The sitting was dominated by debate on Bill C-10, the Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation Act, and a lengthy question period focused on the Prime Minister’s alleged conflicts of interest with Brookfield Asset Management, the softwood lumber dispute, and the government’s new energy agreement with Alberta. The central political argument pitted the Conservatives, who opposed the bill as unnecessary bureaucracy, against the government and the NDP, who argued it was an indigenous-led accountability measure.
Bill C-10, the Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation Act, would create an independent officer of Parliament to monitor and report on how federal departments implement modern treaties. The Conservatives opposed the bill, arguing it would add a costly new layer of bureaucracy—$10.6 million over four years—that duplicates the existing work of the Auditor General, who has already documented the government’s failures. Conservative speakers, including Todd Doherty, Helena Konanz, and Tamara Jansen, said the real problem is a lack of ministerial accountability and political will, not a lack of oversight, and that no modern treaties have been concluded under the current government. The Bloc Québécois supported the bill in principle but criticized the 15‑day delay before the minister must table the commissioner’s reports in the House. The NDP’s Lori Idlout strongly supported the bill, noting it was co-developed with over 130 indigenous groups and would provide a mechanism to resolve disputes without resorting to the courts. The parliamentary secretary, Kevin Lamoureux, argued the bill is indigenous-led and accused the Conservatives of filibustering to prevent it from reaching committee.
Oral Questions was dominated by Conservative attacks on the Prime Minister’s ethics, centering on his former role as chair of Brookfield Asset Management. Conservatives alleged that the Prime Minister’s decisions—including an $80‑billion U.S. nuclear deal, a $500‑million contribution to the European Space Agency, and a carbon‑capture agreement with Alberta—directly enrich Brookfield, in which he holds shares. They also accused him of violating the Ethics Commissioner’s direction by meeting with a Brookfield executive. Government ministers repeatedly pivoted to the morning’s GDP report showing 2.6% quarterly growth, arguing the economy is strong and that the Conservatives are focused on conspiracy theories. A second major theme was the softwood lumber dispute; Conservatives demanded a trade deal and accused the Prime Minister of indifference after he said “Who cares?” when asked about trade talks. The government pointed to a new $500‑million support package for the industry. A third theme was the government’s memorandum of understanding with Alberta on pipelines and carbon capture; Conservatives demanded a firm construction date for a west‑coast pipeline, while the government said the MOU includes timelines and respects provincial and indigenous rights. The Bloc Québécois and NDP criticized the pipeline plan as a climate betrayal and for lacking the free, prior and informed consent of British Columbia first nations.