The sitting was dominated by a Conservative opposition day motion on food taxation, which accused the Prime Minister of breaking his promise to be judged by grocery prices and called for the elimination of several federal policies. The central political argument pitted Conservative claims that Liberal taxes and deficits are driving food inflation against Liberal defences that they have cut taxes, expanded social programs, and that global factors are the main cause.
The main business was the opposition motion moved by John Barlow (CPC), which declared that food inflation is 70% above the Bank of Canada’s target, food prices are up 40% since the Liberals took power, and food bank use has risen 142% since 2015. It called on the government to stop taxing food by eliminating the industrial carbon tax on fertilizer and farm equipment, the “inflation tax” of deficit spending, the clean fuel standard, and the plastics ban and packaging requirements. Conservatives argued these policies add costs from farm to store and that the Prime Minister’s own words condemn him. The Liberals opposed the motion, arguing the consumer carbon tax is already gone, that the remaining measures are needed for climate action, and that they have delivered affordability through a middle-class tax cut, the national school food program, dental care, and child care. The Bloc Québécois said the motion relied on slogans rather than real solutions and noted that removing the carbon tax did not lower grocery prices. The NDP did not speak to the motion during the debate. A recorded division was requested but not held before adjournment.
Oral Questions focused on three recurring themes: the cost of groceries and the deficit, the public safety minister’s performance, and Canada Post reform. On the economy, Conservatives repeatedly cited the Parliamentary Budget Officer’s projection of a larger deficit and argued that Liberal spending drives food inflation; the government replied by listing tax cuts, the school food program, and dental care as direct affordability measures. On public safety, Conservatives accused the minister of losing track of 600 foreign criminals and of admitting his gun buyback program is politically motivated; the minister and other Liberals defended the buyback as a pilot program and pointed to increased border investments and removals. On Canada Post, the Bloc Québécois pressed the minister to guarantee home delivery for seniors and people with disabilities and to protect rural service; the minister said the moratorium on community mailbox conversions is being lifted but that an accommodation program will continue for those who need it.
During Routine Proceedings, the government tabled three treaties and a series of reports from the Inter-Parliamentary Union. All questions on the Order Paper were allowed to stand. No other procedural motions or votes were decided.