Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Ryan Turnbull

Liberal on Business of Supply 2026-10-06

225 words · 10 sentences · 13 clauses

Replying to Serge Cormier (Liberal)

“Madam Speaker, I am really pleased that my colleague talked about Canada’s national school food program, because, as he may recall, I introduced a bill for that in the House, and, in the end, the government went ahead and created this program, which is now permanent. When I visit schools in my riding, I see free breakfasts and free or discounted lunches. However, as my colleague said, the Conservatives voted against a program that is so important for families and for children who go to school. I would also like my colleague to tell me how this kind of program has helped many children and probably many families in his riding make ends meet.”

Statement grade

32 / 100, held down by Signal

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

Thanks 40%Procedure 1%Anecdote 12%Positioning 45%Claims 2%

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

Madam Speaker, Thanks · 91 wordsI really appreciate my colleague’s work in this area. We shared many conversations and had many meetings about the national school food program and the importance of getting the federal government to invest in it because of how essential it is for the growth and development of our young people. The program ensures that they have the nourishment they need to grow, develop, retain information and learn at school. Having that program in place as a federal investment has allowed us to reach 400,000 more children per year right across Canada.¹Thanks Procedure · 3 wordsThat is essential.Procedure Anecdote · 26 wordsI have three daughters, ²and if any one of them were struggling to meet their daily intake of nutrition, I would want to solve that gap.AnecdotePartly on point Positioning · 64 wordsI cannot believe the Conservatives voted against a national school food program.³ They actually chose to deprive 400,000 kids of the nourishment they need to develop and grow into responsible, contributing members of our society. I cannot fathom how shameful it is to see the Conservatives stand up in this House every day and try to lecture us about Canadians’ affordability challenges and woes, PositioningClaims · 4 wordswhich are quite real.Partly on point Positioning · 37 wordsThe fact that they are standing up and saying we need to do something about food and the cost of food, while voting against the interests of children across this country, is abhorrent at the very least.PositioningOff point

At a glance

Lost points for
Little substanceMuch of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 2

12 of 17 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.

Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I really appreciate my colleague’s work in this area.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “We shared many conversations and had many meetings about the national school food program and the importance of getting the federal government to invest in it because of how essential it is for the growth and development of our young people.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “The program ensures that they have the nourishment they need to grow, develop, retain information and learn at school.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “Having that program in place as a federal investment has allowed us to reach 400,000 more children per year right across Canada.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “That is essential.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “I have three daughters,”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “and if any one of them were struggling to meet their daily intake of nutrition, I would want to solve that gap.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “I cannot believe the Conservatives voted against a national school food program.”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 “They actually chose to deprive 400,000 kids of the nourishment they need to develop and grow into responsible, contributing members of our society.”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 “I cannot fathom how shameful it is to see the Conservatives stand up in this House every day and try to lecture us about Canadians’ affordability challenges and woes,”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 “The fact that they are standing up and saying we need to do something about food and the cost of food,”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 “while voting against the interests of children across this country, is abhorrent at the very least.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 44

5 of 17 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 point put to the member, and the motion under debate.

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 if any one of them were struggling to meet their daily intake of nutrition, I would want to solve that gap.”A personal illustration of why child nutrition matters, not how the program helps families in his riding.
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 cannot fathom how shameful it is to see the Conservatives stand up in this House every day and try to lecture us about Canadians’ affordability challenges and woes,”About the Conservatives’ general stance on affordability, not how the school food program helps.
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 “which are quite real.”Acknowledges affordability woes generally, not the program’s effect 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 “The fact that they are standing up and saying we need to do something about food and the cost of food,”About the Conservatives’ conduct in raising food costs, not the program’s effect.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “while voting against the interests of children across this country, is abhorrent at the very least.”A charge about the Conservatives’ voting and lecturing, not how the program helps children and families.

Respect · 100

0 of 17 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 17 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 · 3

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“reach 400,000 more children per year right across Canada”Canada’s national school food program reaches 400,000 more children per year across Canada.search
2“I have three daughters”Ryan Turnbull has three daughters.search
3“the Conservatives voted against a national school food program”Conservative MPs voted against the national school food program in the House of Commons.search

Analysed on 2026-10-19