Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Mélanie Joly

Liberal on Small Business 2026-09-21

105 words · 6 sentences · 7 clauses

Replying to Brad Vis (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, one in five small businesses are in weak or critical condition. They are calling on the government to lower costs and improve small business competitiveness. Conservatives have identified over $150 billion in savings that could lower the overall tax burden for Canadians and small businesses. To save Canadians money, will the government consider expanding its plan to cut unnecessary consultants who do not provide value for money?”

Statement grade

C+

67 / 100, held down by Relevance

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

Positioning 13%Claims 62%Promise 25%

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

Mr. Speaker, Positioning · 14 wordswe are always there for small businesses, making sure that they can be competitive.PositioningVague promise Claims · 65 wordsThat is why many of them will be able to benefit from the new mega deduction that was announced by the Prime Minister last week, ¹which will help many companies expense 100% of their investment in year one, particularly those in the manufacturing sector.² Meanwhile, we know that many small businesses are affected by the trade war. We have a lot of support for them.Partly on pointVague promise Promise · 26 wordsI would love to work with my colleague if that is the case in his riding.Off point We need to make sure that we help these businesses.Partly on point

At a glance

Lost points for
Didn't answerNone of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 82

1 of 10 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 “we are always there for small businesses, making sure that they can be competitive.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 37

7 of 10 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.

Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “we are always there for small businesses, making sure that they can be competitive.”States general support for small business competitiveness without addressing the consultants question asked.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “That is why many of them will be able to benefit from the new mega deduction that was announced by the Prime Minister last week,”Points to the new deduction on investment rather than the proposed consultant cuts asked about.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “which will help many companies expense 100% of their investment in year one, particularly those in the manufacturing sector.”Describes the deduction’s terms for manufacturers, not the consultants measure asked about.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “Meanwhile, we know that many small businesses are affected by the trade war.”Notes the trade war’s effect on small businesses without answering the consultants question.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “We have a lot of support for them.”Speaks generally of support for affected businesses without addressing 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 “I would love to work with my colleague if that is the case in his riding.”An offer to work with the member on his riding, not an answer to the question.
Staying near the subject without addressing the matter at hand: what was asked, or what the bill, motion or speech is about.What the tags mean “We need to make sure that we help these businesses.”A general commitment to help businesses without addressing the consultants question.

Respect · 100

0 of 10 deductions are Respect

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.

Nothing lost points.

Clarity · 73

2 of 10 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 “we are always there for small businesses”A commitment of support with no measure, date or success condition named.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “We have a lot of support for them”Asserts support without naming any program, amount or measure it consists of.

Claims · 2

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 new mega deduction that was announced by the Prime Minister last week”The Prime Minister announced a new ‘mega deduction’ in the week before September 21, 2026.search
2“expense 100% of their investment in year one”The deduction announced by the Prime Minister in September 2026 allows companies, particularly in manufacturing, to expense 100% of their investment in the first year.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20