“I don't know who you're talking about. We made it more expensive for international students to come here.”
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.
“I'm blaming you for crime getting worse and people dying. I say it's all your fault for not doing more checks.”
“We already do basic security checks on every applicant.”
“You said you screen everyone. But you're letting in criminals. I bet you have no idea what you're doing.”
“Calm down. I have everything under control. I'm doing a great job.”
“Why didn't the minister know about this problem that the newspapers knew about for months? Is her department embarrassed?”
“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 the minister to explain why a violent criminal who isn't allowed to work here gets to stay in Canada. That's wrong and it makes me mad.”
“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 the minister to deport this criminal. Why won't the minister act?”
“I want to look like I care about public safety. It's the courts' problem, not mine.”
“If public safety really matters, why hasn't the government already deported him?”
“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.”
“The government isn't protecting people. I'm going to tell this lady the government failed her.”
“That's not in our rules. We take it all seriously. The border agency deports people when they have to.”
“If you take it seriously, why is he still here? Why is he free to scare her?”
“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.”