What they said. What they meant.

Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.

Recent debates

8 latest topics

Oral Questions

The Economy

In a debate about the economy, the Conservatives criticized the Liberal government's handling of the economy, pointing out Canada is the only G7 country in a recession and many Canadians are struggling financially. The Liberals defended their record, pointing to job creation, trade diversification, and infrastructure projects. Much of the exchange consisted of the two sides talking past each other and touting their own talking points rather than substantively engaging with each other's arguments.

Official Hansard ↗

Rhonda Kirkland

Conservative
“You're a bad Prime Minister. Canadians are hungry and homeless. I want you to stop spending so much money on yourself and reverse your policies.”
Our translation 77% shorter

Hon. Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“My side is good. We give money to people who need help. Your side always votes against our help. You should be ashamed.”
Our translation 71% shorter

Rhonda Kirkland

Conservative
“You think you're helping by making big new programs for everything, but it's really a sign of failure. Canada is the only G7 that's in a recession right now. Don't you see your approach isn't working?”
Our translation 63% shorter

Hon. Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“I'm going to list a bunch of things and call them all successes. I want you to think we're doing a lot. Don't notice that I didn't actually answer your point about Canada being the only G7 country in a recession right now.”
Our translation 50% shorter

John Brassard

Conservative
“The Liberals keep saying everything's fine, but regular people are telling us they're worried. The Prime Minister should rethink his expensive plans that got us into this mess.”
Our translation 75% shorter

Hon. Tim Hodgson

Liberal
“I want to cheer for our spending. Look at all the expensive projects we're building in different places.”
Our translation 68% shorter

John Brassard

Conservative
“The other guy's policies caused this mess. Our country's economy is in bad shape. People are worried about money and need food banks. It's not going well.”
Our translation 74% shorter

Hon. Tim Hodgson

Liberal
“Don't criticize us. Everything is good now. Stop complaining and help us do what we want.”
Our translation 80% shorter

Luc Berthold

Conservative
“You caused a recession. Canadians are struggling. Stop spending so much on yourself and on bureaucracy.”
Our translation 83% shorter

Hon. Joël Lightbound

Liberal
“Our economy is good and we are helping people. The Conservatives don't really care. They didn't vote for our programs.”
Our translation 84% shorter

Luc Berthold

Conservative
“The Prime Minister spends too much on fancy dinners. He should give up luxuries while regular fathers like Rogelio can barely survive. The Liberals caused this whole problem.”
Our translation 74% shorter

Hon. Joël Lightbound

Liberal
“I'm going to ignore your real person, Rogelio, and list off a big pile of numbers and dollars from big government programs instead. I hope this makes me look good. You should vote to spend more money on my programs!”
Our translation 64% shorter