Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Ali Ehsassi

Liberal on International Trade 2026-04-23

77 words · 5 sentences · 6 clauses

Replying to Fred Davies (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is capitulating on U.S. tariffs. Tariffs on steel have doubled. Lumber tariffs have tripled, and new barriers continue to hit our manufacturers. Nowhere is this failure felt more than in my region of Niagara, where cross-border trade is the lifeblood of local jobs, supply chains and our communities. While he blames tariffs on the shrinking economy, he fails to show up, and Mexico actually has a seat at the table. The Prime Minister is dragging his feet. When will he finally stand up and fight for the 2.6 million Canadian jobs that depend on U.S. trade and deliver the tariff relief he promised?”

Statement grade

C–

Average 58 / 100

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

Promise 16%Positioning 23%Claims 57%Procedure 4%

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

Mr. Speaker, Promise · 12 wordslet me assure the member that we all stand at the ready.Vague promise Positioning · 18 wordsCanada is at its strongest when governments, workers, businesses and industry are all pulling in the same direction.Positioning Claims · 10 wordsBy strengthening our engagement, we are ensuring Canada is well-positioned.Off pointVague promise Procedure · 3 wordsThat is why, ProcedureClaims · 34 wordsas the member is well aware, yesterday we announced the creation of the advisory committee on Canada-U.S. economic relations.¹ This will serve as a forum for knowledge sharing, expertise and feedback on all issues.

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 67

2 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.

Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “Canada is at its strongest when governments, workers, businesses and industry are all pulling in the same direction.”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 “That is why,”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 42

3 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 “let me assure the member that we all stand at the ready.”A vague assurance of readiness that does not address tariffs or fighting for jobs
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “Canada is at its strongest when governments, workers, businesses and industry are all pulling in the same direction.”A general statement about unity that answers no part of 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 “By strengthening our engagement, we are ensuring Canada is well-positioned.”A generic claim about engagement that offers no tariff relief or plan for U.S. trade

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 · 65

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.

A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “stand at the ready”Commits to readiness with no action, date, or measure to hold anyone to.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “we are ensuring Canada is well-positioned”Asserts a beneficial outcome with no actor, step, or success condition named.

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“yesterday we announced the creation of the advisory committee on Canada-U.S. economic relations”On April 22, 2026, the Government of Canada announced the creation of the advisory committee on Canada-U.S. economic relations.search

Analysed on 2026-09-15