Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on Marine Transportation 2026-10-27

66 words · 3 sentences · 5 clauses

Replying to Gord Johns (NDP)

“Mr. Speaker, BC Ferries has parted ways with its CEO, but that will not build shipyards. Conservatives and Liberals blame BC Ferries for sending jobs overseas, but Ottawa shares responsibility. Conservatives eliminated the 25% tariff on foreign-built large ferries. Then the Liberals extended it to all ferries. That revenue could have built Canadian shipyards. BC Building Trades and the Build Them Here coalition demand action. Will the Liberal government commit in this budget to expand Canada’s capacity to build, repair and recycle ships, including in Port Alberni, creating good-paying union jobs?”

Statement grade

76 / 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.

Claims 79%Reasoning 21%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 52 wordsas the member knows, we have spoken many times about the possibility of further developing those industries at Port Alberni.¹ We are obviously very interested in that.Vague promise As for BC Ferries, as the member well knows, that is a provincial Crown corporation that reports to the Minister of Transportation of British Columbia, ²Reasoning · 14 wordsand I think his questions for BC Ferries are best asked of that minister.Partly 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 · 100

0 of 6 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.

Nothing lost points.

Relevance · 46

5 of 6 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 “as the member knows, we have spoken many times about the possibility of further developing those industries at Port Alberni.”Notes past discussions about Port Alberni industries but makes no commitment about the budget.
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 obviously very interested in that.”Expresses interest in the subject without addressing the commitment sought.
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 “As for BC Ferries,”Turns to the matter of BC Ferries rather than the shipbuilding commitment 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 “as the member well knows, that is a provincial Crown corporation that reports to the Minister of Transportation of British Columbia,”Explains BC Ferries’ provincial status, not the government’s plans for shipbuilding capacity.
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 I think his questions for BC Ferries are best asked of that minister.”Suggests questions be asked elsewhere while giving no answer on the budget commitment.

Reasoning · no score

No score: nothing is concluded. Excluded from the average.

Reasoning checks for sound logic and solid support for any conclusion. A low score means the speaker made unsupported leaps or used weak arguments.

Conclusions found · 0

None: nothing is concluded.

Respect · 100

0 of 6 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 · 87

1 of 6 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 obviously very interested in that.”The phrase is a non-committal expression of interest without specifying any measurable action, date, or plan.

Claims · 2

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“we have spoken many times about the possibility of further developing those industries at Port Alberni”The speaker asserts that they have discussed the possibility of further developing industries at Port Alberni on numerous occasions.search
2“that is a provincial Crown corporation that reports to the Minister of Transportation of British Columbia”BC Ferries is a provincial Crown corporation that reports to the Minister of Transportation of British Columbia.search

Analysed on 2026-10-29