Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Dominic LeBlanc

Liberal on International Trade 2026-09-21

89 words · 4 sentences · 6 clauses

Replying to Michael Barrett (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, what Canadians expect the government to do is two things at the same time: first and foremost, to always stand up for Canada, and second, to make sure that it is also saving money for Canadians. The countertariffs are already creating all kinds of knock-on effects in the Canadian economy. Canadians are losing jobs, including in my riding, such as at Invista, which has already closed its operation, putting more than 100 people out of work. What we want to know is which part of the Conservative plan that we have proposed to help bring down costs for Canadian families are the Liberals willing to adopt today.”

Statement grade

B–

Average 74 / 100

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

Claims 55%Positioning 22%Promise 17%Reasoning 6%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 38 wordsperhaps what our colleague fails to realize is that countertariffs are also essential to protect Canadian workers and Canadian businesses that are facing, from the United States, tariffs that are unjustified, illegal and not in compliance with CUSMA.¹ Positioning · 20 wordsOur colleague pretends what? Is it that we should not have taken measures to support Canadian industries and Canadian workers?Positioning Claims · 11 wordsCountertariffs are part of the measures that our government is implementing, Promise · 15 wordsand we are also going to support businesses and workers to get through this circumstance, Vague promiseReasoning · 5 wordsas any responsible government should.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 · 72

2 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 “Our colleague pretends what?”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 “Is it that we should not have taken measures to support Canadian industries and Canadian workers?”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 45

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 “perhaps what our colleague fails to realize is that countertariffs are also essential to protect Canadian workers and Canadian businesses that are facing, from the United States, tariffs that are unjustified, illegal and not in compliance with CUSMA.”It defends the need for countertariffs but does not address the plan being 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 “Our colleague pretends what?”It questions the member’s position on countertariffs rather than the Conservative plan 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 “Is it that we should not have taken measures to support Canadian industries and Canadian workers?”It disputes whether measures should have been taken, not which parts of the proposed plan the government will adopt.
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 “Countertariffs are part of the measures that our government is implementing,”It describes the government’s own countertariff measures rather than adopting any part of the proposed plan.
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 “and we are also going to support businesses and workers to get through this circumstance,”It announces the government’s own support measures without addressing the cost-lowering plan 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 “as any responsible government should.”It offers general praise of the government’s approach without addressing the plan proposed.

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 · 78

1 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.

A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “we are also going to support businesses and workers”The commitment names no measure, date, amount or success condition.

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“tariffs that are unjustified, illegal and not in compliance with CUSMA”The United States has imposed tariffs on Canadian goods that are not in compliance with CUSMA.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20