Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Dominic LeBlanc

Liberal on The Environment 2026-10-20

88 words · 4 sentences · 4 clauses

Replying to Gabriel Ste-Marie (Bloc Québécois)

“Mr. Speaker, we sat on the same committee, but we did not share the same vision. In Bill C-39, Ottawa is replacing the environmental impact assessment for pipelines with a study by the Canada Energy Regulator. Here are the commissioners’ former bosses: TC Energy, Shell, Pembina, Imperial Oil, Canadian Oil Sands and Cenovus. In short, Ottawa is replacing a scientific assessment with the views of former oil industry executives. Yesterday in committee, the Minister of Internal Trade told me that this is not a problem because nothing prevents the regulator from seeking scientific advice if it feels like it. Does the minister realize that he is making science optional?”

Statement grade

63 / 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.

Positioning 64%The question 12%Reasoning 24%

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

Mr. Speaker, Positioning · 33 wordswith all due respect to my friend from the Bloc Québécois, he knows full well that science is not optional in environmental impact assessments, whether the projects involved are major or relatively modest.Positioning The question · 11 wordsWhat have we done in legislation that applies to federal entities? Positioning · 23 wordsI understand that in the previous question, his leader somewhat overstated the impact of this bill on matters that fall within Quebec’s jurisdiction.PositioningPartly on point Reasoning · 21 wordsThis is federal legislation that applies to federal entities and is intended to bring greater consistency and predictability to these reviews.¹

At a glance

Lost points for
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 · 33

2 of 3 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 “with all due respect to my friend from the Bloc Québécois, he knows full well that science is not optional in environmental impact assessments, whether the projects involved are major or relatively modest.”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 understand that in the previous question, his leader somewhat overstated the impact of this bill on matters that fall within Quebec’s jurisdiction.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 83

1 of 3 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 understand that in the previous question, his leader somewhat overstated the impact of this bill on matters that fall within Quebec’s jurisdiction.”About the previous question and the bill’s effect on Quebec’s jurisdiction, not whether science is optional.

Respect · 100

0 of 3 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 3 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 · 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“This is federal legislation that applies to federal entities”Bill C-39 is federal legislation that applies to federal entities.search

Analysed on 2026-10-22