Analysis · Debate reply · beta

James Bezan

Conservative on Strengthening Canada's Defence Sector Act 2026-10-20

212 words · 7 sentences · 8 clauses

Replying to Xavier Barsalou-Duval (Bloc Québécois)

“Madam Speaker, we recently learned from an article in The Hill Times that under Bill C‑40, the procurement ombud’s authority would not apply to procurement decisions made by a Crown corporation. I find that rather concerning. Small SMEs often contact us and say that they have a hard time getting into the Department of Defence and understanding how the process works because of how rigid it is. Unfortunately, decisions are also sometimes made in a cavalier way and to the detriment of businesses. At that point, there can be recourse to the procurement ombud. Under Bill C‑40, there would be no more recourse. Who is going to ensure that procurement is done properly and that businesses are not adversely affected during the process?”

Statement grade

B–

72 / 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 5%Claims 67%Promise 9%Reasoning 18%

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

Madam Speaker, Procedure · 10 wordsmy colleague serves with us on the national defence committee.²Procedure Claims · 143 wordsOne of the shortfalls and criticisms that we are hearing about right now is that the Defence Investment Agency and the Liberal government, in particular, is making it very difficult for small and medium-sized enterprises. People are coming forward with some new technologies and new ideas, including in the world of cyber, quantum computing and drones, things that we need to do that they cannot get through the front door. A case in point is that when the Liberals announced the new drone program, they put it under the control of a major prime, Bombardier, rather than letting everybody have a chance to come forward as opposed to taking their technology to another company that could potentially be a competitor, that will then take away their IP and use it to their advantage instead of using it to the advantage of the creator.¹ Promise · 20 wordsWe need to make sure that we support the entrepreneurs, those who are out there leading on creating new equipment. Reasoning · 39 wordsAs we have witnessed in the war in Ukraine, things are changing day to day. We have to be able to keep up with that, and the big primes are not always the ones that have all the answers.Partly 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 · 92

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 “my colleague serves with us on the national defence committee.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 42

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

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 “One of the shortfalls and criticisms that we are hearing about right now is that the Defence Investment Agency and the Liberal government, in particular, is making it very difficult for small and medium-sized enterprises.”Agrees that SMEs face difficulties under the bill’s agency but offers no answer on who would oversee procurement or what recourse would exist.
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 “People are coming forward with some new technologies and new ideas, including in the world of cyber, quantum computing and drones, things that we need to do that they cannot get through the front door.”Describes SMEs failing to get through the door, but does not address who would ensure proper procurement or provide recourse.
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 “A case in point is that when the Liberals announced the new drone program, they put it under the control of a major prime, Bombardier, rather than letting everybody have a chance to come forward as opposed to taking their technology to another company that could potentially be a competitor, that will then take away their IP and use it to their advantage instead of using it to the advantage of the creator.”Criticizes the drone award to a major prime, but speaks to IP risks rather than the oversight or recourse 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 need to make sure that we support the entrepreneurs, those who are out there leading on creating new equipment.”Calls for supporting entrepreneurs, which stays on the SME problem but does not answer who would oversee procurement.
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 “As we have witnessed in the war in Ukraine, things are changing day to day.”Comments on the pace of change in Ukraine, touching the procurement problem only in passing.
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 have to be able to keep up with that,”States the need to keep up with change, but offers no answer on oversight or recourse for businesses.
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 “and the big primes are not always the ones that have all the answers.”Argues major primes lack all the answers, staying on the SME subject without addressing who would ensure proper procurement.

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 · 100

0 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.

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“when the Liberals announced the new drone program, they put it under the control of a major prime, Bombardier”The Liberal government placed the new Canadian military drone program under the control of Bombardier.search
2“my colleague serves with us on the national defence committee”Xavier Barsalou-Duval sits with James Bezan on the House of Commons national defence committee.search

Analysed on 2026-10-22