Sitting 139 — June 18, 2026

The sitting was dominated by debate on Bill C-30, the Spring Economic Update 2026 Implementation Act, with the central political argument revolving around the government’s economic record versus Conservative accusations of a Liberal-induced recession. The government also passed a sweeping omnibus motion to dispose of several bills before adjourning for the summer.

Bill C-30, the spring economic update implementation act, was debated at length. The government argued it contained measures to help workers and families, including suspending the excise tax on fuel, capping the alcohol excise tax escalator at 2%, extending the grace period for RRSP withdrawals for first-time homebuyers, making permanent the capital gains exemption for employee ownership trusts, lowering CPP contributions, enhancing the labour mobility tax deduction, extending EI support for seasonal workers, and offering immediate expensing for greenhouses and other business investments. The Conservatives criticized the bill, arguing that the government had cut apprenticeship grants only to reintroduce similar programs, that rushing Red Seal training could compromise safety, and that the bill contained provisions to allow the minister to authorize pesticides rejected by Health Canada. The Bloc Québécois and Green Party also objected to the pesticide provisions and to the bill being an omnibus measure that prevented proper committee study. The NDP focused on what the bill omitted, such as stable funding for the Indian Residential School Survivors Society and support for migrant workers. The government used time allocation to limit debate, and the bill was ultimately passed.

The government House leader moved a motion, adopted on division, that deemed several bills passed or advanced. This included deeming the Senate amendment to Bill C-11 adopted, deeming Bill C-22 (lawful access) concurred in at report stage and read a third time and passed, deeming Bill C-27 (Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got’įnę self-government agreement) concurred in at report stage and read a third time and passed, deeming Bill C-29 (Financial Crimes Agency) read a second time and referred to committee, and deeming Bill S-227 (Arab Heritage Month Act) read a third time and passed. The NDP and Green Party recorded their opposition to Bill C-22. The motion also set the House schedule, including adjourning until September 21, 2026, and deeming the House to have sat on June 19.

Oral Questions were dominated by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre pressing the government on the economy, arguing Canada was the only G7 country in a recession with declining business investment and rising costs for groceries, gas, and housing. The government ministers responded by citing Canada as the second-fastest growing economy in the G7, pointing to investments in housing, skilled trades, and trade deals signed at the G7, and accusing the Conservatives of talking down the economy and voting against affordability measures. Other recurring themes included housing, where the government claimed rents were falling and housing starts were up, while the Conservatives cited CMHC data showing a decline in construction; public safety, where the Conservatives pressed on foreign interference and the murder of a police officer; and Indigenous affairs, where the Conservatives raised concerns about aboriginal title and private property rights.