Sitting 48 — October 31, 2025

The sitting featured continued debate on Bill C-3, the Citizenship Act amendments, with Conservatives raising concerns about the potential scale of new citizenship grants—estimated by the Parliamentary Budget Officer at approximately 150,000 individuals—and the absence of adequate security screening and language requirements. Government members defended the legislation as necessary to comply with a court ruling and correct an injustice affecting children born abroad to Canadian parents, while emphasizing the substantial connection test requiring 1,095 days of residence. The debate took on a seasonal tone with multiple members marking Halloween and expressing support for the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series.

Question period saw the opposition press the government on the forthcoming budget, with Conservatives repeatedly invoking the 2.2 million food bank visits reported by Food Banks Canada and accusing the government of fueling inflation through deficit spending. The government countered by pointing to its affordability measures including the national school food program, tax cuts, and dental care, and challenged the opposition to support the budget rather than force a Christmas election. Trade issues featured prominently, with questions on softwood lumber tariffs—which had risen from 14% to 45% since the Prime Minister took office—and the broader Canada-U.S. trade dispute. The Bloc Québécois pressed for specific concessions in the budget, including increased health transfers and support for seniors, while the government characterized the Bloc's position as presenting non-negotiable demands.

Private members' business focused on Bill C-243, Brian's law, which would amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act to extend the period between parole reviews for those convicted of first- or second-degree murder from two years to five years. The member for Edmonton Griesbach introduced the bill with emotional testimony about victims' families who must repeatedly relive their trauma at parole hearings. Members from all parties spoke with notable collegiality and respect, acknowledging the difficult nature of the subject matter. The bill drew support across the aisle while the parliamentary secretary for public safety noted the government's need to balance victims' interests with legal principles.