“I want the government to admit their promise about balancing the budget was wrong. They didn't keep it. Now there's a big deficit. When will it be fixed?”
What they said. What they meant.
Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.
Recent debates
8 latest topics
Spring Economic Update 2026 Implementation Act
57 statements
Spring Economic Update 2026 Implementation Act
19 statements
Arab Heritage Month Act
5 statements
The Economy
15 statements
Government Priorities
2 statements
Government Priorities
2 statements
Housing
12 statements
The Environment
2 statements
Government Orders
Business of Supply
A wide-ranging bill to implement the Spring 2026 Economic Update, touching on everything from tax deductions for tradespeople to aviation fuel taxes to beer excise duty rates. In 5 hours of debate, MPs mostly grilled the Finance Minister on unrelated topics like ride-sharing regulation, StatsCan data collection, and election promises from 2015. Some substantive questions were asked about domestic investment levels and the bill's housing provisions, but mostly talk went in circles without many direct answers.
“The minister didn't answer the question. He just repeated an old promise. Canada pays $54 billion in interest this year. Is that more or less than the federal health transfer?”
“I want the minister to answer whether rising interest costs will crowd out health transfers. I'm pointing out a big jump in interest costs to make my question look important.”
“You didn't answer my question. I want Canadians to think about how much the federal debt costs their family each year. I'm sad that families are spending a lot on interest for the government's debt.”
“You keep talking around the debt. I'll pin you down. The debt-to-GDP ratio is higher this year than last year, isn't it? Yes or no?”
“You're ignoring the problem. The government's own debt-to-GDP ratio shows it broke its spending promise. How much interest does the government expect us to pay for its reckless borrowing?”
“You keep making up new promises. Every 'fiscal anchor' gets cut loose. What promise will you make up next year when this one floats away too?”
“I'm leading with a compliment to soften you up. But really I'm mad you didn't show up to talk to us about that tax scandal. Why did you make us wait?”
“It took you too long to fix this. You were in charge all that time while the debt got huge. How much does it cost us now?”
“You promised small deficits but ran up a massive debt instead. A trillion dollars! And you don't even know the interest costs. Some 'intergenerational investment' - our kids and grandkids will be stuck paying for your spending spree.”
“He promised a $31 billion deficit, now it's $68 billion. Canadians need more than tiny tax cuts! I want them to follow my big plan.”
“I want the audience to know their GST is paying interest on the debt. I want to pressure the Liberals to commit money to my local tramway project.”
“The Finance Minister said food prices would fall. Instead they went up. I want to pin the blame on the government.”
“The finance minister's promise from three years ago doesn't matter. I want the minister to admit that taxes make food cost more.”
“Does the government understand that when it taxes fuel, the cost gets passed down to the person buying food? It's a yes or no question.”
“Admit that your other programs and taxes make food cost more. Say it out loud.”
“You promised more houses. The housing agency now says you will build fewer houses. Why are you not building all the houses you said you would?”
“You promised 500,000 homes. This program is nowhere near that. I want you to admit your numbers don't add up.”
“You promised 500,000 homes per year but your own agency says only 280,000 per year are coming. When will you keep your promise?”
“You didn't answer the question. When will you keep your promise? I want a date.”