Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on Government Business No. 9—Changes to Standing Orders 2026-04-23

121 words · 4 sentences · 5 clauses

Replying to Alexis Deschênes (Bloc Québécois)

“Mr. Speaker, when words are not followed by concrete action, they are worthless. The government said it wants to work constructively and collaboratively with the opposition. What did the government do next? It decided to move a motion without even bothering to reach out to the Bloc Québécois to negotiate beforehand, even though it knows full well that we are responsible and rigorous partners willing to work collaboratively. The first date did not go very well, then. Will the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons now confirm that he will not use closure to pass this motion? This will be another test of whether he is keeping his word. It would be a way to prove that he truly wants to work collaboratively.”

Statement grade

Average 45 / 100

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

Claims 32%Positioning 53%The ask 15%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 13 wordsI know that the Bloc Québécois cares about the rules of the House. Positioning · 50 wordsThat is why it is rather disconcerting that the Bloc Québécois is not saying whether it will abide by the principle that dates back to the very origins of our parliamentary system, namely, that a majority in the House of Commons is recognized in all its bodies, including House committees.PositioningUnearned certainty The ask · 18 wordsI hope that the Bloc Québécois will support that principle in its remarks and in its official position.Off point Claims · 26 wordsI would also point out to my colleague that we have not made any changes to committee membership as far as the Bloc’s representation is concerned, ¹Positioning · 14 wordsso I do not know what we would have had to negotiate with them.Positioning

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 · 42

2 of 5 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 “That is why it is rather disconcerting that the Bloc Québécois is not saying whether it will abide by the principle that dates back to the very origins of our parliamentary system, namely, that a majority in the House of Commons is recognized in all its bodies, including House committees.”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 “so I do not know what we would have had to negotiate with them.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 39

2 of 5 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 motion 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 “That is why it is rather disconcerting that the Bloc Québécois is not saying whether it will abide by the principle that dates back to the very origins of our parliamentary system, namely, that a majority in the House of Commons is recognized in all its bodies, including House committees.”Raises a parliamentary principle about majorities instead of answering whether closure will be used.
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 hope that the Bloc Québécois will support that principle in its remarks and in its official position.”Calls on the Bloc to take a position rather than answering the question asked.

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 · 53

1 of 5 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 principle that dates back to the very origins of our parliamentary system”Asserts a historical origin with no source or date, presenting it as settled fact in place of evidence.

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“we have not made any changes to committee membership as far as the Bloc’s representation is concerned”The motion to change committee membership in the 45th Parliament does not alter the Bloc Québécois’s committee representation.search

Analysed on 2026-09-16