“You're right, we must reduce taxes we control. But my party should spend lots of money too! Keep funding our big social programs. My voters love them. They help so many people. These programs are good for everyone, even voters in other ridings.”
What they said. What they meant.
Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.
Recent debates
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Business of Supply
A Conservative motion to remove federal taxes on gas and diesel for the rest of the year. The Conservatives argued this would provide immediate relief to Canadians struggling with high fuel prices. The Liberals argued their previous excise tax reduction already addressed the issue, and that broad tax cuts would disproportionately benefit the wealthy. Much of the debate consisted of partisan sniping between the Liberals and Conservatives.
“I like that you spoke nice French. Back to the point. Our government paused a gas tax to lower prices. But companies soon charged more money and ate up the savings. The tax cut did not help. It just grew our deficit instead. What do you think of that?”
“I want to look responsible. Long-term problems don't matter. Just spend money on the problem right in front of us right now.”
“I want to look good by cheering for my teammate. I want to change the subject to easy topics that make us look caring. What did voters say they want from us?”
“People are happy the government spends to help them. They don't want big changes, just a government that gives them things when they need it.”
“This makes people sad. The government should cancel the clean fuel rules that hurt single moms and seniors.”
“I'm just going to talk about other benefits and ignore the specific question about clean fuel rules.”
“I'm going to fill my time by arguing with things Conservatives said earlier, instead of addressing the clean fuel motion we're debating. I'll list benefit programs my party passed and say Conservatives are bad for voting against them. I don't need to explain why my programs are good, just that I'm for them and Conservatives aren't.”
“I want the Liberal member to stop praising Trudeau's record. I'll list how everything costs more to say the government is failing. Instead he should vote for our Conservative motion that would lower gas taxes. That would actually help people.”
“You Conservatives gave money to rich people, so don't lecture me about affordability now. I'm proud of what our government did. We could do better, but I won't help rich people by voting for your gas tax motion.”
“So the Liberals suspended an unfair gas tax that helps the rich. Why? Didn't that make our gas tax motion okay? They already did what they're attacking us for suggesting.”
“I'm saying no, that Conservative idea helps the rich more. Not that it only helps the rich. I'm arguing about who it helps most.”
“You say you want to help people. But you Conservatives voted against my school food bill. How does that help kids in your riding?”
“Thanks for proposing the bill. Canada badly needed a school food program. You Conservatives didn't support it. Feeding kids is important. Come see the good work in my riding.”
“The child care program is failing. There are even fewer child care spaces than before. The government should stay out of it.”
“You voted against spending. I want to spend more money. You don't support my programs. You aren't serious.”
“I want to help Canadians who are struggling with high fuel costs. The government should stop taxing gas and diesel. This would make everything cheaper. The Liberals say they understand, but they're not doing enough. My community needs lower costs now.”
“I want to call the Conservatives hypocrites. We proposed many expensive programs. The Conservatives voted against them. They say they care about affordability. But they didn't vote for our expensive programs. I say this makes them look bad.”
“The government shouldn't just subsidize essentials. People need good jobs so they can afford their own food. Government shouldn't choose what to feed our kids. I want to scrap all fuel taxes so Canadians can relax.”
“Oil companies got $10 billion in subsidies last year. The government is suspending environmental laws for them. Oil prices are high and companies are making record profits. I think the government's approach to oil companies is wrong.”