“I think the Conservatives are scared of Donald Trump. They want to give up protecting Quebec culture before trade negotiations even start. Big tech companies make lots of money in Canada. They can handle some regulation to protect our culture.”
What they said. What they meant.
Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.
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A motion to debate the CRTC ordering online streaming services to pay more tax. The Conservatives argued this tax increase will be passed on to consumers. The Bloc argued the real issue is the government failing to implement a tax on digital products that would fund culture. The debate devolved into partisan bickering, with the Conservatives accusing the Liberals of controlling the CRTC, and the Liberals bringing up unrelated past statements by Conservatives.
“You're both the same. The Liberals didn't tax digital products because they were scared of Donald Trump. Now you want to scrap a tax to make Donald Trump happy. Why would your plan work? The Liberal plan failed.”
“I want the government to subsidize culture with taxes. Other countries do it. Conservatives like oil subsidies but not culture ones. That's not fair.”
“That's interesting. I'll focus on my talking points. The CRTC can't be told what to do! I won't say if I agree about the 15%. But the other party abandoned culture by scrapping a tax. They didn't get anything for it! I'll keep saying they let down culture.”
“I don't like the Conservative motion. They don't want to protect Quebec and Canadian culture. The streaming giants should contribute to our broadcasting system. It's about fairness, not a tax. I want Quebec to have its own communications regulator. The CRTC decision is a necessary step, but it's not enough. I have conditions for supporting it. I want the money to actually support Quebec content and French language. I don't want the cost passed on to consumers. The Liberals shouldn't do to culture what they did to the environment.”
“I think the Conservatives are wrong about Quebec culture. The Liberals also hurt culture. They removed a tax. I want my colleague to say how much money was lost because of that.”
“I want to cheer for my colleague's good personality. I am surprised the government removed a tax. That tax could have brought in billions to support culture. The government removed the tax hoping America would like us. I think that failed. The cultural industry needs that tax money to survive. I think the CRTC might reverse a decision to make America happy. I am worried the government keeps giving up on culture.”
“I'm not going to answer the actual question. I want to keep talking about Laurier for some reason. He didn't pass that one digital tax our critic just pointed out right before I got up to talk. The guy was environment minister instead. But my main point is this: in the Bloc we can just argue for Quebec's interests. We don't have to balance different needs like the big parties do. I bet Laurier got tired of dealing with environmental trade offs. I bet you Conservatives are tired of catering to your Western members too.”
“I will apologize to correct my earlier mistake about Laurier—Sainte-Marie. I agree Canada is bilingual. Quebec is different. We speak French. I want Quebec to have more power to protect French language. I hope government will not interfere with CRTC plan to regulate internet. I think we need more media regulation later.”
“Many things are difficult right now. I know there are lines at food banks. But that doesn't mean we should stop protecting our artists and creators from big companies. Maybe we should look at oil companies that make lots of money and get tax breaks and subsidies. If we didn't give money to them maybe we could help people more.”
“I want to put you on the spot to explain why your party won't support this.”
“I'm filling time with kind words and saying nothing anyone could pin down later.”
“You condemn the government influencing the CBC. But now you demand the government influence the CRTC. I'm calling out your double standard.”
“This motion looks like you're just scared of Donald Trump. The Conservatives are saying we should lower taxes and override the CRTC to make him happy. The Liberals already tried that. They gave up a tax, got nothing back, and looked silly. Why should we think this will go any better?”
“You say you support your town's industry, but you really just want American culture. You don't care about protecting Canadian culture. You've already given up and become American.”
“I don't need you to lecture me about protecting culture. Answer my question. If you could intervene, would you reverse the CRTC decision or not? Your answer will show if you really care about culture or just want to avoid the topic.”
“You didn't answer the question. I'm asking you again: what did the government get for canceling the tax? I want you to say what the government got for giving up on collecting that money.”
“The Conservatives' motion insults Quebec and French speakers. It calls us an irritant to international trade. English Canada and America have the same culture. They watch the same movies and listen to the same music. French Canada is different. We suffer from US tariffs on aluminum and lumber. The Conservatives should be ashamed to call our culture an irritant.”
“I don't like that you want to remove these protections for Quebec culture. That would be very bad. Quebec culture would be buried by American content. Is that what you want? For everyone to just consume American stuff? I want to keep these rules to protect Quebec culture.”
“I'm going to attack the Conservatives while ignoring that I'm asking you about the Liberals.”