Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on Taxation 2026-10-29

83 words · 5 sentences · 5 clauses

Replying to Jacques Gourde (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, farmers along the high-speed rail route want to be heard by the Liberal government, and they deserve to be heard. However, it seems that the government listens more to visitors from Europe. What is wrong with this picture? The Liberals are silencing Canadians whose land will be expropriated by European-style projects that have no guarantee of long-term profitability. When will this Liberal government do something about Canadians’ suffering by axing the federal taxes on diesel?”

Statement grade

B–

Average 73 / 100

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

Positioning 29%Promise 49%Claims 22%

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

Mr. Speaker, Positioning · 24 wordsit should come as no surprise that the Conservatives are doubling down on their opposition to a promising project that will benefit all Quebeckers.PositioningPartly on point Promise · 36 wordsOf course we will continue to listen to the agricultural community when it comes to building high-speed rail.Vague promise We will also continue to listen to the agricultural community when it comes to the cost of fuel.Vague promise Claims · 18 wordsWe have cut the tax and we have extended that cut in fuel prices for the farming community.¹² Promise · 5 wordsWe will continue to listen.Vague promise

At a glance

Lost points for
VagueMuch of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 65

1 of 5 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 “it should come as no surprise that the Conservatives are doubling down on their opposition to a promising project that will benefit all Quebeckers.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 81

1 of 5 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 “it should come as no surprise that the Conservatives are doubling down on their opposition to a promising project that will benefit all Quebeckers.”It addresses the high-speed rail project but focuses on criticizing the opposition rather than responding to the specific concerns raised.

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 5 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 · 46

3 of 5 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 will continue to listen”A commitment to keep listening names no action, measure or success condition.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “continue to listen to the agricultural community”The pledge offers no step, date or outcome, only ongoing listening.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “We will continue to listen”A bare commitment with no actor, measure or result specified.

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 cut the tax”Hon. Steven MacKinnon stated that the government cut the tax on fuel prices for the farming community.search
2“we have extended that cut in fuel prices for the farming community”Hon. Steven MacKinnon stated that the government extended the cut in fuel prices for the farming community.search

Analysed on 2026-10-31