Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Kevin Lamoureux

Liberal on Adjournment Proceedings 2026-09-21

531 words · 22 sentences · 32 clauses

Replying to Garnett Genuis (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, the jobs numbers that have just come out reveal 42,000 jobs lost in August. Of course, in the context of the escalating trade conflict, we are expecting to see challenges as a result of tariffs and countertariffs, but the important thing we need to understand about these latest job numbers is that they come from the reference week of August 9 to 15. The job numbers are based on a reference week. That reference week was prior to the breakdown in negotiations, a time when positive public signals were being sent by both the Canadian and American sides. These 42,000 jobs lost in August are from before the escalation we have seen. It underlines that we are seeing job losses in this country, and we are seeing an increase in youth unemployment as a result of domestic policy decisions and a failure of action on the part of government to respond to these challenges. Again, it is simply clear from the timing of these job losses. The increase in the youth unemployment rate to 12.9% was before the latest escalations. Conservatives have taken a very constructive approach on the jobs issue. We presented the government with our Conservative jobs plan last fall, with specific concrete proposals that would address the unemployment crisis, especially that which is acutely facing Canadian young people. Our priorities and proposals were in the areas of unleashing the economy, fixing immigration, fixing training and building homes where the jobs are. With regard to unleashing the economy, there is a lot of discussion about major projects today, and I think major projects are extremely important. This is why Conservatives have long called for, for instance, the repeal of Bill C-48 and Bill C-69. We do not need a piecemeal approach that allows the government to pick a few favoured projects, but a general approach that fixes the systematic problems in the impact assessment process. Moreover, it is not just about the big projects. It is also about the ability of small businesses to exist in an environment with low taxes, low red tape and much shorter permitting timelines, where someone with a big idea can make a go of it without being gummed up by the pressures associated with high taxes and high red tape. We propose specific, concrete proposals around unleashing the economy, such as, for instance, not paying capital gains tax on dollars immediately reinvested in this country. We need to be unleashing the economy, fixing immigration, addressing the misalignment between our immigration system and the needs of our economy, training Canadian young people for the jobs that exist here in Canada, offering relatively more generous grants to students pursuing opportunities in areas where there is labour demand and aligning training with the needs of the labour market. Liberals have gone in the opposite direction by cutting off many colleges’ and non-university vocational institutions’ students from being able to get those dollars. We also need to be building homes where the jobs are, making it easier for people to relocate to areas where the jobs are. This is the constructive content Conservatives have been putting into the discussion, which Liberals have failed to implement, and that is why we continue to see challenges. When will they take our constructive ideas to help young people get back to work?”

Statement grade

B–

Average 70 / 100

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

Positioning 28%Procedure 2%Claims 53%Reasoning 4%Promise 6%The ask 7%

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

Mr. Speaker, Positioning · 19 wordsit is really interesting to compare reality to what the Conservatives are trying to give the false impression of.Positioning Procedure · 8 wordsLet me give a tangible example about jobs.Procedure Claims · 22 wordsOur Prime Minister, who was elected just under 18 months ago, has had a net gain of tens of thousands of jobs.¹² Procedure · 4 wordsThat is the reality.ProcedureUnearned certainty Positioning · 6 wordsThe member is picking and choosing, PositioningReasoning · 19 wordsbut it is important that we put this in the context of what is taking place around the world. Positioning · 72 wordsI can assure the member across the way that our Prime Minister and every member of the government caucus is focused on building a stronger, healthier Canadian economy. Working closely with our constituents, we are bringing ideas and thoughts to the floor of the House of Commons, which is also assisting in the important policy decisions not only being made today, but that have been talked about since the last federal election.Positioning Claims · 24 wordsOn the word “collaboration”, we have been working with different levels of government, indigenous people, many different stakeholders, and individuals of all political stripes. Positioning · 20 wordsBuilding a stronger and healthier economy has been priority number one for every Liberal member of the House of Commons.Positioning Promise · 6 wordsWe continue to push for collaboration.Vague promise Positioning · 7 wordsWe have a strong desire for that, PositioningClaims · 171 wordsand we are starting to see very tangible results.Partly on point We have a Prime Minister who noted at an economic summit, the first of its kind, close to half a trillion dollars in potential commitments coming to Canada.³ We have seen billions of dollars being committed to major projects.⁴ We have seen the provinces, along with indigenous communities, working hand in hand developing major projects that are going to realize thousands of good-quality jobs. We have seen budgets presented by this government with things such as the Red Seal program enhancement, ⁵which is going to help young people and ensure they are getting good-quality jobs. We have a Prime Minister and a suite of ministers who have been travelling around the world bringing in and attracting businesses and opportunities for additional exports abroad, creating thousands of jobs. Even in the context of what is taking place between Canada and the United States, the government and the Prime Minister have been focused on issues such as affordability, something we are genuinely concerned about. Promise · 17 wordsThere is a great deal we can be working on and that we continue to work on.Partly on point The ask · 38 wordsI look across the way to members of the Conservative Party of Canada and ask them to start looking at ways in which they too can assist in positive policy development that will be healthy for our economy.Off point Claims · 64 wordsI can assure the member that the constituents I represent and the Prime Minister of Canada want collaboration.Partly on point We want to see people working together in order to deliver on important issues, whether it is the suite of crime legislation we brought in just a number of months ago, ⁶which is the most progressive and aggressive crime legislation we have seen, or economic measures.Off point Positioning · 24 wordsWe care about what is taking place in our communities, so whether it is about affordability or trade, we are on top of it, PositioningVague promisePromise · 10 wordsand we will continue to work with Canadians and stakeholders.Partly on pointVague promise

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 51

12 of 36 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 “it is really interesting to compare reality to what the Conservatives are trying to give the false impression of.”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 “Let me give a tangible example about jobs.”Procedure or throat-clearing: 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 the reality.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “The member is picking and choosing,”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 can assure the member across the way that our Prime Minister and every member of the government caucus is focused on building a stronger, healthier Canadian economy.”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 “Working closely with our constituents, we are bringing ideas and thoughts to the floor of the House of Commons,”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 “which is also assisting in the important policy decisions not only being made today,”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 “but that have been talked about since the last federal election.”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 “Building a stronger and healthier economy has been priority number one for every Liberal member of the House of Commons.”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 “We have a strong desire for that,”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 “We care about what is taking place in our communities,”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 whether it is about affordability or trade, we are on top of it,”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 43

20 of 36 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 on notice, as the member's speech raises it.

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 “I can assure the member across the way that our Prime Minister and every member of the government caucus is focused on building a stronger, healthier Canadian economy.”A general assurance of focus on the economy, not a specific answer or measure on the jobs 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 “Working closely with our constituents, we are bringing ideas and thoughts to the floor of the House of Commons,”About gathering constituents’ ideas, not the job losses 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 is also assisting in the important policy decisions not only being made today,”About policy decisions generally, not the jobs question put.
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 “but that have been talked about since the last federal election.”About policies discussed since the election, without addressing 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 “On the word “collaboration”, we have been working with different levels of government, indigenous people, many different stakeholders,”About collaboration with governments and stakeholders, not the jobs measures 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 “and individuals of all political stripes.”About working with people of all stripes, not the jobs 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 “Building a stronger and healthier economy has been priority number one for every Liberal member of the House of Commons.”A general priority claim on the economy, not an answer to what was 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 continue to push for collaboration.”About pushing for collaboration, not the jobs 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 strong desire for that,”A general statement of desire for collaboration, not an answer on jobs.
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 starting to see very tangible results.”A general claim of tangible results without naming what was 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 “Even in the context of what is taking place between Canada and the United States, the government and the Prime Minister have been focused on issues such as affordability, something we are genuinely concerned about.”Shifts to affordability in the trade context rather than the jobs measures 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 “There is a great deal we can be working on and that we continue to work on.”A general statement of ongoing work, not an answer to 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 “I look across the way to members of the Conservative Party of Canada and ask them to start looking at ways in which they too can assist in positive policy development that will be healthy for our economy.”A demand that Conservatives assist instead of addressing 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 “I can assure the member that the constituents I represent and the Prime Minister of Canada want collaboration.”About wanting collaboration, not the jobs 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 “We want to see people working together in order to deliver on important issues, whether it is the suite of crime legislation we brought in just a number of months ago,”About crime legislation, a different subject from the jobs 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 “which is the most progressive and aggressive crime legislation we have seen,”About crime legislation, not the jobs question put.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “or economic measures.”A passing mention of economic measures without addressing 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 care about what is taking place in our communities,”About caring for communities generally, not the jobs 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 “so whether it is about affordability or trade, we are on top of it,”About affordability and trade generally rather than the jobs measures 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 “and we will continue to work with Canadians and stakeholders.”A general commitment to keep working with Canadians, not an answer to the question.

Respect · 100

0 of 36 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 · 87

4 of 36 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 “That is the reality”The phrase asserts the claim in c4 as established fact without citing a source.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “We continue to push for collaboration”A commitment by the speaker’s side with no actor-specific measure, date or success condition.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “we are on top of it”An assurance of action on affordability and trade naming no measure, date or way to check it.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “we will continue to work with Canadians and stakeholders”An open-ended commitment with no actor-specific action, date or measure.

Claims · 6

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“elected just under 18 months ago”The current Prime Minister was elected just under 18 months before this September 2026 debate, i.e., in early 2025.search
2“a net gain of tens of thousands of jobs”Canada has had a net gain of tens of thousands of jobs since the current Prime Minister was elected.search
3“close to half a trillion dollars in potential commitments coming to Canada”At an economic summit described as the first of its kind, the Prime Minister noted close to half a trillion dollars in potential commitments coming to Canada.search
4“billions of dollars being committed to major projects”Billions of dollars have been committed to major projects in Canada.search
5“budgets presented by this government with things such as the Red Seal program enhancement”Budgets presented by the current government included an enhancement of the Red Seal program.search
6“the suite of crime legislation we brought in just a number of months ago”The government brought in a suite of crime legislation a number of months before September 2026.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20