“The Finance Minister shouldn't talk about Alto. But he did. Then he hired an Alto person to write his speech. Why?”
What they said. What they meant.
Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.
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Rail Transportation
A debate about a major rail transportation project. The Conservatives accused the Finance Minister of conflict of interest and criticized the expropriation of land for the project. The Liberals defended the project as nation-building and expressed continued support for Via Rail. Much of the debate consisted of partisan bickering and accusations rather than substantive discussion of the transportation issues at hand.
“I want to cheer for a program that spends money. I don't like that the other party doesn't cheer too. Everything is fine. The minister did nothing wrong.”
“I want to blame the other party for spending too much on one program, and for not spending more on a different program I prefer.”
“That other program will still exist. I promise I'm popular and Canadians should be proud. I'll say words like 'utmost sensitivity' so you trust me to always protect the environment and farms.”