Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Robert Oliphant

Liberal on Adjournment Proceedings 2026-09-23

172 words · 5 sentences · 10 clauses

Replying to Arnold Viersen (Conservative)

“Madam Speaker, I would note that there is a lot of “we will” in the response. The government has been in place for over 10 years, and I have to say that if history is any indication of trying to get forced labour out of the government, it is like pulling teeth. It is incredibly difficult. Attempts to get Bill S-211 across the line took a very long time. Then, once we had it passed, the coming into force took an eternity, never mind the office of the corps, which was a thing the government bragged a lot about, and then it took eons for it to set it all up. What assurances can this member give us that, in fact, the Liberals will take this very seriously, and will Bill C-35 be able to be implemented in the short term?”

Statement grade

C–

56 / 100, held down by Signal

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

Positioning 40%Thanks 26%Promise 30%Aside 3%

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

Madam Speaker, Positioning · 69 wordsyou and I have been in this place for a long time, and we know that while our government has been in place, we have acted with resolve and with intelligence on this issue, unlike the previous government, which was in place for 10 years before us and never lifted a finger to solve this issue. As such, we do not take lessons from Conservatives on this at all.PositioningOff point Thanks · 45 wordsI want to commend my former colleague, the Hon. John McKay, who persisted with this issue to the point where our government was able to act with effectiveness and with an assured nature to make sure that supply chains continue to be safer and safer.Thanks Promise · 32 wordsThe work was not done, so we will continue to make sure that we have effective enforcement and a competitive Canadian economy.Vague promise We will also ensure there is transparency in supply chains, Vague promiseAside · 6 wordsand I use the verb “will”, AsidePromise · 20 wordswhich is absolutely chosen by me to assure all members of this House that we will get the job done.Vague promise

At a glance

Lost points for
Little substanceMuch of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 26

6 of 12 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 “you and I have been in this place for a long time,”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 “and we know that while our government has been in place, we have acted with resolve and with intelligence on this issue, unlike the previous government,”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 “which was in place for 10 years before us and never lifted a finger to solve this issue.”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 “As such, we do not take lessons from Conservatives on this at all.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I want to commend my former colleague, the Hon. John McKay, who persisted with this issue to the point where our government was able to act with effectiveness and with an assured nature to make sure that supply chains continue to be safer and safer.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “and I use the verb “will”,”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 47

3 of 12 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 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 “and we know that while our government has been in place, we have acted with resolve and with intelligence on this issue, unlike the previous government,”Praises the government’s own record instead of answering the assurance sought.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “which was in place for 10 years before us and never lifted a finger to solve this issue.”Attacks the previous government’s record rather than addressing the assurance or timeline 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 “As such, we do not take lessons from Conservatives on this at all.”Rejects Conservative criticism without giving the assurance the member sought.

Respect · 100

0 of 12 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 · 55

3 of 12 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 continue to make sure”A commitment to continue with no measure, date or success condition named.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “We will also ensure there is transparency in supply chains”The speaker commits to ensuring transparency without naming any action, actor or measure.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “we will get the job done”A promise of a result with no defined task, measure or date.

Claims · 0

This list shows the factual statements you can check for yourself: the words as said, and the claim restated to stand on its own.

No checkable claims.

Analysed on 2026-10-20