Sitting 117 — May 5, 2026

A Bloc Québécois opposition motion on measures to support the manufacturing sector dominated the sitting. The motion condemned the new U.S. tariffs effective April 6, 2026, and called for wage subsidies and direct support for affected businesses rather than loans. Bloc MP Gabriel Ste-Marie argued that the government's $1.5-billion loan-based support package was insufficient for SMEs facing immediate survival threats. Liberal parliamentary secretaries Rachel Bendayan and Karina Gould defended the government's response, citing the $1-billion and $500-million programs for steel, aluminum, and copper industries, while noting consultations with Quebec business leaders. Conservative MPs supported the motion in spirit but directed their criticism at what they characterized as the government's failure to resolve the tariff dispute with the U.S. after a year in office.

Question period opened with a sharp exchange between Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and Prime Minister Mark Carney. Poilievre challenged the government on immigration after revelations that an IRGC-linked individual received an entry permit, and on property rights following the Cowichan decision. The Prime Minister announced the appointment of Louise Arbour as the next Governor General and stated that IRGC officials are inadmissible to Canada. Gas prices and the government's fuel excise cut remained contentious, with Conservatives noting that oil was also $100 per barrel in 2014 when pump prices were 50 cents lower. The Bloc Québécois pressed the government on the Alto high-speed rail project's impact on Quebec farmland and the Cúram software cost overruns now estimated at $7 billion. The NDP raised Alberta's private health care legislation and its potential violation of the Canada Health Act.

Legislative business included recorded votes on Bill C-11, the Military Justice System Modernization Act moving through report stage, and second reading debate on Bill C-268 (Spectrum Policy Framework for Canada Act), a private member's bill from Marianne Dandurand (Lib.) to improve rural cellular connectivity by mapping coverage gaps. The adjournment proceedings covered finance, public services (the Cúram system delays for seniors), and health care, with NDP MP Gord Johns challenging the government on Alberta's two-tier health care expansion.