The sitting was dominated by debate on Bill C-8, the government’s cybersecurity legislation, and by a sharp political argument over the economy and public safety. The main bills debated were Bill C-8, and the government also referenced Bill C-2, Bill C-9, Bill C-242, Bill C-5, Bill C-224, and Bill C-47 in questions and petitions. The central political argument was the Conservatives’ claim that the Prime Minister’s policies have caused job losses and rising crime, countered by the government’s insistence that it is investing in workers, infrastructure, and bail reform.
Bill C-8, an act respecting cyber security, was debated at second reading and then passed on division and referred to committee. The government argued the bill would protect critical infrastructure from state-sponsored cyber threats from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, and that amendments had strengthened privacy safeguards, added a reasonableness standard for ministerial orders, and required annual reporting to Parliament. The Bloc Québécois supported the bill’s objective but raised concerns about federal overreach into provincial infrastructure and privacy risks. The NDP questioned the lack of privacy impact assessments and the one-size-fits-all compliance timeline. The Conservatives opposed the bill, arguing it would allow the minister to secretly cut off an individual’s internet or phone service without a warrant or judicial review, violating Charter rights to life, liberty, security, and protection against unreasonable search and seizure. Conservative MP Leslyn Lewis and MP Matt Strauss gave detailed critiques of clauses they said could create a “digital prison” and allow secret orders. The government rejected these as extreme and outlandish.
Oral Questions focused on two main themes: the economy and job losses, and public safety and bail reform. On the economy, Conservatives repeatedly cited 86,000 job losses since the Prime Minister took office, rising food prices, and a growing deficit, blaming the government’s “hidden food taxes” and failed diplomacy. The government replied that Canada has the lowest effective tariff rate in the world, that wages are growing, interest rates are falling, and that it is investing in major projects and social programs like dental care and child care. On bail reform, Conservatives demanded the government scrap its “soft-on-crime” Bill C-75 and adopt their Bill C-242, the “jail not bail act,” citing cases of violent repeat offenders released on bail. The government said it will introduce its own bail reform legislation this session, with harsher sentences for repeat violent offenders, and accused Conservatives of proposing laws that get struck down by the Supreme Court.
In Routine Proceedings, the government tabled amendments to an international anti-doping treaty and the Leaders’ Debates Commission report. Several petitions were presented: one from Conservative MP Dan Mazier calling for tougher bail laws, one from NDP MP Gord Johns opposing foreign ownership of commercial fishing licences, two from Conservative MPs Michael Cooper and Garnett Genuis calling for the repeal of changes to natural health product regulations (supporting Bill C-224), one from Garnett Genuis opposing “track 2” medical assistance in dying for those whose death is not reasonably foreseeable, and one from Garnett Genuis calling for action on human rights in North Korea. All questions on the order paper were allowed to stand, and the House agreed to see the clock at 2:30 p.m.