Wagantall frequently criticizes the government's spending and handling of the economy, warning of high debt and interest costs being passed to the next generation. She often advocates for more support and justice for veterans, especially survivors of military sexual trauma, but is critical of the government's specific approaches. Her statements tend to be memorable more for partisan jabs than policy specifics.
“I want to thank everyone and say goodbye. My riding is great. My family is great. I like being an MP. Goodbye.”
“I want to change this bill about data and electronic services into two smaller bills. Then I want to add time to debate it and ask a privacy commissioner to testify.”
“I'm retiring. I've been here since 2015. I love my husband. I love my leader. I love my staff. I love my veterans. I brought forward some private member's bills about protecting pregnant women. They didn't pass, but I got to talk about them. I hope people will keep working on these issues. I'm leaving now.”
“Forced sterilization is wrong. Bill S-228 will make it clear that it is a serious crime. Every Canadian should be able to make their own medical decisions. This bill will protect vulnerable people from being forced or coerced into sterilization. We must learn from the past and never let this happen again. The people who shared their stories are brave. They brought attention to this issue. Their advocacy created the opportunity for change. This bill is a step in the right direction. It will provide greater certainty for victims and survivors. It will help ensure that no one is pressured into a decision that will affect them for the rest of their lives.”
“I disagree with my Liberal colleague. The government is spending and borrowing too much. Our debt is too high. Young voters will pay for this later. Our economy is weak compared to other countries. The government should spend less on its programs. Conservatives warned this would happen.”
“I think the government spends too much. The Prime Minister didn't answer my question. I say this government is irresponsible. I want young people to have opportunities and jobs, but they have high debt. Government spending adds $54 billion this year. I think government should borrow and spend less. I want lower taxes and more housing. I am happy that Conservatives have a plan. I want the government to listen to Conservatives.”
“I don't want judges to have wiggle room on sentencing. They should have to do what we already decided.”
“The government keeps making laws with poison pills that go easy on crime. People see the good parts of a bill, then the poison pills that protect criminals instead of protecting people. My constituents are even starting to say 'poison pill' to describe it.”
“I'm frustrated. Things are limited and frustrating. The federal government should spend more and fix it! Immigrants are making court problems worse.”
“I want the government to support my bills to protect women. It's a failure that they didn't.”
“I'm filling time with kind words and saying nothing anyone could pin down later. I want the bill but I don't want it. I wish the government would do its job so I don't have to.”
“I'm asking you to spend more money on the school food program. I think this program is important and you should care more about it. $2.70 per day per child isn't enough. I want you to give the money directly to parents instead, so they can feed their own kids. That's what I think would work better.”
“I want the other side to take the blame for causing problems, not us. I don't want to talk about what we should do.”
“Thank you. Let's talk more about how great the military is. It doesn't matter what the judge said about indigenous land rights. I want this to look like a patriotism contest.”
“The military is in bad shape. You hurt its morale and erased its traditions. Now the Snowbirds are at risk. The Snowbirds make Canada look good. Allies like them. You must spend money to save the Snowbirds.”
“The government keeps spending more of your money. Doubling the deficit hasn't improved anything for regular Canadians. It just sticks the next generation with more debt to pay off. We need to stop this before it gets even worse.”
“I want you to feel bad for young people. I say that they will pay a lot of money in interest. I think this spending is wrong. I want you to say whether you feel good about that.”
