The sitting was dominated by the resumption of debate on the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne, with the central political argument revolving around the government’s lack of a spring budget and the opposition’s charge that the new Liberal government is merely continuing the policies of the previous Trudeau administration. The government defended its plan to deliver a budget in the fall, citing the need for due diligence amid trade uncertainty with the United States, while the Conservatives and Bloc Québécois pressed for immediate fiscal accountability.
The main item of Government Orders business was the continued debate on the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne, which sets out the government’s legislative agenda. The speech, delivered by King Charles III, promised tax cuts for the middle class, expanded dental care, a “build Canada homes” housing program, faster approval of major federal projects, removal of interprovincial trade barriers, increased defence spending, and protection of supply management. Liberal members argued the plan was bold and necessary to confront U.S. tariff threats and build a stronger economy. Conservatives opposed the speech, arguing it contained no budget, no costed plan, and that the government’s first spending bill increased spending by 8%—four times the promised cap—while consultant fees rose 36%. The Bloc Québécois criticized the government for abandoning climate action and for inviting the King to read the speech, which they called an insult to Quebec’s republican values. The NDP focused on the absence of commitments to seniors, renters, social housing, and climate action, and questioned how the government would pay for increased military spending while capping overall spending growth.
Oral Questions were dominated by repeated Conservative attacks on the Prime Minister’s handling of U.S. tariffs. Conservatives demanded to know how much revenue had been collected from the promised dollar-for-dollar countertariffs, accusing the government of secretly dropping them to near zero while President Trump threatened to double tariffs on Canadian steel to 50%. The government responded by saying it was fighting back with countertariffs, working with premiers, and investing in national projects, but did not provide a dollar figure. Other recurring themes included the lack of a spring budget, rising spending in the main estimates, the industrial carbon tax’s impact on steel and energy competitiveness, and the appointment of former Trudeau officials to senior roles. The government defended its fiscal record, cited falling inflation, and pointed to investments in dental care, child care, and housing.
In Routine Proceedings, a Conservative member presented a petition calling for an immediate budget and an extension of the House sitting, though a point of order was raised that it was not a proper petition. Two NDP members presented petitions calling for the establishment of a centre of excellence for peace and justice. A Green Party member presented a petition on protecting southern resident killer whales. All questions on the order paper were allowed to stand. An NDP member requested an emergency debate on the wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, citing slow federal response and the impact on Indigenous communities. No decision on that request was recorded in the transcript.