The sitting was dominated by debate on Bill S-2, which would amend the Indian Act to restore registration entitlements, and by a sharp partisan clash over the state of the Canadian economy, with the Conservatives citing new GDP data to argue the government had delivered the weakest growth in the G7.
Government Orders began with second reading of Bill S-2, introduced by the Minister of Indigenous Services. The bill would restore Indian Act registration to approximately 3,500 individuals and their descendants who lost or gave up status through enfranchisement, remove outdated language, and make it easier for individuals, particularly women, to reaffiliate with their natal band. The minister said the bill does not address the second-generation cut-off rule, which she argued requires a separate, community-led consultation process. The NDP, through the member for Nunavut, supported Senate amendments that would also eliminate the second-generation cut-off, accusing the government of delay. The Conservative member for Edmonton Northwest said his party would support the Senate amendments and end the second-generation cut-off now, arguing that further consultation was a delay tactic and that first nations had already been consulted for decades. The Bloc Québécois supported the bill but called it a timid step that should lead to a deeper overhaul of the Indian Act. The Green Party also pressed for inclusion of the Senate amendments. The government argued that imposing a solution without community consensus would repeat past wrongs. The bill was later carried on division at second reading.
Oral Questions was dominated by the economy. The Conservatives repeatedly cited Statistics Canada data showing Canada’s GDP shrank in the fourth quarter of 2025, making it the only G7 economy to contract, and argued that Liberal policies of high taxes, inflation, and red tape had stalled growth and driven up child poverty for a third consecutive year. The government responded by pointing to job creation, rising foreign direct investment, and exports to new markets, and accused the Conservatives of talking down Canada and opposing social programs like the national school food program and affordable child care that help families. A second major theme was the Cúram software system for Old Age Security benefits, with the Conservatives alleging cost overruns and delays affecting tens of thousands of seniors. The government denied cost overruns, said the project was on track and delivering benefits to 7.7 million seniors, and noted the system was a necessary modernization of a 60-year-old program. Other questions touched on trade, marine transportation, health, fisheries, financial institutions, public safety, labour, and housing.
In Routine Proceedings, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health tabled amendments to the International Health Regulations. The chair of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts presented three reports. Several petitions were presented on crime, pay equity, religious freedom, and fisheries. All questions on the Order Paper were allowed to stand. Private Members’ Business saw second reading debate on Bill C-221, which would amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act to require that victims receive an explanation of how an offender’s eligibility and review dates for temporary absences, release, or parole are determined. All parties spoke in favour, and the bill was carried on division.