All sittings← 2026-10-212026-10-23 →
Thursday, October 22, 2026 · sitting No. 153
Bloc Québécois supply motion on Quebec culture leads Commons sitting
The House spent the largest share of its time on a Bloc Québécois supply motion that calls on the government to uphold CRTC levies on streaming services and to make an interim $600 million payment to the cultural sector. Martin Champoux moved the motion, which remains before the House after exchanges with Leslie Church, Todd Doherty and Mario Simard.
Question period featured repeated Conservative attacks on immigration numbers and food-bank usage, with Pierre Poilievre pressing the government on Statistics Canada data showing 300,000 more residents than previously reported. Liberal ministers Jill McKnight, François-Philippe Champagne and Patty Hajdu defended the government's record on managed immigration and economic supports.
From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard
Question Period – October 22, 2026. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube
Who held the floor · 2026-10-22
AI-rated The sitting score and the rating of each answer come from a language model reading Hansard. How the AI rates this
Provisional score. Question Period for this sitting has not been rated yet, so the score rests only on what was decided and how much time went to the business at hand. It will change when the exchanges are read.
Other moments
Public Services and Procurement
Michael Barrett said the government awarded a $12-million CRA security contract to a U.S. firm with ICE ties instead of a Canadian not-for-profit that employs veterans. Wayne Long replied that the independent process rehired 12 veterans among 33 staff.
Read the exchangeSteel and Aluminum Industry
Michael Guglielmin asked why the industry minister had extended a 15-day deadline for Stelco instead of taking legal action after layoffs. Carlos Leitão said the government is following the Investment Canada Act process and will act if commitments are not met.
Read the exchangeFinance
Greg McLean said the RCMP raid on Lion Electric exposed $500 million in questionable government financing. Gary Anandasangaree said the matter is under investigation and declined further comment.
Read the exchangePrivilege
The Speaker ruled on a question of privilege raised by the member for Saint-Jean concerning the lack of technical briefings for members on the Pacific Link pipeline project.
Read the exchangeIrene Mathyssen
Heather McPherson and Kurt Holman paid tribute to former London—Fanshawe MP Irene Mathyssen, highlighting her work on human rights and veterans' issues.
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
- deflectedImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Jill McKnight (Liberal). substantive question.Answer ignores the specific claim about population count error and pivots to vague future work.
The work is continuing, and we will have more to share soon.
- deflectedThe EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.Answer shifts immediately to criticizing the opposition instead of addressing food bank report or declarations.
but what Canadians are concerned about today is that the Leader of the Opposition—
- misdirectedThe EconomyPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.Answer attacks opposition voting record rather than responding to the food bank increase or overseas spending.
They know that the Leader of the Opposition speaks a good game, but when it comes to voting in the House, they know that he did not vote in favour of the Canada groceries and essentials benefit.
- deflectedImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.Answer claims control was taken without addressing the Statistics Canada discrepancy or New York Times statement.
the Prime Minister has taken back control of the immigration system in the country.
- misdirectedImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.Answer accuses opposition of demonizing immigration instead of addressing backlog, permits, or tracking failures.
the member opposite might want to speak to his caucus about not demonizing immigration.
- misdirectedImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.Answer defends provincial flexibility then pivots to accusing opposition of demonizing immigrants rather than addressing power concentration.
What does not help is an opposition party that demonizes immigration and demonizes immigrants, making it harder for people to get the workers they need
- partly answeredGovernment PrioritiesChristine Normandin (Bloc) asked Joël Lightbound (Liberal). substantive question.Answer explains the bill's principle but does not engage with scientists' specific objections listed in the question.
the principle behind Bill C-39 is simple: one project, one review, one year.
- misdirectedGovernment PrioritiesChristine Normandin (Bloc) asked Joël Lightbound (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks Bloc on unrelated Churchill Falls project instead of addressing Guilbeault's criticisms or fossil fuel subsidies.
what is absolutely mind-boggling when listening to the Bloc Québécois is that they can say that and, at the same time, mock the Churchill Falls project
- deflectedGovernment PrioritiesPatrick Bonin (Bloc) asked Julie Dabrusin (Liberal). rhetorical question.The answer ignores the bill criticisms and pivots to unrelated project examples.
What we have is the efficiency to build the major projects we need to transition to a net-zero economy.
- deflectedPublic Services and ProcurementMichael Barrett (Conservative) asked Wayne Long (Liberal). substantive question.The answer restates general support for veterans without addressing the contract decision details.
When it comes to operational security matters at the CRA, they are handled independently by the experts at the agency, not politicians.
- partly answeredPublic Services and ProcurementMichael Barrett (Conservative) asked Wayne Long (Liberal). substantive question.The answer provides some facts on rehiring but avoids explaining the prioritization framework.
- misdirectedPublic Services and ProcurementJohn Brassard (Conservative) asked Wayne Long (Liberal). substantive question.The answer attacks the opposition's past actions instead of addressing the current procurement policy.
Maybe on that side 12 years ago they had political interference.
- deflectedPublic Services and ProcurementJohn Brassard (Conservative) asked Jill McKnight (Liberal). substantive question.The answer emphasizes the process and general support without addressing wage or veteran considerations.
Our government will always stand with Canadian workers and Canadian businesses, and we will build the strongest economy in the G7.
- deflectedPublic Services and ProcurementJeff Kibble (Conservative) asked Jill McKnight (Liberal). substantive question.The answer notes the independent process but does not address the request to return the contract.
The decision was made by officials at CRA.
- partly answeredPublic Services and ProcurementPierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.The answer supplies rehiring numbers but sidesteps the broader Canada-first policy question.
Of those 60 officers, 33 were commissionaires and 12 are former uniformed service members.
- deflectedPublic Services and ProcurementPierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.The answer repeats buy-Canadian commitments without explaining why the contract went to the U.S. firm.
At every stage, we make every effort to give preference to Canadian companies and to ensure that all departments and agencies comply with and follow buy Canadian procurement practices.
- deflectedCanadian Identity and CultureMartin Champoux (Bloc) asked David Myles (Liberal). substantive question.Answer pivots to unrelated past investments instead of addressing the levy exemption for streamers.
Did they forget about the investment in the creative export strategy, which injected another $95 million in the cultural sector?
- partly answeredCanadian Identity and CultureMartin Champoux (Bloc) asked David Myles (Liberal). substantive question.Answer addresses the $600 million commitment but ignores the fairness and taxpayer burden points.
It is important to note that that money has been held up for more than a year.
- deflectedCanada Revenue AgencyJasraj Hallan (Conservative) asked Wayne Long (Liberal). loaded question.Answer avoids specifics on the CRA failure and $300 million by citing general policy and legal limits.
we cannot talk about specific cases.
- deflectedCanada Revenue AgencyJasraj Hallan (Conservative) asked Wayne Long (Liberal). loaded question.Answer repeats general enforcement statements without addressing collection timeline or CRA incompetence claims.
We have implemented additional safeguards to help ensure greater consistency and accuracy in refund processing.
- deflectedThe EconomyTako Van Popta (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.Answer thanks food banks and promotes a benefit but does not acknowledge the reported increase in usage or crisis.
We implemented one of the recommendations, which is now called the Canada groceries and essentials benefit.
- deflectedThe EconomyDominique Vien (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.Answer promotes the groceries benefit instead of responding to the diesel tax plan or record food bank requests.
What we have done is provide direct support through the Canada groceries and essentials benefit.
- deflectedThe EconomyDominique Vien (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). loaded question.Answer promotes the benefit and criticizes Conservatives' vote rather than addressing the cost-of-living crisis or tax plan.
What is unfortunate, however—and the people watching at home know it—is that my Conservative colleagues voted against that measure
- answeredSteel and Aluminum IndustryMichael Guglielmin (Conservative) asked Carlos Leitão (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly states the timeline for legal action if commitments are not met.
In 15 days, if nothing happens, legal action will be taken.
- deflectedSteel and Aluminum IndustryMichael Guglielmin (Conservative) asked Carlos Leitão (Liberal). substantive question.The answer restates general government aims without addressing the specific Conservative proposal mentioned.
Our aim is to protect Canadian workers and to protect Canadian industries.
- deflectedSteel and Aluminum IndustryNed Kuruc (Conservative) asked François-Philippe Champagne (Liberal). substantive question.The answer avoids the lawsuit question by promoting investments and sarcastically criticizing the asker.
I am afraid the member was missing in action yesterday.
- deflectedSteel and Aluminum IndustryNed Kuruc (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.The answer claims the question was already answered then attacks the opposition instead of confirming action.
- deflectedSteel and Aluminum IndustryConnie Cody (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.The answer promotes joint investments but does not specify steps to secure steel supply for the described manufacturer.
The opposition is going to stand up and complain time and again, but we are going to stand up for workers.
- deflectedSteel and Aluminum IndustryConnie Cody (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). substantive question.The answer promotes government spending without engaging the Conservative plan or addressing competitiveness directly.
What we are not doing is standing up there and criticizing every single idea—
- misdirectedSteel and Aluminum IndustryScot Davidson (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks Conservatives for giving up rather than addressing the minister's comment or industry job risks.
All I see from these guys is them voting against Canadians, voting against workers, criticizing provinces and—
- partly answeredEmploymentAndrew Lawton (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). loaded question.The answer discusses job pathways and offers correspondence but does not address whether job scarcity is the new normal.
I would be happy to correspond with Candace and tell her about some of the work that we are doing and some of the opportunities that exist across this country.
- misdirectedThe EconomyAndrew Lawton (Conservative) asked Patty Hajdu (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the member's voting record instead of reconciling economic claims with the cited hardship examples.
That is why I think that member of Parliament should go and tell that mother, Julia, that he voted against the school nutrition program
- deflectedFinanceGreg McLean (Conservative) asked Gary Anandasangaree (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids the question on the minister's competence by citing an ongoing investigation.
the matter is being investigated by the RCMP, and I am unable to comment any further.
- deflectedFinanceGreg McLean (Conservative) asked Gary Anandasangaree (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids addressing the request for information by citing the investigation.
I have every confidence in the RCMP being able to undertake this investigation and do a thorough job.
- deflectedFinanceJacques Gourde (Conservative) asked Gary Anandasangaree (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids the question on safeguards by citing the investigation.
unlike the party opposite, we have every confidence in the RCMP to be able to do its job.
- deflectedThe EconomyKerry Diotte (Conservative) asked Gary Anandasangaree (Liberal). loaded question.The answer begins to deflect from the economic criticism without engaging the question.
Mr. Speaker, look, I appreciate—
- partly answeredForeign AffairsHeather McPherson (NDP) asked Robert Oliphant (Liberal). substantive question.The answer addresses the broader context of settlements but not the specific acquisition request.
We will continue to do everything to bring peace, protect the rights of Palestinians and Israelis and ensure that the illegal settlements are not furthered.
- deflectedGovernment PrioritiesDon Davies (NDP) asked Mike Kelloway (Liberal). substantive question.The answer changes focus to project benefits instead of addressing the request for extended hearings.
This is the time to build and build now.
- misdirectedCommittees of the HouseKelly DeRidder (Conservative) asked Kevin Lamoureux (Liberal). rhetorical question.The response addresses a different matter of heckling rather than the consent motion.
We are asking that the member for Hamilton East—Stoney Creek apologize for screaming in the House and trying to intimidate another member
- deflectedBusiness of the HouseAndrew Scheer (Conservative) asked Arielle Kayabaga (Liberal). substantive question.The answer shifts to condolences and unrelated recognition instead of addressing the business schedule questions.
I would like to take this opportunity to offer my condolences to the Canadian Armed Forces members in Wainwright who are dealing with loss