What they said. What they meant.

Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.

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Oral Questions

Public Services and Procurement

A debate about the government giving $200 million in taxpayer money to a small company with Liberal party ties to lease land for a 'spaceport', consisting of a gravel lot and concrete slab. The Conservatives criticized this as wasteful spending on renting land already owned by the government, while the Liberals defended it as an investment in Canadian space capabilities and job creation.

Official Hansard ↗

Michael Cooper

Conservative
“I want to make the government look bad for spending $200 million on a parking lot owned by friends of the government. I want to make them look corrupt for spending too much on something that does not help taxpayers.”
Our translation 50% shorter

Hon. David McGuinty

Liberal
“I want billions of taxpayer dollars for my preferred program. I don't care about the cost. I'll say it creates jobs to justify any spending. How dare you oppose more spending!”
Our translation 60% shorter

Michael Cooper

Conservative
“That company got a lot of taxpayer money to rent what taxpayers already own. I see this Nova Scotia Liberal and that Liberal's old assistant getting rich from it. I want you to see that too. I want taxpayers to be mad. I want taxpayers to think Liberals are letting insiders pocket their tax dollars.”
Our translation 23% shorter

Hon. David McGuinty

Liberal
“I want Canadians to be proud that the government is spending money on space. I want people to feel we are protecting our sovereignty and security.”
Our translation 59% shorter