“Have investments in Canada's resource sector gone up or down since 2015? I want the minister to give a clear answer.”
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.
“Let me dodge that and throw out some big numbers about a completely different kind of investment.”
“I want the minister to admit Shell didn't really invest in Canada.”
“I'm changing the subject to talk about Canada's good points instead of answering the question.”
“You're praising Canada's investment but I want to change the subject to approval delays.”
“You're praising Canada's investment but I want to change the subject to approval delays. I think the government is doing a great job. We just need to give them more power and more taxpayer money. Anyone who disagrees must hate investment.”
“I want to regulate more. The government should have more power.”
“Look, people with money are giving it to us. That means we're doing good.”
“You think CEOs like us, but they're really investing in the U.S. and Mexico. Our Impact Assessment Act is probably why.”
“I'm saying the CEOs I talk to like Canada. I think they like how predictable and stable we are. Look, Shell invested a lot here. That means we're an energy superpower.”
“I'm saying the last industry minister failed because a trillion dollars left Canada on his watch. Now the Prime Minister wants a trillion dollars back but that's just damage control, not ambition. Does the minister admit he's just trying to fix his old failures?”
“I want to say something my colleague will like. 'Canada Leads the G7 in Direct Investment Inflows Per Capita'. We're way ahead of the United States. The investments we're making will attract even more investment.”
“The minister won't answer my question. He keeps saying Canada's foreign direct investment numbers are good. He should tell us how much of that investment was really just foreign firms buying Canadian firms.”
“I don't want to answer your question. Instead I will repeat talking points about how Canada leads in investment. We will have a summit to attract more investment.”
“You won't answer the question so I will. A merger doesn't create new jobs or factories. It's not real investment. Why won't you admit that?”
“I don't want to answer a hard question about what 'investment' means. Ignore the bad parts and cheer for Canada leading in putting money into mergers and acquisitions.”
“You're talking down to everyone and ignoring that 'investment' really means foreign takeovers. Admit that buying Canadian companies moves IP and profits out of Canada. The minister is cheering this on even though it won't create jobs. Why are you celebrating the hollowing out of our economy?”
“You call yourself a Conservative? A real conservative would cheer for an open economy. Investment from companies like Volkswagen and Shell grows our GDP and creates jobs, so you should be celebrating that they want to come here.”
“You know the real measure of our economy's health is domestic investment per worker, and you know that's down. Stop pretending you don't know.”
“I'm ignoring your question about domestic investment and changing the subject to celebrate GDP growth instead.”