Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Kevin Lamoureux

Liberal on Adjournment Proceedings 2026-10-26

482 words · 27 sentences · 33 clauses

Replying to Jacob Mantle (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, I am rising to follow up on a question I asked the Minister of National Defence about the now infamous Maritime Launch Services’ so-called spaceport in Nova Scotia. Clearly this is a project where federal money is being spent, and has been spent, without proper due diligence. It is, of course, also being spent very quickly. Just to recap, it was $200 million over 10 years for a piece of property that the company is paying only $13,500 a year to lease. That is a great ROI for the company, but it is not so good for the Canadian taxpayer. One area of concern I want to follow up on is the technology safeguards agreement. I see my colleague looking a little puzzled, so I will give him the opportunity to google it while I am asking my question. The technology safeguards agreement is a great idea. It is a government-to-government agreement that sets out the rules for protecting sensitive U.S.-origin space technology and technology that is used outside the U.S. This is important, because without a technology safeguards agreement, U.S.-origin rockets or U.S.-origin technology cannot be launched from Canada, including from the concrete pad of Maritime Launch Services. Other countries have reached technology safeguards agreements with the United States, including, fairly recently, the United Kingdom. As I understand it, substantive negotiations were completed by Canada and the United States in August 2024, at least according to Global Affairs Canada press releases. Could my colleague give the House an update on the status of that agreement, because it is completed but not yet signed and in force? Without that agreement, the company, which the government is now funding to the tune of $200 million, will be unable to launch any U.S.-origin technology or goods, which is the majority of the market it is seeking to access with its spaceport. Could my colleague give us an update on the government’s status in getting this agreement completed?”

Statement grade

C+

67 / 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.

Procedure 10%Positioning 7%Reasoning 42%Anecdote 4%Claims 9%Aside 2%Promise 19%The ask 7%

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

Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 50 wordsI was provided the question that was posed, and that is what tonight is supposed to be about: reflection on the question that was posed. The question the member posed the other day in the House was all about the spaceport and why the government is investing in a spaceport.Procedure Positioning · 15 wordsUnlike the Conservative Party, we recognize that the spaceport is not optional. It is mandatory.Positioning Reasoning · 90 wordsWhen the Prime Minister or the government talks about sovereignty, having the ability to launch is part of that. Canada is in a great position to work with the European Union and others in being able to launch satellites or other objects into space. This is critical, the ability not only to launch but to expand the industry here in Canada. We are talking about the potential of literally hundreds of millions or billions of dollars of future investments, developing an industry that is there already and advancing it significantly. Anecdote · 17 wordsI think of Magellan in Winnipeg, which manufactures and produces satellites.² We cannot put those into orbit.³Anecdote Reasoning · 28 wordsCanada does not have the ability today to launch military satellites, ⁴if doing so was deemed to be in our interest. We would have to approach other nations. Claims · 21 wordsWe are creating a launch pad, ⁸and now we are also adding onto it one that, I believe, is in Newfoundland.⁹Partly on point Aside · 12 wordsThe member might want to do a quick Google search on that.Aside Reasoning · 43 wordsHe will find that from a military perspective and, in particular the one we are talking about tonight, from a civilian perspective and in light of potential contracts, both internally and coming into Canada from other nations, it is in Canadians’ best interest. Promise · 63 wordsIt is going to develop that industry so companies like Magellan and others in our nation will be able to advance in that whole spectrum of development and manufacturing. It will allow Canada to set its priorities. We will not have to go to SpaceX or any other foreign entity in order to do the things we believe are important as a nation. Claims · 7 wordsAlso, this is a growing industry worldwide.¹ Positioning · 21 wordsWhy would we not want to take advantage of the technology we have already and advance it to the next level?Positioning Reasoning · 13 wordsSpace sovereignty is very important. It is a part of the government’s agenda.⁵ Promise · 30 wordsWe will continue to move in that direction because it will give us not only sovereignty but the advancement of technology and growth of our workforce by providing good-quality jobs.Vague promise The ask · 32 wordsI would invite my colleague across the way to come to Winnipeg, visit Magellan and look at some of the things we can develop and have the potential to put into space. Claims · 13 wordsSome are already going into space, ⁶but that cannot be done from Canada.⁷ Reasoning · 27 wordsWe have to go to other nations to get that done. I believe having the space launching pad will be a positive thing for all of us.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.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 59

11 of 40 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.

Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “I was provided the question that was posed,”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 “and that is what tonight is supposed to be about:”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 “reflection on the question that was posed.”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 question the member posed the other day in the House was all about the spaceport and why the government is investing in a spaceport.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “Unlike the Conservative Party, we recognize that the spaceport is not optional.”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 “It is mandatory.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “I think of Magellan in Winnipeg,”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “which manufactures and produces satellites.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “We cannot put those into orbit.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “The member might want to do a quick Google search on that.”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “Why would we not want to take advantage of the technology we have already and advance it to the next level?”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 37

28 of 40 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 on notice, as the member's speech raises 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 “Unlike the Conservative Party, we recognize that the spaceport is not optional.”About the party contrast over the spaceport, not the status of the safeguards agreement asked for.
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 mandatory.”Asserts the spaceport is mandatory without addressing the agreement’s status.
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 the Prime Minister or the government talks about sovereignty, having the ability to launch is part of that.”About sovereignty and launching ability, not the agreement’s status.
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 “Canada is in a great position to work with the European Union and others in being able to launch satellites or other objects into space.”About working with the EU on launches, not the agreement 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 “This is critical, the ability not only to launch but to expand the industry here in Canada.”About the launch industry’s importance, not the agreement’s status.
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 talking about the potential of literally hundreds of millions or billions of dollars of future investments, developing an industry that is there already and advancing it significantly.”About future investment potential, not 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 “I think of Magellan in Winnipeg,”About a Winnipeg satellite manufacturer, not the agreement’s status.
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 manufactures and produces satellites.”About Magellan’s production, not the agreement’s status.
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 cannot put those into orbit.”About launch capability limits, not the agreement 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 “Canada does not have the ability today to launch military satellites,”About Canada’s lack of military satellite launch ability, not the agreement’s status.
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 “if doing so was deemed to be in our interest.”About hypothetical military interest in launching, not the agreement.
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 would have to approach other nations.”About depending on other nations, not the agreement’s status.
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 creating a launch pad,”About creating a launch pad, not the agreement 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 now we are also adding onto it one that, I believe, is in Newfoundland.”About a launch site in Newfoundland, not the agreement’s status.
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 “He will find that from a military perspective and, in particular the one we are talking about tonight, from a civilian perspective and in light of potential contracts, both internally and coming into Canada from other nations, it is in Canadians’ best interest.”About the spaceport’s benefits, not the status of the safeguards agreement.
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 going to develop that industry so companies like Magellan and others in our nation will be able to advance in that whole spectrum of development and manufacturing.”About industry development for manufacturers, not the agreement 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 “It will allow Canada to set its priorities.”About Canada setting priorities through launching, not the agreement’s status.
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 will not have to go to SpaceX or any other foreign entity in order to do the things we believe are important as a nation.”About avoiding reliance on foreign launch providers, not the agreement.
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 “Also, this is a growing industry worldwide.”About the industry’s global growth, not the agreement’s status.
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 “Why would we not want to take advantage of the technology we have already and advance it to the next level?”A rhetorical point about advancing domestic technology, not the agreement 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 “Space sovereignty is very important.”About space sovereignty generally, not the agreement’s status.
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 a part of the government’s agenda.”About the government’s agenda, not the agreement 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 will continue to move in that direction because it will give us not only sovereignty but the advancement of technology and growth of our workforce by providing good-quality jobs.”About future direction on sovereignty and jobs, not the agreement’s status.
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 “I would invite my colleague across the way to come to Winnipeg, visit Magellan and look at some of the things we can develop and have the potential to put into space.”An invitation to visit a manufacturer, not about the agreement asked for.
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 “Some are already going into space,”About satellites going to space now, not the agreement’s status.
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 that cannot be done from Canada.”About launch limits from Canada, not the agreement 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 to go to other nations to get that done.”About needing other nations to launch, not the agreement’s status.
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 “I believe having the space launching pad will be a positive thing for all of us.”A general endorsement of the launch pad, not the agreement’s status.

Respect · 100

0 of 40 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 · 85

1 of 40 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 will continue to move in that direction”A commitment to keep acting with no measure, date or success condition named.

Claims · 9

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“this is a growing industry worldwide”The space industry is a growing global sector.search
2“which manufactures and produces satellites”Magellan, a company located in Winnipeg, manufactures and produces satellites.search
3“We cannot put those into orbit”The satellites manufactured by Magellan cannot be put into orbit.search
4“Canada does not have the ability today to launch military satellites”Canada currently lacks the capacity to launch military satellites.search
5“It is a part of the government’s agenda”Space sovereignty is included in the government’s agenda.search
6“Some are already going into space”Currently, some items are launched into space.search
7“but that cannot be done from Canada”Certain items cannot be launched into space from Canada.search
8“We are creating a launch pad”The government is in the process of creating a launch pad.search
9“adding onto it one that, I believe, is in Newfoundland”There is a plan to add a launch pad in Newfoundland to existing infrastructure.search

Analysed on 2026-10-28