Sitting 22 — September 16, 2025

The second day of debate on Bill C-2, the Strong Borders Act, consumed the government orders portion of this sitting. The bill, characterized by the government as a comprehensive measure to strengthen the asylum system and enhance border security, drew sustained criticism from across the opposition benches. Green Party Leader Elizabeth May argued that the bill was an omnibus measure that would change multiple pieces of legislation without adequately addressing the core issues of border security. Conservative members including Garnett Genuis supported stronger border measures in principle while expressing concern about the bill's scope, and Bloc members continued to raise the perspective of Quebec-based organizations working with refugee claimants.

Question period was overwhelmingly devoted to the economy and the cost of living. Pierre Poilievre led a sustained line of questioning about the deficit, noting that six months into the government's mandate there was still no budget tabled despite the deficit having doubled. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne and other ministers pointed repeatedly to the November 4 budget date and the tax cut for 22 million Canadians as evidence of the government's commitment to affordability. Conservative finance critic Jasraj Hallan contrasted the government's promises with the reality of food bank lineups, while Scot Davidson used vivid imagery about expired grocery prices to press the government on food inflation. The exchanges grew heated at points, with ministers accusing the opposition of ignoring the tax cut and the opposition countering that the cut amounted to only $90 annually.

Housing questions focused on the $13-billion housing bureaucracy announced by the government, which Conservatives characterized as $3.2 million per home for only 4,000 units. Housing Minister Gregor Robertson defended the plan as part of a comprehensive strategy, while opposition members pointed to the 16 per cent decline in housing starts. Immigration questions highlighted the 300,000 pending asylum claims and the estimated $800 million cost of housing asylum seekers. The adjournment proceedings addressed youth unemployment, extortion, and interprovincial trade barriers.