Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Gregor Robertson

Liberal on Housing 2026-10-21

91 words · 4 sentences · 7 clauses

Replying to Jacob Mantle (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, when the Prime Minister promised what he called the most ambitious housing plan since the Second World War, Canadians can be forgiven for assuming that meant more homes, not fewer, but the Liberals’ own housing agency, the CMHC, says that housing starts are down this year and that Canada is on track to build fewer homes this year than last year. It says the key risk is that we will not build enough. Is it still the Liberal government’s promise to build 500,000 new homes per year, or has the Prime Minister abandoned that target?”

Statement grade

B–

Average 72 / 100

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

Claims 40%Promise 60%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 36 wordswe are very focused on delivering affordable housing for Canadians, Vague promiseas seen by Build Canada Homes start-ups. We have over 19,000 homes now under way with Build Canada Homes, affordable non-market homes that are scaling up.¹ Promise · 55 wordsWe are going to continue to extend that work, Vague promiseand we are going to give Canadians every opportunity to buy or rent an affordable home.Vague promise We are going to scale this work as aggressively as possible, Vague promiseand particularly if we have support from the members opposite, we will be able to go faster and farther.Partly on point

At a glance

Lost points for
Didn't answerNone of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.
VagueMuch of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 100

0 of 11 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.

Nothing lost points.

Relevance · 45

7 of 11 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 “we are very focused on delivering affordable housing for Canadians,”States a general focus on affordable housing without addressing the target or the drop in housing starts.
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 seen by Build Canada Homes start-ups.”Points to Build Canada Homes rather than the 500,000-per-year target 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 have over 19,000 homes now under way with Build Canada Homes, affordable non-market homes that are scaling up.”Gives figures on Build Canada Homes projects, not on the target or on whether starts will fall this year.
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 are going to continue to extend that work,”Speaks of continuing existing work without addressing the target 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 “and we are going to give Canadians every opportunity to buy or rent an affordable home.”Offers a general intention on affordability, not an answer on the 500,000-per-year commitment.
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 are going to scale this work as aggressively as possible,”Speaks of scaling work aggressively without confirming or abandoning the target.
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 particularly if we have support from the members opposite, we will be able to go faster and farther.”Talks about support from opposition members, not the target asked about.

Respect · 100

0 of 11 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 · 44

4 of 11 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 “very focused on delivering affordable housing”The commitment names no measure, date or success condition beyond general focus.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “continue to extend that work”No measure, date or target is named for what extending the work involves.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “give Canadians every opportunity to buy or rent an affordable home”The commitment names no actor beyond the speaker, no date, and no way to measure success.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “scale this work as aggressively as possible”The promise sets no concrete measure or target, only an unquantified pace.

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“over 19,000 homes now under way with Build Canada Homes”Over 19,000 affordable non-market homes are under way with Build Canada Homes as of October 2026.search

Analysed on 2026-10-22