Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Tim Hodgson

Liberal on Taxation 2026-10-28

67 words · 7 sentences · 9 clauses

Replying to Pierre Poilievre (Conservative)

“No, Mr. Speaker, the minister wants to build America strong, because the cost of the majority of the biofuels that the government is forcing refiners to purchase with this 16¢-a-litre tax is not going to Canadian farmers. It is going to megacorporations south of the border. On this day when the Bank of Canada governor says that food prices are rising because of higher diesel costs, the Prime Minister is imposing a tax on Canadians at the pump and on truckers who deliver us our food. Why is he putting that money in the pockets of the Americans?”

Statement grade

C–

57 / 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 12%Claims 51%Positioning 25%The ask 12%

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

Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 8 wordsI would like to correct my last statement.Procedure Claims · 20 wordsCanola prices are up 8% because of clean fuel regs, ¹but they are up 30% this year.² Thirty per cent, Positioning · 12 wordsand the Leader of the Opposition is trying to talk us down.Positioning Claims · 14 wordsWe have been helping the farmers. We have been helping the people in Alberta. Positioning · 5 wordsHe is talking against them.Positioning The ask · 8 wordsWe should work together and build Canada strong.Off point

At a glance

Lost points for

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 58

3 of 9 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 would like to correct my last statement.”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 “and the Leader of the Opposition is trying to talk us down.”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 “He is talking against them.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 27

6 of 9 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.

Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “Thirty per cent,”
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “and the Leader of the Opposition is trying to talk us down.”An attack on the Leader of the Opposition rather than the pump tax asked about.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “We have been helping the farmers.”Praise of the government’s own side in place of an answer on the tax.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “We have been helping the people in Alberta.”Praise of the government’s help for Alberta rather than the tax asked about.
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 is talking against them.”A further attack on the opposition instead of the question on the pump tax.
Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.What the tags mean “We should work together and build Canada strong.”A general call to work together, not an answer on the pump tax.

Respect · 100

0 of 9 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 · 100

0 of 9 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 · 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“Canola prices are up 8% because of clean fuel regs”Canola prices increased by 8% because of clean fuel regulations.search
2“but they are up 30% this year”Canola prices increased by 30% during the current year.search

Analysed on 2026-10-30