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Tuesday, April 21, 2026 · sitting No. 107

House debates youth jobs report and treaty commissioner bill

Routine proceedings on committees of the House consumed the largest share of the sitting as members presented reports and debated concurrence motions. Liberal MP Chris Bittle tabled the 23rd report of the procedure and House affairs committee on committee memberships. Conservative MP Garnett Genuis moved concurrence in the seventh report of the human resources committee and argued that youth unemployment continues to rise while the government has failed to address labour market shortages.

Question period focused on the economy with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre pressing Prime Minister Mark Carney on food price inflation and affordability. Poilievre said Canada posted the highest grocery inflation in the G7 for the fourth straight month. Carney replied that wages have outpaced inflation every month of his premiership and that rents have fallen relative to wages.

Decided that day

  • Appointment of an officer of Parliament passed
  • Seventh report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development failed

From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard

Question Period – April 21, 2026. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube

Who held the floor · 2026-04-21

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 36%, opposition 64% of the words spokenRoutine proceedingsQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0011:0012:0013:0014:0015:0016:00Last speech 17:50Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 7 h 50 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
60Committees talk, one appointment passesThe sitting devoted most time to committees and treaty legislation while Question Period yielded few direct answers. Two recorded votes produced one passage and one failure, with two bills advancing a stage.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

International Trade

Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet urged the government to introduce transitional measures for businesses hit by new U.S. tariffs before the economic update. Prime Minister Mark Carney said the government is considering such measures.

Read the exchange

Veterans

Bloc Québécois MP Marie-Hélène Gaudreau said the partners in Canadian veterans rehabilitation services program misdiagnoses patients and worsens symptoms. Minister Jill McKnight said an independent review of the program has been ordered.

Read the exchange

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Conservative MP Brad Redekopp said the immigration department investigated only 2 per cent of 153,000 fraud cases identified by the Auditor General. Liberal MP Peter Fragiskatos said the department is implementing the Auditor General's recommendations.

Read the exchange

Taxation

Conservative MP Jason Groleau called on the government to suspend all federal fuel taxes. Liberal MP Joël Lightbound said the government has already cut the excise tax by 10 cents a litre and is providing other supports such as the Canada child benefit.

Read the exchange

Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation Act

Conservative MP Ellis Ross moved to delete the short title of Bill C-10 and said the bill would create a new position instead of implementing existing treaty commitments. Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux defended the legislation as a step toward accountability.

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 Mark Carney (Liberal). loaded question.Answer corrects the quote to rent only and shifts to wages without addressing food inflation comparison.
  2. partly answered
    The EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mark Carney (Liberal). substantive question.Answer addresses rent decline and wages but ignores the specific 2015 rent figure challenge.Wages in Canada continue to grow at twice the rate of inflation, and rents in Canada are now going down because of an increase in the housing supply.
  3. deflected
    The EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mark Carney (Liberal). loaded question.Answer pivots to wages, rents and a benefit payment without addressing the G7 food inflation claim or the quote.
  4. deflected
    The EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mark Carney (Liberal). loaded question.Answer focuses on rents and IMF forecast while avoiding admission or direct rebuttal of the affordability quote.Asking rents have declined for 18 consecutive months.
  5. deflected
    The EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mark Carney (Liberal). loaded question.Answer repeats rent and wage statistics without engaging the doubled rent figure or beef price point.asking rents have declined, year on year, for the 18th consecutive month.
  6. misdirected
    The EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mark Carney (Liberal). loaded question.Answer lists benefits and attacks the opposition's voting record instead of addressing the tax haven or affordability claim.That is why we have the groceries and essentials benefit, over $500 for 12 million Canadians on June 5.
  7. partly answered
    International TradeYves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Mark Carney (Liberal). substantive question.Answer notes committee composition and existing trade deal but does not address transitional measures for businesses.We already have the best trade deal with the United States, and we are just getting started.
  8. answered
    International TradeYves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Mark Carney (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly confirms consideration of transitional measures for affected businesses and workers.Yes, the government is considering transitional measures for businesses and individuals, including the affected workers.
  9. deflected
    International TradeYves-François Blanchet (Bloc) asked Mark Carney (Liberal). substantive question.The answer avoids the specific questions on measures, inclusion in the update, and consultation by deferring and restating strategy.Our great Minister of Finance will deliver it on April 24, and there will be more good news for Canadians.
  10. misdirected
    The EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the affordability question and instead attacks the opposition while pivoting to unrelated benefits.
  11. misdirected
    The EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). loaded question.The answer sidesteps the affordability admission request and attacks the opposition's voting record instead.They vote against the very Canadians they say they care about.
  12. misdirected
    The EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Wayne Long (Liberal). loaded question.The answer evades the request to admit error and instead compares past leaders while touting G7 stats.On this side of the House, the Prime Minister has been elected for one year and we have the strongest projected economy in the G7
  13. misdirected
    The EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Adam van Koeverden (Liberal). loaded question.The answer ignores the affordability question and attacks the asker's past statements instead of addressing the claim.He thought Brexit was a good idea.
  14. deflected
    The EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Evan Solomon (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids admitting error on affordability and accuses the asker of cherry-picking while listing government actions.it is a little early for cherry-picking season, but he is cherry-picking quotes and negative statistics to run down our country.
  15. misdirected
    The EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Peter Fragiskatos (Liberal). loaded question.The answer evades the admission request and attacks the asker's past positions and comments instead.He stood in front of the home of a waitress and called it a "shack".
  16. misdirected
    The EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Rechie Valdez (Liberal). loaded question.The answer turns the question back on the asker about a past expense and pivots to a school food program.the Leader of the Opposition owes Canadians an explanation, because when he goofed up and lost his seat, Canadians spent $2.3 million of taxpayer money.
  17. partly answered
    VeteransMarie-Hélène Gaudreau (Bloc) asked Jill McKnight (Liberal). rhetorical question.The question poses a problem but ends rhetorically without seeking specific information, while the answer addresses the underlying concern by announcing a review.That is why I have directed my department to launch an independent review of the rehabilitation program.
  18. answered
    VeteransMarie-Hélène Gaudreau (Bloc) asked Jill McKnight (Liberal). substantive question.The question asks directly for an independent investigation, and the answer confirms one is underway while providing program details.I have just said that we are going to be undertaking an independent review.
  19. misdirected
    TaxationJason Groleau (Conservative) asked Joël Lightbound (Liberal). loaded question.The question assumes Liberal policies caused price rises and asks about suspending taxes, but the answer attacks the asker and lists unrelated benefits instead.To give my hon. colleague some idea of what he is voting against, he is voting against 11,500 families and $80 million in his riding of Beauce by voting against the Canada child benefit.
  20. deflected
    TaxationJason Groleau (Conservative) asked Joël Lightbound (Liberal). loaded question.The question asks about suspending federal taxes on fuel, but the answer shifts to criticizing the opposition's vision and listing government programs.there is absolutely no vision for the Canadian economy on that side.
  21. deflected
    The EconomyJacques Gourde (Conservative) asked Nathalie Provost (Liberal). loaded question.The question challenges the Prime Minister's affordability claims with data and asks for responsibility, but the answer pivots to unrelated metaphors and government actions.it is important to be able to walk while chewing gum, answering a cellphone or doing other things.
  22. deflected
    The EconomyJacques Gourde (Conservative) asked Nathalie Provost (Liberal). loaded question.The question cites inflation and happiness rankings to demand results, but the answer restates general priorities and blames the opposition.Unfortunately, the opposition often blocks the strategies that would help grow the economy, restore our independence, and boost our long-term capacity.
  23. deflected
    TaxationBernard Généreux (Conservative) asked Carlos Leitão (Liberal). substantive question.The question asks when taxes will be cut further, but the answer attributes prices to global events without addressing the policy request.
  24. answered
    International TradeShelby Kramp-Neuman (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). substantive question.The question asks why Canada is not at the negotiating table, and the answer directly rebuts the premise with details of ongoing engagement.it will not surprise anyone that the premise of the question, that Canada is not actively engaged with the United States or at a negotiating table, is not accurate.
  25. deflected
    International TradeShelby Kramp-Neuman (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). substantive question.The answer promotes an advisory council instead of addressing US trade priorities or timeline.There are elected union leaders and community leaders.
  26. answered
    International TradeMichael Chong (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly confirms coordination with Mexico and details contacts.of course we are working with our Mexican counterparts as we do the work necessary to prepare for the CUSMA review.
  27. deflected
    International TradeMichael Chong (Conservative) asked Maninder Sidhu (Liberal). substantive question.The answer shifts to other trade deals instead of Canada-US negotiating timeline.We signed a trade agreement with Indonesia, destined to be the fifth-largest economy in the world, overtaking Germany.
  28. deflected
    International TradeRandy Hoback (Conservative) asked Karim Bardeesy (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses general efforts and diversification without addressing awareness or specific actions on tariffs.the U.S. trade relationship remains key, and that is why this government is working hard every day to make sure we get the best possible deal and not just any deal.
  29. deflected
    International TradeRandy Hoback (Conservative) asked Karim Bardeesy (Liberal). substantive question.The answer emphasizes contacts but avoids providing a clear update or timeline on negotiations.We are in regular contact, both with U.S. administration officials and with the companies, the steel makers, the mould-makers, the aluminum providers
  30. deflected
    International TradeAdam Chambers (Conservative) asked Anita Anand (Liberal). substantive question.The answer claims talks continue but pivots to diversification instead of addressing the reported lack of discussions.In the meantime, we will continue to diversify our trade relationships, with over a dozen new deals signed in the past six months, combined with FDI, foreign direct investment.
  31. partly answered
    International TradePierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). substantive question.The answer claims a better agreement exists and defends supports but ends by attacking the questioner.I am surprised that our colleague from the Conservative Party does not think we should be there for Canadian workers.
  32. deflected
    International TradePierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). substantive question.The answer notes no question was heard and promotes the advisory committee instead of addressing the negotiation standstill.I did not hear a question in my colleague's comments, so I will take this opportunity to remind the House of the good news that the Prime Minister announced this morning.
  33. deflected
    Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipBrad Redekopp (Conservative) asked Peter Fragiskatos (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to unrelated statistics on student and asylum numbers while correcting the questioner's quote instead of addressing the 153000 fraud cases or 2% investigation rate.We are restoring control and integrity in the immigration system.
  34. partly answered
    Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMichelle Rempel Garner (Conservative) asked Sean Fraser (Liberal). substantive question.The answer explains there is no rule requiring lighter sentences but does not address the specific Quebec practice or the member's bill.As the member knows, there is no rule that requires judges to reduce penalties for people based on their immigration status.
  35. partly answered
    Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMichelle Rempel Garner (Conservative) asked Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer reiterates that no rule mandates lighter sentences and supports serious penalties but avoids engaging the specific case or two-tier justice claim.There is not a rule, as some have suggested in this chamber, that requires judges to give lighter sentences for people based on their immigration status.
  36. deflected
    International TradeNed Kuruc (Conservative) asked Karim Bardeesy (Liberal). loaded question.The answer discusses general trade expansion and tariff relief for Hamilton steelmakers but does not address the new 25% tariff or the one-year timeline for a deal.On this side of the House, we are controlling what we can control, which means expanding trade to places where we have previously not been doing as much trade
  37. partly answered
    TaxationDon Davies (NDP) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.The answer notes the fuel tax suspension and Competition Bureau powers but does not address capping gas prices or taxing the $90 billion windfall profits.To his point, members will remember that last year we gave additional power to the Competition Bureau to make sure it has the tools and the enforcement capacity to make sure that we have more competition in this country.
  38. deflected
    TaxationJenny Kwan (NDP) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.The answer repeats the Competition Bureau expansion but ignores the request for a windfall profit tax and price caps on gas.Last year, the hon. member would have seen that we gave additional power to the Competition Bureau so it can investigate and have enforcement tools