Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Ruby Sahota

Liberal on Justice 2026-09-23

73 words · 7 sentences · 7 clauses

Replying to Rhonda Kirkland (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, Toronto police constable Todd Baylis was just 25 years old when he was murdered in the line of duty. His family has relived that tragic loss at parole hearings in 2019, 2021 and 2024, and will again in just a few months. For 14 years, victims’ advocate Lisa Freeman from Oshawa has repeatedly been forced to face the axe murderer who bludgeoned her father to death. Liberal parole has caused this problem, and victims’ families are demanding change. Why do the Liberals keep making victims constantly relive their worst day? People get a chance at parole every time.”

Statement grade

B+

Average 80 / 100

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

Claims 73%Positioning 10%Promise 18%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 53 wordsalthough I respect the sentiment, this is not Liberal parole. We have not made changes under this government.¹ People do not get parole every single time.² For instance, in this case, the assailant has not gotten parole.³ Therefore, I think a lot of what is being said by the Conservatives is not factual. Positioning · 7 wordsThey are trying to politicize this matter.PositioningOff point Promise · 13 wordsAs I have said before, we are open to amendments that are appropriate.Partly on pointVague promise

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 88

1 of 5 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 “They are trying to politicize this matter.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 55

3 of 5 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.

Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “Therefore, I think a lot of what is being said by the Conservatives is not factual.”It attacks the Conservatives’ truthfulness rather than answering the question about parole hearings for victims.
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 trying to politicize this matter.”It is an accusation about the opposition’s motives, not about the parole 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 I have said before, we are open to amendments that are appropriate.”It offers openness to future amendments on the issue without addressing what was asked about victims facing repeated hearings.

Respect · 100

0 of 5 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 · 78

1 of 5 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 open to amendments that are appropriate”A commitment from the speaker with no actor, date, measure or condition beyond the undefined word ‘appropriate’.

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“We have not made changes”The Liberal government has not made changes to the parole system under which offenders can seek parole at hearings.search
2“People do not get parole every single time”Parole is not granted at every parole hearing.search
3“the assailant has not gotten parole”In the Todd Baylis case referenced in the question, the person convicted of the murder has not been granted parole.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20