What they said. What they meant.

Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.

Recent debates

8 latest topics

Government Orders

Business of Supply

During a debate on the economy, the Conservatives pointed out Canada's recession and weak economic indicators under the Liberals, including high inflation and unemployment. The Conservatives accused the Liberals of being out of touch and in denial about how their policies have made things worse, while the Liberals touted their spending and benefits. The Bloc focused on regional issues in Quebec.

Official Hansard ↗

Jasraj Hallan

Conservative
“I want the government to reverse inflationary spending because it's failing at growth and only has a 1% chance of meeting its own fiscal target.”
Our translation 69% shorter

Jasraj Hallan

Conservative
“Everything is bad because of the Liberals. The economy is bad. People are suffering. Liberals have failed. Just listen to me.”
Our translation 99% shorter

Hon. Mark Gerretsen

Liberal
“You're attacking us for picking only good numbers. But you ignored good jobs numbers that help us. That's hypocritical. I want you to explain your unfair debating.”
Our translation 82% shorter

Jasraj Hallan

Conservative
“You missed my real point. Bragging about individual job numbers won't hide the bigger picture. The economy is struggling under your government. Many jobs have been lost this year. Your announcements and handshakes are fake solutions. The best thing your government can do is stop interfering so much.”
Our translation 49% shorter

Maxime Blanchette-Joncas

Bloc Québécois
“I want to make the Conservative look bad for supporting pipelines. Does he want the government to spend taxpayer money on more pipelines? The Trans Mountain pipeline cost way more than expected, and the government would lose money if it sold the pipeline. I think that's a bad use of public funds.”
Our translation 55% shorter

Jasraj Hallan

Conservative
“The government failed. The Liberal government is incompetent. Liberals are anti-development. Their policies drove away investment. They bought a pipeline late and way over budget. Liberals can never do anything on time or on budget.”
Our translation 59% shorter

Rob Morrison

Conservative
“I'm from a rural area. Food prices are high. Fuel prices are high. No one says they've never had it so good. People blame me for food prices when I'm in the grocery store.”
Our translation 66% shorter

Jasraj Hallan

Conservative
“The Prime Minister doesn't care about high grocery prices. I spend two hours in the grocery store hearing struggles. A single mom had to move in with her abusive ex because she can't afford child care, rent, and groceries. This is because of failed Liberal policies. There's nothing technical about the suffering.”
Our translation 66% shorter

Jean-Denis Garon

Bloc Québécois
“I want to talk about purchasing power and Canadian productivity instead of arguing about the definition of a recession. We should debate fundamental problems.”
Our translation 69% shorter

Jasraj Hallan

Conservative
“Say 'Liberal recession' a lot. Get rid of the current government and its laws that block development.”
Our translation 53% shorter

Pat Kelly

Conservative
“The Liberals messed up the economy. The Liberals spent too much. The Liberals blocked oil exports. The Liberals promised a trade deal with the United States and did not deliver. The Liberals' budgets are bad. I want the Liberals to stop spending so much.”
Our translation 97% shorter

Hon. Mark Gerretsen

Liberal
“You look silly if you call everything a disaster right before good news comes out. My opponents campaign manager said it himself: good numbers are already back. You called it a recession too soon.”
Our translation 73% shorter

Pat Kelly

Conservative
“You keep denying that anything's wrong. You deny we're in a recession. You deny the bad projections. You deny misleading the House. You just keep telling Canadians everything's great and they should be grateful.”
Our translation 33% shorter

Maxime Blanchette-Joncas

Bloc Québécois
“You Conservatives want to approve a new pipeline. I think that would be inflationary spending. And I bet if the government sells its current pipeline for a loss, you'll say that's inflationary too.”
Our translation 56% shorter

Pat Kelly

Conservative
“You say we want to spend public money on pipelines. No, I want the opposite. I want government to stop blocking private investment so investors can build their own pipelines. I want government out of the way. I don't want to subsidize anything.”
Our translation 66% shorter

Anna Roberts

Conservative
“You say everything is great. But many people still use food banks, and more seniors than before. I don't think you care about seniors.”
Our translation 57% shorter

Pat Kelly

Conservative
“You Liberals don't care about real people's problems. You just want more power and money for insiders. I bet your 'sovereign wealth fund' will be full of corporate welfare.”
Our translation 69% shorter

Jean-Denis Garon

Bloc Québécois
“Is spending $34 billion on a government pipeline inflationary? I'll just keep asking yes or no until you answer.”
Our translation 83% shorter

Pat Kelly

Conservative
“I don't know if $34 billion for a government pipeline is inflationary. The government didn't have to spend public money. I wish the government got out of the way and let companies spend their own money to build pipelines instead.”
Our translation 51% shorter

Ryan Turnbull

Liberal
“I'm going to throw out a lot of numbers and buzzwords to make it sound like the government is doing a good job with the economy. We're doing better than expected! Look at all these jobs we created! We're giving people money for groceries! I don't like how the Conservatives keep talking about bad economic news and ignoring our great work. We have a plan, I promise.”
Our translation 95% shorter