What they said. What they meant.

Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.

Recent debates

8 latest topics

Oral Questions

The Economy

During question period, the Conservatives repeatedly asked the Prime Minister about the human costs of Canada being the only G20 country in a recession. The Prime Minister did not directly respond, with various Liberal MPs instead defending the government's economic policies. The Conservatives accused the Liberals of being out of touch, while the Liberals criticized the Conservatives for opposing affordability measures.

Official Hansard ↗

Hon. Pierre Poilievre

Conservative
“The Prime Minister should explain why Canada is the only G20 country in a recession. A Toronto woman lost her job, can't find a new one, and has to sleep on a friend's couch. Does the Prime Minister care enough to stand up and answer? Will he downplay her problems as 'technical' issues?”
Our translation 36% shorter

Right Hon. Mark Carney

Liberal
“I want to make the opposition leader's birthday worse. I say our government is building a stronger economy. I want to seem focused on voters and challenges from abroad.”
Our translation 61% shorter

Hon. Pierre Poilievre

Conservative
“That's not funny. A woman is suffering. The Prime Minister caused a recession. He should stop making jokes and answer for the real problems he caused people like Zahra.”
Our translation 61% shorter

Hon. Patty Hajdu

Liberal
“We are the good guys. We put in programs to help with people's jobs. It would be bad if the other side stopped our programs.”
Our translation 61% shorter

Hon. Patty Hajdu

Liberal
“You should agree with us and stop getting in the way. The government is helping people!”
Our translation 71% shorter

Hon. Pierre Poilievre

Conservative
“A man in Ontario is sad. The government should do something.”
Our translation 90% shorter

Hon. Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“I don't want to answer that. Let me mention some Canadians are sad about other things instead. Maybe it will distract you from the recession.”
Our translation 74% shorter

Hon. Pierre Poilievre

Conservative
“Jacqueline had to put down her dog because she can't afford the vet. She can't afford food, rent, or gas either. If the Prime Minister cares, he should tell us if we're in a recession.”
Our translation 65% shorter
“I want Canadians to ignore the opposition's criticisms. I want to pretend the opposition doesn't care about Jacqueline even though they just talked about her. I want people to think we support families and are helping with affordability even though our spending might be making inflation worse.”
Our translation 51% shorter

Hon. Pierre Poilievre

Conservative
“I want the Prime Minister to answer my question about the economy and I want to remind everyone that it's the Prime Minister's fault that people are suffering.”
Our translation 81% shorter

Hon. Gregor Robertson

Liberal
“The government is spending a lot of money on infrastructure and housing. This is supposed to make everyone happy and prosperous.”
Our translation 77% shorter

Hon. Pierre Poilievre

Conservative
“I want to blame the Prime Minister and call him a failure. Nathan can't afford things because of the economy.”
Our translation 84% shorter

Hon. Rechie Valdez

Liberal
“We want to look like we are helping. Spend money on our programs. Give us credit.”
Our translation 86% shorter

Hon. Pierre Poilievre

Conservative
“The Prime Minister is hiding from a bad economy. People are losing jobs. The Prime Minister isn't doing his job. I'm speaking for struggling people. The Liberals must take responsibility. Are we in a recession or not?”
Our translation 66% shorter

Hon. Wayne Long

Liberal
“I want Canadians to believe the other party is not serious or successful. I want Canadians to believe my party is successful and has good plans for the economy.”
Our translation 70% shorter