What they said. What they meant.

“People in my riding are sad. Taxpayers must spend $1.5 billion on businesses we like. These tariffs are bad. Let's spend $4 billion on the environment.”

“I say we are already helping. Vulnerable Canadians will get a cheque soon. We announced $1.5 billion for companies affected by tariffs. This keeps employees working. The government is taking action.”

“We say we respect provincial jurisdiction. After all, the Prime Minister met the Quebec Premier right away. And we say we will work with Quebec on programs. We'll give Quebec money like usual. We're talking to Quebec about it.”

“I want the government to take its time to get a good deal with the United States. A good deal is whatever is best for Canada. The government should take a holistic approach and keep doing all the good things it's already doing to build the economy and make Canada strong. That's what's really important here.”

“I don't have a clear answer to give you in the time we have. We're trying to get a good trade deal with the US, but the details are complicated. But our government is working on lots of big, impressive-sounding building projects too! Did you hear about our high-speed train plans? And expanding ports? That should count for something too, right?”

“I represent a riding where steel and auto companies are really important. The US keeps raising its tariffs on our exports, and that's really hurting us. But our government is spending a lot of money to help these companies get through it. We're giving them billions of dollars and trying to help them export to other countries instead of just the US. I know the US is our most important trading partner, and a lot of our companies depend on exporting there. But we can't be too dependent on them, because they keep changing the rules on us. We need to be tougher and more independent so we can handle these shocks. We're still allies and friends with the US, but we need to know we can trust them to stick to the deals they sign. Until then, we can't let our companies be too exposed.”

“You say big businesses are taken care of, but I still worry about the small businesses in my riding. I want them to get help too. We announced half a billion dollars for them yesterday. Is that enough? Who knows. I guess we'll see if we need to spend even more later.”

“Mr. Speaker, the government is doing all it can to protect Canadian industries. The U.S. President's decision is not something we want. Canada must do everything it can to ensure the section 232 tariffs are removed.”

“Mr. Speaker, I want us to talk about our response to the tariffs. Let's condemn the tariffs and make it all about our workers. Our government wants to look like it's building a stronger economy, especially now that businesses are being affected.”

“I want people to think our government is trying to build a strong economy. It's not about the companies. We visited a steel plant and talked to a worker. I want the government to get credit for her job. I want people to think we're doing all this for the workers.”

“I want to highlight the problems U.S. tariffs are causing for workers in Quebec.”

“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 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.”

“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'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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”