“You ran on being a genius and having a plan. But Canada fell into a recession under you. Other countries didn't. No one thinks we'll hit your targets. The economy's getting worse. Can you even tell us what kind of recession this is? But I know you won't answer because it makes you look bad.”
What they said. What they meant.
Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.
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Oral Questions
The Economy
The topic was the economy. The Conservatives hammered the Liberals on Canada being the only G20 country in a recession and having poor economic growth. In response, the Liberals mostly talked up recent cash payments to Canadians to help with high living costs, and cited some positive job numbers released the same day. The debate was highly partisan with both sides mostly just repeating their same talking points over and over.
“I like you. I'm ignoring the bad things you said. I'll repeat nice words about the economy that I already said before. They make us look good. Oh also people in your riding are getting benefits so you should be happy.”
“I'm telling you the economy is bad. I think you caused it. The budget guy says so. He should admit whether that's really bad or just kind of bad.”
“The economy is good now. I'm saying that. You don't get to say the economy is bad. I'm waving around vague Canada vs. USA jobs numbers to prove it.”
“The economy shrank again. It keeps shrinking. The Prime Minister said that wouldn't happen. I'm making him own these bad numbers. Liberals should admit the economy is worse.”
“'The C.D. Howe Institute doesn't say Canada's in recession. That means our economy is good right now. We just got 88,000 new jobs! See, the government's plan works. Youth unemployment went down, women too. Lots of construction and factory jobs.We're making the economy stronger, why don't the Conservatives like that?'”
“Real translation: 'Canada lost 25,000 jobs this year. Productivity, investment, and GDP are down. Wage growth is down too. The Prime Minister has a weird idea of what counts as 'a strong economy'.'”
“'The U.S. put unfair tariffs on us. That did hurt. I want the Conservatives to stop mentioning that and help build more infrastructure projects.'”
“The economy is bad. People are struggling. I want the Prime Minister to say if he thinks this recession is his fault.”
“I don't want to talk about the recession. I will change the subject to a company that creates jobs. I want you to think I am doing good things.”