Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Joanne Thompson

Liberal on Fisheries and Oceans 2026-10-08

105 words · 7 sentences · 9 clauses

Replying to Jonathan Rowe (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, two weeks ago, I got up here and sounded the alarm on the France crab grab, and the Liberals tried to dismiss it as fearmongering. Once they started to realize that this was a $60-million issue, all the minister did was say that she was disappointed in France’s intent. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians do not want a government that is simply disappointed. Will the Prime Minister stand up for Canadians, stand up for Canadian sovereignty and say no to the France crab grab?”

Statement grade

D+

51 / 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.

Positioning 34%Claims 66%

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

Mr. Speaker, Positioning · 14 wordsfirst of all, I will not play politics with issues as important as this.PositioningPartly on point Claims · 69 wordsWhat I will say is that French officials confirmed that no new snow crab licence was issued.¹ What I will say to the member is that the residents and constituents in his riding reach out to me regularly to talk about the things that matter: small craft harbours, the Churchill Falls agreement, the work on training our young people for Red Seal certifications, and on and on it goes. Positioning · 22 wordsIt is enough of the nonsense. We have work to do. Canadians know we need to work together.Unearned certainty The member needs to— PositioningOff pointSome hon. members: Oh, oh!

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 59

5 of 14 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 “first of all, I will not play politics with issues as important as this.”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 “It is enough of the nonsense.”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 have work to do.”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 “Canadians know we need to work together.”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 member needs to—”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 21

8 of 14 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 “first of all, I will not play politics with issues as important as this.”Declines to engage with the question’s framing without addressing the licence issue itself.
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 I will say to the member is that the residents and constituents in his riding reach out to me regularly to talk about the things that matter:”Turns to what constituents raise with the minister rather than the France crab grab 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 “small craft harbours, the Churchill Falls agreement, the work on training our young people for Red Seal certifications,”Lists other subjects like small craft harbours and training, not the crab licence issue.
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 on and on it goes.”Continues the list of unrelated topics instead of the question asked.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “It is enough of the nonsense.”A complaint about 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 “We have work to do.”A general call to work, not on the crab licence issue.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “Canadians know we need to work together.”A general remark about cooperation, not the question asked.
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 needs to—”An unfinished remark directed at the member, not the crab grab question.

Respect · 100

0 of 14 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 · 90

1 of 14 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.

Something stated as certain with nothing to back it.What the tags mean “Canadians know”Asserts a shared consensus among Canadians in place of any source or evidence.

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“French officials confirmed that no new snow crab licence was issued”French officials confirmed that no new snow crab licence was issued, in the matter raised in QP on October 8, 2026.search

Analysed on 2026-10-19