“I'm filling time with kind words and saying nothing anyone could pin down later. The government should spend money to fix this. We want that money spent on our preferred program!”
What they said. What they meant.
Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.
Recent debates
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Business of Supply
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 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.”
“Did you actually protect the lumber industry? Did you make a real aerospace policy? You helped Ontario's auto industry faster than Quebec's industries.”
“The Prime Minister says all kinds of things about the US. But I say he hasn't really protected trade. Millions of jobs need those tariffs gone. Canada is falling behind while other countries move ahead. Why did you let Canada be sidelined?”
“I don't like the government. It made a promise and nothing happened. The government should do something. Talk to the U.S. faster. Businesses need money. Conservatives should agree with me.”
“I say nice things about my colleague. Liberals say they're helping businesses. I ask my colleague if her riding's businesses really say that's enough.”
“I say my riding's businesses don't want more loans. They want the government to help them other ways, like the Bloc proposes. The government's temporary foreign worker announcement isn't enough either. If we stop the smoke and mirrors, maybe we can work together to help local businesses.”
“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 don't think the government understands how urgent this really is. The government's plan will take too long. Businesses are closing now. Loans won't help businesses that already have too much debt. The government needs to do something faster before more businesses go under.”
“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.”
“The Liberals say nice things about building major projects. But they make laws that stop us from building pipelines. The United States is approving energy infrastructure very fast. But the Liberals make it so companies don't want to build things here. No major projects got approved in the last year. How can the Prime Minister negotiate with the Americans when he refuses to build the things that would give us leverage?”
“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'm filling time with kind words and saying nothing anyone could pin down later.”
“I want to cheer for a new spending announcement in the news.”
“Liberals spent a lot on programs. Now we have fewer jobs. What did Canadians get for all that spending?”
“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.”