Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on The Economy 2026-10-28

97 words · 5 sentences · 6 clauses

Replying to Michael Chong (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, today’s hike demonstrates the government’s economic plan is not working. Inflation is taking hold. According to the Globe, today’s hike means that the cost of a typical variable mortgage will rise $82 a month and a typical home equity line of credit $12 a month, or over $1,100 a year. When is the government going to introduce supply-side reforms to the economy to increase productivity and wages and to make life more affordable?”

Statement grade

46 / 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.

Positioning 72%Procedure 7%Claims 21%

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

Mr. Speaker, Positioning · 24 wordswe have had a display in question period today where the Conservatives are trying to catch up with my colleague with respect to steel.PositioningOff point Procedure · 7 wordsI note the member’s question over there.Procedure Positioning · 35 wordsWhy can the Conservatives not just once stand up and say that there is a war in the Strait of Hormuz or that there is a trade attack that is illegal and unjustified on Canada.¹²PositioningOff point Claims · 20 wordsYes, we are facing economic headwinds, and the G7 is going to be led by Canada despite all of that.³Unearned certainty Positioning · 11 wordsThe Conservatives should stand up and celebrate Canada’s success and its— PositioningPartly on pointSome hon. members: Oh, oh!

At a glance

Lost points for
Didn't answerNone of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.
Little substanceMuch of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 19

4 of 10 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.

Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “we have had a display in question period today where the Conservatives are trying to catch up with my colleague with respect to steel.”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 note the member’s question over there.”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 “Why can the Conservatives not just once stand up and say that there is a war in the Strait of Hormuz or that there is a trade attack that is illegal and unjustified on Canada.”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 “The Conservatives should stand up and celebrate Canada’s success and its—”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 16

5 of 10 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 “we have had a display in question period today where the Conservatives are trying to catch up with my colleague with respect to steel.”About Conservative conduct on steel in question period, not the reforms 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 “Why can the Conservatives not just once stand up and say that there is a war in the Strait of Hormuz or that there is a trade attack that is illegal and unjustified on Canada.”A counterattack on the Conservatives for not naming external threats, not the reforms asked for.
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 “Yes, we are facing economic headwinds,”Acknowledges economic headwinds but offers no answer on supply-side reforms.
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 the G7 is going to be led by Canada despite all of that.”About Canada’s G7 leadership, not the reforms or affordability measures 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 “The Conservatives should stand up and celebrate Canada’s success and its—”On the subject of the question, but no answer to what was asked can be drawn from it.

Respect · 100

0 of 10 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 · 80

1 of 10 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 “is going to be led by Canada”Asserts a future G7 leadership outcome without citing any source or mechanism.

Claims · 3

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“there is a war in the Strait of Hormuz”There is a war in the Strait of Hormuz.search
2“a trade attack that is illegal and unjustified on Canada”There is an illegal and unjustified trade attack on Canada.search
3“the G7 is going to be led by Canada”Canada will hold the leadership of the G7.search

Analysed on 2026-10-30