Sitting 104 — April 16, 2026
45-1 · 294 speeches · 68,915 words · most frequent word: “elections”
Strong and Free Elections Act·Taxation·PetitionsTopic cloud
Summary
The government introduced second reading of Bill C-25, the Strong and Free Elections Act, which proposes amendments to the Canada Elections Act including measures to close foreign funding loopholes, address long-ballot protest tactics, and change certain electoral district names. Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon emphasized the collaborative development of the bill and welcomed Conservative and Bloc suggestions. Conservative MP Michael Cooper acknowledged several welcome provisions but flagged concerns about the threshold for third-party reporting. Bloc members raised issues about political party financing rules. The bill also includes a provision to rename the riding of Richmond—Arthabaska to Richmond—Arthabaska—Val-des-Sources, which generated a detailed historical discussion from Conservative MP Eric Lefebvre. Private Members' Business saw debate on Bill C-238, regarding criminal restitution orders for community organizations.
Question Period covered a wide range of topics, with Conservatives hammering the government on the widening wealth gap and Statistics Canada data showing the richest controlling two-thirds of net worth. Energy Minister Tim Hodgson pointed to the 28-cent-per-litre reduction in gas taxes since the government took office. The U.S. trade situation remained prominent, with Bloc MP Christine Normandin noting the White House had changed its tariff calculation methodology to apply duties to the full value of products rather than only the value added, threatening Quebec's aluminum and steel processing sector. The Cowichan Tribes land claim decision and the Musqueam agreement in British Columbia generated multiple questions about private property rights, with Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Rebecca Alty confirming the government was appealing the Cowichan ruling while assuring that homeowners could still buy, sell, and inherit their properties. The ethics committee filibuster over the Finance Minister's role in the Alto high-speed rail project also featured prominently.
AI-generated summary (claude-sonnet-4-5 (via coding harness subagent, 2026-07-17)) — may contain errors; verify against the official Hansard.
Topics
- Routine Proceedings
- Committees of the House1 speech
- Petitions17 speeches
- Questions on the Order Paper2 speeches
- Government Orders
- Strong and Free Elections Act152 speeches
- Statements by Members
- Shipping in Hamilton1 speech
- Industry1 speech
- Immigration1 speech
- Franco-Ontarian Women's Contributions1 speech
- Hon. Member for La Prairie—Atateken1 speech
- Lac‑Mégantic Sauro1 speech
- Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms1 speech
- Retirement Congratulations1 speech
- Hockey Playoffs1 speech
- Organ and Tissue Donation1 speech
- Sergei Magnitsky Legislation1 speech
- National Dental Hygienists Week1 speech
- The Economy1 speech
- Outstanding Orléans Residents1 speech
- Fuel Taxes1 speech
- Human Rights1 speech
- Oral Questions
- Taxation26 speeches
- The Economy12 speeches
- International Trade10 speeches
- News Media Industry4 speeches
- Canada Revenue Agency4 speeches
- Fisheries and Oceans2 speeches
- Small Business10 speeches
- Infrastructure2 speeches
- Ethics6 speeches
- Labour2 speeches
- Foreign Affairs2 speeches
- The Environment2 speeches
- Grocery Industry2 speeches
- Points of Order2 speeches
- Business of the House2 speeches
- Private Members' Business
- Criminal Code6 speeches
- Adjournment Proceedings
- Fisheries and Oceans4 speeches
- Mental Health and Addictions4 speeches
- Justice4 speeches
Bills debated
- C-25Strong and Free Elections Act40 mentions
- C-238An Act to amend the Criminal Code (restitution orders)6 mentions
- C-22Lawful Access Act, 20265 mentions
- C-9Combatting Hate Act2 mentions
- C-11Military Justice System Modernization Act1 mention
- C-18Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation Act1 mention
- C-218An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying)1 mention
- C-261An Act to amend the Old Age Security Act (amount of full pension)1 mention
- C-4Making Life More Affordable for Canadians Act1 mention
- C-219Sergei Magnitsky International Anti-Corruption and Human Rights Act1 mention
- C-10Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation Act1 mention
- C-21Red River Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Treaty Act1 mention
- C-12Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act1 mention
Top speakers
| Member | Party | Speeches | Words |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steven MacKinnon | Liberal | 16 | 4,275 |
| Eric Duncan | Conservative | 6 | 4,128 |
| Blaine Calkins | Conservative | 6 | 4,084 |
| Brad Vis | Conservative | 13 | 3,699 |
| Christine Normandin | Bloc | 8 | 3,632 |
| Michael Cooper | Conservative | 14 | 3,394 |
| Tako Van Popta | Conservative | 5 | 3,015 |
| Grant Jackson | Conservative | 5 | 1,998 |
| Julie Dzerowicz | Liberal | 6 | 1,810 |
| Arielle Kayabaga | Liberal | 5 | 1,761 |