“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.”
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 care about the deficit. I want to announce popular spending!”
“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.”
“I want to take credit for reducing the deficit by $11 billion. I'm trying to make people feel confident in the government by saying we are being responsible with money.”
“The Finance Minister said food prices would fall. Instead they went up. I want to pin the blame on the government.”
“I'm going to talk a lot about challenges and crises, but I won't actually answer the question about the Finance Minister's failed promise on food prices.”
“The finance minister's promise from three years ago doesn't matter. I want the minister to admit that taxes make food cost more.”
“I want the government to spend money on a new program. I think it will make families happy. I want my colleague to vote for the bill that spends the money.”
“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.”
“We suspended one fuel tax. That makes everything good now.”
“Admit that your other programs and taxes make food cost more. Say it out loud.”
“I want to look good by reminding everyone we are cutting a gas tax. Please vote yes on my bill.”
“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?”
“We spent a lot on housing. He should be happy I said 'generational' and 'affordable'. I hope he doesn't notice I didn't give a number.”
“You promised 500,000 homes. This program is nowhere near that. I want you to admit your numbers don't add up.”
“I want to talk up our program and make big promises. I'm filling time with kind words and saying nothing anyone could pin down later.”
“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?”
“I'm avoiding the question about our broken promise. Instead, I'm bringing up a big spending number to make it sound like we are doing a lot.”
“You didn't answer the question. When will you keep your promise? I want a date.”
“I won't give you a date. I'll just say 'generational investments' and name a big number, so maybe you'll forget I didn't answer.”