Sitting 35 — October 7, 2025

The sitting featured second reading debate on Bill C-10, the Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation Act, introduced by Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Rebecca Alty. The bill would establish an independent commissioner to oversee federal compliance with modern treaties and report to Parliament. The minister emphasized that the legislation was co-developed with modern treaty partners, several of whose leaders were present in the gallery. Conservative members supported the principle of modern treaties but expressed concern that the commissioner would lack enforcement powers, while the Bloc Québécois and NDP welcomed the bill as a step forward in reconciliation. The debate also touched on the Cowichan court ruling on aboriginal title and the need for provincial involvement in treaty implementation.

Question period focused overwhelmingly on the Prime Minister's visit to the White House that day, with Conservative and Bloc members pressing for details of what was achieved. Opposition members accused the Prime Minister of having promised a deal by July 21 and instead offering a trillion dollars in Canadian investment to the United States with nothing in return. Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon defended the mission, arguing that Canadians feel pride seeing their Prime Minister in the Oval Office defending Canadian interests. Specific sectors raised included softwood lumber—with tariffs set to increase from 35% to 45%—aluminum, and supply-managed agriculture.

Additional question period topics included the Canada Post labour dispute, where the Bloc Québécois accused the government of triggering a general strike through its reform announcement, oil and gas industry concerns about pipeline approvals, fisheries vessel recycling, and mental health funding. The sitting also saw statements marking the second anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, with multiple members from different parties commemorating the victims and condemning anti-Semitism. The adjournment proceedings covered public safety in Vaughan and housing affordability in Calgary.