Analysis · Debate reply · beta

David Myles

Liberal on Business of Supply 2026-10-22

86 words · 5 sentences · 8 clauses

Replying to Gérard Deltell (Conservative)

“Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his speech. He is obviously very articulate in both official languages, which is good for all Canadians, especially here in the House of Commons. Today we are talking about the digital services tax. The member is well aware that his government scrapped that tax in June 2025, claiming that it was doing so to help the negotiations with the United States. Sixteen months later, can the member tell us how the negotiations with the United States are going? At first glance, there has been no progress at all, absolutely none. The government scrapped a tax that helped it get elected. It scrapped the tax, but absolutely nothing changed.”

Statement grade

C+

Average 67 / 100

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

Aside 16%Promise 47%Reasoning 27%Claims 10%

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

Madam Speaker, Aside · 14 wordsI love speaking or trying to speak in French whenever I have the opportunity.Aside Promise · 14 wordsIt is important to note that we are looking for a new policy direction.Vague promise Reasoning · 12 wordsWe agree that digital platforms must contribute to cultural production in Canada. Claims · 9 wordsIt is not that the tax has been abolished, ¹Promise · 14 wordsbut we are going to take some time to find a new policy direction, Vague promiseReasoning · 6 wordsbecause the tax was not working. Promise · 12 wordsWe are also going to provide immediate support to the cultural industry, Vague promiseReasoning · 5 wordswhich needs it right now.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.
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 · 80

1 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.

A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “I love speaking or trying to speak in French whenever I have the opportunity.”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 47

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 point put to the member, and the motion 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 “It is important to note that we are looking for a new policy direction.”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 “We agree that digital platforms must contribute to cultural production in Canada.”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 “It is not that the tax has been abolished,”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 are going to take some time to find a new policy direction,”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 “because the tax was not working.”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 “We are also going to provide immediate support to the cultural industry,”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 “which needs it right now.”On the subject of the question, but no answer to what was asked can be drawn from it.

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 · 41

3 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 “we are looking for a new policy direction”A commitment to future policy with no measure, date or success condition named.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “we are going to take some time to find a new policy direction”The speaker commits only to an open-ended search with no actor, date or measure.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “We are also going to provide immediate support to the cultural industry,”Support is promised without any measure, amount or date specified.

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 not that the tax has been abolished”The federal Digital Services Tax has not been abolished.search

Analysed on 2026-10-24