The sitting was dominated by a Conservative opposition motion linking rising extortion rates to Liberal immigration and criminal justice policies, with the Conservatives demanding that non-citizens convicted of or charged with serious crimes be barred from making refugee claims and that two Liberal bills be repealed. The government countered that its own legislative package already addresses the issue and accused the Conservatives of obstructing its passage.
The main item of Government Orders business was the opposition motion on serious crimes and refugee claims, moved by Michelle Rempel Garner (CPC). The motion cited a 330% rise in extortion since 2015 and called on the government to bar non-citizens convicted of or facing proceedings for serious crimes from making refugee claims, end lenient sentencing to avoid deportation, and repeal Bills C-5 and C-75. Conservatives argued that Liberal laws created a revolving-door justice system and that criminals were exploiting asylum claims to delay removal. The Bloc Québécois opposed the motion, arguing it would violate the Charter and international obligations, and would bar political prisoners like Raif Badawi. The Liberal government opposed it, arguing that Bill C-12, already before the Senate, would make such claimants ineligible, and that the motion was moot. The NDP did not speak to the motion. A recorded division was requested.
During Oral Questions, the recurring themes were the economy, public safety, and the automotive industry. On the economy, Conservatives pressed the Prime Minister on Canada having the highest food inflation in the G7 and rising bankruptcies; the government cited tax cuts and the groceries benefit. On public safety, Conservatives demanded support for their motion to bar non-citizen criminals from refugee claims; the government replied that Bill C-12 already addresses this and that the Conservatives are blocking Bill C-2 on lawful access. On the automotive industry, Conservatives criticized a $2.3-billion subsidy for electric vehicles, arguing it would subsidize American-made cars during a trade war; the government defended it as an investment in the future of the sector.
In Routine Proceedings, the Standing Committee on International Trade reported Bill C-13 back with an amendment. Multiple petitions were presented on Syria, religious freedom (opposing an amendment to Bill C-9), medical assistance in dying (supporting Bill C-218), Falun Gong, celiac disease, democratic institutions (foreign media ownership), and firearms. All Questions on the Order Paper were allowed to stand. During Statements by Members, members spoke on a variety of topics including Kindness Week, a chamber of commerce, minor league hockey, fatherhood, the death of an artist, Iran, the Canadian Coast Guard, Syria, Jimmy Lai, Agriculture Day, cardiovascular disease, the automotive industry, the death of a community leader, public safety, and a human rights advocate. A point of order was raised by Elizabeth May (GP) arguing that Bill C-2 could not proceed because it is substantially the same as Bill C-12, which has already been adopted; the parliamentary secretary responded that his request for unanimous consent was to send Bill C-2 to committee, not to pass it. Private Members' Business saw debate on Bill S-227, the Arab Heritage Month Act, which was supported by all speakers and passed on division. During Adjournment Proceedings, the NDP pressed for renewal of the Pacific salmon strategy initiative, and a Conservative member raised food inflation and the cost of living.