Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Heath MacDonald

Liberal on Agriculture and Agri-Food 2026-10-05

86 words · 7 sentences · 9 clauses

Replying to Rachael Thomas (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, farmers in my community are worried about the increasing cost of diesel. Now, many are spending thousands of dollars every single day just to keep their operations running. One farmer put it very plainly. He said that when fuel prices rise, so do grocery prices for every single Canadian. For 11 years, Liberal policies have driven up the cost of fuel and made life more expensive for Canadian families. Tomorrow, Conservatives will put forward a common-sense motion calling on the House to adopt our emergency fuel relief plan. The question is very simple. Will the government vote in favour of Canadians and vote in favour of saving them money?”

Statement grade

75 / 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 69%Positioning 6%Promise 19%Thanks 7%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 27 wordsmembers of the chamber are well aware today that this is a global issue. It is caused by a geopolitical situation. Farmers are on the front line, Positioning · 5 wordsand we sympathize with them.Positioning Claims · 32 wordsThat is why we brought in the reduction of the excise tax.¹ That is why we are seeing all the countries around the world working together to reduce the cost of diesel. Promise · 16 wordsWe will continue to work with our farmers.Vague promise We will continue to support them through programs, Partly on pointVague promiseThanks · 6 wordsand we appreciate everything they do.Thanks

At a glance

Lost points for
Didn't answerNone of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.
Echo ×7“We will continue to work with our border, immigration and law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety and security of all Canadians.” Said 7 times by 3 members.Every time it was said

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 83

2 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 “and we sympathize with them.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “and we appreciate everything they do.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 45

8 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 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 “members of the chamber are well aware today that this is a global issue.”On the subject of the question, but no answer to what was asked can be drawn from 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 “It is caused by a geopolitical situation.”On the subject of the question, but no answer to what was asked can be drawn from 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 “Farmers are on the front line,”Expresses sympathy for farmers but does not address how the government will vote.
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 sympathize with them.”Expresses sympathy for farmers without addressing the motion or the vote asked for.
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 “That is why we brought in the reduction of the excise tax.”Cites an excise tax measure but not a position on the motion’s vote.
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 “That is why we are seeing all the countries around the world working together to reduce the cost of diesel.”Describes international efforts on diesel costs without addressing the vote asked for.
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 continue to work with our farmers.”A promise to keep working with farmers, not a position on the motion.
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 continue to support them through programs,”Promises support through programs without addressing the motion’s vote.

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 · 75

2 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 work with our farmers”No measure, date, or success condition is named for the working together.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “We will continue to support them through programs”No specific program, actor commitment detail, or measure is named.

Echo · 1 repeated line

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

“We will continue to work with our border, immigration and law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety and security of all Canadians.”Said 7 times by 3 members.Every time it was said

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 brought in the reduction of the excise tax”The government brought in a reduction of the excise tax on fuel.search

Analysed on 2026-10-19