Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Gregor Robertson

Liberal on The Economy 2026-09-22

81 words · 4 sentences · 5 clauses

Replying to John Brassard (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, there is nothing but talk and little action. Michelle from Barrie wrote to me and said that she is a single person, making barely $60,000 a year, having to put a roof over her head and needing a car to drive to work, but, more importantly, she needs to eat. She said she has just received her groceries benefit: $16.75. She asks how that is supposed to support paying for more groceries. According to the finance minister, Michelle has never had it so good, but the truth is that the only ones doing well are the well-connected club of Liberal insiders and business buddies of the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister tell Michelle when she can expect to do as well as his corporate buddies or to at least pay for the necessities of life?”

Statement grade

B+

Average 81 / 100

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

Claims 89%Positioning 11%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 72 wordsI appreciate the member’s highlighting the fact that the Canada groceries and essentials benefit is providing up to $1,900 to a family of four, ¹which is very significant. Just as we are seeing rents come down, we are providing the opportunity for young Canadians to not pay GST on first-time home purchases.²³Partly on point Whether it is housing, whether it is groceries or whether it is the price of gas, we are taking action.Vague promise Positioning · 9 wordsWe hear nothing but complaining from the other side.PositioningOff point

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 85

1 of 4 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 hear nothing but complaining from the other side.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 69

2 of 4 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 “Just as we are seeing rents come down, we are providing the opportunity for young Canadians to not pay GST on first-time home purchases.”About rents and first-home purchases, not the groceries question asked about.
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 hear nothing but complaining from the other side.”A complaint about the opposition’s behaviour, not an answer on cost-of-living relief.

Respect · 100

0 of 4 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 · 70

1 of 4 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 taking action”A general claim of acting on housing, groceries and gas with no measure, actor or success condition named in the clause itself.

Claims · 3

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“providing up to $1,900 to a family of four”The Canada groceries and essentials benefit provides up to $1,900 to a family of four.search
2“rents come down”Rents in Canada have been coming down.search
3“not pay GST on first-time home purchases”First-time home buyers do not pay GST on their first home purchase under a Liberal government measure.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20