Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on Natural Resources 2026-10-27

95 words · 9 sentences · 10 clauses

Replying to Aaron Gunn (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, the Liberals like to talk a big game when it comes to dealing with the United States, yet they refuse to lift the ideological and unscientific tanker ban that land-locks Canadian resources and depresses the Canadian dollar, giving our oil away on the cheap to the Trump administration while Canadians struggle with the cost of living crisis here at home. However, there is now a plan, a private sector proposal, to export Canadian oil by rail through Prince Rupert. Will the Liberal government finally get out of the way, repeal the tanker ban and allow this country, Canada, to achieve true energy independence from the United States?”

Statement grade

77 / 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.

Thanks 21%Claims 58%Procedure 2%Aside 19%

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

Mr. Speaker, Thanks · 20 wordswe are all very proud of the work that my colleague is doing with these major projects across the country.Thanks Claims · 37 wordsWe are talking about Coastal GasLink. We are talking about LNG one and two. We are talking about the north coast transmission line. We are talking about some of the biggest port infrastructure investments in Canadian history.Partly on point Procedure · 2 wordsGuess what.Procedure Aside · 18 wordsThe member is new.Aside He lives with regret because he is not the premier of British Columbia today.Off pointMockery Claims · 18 wordsWe built not one, but are about to build two major pipelines to the west coast of Canada.¹Partly on point

At a glance

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

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 66

3 of 12 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 “we are all very proud of the work that my colleague is doing with these major projects across the country.”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 “Guess what.”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “The member is new.”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 47

8 of 12 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 talking about Coastal GasLink.”Names a project on the government’s energy record but does not answer the repeal question.
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 LNG one and two.”Names another project on the government’s energy record without addressing the tanker ban.
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 north coast transmission line.”Names another infrastructure project without addressing the repeal question.
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 some of the biggest port infrastructure investments in Canadian history.”Cites port investments on the same subject but does not answer 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 “The member is new.”A remark about the member being new, not about the tanker ban.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “He lives with regret because he is not the premier of British Columbia today.”A personal remark about the member’s provincial political history, not the question.
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 built not one,”Cites pipeline building on the same energy-export subject but does not answer whether the ban will be repealed.
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 are about to build two major pipelines to the west coast of Canada.”Cites planned west coast pipelines on the same subject without addressing the tanker ban or rail proposal.

Respect · 100

1 of 12 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.

Mocking a person instead of answering their argument.What the tags mean “He lives with regret because he is not the premier of British Columbia today”It ridicules the member personally, taunting him about a personal political disappointment rather than anything he has said or done in the House.

Clarity · 100

0 of 12 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.

Nothing lost points.

Claims · 1

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“are about to build two major pipelines to the west coast of Canada”The federal government is about to build two major pipelines to the west coast of Canada.search

Analysed on 2026-10-29