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 hammered the Liberal government on Canada being the only G20 country currently in a recession. The Conservatives cited negative economic indicators and accused the Liberals of both ignoring and causing the problem. The Liberals defended their economic record, citing trade deals, support for impacted industries, benefit programs, and Canada's projected growth in the G7. The Conservatives kept pushing and highlighted the struggles of average Canadians.

Official Hansard ↗

Jacob Mantle

Conservative
“You know a lot of countries, but one is different and bad. It's the one with a recession. Which one is it?”
Our translation 74% shorter

Hon. Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“I don't want to answer your question. I want to change the subject to how I am proud of Canada and how we will keep spending money.”
Our translation 73% shorter

Jacob Mantle

Conservative
“I want to criticize the government's economic management. I say their mistakes are making Canada the only G20 country in recession. I think growth will be bad the next few years. I want to argue the government's pledges about debt aren't realistic.”
Our translation 43% shorter
“I will repeat our list of talking points. Our government is building the Canada it wants. The Prime Minister is building the Canada he wants. We will make you want it too.”
Our translation 60% shorter

Rhonda Kirkland

Conservative
“The Prime Minister isn't answering the question. He won't say if we're in a recession. Canadians are worried about their jobs and savings. He should stop dodging and give a straight answer.”
Our translation 67% shorter

Hon. Wayne Long

Liberal
“I want to talk about how great our leader is instead of answering the question about recession. Look at the trade deals! Jobs! Our leader is better than your leader.”
Our translation 52% shorter

Rhonda Kirkland

Conservative
“I want the government to admit we're in a recession. Saying we have a growing economy isn't true. Liberals ignoring the word 'recession' doesn't change that Canada is the only G20 country in one.”
Our translation 64% shorter

Hon. David McGuinty

Liberal
“You say there's a recession, but I won't answer that. Where is your plan? I want to hear a detailed policy plan from you. I'll just keep asking about your lack of a plan instead of responding to the recession question.”
Our translation 39% shorter

Gabriel Hardy

Conservative
“I want the Prime Minister to admit his economic management failed. Canada is in a recession under him. I listed many bad economic results under his government. I want one simple yes or no answer from him.”
Our translation 56% shorter

Hon. Mélanie Joly

Liberal
“I want to talk about our announcement for the aluminum sector instead of answering the question about the economy. I'm filling time with kind words and saying nothing about whether the Prime Minister's economic management failed.”
Our translation 62% shorter

Gabriel Hardy

Conservative
“Housing costs are rising fast. The Liberals should do more to help young families afford homes and live with dignity. The government should stop helping bankers and start helping regular people.”
Our translation 78% shorter

Hon. Joël Lightbound

Liberal
“I want you to support our spending programs! I'm going to list off a lot of big numbers to make our spending sound good. You should vote for these programs because they give people money. Never mind how we'll pay for it.”
Our translation 62% shorter