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Tuesday, November 4, 2025 · sitting No. 50
Commons debates citizenship bill to meet court deadline
The House devoted most of its time to debate on Bill C-3, which would amend the Citizenship Act to address a ruling by the Ontario Superior Court. Peter Fragiskatos said the bill would ensure citizenship law is equal and consistent with the Charter of Rights. Michelle Rempel Garner asked how the bill would address responsibilities of citizenship and why language and security requirements had been reduced.
Question period featured repeated exchanges on the budget tabled later in the day. Andrew Scheer and Gérard Deltell said every dollar spent would raise taxes and inflation while food costs rise. Steven MacKinnon and Wayne Long said the budget would make historic investments to build the strongest economy in the G7.
Decided that day
- First report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development passed
- Bill S-240 introduced
From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard
Question Period – November 4, 2025. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube
Who held the floor · 2025-11-04
AI-rated The sitting score and the rating of each answer come from a language model reading Hansard. How the AI rates this
Other moments
Points of Order
Jacob Mantle called on the Speaker to require the member for Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas to withdraw an earlier accusation that another member was a Russian asset.
Read the exchangeJustice
Frank Caputo said the Supreme Court ruling striking down a mandatory minimum sentence for child sexual abuse material offences puts the rights of victims second to those of offenders.
Read the exchangeClimate Change
Christine Normandin asked why the government is abandoning its two-billion-tree planting program and other environmental measures introduced under Justin Trudeau.
Read the exchangeInternational Trade
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe asked whether the government will support Bill C-251 to block imports made with forced labour from China.
Read the exchangeThe Environment
Heather McPherson said the government is allowing higher selenium pollution from coal mines despite earlier promises of new regulations.
Read the exchangeQuestion Period, exchange by exchange
AI-rated Each answer’s rating (answered, partly answered, deflected, answered something else) is a model’s reading of the exchange. How the AI rates this
- deflectedFinanceAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). substantive question.The answer promotes the upcoming budget's benefits without addressing the request for lower prices or reduced spending.
We look forward to having the Conservatives support this great budget.
- deflectedCarbon PricingAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). substantive question.The answer dismisses the carbon tax claim as imaginary and pivots to budget investments instead of addressing scrapping the industrial carbon tax.
Today's budget will not have any of these imaginary taxes in it either.
- deflectedCarbon PricingAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Julie Dabrusin (Liberal). substantive question.The answer shifts to defending clean fuel regulations as opportunities for farmers rather than addressing the request to scrap fuel standards.
If members want to talk about clean fuel regulations, they do not even have to take my word for the fact that they are not taxed.
- deflectedThe EconomyGérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). substantive question.The answer highlights positive budget features without responding to the call for an affordable budget instead of deficits and sacrifices.
today is a great day for the member opposite because we will have an affordable budget that protects the most vulnerable
- deflectedThe EconomyGérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Anna Gainey (Liberal). substantive question.The answer promotes budget investments without addressing the record on food inflation or the request for affordability measures.
the affordable budget includes historic investments to strengthen Canada, strengthen families and help Canadians across the country.
- deflectedCarbon PricingGérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Julie Dabrusin (Liberal). substantive question.The answer labels the tax imaginary and pivots to general budget support without addressing scrapping the industrial carbon tax.
what I would like to say is that there are always those who talk about imaginary taxes, and that is exactly what they are—imaginary.
- misdirectedClimate ChangeChristine Normandin (Bloc) asked Tim Hodgson (Liberal). substantive question.The answer ignores the tree-planting program cancellation and instead promotes unrelated budget goals.
our budget today will seize a generational opportunity to transform our economy through ambitious investments and rigorous discipline
- deflectedClimate ChangeChristine Normandin (Bloc) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). substantive question.The answer avoids confirming belief in climate change or addressing policy rollbacks and instead emphasizes forward investment.
I can confirm that we will maintain Canada's climate change leadership on the world stage.
- deflectedClimate ChangePatrick Bonin (Bloc) asked Julie Dabrusin (Liberal). loaded question.Answer avoids the specific claim about scrapping tree planting and the loaded framing of the policy name.
Our government is also going to keep building this country because that is what Canadians want to see.
- deflectedThe EconomyMichael Barrett (Conservative) asked Wayne Long (Liberal). loaded question.Answer ignores the question on the food packaging tax and pivots to general budget praise.
Today, our government will table a generational, disciplined budget.
- misdirectedThe EconomyMichael Barrett (Conservative) asked Wayne Long (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks the opposition and their leader instead of addressing the carbon tax or packaging tax question.
They chose our Prime Minister . They rejected that leader .
- deflectedThe EconomyRaquel Dancho (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). loaded question.Answer denies the tax exists but does not engage with the cost or policy details raised.
There is no tax on food packaging in Canada.
- deflectedThe EconomyRaquel Dancho (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). loaded question.Answer repeats denial of taxes without addressing the claimed cost increases or policy substance.
there is no food packaging tax.
- deflectedCarbon PricingRhonda Kirkland (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). loaded question.Answer sidesteps the fuel regulations tax question entirely and shifts to general investment rhetoric.
We are going to invest in their futures.
- deflectedThe EconomyLuc Berthold (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). loaded question.Answer denies the packaging tax without engaging the cost or affordability argument.
Canadians know that there is no tax on packaging, that the taxes described by the member do not exist.
- deflectedCarbon PricingLuc Berthold (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). loaded question.Answer pivots to tax cuts and budget benefits instead of addressing the industrial carbon tax question.
Our point is that he is not only talking about imaginary taxes, but he is also failing to mention that we have lowered taxes.
- deflectedInternational TradeSimon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay (Bloc) asked Anita Anand (Liberal). substantive question.The answer avoids any commitment on supporting the bill and shifts to general statements on human rights and trade.
We will also continue to invest in our economy and maintain the bilateral relationships that are necessary for our country throughout the world.
- deflectedInternational TradeAlexis Brunelle-Duceppe (Bloc) asked Anita Anand (Liberal). substantive question.The answer expresses concern but sidesteps the direct yes-or-no request on supporting the bill.
Canada will continue to work with its international partners to address this situation.
- misdirectedThe EconomySandra Cobena (Conservative) asked Anna Gainey (Liberal). loaded question.The answer promotes the budget instead of addressing the specific claim that it mortgages youth futures with more debt.
This means strong families and strong communities from coast to coast to coast, and investments that will create good-quality jobs and careers for young Canadians
- partly answeredThe EconomySandra Cobena (Conservative) asked Gregor Robertson (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly counters the affordability claims with data on rents and rates but does not address the youth unemployment statistic.
If we look across the country right now, average rents are down, mortgage rates are down and home prices are going down.
- misdirectedThe EconomyVincent Ho (Conservative) asked John Zerucelli (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to praising infrastructure jobs and challenges the opposition to vote rather than addressing the sacrifices or unemployment figures.
If the Conservatives want an affordable budget for an affordable life, they have the opportunity to vote for one today.
- misdirectedThe EconomyVincent Ho (Conservative) asked John Zerucelli (Liberal). loaded question.The answer lists past votes against programs instead of responding to the call to control spending and reduce food insecurity.
They voted against dental care. They voted against the national school food program, which they called "garbage".
- partly answeredThe EconomyJonathan Rowe (Conservative) asked Joanne Thompson (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses training programs for young workers but ignores the questions on overspending and food insecurity.
I am so proud to stand today, in reference to the question from the opposition member from Newfoundland and Labrador, and talk about the measures we are putting in place for young workers to train in construction, welding and the other work we need in order to build Canada strong.
- deflectedThe EconomyJohn Barlow (Conservative) asked Julie Dabrusin (Liberal). substantive question.The answer denies the tax claim but pivots to promoting the upcoming budget without addressing food inflation or the carbon tax.
We are going to be tabling a budget today. It is is going to support Canadians.
- deflectedThe EconomyJohn Barlow (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). loaded question.Answer denies premise of taxes on food without addressing the request to scrap them.
There is no tax on food packaging.
- deflectedThe EconomyArpan Khanna (Conservative) asked Mandy Gull-Masty (Liberal). loaded question.Answer pivots to praising budget and indigenous programs instead of addressing deficits or tabling an affordable budget.
My colleagues today have the chance to protect the very futures they speak about, including those of the young indigenous children
- misdirectedThe EconomyArpan Khanna (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks opposition for delaying Bill C-4 rather than addressing the question on deficits and affordable budget.
The Conservatives play games, use procedures and talk around things to delay and delay affordability measures
- misdirectedFinanceJason Groleau (Conservative) asked Joël Lightbound (Liberal). loaded question.Answer mocks the asker for reciting opposition lines and urges ambition instead of addressing the deficit question.
My colleague recites them very well.
- misdirectedFinanceJason Groleau (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). loaded question.Answer blames opposition for delaying Bill C-4 instead of addressing the record deficit or affordable budget request.
The member opposite should rise and stop delaying a bill that offers affordability to all of Canada.
- partly answeredJusticeFrank Caputo (Conservative) asked Ruby Sahota (Liberal). loaded question.Answer begins to address penalties for child abusers but cuts off without explaining why notwithstanding clause is ruled out.
Child abusers should face the toughest penalties under Canadian law.
- deflectedJusticeFrank Caputo (Conservative) asked Ruby Sahota (Liberal). loaded question.Answer shifts to past legislation Conservatives did not support instead of outlining plan for sex offenders after ruling out notwithstanding clause.
We brought the lawful access provision so that pedophiles could be caught, but the Conservatives did not support it.
- deflectedJusticePierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Ruby Sahota (Liberal). loaded question.Answer emphasizes protecting children and new legislation but avoids addressing why notwithstanding clause is not used or prioritizing offender rights.
We brought forward tougher sentences for child offenders.
- deflectedThe EconomyBrad Vis (Conservative) asked Gregor Robertson (Liberal). loaded question.The answer promotes their housing plan and attacks the opposition's record rather than addressing the executive bonuses mentioned.
However, they have voted against every affordable housing measure for 10 years now.
- deflectedThe EconomyAmanpreet Gill (Conservative) asked Wayne Long (Liberal). loaded question.Responds by highlighting their own measures and dismissing the question as rhetoric without addressing the contract overrun.
The other side continues with the rhetoric and same old slogans.
- deflectedThe EconomyHelena Konanz (Conservative) asked Wayne Long (Liberal). loaded question.Focuses on their tax cuts and accuses opposition of using the same rhetoric instead of addressing consultants spending.
The other side has handed one sheet of paper around all question period using the same old rhetoric.
- answeredJusticeTodd Doherty (Conservative) asked Sean Fraser (Liberal). substantive question.The answer provides information on new legislation that addresses protections for first responders.
The government has just tabled legislation, Bill C-14 , that includes protections for first responders by adding aggravating factors to the sentences
- deflectedThe EnvironmentHeather McPherson (NDP) asked Julie Dabrusin (Liberal). loaded question.The response gives a broad commitment to environment without addressing the specific failure on selenium regulations or the increase in pollutants.
we are going to continue to fight for clean air and clean waters for our next generations to come.
- partly answeredTaxationGord Johns (NDP) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). substantive question.Addresses affordability through competition measures in the budget but does not directly respond to the call for an excess profit tax.
that is why we believe in competition.