Analysis · Speech on a motion · beta

Eric Lefebvre

Conservative on Business of Supply 2026-10-27

1404 words · 82 sentences · 91 clauses

Statement grade

Average 90 / 100

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

Procedure 9%The ask 13%Claims 37%Positioning 10%Anecdote 8%Reasoning 20%Thanks 2%

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

Procedure · 1 wordsmoved: ProcedureThe ask · 130 wordsThat, given that, (i) the cost of government is driving up the cost of living, (ii) the Parliamentary Budget Officer reports that this government’s fastest-growing cost is interest on the national debt which has more than doubled since 2021, (iii) this Liberal government now spends more on debt interest than the Canada Health Transfer, (iv) an average family of four will pay nearly $6,000 in federal taxes toward interest on the national debt this year, based on numbers from the Parliamentary Budget Officer, (v) the Prime Minister promised that he would reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio and deficit-to-GDP ratio, the House call on the Prime Minister to appear as a witness before the Standing Committee on Finance to testify on saving Canadians money by cutting deficit spending, debt interest and taxes. Procedure · 35 wordsHe said: Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by saying that I will be sharing my time with my colleague from Wellington—Halton Hills North. I rise today to speak to my opposition day motion.Procedure Claims · 33 wordsThe motion calls on the Prime Minister to appear before the Standing Committee on Finance to explain how his government plans to cut deficit spending, debt interest and the tax burden on Canadians. Positioning · 42 wordsBehind the billions of dollars we discuss here in Ottawa lies a reality we must never lose sight of: Unearned certaintythat of hard-working families, retirees counting every dollar, entrepreneurs trying to keep their businesses afloat and young people dreaming of owning a home.Positioning Anecdote · 101 wordsIn my riding of Richmond—Arthabaska—des‑Sources, I meet people who get up early, work long hours and do everything they can to provide a good life for their families. These are farmers, manufacturing workers, business owners, young families and seniors who have contributed to our society throughout their lives. These people are not asking for the moon. They want to be able to cover the cost of groceries, the mortgage, home heating and other bills without constantly worrying about their finances. Above all, they want to know that the tax dollars they hand over to the federal government are being used responsibly.Anecdote Reasoning · 20 wordsPublic finances are not merely a matter of figures. They have a very real impact on the lives of Canadians. Claims · 14 wordsOn October 20, the Parliamentary Budget Officer published her latest economic and fiscal outlook, ¹Positioning · 10 wordsand those figures should give us all pause for thought.Positioning Claims · 20 wordsAccording to this report, Canada’s real economic growth is expected to reach just 0.9% in 2026 and 1.5% in 2027.² Positioning · 39 wordsThese are modest growth rates for a country blessed with such abundant natural resources, such talented people and such significant economic potential. For Conservatives and for me, that is simply not good enough. Surely, we can be more ambitious.Positioning Claims · 16 wordsMeanwhile, federal deficits are projected to total more than $333 billion over the next five years.³ Procedure · 4 wordsThat is not all.Procedure Claims · 39 wordsAccording to the Parliamentary Budget Officer, the federal deficit is expected to reach $63 billion this year, before rising to $70 billion in 2027-28.⁴ Even in 2030-31, the government is projected to run a deficit of nearly $68 billion.⁵ Reasoning · 23 wordsIn other words, these forecasts do not point to a return to a balanced budget at any point during the period under review. Procedure · 13 wordsI want to call attention to another very alarming item in the report.Procedure Claims · 40 wordsPublic debt charges now make up the fastest-growing category of federal expenditures.⁶ In 2021‑22, they amounted to $24.5 billion.⁷ This year, they are expected to reach $60 billion.⁸ By 2030-31, the cost of debt charges alone could reach $83 billion.⁹ Reasoning · 83 wordsThese funds are not going to be used to build hospitals, hire nurses, improve our roads and highways or give Canadians a break on their grocery bills. They will be used to meet financial obligations racked up the government. Of course, all governments have to be able to borrow. Debt can be useful for funding necessary and productive investments. However, the government has to be able to show that the borrowed funds will produce tangible results and that public finances will remain manageable. The ask · 20 wordsThis is exactly why we are requesting today that the Prime Minister come and explain himself before the finance committee. Positioning · 8 wordsWe are seeing no results on the ground.Positioning Claims · 10 wordsIn fact, daily life is growing worse for our people. Procedure · 21 wordsI would now like to focus this debate on a reality that I am very familiar with, the reality of Richmond—Arthabaska—des-Sources.Procedure Claims · 33 wordsIn my region, we are fortunate to have innovative entrepreneurs, passionate farmers, manufacturers and community organizations that do outstanding work. However, behind this economic vitality, there are also people facing significant financial hardship. Procedure · 9 wordsThe recent statistics on food assistance are particularly telling.Procedure Claims · 43 wordsAccording to Moisson Mauricie—Centre-du-Québec’s 2026 hunger report, the network of 61 member organizations are now responding to over 137,000 requests for food assistance every month.¹⁰ That is an increase of 23% in just one year and an increase of 60% in five years.¹¹ Procedure · 2 wordsI repeat: ProcedureClaims · 43 wordsRequests for food assistance have increased by 60% in five years. What is even more worrisome is that nearly 13% of the households assisted by this network have employment income.¹² They have an income, but they are still struggling to make ends meet. Reasoning · 22 wordsThat means that people are working, getting paid and yet still have to ask for help to put food on the table. Claims · 83 wordsThat is what is happening. The report also indicates that over 17% of the households that receive assistance rely mainly on an old age pension or retirement pension.¹³ Let us think about these seniors who worked for 30, 40 or 50 years. These are people who paid their taxes, raised their children and families and contributed to the development of our community. Today, some of them have to turn to food banks to make ends meet. That is what is happening right now. Positioning · 6 wordsThis situation deserves our full attention.Positioning Thanks · 26 wordsI want to take this opportunity to thank the volunteers and community organizations in our regions that meet these needs every day. Their work is essential.Thanks Positioning · 13 wordsHowever, we should be asking ourselves why so many Canadians need their services.Positioning Reasoning · 62 wordsOur collective goal should be to allow people to live with dignity from their work and their retirement income. In a country as rich as ours, both in terms of resources and opportunities, we need to find a way to make the essentials more affordable. That means a more productive economy, investments that create wealth and the sound management of public finances. Positioning · 21 wordsWe need to put an end to the Liberal culture of reckless spending. This Liberal culture is all about reckless spending.Positioning Procedure · 10 wordsI am also thinking about the farmers in my riding.Procedure Claims · 60 wordsIn Richmond—Arthabaska—des-Sources, agriculture plays a significant role in our economy and our regional identity.Partly on point Our producers have to contend with the cost of fuel, machinery, equipment, fertilizers and transportation. When a farmer’s expenses rise, they cannot always incorporate those costs into the selling price of their products. They often have to absorb the increase at the expense of their profitability. Reasoning · 43 wordsWhen production and transportation costs rise throughout the food chain, this inevitably affects the price paid at the grocery store. That is why economic decisions made here in Ottawa have to take into account the impact on businesses and families in our regions. Claims · 29 wordsThe same goes for our manufacturing companies. When a company needs to invest more to modernize, hire workers, or break into new markets, it needs a predictable economic environment. Anecdote · 12 wordsAs a former entrepreneur, I know that what people need is predictability.Anecdote Claims · 8 wordsBusinesses need to have confidence in the future. Reasoning · 34 wordsThey need a government capable of distinguishing between investments that truly foster growth and spending that simply burdens public finances. Prosperity cannot be decreed. It is built through hard work, innovation, investment, and entrepreneurship. Procedure · 15 wordsThe Parliamentary Budget Officer’s report also raises a fundamental question about the government’s financial commitments.Procedure Claims · 25 wordsThe Prime Minister promised to reduce the deficit-to-GDP ratio. However, according to projections published on October 20, that target is unlikely to be consistently met.¹⁴ The ask · 19 wordsThe Prime Minister has to be able to defend his choices to the representatives of the people of Canada. Procedure · 15 wordsI want to close by calling to mind once again the people of my riding.Procedure Claims · 21 wordsA family in Victoriaville will have to make choices when revising its budget, because the cost of essentials continues to rise. Positioning · 8 wordsThe Prime Minister also has to make choices.Positioning The ask · 20 wordsWe expect him to appear before the Standing Committee on Finance to answer our questions and those of concerned Canadians.

At a glance

Lost points for
Echo ×4“The cost of government has driven up the cost of living.” Said 4 times by 3 members.Every time it was said

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 64

32 of 34 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 “moved:”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 “He said:”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 “Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by saying that I will be sharing my time with my colleague from Wellington—Halton Hills North.”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 “I rise today to speak to my opposition day motion.”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 “Behind the billions of dollars we discuss here in Ottawa lies a reality we must never lose sight of:”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 “that of hard-working families, retirees counting every dollar, entrepreneurs trying to keep their businesses afloat and young people dreaming of owning a home.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “In my riding of Richmond—Arthabaska—des‑Sources, I meet people who get up early, work long hours and do everything they can to provide a good life for their families.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “These are farmers, manufacturing workers, business owners, young families and seniors who have contributed to our society throughout their lives.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “These people are not asking for the moon.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “They want to be able to cover the cost of groceries, the mortgage, home heating and other bills without constantly worrying about their finances.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “Above all, they want to know that the tax dollars they hand over to the federal government are being used responsibly.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “and those figures should give us all pause for thought.”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 “These are modest growth rates for a country blessed with such abundant natural resources, such talented people and such significant economic potential.”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 “For Conservatives and for me, that is simply not good enough.”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 “Surely, we can be more ambitious.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “That is not all.”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 “I want to call attention to another very alarming item in the report.”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 “We are seeing no results on the ground.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “I would now like to focus this debate on a reality that I am very familiar with, the reality of Richmond—Arthabaska—des-Sources.”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 recent statistics on food assistance are particularly telling.”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 “I repeat:”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 “This situation deserves our full attention.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I want to take this opportunity to thank the volunteers and community organizations in our regions that meet these needs every day.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “Their work is essential.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “However, we should be asking ourselves why so many Canadians need their services.”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 need to put an end to the Liberal culture of reckless spending.”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 “This Liberal culture is all about reckless spending.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “I am also thinking about the farmers in my riding.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “As a former entrepreneur, I know that what people need is predictability.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “The Parliamentary Budget Officer’s report also raises a fundamental question about the government’s financial commitments.”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 “I want to close by calling to mind once again the people of my riding.”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 “The Prime Minister also has to make choices.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 99

1 of 34 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 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 “In Richmond—Arthabaska—des-Sources, agriculture plays a significant role in our economy and our regional identity.”About agriculture’s role in the regional economy and identity, not the motion’s spending, debt or cost-of-living question.

Respect · 100

0 of 34 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 · 98

1 of 34 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.

Something stated as certain with nothing to back it.What the tags mean “lies a reality”Asserts a ‘reality’ as self-evident rather than citing any source for the framing.

Echo · 1 repeated line

Words members of Parliament keep repeating, found by the same rule for every member. No score depends on it.

“The cost of government has driven up the cost of living.”Said 4 times by 3 members.Every time it was said

Claims · 14

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“On October 20, the Parliamentary Budget Officer published her latest economic and fiscal outlook”The Parliamentary Budget Officer published its latest economic and fiscal outlook on October 20, 2026.search
2“Canada’s real economic growth is expected to reach just 0.9% in 2026 and 1.5% in 2027”The PBO’s October 2026 outlook projects Canada’s real economic growth at 0.9% in 2026 and 1.5% in 2027.search
3“federal deficits are projected to total more than $333 billion over the next five years”The PBO projects federal deficits totalling more than $333 billion over the next five years.search
4“the federal deficit is expected to reach $63 billion this year, before rising to $70 billion in 2027-28”The PBO projects the federal deficit at $63 billion in the current year and $70 billion in 2027-28.search
5“in 2030-31, the government is projected to run a deficit of nearly $68 billion”The PBO projects a federal deficit of nearly $68 billion in 2030-31.search
6“Public debt charges now make up the fastest-growing category of federal expenditures”Public debt charges are the fastest-growing category of federal expenditures, according to the PBO.search
7“In 2021‑22, they amounted to $24.5 billion”Federal public debt charges amounted to $24.5 billion in 2021-22.search
8“This year, they are expected to reach $60 billion”The PBO expects federal public debt charges to reach $60 billion in the current fiscal year.search
9“By 2030-31, the cost of debt charges alone could reach $83 billion”The PBO projects federal debt charges could reach $83 billion by 2030-31.search
10“the network of 61 member organizations are now responding to over 137,000 requests for food assistance every month”Moisson Mauricie—Centre-du-Québec’s 2026 hunger report says its network of 61 member organizations responds to over 137,000 requests for food assistance every month.search
11“an increase of 23% in just one year and an increase of 60% in five years”Food assistance requests in the Moisson Mauricie—Centre-du-Québec network rose 23% in one year and 60% over five years.search
12“nearly 13% of the households assisted by this network have employment income”Nearly 13% of households assisted by the Moisson Mauricie—Centre-du-Québec network have employment income.search
13“over 17% of the households that receive assistance rely mainly on an old age pension or retirement pension”Over 17% of households assisted by the Moisson Mauricie—Centre-du-Québec network rely mainly on an old age or retirement pension.search
14“according to projections published on October 20, that target is unlikely to be consistently met”The PBO’s October 20, 2026 projections indicate the deficit-to-GDP ratio target is unlikely to be consistently met.search

Analysed on 2026-10-29