What they said. What they meant.

Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.

Recent debates

8 latest topics

Oral Questions

Youth

The Conservatives raised concerns about high youth unemployment, unaffordable housing and groceries, and the growing national debt under the Liberal government. The Liberals responded by touting their infrastructure spending, support programs, and Canada's strong fiscal position compared to other G7 nations. The Liberals urged Conservatives to support their spring economic update and child care initiatives, while the Conservatives argued the current programs aren't working and offered their own proposals to help struggling youth and young families.

Official Hansard ↗

Melissa Lantsman

Conservative
“I want to blame the government for youth unemployment and housing costs. I think they did everything wrong and made the problem worse.”
Our translation 80% shorter

Hon. John Zerucelli

Liberal
“I want to cheer nice things that make us sound good. I'm ignoring the actual thing you said. Instead look over here at these shiny positives. We claim good spending is good. Workers like us. We are helping young people in one riding! We really want to spend more money. That is our big answer.”
Our translation 46% shorter

Melissa Lantsman

Conservative
“Young Canadians are unemployed. They can't afford things. The Liberals borrowed so much money. The Liberals did immigration wrong. The Liberals made things expensive. The Liberals should take responsibility for making things bad.”
Our translation 71% shorter

Hon. John Zerucelli

Liberal
“I want Canadians to think the Conservatives are bad. The Conservatives didn't vote for my spending programs. I think my programs help people. The Conservatives should make a list of what they would cut.”
Our translation 69% shorter

Rhonda Kirkland

Conservative
“Young Canadians are having a hard time finding jobs. The Fraser Institute says youth unemployment is very high. The Prime Minister should spend less money so young people in Oshawa and Canada can afford to live.”
Our translation 60% shorter

Hon. Gregor Robertson

Liberal
“I went to a school. We want to make 100,000 jobs for young Canadians. The other side should vote yes to spend $6 billion on training. We want to build affordable housing. If we spend this money it will make Canada strong.”
Our translation 49% shorter

Rhonda Kirkland

Conservative
“Liberals made a crisis. Then they make programs to fix it. The programs don't work. Young people are worse off. Liberals just tax and spend. It's the same as before but worse. Liberals make young people pay for Liberal mistakes.”
Our translation 58% shorter

Ryan Turnbull

Liberal
“You say Liberals are bad for youth. But Liberals made a project with jobs. Lots of jobs. You voted against it. I think that's bad for youth.”
Our translation 74% shorter

Vincent Ho

Conservative
“This government spends too much. Too much debt. Too much tax. Youth are the ones who will have to pay for their bad choices. Too many youth have no jobs. Youth unemployment is very high. More youth can't find jobs than ever before. All these problems are because of this government's bad policies. When will the government stop? Their bad budgets make everything cost more for youth. Youth need a chance to be able to eat, work and own a home.”
Our translation 29% shorter

Karim Bardeesy

Liberal
“This government is spending a lot of money. That makes them look good. They visited a university program once. All those graduates have jobs now. The government thinks they should get all the credit. The government says nice things about some tech companies. But they don't say how much all this costs taxpayers.”
Our translation 52% shorter

Garnett Genuis

Conservative
“The Liberal plan is bad. It doesn't work. Everything costs too much. The government spends too much money and borrows too much. That hurts businesses and jobs. Especially for young people. The government takes too much money from people and businesses. And they do immigration wrong too. It all makes everything cost more. But the Prime Minister keeps doing the same thing. And it all costs too much. And it doesn't help young people. The Liberals should stop doing things that don't work.”
Our translation 22% shorter

Peter Fragiskatos

Liberal
“The IMF says our spending is good. Rating agencies say our spending is good. You want people to not get child benefit money. You want people to not get daycare money. You want people to not get school food money. You want people to pay for those. Government should make sure Canadians can have those things. Our programs do that.”
Our translation 48% shorter

Garnett Genuis

Conservative
“The government has a lot of debt. Things are not fine. We have proposals to help young people and families. We have a youth jobs plan. We want to change parental leave rules to help people have kids and make families bigger. The government should support our proposals.”
Our translation 57% shorter

Hon. Patty Hajdu

Liberal
“I don't like the proposals you suggested. I think my party's child care program is good. I want you to stop criticizing and vote for our programs. Our programs are big and helpful for families.”
Our translation 62% shorter