“I don't care what you say. International investors like us.”
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.”
“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 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.”
“I refer you to the table on page 125. The information is all there.”
“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 don't want to give a straight answer about the cost. I want Canadians to wait and read a future report. I'm stalling.”
“I just want to repeat myself and not answer the question.”
“I don't want to say directly that taxpayers are paying for it. I will say it in a confusing way instead.”
“I want Canadians to give the government more money so politicians can spend it for them.”
“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?”
“I don't care about other countries' funds. Canada's fund should spend inside Canada. We must build more in Canada.”
“I want people watching to think you're bad for questioning this. I'll talk about how this creates wealth for everyone and hope that sounds better than your accusations.”
“I'm just repeating the official line that this slush fund will be independent.”
“I don't want to say who picks the board. I'll just talk about Canada being great at this stuff.”
“I'm repeating myself to run out the clock. I won't say whether I'll meddle in picking the board or not. I just keep saying 'arm's length' and 'best practices'.”
“I'm saying many nice things about local businesses and our spending to help them. I won't say whether that spending will actually work. I'm hoping the nice words and spending will make us look good.”
“I want voters in Compton—Stanstead to think the MP is doing a good job. The MP told me things, I met with some businesses, and referred something to a tribunal. I want people in Quebec to think the government is helping this industry. I won't say whether our actions will actually work. I want to cheer for the MP so she looks good.”
“I want voters to think I'm doing good work on furniture and cabinets. I want my colleague to look good too. I want the government to give money to local media, not just big media. I want the government to make sure people in regions hear news that affects them. I want the Finance Minister to tell me if the government will give more help and money in the economic update.”
“I want to cheer again for my colleague. Journalists are very important to our democracy. We need to give them taxpayers' money. We held consultations on a journalism tax credit. We know we need to support newsrooms. We will spend more to support journalism in the economic update. Journalists play a very important part in democracy.”