The House of Commons concluded its fall session following Thursday’s question period, signaling the departure of MPs for a six-week holiday recess. Despite some pending legislation, notably the government’s budget implementation act, Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed satisfaction with the House’s performance, stating that progress is being made in the minority Parliament.
During the fall session, only four bills were passed, including the supplementary estimates crucial for the government’s operations. Notably, two bills – C-12, the government’s border security bill, and C-4, formalizing the Liberals’ income tax cut – were swiftly advanced to the Senate post-question period on Thursday.
Amidst farewells and well-wishes for the holidays, MPs engaged in finger-pointing as the session came to a close. Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer criticized the Liberals for procedural delays and an alleged lack of cooperation on affordability issues. In response, government House leader Steven MacKinnon attributed setbacks to the obstructionist tactics of a segment within the Conservative caucus.
Tensions peaked over the House justice committee’s handling of Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act. A recent Bloc Québécois amendment supported by the Liberals to remove a religious exemption from hate speech laws intensified Conservative opposition, leading to a committee deadlock. Efforts to prioritize the Liberals’ bail reform bill over C-9 were unsuccessful, prolonging the impasse.
The House is set to reconvene on January 26 after the holiday break.