“Canada's economy is shrinking, not growing. Business investment is falling and projected to barely grow. You should do more to encourage domestic investment.”
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.
“I want Canadians to ignore criticism and trust the IMF's growth predictions instead. I think our economy will grow faster than other countries by 2026. I won't say how we'll make that happen.”
“I want Canadians to trust our government's economic plan. We are spending a lot of money on many things. We will build affordable housing and infrastructure. We will protect Canadians and secure our sovereignty. We will cut some costs and find savings to pay for it all. Our new Canada Strong fund will invest in strategic projects. We will train many new skilled trade workers. We will help students with more grants and loans. I want you to believe our spending is creating jobs and making Canada more competitive.”
“I want to thank my colleague. She is an important voice for our region. She has helped shape our budget and economic plan. The Canada Strong fund is a key part of that plan. It is a national sovereign wealth fund. Canadians can invest in it if they want to help build a strong Canada.”
“I want the member to repeat good news about investment. I want him to say our government created the right conditions and that it's good for Canada.”
“I'm trying to look smart in front of the International Monetary Fund. I'm filling time with kind words and saying nothing anyone could pin down later.”
“We don't have budget surpluses like Norway to start a sovereign wealth fund. So where will you get the $25 billion to start this?”
“I'm filling time with kind words and saying nothing anyone could pin down later.”
“You didn't answer me. Canada's fund comes from borrowing $25 billion. Norway's fund comes from surpluses. How can Canada get good returns without investing worldwide like Norway does?”
“I'm going to ignore your real point and just tell you what page the budget is on. Look at page 129. It's in the budget. I found it for you.”
“You didn't answer my real question. I asked about diverse investments, not page numbers. Norway keeps their investments out of politics. But you want us to invest inside Canada only, and now you're picking favourites with the money. How can you say the fund will be independent when you're the one choosing?”
“You know a lot about finance. So trust me, this fund is independent. It definitely won't be controlled by the government. We're only telling it what its overall goals are. And those goals are totally normal for a national fund like this. You should be happy we're making everyone wealthier together.”
“You say the fund is independent. But then you say 'we' will make it invest in the national interest. 'We' will pick the projects. That's not independent. That's political influence. Norway's fund has zero political influence. This one will have tons. You told Canadians this is a normal sovereign wealth fund. But it's not. Why did you mislead people?”
“I want you to think I'm smart. But I'm just saying 'independent' and 'best practices' a lot. I hope you won't notice I didn't answer the question.”
“I'm going to poke at how 'independent' this will really be. Who gets to pick the board members?”
“I'm going to keep insisting this fund will be independent. I'll just repeat myself and hope that reassures you.”
“This 'fund' will have a Liberal-appointed board, use borrowed money, and have political interference. That's a slush fund, not a sovereign wealth fund.”
“I have enormous respect for you, but you're wrong. It's irresponsible to call this a slush fund. We have consulted widely with funds around the world about best practices. Canada is creating a fund that is going to serve Canadians well.”
“Why are you ignoring the rest of the world's good examples?”
“I don't care what you say. International investors like us.”