What they said. What they meant.

Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.

Recent debates

8 latest topics

Oral Questions

Finance

A debate on government spending and the economy. The Conservatives accused the Liberals of excessive spending, growing bureaucracy, and contributing to high costs of living. The Liberals defended their economic record, cited various economic metrics where Canada is doing well compared to peers, and highlighted recent job creation and specific investments. Both sides mostly stuck to criticizing the other's record and philosophy on spending and the economy rather than discussing specific upcoming budget measures.

Official Hansard ↗

Melissa Lantsman

Conservative
“I want to hold Justin Trudeau to his promise of spending less money. Instead, he has increased spending by $90 billion, with a 7% increase in bureaucracy and a 9% increase in operating costs. This is not normal and it's putting the nation's finances at risk. I want the Prime Minister to commit to not exceeding the already excessive $31 billion deficit left by Justin Trudeau, instead of just asking for a higher credit limit.”
Our translation 24% shorter

Melissa Lantsman

Conservative
“The other party spends too much and puts the bill on families. Their spending made food and rent even more expensive. Families are struggling but the government just keeps spending. Will the Prime Minister stop spending so much or does he think Canadians can just get a higher credit limit?”
Our translation 57% shorter

Jasraj Hallan

Conservative
“This government spends too much. Canadians have too much debt. This budget will make it worse. I want the Prime Minister to spend less money.”
Our translation 70% shorter

Jasraj Hallan

Conservative
“You built nothing. You made more bureaucracy. You made more consultants. You made more deficit. The Prime Minister said he would spend less. He lied. I want the Liberals to stop borrowing money. Canadians pay for your borrowing.”
Our translation 47% shorter

Pat Kelly

Conservative
“Government spending makes things more expensive. The Liberals spent a lot and now we have more debt and higher prices. The Prime Minister is as bad as Justin Trudeau. Will tomorrow's deficit announcement be even higher than Justin Trudeau's?”
Our translation 49% shorter

Pat Kelly

Conservative
“The other party spent too much. They made it harder to buy a house and food. They should have built more things people need. They built things that waste money. I want to know if they will spend too much again this year.”
Our translation 44% shorter

Jagsharan Singh Mahal

Conservative
“The other party's government spends too much money. They spend more than they said they would. Canadians pay more. The Prime Minister should promise he won't spend as much as the last guy.”
Our translation 56% shorter