A debate about US tariffs on Canadian goods like steel, aluminum, lumber and auto parts. Instead of discussing solutions, MPs spent most of their time talking about the impacts on businesses in their own ridings, praising colleagues, and sparring over other unrelated economic policies.
“You say you are helping Canadians. But are you really respecting provincial jurisdictions? Are you actually consulting provinces and respecting their priorities? A strong Canada should mean respecting each province and Quebec. The Prime Minister talks about nationalism. But is he including respect for provincial jurisdictions in that? The government should listen to provinces and create programs that respect their jurisdictions and priorities.”
“You say the big companies in your riding have the political clout to get big loans. But I'm more worried about the small businesses in my riding. They don't have the same pull. They can't get million-dollar loans. They're going to shut down soon if we don't help them out. Your announcement yesterday didn't do anything for them. I want to know if you think you really did everything you needed to do.”
“I'm frustrated that the government isn't doing more to help workers hurt by U.S. tariffs. The government keeps talking about companies but I want them to think about the people. Many good jobs have been lost in Quebec. The government is slow to act and their solutions like loans won't help the most vulnerable small businesses. They should give wage subsidies to businesses hit hardest by the tariffs to help them keep their workers employed. The government needs to give us better information on exactly who is impacted by the tariffs so we can come up with better solutions.”
“My riding's businesses are suffering. I want to mention many problems at once. They need money and information. Loans aren't enough. The smallest ones are hit hardest. I'm plugging my party for being on top of things.”
“Small businesses have it rough. It's harder for them to find new markets. They sell more of their stuff to the US. The government's loan program timeline is too short. These businesses know they need to get better or change, but three years isn't enough time for them.”
“I'm not an expert. I want the government to keep spending money on businesses. We should just copy the big pandemic program we already did. Why isn't Trudeau doing that? I don't need to know if it makes sense; the Prime Minister is the expert, not me.”
“The Prime Minister doesn't get the details. I want the government to spend money on pausing businesses. The government should spend because employment insurance isn't enough. Spending will help workers. This crisis is temporary and America's fault.”
“I didn't talk about that investigation. It's a problem. The minister did a good thing. Our open borders let in unfair Chinese products. That furniture counts as Canadian but it's almost all made in China. That's a problem. I feel bad for the workers. The company wasn't badly run. They couldn't control what the market did to them. It's too late to save them. Maybe something we learn will help other companies.”
“The government gives way too much money to oil and gas. They get way more money than my industries in Quebec. It's not fair. If my industries got the same kind of money, they would do great. The government is playing favorites. I bet my colleague here agrees with me.”
“Oil companies make me mad. They get too much help. They get billions in subsidies. They use the money to make even more oil. That's bad. The government should not give them so much money. That money could go to other things instead.”
“The other guy said this program helps companies quickly. I don't think it will. The program is too slow and wasn't made for emergencies. The program might be good for something else, but not for this.”
“The government is proposing some measures to help businesses. But my riding's aluminum and forestry businesses need help right now! Everyone likes the idea of a wage subsidy to keep people employed and give businesses room to breathe. Why doesn't the government like that idea? I want my colleague to explain the government's thinking.”
“U.S. tariffs are hurting our businesses. The government's response is inadequate. We need to protect our workers and businesses. We need a plan to support affected businesses. The government is not doing enough. The government is ignoring our proposals.”
“Of course I don't want to sacrifice our economy. I like free trade -- Quebec sovereigntists helped make it happen in the 80s. But my support for any particular agreement isn't automatic. If parts would hurt Quebec, obviously I'll say no.”
“I won't explain the Liberal government. That's not my job. Some regulations and taxes are good. It depends how they're used. The wealth fund isn't really sovereign. We voted with Conservatives before. We made proposals to help some industries. I hope the Conservatives vote for our motion like we voted for theirs.”
“Quebec is trapped in Canada. The government quickly helps the auto and oil industries. But support for Quebec's economy is weak. I know a solution. What does my colleague think is the best solution for Quebec?”
“You made promises to get rid of tariffs quickly. Now there are more tariffs than before. I think that's a failure. Furniture manufacturers told me they need more targeted help and wage subsidies, not these measly measures that barely help at all.”
“The Conservatives and Bloc don't agree on much. But the government deserves plenty of criticism. They should have taken more action sooner on lots of problems. Like public procurement policies. The U.S. has been giving their own companies an unfair advantage way too often. There's lots more the government should be doing and focusing on.”
