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 ↗

Patrick Bonin

Bloc Québécois
“I want the government to spend less money on oil and gas. I don't like the new fund. I think it's a trick to let government spend even more on oil and gas projects. Taxpayers shouldn't have to pay for Trans Mountain. Government should let taxpayers keep their money. Government should spend less on oil and gas, not more. That would reduce our dependence on oil and gas. Instead, government wants to spend on expensive oil and gas projects. I think that's bad.”
Our translation 51% shorter

Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay

Bloc Québécois
“You didn't consult us on the sovereign wealth fund. It's a big deal and we might have had ideas. But this government promised to work with others. Especially since it barely won its majority.”
Our translation 65% shorter

Patrick Bonin

Bloc Québécois
“The government wants to spend $25 billion of your money on oil and gas projects. I think that's bad because of climate change. The other guy didn't answer me. Do you think that's okay?”
Our translation 69% shorter

Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay

Bloc Québécois
“I want to argue with your example. I don't think this fund you're talking about is actually independent or sovereign. It sounds like the government just plans to use it for their own projects.”
Our translation 36% shorter

Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay

Bloc Québécois
“I'm asking you about a problem. You're from Quebec. You used to work for Quebec. Quebec keeps asking for more health money from Ottawa. Here are some numbers from the budget to make me look smart. Health spending will go up by this much. Debt payments will go up by this much. Debt payments are going up faster than health spending. That's a problem. You should say something about this problem.”
Our translation 63% shorter

Alexis Deschênes

Bloc Québécois
“I want you to say exactly what you want to change about how health transfers work. I want details. What's your actual plan? What are you really asking for?”
Our translation 50% 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