What they said. What they meant.

Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.

Recent debates

8 latest topics

Government Orders

Business of Supply

A bill to make many changes to Canada's immigration and border control laws. During debate, Conservatives asked questions about specific cases and raised concerns about fraud, while the Liberal minister responded but often discussed unrelated topics like Canada Summer Jobs and praised a Liberal colleague.

Official Hansard ↗

Hon. Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“I don't want to directly answer your jab. I want to brag we are tough and investing in cops. We cut some health benefits for migrants and I think that sounds good.”
Our translation 20% shorter

Dan Mazier

Conservative
“A man raped multiple women and even killed a young woman, but he could still get fancy health benefits from the government. Is that really okay with you?”
Our translation 36% shorter

Hon. Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“I already said we're deporting people and putting more officers on it. We're doing things to protect you.”
Our translation 57% shorter

Dan Mazier

Conservative
“You didn't answer the question. I asked if a rapist should get luxury healthcare and you talked about deportations instead.”
Our translation 17% shorter

Hon. Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“I'm going to pretend I don't understand your question so I don't have to answer it.”
Our translation 60% shorter

Dan Mazier

Conservative
“You call this program temporary, but it actually lasts four years. That's not what most people would call temporary. I don't think you're being straight with us.”
Our translation 29% shorter

Hon. Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“You want to talk about how long my program actually lasts. I don't want to answer that. Let's get back to scary stories about crime instead.”
Our translation

Dan Mazier

Conservative
“You want to avoid my question by talking about crime. I won't let you. I demand you tell everyone exactly how long this 'temporary' program really lasts.”
Our translation

Hon. Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“I want to talk about crime because I don't want to answer your question. Crime is bad. Let's spend money to fight crime.”
Our translation 28% shorter

Elizabeth May

Green
“I want to spend my time talking about refugee rights and compassion. I think the U.S. is bad for arresting children. I want the government to spend more money on refugees.”
Our translation 80% shorter

Hon. Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“I want to say I respect the other speaker. But I don't want to answer the question about refugee rights. I just want to say the agreement with the U.S. still exists.”
Our translation 60% shorter

Elizabeth May

Green
“That makes me sad. My office is overwhelmed. I want the government to make immigration faster. I want to balance security and compassion.”
Our translation 81% shorter

Hon. Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“I want to look responsive. I want Canadians to think we are on track. I want to say our office is doing the best we can.”
Our translation 79% shorter

Elizabeth May

Green
“I want to make a point. Our process is too slow. Skilled immigrants will go to other countries. We need to speed up the process.”
Our translation 71% shorter

Hon. Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“I want Canada's immigration process to be faster and more efficient. We are working hard to improve it. I want skilled immigrants to choose Canada.”
Our translation 53% shorter

Elizabeth May

Green
“When will the home care worker immigration program restart? It opened and closed quickly. My constituents are concerned.”
Our translation 62% shorter

Hon. Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“Many people need home care workers. We paused the program because it was too popular. We can't accept more applications until we process some of the current ones. We are working on it.”
Our translation 49% shorter

Elizabeth May

Green
“I don't like that. We should let people bring their parents here to visit. The government is making it too hard. Why is it taking so long?”
Our translation 25% shorter

Hon. Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“I want to look good by saying kind words about our plans and numbers. But I'm not really saying anything new that answers the question you asked.”
Our translation 51% shorter

Elizabeth May

Green
“Maybe there's not enough money or staff. I want the minister to say more about what's causing the delays and the problems people are having.”
Our translation 50% shorter