“The government's spending plans are based on questionable assumptions. The Parliamentary Budget Officer says they likely won't meet their own targets for reducing the deficit. What do you think of that?”
What they said. What they meant.
Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.
Recent debates
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Spring Economic Update 2026 Implementation Act
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Spring Economic Update 2026 Implementation Act
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Arab Heritage Month Act
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The Economy
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Government Orders
Main Estimates, 2026-27
A bill to implement parts of Budget 2025, including changes to tax rules, increased defence spending, and various other measures. During debate, while the Liberals highlighted positive economic indicators and the importance of investing in space and aerospace industries, the Conservatives, Bloc, and NDP raised concerns about wasteful spending, budget cuts to science and research, unethical corporate bailouts, fraud, and the government's circumventing of local input and legislative processes.
“The government is cutting science and research by $27 to $35 million over five years. That's a drop in the bucket compared to our huge deficit. But now they're letting companies use more pesticides without knowing what they'll do to us or our health. Are you okay with that?”
“I'm here to cheer for giving more money to old people in my riding. Our party wants $3 billion per year more for old age security, just for people age 65 to 74. Old people say they have no money. What does your party think of our idea to give them more?”
“I want the government to take money away from oil and gas and give that money to forestry. I like forestry. I don't like oil and gas. I think oil and gas is bad for the planet. I want to punish that industry.”
“I don't like the government having power to ignore the usual rules. I think it's undemocratic for the government to keep giving itself the power to override laws. I want the government to spend less time forcing bills through quickly and more time listening to opposition parties.”
“The government should stop giving tax breaks to oil companies. They are vultures. I want the government to spend more money on stimulus and old age security instead.”
“The government took a lot of land for an airport and people had to buy it back at high prices. Now the government might take too much land again for the train. This will be very bad for people in my area. The government should not take more land than it needs.”
“Thank you for your interesting points. I notice the government keeps passing laws to get around other laws. The government wants to give more power to some ministers. I want to know, what bad things could happen from this?”
“That is a risk. You could make decisions. During COVID some Conservatives wanted votes to end air travel rules. We said we're not doctors. We wanted rules to say 'with the consent of public health authorities.' The danger is uninformed people will make decisions under pressure from lobby groups. They will approve products used on land. Later, children and grandchildren pay the price. It is serious.”
“I want the government to spend a lot of money and attention on my region. We're not satisfied with what we have now. We have a project to bring military reserves to our region. It can create jobs and help the economy. The government should do this to meet its own goals. The government also needs to help the forestry industry more. People in my region work hard in forestry. The government gave lots of money to oil and gas but not enough to forestry. It's shocking the government won't do more to help workers in this important industry. The government doesn't understand what these workers are going through.”
“The softwood lumber industry is in trouble. That's making people lose their jobs. I want the government to bail them out like they bailed out the auto sector. I also want a military unit in my riding.”
“That's right, there are good jobs at Bagotville base. But it's far away. The government doesn't give my riding enough jobs. I dream that one day Quebec and Canada will have separate armies and defend the Arctic together.”
“I agree with the other guy. I'm lucky to have him in my party. We want more military spending and jobs in our ridings. The government should do what we want. I hope they agree with us. I want to know if the government will do what we want.”
“I want more military spending in my riding. It's a good project. Many people support it. I hope the government agrees. I want the Department of National Defence to spend the money.”
“That's nice about Quebec's consumer protections. But what I really want to talk about is my riding. We had a big company reopening we all worked on. I was there and it was good. We need to help companies like this more. The government should spend more on wage subsidies for business!”
“The government is spending more on defence because it finally realized Canada was behind. I'm afraid they might spend it badly.”
“I want the government to put a military project in my riding. It will spend a lot of money and that's good for me.”
“I think the government just gives out random gifts. They say it's this tax coming back to you, but that tax was cancelled so how can it be a return? You never paid it! They're just throwing it around without a reason.”
“The federal government spends too much of Quebec's money on other provinces. Quebec should get some of that money back. We also want more money for seniors.”
“You're celebrating how great things are. But the government cut help for seniors age 65 to 74. The Bloc wants to increase everyone's pensions by 10% instead. It wouldn't cost too much. Why not do it? Why ignore seniors who contributed to the economy?”