“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.”
What they said. What they meant.
Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.
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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're mad. But would you really sacrifice our economy to rush into a bad deal?”
“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.”
“Thank you for that speech. We agree there's no deal on tariffs coming. I want to blame the government. I say they're making Canada worse for business. Why do the Liberals make it harder to do things here? You should say how higher taxes and regulation hurt industries, and say the government has no plan.”
“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?”
“I hope Quebec will separate soon. I think my colleague agrees with me. Separation has costs, but being part of Canada costs even more.”
“I'm filling time with kind words. I think government should spend more money on my favorite industries.”
“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 government should quit burdening businesses with new debt and red tape. Real relief comes from cutting tariffs and making it easier to build and compete. The Liberals aren't doing that. They're just adding more rules and slowing things down.”
“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.”
“I want Quebec voters to think that I'm the only one who really cares about them. The other parties only care about oil and cars, so those parties can't represent Quebec. If the government cared, they would have already given money to the forestry and aluminum sectors.”
“I'm going to tell a story about how the government doesn't care about Quebec's economy. I thought they invited me to talk about softwood lumber. But no, they just wanted to talk about cars! The government never put helping our softwood industry in their plans. We keep seeing this happen over and over.”
“I want the government to spend more money on lots of programs. I don't like that the government isn't paying for more of health care or solving tariffs. The government could find the money if it wanted to. I have many ideas for spending money. We could take money from oil and give it to other things. The government could fix many problems if it tried. I think the Prime Minister should do more.”
“I'm filling time with kind words and saying nothing anyone could pin down later. I want to remind you of all the programs the government runs. I think that should make us look good.”
“You talk a lot but don't fix things. Can the government act on seniors, the media, EI, and wage subsidies? The Bloc proposed wage subsidies before and it worked. Use what already worked to help people through tariffs.”
“I don't want to work late. Let's move the clocks forward and go home early.”