justice actors like the Canadian Forces provost marshal, the director of military prosecutions and the director of defence counsel services, by making them Governor in Council appointments”The bill would make the Canadian Forces provost marshal, the director of military prosecutions and the director of defence counsel services Governor in Council appointments.search
8“expand eligibility criteria for military judge appointments to include non-commissioned officers”Bill C-11 would expand eligibility criteria for military judge appointments to include non-commissioned officers.search
9“the proposed legislation would change the title of the Canadian Forces provost marshal to the provost marshal general”Bill C-11 would change the title of the Canadian Forces provost marshal to the provost marshal general.search
10“expand the class of people who could make an interference complaint to be addressed by the Military Police Complaints Commission”Bill C-11 would expand the class of people who can make an interference complaint to the Military Police Complaints Commission.search
11“require military police or others carrying out policing duties or functions under the responsibility of the provost marshal general to make such a complaint in certain circumstances”Bill C-11 would require military police and others performing policing duties under the provost marshal general’s responsibility to make interference complaints in certain circumstances.search
12“Bill C-11 would exclude military judges from being subjected to the summary hearing system”Bill C-11 would exclude military judges from being subjected to the summary hearing system.search
13“Bill C-11 would expand access to the victims’ liaison officers under the Declaration of Victims Rights”Bill C-11 would expand access to victims’ liaison officers under the Declaration of Victims Rights.search
14“an individual acting on behalf of a victim could request that a victim’s liaison officer be appointed to assist them”Under Bill C-11, an individual acting on behalf of a victim could request the appointment of a victims’ liaison officer to assist them.search
15“This week alone, we saw recruitment of the Canadian Armed Forces hit a 30-year high”Canadian Armed Forces recruitment reached a 30-year high during the week of April 23, 2026.search

Analysed on 2026-09-15