Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Charles Sousa

Liberal on Canadian Fuel Affordability Act 2026-09-22

104 words · 7 sentences · 8 clauses

Replying to William Stevenson (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, I have to comment on the member opposite’s speech. I felt as though I was listening to a radio. He has a great radio voice. I actually was captivated by some of his comments. In one of them, he said he has just returned from overseas. I would like to ask whether any of the countries he visited were actually oil-producing countries that were taxing their citizens on the fuel they have, compared to importing it. These other countries, I am assuming, were actually importing all their oil and not benefiting from oil they have in their own country. Does any other country you visited actually have a fuel excise tax for its citizens?”

Statement grade

78 / 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.

Procedure 13%Claims 87%

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

Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 14 wordsthe hon. member makes reference to excise taxes in other parts of the world.Procedure Claims · 90 wordsMost European countries, which is where I was, actually do have excise taxes on their fuel.¹ In fact, fuel was much more expensive than it is here at home in Canada.² More importantly than that, the countries I was in were also harnessing renewable energy. They are at the forefront of some of the most critical measures to foster wind power and solar power. They are relying so much more on other energy sources.Off point To answer the member’s question, they in fact have very high excise taxes on their fuel.³

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 83

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.

Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “the hon. member makes reference to excise taxes in other parts of the world.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 48

3 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 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 “More importantly than that, the countries I was in were also harnessing renewable energy.”About renewable energy in the countries visited, not the excise tax question asked.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “They are at the forefront of some of the most critical measures to foster wind power and solar power.”About wind and solar power measures, not fuel excise taxes.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “They are relying so much more on other energy sources.”About those countries’ energy sources, not the excise tax question.

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 · 100

0 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.

Nothing lost points.

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“actually do have excise taxes on their fuel”Most European countries impose excise taxes on fuel.search
2“fuel was much more expensive than it is here at home in Canada”Fuel prices in the European countries Charles Sousa visited were much higher than fuel prices in Canada.search
3“they in fact have very high excise taxes on their fuel”European countries have very high excise taxes on fuel.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20