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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

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 41%, opposition 59% of the words spokenGovernment businessQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0011:0012:0013:0014:0015:0016:00Last speech 17:15Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 7 h 15 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
30Another sitting that went nowhereThe House spent most of its time on Business of Supply and related topics without advancing any bills or holding recorded votes. Frequent points of order and largely deflected answers in Question Period left little accomplished.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

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 exchange

Steel 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.

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Finance

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.

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Privilege

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.

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Irene Mathyssen

Heather McPherson and Kurt Holman paid tribute to former London—Fanshawe MP Irene Mathyssen, highlighting her work on human rights and veterans' issues.

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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
    Immigration, 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.
  2. deflected
    The 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—
  3. misdirected
    The 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.
  4. deflected
    Immigration, 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.
  5. misdirected
    Immigration, 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.
  6. misdirected
    Immigration, 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
  7. partly answered
    Government 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.
  8. misdirected
    Government 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
  9. deflected
    Government 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.
  10. deflected
    Public 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.
  11. partly answered
    Public Services and ProcurementMichael Barrett (Conservative) asked Wayne Long (Liberal). substantive question.The answer provides some facts on rehiring but avoids explaining the prioritization framework.
  12. misdirected
    Public 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.
  13. deflected
    Public 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.
  14. deflected
    Public 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.
  15. partly answered
    Public 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.
  16. deflected
    Public 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.
  17. deflected
    Canadian 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?
  18. partly answered
    Canadian 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.
  19. deflected
    Canada 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.
  20. deflected
    Canada 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.
  21. deflected
    The 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.
  22. deflected
    The 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.
  23. deflected
    The 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
  24. answered
    Steel 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.
  25. deflected
    Steel 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.
  26. deflected
    Steel 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.
  27. deflected
    Steel 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.
  28. deflected
    Steel 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.
  29. deflected
    Steel 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—
  30. misdirected
    Steel 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—
  31. partly answered
    EmploymentAndrew 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.
  32. misdirected
    The 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
  33. deflected
    FinanceGreg 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.
  34. deflected
    FinanceGreg 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.
  35. deflected
    FinanceJacques 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.
  36. deflected
    The 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—
  37. partly answered
    Foreign 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.
  38. deflected
    Government 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.
  39. misdirected
    Committees 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
  40. deflected
    Business 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