Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Steeve Lavoie

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

115 words · 10 sentences · 12 clauses

Replying to James Bezan (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, I listened to my colleague speak, and he talked about how the Defence Investment Agency and setting up this Crown corporation is about more than just national security and national defence. He also talked about economic security. Bill C-40 would not only give power to the government to have up to $1 billion at any one time with no questions asked, so the minister can go get money from the general revenue fund, take those tax dollars and put them into who knows what at the Defence Investment Agency, since there would be little oversight and accountability there. It also talks about being able to buy things, items including residential housing, they could invest in that are non-military. Is the Defence Investment Agency as a new Crown corp really all about trying to find more dollars to put into other government ideas rather than national defence?”

Statement grade

B+

Average 84 / 100

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

Procedure 13%Claims 56%Reasoning 24%Anecdote 7%

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

Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 8 wordsI would simply like to make a clarification.Procedure Claims · 31 wordsMy colleague said that there was no accountability at all. Crown corporations are still subject to financial disclosure, audits and the submission of documents to Parliament, ⁴and they require ministerial approval.⁵ Reasoning · 12 wordsThat aspect is important. Yes, this will be important for our businesses. Anecdote · 8 wordsIn my region, we have the Davie shipyard.AnecdotePartly on point Procedure · 7 wordsMy colleague was talking about economic security.Procedure Claims · 33 wordsThe Davie shipyard in my riding, with six icebreakers, represents $11 billion and 5,000 workers alone on the south shore of Quebec City, ¹²which will have an impact on more than 600 suppliers.³ Reasoning · 16 wordsWe often hear about the major contractors. Many suppliers will be able to benefit from this.Partly on point

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 75

3 of 10 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 “I would simply like to make a clarification.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “In my region, we have the Davie shipyard.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “My colleague was talking about economic security.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 62

7 of 10 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 “That aspect is important.”The clause agrees on the importance of the topic without addressing the core question of accountability.
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 “Yes, this will be important for our businesses.”The clause shifts focus to the benefits for businesses instead of addressing the specific funding purpose questioned.
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 “In my region, we have the Davie shipyard.”The clause provides a regional example related to the defence sector but does not answer the question about funding intent.
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 Davie shipyard in my riding, with six icebreakers, represents $11 billion and 5,000 workers alone on the south shore of Quebec City,”The clause provides data on the potential economic impact of the bill but does not address the question about financial control.
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 “which will have an impact on more than 600 suppliers.”This clause continues to describe the economic impact of the project mentioned in the 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 “We often hear about the major contractors.”The clause makes a general comment about the industry, which is related to the bill but does not answer the specific 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 “Many suppliers will be able to benefit from this.”The clause summarizes the economic benefits of the bill, which is a secondary topic to the accountability question.

Respect · 100

0 of 10 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 10 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 · 5

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 Davie shipyard in my riding, with six icebreakers, represents $11 billion and 5,000 workers”The Davie shipyard on the south shore of Quebec City has six icebreakers representing $11 billion and 5,000 workers.search
2“on the south shore of Quebec City”The Davie shipyard is located in the member’s riding on the south shore of Quebec City.search
3“more than 600 suppliers”The Davie shipyard’s icebreaker work will have an impact on more than 600 suppliers.search
4“Crown corporations are still subject to financial disclosure, audits and the submission of documents to Parliament”Crown corporations are subject to financial disclosure, audits and the submission of documents to Parliament.search
5“they require ministerial approval”Crown corporations require ministerial approval for certain actions.search

Analysed on 2026-10-22