What they said. What they meant.

Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.

Recent debates

8 latest topics

Government Orders

Strong and Free Elections Act

A bill to change some election rules. Members spent most of their time debating whether to limit debate on the bill, and discussing the size and geography of their own ridings.

Official Hansard ↗

Dominique O'Rourke

Liberal
“Canada is good but could be better. We should look at political donations, especially crypto. Maybe the minister has thoughts.”
Our translation 81% shorter

Hon. Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“Canada already has very strict donation limits and corporations and unions can't donate. But people might use crypto to get around the rules. This bill will stop that.”
Our translation 77% shorter

Blaine Calkins

Conservative
“I don't understand why the government is rushing to pass an election financing bill when it won't even matter for the next three years. Why are they using our limited time on this?”
Our translation 71% shorter

Hon. Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“Thanks for explaining why this election bill is being rushed through. We're just implementing the recommendations that we're given after each election.”
Our translation 81% shorter

Marie-Hélène Gaudreau

Bloc Québécois
“You missed a real problem. Quebec's cybersecurity lead warned that our digital systems have risks and we don't control most of the infrastructure. I think foreign interference in our elections is still a threat.”
Our translation 71% shorter

Hon. Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“That's a good question but I want to dodge it. Elections are fair. The inquiry said so. I want to look like I care about digital security and I'm willing to talk more, but everything is fine. No need to worry.”
Our translation 70% shorter

Harb Gill

Conservative
“The Liberals are corrupt. I don't trust their election bill. I want Canadians to trust our institutions. The government should do what I want instead. They should make things more affordable. They should reduce crime. They should grow the economy. Then Canadians would trust the government.”
Our translation 56% shorter

Hon. Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“The Conservatives are just obstructionists. They're blocking our spending and policing bills. I want those bills to pass. We're working together to change election rules. We all agree on the rules. That makes people trust elections.”
Our translation 79% shorter

Yves Perron

Bloc Québécois
“The Bloc is the real opposition. I want more Bloc representation in Parliament. We should use proportional representation to elect more Bloc MPs.”
Our translation 84% shorter

Hon. Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“I don't want to talk about the question you actually asked. Let me talk about music instead. We tried to change the election system before but people disagreed. I think our democracy is fine. We are making a few tiny changes.”
Our translation 71% shorter

Hon. Kevin Lamoureux

Liberal
“I'm going to praise Elections Canada a bunch so it sounds like I'm saying a lot. Then I'll trail off into vague talk about how our election bill came from consensus. I'm not actually asking my colleague a real question, I'm just giving him an opening to repeat his talking points some more.”
Our translation 61% shorter

Hon. Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“I want to make it look like I'm very concerned and doing important work. I won't give any specifics, I'll just use vague scary terms like misinformation and deepfakes. It makes me look good to say we all agree on this.”
Our translation 67% shorter

Blake Richards

Conservative
“I could talk about some good things in the bill, but I won't. Instead, I'll complain about the government shutting down debate. It makes them look bad and undemocratic.”
Our translation 71% shorter

Hon. Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“I want to end by thanking members from all parties who are supporting this bill. I'm sure it will pass with a lot of votes.”
Our translation 62% shorter