Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Marie-Hélène Gaudreau

Bloc Québécois on Strengthening Canada's Defence Sector Act 2026-10-26

143 words · 9 sentences · 14 clauses

Replying to Steeve Lavoie (Liberal)

“Mr. Speaker, I read Bill C‑40 and had the opportunity to give a speech here in the House. I think there is a bit of a misunderstanding about the bill. I will explain why. By creating this corporation, Bill C‑40 will provide support so businesses can bid on government contracts. I have worked with businesses. All too often, we see that they would like to bid on contracts, but they lack the financial means or do not have the necessary financial backing, from banks, for instance. That is what Bill C‑40 offers. It will support the entire sector in bidding on these contracts. It will provide loan insurance. It will make it possible to get loans. I would like my colleague to take the time to read the bill carefully and consider the impact it could have on the sector. It will support hundreds of businesses so they can bid on contracts.”

Statement grade

77 / 100, held down by Signal

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

Thanks 5%Procedure 19%Claims 45%Aside 1%Positioning 22%Reasoning 8%

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

Mr. Speaker, Thanks · 7 wordsI thank my colleague for his question, ThanksProcedure · 22 wordsbecause it gives me the opportunity to mention something I did not address in my speech: the role of the procurement ombudsman.Procedure Claims · 51 wordsThe ombudsman serves as an independent safeguard and external watchdog.¹ When a contract is disputed and a clear answer is required, a complaint can be filed with the ombudsman.² The ombudsman then appears before the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates, helping us get to the bottom of the matter.³Partly on point Procedure · 5 wordsWe correct course, Vague promiseif necessary.Procedure Claims · 11 wordsWith the Defence Investment Agency, however, there will be no ombudsman.⁴ Aside · 2 wordsJust imagine: AsideClaims · 2 wordsno transparency.Partly on point Positioning · 31 wordsI fully agree with my colleague that we need to speed up the process, that we need to support this sector and give it a helping hand, but at what cost?Positioning Reasoning · 12 wordsIt must certainly not be at the cost of undermining our democracy.

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 47

8 of 15 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.

Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I thank my colleague for his question,”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “because it gives me the opportunity to mention something I did not address in my speech:”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “the role of the procurement ombudsman.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “We correct course,”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “if necessary.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “Just imagine:”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “I fully agree with my colleague that we need to speed up the process, that we need to support this sector and give it a helping hand,”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 “but at what cost?”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 65

6 of 15 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 “The ombudsman serves as an independent safeguard and external watchdog.”About the ombudsman’s general function, not the support the point raised.
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 “When a contract is disputed and a clear answer is required, a complaint can be filed with the ombudsman.”About the complaint process to the ombudsman, not the point about business support.
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 ombudsman then appears before the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates, helping us get to the bottom of the matter.”About the ombudsman’s committee appearances, not what the point asked her to consider.
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 “With the Defence Investment Agency, however, there will be no ombudsman.”Raises the absence of an ombudsman under the bill, on the bill’s subject but not the point about supporting businesses.
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 “Just imagine:”A rhetorical lead-in about the agency, not the point’s claim about business support.
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 “no transparency.”About transparency in the agency, not the support for businesses the point described.

Respect · 100

0 of 15 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

1 of 15 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 correct course,”The commitment does not specify what actions will be taken, who will perform them, or the metrics for success.

Claims · 4

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 ombudsman serves as an independent safeguard and external watchdog.”The ombudsman functions as an independent safeguard and external watchdog.search
2“a complaint can be filed with the ombudsman.”A complaint can be filed with the ombudsman when a contract is disputed and a clear answer is required.search
3“The ombudsman then appears before the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates”The ombudsman reports to the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates.search
4“With the Defence Investment Agency, however, there will be no ombudsman.”The Defence Investment Agency will not include an ombudsman.search

Analysed on 2026-10-28