“I want to complain about not finding money I was looking for. But the real point is to say Quebec doesn't get what it wants from the federal government. I'm invoking Quebec's elected members to make this complaint sound bigger and more unanimous than me.”
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'm dodging the specific question about asylum seeker money. Talking about my good relationship with Quebec instead. Everything is fine. No need to worry. I'm pals with Quebec.”
“The money's not there. You bought votes with carbon tax rebates and didn't send Quebec their $814 million. The assembly asked for it unanimously. Where is it?”
“I don't like how you said that. I will pretend you didn't mean it. I just want to say that our party cares about Quebec. I represent part of Quebec. I want the Quebec voters to like me.”
“I want the minister to say how much of the $710 million will be used to take land in my riding and how much will be spent on advertising. I don't like that the company is spending money on advertising.”
“The company is connected to me but I'm going to ignore your question. I want to list big spending projects my government is proud of. That's a lot of taxpayer money!”
“You say your government is investing in infrastructure, but why did you cut money from this transit fund?”
“We are spending a lot of money on many things. I want you to be happy that we agreed to spend money on a thing you asked for.”
“The government cut $229 million from Statistics Canada. That reminds me of when Stephen Harper cut the agency. I don't like those cuts.”
“We cut $229 million from Statistics Canada. I want you to think that's fine. I'll use buzzwords like efficiency and technology to try to sell it.”
“You gave $225,000 more to the Ethics Commissioner. I want you to admit it's because the Prime Minister needs more babysitting.”
“I'm not going to admit anything about the Prime Minister. The Ethics Commissioner's independent. He has the money he needs. That's all I'll say.”
“You've already announced some money to help business. I'm mad that you won't spend even more money on wage subsidies like the business groups I like want you to.”
“You're from Quebec too. Look how much we spent in Quebec! I want you to praise us for spending all that money.”
“I'm using my time to flatter the chair instead of asking a question.”
“I'm also using my time to flatter the chair instead of answering the question.”
“I'm filling time with kind words and saying nothing anyone could pin down later.”
“I'm filling time with kind words and saying nothing anyone could pin down later. I want taxpayers to spend more money on housing because that's popular. I want voters to cheer for me because spending money to build homes sounds nice.”
“I want the Finance Minister to say the government is doing a good job. I'm going to prompt him to cheer for big expensive programs in the budget. I want him to say these handouts to companies will make them spend more in my city. I want people to think this is a sound long-term plan.”
“I want voters in my riding watching this to think I'm doing a good job. I want them to believe the government has a plan to fix the economy. It has to look like we're in control when things are uncertain. I want to claim credit for all the spending and programs the government announced. I want people to think this spending makes Canada's economy grow. I want to avoid any blame for high costs and hard times.”