“You spent millions on hotels for asylum claimants. Canada is in a recession. Stop hiding behind labels and admit it.”
What they said. What they meant.
Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.
Recent debates
8 latest topics
Spring Economic Update 2026 Implementation Act
57 statements
Spring Economic Update 2026 Implementation Act
19 statements
Arab Heritage Month Act
5 statements
The Economy
15 statements
Government Priorities
2 statements
Government Priorities
2 statements
Housing
12 statements
The Environment
2 statements
Oral Questions
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
During question period, the Conservatives asked the Liberal government about taxpayer funding for housing asylum claimants, suggesting it was wasteful spending on hotels. The Liberals argued that hotels were not being used and accused the Conservatives of fixating on asylum claimants instead of proposing meaningful immigration reforms. The Conservatives then criticized the cost of the interim federal health program for failed asylum claimants who have not yet been deported.
“You always talk about asylum seekers and refugees. I'll call that right-wing populism. I won't address your hotel question directly. Instead, I'll just say we're working on long-term housing solutions.”
“The Liberals are wasting money on hotels for asylum claimants. Canadians are struggling. I want the minister to admit this directly.”
“The member's complaint is outdated. We aren't using hotels for refugees right now. But I'm not going to deny it completely, because our government will keep helping in other ways. And I'll compliment and anticipate the upcoming report too.”
“I want to cut health care for failed asylum claimants. If they don't get free physio and counselling on the taxpayer's dime, they'll leave Canada. Stop giving them handouts and deport them already. You're spending too much on the wrong people.”
“I won't directly answer your point about deporting failed claimants. Instead I'll talk about the history of the health program. We're spending so little, what do you care? I think these people should get it anyway.”