“I want to say we are being careful enough at the border. I'm listing partners and reviews to make us sound careful.”
What they said. What they meant.
Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.
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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.
“We did some stuff to fix the problem. We are trying to make it look like we're doing our job.”
“I don't know who you're talking about. We made it more expensive for international students to come here.”
“We already do basic security checks on every applicant.”
“Calm down. I have everything under control. I'm doing a great job.”
“I need to make it look like I'm doing something about crime. I don't want anyone to think the minister screwed up.”
“I want to look like I'm answering your question without actually giving you a direct answer or any specific information about this case.”
“I want to look like I care about public safety. It's the courts' problem, not mine.”
“That's fine. After any sentence, we'll deport him. It's handled.”
“I don't want to answer the question. Let me just repeat that crime is bad.”
“That's not in our rules. We take it all seriously. The border agency deports people when they have to.”
“If he's here and did something wrong, the border agency will look into it. Otherwise, it's a job for the local police and courts.”
“I want to look like I'm being tough on crime.”
“I want to look good by saying a big number. I hope you don't ask if that number is enough.”
“I'm filling time with kind words and saying nothing anyone could pin down later.”
“I'm dodging your real question by just saying 'serious consequences'. If I don't mention a concrete action I can't be pinned down later.”
“I'm filling time with kind words and saying nothing anyone could pin down later.”
“I don't like that you're bringing this up. That bill would have made a real difference. Instead I'll just say there are already laws and processes for removing criminals. CBSA investigates, but I won't make any concrete promises about deporting this strangler.”
“There are consequences for serious crimes. CBSA investigates. There's a process. Then they get deported.”
“You raise a real case, but I'll ignore it and repeat talking points instead. We deport many people. I assure you the law doesn't allow discounts. Sentences must be proportionate.”