The sitting was dominated by debate on Bill C-2, the Strong Borders Act, with the central political argument revolving around whether the bill genuinely strengthens border security and public safety or instead expands government surveillance powers while failing to address bail reform and mandatory sentencing. The Conservatives and the Green Party criticized the bill as an overreach that threatens civil liberties, while the Liberals defended it as a necessary modernization of law enforcement tools.
Government Orders was consumed entirely by debate on Bill C-2, an omnibus bill that would amend more than a dozen statutes to strengthen border security, combat fentanyl trafficking, improve information sharing on sex offenders, and create new lawful-access powers for police. The Liberals argued the bill would close loopholes exploited by criminals, such as the inability to search mail under 500 grams, and would give police tools to investigate child exploitation and extortion more quickly. The Conservatives and the NDP opposed the bill, saying it fails to include bail reform or mandatory minimum sentences for fentanyl traffickers and gun crimes, while including provisions that would allow Canada Post to open mail without a warrant, compel internet companies to hand over subscriber information on a lower legal threshold, and restrict cash transactions over $10,000. The Bloc Québécois indicated conditional support for sending the bill to committee for study, citing concerns about understaffing at the Canada Border Services Agency and the need for proper oversight of new ministerial powers. The Green Party called for the bill to be withdrawn entirely, arguing it violates Charter rights and international refugee obligations.
Oral Questions was dominated by Conservative attacks on the government’s economic record, focusing on food price inflation and rising food bank use. The Conservatives repeatedly cited the Prime Minister’s campaign promise that he would be judged by grocery prices, pointing to data showing food inflation running 70% above the Bank of Canada’s target and a 400% increase in visits to Toronto’s largest food bank. The government responded by listing its own actions, including cutting taxes for 22 million Canadians, eliminating the consumer carbon tax, and announcing a budget date of November 4. A secondary theme was immigration and asylum costs, with the Conservatives criticizing a 1,200% increase in spending on the interim federal health program for asylum claimants, while the government defended its record and pointed to Bill C-2 as part of the solution. The Bloc Québécois raised concerns about judicial appointments and U.S. trade relations, and the NDP questioned the government’s use of section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to end an Air Canada flight attendants’ strike.