Sitting 31 — October 1, 2025

The sitting featured extensive second reading debate on Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act, which would amend the Criminal Code to create new hate propaganda and hate crime offences. Government speakers framed the bill as essential to protecting communities from rising hate-motivated violence, while Conservative speakers raised concerns about freedom of expression and questioned whether the legislation would be selectively enforced. Bloc Québécois members signalled willingness to study the bill in committee but flagged concerns about protest rights, and the NDP pressed for amendments on online hate. The debate was punctuated by sharp exchanges over the 2022 convoy protests and allegations that political parties had exploited division for fundraising.

Question period was dominated by economic and fiscal exchanges on National Seniors Day. Conservative members cited a new report showing one in three seniors financially supporting adult children or grandchildren, linking the cost-of-living crisis to government deficits and taxes. Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre pressed Prime Minister Carney on rising deficits, quoting the Parliamentary Budget Officer's characterization of the fiscal situation as alarming and unsustainable. The Prime Minister and ministers countered by citing Canada's AAA credit rating, the lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7, tax cuts for 22 million Canadians, and falling interest rates. The Canada Post crisis featured prominently, with opposition parties across the spectrum criticizing the government's reform announcement as having triggered a general strike while failing to consult workers.

Additional question period topics included the firearms compensation program pilot launching in Cape Breton, where the public safety minister faced criticism over leaked audio in which he questioned the program's logic. Other issues included the Kap Paper mill closure in northern Ontario, Imperial Oil layoffs in Calgary, and the Prime Minister's missed July 21 deadline for a trade deal with the United States. The Bloc Québécois raised concerns about sustainable finance inaction. Routine proceedings included multiple petitions on charitable status for religious organizations, medical assistance in dying, and public safety. The Speaker also delivered a ruling on a question of privilege concerning members' access to federal penitentiaries.