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Monday, April 20, 2026 · sitting No. 106

Commons debates lawful access bill as Liberals urge quick passage

The House devoted most of the sitting to debate on Bill C-22, the Lawful Access Act, 2026. Liberal MP Judy A. Sgro said the legislation would give police and CSIS court-authorized tools aligned with Supreme Court decisions while respecting privacy and would not allow access to emails or web browsing history. She urged all parties to support the bill to protect Canadians in the digital environment.

In question period Conservative MP Melissa Lantsman said Canada recorded the worst food inflation in the G7 for the fourth straight month and asked when the government would cut taxes on fuel. Liberal MP Tim Hodgson listed projects announced in several provinces and accused the opposition of focusing on rhetoric rather than results.

Conservative MP Scott Aitchison noted that residential permits had fallen nearly 5 per cent year over year and new home sales in the GTA had reached a 35-year low. Liberal MP Gregor Robertson replied that housing starts were up almost 10 per cent and that rents and home prices were decreasing.

From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard

Question Period – April 20, 2026. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube

Who held the floor · 2026-04-20

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 37%, opposition 63% of the words spokenPrivate membersGovernment businessQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 11:0012:0013:0014:0015:0016:0017:00Last speech 18:20Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 7 h 20 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
50Bills creep ahead while answers dodgeThe sitting devoted most time to debate on the Lawful Access Act and saw two bills advance one stage each. Question Period produced few direct answers and no votes were held.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

Food Price Transparency

Liberal MP Gurbux Saini said his private member's bill, Bill C-226, would establish a national framework for grocery pricing practices and unit price display and would be voted on Wednesday.

Read the exchange

Steel and Aluminum Industry

Bloc Québécois MP Christine Normandin asked what the Prime Minister planned to do for Quebec businesses facing U.S. tariffs on the total value of steel and aluminum products.

Read the exchange

Ethics

Conservative MP John Brassard said Liberals had filibustered ethics committee meetings for more than 16 hours to prevent the finance minister from appearing over his involvement with the Alto project.

Read the exchange

Justice

Bloc Québécois MP Rhéal Éloi Fortin asked the justice minister to commit never to limit Quebec's pre-emptive use of the notwithstanding clause after the government challenged Bill 21 at the Supreme Court.

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Foreign Affairs

Liberal MP Randeep Sarai said Canada had announced more than $120 million in new humanitarian assistance for Sudan and the region.

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. misdirected
    Government PrioritiesMelissa Lantsman (Conservative) asked Tim Hodgson (Liberal). loaded question.The answer lists projects then attacks the Conservatives instead of addressing the lack of results or timelines.Maybe the Conservatives should get out of the clickbait.
  2. deflected
    Government PrioritiesMelissa Lantsman (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to IMF stats and recruitment without addressing food inflation or cost of government.I know it is Monday and the Conservatives want more good news, and I have some coming out of Washington.
  3. misdirected
    Government PrioritiesMelissa Lantsman (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the opposition's record instead of responding to the affordability question.It does not matter what the support is; the Conservatives say no.
  4. deflected
    Government PrioritiesPierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights specific projects but does not address the absence of pipelines or trade deals.Take, for example, Nouveau Monde Graphite, a major mine that is currently under development
  5. deflected
    Grocery IndustryPierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.The answer repeats fiscal and growth stats without providing specific facts on lowering food costs.The International Monetary Fund says that Canada's economic growth is almost twice that of Japan or Germany.
  6. partly answered
    Government PrioritiesPierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). loaded question.The answer outlines three actions but does not directly tackle grocery prices or the US trade deadline.It is about diversifying our markets with other reliable trade partners, once again undertaking major projects that are in Canada's national interest, and supporting industries and workers who are dealing with the unjustified and illegal U.S. tariffs.
  7. partly answered
    Steel and Aluminum IndustryChristine Normandin (Bloc) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). substantive question.The answer references diversification and support for workers but offers no concrete plan for steel and aluminum businesses.We also recognize the importance of supporting our steel and aluminum workers and their industries, and we are doing exactly that at the same time.
  8. answered
    Steel and Aluminum IndustryChristine Normandin (Bloc) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly addresses both US negotiations and diversification efforts with specific actions taken.Recently, we signed a series of agreements that make Canada the only G7 country that has free trade agreements with every other member of the G7.
  9. deflected
    Steel and Aluminum IndustrySimon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay (Bloc) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). loaded question.The answer disputes the premise and lists unrelated consultations instead of addressing transparency.it will come as no surprise to anyone that I do not entirely agree with the premise of our colleague's question.
  10. misdirected
    TaxationJasraj Hallan (Conservative) asked Wayne Long (Liberal). substantive question.The answer mentions a pause but pivots to attacking the opposition rather than explaining the policy choice.The other side is continuing to focus on podcasts, rhetoric and bluster.
  11. partly answered
    TaxationJasraj Hallan (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). substantive question.The answer states the reductions being implemented but cuts off without addressing why not a full-year cut.today is the day we implement the 10¢-per-litre reduction on gasoline in Canada, and also the four-cents-per-litre reduction on diesel and the four-cents-per-litre reduction on jet fuel.
  12. answered
    TaxationLeslyn Lewis (Conservative) asked Anna Gainey (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly states the relief measures and references listening to affected groups.we are listening to Canadians and delivering relief at the pump: 10 cents a litre today, four cents on jet fuel and four cents on diesel.
  13. answered
    TaxationLeslyn Lewis (Conservative) asked Rechie Valdez (Liberal). substantive question.The answer specifies the suspension and combined savings without evasion.starting today, as mentioned, we are suspending the federal fuel tax on gasoline and diesel.
  14. partly answered
    TaxationLianne Rood (Conservative) asked Anna Gainey (Liberal). substantive question.The answer lists multiple benefits but does not explain refusal of a full-year removal of taxes.we are bringing relief to Canadians at the gas pump today, which represents 10¢ a litre now through Labour Day.
  15. misdirected
    TaxationLianne Rood (Conservative) asked Adam van Koeverden (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the question and attacks the Conservatives while shifting to unrelated global factors.the Conservatives are saying that, on this side of the House, we are blaming global factors.
  16. deflected
    TaxationWilliam Stevenson (Conservative) asked Eleanor Olszewski (Liberal). substantive question.The answer praises the partial measure for Albertans but avoids addressing calls for full removal of remaining taxes.Albertans are happy to hear we are investing in them and addressing their affordability challenges in tangible ways.
  17. deflected
    JusticeRhéal Éloi Fortin (Bloc) asked Sean Fraser (Liberal). substantive question.The answer avoids any commitment by emphasizing lack of federal authority and reframing to federal powers only.Obviously the federal government does not have the authority to alter provincial powers under the Constitution.
  18. deflected
    JusticeRhéal Éloi Fortin (Bloc) asked Joël Lightbound (Liberal). substantive question.The answer avoids commitment by restating the federal-only context and accuses the asker of twisting facts.The leader of the Bloc Québécois was trying to twist the facts, but they can only be twisted so far.
  19. partly answered
    TaxationLuc Berthold (Conservative) asked Rachel Bendayan (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses the gas tax relief but only for one-third and adds unrelated benefits instead of full removal.As of today, we are suspending the federal excise tax on gasoline, which will give struggling Canadians a little more breathing room.
  20. deflected
    TaxationLuc Berthold (Conservative) asked Nathalie Provost (Liberal). substantive question.The answer ignores the call for full tax removal and pivots to listing other programs while criticizing the opposition's votes.We proposed that, and the Conservatives voted against it.
  21. partly answered
    TaxationJoël Godin (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). substantive question.The answer explains the partial tax cut and its rationale but does not address why not full removal for the year.We are providing this temporary support because an international conflict is causing oil shortages.
  22. deflected
    TaxationJoël Godin (Conservative) asked Joël Lightbound (Liberal). substantive question.The answer defends the partial measure by listing other benefits and questions the asker's support rather than addressing full tax relief.Will my colleague ever be pleased to see $72 million flowing into his riding through the Canada child benefit
  23. partly answered
    TaxationRichard Martel (Conservative) asked Anna Gainey (Liberal). substantive question.The answer notes the partial suspension of the gas tax but does not commit to or explain refusal of full removal.We are suspending the federal tax on gas to help Canadians deal with challenges over the short term.
  24. deflected
    International TradeKyle Seeback (Conservative) asked Karim Bardeesy (Liberal). substantive question.The answer shifts focus to diversification and investment stats instead of addressing the response to US tariffs or job losses.That is why we are doing trade deals with other countries.
  25. partly answered
    International TradeKyle Seeback (Conservative) asked Karim Bardeesy (Liberal). loaded question.Answer gives a direct response on fighting for workers but then shifts to unrelated investments.it is a very simple answer, which is that we are fighting for them every day and we are not going to do any deal at the expense of a bad deal.
  26. deflected
    International TradeHarb Gill (Conservative) asked Kody Blois (Liberal). substantive question.Answer avoids timeline for deal and instead attacks the member and promotes unrelated policy.By the way, I hope the member is highlighting the fact of immediate expensing for greenhouse infrastructure.
  27. misdirected
    International TradeDave Epp (Conservative) asked Kody Blois (Liberal). substantive question.Answer ignores the question on tariffs and instead criticizes the opposition's platform while promoting unrelated budget item.However, as much as I respect that hon. member, the Conservatives had nothing for farmers in this country.
  28. partly answered
    International TradeKathy Borrelli (Conservative) asked Yasir Naqvi (Liberal). loaded question.Answer addresses the deal criterion but pivots to diversification instead of addressing the failure to deliver.Our criterion is simple: The deal has to be one of the best deals.
  29. partly answered
    HousingScott Aitchison (Conservative) asked Gregor Robertson (Liberal). substantive question.Answer cites housing starts and affordability gains but does not address sustainability of temporary measures.Housing starts are up almost 10% across Canada year to date, so we are seeing progress in terms of housing starts.
  30. deflected
    HousingScott Aitchison (Conservative) asked Gregor Robertson (Liberal). substantive question.Answer repeats claims of improving affordability without addressing the gap between promised and actual supply numbers.the results speak for themselves. Affordability for housing has been improving over the last several years.
  31. misdirected
    HousingRichard Bragdon (Conservative) asked Wayne Long (Liberal). substantive question.Answer avoids the drop in construction and instead attacks the member for not supporting government bills.the member has my respect, but he would actually have more of my respect if he supported some of the housing initiatives we have put forward.
  32. deflected
    HousingRichard Bragdon (Conservative) asked Wayne Long (Liberal). substantive question.Answer ignores the call for results and launches into partisan attacks on the opposition's activities.It is time for the other side of the House to stop the podcasts, stop the tours, stop the obstruction, stop the rhetoric, and get on board.
  33. deflected
    EthicsJohn Brassard (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). loaded question.Answer restates general ethics rules without addressing participation in Alto decisions or appearance at committee.The Minister of Finance rigorously follows these rules, as must all members, and he will continue to do so.
  34. deflected
    EthicsJohn Brassard (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). loaded question.Answer pivots to attacking Conservatives on economic plans instead of addressing the minister's refusal to appear.what Canadians are witnessing, and what they are quite rightly sick of, is Conservative filibustering, obstruction and getting in the way of the plans for our economy
  35. deflected
    EthicsGabriel Hardy (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). loaded question.Answer repeats the claim of strict ethics rules without addressing the specific recusals or committee testimony.Everyone who holds important positions in the government must abide by the strictest code of ethics in the world.
  36. partly answered
    HousingBurton Bailey (Conservative) asked Gregor Robertson (Liberal). substantive question.Answer defends the current housing approach and notes Red Deer's results but does not commit to adopting the Conservative plan.Red Deer is one of the cities that is delivering housing supply.
  37. answered
    The EnvironmentElizabeth May (Green) asked Wade Grant (Liberal). rhetorical question.Answer directly acknowledges the spill concerns and outlines government actions on tailings ponds.Pollution from oil sands tailings is a serious issue that affects Canada's waters, ecosystems and the well-being of communities.