Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Mike Kelloway

Liberal on Transportation 2026-10-09

79 words · 4 sentences · 5 clauses

Replying to Gord Johns (NDP)

“Madam Speaker, British Columbians rallied last month demanding fair federal ferry funding. First nations, local governments, the B.C. Chamber of Commerce, unions and residents delivered the same message. Ottawa covers 43% of East Coast Ferries’ operating costs and invests hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure, which we support, but B.C. gets just 3% and loans that ferry users must repay. With fares facing 30% increases, will the government finally modernize B.C.’s 50-year-old agreement and fairly fund B.C.’s marine highway?”

Statement grade

C+

Average 68 / 100

A score under 50 is red. Choose a measurement to see where it lost points and why; choose it again to clear.

Positioning 28%Claims 35%Promise 37%

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

Madam Speaker, Positioning · 22 wordsthe marine sector on the west coast is important to this Canadian government. We want a productive, efficient and effective marine sector.Positioning Claims · 28 wordsWhen it comes to ferries in British Columbia, it is a Crown corporation, BC Ferries, that is regulated by the province.¹ We do provide substantial monies toward operating, Promise · 29 wordsbut we will be on the side of BC Ferries where it makes sense because it is important to British Columbians and, for that matter, its important to Canadians.Partly on pointVague promise

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 · 67

2 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.

Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “the marine sector on the west coast is important to this Canadian government.”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 want a productive, efficient and effective marine sector.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 45

5 of 8 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 “the marine sector on the west coast is important to this Canadian government.”About the west coast marine sector’s general importance, not the funding agreement 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 “We want a productive, efficient and effective marine sector.”States a general goal for the marine sector without addressing the funding 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 “When it comes to ferries in British Columbia, it is a Crown corporation, BC Ferries, that is regulated by the province.”About BC Ferries’ provincial regulation, which does not say whether the federal agreement will change.
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 “We do provide substantial monies toward operating,”On the subject of the question, but no answer to what was asked can be drawn from it.
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 “but we will be on the side of BC Ferries where it makes sense because it is important to British Columbians and, for that matter, its important to Canadians.”Expresses conditional support for BC Ferries without saying whether the agreement will be modernized or funding increased.

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 · 58

1 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 will be on the side of BC Ferries where it makes sense”The commitment names no measure, date or test, and ‘where it makes sense’ sets no success condition.

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“it is a Crown corporation, BC Ferries, that is regulated by the province”BC Ferries is a Crown corporation regulated by the province of British Columbia.search

Analysed on 2026-10-19