Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Leslie Church

Liberal on Finance 2026-10-27

110 words · 6 sentences · 7 clauses

Replying to Melissa Lantsman (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, in just the time that it took the member to answer that question, Canadian taxpayers were forced to pay $112,000. That $112,000 will not pay for one of the government’s social programs. In five out of the last six quarters, investment has been down in this country, despite what the member says. That is Liberal hypocrisy in a nutshell. Their fiscal recklessness means less money today and even less tomorrow. The member cannot explain it. Will the government support our motion today and have the Prime Minister come to committee and at least try?”

Statement grade

Average 63 / 100

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

Procedure 11%Positioning 13%Claims 76%

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

Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 12 wordslet me put a few facts on the record for the member.Procedure Positioning · 10 wordsWe are building a strong economy that benefits all Canadians.PositioningVague promise Claims · 84 wordsWe have the second-fastest growth in the G7 and the best balance sheet in the G7, ¹²and we are the most competitive country for business investment.³ We have higher per capita job creation than the United States.⁴ This is a government that is focused on what matters to Canadians, like bringing the cost of housing down, ensuring that they have affordable child care and ensuring that there are investments in the skills, training and education that they need to build the brightest future possible.Vague promise Positioning · 4 wordsThat is our record.PositioningPartly on point

At a glance

Lost points for
Didn't answerNone of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.
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 · 70

3 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.

Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.What the tags mean “let me put a few facts on the record for the member.”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 building a strong economy that benefits all Canadians.”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 is our record.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 44

6 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 “We are building a strong economy that benefits all Canadians.”A general claim about the economy that does not respond to the motion put.
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 the second-fastest growth in the G7 and the best balance sheet in the G7,”Growth and balance-sheet figures offered in place of an answer on the motion.
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 we are the most competitive country for business investment.”A claim about business investment competitiveness, not the motion or the question put.
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 higher per capita job creation than the United States.”A job-creation statistic that does not address what was 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 “This is a government that is focused on what matters to Canadians, like bringing the cost of housing down, ensuring that they have affordable child care and ensuring that there are investments in the skills, training and education that they need to build the brightest future possible.”About housing, child care and training priorities, not the motion before committee.
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 “That is our record.”A summary of the government’s record that does not answer the question about the motion.

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 · 37

2 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 “We are building a strong economy that benefits all Canadians”The speaker commits to an economic outcome without providing specific measures or a timeline for its achievement.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “bringing the cost of housing down”The statement commits to a goal of affordability without detailing the specific plans or measures intended to reach it.

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“second-fastest growth in the G7”Canada has the second-fastest economic growth in the G7 (as of October 2026).search
2“best balance sheet in the G7”Canada has the best government balance sheet in the G7 (as of October 2026).search
3“the most competitive country for business investment”Canada is the most competitive country for business investment among the G7 (as of October 2026).search
4“higher per capita job creation than the United States”Canada has higher per capita job creation than the United States (as of October 2026).search

Analysed on 2026-10-29