Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Blake Richards

Conservative on Government Orders 2026-04-23

154 words · 8 sentences · 11 clauses

Replying to Sherry Romanado (Liberal)

“Mr. Speaker, I did listen intently to the intervention of my colleague across the way. He referenced a report that was tabled by the ACVA committee in June 2024. I actually participated in that study as well. That report made a unanimous recommendation, recommendation 40, which states: That the Department of National Defence, in accordance with the many recommendations made in the wake of the Deschamps, Fish and Arbour reports, establish a reporting mechanism outside of the military chain of command, provide victims of military sexual trauma with safe and confidential legal resources, and transfer the jurisdiction to investigate sexual misconduct and prosecute its perpetrators to civilian authorities. This is exactly what Justice Arbour recommended in her recommendation 5, which is exactly what is in Bill C-11. I am not sure why there is a change of heart. We listened to veterans, and this is what they asked for.”

Statement grade

C–

Average 59 / 100

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

Procedure 8%Claims 25%Positioning 50%Reasoning 17%

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

Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 13 wordswhat I need to remind the member of is that we are hearing, ProcedureClaims · 38 wordsand the committee heard, from veterans, from women veterans, who have come forward, ¹and they are saying that they need to have the choice. That is what the amendments, which the government is ignoring, are seeking to do. Positioning · 16 wordsThe government can stand up and pretend it is listening. It can claim that it cares.PositioningOff point Reasoning · 26 wordsIf it really cared, it would listen to what we have heard and act upon it. That is what the amendments give the opportunity to do. Positioning · 61 wordsThe second the government thinks it has a majority government and can do whatever it wants, the idea that it would work together to try to work with everyone and do what is in the best interest of veterans is just completely thrown out the window. That is done the very second it thinks it does not have to listen anymore.PositioningOff point

At a glance

Lost points for
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 · 36

5 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 “what I need to remind the member of is that we are hearing,”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 “The government can stand up and pretend it is listening.”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 can claim that it cares.”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 second the government thinks it has a majority government and can do whatever it wants, the idea that it would work together to try to work with everyone and do what is in the best interest of veterans is just completely thrown out the window.”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 “That is done the very second it thinks it does not have to listen anymore.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 40

4 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 point put to the member, and 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 government can stand up and pretend it is listening.”A political jab about pretending, not a response on the bill or the point.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “It can claim that it cares.”Rhetorical accusation about caring that does not engage the bill or her point.
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 second the government thinks it has a majority government and can do whatever it wants, the idea that it would work together to try to work with everyone and do what is in the best interest of veterans is just completely thrown out the window.”Attack on the government’s majority and motives, unrelated to the bill’s content.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “That is done the very second it thinks it does not have to listen anymore.”Continues the partisan claim about not listening rather than addressing the bill.

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 · 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 committee heard, from veterans, from women veterans, who have come forward”The committee studying the military justice legislation heard testimony from veterans, including women veterans.search

Analysed on 2026-09-16