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Monday, January 26, 2026 · sitting No. 73

Commons advances bill on victim protection amid economy clashes

The House spent nearly half the day on second reading of Bill C-16, the Protecting Victims Act, which amends criminal and correctional laws on child protection, gender-based violence and court delays. Minister Sean Fraser opened debate and said the bill resulted from consultations with national organizations and opposition parties. Bloc Québécois MP Yves Perron supported the measures on delays and new recruitment offences while calling for committee scrutiny.

Question Period focused on food inflation, the highest in the G7 at 6.2 per cent. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Liberal deficits and taxes caused the rise and pressed the government to cancel them. Liberal ministers defended a new groceries and essentials benefit that will deliver up to $1,890 to a family of four this year.

From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard

Question Period – January 26, 2026. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube

Who held the floor · 2026-01-26

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 45%, opposition 55% of the words spokenPrivate membersGovernment businessQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 11:0512:0013:0014:0015:0016:0017:00Last speech 18:30Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 7 h 25 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
26Another sitting that went nowhereThe sitting focused on extended debate over the Protecting Victims Act and the economy with almost no procedural interruptions. No votes were held and no legislation advanced despite high time spent on substantive topics.AI-rated Score out of 100; the verdict and the answer ratings behind it are a model’s reading. How the AI rates this

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

Protecting Victims Act

Conservative MP Frank Caputo asked why Bill C-16 addresses extortion only as an aggravating factor rather than restoring mandatory minimums removed in Bill C-5. Minister Sean Fraser replied that extortion with a firearm already carries a mandatory minimum.

Read the exchange

Canadian Identity and Culture

Bloc Québécois MP Christine Normandin accused the Prime Minister of rewriting history by calling the Battle of the Plains of Abraham the start of a great partnership. Government House leader Steven MacKinnon replied that mutual respect between anglophones and francophones built the best country in the world.

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Forestry Industry

Conservative MP Aaron Gunn said recent mill closures on Vancouver Island show the government is failing forestry workers despite its promises. Liberal MP Corey Hogan said the government has announced $2.5 billion in supports and invited opposition ideas.

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Internal Trade

Conservative MP James Bezan asked the government to defend Manitoba jobs after Ontario threatened to remove Crown Royal from its stores. Minister Dominic LeBlanc said federal barriers have been removed and premiers will discuss remaining provincial barriers this week.

Read the exchange

Question 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

  1. deflected
    The EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.Answer promotes a new benefit and challenges opposition support instead of addressing deficits or taxes.Will the Conservatives support it?
  2. misdirected
    The EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). loaded question.Answer shifts to wishing opposition leader well on leadership and asks for a vote date on unrelated bill.Can the Leader of the Opposition give us a date when we can proceed to a third reading vote on the act implementing—
  3. misdirected
    The EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). loaded question.Answer again focuses on opposition leadership and demands a vote date on Bill C-15 rather than inflation causes.Can he give us a date, just a date, in the next words out of his mouth, as to when we can have third reading on the BIA?
  4. deflected
    The EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.Answer highlights the benefit and questions opposition support while acknowledging the asker's challenging week.
  5. deflected
    The EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). loaded question.Answer defends the benefit and references a specific MP's story to pressure a vote rather than tackling taxes or deficits.Is he going to vote against Enide's desire to have more money to buy groceries?
  6. deflected
    The EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.Answer quotes opposition letter and promotes the benefit while questioning the leader's word on support.Will he stand up in the House? Will he be good for his word and support the 12 million Canadians who are expecting the government and the House to support them?
  7. deflected
    Canadian Identity and CultureChristine Normandin (Bloc) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). loaded question.Answer praises mutual respect and Canadian achievements instead of engaging with historical interpretation of the Prime Minister.We will continue to work on the issues that concern Quebeckers, namely, affordability, job creation and building prosperity together.
  8. deflected
    Canadian Identity and CultureChristine Normandin (Bloc) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). loaded question.Answer highlights personal background and Canadian bilingualism rather than addressing the historical claims.Mutual respect between anglophones and francophones makes this the best country in the world. Long live Canada.
  9. deflected
    Canadian Identity and CultureChristine Normandin (Bloc) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the history question entirely and pivots to future priorities and affordability.The Canadians and Quebeckers watching at home would rather talk about the future.
  10. deflected
    TaxationAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Wayne Long (Liberal). loaded question.The answer promotes the benefit and attacks obstruction instead of addressing the call to scrap taxes.It is time for Canadians to tell Conservatives to stop the obstruction.
  11. deflected
    TaxationAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Corey Hogan (Liberal). loaded question.The answer recycles talking points about environment and growth while ignoring the specific tax and inflation critique.Canadians know that the environment, economy, trade and reconciliation are all related.
  12. deflected
    The EconomyJasraj Hallan (Conservative) asked Heath MacDonald (Liberal). loaded question.The answer focuses on the benefit's impact without engaging the demand to introduce measures immediately.By taking action now, we are helping families manage essential costs, improving affordability and strengthening a more resilient food system.
  13. deflected
    The EconomyJasraj Hallan (Conservative) asked Evan Solomon (Liberal). loaded question.The answer promotes the benefit and labels the opposition as the party of no rather than addressing policy reversal.Why does the party of no not support Canadians and start saying yes as well?
  14. misdirected
    The EconomyMichael Barrett (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). substantive question.The answer turns to promoting the budget implementation act and asks for a date instead of addressing support for the sovereignty act.Can the member give us a date, just a date, when we will have third reading and pass the Prime Minister 's plan for prosperity in Canada?
  15. deflected
    The EconomyPierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Nathalie Provost (Liberal). substantive question.The answer highlights the benefit's purchasing power boost without addressing the request for a bill to reduce grocery costs.Today, more than 12 million Canadians will see an increase in their purchasing power.
  16. deflected
    The EconomyPierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Mandy Gull-Masty (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses family support measures and cuts off without engaging the motion or tax credit proposal.I ask them to work with us and give—
  17. misdirected
    Canadian Identity and CultureMartin Champoux (Bloc) asked Marc Miller (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks the Bloc and changes subject instead of addressing the historical question.I would like to begin by wishing a happy new year to the members of the Bloc Québécois, that is, the federal militant wing of the Parti Québécois.
  18. deflected
    Canadian Identity and CultureMartin Champoux (Bloc) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). loaded question.Answer shifts to unrelated economic priorities without engaging the history claim.Quebeckers are telling us loud and clear to focus on affordability, end-of-month needs, rent, housing and protecting our industries
  19. misdirected
    TaxationCarol Anstey (Conservative) asked Joanne Thompson (Liberal). substantive question.Answer promotes a benefit and urges the member to stop obstruction rather than addressing the carbon tax question.Her constituents are telling me they want action. She should stop the obstruction and work for the people.
  20. deflected
    TaxationCarol Anstey (Conservative) asked Joanne Thompson (Liberal). substantive question.Answer criticizes Conservative repetition and voting record without addressing food price policies.It is the tired notes that the Conservative members, including this member from Newfoundland and Labrador as well, continue to repeat.
  21. misdirected
    The EconomyConnie Cody (Conservative) asked Rachel Bendayan (Liberal). loaded question.Answer pivots to the benefit amount and accuses Conservatives of blocking instead of responding on taxes or inflation.Canadians in Conservative-held ridings want to benefit from this support from our government. Why are the Conservatives systematically blocking every time we want to help Canadians?
  22. deflected
    The EconomyJacques Gourde (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.Answer mocks the member and rebrands the benefit without addressing food inflation causes.coming from a star of Infoman , I am not surprised. I really admire my colleague, but he is behind the times.
  23. deflected
    The EconomyJacques Gourde (Conservative) asked Mandy Gull-Masty (Liberal). substantive question.Answer reassures on family supports but avoids committing to legislation eliminating taxes on food.We are here to help families, not only with their grocery bills, but also with living expenses, such as child care costs and unplanned expenses.
  24. deflected
    Carbon PricingDominique Vien (Conservative) asked Marjorie Michel (Liberal). substantive question.Answer highlights the new benefit payment without addressing carbon tax or fuel standards.That is why we implemented this measure today that is meant to leave more money in Canadians' pockets to help them get through these difficult times.
  25. deflected
    Carbon PricingDominique Vien (Conservative) asked Anna Gainey (Liberal). substantive question.The answer promotes rebates and other measures while avoiding any mention of axing the fuel tax.The Conservative Party should get out of the way and support our initiatives.
  26. misdirected
    The EconomyRhonda Kirkland (Conservative) asked Adam van Koeverden (Liberal). substantive question.The answer attacks the Conservative leader personally instead of addressing the proposed solutions for food prices.That Conservative leader turned his back on helping Canadians a long time ago.
  27. misdirected
    The EconomyRhonda Kirkland (Conservative) asked Adam van Koeverden (Liberal). substantive question.The answer dismisses the question by attacking Conservatives on elitism and oil interests rather than engaging with the call for long-term solutions.it is always pretty fresh to hear the Conservatives talk about elitism when they are talking down supports for hard-working Canadians.
  28. deflected
    The EconomyMichael Guglielmin (Conservative) asked John Zerucelli (Liberal). substantive question.The answer lists existing programs without addressing the request to work with Conservatives on structural changes like eliminating the carbon tax.Why is the member obstructing? He should get out of the way.
  29. deflected
    The EconomyRosemarie Falk (Conservative) asked Buckley Belanger (Liberal). substantive question.The answer highlights government benefits without responding to the specific ask for legislation on carbon tax and other measures.Saskatchewan families do not ask for much, just a fair shot and some breathing room at the end of the month.
  30. deflected
    Public SafetyArpan Khanna (Conservative) asked Gary Anandasangaree (Liberal). substantive question.The answer praises RCMP work and blames Conservative obstruction instead of addressing the call to change soft-on-crime laws.The obstruction of the Conservative Party in passing not a single one of them is atrocious.
  31. misdirected
    JusticeBrad Vis (Conservative) asked Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer corrects the premise on crime stats and attacks the question's origin rather than engaging with the policy request.it is easy for members to make mistakes when reading a question that was handed to them from their party's whip rather than actually doing research
  32. partly answered
    JusticeSukhman Gill (Conservative) asked Ruby Sahota (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the issue and references new bills on bail reform and lawful access while noting Conservative obstruction.we have put forward a bill on bail and sentencing reform.
  33. deflected
    Forestry IndustryAaron Gunn (Conservative) asked Corey Hogan (Liberal). substantive question.The answer shifts focus to criticizing Conservatives rather than addressing the specific job losses or promised actions.We got no suggestions from the Conservatives. We want their help.
  34. deflected
    Forestry IndustryAaron Gunn (Conservative) asked Corey Hogan (Liberal). substantive question.Responds by dismissing the suggestion and criticizing the opposition instead of providing concrete actions.These are not the challenges the sector faces. We need solutions, not obstruction, from the members opposite.
  35. deflected
    Forestry IndustryEric Melillo (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). substantive question.Mentions general measures but pivots to attacking Conservatives without addressing specific closures or timelines.We are going to do that in the face of Conservative—
  36. answered
    Internal TradeJames Bezan (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). substantive question.Provides specific information on past legislation and upcoming meetings with premiers.It eliminated all federal barriers to interprovincial trade.
  37. partly answered
    The EconomyHeather McPherson (NDP) asked Eleanor Olszewski (Liberal). substantive question.Announces a new benefit addressing immediate help but ignores GST removal, price caps, and profit taxes.This is the kind of support Canadians are looking for.