Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Wayne Long

Liberal on Finance 2026-09-25

66 words · 2 sentences · 2 clauses

Replying to Sandra Cobena (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister sold Canadians on his financial credentials, and then when they were not looking, he took advantage of that trust by inventing financial definitions used nowhere else in the world. He relabelled $94 billion of expenses as investments. This is like calling a grocery bill an investment. The former PBO and the IMF called them out, and now the new PBO has gone even further by saying that these invented definitions are not even being applied consistently. Why is this Liberal government destroying the integrity of Canada’s books?”

Statement grade

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Not graded

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

Claims 100%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 66 wordsour plan is to spend less on government operations and prioritize investments that generate long-term benefits for Canadians, such as major projects, housing, clean energy and infrastructure that will help grow our economy and attract private investment.Partly on pointVague promise We have adopted a transparent capital budgeting framework that reflects the distinction between capital and operating spending so that Canadians can see clearly how public money is being invested.¹

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 100

0 of 2 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 · 67

1 of 2 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.

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 “our plan is to spend less on government operations and prioritize investments that generate long-term benefits for Canadians, such as major projects, housing, clean energy and infrastructure that will help grow our economy and attract private investment.”Describes the government’s own spending priorities and plan, not the integrity of the books or the relabelling of expenses raised.

Respect · 100

0 of 2 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 · 40

1 of 2 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 “our plan is to spend less on government operations and prioritize investments”A commitment with no named measure, date or success condition, only broad goals and examples.

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“We have adopted a transparent capital budgeting framework that reflects the distinction between capital and operating spending”The federal government has adopted a capital budgeting framework that distinguishes capital spending from operating spending.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20