Analysis · Question Period answer · beta

Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on Public Services and Procurement 2026-11-05

68 words · 4 sentences · 4 clauses

Replying to Michael Cooper (Conservative)

“Mr. Speaker, Telesat received a $2.3-billion contract from the government. The CEO of Telesat just happens to be a close personal friend of the Prime Minister. Section 9 of the Conflict of Interest Act states that a public office holder shall not influence a decision to further the interests of a friend. Did the Prime Minister discuss, and I emphasize the word discuss, this $2.3-billion contract with his staff or anyone in government, yes or no?”

Statement grade

B–

Average 72 / 100

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

Claims 47%Positioning 44%Promise 9%

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

Mr. Speaker, Claims · 18 wordsas the member well knows, Canada has among the most stringent ethics guidelines and laws in the world.¹ Positioning · 30 wordsThese measures and these rules are followed rigorously by all members on this side of the House and, indeed, I assume, all members of the House and all senior officials.Positioning Claims · 14 wordsThe Conflict of Interest Act and other measures are constantly followed and constantly updated. Promise · 6 wordsWe will continue to follow them.Partly on pointVague promise

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 · 51

1 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.

Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.What the tags mean “These measures and these rules are followed rigorously by all members on this side of the House and, indeed, I assume, all members of the House and all senior officials.”Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 46

4 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 well knows, Canada has among the most stringent ethics guidelines and laws in the world.”About the strength of Canada’s ethics rules generally, not whether the Prime Minister discussed the contract.
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 “These measures and these rules are followed rigorously by all members on this side of the House and, indeed, I assume, all members of the House and all senior officials.”About members’ compliance with rules generally, not whether the discussion the member asked about took place.
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 Conflict of Interest Act and other measures are constantly followed and constantly updated.”About the Conflict of Interest Act being followed and updated, not the question of any discussion of the contract.
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 will continue to follow them.”A commitment to keep following the rules, which does not address whether the contract was discussed.

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 · 89

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 will continue to follow them”A commitment to future compliance with no measure, date or success condition attached.

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“Canada has among the most stringent ethics guidelines and laws in the world”Canada has among the most stringent ethics guidelines and laws in the world.search

Analysed on 2026-11-06