Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Alexis Deschênes

Bloc Québécois on Business of Supply 2026-10-22

81 words · 5 sentences · 7 clauses

Replying to Burton Bailey (Conservative). The question was off topic, so this reply is judged against the motion.

“Mr. Speaker, it was the Conservative government, under then prime minister Harper, that recognized Quebec as a nation. Culture, language and shared ancestry all played a part in determining what a nation is. With this in mind, the province of Quebec demands a level of autonomy that other provinces do not benefit from in Canada. Would my colleague agree that the other provinces in Canada, such as Alberta, deserve more autonomy, away from the heavy hand of the federal government, in determining what is the best direction for their province, as with immigration, for example?”

Statement grade

30 / 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.

Claims 16%Reasoning 25%Aside 27%Positioning 32%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 13 wordsunder the Meech Lake accord, Quebec was presented with a number of proposals, ¹Reasoning · 20 wordsand what we learned from that was that it was not possible to get the support of the other provinces.² Aside · 11 wordsI wish the very best for people in the other provinces.Aside Positioning · 26 wordsAs far as we in Quebec are concerned, we drew our own conclusions. We are fighting to expand our freedom.Vague promise What we want is a country, PositioningAside · 11 wordsand I wish the same for my colleague from another province.AsideOff point

At a glance

Lost points for
Off topicNone of this statement addressed the specific topic under debate.
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 · 38

5 of 13 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 wish the very best for people in the other provinces.”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “As far as we in Quebec are concerned, we drew our own conclusions.”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 “We are fighting to expand our freedom.”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 “What we want is a country,”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “and I wish the same for my colleague from another province.”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 0

7 of 13 deductions are Relevance

The question was off topic, so this reply is judged against the motion.

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 motion under debate.

Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “under the Meech Lake accord, Quebec was presented with a number of proposals,”The clause discusses the Meech Lake Accord and proposals relating to provincial politics instead of the cultural sector funding or tax levies in the motion.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “and what we learned from that was that it was not possible to get the support of the other provinces.”The clause relates to historical political negotiations regarding provincial support rather than the specific financial problems of the cultural sector described in the motion.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “I wish the very best for people in the other provinces.”The clause expresses a general wish for other provinces and does not address the subjects of the motion.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “As far as we in Quebec are concerned, we drew our own conclusions.”The clause discusses Quebec’s own political conclusions rather than addressing the specific cultural or economic issues raised by the motion.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “We are fighting to expand our freedom.”The clause discusses the expansion of Quebec’s freedom rather than commenting on the government’s policy on the cultural sector or taxation.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “What we want is a country,”The clause asserts a desire for Quebec to be a country and is unrelated to the bill’s subject matter of funding and digital taxation.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “and I wish the same for my colleague from another province.”The clause is a statement of good wishes for other provinces and is unrelated to the motion.

Respect · 100

0 of 13 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 · 86

1 of 13 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 fighting to expand our freedom”The speaker commits their side to a struggle with no actor, measure, date or success condition named.

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“under the Meech Lake accord, Quebec was presented with a number of proposals”The Meech Lake accord presented Quebec with a number of proposals.search
2“it was not possible to get the support of the other provinces”The Meech Lake accord failed to obtain the support of all the other provinces.search

Analysed on 2026-10-24