The sitting was dominated by debate on Bill C-25, the Strong and Free Elections Act, with the central political argument revolving around the government's fiscal record, trade negotiations with the United States, and the cost of living. Government Orders consumed the bulk of the day with 67 speeches on the elections bill, while Oral Questions focused heavily on the economy, tariffs, and government spending.
The Strong and Free Elections Act (Bill C-25) proposes amendments to the Canada Elections Act to address the "longest ballot committee" by allowing voters to sign only one nomination form and requiring each candidate to have a unique official agent per riding. It also extends foreign interference provisions to nomination and leadership contests, bans anonymous contributions via cryptocurrency and prepaid cards, and creates new offences for deepfakes intended to mislead voters. The Liberals argued the bill is needed to protect electoral integrity from AI-driven disinformation and frivolous candidates. The Conservatives supported sending the bill to committee but raised concerns about the size of proposed monetary penalties (up to $25,000 for individuals) and the need for further scrutiny of the commissioner's new enforcement powers. The Bloc Québécois supported the bill in principle but opposed the single-nomination-signature rule, arguing it could compromise ballot secrecy and limit voter choice, and called for restoring public party financing with lower donation caps. The Green Party also raised the issue of per-vote public financing. The government indicated openness to amendments at committee.
Oral Questions were dominated by Conservative attacks on the government's fiscal record, with repeated claims that the Prime Minister had doubled the deficit and that debt interest costs exceeded health transfers. The government responded by citing International Monetary Fund data showing Canada has the strongest fiscal position in the G7 and the second-fastest growth. A second major theme was U.S. tariffs, with Conservatives accusing the government of delaying trade negotiations while jobs were lost in auto, steel, and lumber sectors. The government replied that it would not settle for a bad deal and highlighted trade diversification efforts, including a 17% increase in non-U.S. exports. Other recurring topics included ethics (the Prime Minister's assets), health spending on failed asylum claimants, and the PrescribeIT software cancellation. The NDP raised the exclusion of the United Steelworkers from the CUSMA advisory council.
During Routine Proceedings, the government tabled responses to 24 petitions and a treaty with the Philippines on the transfer of sentenced persons. Petitions were presented on medical assistance in dying, cuts to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research facilities, the Alto high-speed rail project, religious freedom exemptions in hate speech law, and toxic herbicide contamination at Camp Gagetown. The government House leader gave notice of a closure motion on Government Business No. 9 (changes to Standing Orders) for the next sitting. In Private Members' Business, Bill S-226, the Jury Duty Appreciation Week Act, was debated at second reading; the bill would designate the second week of May each year to recognize jurors. All parties expressed support, with the Bloc emphasizing that the bill must remain purely symbolic and not infringe on provincial jurisdiction over the administration of justice. The bill was later passed on division.