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 ↗

Brad Redekopp

Conservative
“You're doing a bad job kicking out people we don't like. I want you to do more to deport people.”
Our translation 9% shorter

Hon. Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“Taxpayers must hire 1,000 more bureaucrats. Trust me, I'll keep you safe.”
Our translation 68% shorter

Brad Redekopp

Conservative
“How many dangerous people got in because security was too weak?”
Our translation 45% shorter

Hon. Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“I claim security is fine so you don't need more.”
Our translation 68% shorter

Brad Redekopp

Conservative
“I want you to say yes to a specific change. Stop saying random things that sound good! I want you to commit to something concrete.”
Our translation 58% shorter

Hon. Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“That question is a trap. I won't commit to any change, because the thing you want changed isn't even in the act.”
Our translation 35% shorter

Brad Redekopp

Conservative
“You won't denounce a specific crime, so I'll ask if you support it directly. Do you condone this crime? yes or no?”
Our translation 35% shorter

Hon. Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“I'm making a serious face and agreeing with you in general. But I'm still not giving you a direct answer on your specific example.”
Our translation

Brad Redekopp

Conservative
“You said some nice words about your first year. But people think you're soft on crime and your immigration system is a mess. Defend that.”
Our translation 32% shorter

Hon. Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“You're wrong. I've done a good job. I won't let in as many workers or students. You might not want any, but I don't care. I make the rules.”
Our translation 60% shorter

Hon. Michelle Rempel Garner

Conservative
“I want the minister to answer for a loophole. A criminal should have been kicked out of Canada but got a lenient sentence instead. The victim deserves an explanation.”
Our translation 51% shorter

Hon. Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“I'm filling time with kind words and saying nothing anyone could pin down later.”
Our translation 63% shorter

Hon. Michelle Rempel Garner

Conservative
“I want the minister to explain this. It looks like the government cares more about protecting criminals than Canadians.”
Our translation 47% shorter

Hon. Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“The rules apply to everyone. Criminals get punished no matter what.”
Our translation 39% shorter

Hon. Michelle Rempel Garner

Conservative
“It's not true. Some criminals don't get punished. A non-citizen trucker didn't get punished properly after causing a fatal crash in Ontario. The minister needs to explain to the victim's family why this person is still in Canada.”
Our translation 10% shorter

Hon. Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“That wasn't our fault. Nothing in our laws made the sentence unfair. CBSA looks into those things and deports people when they should.”
Our translation 21% shorter

Hon. Michelle Rempel Garner

Conservative
“You say the rules work, but they don't. A guilty man got a light sentence to avoid deportation. His victim deserves to know why he's still here.”
Our translation 46% shorter

Hon. Michelle Rempel Garner

Conservative
“You say criminals face consequences. That's not what happened. This trafficker got a light sentence and wasn't deported. Why is he still here?”
Our translation 43% shorter

Hon. Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“I'm the minister and I know the rules. There's nothing that allows what you suggest.”
Our translation 61% shorter

Hon. Michelle Rempel Garner

Conservative
“There's no rule against it. That's why we tried to pass a bill to fix it. You could have helped but you voted no. A thief got house arrest instead of deportation because of this problem. Why should she get to stay here?”
Our translation 47% shorter