Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Dominic LeBlanc

Liberal on International Trade 2026-09-21

108 words · 4 sentences · 6 clauses

Replying to Michael Barrett (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, Northern Cables in Brockville sells about half its production in the United States, and it employs skilled Canadian workers. Trump’s unjustified 50% tariffs have already cost the company new U.S. work and put future Canadian investment at risk. If Canadian countertariffs are going to drive up costs for Canadian families, they would like to know by how much. Our question for the government is simple: How much are these countertariffs going to cost Canadian families, and what are the Liberals going to do to bring down costs for Canadians to make up for it?”

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.

Claims 63%Positioning 37%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 68 wordsour government spent many weeks this summer pursuing in good faith an agreement with the United States that would have strengthened the Canadian economy and ensured Canadian sovereignty on issues as important as cultural industries and our ability to sign free trade agreements with reliable partners.¹ At the end of the day, the Prime Minister concluded that the agreement was not possible; ²it was not on the table. Positioning · 40 wordsCanada did what Canadians expected us to do: stand up for our sovereignty, stand up for our industries and stand up for our workers.Partly on point I am surprised the hon. member is not supporting our government’s effort to support Canadian workers.PositioningOff 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 · 56

3 of 9 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 did what Canadians expected us to do:”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 “stand up for our sovereignty, stand up for our industries and stand up for our workers.”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 am surprised the hon. member is not supporting our government’s effort to support Canadian workers.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 37

6 of 9 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 “our government spent many weeks this summer pursuing in good faith an agreement with the United States that would have strengthened the Canadian economy and ensured Canadian sovereignty on issues as important as cultural industries and our ability to sign free trade agreements with reliable partners.”About the failed trade negotiations with the United States, not the cost of countertariffs to families or measures to bring costs down.
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 “At the end of the day, the Prime Minister concluded that the agreement was not possible;”About the Prime Minister’s conclusion on the trade deal, not the cost or mitigation of the countertariffs.
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 “it was not on the table.”About the trade deal not being on the table, not the cost or mitigation of the countertariffs.
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 “Canada did what Canadians expected us to do:”A general claim about standing up for Canada, not the cost of the countertariffs or what will be done about costs.
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 “stand up for our sovereignty, stand up for our industries and stand up for our workers.”General praise of the government’s stance, not the cost of the countertariffs or measures to lower costs for families.
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 am surprised the hon. member is not supporting our government’s effort to support Canadian workers.”A criticism of the member’s support for the government rather than a response on the cost of the countertariffs.

Respect · 100

0 of 9 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 · 100

0 of 9 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.

Nothing lost points.

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“our government spent many weeks this summer pursuing in good faith an agreement with the United States”In summer 2026, the Canadian government spent many weeks negotiating an agreement with the United States.search
2“the Prime Minister concluded that the agreement was not possible”The Prime Minister concluded in September 2026 that a trade agreement with the United States was not possible.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20