Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

David McGuinty

Liberal on Veterans Affairs 2026-10-05

39 words · 2 sentences · 3 clauses

Replying to Jeff Kibble (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, in 1992, Canadian soldiers deployed to war-torn Somalia were ordered to take mefloquine, an anti-malarial drug developed by the U.S. military and unlicensed in Canada. The Canadian government knew that the side effects included anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations and psychotic behaviour, yet did not follow trial safety protocols. For many, those side effects never stopped. For 25 years, they have been fighting in court for the truth, yet in June, government lawyers moved to shut the case down. Will the Prime Minister immediately settle the court case, reopen the Somalia inquiry and apologize to Canadian veterans?”

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.

Reasoning 54%Procedure 23%Promise 23%

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

Mr. Speaker, Reasoning · 21 wordsgiven the fact that this case remains under litigation, it is inappropriate for the government to involve itself in the matter.¹ Procedure · 9 wordsI have taken due note of the member’s concerns, ProcedurePromise · 9 wordsand I will take them back to my office.Partly on point

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 74

1 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.

Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “I have taken due note of the member’s concerns,”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 83

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 “and I will take them back to my office.”Promises only to relay the matter internally, not to settle, reopen the inquiry or apologize.

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 · 100

0 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.

Nothing lost points.

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“this case remains under litigation”The court case concerning veterans who took mefloquine during the 1992 Somalia deployment remains under litigation.search

Analysed on 2026-10-19