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Wednesday, April 22, 2026 · sitting No. 108
Commons debates Red River Métis self-government treaty bill
The House spent the largest share of its sitting on second reading of Bill C-21, an act to give effect to the Red River Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Treaty. Liberal MP Rebecca Alty moved the bill and said it would bring into force the agreement with the Manitoba Métis Federation. Conservative MP Kelly McCauley asked whether the treaty risks pushing Métis diversity into a single narrative, and Bloc Québécois MP Mario Beaulieu asked whether other Métis groups would be covered by future treaties.
Question period featured repeated exchanges on the economy. Conservative MP Andrew Scheer said the Prime Minister denies that Canadians are struggling with affordability while rent and housing prices have risen sharply since 2015. Liberal MP Patty Hajdu said the government is supporting students through job banks and summer jobs programs.
Further clashes occurred on climate change and international trade. Bloc Québécois MP Christine Normandin said the government is advancing a new oil sands pipeline on Earth Day while southern Quebec faces floods. Liberal MP Nathalie Provost said the government is pursuing a strategy to protect nature and conserve 30 per cent of land and water by 2030.
Decided that day
- M-16 on federal lands passed
- Bill C-226 passed second reading
- Bill C-238 passed second reading
- Bill S-211 passed second reading
- Bill C-234 advanced in first chamber
From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard
Question Period – April 22, 2026. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube
Who held the floor · 2026-04-22
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 MP Martin Champoux said Quebec's cultural sector is absent from the new advisory committee on free trade talks with the United States. Liberal MP Dominic LeBlanc said the cultural exemption is not on the table and that Quebeckers are serving on the committee.
Read the exchangeImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Conservative MP Costas Menegakis said the Auditor General found security screening failures that allowed an ISIS-linked individual into Canada. Liberal MP Gary Anandasangaree said every applicant is thoroughly reviewed and that more than 22,000 inadmissible individuals were removed last year.
Read the exchangePublic Safety
Conservative MP Larry Brock said violent crime is up 55 per cent and the government has failed to keep repeat offenders off the streets. Liberal MP Ruby Sahota said the government has introduced more public safety legislation than any previous government and that its bail reform bill is now in the Senate.
Read the exchangeLiving Donor Recognition Medal Act
Conservative MP Ziad Aboultaif moved third reading of Bill C-234 to create a living donor recognition medal. Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux said the bill has support from virtually every member of the House.
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
- misdirectedThe EconomyAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). loaded question.Answer ignores the affordability question and pivots to attacking Conservatives while promoting unrelated programs.
They vote against kids. They vote against moms. They vote against seniors. They vote against tradespeople.
- misdirectedThe EconomyAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Adam van Koeverden (Liberal). substantive question.Answer dodges inflation and food bank data by launching a personal attack on the questioner instead of addressing policy.
This is coming from a guy, the failed former leader of the Conservative Party, the member for Regina—Qu'Appelle, who claimed to be an insurance broker.
- partly answeredThe EconomyTim Uppal (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). loaded question.Answer acknowledges global price pressures and lists some tax and benefit measures but does not address the denial claim or deliver real results question directly.
The government has been there with a timely reduction in fuel taxes, including on cars, trucks and airplane flights.
- deflectedThe EconomyTim Uppal (Conservative) asked Wayne Long (Liberal). substantive question.Answer lists benefits and tax pauses but avoids engaging with the specific plan offered by opposition or the denial of reality.
That side can continue with the podcast tour, the bluster, the rhetoric; we are going to focus on making life more affordable—
- partly answeredThe EconomyPierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Joël Lightbound (Liberal). loaded question.Answer lists several support measures but does not confirm or deny the Prime Minister's specific affordability statement.
we are acutely aware of the circumstances, so much so that the government adopted a range of measures to help Canadian households that are facing a cost-of-living crisis.
- deflectedThe EconomyPierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Joël Lightbound (Liberal). substantive question.Answer refuses to address the belief question and instead criticizes the opposition for calling supports band-aids.
I just want to point out how mind-boggling it is to hear the member for Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles talk about band-aids when we consider that the Canada child benefit sends $82 million a year to 13,000 families in his riding
- deflectedClimate ChangeChristine Normandin (Bloc) asked Nathalie Provost (Liberal). rhetorical question.Answer celebrates Earth Day and promotes a nature strategy without addressing the pipeline or climate contradiction raised.
We have launched a strategy to protect nature. It is a powerful strategy that will enable us to conserve 30% of our land and water by 2030.
- deflectedClimate ChangeChristine Normandin (Bloc) asked Nathalie Provost (Liberal). loaded question.Answer discusses general strategies and youth engagement but sidesteps the pipeline, targets failure, and call for pro-environment Liberals to speak out.
we are working on several fronts. We find ourselves in a particularly different global context, and we are acutely aware that environmental issues are facing headwinds all over the world.
- deflectedClimate ChangePatrick Bonin (Bloc) asked Nathalie Provost (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer pivots to nature conservation and Indigenous stewardship without addressing pipelines, GHG reductions or oil company funding.
we need to be able to work on multiple fronts.
- deflectedThe EconomyShannon Stubbs (Conservative) asked Stephanie McLean (Liberal). loaded question.The response lists government programs but never engages the inflation, tax or emigration claims.
We are giving Canadians a boost today and a bridge to tomorrow, while the Conservatives fight—
- deflectedThe EconomyShannon Stubbs (Conservative) asked Anna Gainey (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights a school-food program instead of responding to food-price or tax-cut questions.
this feels like a good moment to remind Canadians that we made the national school food program permanent in the last budget.
- partly answeredThe EconomyTamara Jansen (Conservative) asked Jill McKnight (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the driver’s situation and links fuel-tax relief to it, though only briefly.
Things like the savings on fuel and diesel can make a difference for those drivers.
- misdirectedThe EconomyTamara Jansen (Conservative) asked Jill McKnight (Liberal). loaded question.The reply lists programs then attacks the member for not supporting them rather than addressing emigration or policy failure.
My question is why the member from British Columbia is not also supporting these measures to make a difference for Canadians.
- deflectedThe EconomyGrant Jackson (Conservative) asked Rechie Valdez (Liberal). substantive question.The answer promotes benefits and tax cuts but never addresses domestic food production.
The very first Canada groceries and essentials benefit is going to Canadians right across the country this June.
- misdirectedThe EconomyGrant Jackson (Conservative) asked Heath MacDonald (Liberal). loaded question.The response lists programs then criticizes the member instead of addressing food-price or production concerns.
it is unfortunate that the hon. member disagrees with child care, dental care, the Canada child benefit, the national school food program, the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, an increase in health transfers, the OAS, eliminating the carbon tax, a tax break for 22 million Canadians, the productivity superdeduction, investments in domestic processing for the breadbasket of Canada, an increase in AgriMarketing, and the advance payment program.
- misdirectedThe EconomyCorey Tochor (Conservative) asked Buckley Belanger (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks Saskatchewan Conservatives for past inaction instead of addressing food-price statistics.
I think about the billions of dollars they left on the table because they would not represent Saskatchewan well and would not do the work.
- deflectedInternational TradeMartin Champoux (Bloc) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). substantive question.The answer avoids explaining the absence of Quebec cultural representatives by emphasizing the cultural exemption is off the table and noting general Quebec representation.
There are people from the cultural sector, and there are plenty of people from Quebec.
- misdirectedInternational TradeMartin Champoux (Bloc) asked Marc Miller (Liberal). substantive question.The answer attacks the questioner personally instead of addressing the lack of Quebec cultural representation on the committee.
However, I hope he is not accusing Jean Charest of lacking culture or, more importantly, saying that Magali Picard does not represent the cultural sector.
- deflectedThe EconomyLuc Berthold (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). substantive question.The answer shifts focus to the opposition's voting record rather than addressing the Prime Minister's affordability claim.
the member opposite knows full well, having been here for several years, that he has consistently voted against the Canada child benefit
- deflectedThe EconomyLuc Berthold (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). substantive question.The answer lists government programs while accusing the opposition of rejecting assistance, avoiding the core claim about families struggling.
dental care is not pathetic. School meal assistance is far from pathetic.
- deflectedThe EconomyGérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Joël Lightbound (Liberal). substantive question.The answer defends government programs and dismisses the statement as a falsehood without engaging the specific data on costs and food banks.
repeating a falsehood day after day during question period does not make it true.
- misdirectedThe EconomyGérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Joël Lightbound (Liberal). substantive question.The answer attacks the member's voting record on benefits instead of addressing the Prime Minister's affordability statement or inflation data.
- deflectedThe EconomyRichard Martel (Conservative) asked Marc Miller (Liberal). substantive question.The answer highlights child poverty reduction but does not address the Prime Minister's specific claim or the cited price increases.
meaningful results is having lifted one million children out of poverty over the past 10 years.
- partly answeredImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipCostas Menegakis (Conservative) asked Gary Anandasangaree (Liberal). loaded question.The answer addresses screening and removals but does not confirm or deny support for a full Auditor General audit of all processes.
every individual who applies to come to Canada is thoroughly reviewed for security.
- deflectedImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipVincent Ho (Conservative) asked Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.Answer discusses general penalties and rule of law without addressing the vote against the bill or the judge's claim.
It is essential that as we ensure we have more serious penalties, particularly for the most violent offenders, we also allow our court system to operate independently.
- deflectedImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipVincent Ho (Conservative) asked Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks the question as disingenuous and cites past Supreme Court ruling instead of addressing the two-tier system claim.
it is completely disingenuous for any member of this House to suggest that members of another party care more about criminals than they do about public safety.
- deflectedImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMichelle Rempel Garner (Conservative) asked Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.Answer accuses asker of inaction while in cabinet and promotes own legislation without addressing the specific bill or cases.
Despite sitting at the cabinet table, she took precisely zero action to address this problem.
- deflectedImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMichelle Rempel Garner (Conservative) asked Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.Answer defends party commitment to serious crimes but cuts off without addressing the vote against the bill.
For my part, we have advanced legislation that advances stiffer penalties—
- deflectedPublic SafetyLarry Brock (Conservative) asked Ruby Sahota (Liberal). rhetorical question.Answer highlights own legislation and accuses Conservatives of delay rather than addressing empty speeches or judicial discounts.
We have delivered more public safety and justice legislation than any government prior.
- partly answeredPublic SafetyLarry Brock (Conservative) asked Ruby Sahota (Liberal). loaded question.Answer directly claims credit for the jail not bail bill but ignores the other bills mentioned and the failure admission.
We are the party that has delivered the jail not bail bill.
- partly answeredPublic SafetyFrank Caputo (Conservative) asked Ruby Sahota (Liberal). substantive question.Answer addresses conditions on release but avoids the yes/no question on whether everything possible was done to detain the offender.
Correctional Service Canada is able to apply conditions on any offender being released.
- deflectedPublic SafetyTamara Kronis (Conservative) asked Gary Anandasangaree (Liberal). loaded question.Answer acknowledges the incident but pivots to listing bills without addressing repeal of restraint principle or soft-on-crime policies.
since taking office, we have brought forward the most comprehensive criminal justice reform in a generation.
- deflectedInternational TradeAdam Chambers (Conservative) asked Dominic LeBlanc (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses general engagement on tariffs and attacks the opposition but provides no timeline for formal negotiations.
The good news is, unlike the Conservatives, we are prepared to support Canadian workers and Canadian businesses while we stand firm with the United States and, unlike the advice of the Leader of the Opposition, we are not prepared to sign any deal that is not in the interest of Canada.
- deflectedInternational TradeBob Zimmer (Conservative) asked Tim Hodgson (Liberal). substantive question.The answer announces funding and task force recommendations but ignores the question about fulfilling the negotiation promise.
we have announced $2.5 billion in targeted support for the businesses and workers in the forestry sector.
- deflectedInternational TradeTony Baldinelli (Conservative) asked Evan Solomon (Liberal). substantive question.The answer claims negotiations are underway then shifts to listing government funding in ridings instead of addressing the delay.
At FedDev Ontario, we put hundreds of millions of dollars into Canadian businesses, many of them in Conservative ridings, and they need that support.
- partly answeredPublic SafetyAmarjeet Gill (Conservative) asked Ruby Sahota (Liberal). substantive question.The answer highlights the government's own bill on lawful access but does not address adopting the Conservative plan.
Just yesterday, members of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police were on the Hill, and they were commending the work that has been done to bring lawful access forward because they know that this is exactly what is needed to help solve extortion cases.
- answeredImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipHeather McPherson (NDP) asked Lena Metlege Diab (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly explains visa requirements, ongoing processing, and expedited options for Gaza students.
IRCC will continue to process study permit applications for those students in Gaza, and our visa application centres in neighbouring countries are offering expedited processing where possible.