What they said. What they meant.

“I want to cheer for spending money in my riding. More government money will buy well-paid jobs. Ignore the recession. Look over here instead.”

“Government must spend more money on my program! My riding needs these payments. We are spending to help Canadians.”

“You're too focused on the negative. The government is spending new money on payments for essentials. We get to announce big amounts for some people. Why won't you praise us for it? We want the government to be the solution.”

“The economy isn't perfect yet but we're giving out lots of benefits and programs. People tell me they're happy when I visit them. I want you to know my riding is getting lots of money and help from the government.”

“I admit there are challenges. But I am going to ignore the recession and struggling people you mentioned. Instead I will talk about government spending and brag about people who said we are doing a good job. I want you to know we are in fact spending a lot! That will solve it. I will also bring up a big number of jobs I want government to create, because that sounds good.”

“I am going to act like big change in the economy is brand new. That lets me say government must something! I just talked about all the spending the government is doing. Now I want you to tell everyone about a benefit that gives people money. That means I care about making life more affordable.”

“Thanks for the nice words about me. Now let me give you nice words about my friend here. He's great. We all say the benefit is great. The government must spend more money on people. That means we care.”

“Those numbers sound good. I want to cheer for the economy. I want more people getting government money.”

“You criticized our leader for spending too much. I don't want to talk about that. I want to say you are bad. You don't want to help people. You voted against spending more money. People in my riding will get money from this bill. You think they don't deserve help. Shame on you.”

“88,000 new jobs is good. I'll talk about that instead of the recession or the budget.”

“I'm filling time listing good news so I don't have to admit anything bad. Look, there were tariffs. That's a problem! Did you see that big jobs number? Debt? What debt? The credit people still like us. Canada is fine, and we're in charge. But I can't actually answer when we'll change course.”

“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.”

“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 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?'”

“'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.'”

“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.”