What they said. What they meant.

Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.

Recent debates

8 latest topics

Oral Questions

Forestry Industry

A debate on the forestry industry. The Bloc Québécois pressed the government to provide immediate support and wage subsidies to struggling sawmills and businesses facing U.S. tariffs and bankruptcy. The Liberals assured they 'will be there' for the industry as they have been for other sectors, but provided no specifics.

Official Hansard ↗

Yves-François Blanchet

Bloc Québécois
“The government left out what everyone in the field wants: a wage subsidy program. We're losing expertise and companies. Sawmills are closing. The government should do what the forestry industry proposed to resume lumber exports.”
Our translation 58% shorter

Hon. Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“We'll be there for the forestry industry just like we were for other industries. But right now the Prime Minister is visiting Quebec to announce billions in infrastructure spending.”
Our translation 67% shorter

Gabriel Ste-Marie

Bloc Québécois
“A big employer in my riding is in trouble. 250 jobs might be lost. The government must buy back duties to save businesses like this sawmill. It wouldn't cost anything. Why won't the government act now?”
Our translation 62% shorter

Hon. Mélanie Joly

Liberal
“We feel bad for those workers. The government has plans for those other products. The Minister of Natural Resources and I are figuring out if those plans can work for forestry too. I want to work with you on this.”
Our translation 65% shorter