What they said. What they meant.

Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.

Recent debates

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Government Orders

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.

Official Hansard ↗

Charles Sousa

Liberal
“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.”
Our translation 56% shorter

Mario Simard

Bloc Québécois
“I'm asking my colleague to pick a side and say if he will vote yes or no on the motion. He didn't give a straight answer in his speech.”
Our translation 24% shorter

Charles Sousa

Liberal
“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.”
Our translation 24% shorter

Mario Simard

Bloc Québécois
“I want to complain that the government helps other provinces' industries more than Quebec's. Quebec's aluminum and forestry need more federal spending.”
Our translation 98% shorter

Natilien Joseph

Liberal
“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.”
Our translation 70% shorter

Mario Simard

Bloc Québécois
“I want to change the subject to a different industry. I'll bring up some scary-sounding statistics about foreign ownership in oil and gas. Maybe people will forget we were talking about trade and forestry.”
Our translation 71% shorter

Kurt Holman

Conservative
“I don't want to talk about the oil industry. Let's get back to manufacturing and tariffs. London—Fanshawe manufacturers are complaining to me about the tariffs. The Liberals aren't saying when they'll finish negotiations. Does the Bloc think the Prime Minister should give a specific end date for the tariff negotiations?”
Our translation 43% shorter

Mario Simard

Bloc Québécois
“I want the government to focus on lasting fixes for Quebec businesses instead of oil investments. Loans aren't enough. I want the government to stop spending our money on oil and make a real strategy to help Quebec industries like forestry and aluminum.”
Our translation 66% shorter

Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe

Bloc Québécois
“I accuse the government of failing to solve the tariff crisis, even though that's what got them elected a year ago. They promised it would be resolved, but it's only gotten worse. Now I want the government to take quick and easy measures to help Quebec businesses and workers while we wait for an agreement with the U.S.”
Our translation 62% shorter

Mario Simard

Bloc Québécois
“I want the government to spend money on my preferred program quickly. I think it's unfair that more money goes to the oil and gas sector than the forestry sector. The government should have the courage to support forestry like it supports energy.”
Our translation 63% shorter

Marilène Gill

Bloc Québécois
“I've been talking about the forestry and aluminum sectors for 11 years, but the government still isn't doing enough to help them. These sectors are struggling, businesses are closing, and workers are losing their jobs. The government should be supporting these industries, not just giving empty rhetoric. Instead of sending money to the oil and gas sector, the government should invest in forestry and aluminum. The government needs to listen to the people on the ground and take action to help these industries and workers.”
Our translation 94% shorter

Hon. Kevin Lamoureux

Liberal
“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.”
Our translation 73% shorter

Marilène Gill

Bloc Québécois
“The government didn't do enough for my riding. They should spend more money to help them right now.”
Our translation 88% shorter

Gord Johns

NDP
“I'm filling time by repeating that my colleague should keep talking. I want the government to spend money helping my favorite industries. It's not fair that other industries got more help.”
Our translation 76% shorter

Marilène Gill

Bloc Québécois
“I'm sad that oil and gas were mentioned more than forestry. The government shouldn't turn its back on forestry workers. Offering retraining programs instead of supporting the industry sends a scary message.”
Our translation 77% shorter

Gabriel Ste-Marie

Bloc Québécois
“You're doing great, but it's loud. Anyways. I want the government to pay countervailing duties for us. The government will get paid back eventually. Then the industry can keep exporting to America despite those mean U.S. tariffs.”
Our translation 66% shorter

Marilène Gill

Bloc Québécois
“I want the government to spend $4.4 billion on our industry. That money is just sitting there! It won't cost the government anything. I don't know why the government won't accept our amazing proposals.”
Our translation 72% shorter