Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Joanne Thompson

Liberal on Taxation 2026-10-06

112 words · 7 sentences · 9 clauses

Replying to Carol Anstey (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, if those programs were working, residents from her constituency would not be reaching out to me asking me— Some hon. members: Oh, oh! Carol Anstey: Mr. Speaker, Canadians are paying roughly 24¢ per litre more for diesel than Americans and 31¢ more than the global average. The government cannot control conflicts overseas, but it can certainly control taxes and barriers that it imposes here at home. Will the members opposite support our Conservative plan to cut diesel taxes and remove the barriers preventing Canada from producing, refining and transporting more of its own fuel?”

Statement grade

D+

52 / 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.

The ask 12%Claims 77%Positioning 12%

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

Mr. Speaker, The ask · 13 wordsoff the top I will say to the member to support Bill C-38.¹ Claims · 86 wordsI will remind her that I speak with residents in her riding and across Newfoundland and Labrador on a regular basis, Partly on pointand they support the $1 million for small craft harbours.² They support the $81 million for wild Atlantic salmon, ³which is going to see real benefits in our province.Vague promise They support Churchill Falls and what it is going to mean for our economy. They support 5 Wing Goose Bay and the millions of dollars that are going to move into that community and the province.⁴ Positioning · 13 wordsThese are tangible results.Off point She needs to speak to more of her residents.PositioningPartly on point

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 84

2 of 11 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 “These are tangible results.”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 “She needs to speak to more of her residents.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 22

8 of 11 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 “I will remind her that I speak with residents in her riding and across Newfoundland and Labrador on a regular basis,”About how often she speaks with residents, not about the diesel tax question.
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 they support the $1 million for small craft harbours.”About funding for small craft harbours, not diesel taxes or fuel costs.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “They support the $81 million for wild Atlantic salmon,”About funding for wild Atlantic salmon, not the diesel tax question.
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 is going to see real benefits in our province.”About benefits of the salmon funding, not the diesel tax question.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “They support Churchill Falls and what it is going to mean for our economy.”About Churchill Falls and the economy, not diesel taxes or fuel barriers.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “They support 5 Wing Goose Bay and the millions of dollars that are going to move into that community and the province.”About 5 Wing Goose Bay funding, not the diesel tax question.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “These are tangible results.”A summary of the listed spending items, none of which address diesel taxes.
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 “She needs to speak to more of her residents.”A remark that she should speak to more residents, not an answer on the diesel tax plan.

Respect · 100

0 of 11 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 · 87

1 of 11 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 “is going to see real benefits”The funding is said to deliver benefits with no measure or success condition named.

Claims · 4

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“support Bill C-38”Bill C-38 is a bill that would extend the excise tax relief on diesel.search
2“the $1 million for small craft harbours”The government provided $1 million for small craft harbours in Newfoundland and Labrador.search
3“the $81 million for wild Atlantic salmon”The government committed $81 million for wild Atlantic salmon.search
4“5 Wing Goose Bay and the millions of dollars that are going to move into that community”Millions of dollars in federal funding are going to 5 Wing Goose Bay and its community.search

Analysed on 2026-10-19