“The Prime Minister spends too much. Canadians are forced to use credit cards. The finance minister should spend less in his economic statement.”
What they said. What they meant.
Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.
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Oral Questions
Finance
During a debate on federal finances, the Conservatives criticized the Liberal government for high spending and deficits, while the Liberals defended their investments in areas like child care and skills training. Both sides traded barbs about which party is more fiscally responsible and better for affordability.
“I don't want to answer the question about spending too much. I will talk about something else. I will talk about skilled trades and community projects.”
“I want the Prime Minister to promise he won't spend more than $31 billion more than the government takes in. Conservatives want the government to stop borrowing-and-spending so much; the Prime Minister should know better than to spend like he's got a credit card with no limit. A big a deficit is bad for the economy. Will the Prime Minister promise to keep the deficit below $31 billion?”
“I want to spend money on programs that help workers. Conservatives don't want to spend money on programs that help workers. Conservatives always vote against these programs. Conservatives are bad for workers. Conservatives will keep being bad for workers.”
“I want the government to spend less and tax less. I want the Prime Minister to make different choices so Canadians don't have to take on more debt. I'm showing a contrast between a government celebrating and Canadians sacrificing.”
“I want to claim we are making life more affordable. I'm listing talking points to show our government gives many benefits to people. I'm using guilt-by-association to blame the other MP for voting against all those popular benefits. I don't know her real reasons.”
“The Liberal government celebrates big deficits while Canadians struggle. We have the worst grocery inflation, debt, and housing costs in the G7. Food bank lineups are surging. This is bad. The Liberal Prime Minister should limit the deficit to the reckless $31 billion he already has.”
“I acknowledge families are struggling. But look at our government's help! We saved you 10 cents per litre on gas and $1,900 per year through a grocery benefit. Plus, we're providing $10,000 in childcare savings. We're investing in Canadians and creating more jobs to build a strong country.”
“The Prime Minister keeps spending more and more, driving up inflation and the cost of everything for Canadians. His big spending is causing the worst food inflation in the G7 and all sorts of other problems. When will this guy stop with his fancy lifestyle that everyone else has to pay for so Canadians can actually afford a decent life?”
“The opposition says they care about making things affordable, but they voted against all our programs to help Canadians. They're full of crap. My government is the one actually helping people afford stuff.”
“This government is making it too expensive for Canadians to afford basic things. Experts say all the Liberal government's rules are making it even harder for businesses than when Trump put tariffs on us. Businesses want the government to get rid of their own rules so people can invest and build things. The Prime Minister says Canada is in a crisis, but he won't do what the U.S. does in a crisis, or make our reviews go faster, or even say what's important for Canada. In Canada, it takes over two years to approve a gas line and 20 years to approve a mine, and the Liberals say we're not thankful enough for that. If the Prime Minister says Canada is in a crisis, when will he stop spending so much so Canadians can compete?”
“I want Canadians to be impressed by big numbers and plans. Our economy is growing and we're making new ways to spend taxpayer money. We're going to spend more to keep the economy going. Stop complaining and help us spend!”
“The government promised to spend less but instead they spent more. Trudeau and the new Prime Minister both spent too much. The government is spending money on itself, not on investments. Canadians are suffering because of this. The cost of living is too high. More people need food banks. People are using credit cards to buy food. The government spent more than Trudeau. Who will pay for all this government spending?”
“I want the member to admit she will cut popular benefit programs. Government spending is good for my riding. People in my riding use these programs. My programs help people. Cuts would be bad. The member has bad plans. I don't like her plans.”