Analysis · Debate reply · beta

John Brassard

Conservative on Canadian Fuel Affordability Act 2026-09-22

194 words · 8 sentences · 15 clauses

Replying to Warren Steinley (Conservative)

“Madam Speaker, the Liberals said for months and months that their gas tax was not creating an affordability crisis. We brought forward motion after motion, and every Liberal member voted against getting rid of the gas tax. Can my colleague explain what he thinks of the change of heart the Liberals had. Why are they now admitting that they were wrong after all these months, when Canadians could have had a tax decrease on groceries for months? Now they are bringing it in a little bit late. Why has there been a change of heart from our Liberals colleagues?”

Statement grade

C–

57 / 100, held down by Signal

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

Aside 11%Procedure 14%Positioning 43%Claims 31%

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

Madam Speaker, Aside · 21 wordsfirst, I want to say that I am sorry that I did not get any questions from my colleague from Mirabel.AsideOff point Procedure · 15 wordsHowever, I will respond to the hon. member’s question. I think I spoke about it.Procedure Positioning · 39 wordsI do not think the Liberals, in their ideology, subscribe to the concept that it does not matter who proposes an idea, but if it is good for Canadian workers and Canadian businesses, then maybe they should adopt it.Positioning Claims · 61 wordsThis could have been saving people money, not just all summer, but back in 2024, when we first proposed the removal of the excise fuel tax.¹ We saw, as Conservatives, and we were hearing it from our constituents back then, that the tax was having a profound impact, not just on them personally, but as a cascading effect across the economy. Procedure · 13 wordsThe only thing that I can say to the hon. member is that, ProcedurePositioning · 45 wordsif it is not a Liberal idea, then it is a bad idea, and that is what we have been dealing with in this place. It is time that we stopped this and started thinking about Canadians, rather than our political fortunes in this place.PositioningVague promise

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 · 27

9 of 11 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.

A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “first, I want to say that I am sorry that I did not get any questions from my colleague from Mirabel.”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “However, I will respond to the hon. member’s question.”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 “I think I spoke about it.”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 “I do not think the Liberals, in their ideology, subscribe to the concept that it does not matter who proposes an idea,”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 if it is good for Canadian workers and Canadian businesses, then maybe they should adopt it.”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 “The only thing that I can say to the hon. member is that,”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 “if it is not a Liberal idea, then it is a bad idea,”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 “and that is what we have been dealing with in this place.”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 “It is time that we stopped this and started thinking about Canadians, rather than our political fortunes in this place.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 100

1 of 11 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 bill 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 “first, I want to say that I am sorry that I did not get any questions from my colleague from Mirabel.”A light aside about another member, not the question asked.

Respect · 100

0 of 11 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 · 81

1 of 11 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 “It is time that we stopped this”A commitment with no measure, actor or success condition named.

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“back in 2024, when we first proposed the removal of the excise fuel tax”The Conservative Party first proposed removing the federal fuel excise tax in 2024.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20