“This government program can't get anything done because of the government's own rules. Why should we think their new fund will be any better?”
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 don't like that you're criticizing my program. We should all work together to support the government's plans.”
“You won't answer my simple questions. I think your program just helps Liberal friends. Why won't you copy programs that work better?”
“I want taxpayers to spend more money. I say I consulted with other programs. I want Canadians to be happy they get to pay for this.”
“You want to spend more taxpayer money on a fancy new program. That program will pay executives a lot of money. But Canadians have trouble buying food. I want you to say how much the new CEO will get paid.”
“You criticize me no matter what I do. Make up your mind. Is a sovereign wealth fund good or bad? I think it's good. Other countries have them. I want one for Canada.”
“You're not following Norway's example. You're doing the opposite. I want to know the cost of the fund. Nobody will tell me. How much will it cost Canadians over the next five years?”
“I refer you to the table on page 125. The information is all there.”
“I want you to give a straight answer: how much interest will Canadians pay on this $25 billion fund's debt?”
“I don't want to directly answer your clear question. Instead, I will refer you to this document with many numbers in table A1.9. I hope it makes me look smart and deflects attention.”
“I want the minister to answer my simple, direct question about the cost of the bureaucracy. Stop dodging.”
“I don't want to give a straight answer about the cost. I want Canadians to wait and read a future report. I'm stalling.”
“Why do you want taxpayers to pay for this new fund? How does more debt help anyone?”
“I just want to repeat myself and not answer the question.”
“Taxpayers are on the hook. You're spending their money.”
“I don't want to say directly that taxpayers are paying for it. I will say it in a confusing way instead.”
“Why do you keep making expensive programs that don't work? This is just another one.”
“I want Canadians to give the government more money so politicians can spend it for them.”
“You want a wealth fund. I don't like how you're paying for it. Debt is bad. I want you to stop.”
“I want a wealth fund. I don't care how we pay for it. You should like my idea. Why don't you like it?”