What they said. What they meant.

Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.

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Oral Questions

Finance

A debate about government spending and deficits. The Conservatives criticized the high levels of spending and debt, while the Liberals defended their spending on various programs and benefits, asking the Conservatives what specific cuts they would make.

Official Hansard ↗

Hon. Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“You asked what I will cut. But what will you cut? You tell me.”
Our translation 56% shorter

Hon. Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“I'm going to pretend your question is unreasonable because I don't want to answer it.”
Our translation 80% shorter

Hon. Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“I'm going to list off a bunch of popular spending programs. Maybe if I rattle them off fast enough nobody will notice I'm avoiding the actual question about inflation.”
Our translation 59% shorter

Hon. Joël Lightbound

Liberal
“You want those things to cost less? But I want my programs. You want to stop spending? You'd hurt people in your own riding.”
Our translation 80% shorter