Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Kevin Lamoureux

Liberal on Business of Supply 2026-10-08

105 words · 7 sentences · 8 clauses

Replying to Mel Arnold (Conservative)

“Madam Speaker, the parliamentary secretary provides us so much fuel for questions for him that I am going to run out of time even explaining some of them in point form. He talked about affordability measures, which we opposed simply because those affordability measures added to the unaffordability crisis that we are in right now. He was first elected in 1988, he stated. He has been with the Liberal government for almost 11 years, and we have seen the cost of its ever-increasing deficits. The Liberals’ original prime minister, Trudeau, promised a tiny deficit of I think $15 billion. They have blown through that, year after year after year. Now we have trillions of dollars in debt. The parliamentary secretary talked about building the economy, but we have seen what the Liberals are doing. They are building an economy for Liberal and Brookfield friends. Will he agree and admit that Canada is in an affordability crisis?”

Statement grade

D–

41 / 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.

Procedure 7%Positioning 37%Reasoning 22%Promise 12%Claims 22%

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

Madam Speaker, Procedure · 7 wordsI have a couple of quick points.Procedure Positioning · 17 wordsOne is that there seems to be a preoccupation with how long I have been a parliamentarian.Positioning Reasoning · 23 wordsI can assure the member, and I will defend the leader of the official opposition, that there is a role for career parliamentarians. Positioning · 22 wordsWhat is important is that we serve our constituents first and foremost, something that I take a great sense of pride in.Positioning Promise · 13 wordsThey are my first priority and they always will be my first priority.Off pointVague promise Claims · 23 wordsIn regard to the other issue, the member can look at the seniors’ dental program. That is a program that the Conservatives opposed.¹Partly on point

At a glance

Lost points for
Didn't answerNone of this reply addressed the specific point raised or the topic under debate.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 51

3 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.

Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “I have a couple of quick points.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “One is that there seems to be a preoccupation with how long I have been a parliamentarian.”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 “What is important is that we serve our constituents first and foremost, something that I take a great sense of pride in.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 11

7 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 point put to the member, and the motion under debate.

Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “One is that there seems to be a preoccupation with how long I have been a parliamentarian.”About his own years as a parliamentarian, not whether Canada is in an affordability crisis.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “I can assure the member,”A reassurance about his parliamentary career, not the affordability 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 I will defend the leader of the official opposition, that there is a role for career parliamentarians.”A defence of career parliamentarians, not the affordability 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 “What is important is that we serve our constituents first and foremost, something that I take a great sense of pride in.”About serving constituents, not the affordability 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 are my first priority and they always will be my first priority.”About his priorities as a member, not the affordability question.
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 “In regard to the other issue, the member can look at the seniors’ dental program.”Points to the seniors’ dental program on the affordability issue but does not answer whether Canada is in an affordability crisis.
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 “That is a program that the Conservatives opposed.”Says the Conservatives opposed the dental program but does not answer whether Canada is in an affordability crisis.

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 · 83

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 “they always will be my first priority”A commitment with no measure, date, or success condition for how the priority will be honoured.

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“That is a program that the Conservatives opposed.”The federal seniors’ dental program was opposed by the Conservative Party.search

Analysed on 2026-10-19