Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Anthony Housefather

Liberal on Business of Supply 2026-10-08

118 words · 6 sentences · 6 clauses

Replying to Tim Watchorn (Liberal). The question was off topic, so this reply is judged against the motion.

“Mr. Speaker, everybody knows that prices are high because of the war in Iran and the trade war we have with the U.S. We are going to control what we can control. We voted today on Bill C-39, which would advance major projects. I would like the member to explain to us how getting major projects done in Canada is going to work in a great way and get Canadians to work.”

Statement grade

30 / 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 4%Reasoning 53%Claims 43%

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

Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 5 wordsthat is a wonderful question.Procedure Reasoning · 22 wordsTo me, one of the things that is most important about this government is making Canada work and working with the provinces. Claims · 51 wordsWe will see provincial premiers saluting the government and the Prime Minister. They say what a pleasure it is to work together to create projects that will have a national scale and that will allow us to bring things to market that we otherwise would not have been able to bring. Reasoning · 40 wordsWe also need to diversify our trade.Vague promise We need to make sure we have a way to get our oil to the Asia-Pacific region and not just leave it here in North America and only trade with the United States.Off pointVague promise

At a glance

Lost points for
Off topicNone of this statement addressed the specific topic under debate.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 94

1 of 8 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 “that is a wonderful question.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 0

5 of 8 deductions are Relevance

The question was off topic, so this reply is judged against the motion.

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 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 “To me, one of the things that is most important about this government is making Canada work and working with the provinces.”About working with provinces to make Canada work generally, not the motion’s affordability crisis or years in power.
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 will see provincial premiers saluting the government and the Prime Minister.”About premiers’ praise of the government, not the motion’s subject.
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 say what a pleasure it is to work together to create projects that will have a national scale and that will allow us to bring things to market that we otherwise would not have been able to bring.”About premiers’ comments on national-scale projects, not affordability or the motion’s recognition.
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 also need to diversify our trade.”About trade diversification, which the motion does not touch.
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 need to make sure we have a way to get our oil to the Asia-Pacific region and not just leave it here in North America and only trade with the United States.”About oil pipelines and Asia-Pacific trade, not the affordability crisis or time in power the motion raises.

Respect · 100

0 of 8 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 · 59

2 of 8 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 also need to diversify our trade”A commitment with no actor, measure, date or success condition named.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “We need to make sure we have a way to get our oil to the Asia-Pacific region”A commitment stated without any concrete measure, date or actor.

Claims · 0

This list shows the factual statements you can check for yourself: the words as said, and the claim restated to stand on its own.

No checkable claims.

Analysed on 2026-10-19