Sitting 46 — October 29, 2025

The sitting opened with statements marking the 30th anniversary of the 1995 Quebec referendum, with Bloc Québécois members commemorating the near-sovereignty vote while government members emphasized the strength of federalism. The dominant legislative item was second reading debate on Bill C-14, the bail and sentencing reform act, with Justice Minister Sean Fraser leading off by emphasizing that Canadians expect the criminal law to keep pace with community experience and that repeat violent offenders should not be routinely released. The minister faced sustained questioning from Conservative justice critic Larry Brock on sentencing provisions and from the Bloc on judicial discretion, while the Green Party's Elizabeth May raised concerns about the absence of standardized data collection on bail outcomes.

Question period featured a direct exchange between Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre and Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon on the budget and the cost of living. Poilievre cited the Food Banks Canada report showing a doubling of food bank usage since 2019 and pressed for an affordable budget, while MacKinnon framed the choice as between supporting the government's plan or triggering a Christmas election. The Bloc Québécois pressed for negotiations on their demands including health transfers and seniors' benefits, with the government characterizing the Bloc's $36 billion in demands as excessive. Forest industry questions featured prominently as members from Quebec ridings highlighted that 55% tariffs threatened thousands of jobs, and the Industry Minister committed to standing with the sector while acknowledging the limits of what Canada could control in U.S. trade policy.

Private members' business saw debate on Bill C-227, a national strategy on housing for young Canadians, with the sponsor arguing that young Canadians aged 18 to 34 faced unique barriers to home ownership that required a coordinated federal approach. Conservatives countered that the government's existing housing programs had failed to deliver results, noting that housing costs had doubled under the Liberal government. The sitting also included routine proceedings with numerous petitions, committee reports, and the introduction of Bill C-253, a private member's bill to develop a national framework for a guaranteed livable basic income. The adjournment proceedings covered the Canada Revenue Agency's service standards, public services and procurement, and public safety, with members continuing to press for answers on bail reform timelines.