Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on Government Appointments 2026-10-29

47 words · 3 sentences · 3 clauses

Replying to Carol Anstey (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, having government appointees appear before committee is standard practice. The Liberals made the unusual decision to appoint the Prime Minister’s wife to this role. That should mean more transparency, not less. Lobbyists and special interest groups are celebrating that they have access to the Prime Minister’s wife, and $1.2 billion is not a small amount of money. Canadians deserve to know what her responsibilities are, what authority she has and how their money is being spent. What do the Liberals have to hide by blocking her appearance?”

Statement grade

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Not graded

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

Claims 79%Procedure 21%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 37 wordsas I just answered, the Prime Minister’s spouse has volunteered to spearhead Canadian efforts in public diplomacy and oceans conservation.¹ Ministers remain responsible and accountable for answering any and all questions about our programming on oceans conservation.Partly on point Procedure · 10 wordsWhat I would like to know in terms of accountability— ProcedureSome hon. members: Oh, oh!

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 · 76

1 of 3 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 “What I would like to know in terms of accountability—”Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 48

2 of 3 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 I just answered, the Prime Minister’s spouse has volunteered to spearhead Canadian efforts in public diplomacy and oceans conservation.”The clause states the spouse volunteered for the role, addressing the nature of the commitment.
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 “Ministers remain responsible and accountable for answering any and all questions about our programming on oceans conservation.”The clause speaks generally about ministerial responsibility for ocean conservation programming.

Respect · 100

0 of 3 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 3 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“the Prime Minister’s spouse has volunteered to spearhead Canadian efforts in public diplomacy and oceans conservation”The Prime Minister’s spouse volunteered to lead Canadian efforts in public diplomacy and oceans conservation.search

Analysed on 2026-10-31