Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Cathay Wagantall

Conservative on Government Orders 2026-04-23

127 words · 8 sentences · 10 clauses

Replying to Jean-Denis Garon (Bloc Québécois)

“Mr. Speaker, it is 2026. The first allegations against General Vance date back to 2015. At the time, rather than taking action, the Harper government gave him a promotion. Since then, we have had the Arbour, Deschamps and Fish reports, and yet here we are, still talking about this crisis in Canada’s military justice system. I have two questions. First, I would like to know why all the governments, and by that I mean the Harper government, the Trudeau government and today’s government, have shown so little concern for this issue. Second, in my colleague’s opinion, why did the government refuse to consider the Bloc Québécois’s amendment that sought to give victims a choice between the military and civilian justice systems in circumstances where these victims’ trust in the current military justice system may be undermined?”

Statement grade

Average 27 / 100

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

Aside 29%Positioning 52%Procedure 19%

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

Mr. Speaker, Aside · 37 wordsI appreciate the fact that nothing around here moves the way I would make it move, if I were the one in charge. “Cathay for prime minister.” No. I am quite happy to not be in charge.Aside Positioning · 23 wordsThat being said, the reality is that politics interfere often.Unearned certainty I think the member knows that as well, even from where he sits.PositioningOff point Procedure · 24 wordsThe member asked why in the world this has happened. That is a really good question, and it does not get asked often enough.Procedure Positioning · 43 wordsI firmly believe the reason all of this excellent opportunity to give our veterans the best chance to change the culture of the armed forces has been denied is that it is more politically expedient for the government to make it go away.PositioningUnearned certainty

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.
VagueMuch of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 0

10 of 18 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.

A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “I appreciate the fact that nothing around here moves the way I would make it move,”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “if I were the one in charge.”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean ““Cathay for prime minister.””An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “No. I am quite happy to not be in charge.”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “That being said, the reality is that politics interfere often.”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 “I think the member knows that as well, even from where he sits.”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 “The member asked why in the world this has happened.”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 “That is a really good question,”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 it does not get asked often enough.”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 “I firmly believe the reason all of this excellent opportunity to give our veterans the best chance to change the culture of the armed forces has been denied is that it is more politically expedient for the government to make it go away.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 62

6 of 18 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 “I appreciate the fact that nothing around here moves the way I would make it move,”A joke about wishing to be in charge, not an answer to either 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 “if I were the one in charge.”Continues the joke about being in charge rather than addressing the question.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean ““Cathay for prime minister.””A joking aside about becoming prime minister, unrelated to the question or 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 “No. I am quite happy to not be in charge.”Continues the personal joke instead of answering what was 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 “That being said, the reality is that politics interfere often.”A general political point that politics interfere, offered in place of answering why governments or the government acted as they did.
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 think the member knows that as well, even from where he sits.”A pointed aside at the questioner about his own experience, not an answer on the question or 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 · 19

2 of 18 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 reality is”The formula asserts the claim in place of any source or evidence.
Something stated as certain with nothing to back it.What the tags mean “I firmly believe”The reason for the delay is asserted as belief without a supporting source, and it also imputes motive to the government without evidence.

Claims · 0

This list shows the factual statements you can check for yourself: the words as said, and the claim restated to stand on its own.

No checkable claims.

Analysed on 2026-09-16