The sitting was dominated by debate on Bill C-3, the government’s citizenship-by-descent legislation, and a concurrence motion on an ethics committee report. The central political argument pitted the government and the NDP against the Conservatives and the Bloc Québécois over whether the bill should include language, knowledge and security requirements for applicants, and whether the House should spend time on ethics rather than government bills.
Bill C-3, which would extend citizenship by descent beyond the first generation and require a Canadian parent to show 1,095 cumulative days of physical presence in Canada, was the main Government Orders item. The government argued the bill corrects a historic injustice and complies with a court ruling, and that imposing naturalization-style tests on citizenship by descent would create two classes of Canadians. The Conservatives and the Bloc countered that the bill would create “Canadians of convenience” and devalue citizenship. At committee, the Conservatives and the Bloc passed amendments requiring the 1,095 days to be within a five-year window, and adding language proficiency, a citizenship knowledge test and a security screening for applicants over 18. The government signalled it would seek to reverse those amendments at report stage, arguing they conflate citizenship by descent with immigration. The NDP supported the government’s position. No vote was taken on the bill during this sitting.
Oral Questions was dominated by the release of the Food Banks Canada “HungerCount 2025” report, which showed 2.2 million food bank visits in a single month. The Conservatives repeatedly accused the government of driving Canadians to food banks through inflationary deficits and hidden taxes on food, including the industrial carbon tax and packaging regulations. The government replied that food inflation is a global phenomenon, that there is no tax on groceries, and that it is investing in programs such as the national school food program, dental care and affordable housing, which the Conservatives have voted against. The exchange was repetitive, with no new policy announcement beyond the government’s standard defence of its affordability measures.
Routine Proceedings included the presentation of four petitions on public safety, youth employment, human rights in North Korea and medical assistance in dying. The main procedural action was a concurrence motion moved by John Brassard (CPC) on the third report of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics, which calls for a review of the Conflict of Interest Act. Michael Barrett (CPC) moved an amendment to recommit the report to committee with an order for the Clerk of the Privy Council, the Prime Minister’s chief of staff and the CEO of Brookfield Asset Management to appear as witnesses. The government opposed the debate, arguing it was delaying Bill C-3, bail reform and the budget. The Bloc supported the amendment, saying the review is required every five years and that the Prime Minister’s extensive corporate holdings raise unprecedented questions. No vote was taken on the motion or the amendment during this sitting.