Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship 2026-10-26

92 words · 6 sentences · 8 clauses

Replying to Michelle Rempel Garner (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, I think it is very telling that the Prime Minister will not even let his immigration minister give basic details about an open borders pact with the EU. If he has nothing to hide, why will he not let her stand up? The reality is he made an announcement in the European parliament. He is not giving our press gallery details about it in our papers or in interviews here. Canadians deserve answers. How many more non-citizens will come into the country? What will be the categories of non-citizens and what does this mean for provinces, like Alberta or Quebec, that are asking for more control over immigration levels?”

Statement grade

49 / 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%Promise 84%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 15 wordsthere is not and will not be an open borders pact with the European Union.¹ Promise · 77 wordsWhat there will be is an enhanced relationship, Partly on pointwhich will keep this country on track to more than double its non-U.S. trade in the next decade. That will happen. We will have better and closer relations with our European partners.Vague promise We will have closer economic ties.Vague promise We will send more Canadian products, farm products and energy products, to Europe, Vague promiseand we will absolutely continue to work with our cousins in the European Union to keep moving forward.²Off pointVague promise

At a glance

Lost points for
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 · 19

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 “What there will be is an enhanced relationship,”About an enhanced EU relationship generally, not the numbers of non-citizens or provincial control asked about.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “which will keep this country on track to more than double its non-U.S. trade in the next decade.”About doubling trade with non-U.S. partners, not the immigration pact or levels asked about.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “That will happen.”Repeats the trade pledge, which does not address the question asked.
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 will have better and closer relations with our European partners.”About closer relations with European partners generally, not immigration or the alleged pact’s effect on non-citizens.
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 will have closer economic ties.”About economic ties, not the immigration details asked about.
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 will send more Canadian products, farm products and energy products, to Europe,”About exporting Canadian products to Europe, not immigration levels or categories.
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 we will absolutely continue to work with our cousins in the European Union to keep moving forward.”About working with the EU to move forward generally, not the immigration questions raised.

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 · 43

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 “better and closer relations with our European partners”This statement describes a desired outcome without naming a specific goal or measurable success condition.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “closer economic ties”This statement is a subjective commitment to a desired state without outlining specific measures or metrics.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “send more Canadian products, farm products and energy products, to Europe”The speaker commits to an increased output without providing a specific quantitative target or timeframe for that increase.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “continue to work with our cousins in the European Union to keep moving forward”This phrase is a commitment to ongoing effort that lacks any defined measures or concrete goals.

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“there is not and will not be an open borders pact with the European Union”There is not and will not be an open borders pact with the European Union.search
2“continue to work with our cousins in the European Union”Canada will continue to work with the European Union.search

Analysed on 2026-10-28