Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on Building Canada Strong Act 2026-09-23

88 words · 5 sentences · 7 clauses

Replying to Gabriel Ste-Marie (Bloc Québécois)

“Mr. Speaker, does the minister agree that the Canada Energy Regulator is effectively run by the oil companies? The lead commissioner is the former senior legal counsel at TC Energy, previously known as TransCanada Corporation, the owner of the TransCanada pipeline, which changed its name following the energy east fiasco. The deputy lead commissioner is a former executive at Royal Dutch Shell. Another commissioner is a former legal adviser to Pembina Pipeline Corporation and Shell Canada Limited. Another one comes from Imperial Oil and Canadian Oil Sands Limited. Then there is one from Cenovus Energy, an oil sands company. Does my colleague agree that the Canada Energy Regulator is effectively run by oil companies and that Bill C-39 sidelines scientists and replaces them with lawyers from this industry?”

Statement grade

A–

Average 89 / 100

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

Claims 49%Promise 51%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 43 wordsthe Canada Energy Regulator is a world leader in this area and has access to the best expertise and all the science. It operates independently.¹ We think that those responsible for regulating energy should regulate energy, nuclear should regulate nuclear, and so on. Promise · 45 wordsWe want projects to be approved or rejected faster so that investors can feel confident, regardless of whether the project is happening in Quebec, in renewable energy, elsewhere in the country or in another sector. We will take action, Vague promiseand we will do so quickly.Partly on pointVague promise

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 100

0 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.

Nothing lost points.

Relevance · 70

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 point put to the member, and the bill under debate.

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 “We want projects to be approved or rejected faster so that investors can feel confident, regardless of whether the project is happening in Quebec, in renewable energy, elsewhere in the country or in another sector.”About speeding up project approvals generally, not about the regulator’s independence or the role of scientists in the bill.
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 “We will take action,”A general commitment to act, not a response on the regulator’s composition or the bill’s treatment of scientists.
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 we will do so quickly.”A promise of speed, not a response on the question about the regulator and scientists.

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 · 86

2 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 will take action”No actor, measure, date or success condition is named for the promised action.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “we will do so quickly”It commits only to speed, with no measure or condition defining what will be done.

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“It operates independently.”The Canada Energy Regulator operates independently.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20