Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Carlos Leitão

Liberal on Rail Transportation 2026-10-09

107 words · 8 sentences · 9 clauses

Replying to Jacques Gourde (Conservative)

“Madam Speaker, yesterday, at the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, we learned that Alto, a project commissioned by the Liberal government, has been signing non-disclosure agreements with property appraisers, surveyors, well-known law firms, local authorities and even the former Quebec government, with the objective of accelerating the expropriation of agricultural land along the route. In the interests of full transparency, the secret agreement with the former Quebec government contains a 30-day termination clause. Does this period begin from the date of signature or from the date the notice of termination is served?”

Statement grade

C+

69 / 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 20%Positioning 36%Claims 37%Reasoning 7%

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

Madam Speaker, Thanks · 21 wordsI would like to thank my colleague for his question, because the Alto high-speed rail project is a very important issue.¹Thanks Positioning · 26 wordsI would like to know whether our Conservative friends agree. I do not believe they do. I think our Conservative friends are against the Alto project.Positioning Claims · 18 wordsAfter having supported it for many years, they have now suddenly decided that it is no longer worthwhile. Positioning · 12 wordsFor our part, we see it as a project for the future.Positioning Claims · 22 wordsIt will help build a much stronger country by connecting Ontario and Quebec, creating thousands of jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.² Reasoning · 8 wordsThat is why we support the Alto project.Partly on point

At a glance

Lost points for
Didn't answerNone of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.
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 · 39

6 of 13 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 would like to thank my colleague for his question,”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “because the Alto high-speed rail project is a very important issue.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “I would like to know whether our Conservative friends agree.”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 do not believe they 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 “I think our Conservative friends are against the Alto project.”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 “For our part, we see it as a project for the future.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 45

7 of 13 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 would like to know whether our Conservative friends agree.”About the Conservatives’ position on Alto, not the termination 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 “I do not believe they do.”About the Conservatives’ stance on Alto, not the termination 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 “I think our Conservative friends are against the Alto project.”About the Conservatives’ stance on Alto, not the termination 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 “After having supported it for many years, they have now suddenly decided that it is no longer worthwhile.”About the Conservatives’ past support for Alto, not the termination 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 “For our part, we see it as a project for the future.”States the government’s view of Alto without addressing the termination clause asked about.
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 “It will help build a much stronger country by connecting Ontario and Quebec, creating thousands of jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”Describes the project’s benefits without addressing the termination clause or NDAs asked about.
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 why we support the Alto project.”Affirms support for Alto without addressing the termination question.

Respect · 100

0 of 13 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 13 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 · 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“the Alto high-speed rail project”Alto is a high-speed rail project in Canada.search
2“connecting Ontario and Quebec”The Alto project would connect Ontario and Quebec.search

Analysed on 2026-10-19