Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on Justice 2026-10-07

76 words · 6 sentences · 6 clauses

Replying to Frank Caputo (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, wait until the Liberals find out who has been in charge the last 11 years. Imagine that. Right now, we do not know whether Shane Ertmoed is out figuring out the difference between a béchamel sauce and a Béarnaise sauce, while Heather’s family has to serve a psychological life sentence. The government gives empty words. I will ask this for a third time: If the Prime Minister believes in the answer his minister just gave, will he rise in the House and agree to a meeting with Heather’s family, yes or no?”

Statement grade

49 / 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 68%Positioning 21%The ask 11%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 30 wordsI can tell the member that we were in power this spring when we passed six pieces of criminal justice legislation on things such as hate, bail and safe spaces.¹Partly on point Positioning · 4 wordsWhere was the member?Positioning Claims · 22 wordsEvery time the roll was called, he sat in his place and opposed the law-and-order agenda of the new government in Canada.² Positioning · 12 wordsWe are the anti-crime party. We are the people taking the measures.PositioningVague promise The ask · 8 wordsThe member should get up and support them.Off point

At a glance

Lost points for
Didn't answerNone of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 74

3 of 10 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 “Where was the member?”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 “We are the anti-crime party.”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 “We are the people taking the measures.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 19

6 of 10 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 can tell the member that we were in power this spring when we passed six pieces of criminal justice legislation on things such as hate, bail and safe spaces.”About the government’s spring justice legislation, not the meeting asked for.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “Where was the member?”A challenge to the member’s conduct, not an answer to the 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 “Every time the roll was called, he sat in his place and opposed the law-and-order agenda of the new government in Canada.”About the member’s past votes, not whether a meeting will be granted.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “We are the anti-crime party.”Praise of the government’s own side in place of an answer.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “We are the people taking the measures.”Self-praise about taking measures, not the meeting asked for.
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 member should get up and support them.”A demand that the member act, not an answer to the question.

Respect · 100

0 of 10 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 · 88

1 of 10 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 are the people taking the measures”Asserts action being taken without naming any measure, actor or outcome.

Claims · 2

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 passed six pieces of criminal justice legislation”Parliament passed six pieces of criminal justice legislation in spring 2026, on matters including hate, bail and safe spaces, under the Liberal government.search
2“he sat in his place and opposed the law-and-order agenda”Frank Caputo, the Conservative member for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, voted against the criminal justice legislation the government passed in spring 2026.search

Analysed on 2026-10-19