What they said. What they meant.

Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.

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Government Orders

Business of Supply

The opposition day motion calls for the creation of a sovereign wealth fund. MPs debated the proposal, with Conservatives arguing the government has no surpluses to put into such a fund and is effectively putting debt on a credit card. Liberals defended the concept, comparing it to previous proposals, but acknowledged work remains to be done on climate and spending priorities.

Official Hansard ↗

Hon. Kevin Lamoureux

Liberal
“I want to cheer for our government. I think we are doing a good job. The opposition wants to talk about something else today. But I want to say our government is helping people and the economy. I want my colleague to talk about the many things our government is doing. I think our government is very good at helping and making things better.”
Our translation 48% shorter

Carlos Leitão

Liberal
“I want to cheer for our government. We are doing many things at the same time. We are trying to make some projects go faster. That is important to me. We are also giving money to some businesses. Some businesses had trouble because of tariffs. We are helping those businesses with the money. We are also thinking about families. We want to help families too. We have programs to help families.”
Our translation 5% shorter

Sandra Cobena

Conservative
“I'm saying the Liberal government's plan to create a sovereign wealth fund with borrowed money is actually a sovereign debt fund. Canada has the talent, resources, and people to create wealth, but the government needs to get out of the way. We need lower barriers, faster approvals, and a system that rewards hard work. When the government stops holding us back, Canada will grow, build, and lead.”
Our translation 94% shorter

Hon. Kevin Lamoureux

Liberal
“I think a fund that uses government to attract billions of dollars is good. We will see a stronger economy. Conservative ideas of getting out of the way won't work. I want a government and Prime Minister who understands and grows the economy. The Conservative plan is bad.”
Our translation 59% shorter

Sandra Cobena

Conservative
“I don't like it when government makes businesses wait. I know a business that couldn't grow here but found it easy in the U.S. Government taking too long to give out permits drives investment away. We need less talk and more action on making it easier to grow a business here.”
Our translation 60% shorter

Alexis Deschênes

Bloc Québécois
“I'm asking my colleague if she knows how much this sovereign wealth fund will really cost. How much will taxpayers have to pay in interest and tax credits? And should we really be using public money for things like oil projects?”
Our translation 65% shorter

Sandra Cobena

Conservative
“We know this fund will be seeded with borrowed money and controlled by the prime minister. That's not how sovereign wealth funds are supposed to work. There isn't even a clear mandate. It makes no sense.”
Our translation 67% shorter

Pat Kelly

Conservative
“I dislike the Canada Infrastructure Bank. We were told it would bring in five dollars for every taxpayer dollar, but it's actually only bringing in 60 cents. Expert witnesses say it's a failed industrial policy. This new fund will be a boondoggle just like that. Can my friend affirm that? I want [him/her] to criticize the Infrastructure Bank more and say the new fund will fail the same way.”
Our translation 47% shorter

Sandra Cobena

Conservative
“The Canada Infrastructure Bank is a proven failure. It burned money for seven years just to cover its own costs. If that's your idea of success, I want nothing to do with it.”
Our translation 42% shorter

Pat Kelly

Conservative
“The government's new fund is not a real sovereign wealth fund. A sovereign wealth fund invests surplus government revenue, but this government has no surplus. This fund will be a Liberal slush fund, borrowing money on the nation's credit card. It's a $25 billion hit on the national credit card. The government should repeal anti-development laws and lower taxes to encourage investment and growth, not create another Liberal slush fund.”
Our translation 95% shorter

Caroline Desrochers

Liberal
“The opposition should stop criticizing our new fund and its name. They waste time on slogans instead of real debate. Our fund will make Canada strong. We are responsible and have a vision. The opposition has no plan.”
Our translation 75% shorter

Pat Kelly

Conservative
“I did explain what the Liberals should and shouldn't do. You're arrogant to tell us what we can oppose or ask about. Opposition days are for opposing bad government policies and proposing alternatives. Question period is for asking important questions. We don't need you to tell us what to ask or which policies to challenge.”
Our translation 55% shorter

Hon. Kevin Lamoureux

Liberal
“I want to skip to the next part of the schedule, instead of continuing the debate we're supposed to be having now.”
Our translation 37% shorter