“I don't like the government. The Liberals are bad. They didn't fix the economy 10 years ago. I think Canadians are struggling because of it. Food bank use is up in my riding. I'm mad about that.”
What they said. What they meant.
Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.
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Business of Supply
A bill to remove some federal barriers to interprovincial trade and labor mobility. During discussion, the Conservatives claimed Canada's economy is struggling and broken while the Liberals said it is doing quite well. Members cited various economic statistics to argue their side, with the Conservatives focusing on a technical recession and the Liberals pointing to record low unemployment and rising wages.
“You think everything is wonderful. Have you talked to anyone in your riding? People are struggling. We Conservatives are fighting for those people. The grocery benefit is not enough to help. Having so many programs just shows this government's failure.”
“I want you to visit my riding so I can get attention. Food bank usage is up there. I think that's bad. Please answer me.”
“Canada's economy is terrible. The government isn't fixing it. I want huge reforms: taxes, regulation, everything. The government should admit how bad it is and change everything to fix the economy.”
“You're looking at the wrong numbers. I'll throw bigger numbers at you to make you look bad. See, my party understands business better than yours.”
“I want to avoid blame for saying 'emergency.' The Bank of Canada and Fraser Institute said it. I want to say Liberal actions didn't help the economy. Canadians struggle with costs.”
“I want to cue up my MP friend to attack the government. I want him to say it is very bad that Liberals pretend everything is fine. I want him to say costs and recession are a real danger.”
“Liberals ignoring our economy will cause a brain drain to the US. High taxes make our top skilled workers leave for the US. Many top earners already left Canada. It's bad that high taxes and low pay push skilled people away.”
“I want to attack my opponents by portraying them as uncaring and out of touch. I will use anecdotes about hardship to create an emotional appeal to voters.”
“The government keeps announcing new things to fix problems, but the problems are just getting worse. Canadians don't trust the government's promises anymore because they can see for themselves that the promises don't match reality. The government needs to admit it can't just announce its way out of trouble.”
“Canada is the only G20 country in a recession. The numbers are bad. The government keeps spending and making excuses. It's their fault. I want the government to stop spending so much. They should cancel their expensive programs. Canadians are struggling. My riding is struggling. I want lower spending and more growth.”
“I'm telling a sad personal story about young people who can't find jobs. I want you to feel bad for them. Young people need more help from the government.”
“The government taxes businesses too much. That makes it hard for young people to find jobs. I want the government to stop forcing businesses to pay so much and controlling them so much.”
“The Liberals keep saying they saved money. I don't see it anywhere. They spent way more than they said they would. It's been 11 years of bad ideas. We need them to stop spending so much.”
“The government keeps saying it saved money. But there's no savings at all. They're hiding how much all their promises will really cost. It's going to be way more expensive than they admit.”