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Madeleine Chenette

Liberal on Adjournment Proceedings 2026-09-22

527 words · 28 sentences · 34 clauses

Replying to Brad Vis (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise in the evening. Before I begin my comments, I will note that we have had a debate throughout the entire day on Bill C-38. Many of the things I want to say that relate to my question from June were said during the debate on Bill C-38 as well. The point I would like to make, and I hope the government side can hear it, is that even though the Prime Minister has commenced a process to erase the legacy of Justin Trudeau, to move away from his most disastrous policies, structural reforms are still needed to ensure that small businesses, the businesses that pay the majority of taxes in Canada, are made whole. We are going to see that through taxation and regulatory reform on a major scale, but we have not seen that yet. I encourage the government to heed the words that small businesses, the ones with eight to 10 employees, still need market access to the United States. These are 50-year-old relationships that are in jeopardy right now. Today, business leaders from across western Canada came to Parliament. I will acknowledge that they are happy with Bill C-39, the Liberals’ big, beautiful bill. They are happy about the attack the Liberals are going to make on organized labour, even though the Conservatives are still debating it and trying to figure it out. However, they have stressed the need for regulatory reform and measures that are going to help small businesses in western Canada. In Manitoba, for example, 50% of exports go to the United States. It is higher in a lot of other provinces. We have to take that relationship seriously. In my question back in June, I highlighted that Canada has lost 100,000 entrepreneurs over the last two decades, and there has been a 19% increase in business exits since 2019. That is not acceptable. Right now, we are facing major challenges, but the government can do a couple of things better. It can look at the RTRI. Very few businesses understood what that program was, and the Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada was around nine months late in delivering it based on the timelines he stated when the program was announced. If the Liberals say we are at economic war, why would they make businesses wait nine months for a program they said they would deliver in three months? That is simply not acceptable. We need confidence that the public service, the ministers and the parliamentary secretaries are going to step up, hold their public servants to a higher standard, do things in their power and actually move at the speeds they said they would in the last election. So far, we have not seen that. It has to change. We have to stand up for Canada. The government needs to stand up for Canada, and it is not doing that in a responsible way. The final statistic I will mention is that according to a TD Economics report, graduates in mathematics, computer science and engineering are less likely to remain in Canada than non-STEM graduates. The University of Waterloo shows that the highest performing students are the most likely to leave Canada after graduation. Those are the entrepreneurs starting businesses. They are going to the United States to do that. We need to bring in the structural reforms to support small businesses and—”

Statement grade

61 / 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.

Claims 87%Reasoning 9%Positioning 4%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 186 wordsthe global economy is undergoing a rupture. Geopolitical threats are mounting, and countries around the world are grappling with severe trade disruptions and significant economic risks. This includes the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which continues to disrupt global energy supplies, drive up energy prices and increase uncertainty worldwide. Canada, as we all know, is not immune to this turbulence.Partly on pointUnearned certainty That is why we tabled Bill C-38 to extend the temporary suspension of the federal fuel excise tax.¹ As members of the House will remember, last spring our government temporarily reduced federal fuel excise tax rates to zero cents per litre.² While that measure was set to expire on Labour Day, Bill C-38 proposes to extend it until January 31, 2027.³⁴ Fifty per cent of the regular excise tax rate would then apply from February 1 to March 31, 2027.⁵ This means that Canadians would continue to benefit from lower taxes, saving 10¢ per litre on gasoline and four cents per litre on diesel, helping households and businesses manage transportation and operating costs.⁶ For many small businesses, transportation and fuel costs remain a significant expense. Reasoning · 48 wordsExtending this relief measure will help businesses manage their costs while continuing to invest and create jobs. However, supporting Canadians through the current challenges is not just about providing immediate relief. It is also about ensuring that our economy remains strong, competitive and resilient in an uncertain world. Claims · 271 wordsWhile new U.S. tariffs add uncertainty for Canadian businesses and workers, Canada is starting from a position of strength. With a robust economy and a clear growth strategy focused on driving investment, increasing productivity, strengthening domestic industries and expanding access to global markets, Canada is well placed to respond to external pressures. Domestic activity has remained strong and our continental supply chains have been more resilient than expected, thanks to the adaptability of Canadian businesses and the fact that CUSMA protections shielded approximately 85% of Canadian merchandise exports from recent U.S. actions.⁷Partly on point The business climate in Canada has recovered, and companies are diversifying both their suppliers and their markets. The figures show that Canada has what the world is looking for. Canada leads the G7 in terms of per capita foreign direct investment inflows.⁸ Overall, real GDP grew by 1.9% in 2025, despite persistent global uncertainty.⁹ The outlook for the future remains encouraging. A Statistics Canada survey shows that businesses plan to increase their capital expenditures this year, ¹⁰while the International Monetary Fund forecasts that Canada will post the second-fastest growth in the G7 in 2026 and 2027.¹¹ Since the start of 2025, Canada has created more than twice as many jobs per capita as the United States, with the majority of these jobs in the private sector.¹² Things have really taken off since the start of 2025. At the same time, inflation averaged 2.1% in 2025, ¹³while wages have risen faster than prices over the last five years.¹⁴ Overall, these results show that the Canadian economy continues to grow, attract investment and create jobs despite a highly uncertain global environment. Positioning · 22 wordsThese results are no accident. They are truly the result of work that enables us to strengthen the economy and prioritize affordability—PositioningOff point

At a glance

Lost points for
Echo ×7“Canada is in a position of strength.” Said 7 times by 6 members.Every time it was said
Echo ×4“Canada leads the G7 in per capita foreign direct investment inflows.” Said 4 times by 4 members.Every time it was said
Echo ×4“The global economy is more than a year into a profound rupture.” Said 4 times by 4 members.Every time it was said

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 90

2 of 30 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 “These results are no accident.”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 “They are truly the result of work that enables us to strengthen the economy and prioritize affordability—”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 31

27 of 30 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 “the global economy is undergoing a rupture.”About the state of the global economy, not the small business measures or program delays 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 “Geopolitical threats are mounting,”About mounting geopolitical threats generally, not the question’s subject.
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 countries around the world are grappling with severe trade disruptions and significant economic risks.”About worldwide trade disruptions in general, not the small business 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 “This includes the ongoing conflict in the Middle East,”About the Middle East conflict, which does not address the question on notice.
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 continues to disrupt global energy supplies, drive up energy prices and increase uncertainty worldwide.”About global energy supply effects of the conflict, not the small business issues raised.
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 “Canada,”Only introduces Canada as a subject, 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 “as we all know, is not immune to this turbulence.”States Canada faces the turbulence but does not address the small business 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 “However, supporting Canadians through the current challenges is not just about providing immediate relief.”Pivots to broader economic resilience beyond the relief measure and the question’s asks.
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 “It is also about ensuring that our economy remains strong, competitive and resilient in an uncertain world.”About general economic competitiveness, not the small business measures or program delays raised.
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 “While new U.S. tariffs add uncertainty for Canadian businesses and workers, Canada is starting from a position of strength.”About U.S. tariffs and Canada’s general position, touching the question’s subject only in passing.
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 “With a robust economy and a clear growth strategy focused on driving investment, increasing productivity, strengthening domestic industries and expanding access to global markets, Canada is well placed to respond to external pressures.”About the government’s general growth strategy, not the specific small business asks of 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 “Domestic activity has remained strong and our continental supply chains have been more resilient than expected, thanks to the adaptability of Canadian businesses and the fact that CUSMA protections shielded approximately 85% of Canadian merchandise exports from recent U.S. actions.”About supply chain resilience and trade statistics generally, not the measures 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 “The business climate in Canada has recovered,”About the recovering business climate generally, not the small business measures or program delays 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 “and companies are diversifying both their suppliers and their markets.”About companies diversifying suppliers and markets, not the question’s subject.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “The figures show that Canada has what the world is looking for.”A general claim about what the world wants from Canada, not the question’s subject.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “Canada leads the G7 in terms of per capita foreign direct investment inflows.”About foreign direct investment rankings, not the small business measures raised.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “Overall, real GDP grew by 1.9% in 2025, despite persistent global uncertainty.”About GDP growth figures, not the question on notice.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “The outlook for the future remains encouraging.”A general economic outlook claim, not the small business measures 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 “A Statistics Canada survey shows that businesses plan to increase their capital expenditures this year,”About a business investment survey, not the question’s subject.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “while the International Monetary Fund forecasts that Canada will post the second-fastest growth in the G7 in 2026 and 2027.”About IMF growth forecasts, not the small business measures or program delays raised.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “Since the start of 2025, Canada has created more than twice as many jobs per capita as the United States, with the majority of these jobs in the private sector.”About job creation figures, not the question on notice.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “Things have really taken off since the start of 2025.”A general claim about economic takeoff, not the question’s subject.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “At the same time, inflation averaged 2.1% in 2025,”About inflation figures, not the small business measures 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 “while wages have risen faster than prices over the last five years.”About wage and price trends, not the question on notice.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “Overall, these results show that the Canadian economy continues to grow, attract investment and create jobs despite a highly uncertain global environment.”A summary of economic performance, not the small business measures or program delays raised.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “These results are no accident.”About crediting the government for economic results, not the question’s subject.
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 truly the result of work that enables us to strengthen the economy and prioritize affordability—”About the government’s economic work generally, not the small business measures asked about.

Respect · 100

0 of 30 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 · 95

1 of 30 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 “as we all know”Asserts shared knowledge in place of a source for the claim that Canada is not immune.

Echo · 3 repeated lines

Words members of Parliament keep repeating, found by the same rule for every member. No score depends on it.

“Canada is in a position of strength.”Said 7 times by 6 members.Every time it was said
“Canada leads the G7 in per capita foreign direct investment inflows.”Said 4 times by 4 members.Every time it was said
“The global economy is more than a year into a profound rupture.”Said 4 times by 4 members.Every time it was said

Claims · 14

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“we tabled Bill C-38 to extend the temporary suspension of the federal fuel excise tax”Bill C-38 was tabled to extend the temporary suspension of the federal fuel excise tax.search
2“last spring our government temporarily reduced federal fuel excise tax rates to zero cents per litre”In spring 2026 the federal government temporarily reduced federal fuel excise tax rates to zero cents per litre.search
3“set to expire on Labour Day”The temporary zero federal fuel excise tax rate was set to expire on Labour Day (September 7, 2026).search
4“Bill C-38 proposes to extend it until January 31, 2027”Bill C-38 proposes to extend the zero federal fuel excise tax rate until January 31, 2027.search
5“Fifty per cent of the regular excise tax rate would then apply from February 1 to March 31, 2027”Bill C-38 would apply fifty per cent of the regular federal fuel excise tax rate from February 1 to March 31, 2027.search
6“saving 10¢ per litre on gasoline and four cents per litre on diesel”The suspension amounts to a saving of 10 cents per litre on gasoline and four cents per litre on diesel.search
7“CUSMA protections shielded approximately 85% of Canadian merchandise exports from recent U.S. actions”CUSMA protections shielded approximately 85% of Canadian merchandise exports from recent U.S. tariff actions.search
8“Canada leads the G7 in terms of per capita foreign direct investment inflows”Canada leads the G7 in per capita foreign direct investment inflows.search
9“real GDP grew by 1.9% in 2025”Canada’s real GDP grew by 1.9% in 2025.search
10“A Statistics Canada survey shows that businesses plan to increase their capital expenditures this year”A Statistics Canada survey shows businesses plan to increase their capital expenditures in 2026.search
11“the International Monetary Fund forecasts that Canada will post the second-fastest growth in the G7 in 2026 and 2027”The IMF forecasts Canada will post the second-fastest growth in the G7 in 2026 and 2027.search
12“Since the start of 2025, Canada has created more than twice as many jobs per capita as the United States, with the majority of these jobs in the private sector”Since the start of 2025, Canada has created more than twice as many jobs per capita as the United States, with the majority in the private sector.search
13“inflation averaged 2.1% in 2025”Canadian inflation averaged 2.1% in 2025.search
14“wages have risen faster than prices over the last five years”Canadian wages have risen faster than prices over the five years to 2026.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20