Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on The Environment 2026-10-06

65 words · 6 sentences · 6 clauses

Replying to Christine Normandin (Bloc Québécois)

“Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Prime Minister defended Bill C‑39 on the grounds that it does not repeal any laws. This is true. The problem is that it allows developers to circumvent laws when they have the Prime Minister’s backing, as in the case of Pacific link. The laws still exist. They simply do not apply to projects selected by the Prime Minister, whose proponents can bypass impact assessments, disregard environmental laws, and proceed without first consulting experts, the provinces and indigenous peoples. Yesterday, the Prime Minister called it “efficiency”, but is it actually a Liberal two-tiered system?”

Statement grade

B+

80 / 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 45%Positioning 18%The question 11%The ask 26%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 11 wordsmaking decisions faster does not mean we are lowering our standards. Positioning · 12 wordsI am a little perplexed by the Bloc Québécois’s line of questioning.Positioning Claims · 18 wordsWe are here in this democratic chamber debating a government bill designed to build and strengthen our country.¹ The question · 7 wordsWhy is the member calling that undemocratic?Partly on point The ask · 17 wordsShe should participate in the debate, express her views and take a position. Then we can vote.Off point

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 78

1 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.

Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “I am a little perplexed by the Bloc Québécois’s line of questioning.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 50

4 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 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 “We are here in this democratic chamber debating a government bill designed to build and strengthen our country.”About the purpose of debating the bill, not whether favoured projects can bypass laws.
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 “Why is the member calling that undemocratic?”About the member’s characterization of the debate, not the bypassing of environmental laws asked about.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “She should participate in the debate, express her views and take a position.”A call to participate in debate, not on the question of circumventing assessments.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “Then we can vote.”A procedural point about voting, not on the question asked.

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 · 100

0 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.

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“a government bill”Bill C-39 is a government bill debated in the House of Commons in October 2026.search

Analysed on 2026-10-19