Sitting 5 — May 30, 2025

The House convened for its fifth sitting with continued debate on the Address in Reply, where Conservative MP Tamara Jansen led off by criticizing the government for asking Parliament to approve spending without a budget, likening it to running a business without financial statements. The exchange broadened to include wildfire impacts, with NDP MP Gord Johns linking the fires to climate change while acknowledging the need for emergency support. Conservative MP Cheryl Gallant used her time to criticize CBC funding and media credibility, drawing a sharp rebuttal from Liberal MP Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault. The Bloc Québécois pressed the government on EI reform, noting that after 10 years of Liberal promises, no reform had materialized despite the tariff crisis threatening workers.

Oral questions were heavily focused on the government's fiscal management, with Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman leading the attack, citing an 8% spending increase after the Prime Minister's promise to cap growth at 2%. Finance Minister Champagne deflected by announcing that Statistics Canada had just reported 2.2% GDP growth in the first quarter, exceeding economists' expectations. The opposition also challenged the government on a 36% increase in consultant spending to $26 billion, with Government Transformation Minister Joël Lightbound asserting that the government had in fact reduced consultant use while receiving a mandate to improve efficiency through technology. Housing remained contentious, with new data showing GTA home sales at an 89% drop below the 10-year average and Ontario mortgage delinquencies up 71%.

The energy and environment portfolio generated significant debate, with Conservatives calling for repeal of Bill C-69 and the oil and gas production cap, while Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin defended the need for environmental assessments to actually get projects built. The sitting also saw questions on Parks Canada's controversial ban on motorized boats on Clear Lake in Manitoba to control zebra mussels, with Conservative MP Dan Mazier calling the decision an unannounced blow to local tourism. Ethics questions continued regarding the Prime Minister's financial assets and offshore investments, with the government repeating that Canada has among the most stringent ethics requirements in the world.