The sitting was dominated by the resumption of the debate on the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne, with the central political argument revolving around the government’s fiscal credibility. The government defended its plan to cut taxes, remove the consumer carbon price, and cap operating spending growth at 2%, while the opposition parties accused it of breaking that promise by tabling main estimates that increased overall spending by 8% and of failing to present a spring budget.
Two private members’ bills were introduced at the start of the sitting. Bill C-201, introduced by Gord Johns (NDP), would amend the Canada Health Act to require provincial health plans to cover community-based mental health, addictions and substance use services, not just those provided by physicians or in hospitals. The NDP argued this would end financial barriers to care. Bill C-202, introduced by Yves-François Blanchet (BQ), would amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act to protect the entire supply management system from concessions in future trade negotiations. Blanchet noted that all parties had supported a similar bill in the previous Parliament and urged quick passage. Prime Minister Mark Carney said supply management would never be on the table in U.S. negotiations and that the government would “carefully consider” the bill.
Oral Questions followed a consistent pattern: the Conservatives pressed the government on the main estimates, arguing that a promised 2% cap on operating spending was contradicted by an 8% overall spending increase and a record $26.1 billion for consultants, and they demanded a spring budget. The Bloc Québécois asked about respecting Quebec’s jurisdictions on internal trade, environmental assessments and immigration. The NDP raised wildfire evacuations in Manitoba and the need for indigenous language funding. Government ministers replied that the first legislative measure was a middle-class tax cut for 22 million Canadians, that the operating budget would be balanced within three years, and that a full budget would be presented in the early fall.
In Routine Proceedings, two petitions were presented: one on human rights in Tibet, calling for sanctions on five Chinese officials, and one calling for a centre of excellence for peace and justice. Questions on the Order Paper were allowed to stand. Later in the sitting, the House agreed to the appointment of a Deputy Chair and an Assistant Deputy Chair of Committees of the Whole. The Bloc Québécois amendment to the Conservative amendment to the Address in Reply was put to a recorded vote and defeated, and the Conservative amendment itself was set for a vote on Monday evening.
AI-generated summary — may contain errors; verify against the official Hansard.