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Wednesday, September 23, 2026 · sitting No. 142

Liberals move bill C-39 to speed projects as Conservatives attack spending

Government House leader Steven MacKinnon moved second reading of Bill C-39, an act respecting certain measures to strengthen the economy, which occupied 35 per cent of the sitting. The bill aims to streamline approvals for major projects and reduce bureaucracy while creating a supply-chain office. Debate focused on whether the legislation duplicates earlier measures that produced no results.

In Question Period, Conservative MP Melissa Lantsman said half of employed Canadians now spend all or more of their net pay and the OECD had cut Canada's growth forecast. Liberal MP François-Philippe Champagne replied that the government had created more than 200,000 jobs in the past year and would have the second-fastest growth in the G7 in 2027.

Bloc Québécois MP Christine Normandin asked whether Quebec had been consulted on provisions in Bill C-39 allowing Ottawa to designate regions of national interest. Liberal MP Steven MacKinnon said the government would continue to promote Quebec's development through projects such as the Churchill Falls agreement.

Decided that day

  • Bill C-266 passed second reading

From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard

Question Period – September 23, 2026. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube

Who held the floor · 2026-09-23

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 44%, opposition 56% of the words spokenQuestion PeriodGovernment businessPrivate members▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 14:0015:0016:0017:0018:00Last speech 18:45Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 4 h 45 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
46One bill inches forward, answers mostly dodgeThe House spent most of its time on the Building Canada Strong Act and passed Bill C-266 at second reading with almost no procedural interruptions. Question Period produced almost no direct answers, leaving the day's overall score at a modest 45.5.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

Justice

Conservative MP Frank Caputo said the family of slain constable Todd Baylis must attend parole hearings every two years and asked whether the minister would meet them to discuss extending the interval to five years. Liberal MP Gary Anandasangaree replied that the government had passed bills strengthening bail and victims' rights and would continue engaging the Toronto Police Association.

Read the exchange

Air Transportation

Conservative MP Dan Albas said Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon could not guarantee that privatizing airports would not raise fares. MacKinnon replied that the government intends to regulate currently unregulated airport improvement charges that are passed on to travellers.

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Climate Change

Green Party MP Elizabeth May asked whether the government would present a cost-benefit analysis before committing tens of billions to a pipeline. Liberal MP Julie Dabrusin cited the Churchill Falls hydro project as an example of clean-energy investment that would decarbonize the economy.

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Health

New Democrat MP Gord Johns said Alberta's expansion of private diagnostics violates the Canada Health Act and urged the minister to enforce the act. Liberal MP Ryan Turnbull said the government remains committed to the principles of the act and is working with provinces to strengthen public health care.

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Finance

Conservative MP Greg McLean raised Canada's mounting debt and noted that 29 per cent of federal debt must be refinanced this year. Liberal MP Ryan Turnbull said Canada has the lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7 and a AAA credit rating.

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 EconomyMelissa Lantsman (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.The answer lists Liberal measures on housing and benefits without addressing adoption of the Conservative plan.This is how we build a strong Canada.
  2. misdirected
    The EconomyMelissa Lantsman (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.The answer attacks the Conservatives' voting record instead of addressing the human costs of Liberal policies.At every step of the way, when they had the choice to help Canadians, they voted against.
  3. deflected
    The EconomySandra Cobena (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.The answer promotes Liberal achievements and criticizes Conservatives for talking down the economy rather than addressing the downgraded forecasts.it is shocking to be sitting in the House and hearing the Conservatives talking the economy down at a time when Canadians are united to fight for Canada and to build support in this country.
  4. misdirected
    The EconomySandra Cobena (Conservative) asked Tim Hodgson (Liberal). substantive question.The answer invites the member on a tour of projects instead of addressing delays in major infrastructure needed for trade.Maybe instead of doing little clips on Twitter, the Conservatives should come and help us get some jobs done.
  5. deflected
    The EconomyLuc Berthold (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.The answer repeats Liberal housing and benefit measures without addressing the request to adopt the Conservative action plan.
  6. misdirected
    The EconomyLuc Berthold (Conservative) asked Joël Lightbound (Liberal). substantive question.The answer questions the member's votes on benefits instead of addressing the call to axe fuel taxes permanently.could my colleague explain to Jessy why he voted against the Canada child benefit?
  7. deflected
    Intergovernmental AffairsChristine Normandin (Bloc) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). substantive question.The answer highlights a job-creating agreement instead of addressing consultation on Bill C-39 powers over Quebec regions.If the member wants an example, she need only look at the Churchill Falls agreement, signed with Quebec and Newfoundland, in which the Prime Minister was personally and directly involved.
  8. answered
    Intergovernmental AffairsChristine Normandin (Bloc) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly denies privatization of ports in response to the question about consultation on the bill.We are not privatizing ports, period.
  9. deflected
    Intergovernmental AffairsJean-Denis Garon (Bloc) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.The answer promotes the policy and criticizes the Bloc without addressing the consultation or Quebec government exclusion claim.Our announcement comes as a breath of fresh air for Quebec businesses.
  10. partly answered
    JusticeFrank Caputo (Conservative) asked Gary Anandasangaree (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the victim and lists related bills but does not address the specific request to change parole hearing intervals.Our government is committed to strengthening our criminal justice system and protecting victims' rights.
  11. deflected
    JusticeFrank Caputo (Conservative) asked Gary Anandasangaree (Liberal). substantive question.The answer notes meetings occurred but avoids committing to the proposed meeting with the family and association.I have met with the Toronto Police Association on a number of occasions.
  12. deflected
    JusticeArpan Khanna (Conservative) asked Gary Anandasangaree (Liberal). loaded question.The answer shifts to upcoming meetings with families and support for officers without addressing parole reform or meeting the specific family.I look forward to meeting with those family members and to express our continued solidarity with those who died in the line of duty.
  13. misdirected
    JusticeArpan Khanna (Conservative) asked Gary Anandasangaree (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the question as disingenuous and asserts all parties support victims rather than addressing the parole interval or bill.It is shameful to suggest that one party stands with victims over another.
  14. deflected
    JusticeTony Baldinelli (Conservative) asked Ruby Sahota (Liberal). loaded question.The answer discusses general reforms and charter compliance but does not address the specific call for parole hearing changes or the Bernardo case.We are open to making reforms, but we will make the reforms that are right for our country and for Canadians.
  15. partly answered
    JusticePierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Sean Fraser (Liberal). substantive question.The answer references a bill on serious crime and supports for victims but does not directly confirm tightening bail rules for violent crimes.We have not only put forward laws that are going to do more to keep violent offenders behind bars.
  16. misdirected
    JusticePierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer accuses the member of voting against measures and questions integrity instead of addressing the timeline for action on bail or parole.If the Conservatives want to talk a big game on crime, the least they can do is vote for the measures to protect—
  17. deflected
    Canadian Identity and CultureMartin Champoux (Bloc) asked Marc Miller (Liberal). loaded question.The answer denies any plan to amend the act but ignores the core claim about disregarding levies and complying with existing law.I can confirm to the House that we never said we would amend the Broadcasting Act.
  18. deflected
    Canadian Identity and CultureMartin Champoux (Bloc) asked Marc Miller (Liberal). substantive question.The answer pivots to praising past investments instead of addressing the source of replacement funding or reconsidering the levy decision.I am very proud to be able to rise in the House, on our side of the House, to represent members, including about 50 from Quebec, who rise time and time again to vote for culture in Quebec and Canada, with historic investments that no other government has ever made in the history of Canada.
  19. partly answered
    JusticeRhonda Kirkland (Conservative) asked Ruby Sahota (Liberal). loaded question.The answer corrects the premise that parole is granted every time and notes no changes were made, while offering openness to amendments.although I respect the sentiment, this is not Liberal parole.
  20. misdirected
    JusticeRhonda Kirkland (Conservative) asked Ruby Sahota (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the Conservatives' record on other bills rather than addressing the specific parole-hearing frequency issue.It has not been the Conservatives' role in the current Parliament to keep Canadians safe.
  21. deflected
    JusticeLaila Goodridge (Conservative) asked Gary Anandasangaree (Liberal). substantive question.The answer honours victims and notes local impact but does not address the request to change parole hearing intervals.let me take a moment to honour the lives of Leslie Mahaffy, Kristen French and Tammy Homolka.
  22. misdirected
    JusticeLaila Goodridge (Conservative) asked Gary Anandasangaree (Liberal). substantive question.The answer lists Conservative delays on unrelated bills instead of responding to the call to change parole rules.On Bill C-8 , the party opposite dragged its feet and opposed the bill initially.
  23. deflected
    JusticeRoman Baber (Conservative) asked Gary Anandasangaree (Liberal). loaded question.The answer calls for non-politicization and mentions the Charter but offers no position on altering parole hearing frequency.let me just underscore that the issues around public safety, issues around parole and issues around bail should never be politicized.
  24. partly answered
    The EconomyJason Groleau (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.The answer lists specific tax and benefit measures but does not engage with the proposed spending cuts or the $10,000-per-family figure.First off, he should remind them that we have cut taxes for 22 million Canadians.
  25. misdirected
    The EconomyJason Groleau (Conservative) asked Joël Lightbound (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks the questioner's voting record instead of addressing adoption of the Conservative plan.What really baffles me is why he voted against the Canada child benefit.
  26. deflected
    The EconomyRosemarie Falk (Conservative) asked Buckley Belanger (Liberal). rhetorical question.Answer pivots to listing government benefits and Conservative votes against them rather than addressing the plan.through the child care benefit and the groceries and essentials benefit, we are listening to what the people of Saskatchewan are saying.
  27. deflected
    The EconomyRosemarie Falk (Conservative) asked Buckley Belanger (Liberal). rhetorical question.Answer dismisses the plan as nonexistent and cites a premier instead of engaging with the survey data or plan adoption.I really, truly believe that the Conservatives do not have a plan.
  28. misdirected
    The EconomyGarnett Genuis (Conservative) asked Corey Hogan (Liberal). loaded question.Answer shifts to positive Alberta economic talking points without addressing the paycheque-to-paycheque survey or plan.there has never been a better time to be an Albertan in Canada.
  29. misdirected
    The EconomyGarnett Genuis (Conservative) asked Tim Hodgson (Liberal). loaded question.Answer redirects to quoting Danielle Smith instead of responding to the anecdote about Mark or the economy question.maybe that member and Mark might want to speak to another Albertan named Danielle Smith
  30. deflected
    The EconomyBranden Leslie (Conservative) asked Rebecca Chartrand (Liberal). rhetorical question.Answer accuses the asker of fake outrage and highlights votes against measures rather than addressing the survey or plan.I do not get the fake outrage, because when we think about the voting on the Conservative side
  31. deflected
    The EconomyEric Duncan (Conservative) asked Yasir Naqvi (Liberal). loaded question.Answer ignores the gas tax proposal and survey, pivoting to trade diversification and international partnerships.Our government is focused on making sure that we are not only building Canada from coast to coast to coast, but also building partnerships around the world.
  32. deflected
    The EconomyEric Duncan (Conservative) asked Yasir Naqvi (Liberal). loaded question.Answer disputes the premise and cites investment summits and trade deals instead of engaging with the cost-of-living data or plan.I completely disagree with the premise of the member's question.
  33. deflected
    Air TransportationDan Albas (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). loaded question.The answer addresses fee regulation but avoids the core question on airport privatization and price hikes.
  34. misdirected
    Air TransportationDan Albas (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). loaded question.The response attacks the questioner for not listening rather than addressing airfare affordability.I know the member's leader writes the questions, but he really should listen to the answer and kind of make an adjustment after he hears the first answer.
  35. deflected
    Air TransportationGérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Steven MacKinnon (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses regulating existing fees but does not answer whether fares will rise after privatization.This is not currently regulated.
  36. misdirected
    Foreign AffairsShuvaloy Majumdar (Conservative) asked Tim Hodgson (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer pivots to potash benefits without addressing the Prime Minister's inconsistent statements on the US.Canadian potash keeps food affordable all around the world for all of our allies, including the Americans.
  37. deflected
    Climate ChangeElizabeth May (Green) asked Julie Dabrusin (Liberal). substantive question.The answer highlights other clean energy projects instead of providing a cost-benefit analysis for the pipeline.That is 14,000 megawatts of power that could heat and cool every home in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver through clean electricity.