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 ↗

Kelly DeRidder

Conservative
“You should feel bad about that number you said. I want to make you look uncaring.”
Our translation 69% shorter

Hon. Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“I'm filling time with kind words and saying nothing anyone could pin down later.”
Our translation 39% shorter

Kelly DeRidder

Conservative
“You keep saying kind words, but will you actually remove criminals who are here illegally?”
Our translation 44% shorter

Hon. Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“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.”
Our translation

Kelly DeRidder

Conservative
“You talk about deportation but avoid saying what you'll really do. I'm asking you again: will you remove violent criminals from Canada?”
Our translation 21% shorter

Hon. Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“I'm filling time with kind words and saying nothing anyone could pin down later.”
Our translation 50% shorter

Hon. Michelle Rempel Garner

Conservative
“The government isn't enforcing the law. A non-citizen who strangled his partner is still in Canada and applying to stay. I want the minister to close the loophole that lets judges give light sentences to criminals like this. Deport him already.”
Our translation 59% shorter

Hon. Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“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.”
Our translation 36% shorter

Hon. Michelle Rempel Garner

Conservative
“You sound out of touch. It's right there in the law. My bill tried to close this loophole. You could have backed my bill and helped but you didn't. Instead you're fine with abusers staying in Canada. Why won't you fight to deport them?”
Our translation 50% shorter

Hon. Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“There are consequences for serious crimes. CBSA investigates. There's a process. Then they get deported.”
Our translation 55% shorter

Hon. Michelle Rempel Garner

Conservative
“You say there are consequences, but the news shows that's not true. Some don't get deported after serious crimes. I want you to tell the justice minister this makes you look bad. Close the loophole already.”
Our translation 63% shorter

Hon. Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“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.”
Our translation 40% shorter

Hon. Michelle Rempel Garner

Conservative
“I want to get rid of criminals. I think the other party is weak on crime. I want them to close a loophole. I think judges are woke.”
Our translation 70% shorter

Hon. Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“I want to look like I care about public safety. I think the other party is obstructing. I want people to think I'm doing a good job.”
Our translation 58% shorter

Hon. Michelle Rempel Garner

Conservative
“I don't like this bill. I want the minister to change it. Stop giving lenient sentences to non-citizens who commit serious crimes. Deport them like we should.”
Our translation 73% shorter

Hon. Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“I don't like that. I think its very bad. I want to protect Canadians.”
Our translation 77% shorter

Wade Chang

Liberal
“I want to talk a lot to make it look like we are doing a good job on immigration. Really, I want to bring in more workers to help our companies and economy. I want these workers to become permanent residents and stay here for a long time. We need them to fill open jobs. But I don't want too many people to come at once, so we are trying to slow down new temporary residents. We are spending money to make the immigration system work better and faster. And we have special programs for different parts of Canada because different places have different needs.”
Our translation 87% shorter

Hon. Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“I will thank the other politician to look good. Then I will say we are helping people from Hong Kong. Our program brought many Hong Kong people to Canada. They can come to study and work. But now it is very slow to get permanent residence. We only let a few people in each year. I am open about the long wait. Many people must wait for years. They might be able to come in other ways, like the provincial program. I met two people who did that and they are working in Nova Scotia now. They are happy.”
Our translation 70% shorter

Steeve Lavoie

Liberal
“I want to thank the minister for visiting my riding. Immigration is important. We need to balance it with our communities and quality of life. I will name some people in my riding who help immigrants integrate. These community organizations do good work. Integration needs community support, not just public policy. I want my riding to have more workers and strong economy. Immigration should stay fair and rigorous. Can the minister explain how the government will handle more people coming in crisis? Local organizations are important to help them integrate.”
Our translation 86% shorter

Hon. Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“Thanks for reminding me to speak to immigrants in Quebec. I want Canada to keep bringing in more and more people from around the world. There are many challenges but we will keep spending and coordinating to keep this going.”
Our translation 80% shorter