The sitting was dominated by debate on Bill C-11, the military justice system modernization act, and by Opposition attacks on the Prime Minister’s trade negotiations with the United States, centred on the claim that he promised $1 trillion in Canadian investment to Washington without securing tariff relief.
Bill C-11, the military justice system modernization act, would remove the Canadian Armed Forces’ jurisdiction over Criminal Code sexual offences committed in Canada, giving civilian authorities exclusive investigative and prosecutorial authority. It would also establish a victim liaison officer, strengthen the independence of key military justice appointments by moving them to Governor in Council, and align military law with Criminal Code updates. All parties supported the bill in principle. Conservatives and the Bloc Québécois criticized the government for taking a decade to act on the Deschamps, Fish and Arbour reports, and both raised concerns about the civilian courts’ capacity and the risk of political interference in appointments. The NDP supported the bill but flagged gaps in coverage for offences abroad and in the reserves, and questioned whether the victim liaison officer should be appointed outside the chain of command. The government argued the bill codifies a practice already in place and is the final outstanding Arbour recommendation. No amendments were moved at this stage.
Oral Questions focused overwhelmingly on the Prime Minister’s meeting with the U.S. President and the state of Canada-U.S. trade. The Opposition repeatedly asserted that the Prime Minister had promised $1 trillion in Canadian private-sector investment to the United States without securing an end to tariffs on softwood lumber, finished automobiles or other goods, and that this had already cost 86,000 Canadian jobs. The government replied that Canada already has the best trade deal in the world, that the auto tariff is lower than any other country’s, and that negotiations on steel, aluminum, energy and autos continue. A secondary theme was the government’s fiscal record, with Conservatives accusing it of broken promises on spending and deficits; ministers countered that a disciplined budget would be tabled on November 4 and that taxes had been cut for 22 million Canadians.
In Routine Proceedings, Bill S-210, An Act respecting Ukrainian Heritage Month, was introduced and read the first time without debate. Several petitions were presented on public safety, study permits, immigration delays, justice, social media age restrictions, postal codes, electoral reform and ballot length. All questions on the Order Paper and notices of motions for papers were allowed to stand. No other procedural motions or votes occurred.
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