Sunday, March 29, 2026
ADVT 
National

Five things from the first question period of Canada's 45th Parliament

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 29 May, 2025 11:32 AM
  • Five things from the first question period of Canada's 45th Parliament

Prime Minister Mark Carney faced questions and criticisms from opposition parties during the first question period of Canada's 45th Parliament.

Here's a quick look at how the first day went.

Elbows down?

Former party leader Andrew Scheer led the Conservatives in the Commons Wednesday afternoon during Prime Minister Mark Carney's first-ever question period.

In his opening remarks, Scheer, now the leader of the Opposition in the House, argued that Carney was "elbows up" during the election campaign but had since brought them down.

Carney said Canada's tariffs have a maximum impact on the U.S. and a minimal impact on Canada. 

Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet also pressed Carney on tariffs and said that while he ran on the issue during the campaign, there was no reference to tariffs in Tuesday's throne speech. Carney said the speech included words about transformation and that the Liberals have a "daring plan" to respond to the crisis. 

Hello from the other side 

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was excluded from question period today after losing his seat.

In a press conference held in the foyer outside the House of Commons chamber before question period began, the Conservative leader told reporters he'd love to be in the chamber.

Instead, it was Bruce Fanjoy, the new Liberal MP who defeated Poilievre in Carleton, on the inside. He even got a standing ovation, cheers and applause. Fanjoy said in his remarks that he'd never take the honour for granted, mirroring his previous comments about Poilievre's failures in representing his constituents. 

Those watching question period from the room included P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and former Ottawa mayor Jim Watson.

The "man with the plan" questioned over budget delay 

Throughout question period, Conservatives pushed back on the Liberals' plan to delay the release of a budget until the fall.

Scheer questioned why Carney, the "man with the plan and the guy we hire in a crisis," wouldn't table a budget before going on "summer vacation."

The prime minister quipped back that the 100-day plan released during the election by Pierre Poilievre - who he referred to as the "former member for Carleton" -  also didn't include plans to table a budget. Carney said his government's plan includes introducing legislation for "nation-building projects" and one Canadian economy "immediately."

Everything old is new again?

In the first few minutes of question period, Scheer made remarks about Carney's government not being much different from the previous one, including by saying that "he didn't take long to pick up old Liberal habits of not being able to answer questions." 

Answering a question about pipelines, Carney emphasized that his "new" government is acting immediately to grow the economy, with his response receiving loud laughs from opposition parties. 

The Liberals were also pressed on energy, crime and housing during question period. MPs repeatedly mentioned the government's plans to cut taxes. 

One is the loneliest number

The NDP was only able to ask one question today after losing official party status and being reduced to just seven seats in last month's election.

Without official party status, the seven NDP MPs are officially considered independents, and despite their small number, aren't even all able to sit together. Five are on one side, and two are on the other.

Interim NDP Leader Don Davies, who said the speaker agreed to give the NDP seven questions per week in question period, used his allotted time Wednesday to push the government to bring Canada's jobless rate down and protect workers in the face of tariffs.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

MORE National ARTICLES

U.S. commerce secretary says steel and aluminum tariffs coming this week

U.S. commerce secretary says steel and aluminum tariffs coming this week
Canada remains in the crosshairs of U.S. President Donald Trump's enormous tariff agenda, with steel and aluminum duties set to come into force on Wednesday. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Sunday that Trump will follow through on his threat to impose 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports into the U.S.

U.S. commerce secretary says steel and aluminum tariffs coming this week

Liberals turn to transition plans after Mark Carney wins leadership

Liberals turn to transition plans after Mark Carney wins leadership
Liberal MPs are gathering on Parliament Hill this afternoon to huddle after the party chose former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney as its new leader. Carney is heading into a day full of briefings and in the coming days will need to be sworn in as prime minister, choose his cabinet and sort out his party's battle plans for the coming federal election — but the exact timeline for all these things remains unclear.

Liberals turn to transition plans after Mark Carney wins leadership

'Very difficult position': Bank of Canada expected to cut rate amid trade uncertainty

'Very difficult position': Bank of Canada expected to cut rate amid trade uncertainty
The Bank of Canada's interest rate announcement arrives on Wednesday in a cloud of uncertainty thanks to a shifting trade war with the United States. Most economists expect the central bank will deliver another quarter-point rate cut while it waits to see how long the dispute with Canada's largest trading partner lasts.

'Very difficult position': Bank of Canada expected to cut rate amid trade uncertainty

Ejected MLA says Opposition Leader Rustad selling B.C. to 'elite racial minority'

Ejected MLA says Opposition Leader Rustad selling B.C. to 'elite racial minority'
Dallas Brodie was dumped by Rustad on Friday, the day after a showdown in the Conservative caucus room in which Rustad said Brodie challenged colleagues to fire her and asked for a vote on her removal before walking out.

Ejected MLA says Opposition Leader Rustad selling B.C. to 'elite racial minority'

Eby says electricity export tariffs similar to Ontario's are not 'priority' for B.C.

Eby says electricity export tariffs similar to Ontario's are not 'priority' for B.C.
British Columbia Premier David Eby says the province has no plan to follow Ontario and levy a 25 per cent surcharge on electricity exports to the United States. Eby says imposing such a fee "is not currently a priority," with efforts focused on new legislation in coming days that would give the province the ability to impose fees on U.S. commercial trucks travelling to Alaska via B.C.

Eby says electricity export tariffs similar to Ontario's are not 'priority' for B.C.

B.C. shipyard awarded $3.15 billion government contract to build icebreaker

B.C. shipyard awarded $3.15 billion government contract to build icebreaker
A British Columbia company has been given a $3.15 billion contract to build one of two icebreaker ships for the Canadian Coast Guard. Public Services and Procurement Canada says in a statement that Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyards, located in North Vancouver, B.C., will be building one of the future polar icebreakers as part of Canada's National Shipbuilding Strategy.

B.C. shipyard awarded $3.15 billion government contract to build icebreaker