“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.”
What they said. What they meant.
Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.
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Business of Supply
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.
“I want to cheer for laid off workers in my riding. I want to look like I'm doing something about a company hurt by China. I met a minister about an investigation. I want you to say what you heard.”
“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.”
“I want to cheer for a program that spends money in my riding. The program helps companies quickly. That's good. The other guy talked about other spending, but I want to talk about this program 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.”
“I want to talk a lot about unfair U.S. tariffs on Canada. Yes, they are bad. But our government is already trying to fix this problem. We are helping the sectors that the tariffs hurt. We are also trying to find other markets for our products. The U.S. is not the only market in the world. I think our government is doing a good job. We are investing in many projects across the country.”
“I want the government to spend more money on the forestry industry. The government is not doing enough. Things are bad.”
“I'm repeating pleasant words about forestry being important to sound like I'm on your side. I'm vaguely pointing to big spending numbers to create an impression the government is on it so you don't look too close at whether the details match the crisis you named.”
“You keep talking around the problem without solving it. The U.S. keeps imposing new tariffs. We need actual solutions and leverage. The government is failing to stand up for our key industries and workers.”
“I want to brag about my French skills. You weren't listening to the real work we're doing to build natural resources. I'll keep talking without giving any real details.”
“I want to brag that I listened to a whole speech by someone in my own party. My riding is similar, so naturally all the same government programs apply. I'm here to make my colleague look good by asking him to repeat his talking points for the agricultural sector.”
“I'm here to praise a colleague's bill to bring more cellular service to rural areas. Why? Because it's important in my riding of course! Then I'll pivot awkwardly to hint at some kind of national food strategy for farmers in my riding and elsewhere. I don't have time for specifics, but I want you to know the government is paying attention to agricultural issues. That's my job as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister - to make my colleagues and our government look good.”
“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.”
“We have funding programs to help businesses hurt by U.S. tariffs. I bet the Industry Minister is open to ideas from everyone. I'll pass on your suggestions. The minister cares about your ideas. We're open to anything because we know we need to help workers hit by U.S. tariffs.”
“You say you have a vision. I think your vision is bad. I represent London-Fanshawe. Unemployment is high there. People can't afford things. What should I tell people in line at the food bank? When will the Prime Minister fix the tariff problem?”
“I'm not going to directly answer your question about the food bank line. Instead I'll say the majority of Canadians approve of our direction. I know the economy is rough right now. But it's not the government's fault. We're spending money on programs. You should support our programs.”
“I want to cheer for a program that benefits my riding. Trade with Mexico is good because it helps potato exporters in my riding.”
“I want to cheer for the Minister of Agriculture. I say good job to him and our government for creating new markets for my province's apples and beef. The Minister is doing great work in Mexico for potatoes too.”