Sitting 6 — June 2, 2025

The sixth sitting continued debate on the Address in Reply, with many MPs using maiden speeches to outline constituency priorities and respond to the throne speech agenda. Liberal members highlighted supply management protections, regional development, and agricultural supports, while Conservative members challenged the government on its fiscal record and demanded a budget. Oral questions were dominated by a sharp exchange over the Prime Minister's "elbows up" campaign promise on counter-tariffs, with Conservative MPs alleging the government had quietly reduced retaliatory tariffs to near zero and abandoned the $20 billion revenue projection. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly defended the government's strategy, noting she had been in contact with aluminum and steel industry leaders over the weekend and that Canada remained one of only two countries globally that had imposed counter-tariffs.

The first ministers' meeting in Saskatoon figured prominently, with government House leader Steven MacKinnon characterizing it as a historic gathering focused on nation-building projects and internal trade. Conservative MPs challenged the lack of concrete pipeline commitments, with the NDP premier of British Columbia's stated opposition to new pipelines cited as evidence that the government's "consensus" requirement was an effective veto. The government countered that Premier Smith of Alberta had spoken of a "grand bargain" and that Premiers Ford and Moe had praised the meeting. Wildfires in the Prairies also drew attention, with Minister of Emergency Management Buckley Belanger reporting from Saskatchewan on coordination with provincial and Indigenous leadership.

Finance Minister Champagne faced relentless questioning on the main estimates, with Conservatives noting an 8% spending increase after a promised 2% cap and a 36% rise in consultant spending to a record $26.1 billion. The minister pointed to the pending tax cut vote and Canada's AAA credit rating and lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7 as evidence of sound fiscal management. Questions on immigration, public safety, and ethics also featured, with the opposition highlighting rising crime statistics and the Prime Minister's use of a blind trust for his financial assets.