Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Marie-Gabrielle Ménard

Liberal on Small Business 2026-04-23

72 words · 6 sentences · 6 clauses

Replying to Sandra Cobena (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, entrepreneurs need a direct and clear answer. The CFIB estimates that the total regulatory cost of government is $52 billion. Businesses are burning through a collective 768 million hours annually on paperwork. Just this week, I met with businesses that have heard Liberal promises for almost a decade. They are asking if the Liberals could just leave the starting line and do something. Will the Liberals commit today to cutting their red tape taxes and government spending, so that businesses can actually thrive in our country?”

Statement grade

Average 62 / 100

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

Procedure 6%Claims 49%Positioning 46%

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

Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 4 wordswe have been clear.ProcedureOff pointUnearned certainty Claims · 20 wordsThat is part of the strategy to support small business. Part of our approach involves reducing red tape for businesses.Vague promise Positioning · 10 wordsObviously, I do not entirely agree with my colleague’s statement.Positioning Claims · 15 wordsI consult with small business owners every week to understand what they are going through. Positioning · 23 wordsMy sense is that the transformation that we are currently undertaking is helpful and gives our small businesses hope for a bright future.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 · 44

3 of 7 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 “we have been clear.”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 “Obviously, I do not entirely agree with my colleague’s statement.”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 “My sense is that the transformation that we are currently undertaking is helpful and gives our small businesses hope for a bright future.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 61

2 of 7 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 “we have been clear.”A vague assertion of prior clarity in place of answering the commitment asked for.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “My sense is that the transformation that we are currently undertaking is helpful and gives our small businesses hope for a bright future.”General optimism about transformation does not respond to the call for a concrete commitment on red tape and spending.

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 · 82

2 of 7 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 “we have been clear”Asserts clarity as self-evident without pointing to any specific commitment or source.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “reducing red tape for businesses”States a general commitment with no actor, measure, date, or success condition.

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 2026-09-15