Unpacking the 45th Parliament's First Session: A Deep Dive 🇨🇦
Understand the 45th Parliament's opening, including the Throne Speech and early legislative action on border security, internal trade, and citizenship.
A Deep Dive into Key Legislation, Debates, and the King's Historic Speech
Here’s a look at the key discussions and decisions from the House of Commons this past month, straight from the official record.
This past month has seen the formal convocation of the First Session of the 45th Parliament of Canada, marked by significant procedural milestones and the tabling of key government legislation.
A Royal Beginning and the Dawn of a New Parliament
The new parliamentary session officially began on Monday, May 26, 2025, following a proclamation by Her Excellency the Governor General of Canada. The Deputy Governor General proceeded to the Senate chamber to formally open the session. Eric Janse, the Clerk of the House of Commons, read a letter from the Administrative Secretary to the Governor General informing the House of this event.
Early proceedings included the Speaker's election process, with Sherry Romanado putting her name forward as a candidate for Speaker of the House of Commons. Members frequently congratulated each other on their election or re-election, emphasizing their responsibility to represent the diverse voices of Canadians and their shared duty to serve democracy with integrity. One backbencher noted the composition of Parliament: 343 individuals selected from among 40 million Canadian citizens to legislate on matters pertaining to their present and future. This role, they noted, relies on a "constant quest for truthfulness and the common good," and should be a place for "Canada's most important conversations," serious debate, and humorous disagreement, rather than insults and accusations.
A truly historic moment occurred on Tuesday, May 28, 2025, when His Majesty King Charles III delivered the Speech from the Throne.
"This was only the third time a reigning sovereign had read the Speech from the Throne in Canada, reinforcing 'Canada's constitutional relationship with the United Kingdom and with the royal family'."
The Prime Minister, Mark Carney, responded to the Speech, acknowledging the "bond between Canada and the Crown" and stating his commitment to building a "strongest economy in the G7".
Government's Vision: The Speech from the Throne 📝
The Speech from the Throne, a nearly 30-page document, outlined the government's priorities for the Canadian people. Key themes highlighted in the Speech and subsequent debates included:
Building a Stronger, Healthier Canada.
Affordability for Canadians, including discussions on child care, pharmacare, and dental care. The Canadian dental care plan, for instance, is already aiding thousands of seniors and millions more are eligible.
Safety and Security of Canadians and Communities, with concerns raised about rising violent crime, auto theft, and extortion.
Strengthening Canada's Economy amidst global uncertainty.
Combating Tariffs and Trade Threats from the United States and affirming Canada's sovereignty.
Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, acknowledging the need to continue work grounded in justice and respect, and consulting Indigenous communities on major projects.
Managing Immigration Responsibly, with discussions on francophone immigration targets, issues with temporary visas, and the asylum system.
Developing Natural Resources and Pipelines, with debate on achieving "consensus" for new projects and balancing economic development with environmental considerations.
Key Legislation Taking Shape
Several bills were introduced and debated, signaling the government's legislative agenda:
Bill C-2, the "Strong Borders Act," was introduced as the first bill of the new Parliament. It aims to secure Canada's borders, combat transnational organized crime, and improve the integrity of the immigration system. Specific provisions target fentanyl trafficking, auto theft, and money laundering.
A significant point of contention revolved around proposed amendments to the Canada Post Corporation Act, which would permit the opening of mail under certain circumstances. While the government asserted this would require a warrant from the courts to target illicit substances like fentanyl, opposition members expressed concern that the bill's text did not explicitly state this, raising privacy concerns for Canadians.
The bill also expands the Canadian Coast Guard’s services to include security activities, particularly in Arctic waters.
Bill C-5, the "One Canadian Economy Act," seeks to remove internal trade barriers and expedite major infrastructure projects designated as being in the "national interest". The government views this as crucial for building a strong Canada in response to trade threats from the U.S. However, this bill sparked intense debate, particularly regarding the powers it grants to cabinet to designate projects, concerns about bypassing parliamentary processes and provincial jurisdictions through "gag orders" and executive decrees, and the adequacy of Indigenous consultation requirements.
Bill C-3, "An Act to amend the Citizenship Act," aims to provide clarity and align legislation with values of equality and inclusivity, specifically addressing the acquisition of Canadian citizenship for individuals born abroad to Canadian parents. This bill seeks to eliminate a "double-tier system" that previously existed. Debates centered on the potential impact on Canada's immigration system, existing backlogs, and the need for robust security checks and a clear definition of "substantial connection" to Canada.
Key Debates and Challenges
The early weeks of Parliament were dominated by several pressing issues:
The Economy and Fiscal Policy: Many members criticized the government for not tabling a spring budget, with some viewing the main estimates as insufficient for proper financial oversight given significant new spending. The Minister of Finance and National Revenue, Hon. François-Philippe Champagne, defended Canada's strong economic position, citing a AAA credit rating and the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7.
The ArriveCAN Scandal: The Auditor General released a "scathing audit" revealing that GC Strategies, a two-person company, received $64 million in contracts for the ArriveCAN app, often without proof that work was completed or proper security clearances. Opposition members moved a motion to demand the money back within 100 days and impose a lifetime contracting ban on GC Strategies and its founders, Kristian Firth and Darren Anthony. The government stated it had already terminated contracts, revoked security clearances, imposed a seven-year ban, and initiated legal action, cooperating with an RCMP investigation.
Public Safety and the Opioid Crisis: Rising violent crime, auto theft, and extortion were major concerns. The government indicated plans to strengthen the Criminal Code, make bail laws stricter, and crack down on home invasions, human trafficking, and auto theft related to organized crime. The fentanyl crisis was a recurring topic, with calls for more treatment, re-criminalization of hard drugs, and dismantling fentanyl rings.
Interprovincial Trade Barriers: The government emphasized its commitment to creating "one Canadian economy" by removing internal trade barriers to boost economic growth and productivity, especially in the face of U.S. tariffs. Examples cited included the difficulty for Canadian businesses to export within Canada compared to internationally.
Wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan: The House also held an emergency debate on the severe wildfire situation in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, discussing federal assistance, coordination with provinces, and the role of the Canadian Armed Forces and first responders.
Parliamentary Dynamics: "New Government" vs. "Same Old"
A recurring theme throughout the debates was the narrative of a "new government" versus the "same old Liberal government." Liberal members, including many new MPs, highlighted the fresh mandate received in the April 28 election and the Prime Minister's commitment to "building Canada strong" and achieving the "strongest economy in the G7". They stressed cooperation with provinces and a unified "Team Canada" approach, especially on trade issues.
Conversely, opposition members, particularly Conservatives, argued that despite a new Prime Minister, the government's actions, particularly on spending, accountability, and project approval, reflected the "same old Liberal government". They repeatedly raised concerns about transparency, fiscal discipline, and the impact of government policies on Canadians' livelihoods and freedoms.
Parliamentarians continued to emphasize the importance of representing their constituents and working to address their concerns about rising costs, crime, and the future of the country.
As Parliament continues its work, the coming weeks promise further robust debates as the government seeks to advance its legislative agenda, and the opposition strives to hold it accountable. We will keep observing and reporting.
What are your takeaways from this week's proceedings? Share your thoughts in the comments below. 🇨🇦