“I want the government to spend $1.5 billion on vulnerable industries like steel, copper, and aluminum. The government should support these businesses and workers. It's the right thing to do.”
What they said. What they meant.
Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.
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A motion from the Bloc Québécois condemning new U.S. tariffs on Canadian products containing steel, aluminum or copper. The Bloc accused the Liberal government of not doing enough to fight the tariffs and protect jobs. The Liberals defended their response and efforts to diversify trade. The Conservatives criticized the government's handling of the file, saying they were all talk but haven't gotten results.
“I want to look like I care about workers. The government made a work-sharing program. I don't know the details. I hope my department has other ideas. I have nothing concrete to say.”
“Trade is good but I won't commit to anything specific. Instead I'll just list other nice things the government is doing. See, we're helping already. Modular homes. Oh and we have a whole Buy Canada program. That should solve it.”
“I agree with the government's plan. It spends money on businesses, infrastructure, and buying Canadian products. The plan has many parts.”
“I want Canada to be the best country. Our government's plan will make that happen. It takes a holistic approach to help people and the economy.”
“You're complaining that the government didn't fix everything. But the government is doing many things to help businesses, like giving them money and finding new partnerships. Isn't that what you really want? Why don't you just agree that the government is already doing a good job?”
“I want to look like we're doing something. I want to say nice things so you like me. The Prime Minister is good and caring. That's bad. We don't like that. We will spend money. It's not our fault.”
“I want to list all the ways our government is spending money to help businesses and make the Canadian economy more self-reliant. We're giving loans and grants to steel, aluminum, and lumber companies. We're helping businesses sell to the government instead of to the U.S. We're signing trade deals with other countries so our businesses can sell more things there. And we're making it easier for businesses to sell things inside Canada without so many rules. This is all very good for Canada and my riding.”
“I want the government to spend money on many programs. I want loans for businesses who are hurt by the tariffs. I want to spend more money on infrastructure. I want us to try to sell more things to other countries.”
“We say we're helping major projects in Canada. We have lots of measures. Look, a wind project! The other side doesn't vote for our measures. They don't really care about the economy. But we do. We care about businesses and workers and major projects.”
“I want to cheer for a program that spends money in my riding. I'll ask you to explain how the tariff response strategies work for small and medium-sized businesses. That company got a grant. The employees are happy.”
“I'm filling time with kind words and saying nothing anyone could pin down later. It's good that we spend money on businesses. Spending helps businesses in the regions.”
“I want to spend a lot of money on job training programs. I don't care about the opposition's concerns. We will keep spending money.”
“I want to cheer for a new spending announcement in the news.”
“I disagree that our programs are failing. We're spending a lot of money on projects and support funds. That spending will help our economy and protect Canada.”
“I want to look good by talking about military spending. Hey Charles, can you help me? Explain why our big defence contract will protect Canada from tariffs.”
“We're making the government look good by talking about our defence plans. We want Canada to do more than just pull minerals out of the ground. We want Canada to make lots of money by turning those minerals into expensive things we can sell, like parts for electric cars or military tech.”
“I don't want to say yes or no directly. I will only vote for the motion if it is really about helping Canada. That way I can claim to support my country no matter how I vote.”
“I want to say the Bloc is wrong to be so angry. Our government is working on it. Quebec businesses just need to sell to more countries, not complain about the U.S.”
“I don't want the member to give the false impression that the government hasn't been doing anything. We've been listening and working collaboratively with unions, businesses, and workers. We're putting in supports and protecting industries. The government has their backs.”