Legislative Reports

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Newfoundland and Labrador

Fall 2025 General Election

On September 15, 2025, former Premier John Hogan visited the Lieutenant Governor to request the dissolution of the 50th General Assembly. Later that day, Elections Newfoundland and Labrador issued writs to returning officers in all 40 provincial electoral districts for a general election to be held on October 14. This was the province’s 52nd general election and the 23rd since Confederation.

With returns published on October 20, the election resulted in 21 seats for the Progressive Conservative Party and 15 for the Liberal Party. The New Democratic Party maintained its count of two seats, and two independent Members were re-elected. This result marked the province’s first change in government since 2015, with the Progressive Conservatives forming Government.

No recounts were automatically triggered; however, the Liberal Party petitioned for judicial recounts in three districts: Topsail – Paradise, Placentia West – Bellevue and Lewisporte – Twillingate. On November 14, a ruling from the Supreme Court granted a recount for the district of Topsail – Paradise. Official results followed on November 21 and saw no change in the outcome of the October 14 election.

Swearing-in of Members and Election of Speaker

Following initial election results, 37 Members-elect of the 51st General Assembly were sworn in on November 3.

Unaffiliated MHA Paul Lane was the only Member to submit a notice of intent for election to the Office of Speaker by the close of nominations on October 31. In accordance with Chapter 2 of the Standing Orders, he was acclaimed to the position on November 3. Following brief remarks, the Speaker adjourned the House of the call of the Chair.

On November 18, after requests for judicial recounts in Placentia West – Bellevue and Lewisporte – Twillingate were dismissed, the Members-elect for those two districts were sworn in. Finally, the Member-elect for Topsail – Paradise was sworn in on November 25, following the results of that judicial recount.

Spring Sitting of the House of Assembly

In accordance with the 2026 parliamentary calendar, the House is scheduled to reconvene on March 2 for its spring sitting, which will commence with a Speech from the Throne.

Evan Beazley

Committee Analyst

Alberta

Second Session of the 31st Legislature

Originally scheduled to commence on October 27, the first day of the Second Session of the 31st Alberta Legislature opened on October 23, 2025, with a Speech from the Throne delivered by Lieutenant Governor Salma Lakhani. The session adjourned, almost two weeks later than scheduled, on December 10.

Speech from the Throne

The Speech from the Throne reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to promoting provincial prosperity by opposing federal policies considered detrimental to the provincial or national economy. Key strategic economic priorities include expanding energy exports, partnering with First Nations on pipeline ownership, and diversifying the economy with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging sectors. Infrastructure initiatives will focus on enhancing highways, passenger rail, light rail transit, and municipal improvements. Investments in education aim to increase school capacity, augment staffing, and expand the number of spaces in high-demand post-secondary programs. The Speech from the Throne also touched on planned healthcare enhancements, including the expansion of chartered surgical services, improved access to private diagnostic and AI-based screening services, and the implementation of the Alberta Recovery Model and Compassionate Intervention Program.

Government Bills

During the fall sitting the Government introduced 14 Bills, including:

• Bill 1, International Agreements Act, which establishes that Alberta is not automatically bound by international agreements signed by the federal government if those agreements involve matters under provincial jurisdiction such as health, education, or resource management. Instead, any such provisions only take effect in Alberta if they are implemented through legislation passed by the Alberta Legislature.
• Bill 2, Back to School Act, which was considered at all stages of the legislative process in one day and received Royal Assent the following day. A Government Motion, passed on division, allowed for the Bill to “be advanced two or more stages in one day,” and the Bill received a total of five hours and 18 minutes of debate through time allocation. The Act legislated striking teachers to return to work, imposed a collective agreement until 2028, and declared, in accordance with section 33 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, that the Act operates notwithstanding certain provisions of the Charter.
• Bill 9, Protecting Alberta’s Children Statutes Amendment Act, 2025, amended three different Acts which have provisions restricting gender-affirming health care for minors by banning gender reassignment surgeries for those under 18 years old and prohibiting puberty blockers or hormone treatments for children under 16 years old; requiring parental notification and consent for students under 16 to change names or pronouns at school or receive instruction on gender identity, sexual orientation, or human sexuality; and enabling restrictions that limit participation in women’s and girls’ amateur sports to individuals assigned female at birth. The three Acts were amended to add declarations that those provisions operate notwithstanding certain provisions of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Alberta Bill of Rights, and the Alberta Human Rights Act.
• Bill 11, Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 (No. 2), permits certain medical professionals such as surgeons to work in both public and private sectors under a dual-practice model. General practitioners are not included in the model. The Bill requires surgeons to perform a minimum number of public surgeries and maintain separate records to prevent misuse of public funds. Bill 11 also updates drug coverage rules, health card renewal processes, food safety regulations, and penalties for improper billing.
• Bill 13, Regulated Professions Neutrality Act, limits professional regulators’ authority over off-duty conduct and training mandates. It ensures that regulators cannot discipline professionals for speech or actions outside their professional duties, such as social media posts, except in narrow circumstances. It prohibits regulatory bodies from requiring cultural-competency, unconscious-bias, or diversity/equity/inclusion training unless directly necessary for professional competence and prohibits them from considering characteristics such as race, gender identity, religion, or political beliefs in regulatory decisions or in pursuit of diversity outcomes. The legislation applies to all regulated professions and establishes a consistent standard of review for legal challenges.
• Bill 14, Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2025, raises MLA nomination signature requirements from 25 to 100 signatures and prohibits electors from signing or inducing another elector to sign more than one nomination paper, bars party names that could be confused with existing parties, limits candidate endorsements exclusively to registered party leaders, transfers certain authority over citizen-initiative referenda from the Chief Electoral Officer to the Minister of Justice, eliminates the requirement that referenda not exceed constitutional jurisdiction, allows MLAs and their families to accept nonmonetary gifts from candidate associations, clarifies the statutory mandate for the Law Society of Alberta, grants the Attorney General immunity from official actions, and restricts the Law Society’s power to mandate professional training to core admission or specialized roles or in relation to disciplinary matters.

Government Motion 17

On December 3, Mickey Amery moved Government Motion 17. Under the authority of the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act, the motion authorizes the Lieutenant Governor in Council to take certain actions directing provincial agencies, including law enforcement, to refuse to participate in the federal government’s firearm buyback program. The motion asserts Alberta’s constitutional jurisdiction over property and civil rights, expressing that Ottawa’s initiative to confiscate assault-style firearms and compensate owners of banned assault-style firearms is not in the public interest and diverts resources from law enforcement and public safety. The motion was agreed to, on division, the same day.

Question of Privilege

On October 30, Peter Guthrie raised a purported question of privilege against the Government House Leader, Joseph Schow, for allegedly intimidating and obstructing the Member in the performance of his duties. Mr. Guthrie’s question of privilege related to a Government Motion proposing to appoint him to the Standing Committee on Private Bills without his consent. On November 4, Speaker Ric McIver ruled that he did not find there to be a prima facie case of breach of privilege. The Speaker noted that committee membership is determined by way of passage of a Government Motion, and therefore the decision is a decision made by the Assembly and not the Government or the Government House Leader. The Speaker also noted that Mr. Guthrie had submitted a letter resigning from the Committee, which had been tabled by the Speaker.

Cabinet Changes

Rebecca Schulz resigned as Minister of Environment and Protected Areas effective January 2, 2026. She will continue to represent Calgary-Shaw until May 2026. Grant Hunter, recently the Associate Minister for Water, has been sworn in as the new Minister of Environment and Protected Areas.

Committee Business

On November 24 the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship met to continue its review of the Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblower Protection) Act. The Committee reviewed the written submissions received from stakeholders and the public and chose to invite four organizations to make oral presentations to the Committee. To determine who will be invited to make presentations, the Government and Official Opposition caucuses have each identified two stakeholders from those who made written submissions to the Committee.

Pursuant to Government Motion 13, agreed to on November 25, 2025, the Assembly has appointed the Standing Committee on Legislative Offices for the purpose of inviting applications for the position of Auditor General and to recommend to the Assembly the applicant that it considers most suitable for that position. The Committee appointed the Auditor General Search Subcommittee to complete this task. The Subcommittee will be accepting applications until January 29, 2026.

Jody Rempel

Committee Clerk

British Columbia

Fall Sitting Period

The First Session of the 43rd Parliament resumed on October 6, 2025. On October 8, 2025, the House adopted a motion to amend the parliamentary calendar to remove the sitting week of November 3, 2025, and add a sitting week the week of December 1, 2025, falling outside of the Standing Order provisions that prescribe the typical sitting weeks. This change was made to enable Members to participate in the annual B.C. Cabinet and First Nations Leaders’ Gathering.

The Legislative Assembly concluded its fall sitting period on December 3, 2025, a day earlier than anticipated. A long adjournment motion was adopted authorizing the Speaker to recall the House should the need arise. Consistent with practice in recent years, the motion also allows for the alteration of the location and means of conducting the sittings of the House by agreement of the Speaker and the House Leaders of each recognized caucus, if required due to an emergency or public health measures.

Party Standings

On September 22, 2025, Elenore Sturko, MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale, was removed from the Official Opposition Caucus and now sits as an Independent Member. On October 20, 2025, Amelia Boultbee, MLA for Penticton-Summerland, left the Official Opposition Caucus and now sits as an Independent Member. As of December 4, 2025, party standings are 47 BC NDP, 39 Conservative Party of British Columbia, two BC Green Party, two OneBC, and three Independents.

Party Leadership

On September 24, 2025, the BC Green Party elected Emily Lowan as its new leader. As she does not currently hold a seat in the Legislative Assembly, Jeremy Valeriote, MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky, continues to serve as Leader of the Third Party in the Legislative Assembly.

On December 3, 2025, a majority of the Members affiliated with the Official Opposition Caucus advised the Conservative Party of British Columbia’s legal counsel that they no longer had confidence in the Leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia and Leader of the Official Opposition, John Rustad, MLA for Nechako Lakes. The next day, MLA Rustad resigned as Leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia and the Caucus selected Trevor Halford, MLA for Surrey-White Rock, as the new Leader of the Official Opposition. The Board of Directors of the Conservative Party of British Columbia subsequently appointed MLA Halford as Interim Party Leader. A party leadership contest is expected to be launched in the coming weeks.

Legislation

During the fall sitting period, a total of 19 bills, including one Private Member’s bill, received Royal Assent. This included several bills focused on health care, safety, and the economy. The government designated Bill 31, Energy Statutes Amendment Act, 2025, and Bill 32, Mental Health Amendment Act (No. 2), 2025 as matters of confidence.

Bill 31 fast-tracks construction of the North Coast Transmission Line, a project intended to increase electricity in the province’s north, to power critical mineral projects and liquefied natural gas terminals. As there was a tie on the motion for third reading of the bill, the Speaker was required to exercise a casting vote. As the bill had been declared a confidence matter, he cast his vote in favour of the motion, further noting that the bill had passed earlier stages of consideration by the House with a majority of votes.

Bill 32 harmonizes liability protections and modernizes the language in provisions of the Mental Health Act relating to involuntary care and informed consent to ensure that health care workers and facility staff are afforded adequate legal protections. As there was a tie on the motion for second reading of the bill, the Speaker was required to exercise a casting vote. He cast his vote in favour of the motion in accordance with established practice to allow further debate. The bill subsequently passed third reading with a majority of votes.

Ministerial Statement

On October 20, 2025, Premier David Eby, delivered a ministerial statement in support of BC’s forestry industry and communities impacted by U.S. duties and tariffs. The Premier emphasized that the province’s forestry industry was facing an existential crisis and launched a call to action to all British Columbians. The Leader of the Official Opposition, MLA Rustad, discussed the need to reduce red tape and enable more British Columbian businesses to source the raw materials they need and get their products to market. MLA Valeriote, Leader of the Third Party, emphasized that the long-term and holistic management of BC’s forests depends on prioritizing ecosystem health, local ownership and employment, as well as partnerships with First Nations. The Leader of the Fourth Party, Dallas Brodie, highlighted that reducing taxes and stumpage fees and eliminating band council vetoes would revive the province’s forest industry.

Speaker’s Statements and Decisions

On October 29, 2025, the Leader of the Official Opposition made an application under Standing Order 35 for the adjournment of the House to discuss a matter of urgent public importance, being the protection of fee simple property rights. As background, the August 2025 Cowichan Tribes v. Canada Supreme Court of British Columbia decision found that the Cowichan Tribes hold Aboriginal title to a parcel of land in the city of Richmond including lands which are held in fee simple by private parties. In his decision on the Standing Order 35 application, the Speaker, Raj Chouhan, noted the two criteria required for a successful application under Standing Order 35: first whether other opportunities to debate the matter are available to the House, and second whether new, sudden or unexpected events require the House to suspend all other business for an emergency debate on the matter. Based on the submission from the Leader of the Official Opposition, the Speaker concluded that neither of these criteria were met and ruled that the application had failed.

Over the course of the fall sitting period, the Speaker addressed the use of unparliamentary language on several occasions. On October 28, 2025, the Speaker made a statement on unparliamentary language and provided guidance on language used in debate. The Speaker stated that the use of strong language in terms that relate solely to policy or positions taken by Members or parties may be permitted in debate at the discretion of the Chair. The Speaker reiterated that Members should focus their comments on policies and issues rather than using personal insults and emphasized that allegations of racism against individual Members were out of order as they constitute an offensive personal characterization. On November 25, 2025, the Minister of Finance, Brenda Bailey, raised a point of order regarding remarks made by the Fourth Party House Leader, Tara Armstrong, that she viewed to be unparliamentary. In his ruling the following day, the Speaker noted that the Member’s submissions on the point of order amounted to debate, as they introduced various opinions unrelated to a breach of decorum, and stated it is inappropriate for the Chair to intervene in disputes between Members.

Following Oral Question Period on November 26, 2025, the Official Opposition House Leader, Á’a:líya Warbus, raised a point of order in relation to Standing Order 47A (b), which provides, in part: “questions and answers shall be brief and precise.” In raising the point of order, she highlighted that Ministers’ answers are often lengthy and unrelated to the question posed. In rendering his decision, the Speaker noted that while the Standing Orders do not prescribe a time limit for questions or answers, Oral Question Period should ideally attain an even balance of time spent on questions and answers. The Speaker added that his examination of the use of time during Oral Question Period during the fall sitting period revealed an incommensurate amount of time taken up by answers provided by some Ministers. He stated that he expects Ministers to note the length of questions they are responding to and strive to provide proportional answers wherever possible.

Parliamentary Committee Activities

The Special Committee on Democratic and Electoral Reform presented its first report, Toward a Stronger Democracy in BC, on November 26, 2025. This report relates to the first part of the Committee’s mandate on democratic engagement, voter participation, and electoral reform. The Committee made 36 recommendations designed to strengthen BC’s democracy by supporting British Columbians’ participation and engagement, examining the efficacy of legislation and policy, and enhancing the responsibilities of and resources for Elections BC, political parties, and Members. The Committee heard from 987 participants through written submissions and a series of public meetings held both virtually and in communities across the province. The Committee is also empowered to review the administration of the 2024 provincial general election for which work is underway.

On October 9, 2025, the Select Standing Committee on Private Bills and Private Members’ Bills presented its fifth report, reporting Bill M 210, Korean Heritage Month Act, complete without amendment. The bill, sponsored by Paul Choi, MLA for Burnaby South-Metrotown, subsequently received Royal Assent on October 30, 2025, establishing the month of October as Korean Heritage Month in BC.

Statutory Officers

Over the course of the fall sitting period, the Special Committee to Appoint Statutory Officers presented four reports containing the Committee’s unanimous recommendations to the Legislative Assembly regarding the appointment of a Chief Electoral Officer, a Conflict of Interest Commissioner, an Ombudsperson, and an Auditor General. The Legislative Assembly adopted each of the reports and subsequent motions appointing or recommending for appointment, as applicable, the individuals recommended by the Committee.

The Legislative Assembly recommended that the Lieutenant Governor appoint Shipra Verma as Chief Electoral Officer for a term of two provincial general elections plus one year commencing on November 12, 2025. She comes to British Columbia after decades of experience at Elections Manitoba, having most recently served as the province’s Chief Electoral Officer.

The Legislative Assembly also adopted a motion recommending that the Lieutenant Governor in Council appoint Jeffrey Schnoor as Conflict of Interest Commissioner for a five-year term commencing January 5, 2026. He most recently held office as Ethics Commissioner for the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

Bridget Parrish was appointed by the Legislative Assembly as Auditor General for an eight-year term effective December 1, 2025. She most recently served in the role of Acting Deputy Auditor General within the Office of the Auditor General of British Columbia.

Additionally, the Legislative Assembly recommended that the Lieutenant Governor appoint Sandra Hermiston as Ombudsperson for a six-year term commencing January 31, 2026. She previously served as the first Ombudsperson for both the Cayman Islands and Prince Edward Island.

Danielle Migeon

Committee Researcher

New Brunswick

This report covers events from October 21 through December 12, 2025.

Swearing-in Ceremony and Prorogation

On the morning of October 21, Lieutenant-Governor Louise Imbeault presided over a swearing-in ceremony in the Legislative Assembly Chamber for Kevin Russell, newly elected Progressive Conservative Member for Miramichi West.

During a sitting of the House later that morning, Mr. Russell was introduced by Official Opposition Leader Glen Savoie and took his seat, following which the First Session of the 61st Legislature was prorogued.

Second Session of the 61st Legislature and Throne Speech

The Second Session opened on the afternoon of October 21 with Lieutenant-Governor Imbeault delivering the Speech from the Throne. Titled “Change in Motion,” the speech – the second of Premier Susan Holt’s Liberal government – outlined the government’s plans in six priority areas: health care, affordability and housing, education, economic development, environment, and trusted leadership. The speech noted that measurable progress had been made during the first year of the government’s mandate and indicated the government’s intention to continue working in collaboration with New Brunswickers to realize the province’s full potential.

Reply to Throne Speech

On October 23, Official Opposition Leader Savoie gave his reply to the Speech from the Throne. He outlined the Official Opposition’s intention to defend all New Brunswickers and articulated complaints from rural residents that their needs have been neglected by the government. He criticized the government for breaking promises, including with respect to balancing the budget. Mr. Savoie challenged the government’s approach to several issues, including mental health and drug addiction, and signaled the Official Opposition’s intention to bring forward motions proposing improvements in these areas.

Capital Budget

Finance and Treasury Board Minister René Legacy tabled the 2026-27 Capital Budget on December 2. The budget totals $1.47 billion, an increase of $210 million over the previous year’s budget. Highlights include $205 million for healthcare infrastructure; $242 million for schools in response to aging buildings and growing enrolment; $78.1 million to continue development of new public and non-profit housing units; and $540 million for roads, bridges and other transportation assets.

Legislation

Twenty-three bills were introduced during the fall sitting, of which 21 received Royal Assent. Bills introduced included:

• Bill 2 – An Act to Amend the Public Health Act, introduced by Health Minister John Dornan, changes the appointment process for the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH), provides for removal for cause, and provides that certain government directions to the CMOH must be in writing and may be made public.
• Bill 14 – Free Trade Within Canada Act, introduced by Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Jean-Claude D’Amours, has as its stated purpose to remove barriers to the trade in goods and services between New Brunswick and other Canadian jurisdictions.
• Bill 23 – An Act Respecting the Right to a Healthy Environment, introduced by Green Party Leader David Coon, is a modified version of a Bill introduced during the previous session and studied by the Standing Committee on Law Amendments. The Bill provides for New Brunswick residents’ rights to a healthy environment, to be informed of and participate in environmental decision-making and to seek remedies in court. It also proposes establishing the position of Environmental Rights Commissioner.

Motions

Motions debated during Opposition Members’ Business included:

• Motion 4, moved by Official Opposition House Leader Margaret Johnson, urging the government to provide persons recovering from substance use disorders with integrated care plans. The House adopted the motion in amended form on November 20.
• Motion 11, moved by Sherry Wilson, urging the government to strengthen oversight and standards for methadone treatment and to develop a plan to transition patients from private methadone clinics to other community-based or public clinics.

Committee Activity

The Standing Committee on Economic Policy, chaired by Natacha Vautour, was active during the fall sitting, considering 18 Bills referred to it following second reading.

On November 7, the House directed the Standing Committee on Official Languages to review the Official Languages Act and present its report by December 31, 2026. The Committee, chaired by Benoît Bourque, met on December 10 with the two commissioners who carried out the previous review of that Act in 2021.

The Standing Committee on Private Bills, chaired by Alexandre Cédric Doucet, met on November 26 to consider Bills promoted by the New Brunswick Association of Occupational Therapists and the City of Fredericton.

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts, chaired by Tammy Scott-Wallace, met on December 9 and 11 to discuss the Report of the Auditor General of New Brunswick, 2025, Volume II – Performance Audit and Volume III – Financial Audit. In the performance audit, Auditor General Paul Martin addressed issues including hospital emergency department visits; the implementation of the provincial plan to reduce violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people; and highway safety. The financial audit reported that the province’s financial condition has remained stable since 2024 while highlighting areas of concern.

Appointment of Consumer Advocate for Insurance

On November 19, the House adopted a resolution recommending the appointment of Marc Roy as the province’s next Consumer Advocate for Insurance, an independent officer of the Legislative Assembly. The resolution also thanked Michèle Pelletier, who had served in the role since 2017. Mr. Roy was subsequently appointed by Order-in-Council effective December 11.

Adjournment

The House adjourned on December 12 and is scheduled to resume sitting on March 17, 2026, when it is expected that Minister Legacy will present the 2026-27 Budget.

The standings in the House are 31 Liberals, 16 Progressive Conservatives and two Greens.

Patrick Dunn

Law Clerk and Committee Clerk

Manitoba

Third Session of the 43rd Legislature

The Third Session of the 43rd Legislature commenced on November 18, 2025, with the Speech from the Throne delivered by Lieutenant Governor Anita Neville. David Grenon, a singer-songwriter known as SoulBear, sang the national anthem “O Canada” and the royal anthem “God Save the King” from the Gallery at the conclusion of the event.

In order to provide a more natural sound in the Chamber, the audio technicians ran a live ambient microphone in the moments leading up to the Speech so that there was low-level room noise for the viewing audience. Historically on opening day there was no audio on the broadcast until the Lieutenant Governor took the Throne and started speaking. This effect has always seemed a bit odd when watching the broadcast, as there was no room noise, just silence. Once the Lieutenant Governor left and the Speaker took the Throne, the normal practice was resumed of only having the Speaker’s mic on, or the mic of a recognized Member.

The address outlined a series of initiatives intending to build on the Government’s progress over the past two years, with new commitments to improve health care, lower costs, create good jobs to grow the economy and keep communities safe.

The Speech specifically identified the following priorities and commitments:

• Introducing three pieces of legislation to improve patient safety by creating a patient safety charter, ending mandatory overtime starting with nurses on the front lines and legislating staff-to-patient ratios in priority areas of the health-care system;
• Launching digital health cards and a new patient portal in 2026;
• Expanding pharmacists’ scope of practice so they can provide birth control and treatment for urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other common ailments;
• Building on Manitoba’s protective care legislation by providing new detox beds for people leaving the Protective Care Centre who are taking methamphetamines (meth), and investing in housing and wraparound supports for those struggling with addiction;
• Conducting a targeted meth sweep focusing on those producing and distributing meth and setting up a task force on drug enforcement;
• Advancing a potential Churchill trade corridor project in partnership with Indigenous nations, with new legislation to enshrine the Manitoba Crown-Indigenous Corporation into law;
• Building four new schools and adding more than 400 child-care spaces in River East, Pembina Trails, Seven Oaks, and Brandon;
• Conducting the most comprehensive after-action wildfire review ever undertaken in Manitoba; and
• Updating the Accessibility for Manitobans Act and expanding French legal services.

During his contribution to the Throne Speech debate on November 21, the Leader of the Official Opposition Obby Khan moved a non-confidence amendment which stated that the Government, among other things:

• Failed to present a credible or transparent fiscal plan while making yet another false promise to balance the budget despite record deficits, deteriorating credit outlooks, and no path to sustainability;
• Misstated progress in the healthcare system while Manitobans continue to face unacceptable emergency room wait times, closed rural services, long surgical backlogs, and a worsening shortage of front-line staff in many regions;
• Failed to address the growing cost-of-living crisis, offering short-term rhetoric instead of long-term affordability measures, leaving families, seniors, farmers, and small businesses without meaningful relief;
• Failed to offer a serious plan to rebuild the economy despite job losses, a weakening investment climate, and stalled major infrastructure projects that are vital to Manitoba’s competitiveness;
• Misrepresented the provincial government’s record on public safety as crime rates, drug trafficking, and violent incidents continue to rise in many communities across the province, with no comprehensive strategy to tackle the root causes or support law enforcement;
• Failed to support municipalities, which continue to face downloading, infrastructure deficits, and cost pressures without stable long-term funding;
• Failed to address the severe impacts of drought, wildfire, and climate-driven disasters, providing no concrete commitments to build provincial resilience, protect agriculture, or support affected communities beyond vague reviews and slogans; and
• Continued to overpromise on northern development and the Port of Churchill, offering speculative, uncosted announcements without supporting evidence, timelines, or guarantees of feasibility, transparency, or value for Manitobans.

On November 27, the amendment was defeated on a recorded vote of 20 ayes, 33 nays, while the main motion carried on a recorded vote of ayes 32, nays 20. The Fall Sittings period concluded on December 4, 2025, with the House scheduled to resume sitting on March 4, 2026.

American Sign Language (ASL) Live Broadcast

On December 3, 2025, thanks to the great work of the Assembly’s Digital Media Branch, live American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation was provided in the Manitoba legislature for the first time. As Minister of Families Nahanni Fontaine introduced Bill 6, The Sign Languages Recognition Act, members of the deaf community were present in the gallery to observe the proceedings, and ASL interpretation was provided live in the public gallery as well as on our broadcast. The Bill formally recognizes American Sign Language, Quebec Sign Language and Indigenous Sign Languages as distinct languages, and acknowledges the linguistic and cultural uniqueness of sign languages as the primary languages of many deaf, hard-of-hearing and deaf-blind Manitobans. This step served as a successful test case, and the Assembly is working towards providing ASL interpretation as a regular feature of our broadcasts starting in 2026.

Legislative Building Exterior Restoration & Preservation Project

A multi-year capital project is underway to preserve and restore the exterior of the Manitoba Legislative Building. In addition to cleaning, repainting, and repairing the historic stonework, the project includes renewal of key heritage features such as the lampstands, statues, and balustrades. The project implementation has been divided into four parts with the East Side due to be concluded in 2027, the South Side in 2028, the West side in 2031 and the North side by 2033.

Independent Officer changes

In November 2025 Leigh Anne Caron was appointed as Manitoba’s first Senior’s Advocate. Manitoba’s independent Seniors’ Advocate office was officially established with the proclamation of The Seniors’ Advocate Act on November 1, 2025. The role was established to act as an independent voice for seniors, identifying systemic issues and making recommendations to the legislature on health care, housing, and programs.

An all-party committee has been established to select and appoint a new Ethics Commissioner after Jeffrey Schnoor announced he was leaving the position to serve as Conflict of Interest Commissioner for British Columbia. The Speaker expressed his gratitude to Mr. Schnoor in the Fall Session noting Mr. Schnoor oversaw the implementation of many changes to Manitoba’s Conflict of Interest legislation. In addition to providing confidential advice to MLAs and assisting Members with their disclosure obligations, he developed a new online disclosure process and website. He also took on the challenging task of creating a process for responding to requests from MLAs to give an opinion respecting the compliance of other Members with The Conflict of Interest Act.

Finally, an all-party Committee has also been launched to hire a new Chief Electoral Officer, filling a vacancy created when Shipra Verma left her role in November 2025 after serving 21 years with Elections Manitoba. The Assembly thanks Ms. Verma for her many years of dedicated leadership and for her commitment to the democratic values of participation and electoral integrity. Her work has strengthened electoral processes and has served Manitoba voters with professionalism and care.

Greg Recksiedler

Research Clerk / Clerk Assistant

Ontario

1st Session 44th Parliament (Fall Meeting Period)

The House returned from the summer adjournment on October 20, 2025, for the fall meeting period. During this busy time, the House passed several bills, while committees considered the Estimates and continued various studies. The House adjourned on December 11, 2025.

Tributes

On December 3, 2025, the House agreed unanimously to pay tribute to several former Members who had passed away. Members made statements in remembrance of the following individuals:

• Allan Kenneth McLean, Member for the Electoral District of Simcoe East (March 19, 1981, to June 2, 1999)
• Mike Liam Farnan, Member for the Electoral District of Cambridge (September 10, 1987, to June 7, 1995)
• Michael A. Brown, Member for the Electoral District of Algoma–Manitoulin (September 10, 1987, to October 5, 2011)
• Jan Dukszta, Member for the Electoral District of Parkdale (October 21, 1971, to March 18, 1981)
• Rev. William C. Davis, Member for the Electoral District of Scarborough Centre (May 2, 1985, to September 9, 1987)
• James Joseph Bradley, Member for the Electoral District of St. Catharines (June 9, 1977, to June 6, 2018)
• Allan Furlong, Member for the Electoral District of Durham Centre (September 10, 1987, to September 5, 1990)
• Bernard Grandmaître, Member for the Electoral District of Ottawa East (December 13, 1984, to June 2, 1999)
• Timothy Escott Reid, Member for the Electoral District of Scarborough East (October 17, 1967, to October 20, 1971)
• John Hastings, Member for the Electoral Districts of Etobicoke—Rexdale and Etobicoke North (June 8, 1995, to October 1, 2003)
• Sharon Murdock, Member for the Electoral District of Sudbury (September 6, 1990, to June 7, 1995)

Speaker’s Ruling

On December 11, 2025, the Speaker delivered a ruling respecting the same question rule. This rule is captured in Standing Order 55, which provides that “no motion, or amendment, the subject-matter of which has been decided upon, can again be proposed during the same session.” She informed the House that as a result of the passage at third reading of Bill 46, An Act to amend various Acts, Bill 74, An Act to Amend the Christopher’s Law (Sex Offender Registry), 2000 with respect to the disclosure of information obtained from the sex offender registry, was rendered out of order. This was because Bill 74 was identical to the provisions of Schedule 3 of Bill 46. Bill 74 was subsequently removed from the Orders and Notices Paper. The Speaker explained that the intent of the same question rule is to protect the House’s time and to prevent the House from making contradictory or incompatible decisions in the same session.

In her ruling, the Speaker also noted that while the principle of the same question rule is widely observed in Westminster-style parliaments, its application by the Legislative Assembly of Ontario has differed from that of other jurisdictions. Many other parliaments consider the passage of a bill at second reading to be a point at which a substantially similar bill is no longer able to proceed. The Speaker advised that in Ontario, the practice has evolved such that the same question rule only takes effect once a final decision on a bill has been made, i.e. defeat at second reading or passage at third reading. She explained that this interpretation gives the House the greatest opportunity to decide on a matter without the risk of premature intervention by the Speaker.

Temporary Changes to the Parliamentary Calendar

On December 11, 2025, the House adopted a motion that when it adjourned that day, it would stand adjourned until March 23, 2026, instead of February 17, 2026, the start date of the spring meeting period provided for in the Standing Orders. The motion also revised the 2026 parliamentary calendar by adding a constituency week to the spring meeting period during the last week of April.

Committees

During the fall meeting period, committees met for ongoing studies and reviewed bills. The policy field committees also considered the 2025-2026 Estimates of the ministries assigned to them. They reported the Estimates back to the House on November 20, 2025, pursuant to the tabling deadline of the third Thursday in November set by Standing Order 66(a).

The Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs began the 2026 Pre-Budget Consultations with hearings in Toronto and Peterborough on December 4 and 5, 2025. Having been authorized by the House to meet during the winter adjournment, the Committee plans to hold public hearings in nine other locations across the province this January.

The Standing Committee on Justice Policy resumed its study on intimate partner violence, which was initiated in the 43rd Parliament and revived in the 44th Parliament. On November 17, 2025, the House ordered that the Committee consider a draft report authored by MPP Jess Dixon (Kitchener South—Hespeler) and meet for report writing later that month. The Committee presented its final report to the House on December 9, 2025.

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts received a briefing from the Auditor General’s 2025 Annual Report on December 8, 2025. The Committee also presented the following reports to the House:

• Value-for-Money Audit: Financial Services Regulatory Authority: Regulation of Private Passenger Automobile Insurance, Credit Unions and Pension Plans (2022 Annual Report of the Auditor General of Ontario);
• Value-for-Money Audit: Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation: Casinos, Lotteries and Internet Gaming (2022 Annual Report of the Auditor General of Ontario);
• Value-for-Money Audit: Tourism Support Programs (2023 Annual Report of the Auditor General of Ontario); and
• Review of Government Advertising (2023 Annual Report of the Auditor General of Ontario).

Members of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs attended the Fall Harvest Festival of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation on October 18, 2025. The Committee’s participation in this event was related to its ongoing work on including Indigenous representation at the Legislature as part of its study of the rehabilitation and restoration of the Legislative precinct. On December 4, 2025, Todd J. McCarthy, acting Minister of Infrastructure, provided a briefing to the Committee on behalf of the Queen’s Park Restoration Secretariat regarding the status of the Queen’s Park Restoration Project.

Stefan Uguen-Csenge

Committee Clerk

Saskatchewan

Prorogation and the opening of a new session

On the afternoon of October 22, 2025, the second session of the thirtieth legislature was opened by Lieutenant Governor Bernadette McIntyre, following prorogation of the first session earlier that day. The Lieutenant Governor delivered the Speech from the Throne, followed by blessings from Chaplain Fred Hill, Reverend Dr. T.V. Thomas, and Chief George Cote.

On October 23, 2025, a motion for Address in Reply was moved, followed by an amendment from the opposition expressing a lack of support for the agenda outlined in the speech and a loss of confidence in the government. The Assembly debated both the motion and the amendment for five days. On October 30, 2025, the amendment was negatived on a recorded division of 25-32 and the main motion was agreed to on a recorded division of 32-25.

Sessional order and amendments to the rules and procedures

The Rules and Procedures of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan specify that when Remembrance Day falls on a Tuesday, the Assembly shall not sit on the preceding Monday. As a result, the 25th and final day of the fall sitting period would have fallen on a Monday. On October 23, 2025, the Assembly adopted a sessional order modifying the parliamentary calendar for the fall session, allowing the Assembly to sit on December 5, as the final day of the fall period so that members would not need to return to the Assembly the following week for one sitting day. Related provisions of the sessional order modified the sitting times and order of business for December 4, and December 5, 2025.

Government House Leader Tim McLeod then moved four subsequent motions seeking permanent amendments to the rules to alter the parliamentary calendar to ensure the final day for the fall sitting period does not fall on a Monday in the future. All four motions were adopted by the Assembly.

Summary of legislation of the fall sitting

The Assembly sat for 25 days, during which time 25 public bills and seven Private Members’ public bills were introduced. Six of the public bills received Royal Assent, including an appropriation bill containing supplementary estimates for various ministries and agencies tabled by the government on November 27, 2025. The other bills that received Royal Assent included The Income Tax (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act, 2025; The Statute Law Amendment Act, 2025; The Public Libraries Amendment Act, 2025; The Cyberstalking and Coercive Control Act; and The Miscellaneous Statutes Repeal Act, 2025, which repealed 2 outdated public Acts and almost 200 obsolete private Acts.

On November 27, 2025, directly following question period, the Government House Leader asked for leave to move directly to Government Orders, item no. 7, The Cyberstalking and Coercive Control Act, skipping over multiple other items of business to consider the bill. The bill then immediately received second reading, was considered in Committee of the Whole on Bills, and received third reading. Afterwards, the Assembly granted leave to return to routine proceedings.

Urgent and pressing necessity motion

On October 23, 2025, Opposition Leader Carla Beck was granted leave to move a motion of urgent and pressing necessity calling on the Premier to urge the Government of Canada to remove the federal tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles to restore market access for producers of canola, peas, and pork in Saskatchewan. Members on both sides of the House spoke in favour of supporting Saskatchewan producers and urging the Government of Canada to take immediate action. A government amendment was moved to include that the Assembly commend the Premier for his leadership and early calls for the removal of the tariffs. Both the amendment and the subsequent amended motion were agreed to on recorded divisions of 33-24.

Point of order and Speaker’s ruling

On October 29, 2025, the Government House Leader raised a point of order immediately following the first reading of a bill, before it could be set down for second reading. He argued that Private Members’ Bill No. 605, The Free Trade within Canada (Mutual Recognition) Act, was a substantial duplication of government Bill No. 24, The Saskatchewan Internal Trade Promotion Act, and asked the Speaker to find the bill out of order pursuant to the “same question rule,” rule 59(e).

The Speaker ruled on November 3, 2025, that the point of order was too soon in the parliamentary process as the process of first reading and setting a bill down for second reading on the order paper is procedural in nature. The first decision to be made by the Assembly on a bill is its second reading motion and, so far, there had been no debate or decision made on either bill. As such, the opportunity to apply rule 59(e) would only occur once the Assembly voted on the second reading motion. Accordingly, the Speaker found the point of order not well taken and ordered Bill No. 605 to be set down for second reading on the order paper.

Assembly response to Conflict of Interest Commissioner report

As required by The Members’ Conflict of Interest Act, when the Conflict of Interest Commissioner finds that a member has contravened the Act, the Assembly shall consider and respond to the findings of the report within 40 sitting days of the day the report is laid before the Assembly. The Act provides penalties that the Assembly may impose. Two of the Commissioner’s reports from the previous session contained opinions that members had breached section 15 of The Members’ Conflict of Interest Act. On November 4, 2025, the Government House Leader moved a motion to receive the findings of four Conflict of Interest Commissioner reports, published October 21, 2024, December 16, 2024, and March 17, 2025. One opposition member spoke briefly on the motion before it was passed.

Absence of minister during committee and resulting privilege case

On December 2, 2025, Minister of Crown Investments Corporation Jeremy Harrison was not present for consideration of statutory supplementary estimates at a meeting of the Standing Committee on Crown and Central Agencies. Motions were moved during the committee meeting to compel the minister’s attendance and to report a breach of privilege to the Assembly, but they were negatived. On December 3, 2025, Opposition Whip Aleana Young submitted a privilege case to the Speaker of the Assembly.

Prior to the Speaker delivering his ruling, the Chair of the Standing Committee on Crown and Central Agencies moved a motion for the committee’s third report to be concurred in by the Assembly. The report recommended that the Assembly concur with the supplementary estimates as reported and include them in the appropriation bill for consideration by the Assembly. The Opposition Whip entered debate on the concurrence motion, speaking to her concerns about the minister’s absence at the meeting. The Minister of Crown Investments Corporation joined the debate and argued that there is no obligation to consider statutory budget items in committee. The opposition voted against the concurrence motion, but it was ultimately passed on a recorded division of 32-22.

Immediately following the concurrence motion, the Speaker delivered his ruling on the privilege case to the Assembly. The Speaker determined that there was not a prima facie case of privilege, as breaches of privilege in committee must be dealt with by the committee and the House has no authority to deal with the matter unless there is a report from the committee. The Speaker found the question of privilege not well taken.

Roughriders Grey Cup parade

On November 18, 2025, the Assembly adjourned immediately following question period to allow members to participate in the Saskatchewan Roughriders Grey Cup parade and celebration, which ended at the Legislative Building. Members were permitted to wear Roughrider jerseys during proceedings on that day and joined the celebration outdoors following adjournment. During the celebration, members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders football team came inside the building to celebrate in the rotunda and on the Premier’s balcony with the Grey Cup.

Adjournment of the fall sitting

The fall sitting of the Assembly adjourned on December 5, 2025. It will reconvene on March 2, 2026, in accordance with the parliamentary calendar.

Cabinet shuffle

On December 11, 2025, Premier Scott Moe announced a shuffle to his cabinet, adding two new members and bringing the number of cabinet ministers back to 18. As part of the shuffle, the ministry previously called Corrections, Policing and Public Safety was renamed Community Safety.

Five ministers entered cabinet for the first time:

• Chris Beaudry became the Minister of Energy and Resources;
• Kim Gartner became the Minister of Highways;
• Darlene Rowden became the Minister of Environment;
• Michael Weger became the Minister of Community Safety and the Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency; and
• Sean Wilson became the Minister of SaskBuilds and Procurement and Minister Responsible for the Global Transportation Hub Authority.

Eight cabinet ministers retained some, or all, of their current portfolios:

• Lori Carr remains the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health;
• Jeremy Cockrill remains the Minister of Health;
• Jeremy Harrison remains the Minister of Crown Investments Corporation, Minister Responsible for the Public Service Commission, Minister Responsible for SaskEnergy Incorporated, Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Government Insurance, Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Power Corporation, Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Telecommunications, Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Water Corporation, and Minister Responsible for Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan Corporation;
• Everett Hindley remains the Minister of Education;
• Terry Jenson remains the Minister of Social Services;
• Tim McLeod remains the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Minister Responsible for the Firearms Secretariat, and Government House Leader;
• Jim Reiter remains the Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance; and
• Alana Ross remains the Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, and Minister Responsible for Tourism Saskatchewan.

Four cabinet ministers took on new portfolios:

• Ken Cheveldayoff remains the Minister of Advanced Education but also became the Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety and Minister Responsible for the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board;
• Warren Kaeding remains the Minister of Trade and Export Development and the Minister Responsible for Innovation but also became the Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority;
• David Marit returns as the Minister of Agriculture, Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation, and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Water Security Agency; and
• Eric Schmalz remains the Minister of Government Relations, Minister Responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs, and Minister Responsible for the Provincial Capital Commission but also became the Minister of Immigration and Career Training.

Three ministers left cabinet: Daryl Harrison, Travis Keisig, and Colleen Young. Alongside the cabinet changes, Premier Moe also announced that Brad Crassweller will replace Sean Wilson as Government Whip.

Retirement of Deputy Clerk

After 18 years of service with the Legislative Assembly Service (LAS), Kathy Burianyk retired from her position as Deputy Clerk at the end of December 2025. Ms. Burianyk began her career with the LAS in 2007 as a Committee Researcher and subsequently held the titles of Committee Clerk, Senior Committee Clerk, and Clerk Assistant. She became a Table Officer in 2015 and was appointed Deputy Clerk in February 2023.

Jessica Start

Procedural Clerk

Québec

Proceedings of the Assemblée nationale du Québec

Extraordinary sitting

The Assemblée met for an extraordinary sitting on October 24, 2025, to introduce an exceptional legislative procedure for the consideration of Bill 2, An Act mainly to establish collective responsibility with respect to improvement of access to medical services and to ensure continuity of provision of those services. The sitting began at 8:00 a.m. and ended during the night, shortly before 4:00 a.m.

Bill 2 was passed on the following vote: Yeas 63, Nays 27, Abstentions 0.

Composition

On October 30, 2025, Lionel Carmant, Member for Taillon and, at the time, Minister Responsible for Social Services, announced his withdrawal from the caucus of the parliamentary group forming the Government. He now sits as an independent Member.

The same day, Sonia Bélanger, Member for Prévost, was appointed as Minister Responsible for Seniors and Informal Caregivers, Minister Responsible for Social Services and Minister for Health. The Member for Berthier, Caroline Proulx, was appointed as Minister Responsible for Housing. She remains the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women.

On November 4, 2025, Isabelle Poulet, Member for Laporte, was excluded from the caucus of the parliamentary group forming the Government and now sits as an independent Member.

On November 18, André Fortin, Member for Pontiac, was designated as Leader of the Official Opposition, to replace Marwah Rizqy, Member for Saint-Laurent, who was suspended from the caucus for an indefinite period. She was excluded from the caucus on December 2. Mr. Fortin, who had been Official Opposition Whip, was replaced by Marc Tanguay, Member for LaFontaine. A few weeks later, the parliamentary group forming the Official Opposition made more changes to its parliamentary officials following the resignation of Pablo Rodriguez (who was not a Member of the Assemblée) as Leader of the party. As a result, between December 19 and 22, 2025, Mr. Tanguay, Member for LaFontaine, was designated again as Leader of the Official Opposition, Monsef Derraji, Member for Nelligan, as House Leader and Filomena Rotiroti, Member for Jeanne-Mance–Viger, as Whip.

On November 22, the caucus of the parliamentary group forming the Second Opposition Group excluded Vincent Marissal, Member for Rosemont, who now sits as an independent Member.

On December 4, Sona Lakhoyan Olivier, Member for Chomedey, was excluded from the caucus of the parliamentary group forming the Official Opposition. She now sits as an independent Member.

On December 18, Christian Dubé, Member for La Prairie, announced his resignation as Minister of Health and withdrew from the caucus of the parliamentary group forming the Government. He became the ninth independent Member of the Assemblée. On December 19, Sonia Bélanger, Member for Prévost, was appointed as Minister of Health, in addition to her responsibilities as Minister Responsible for Seniors and Informal Caregivers and Minister Responsible for Social Services.

Consequently, the Assemblée nationale is now composed of 124 Members: 80 from the Coalition avenir Québec, 18 from the Québec Liberal Party, 11 from Québec solidaire, six from the Parti Québécois and nine independent Members. The seat for the electoral division of Chicoutimi is vacant.

Resumption of the debate on the opening speech

On October 1, 2025, the Assemblée resumed the debate on the opening speech of the Second Session of the 43rd Legislature. The debate ended on October 21, after just over 23 hours of proceedings. In total, 77 parliamentarians spoke. The motion moved by the Premier to approve the Government’s general policy was carried on division.

Legislative agenda

On October 1, 2025, Mathieu Lévesque, Deputy Government House Leader and Member for Chapleau, moved a motion to continue the consideration, at the stage at which it was interrupted, of the bills in progress before the prorogation of the first session of the 43rd Legislature, pursuant to Standing Order 48 of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly. Once the motion was carried, 54 bills were again placed on the Order Paper and Notices.

Between October 1 and December 31, 2025, 29 bills were introduced in the Assemblée, of which 16 were government bills, nine private Members’ bills and four private bills. The introduction of Bill 1, Québec Constitution Act, 2025, was preceded by a ministerial statement by Premier François Legault, on October 21.

During the same period, 14 government bills, one private Members’ bill and two private bills were passed, including

• Bill 82, An Act respecting the national digital identity and amending other provisions;
• Bill 94, An Act to, in particular, reinforce laicity in the education network and to amend various legislative provisions;
• Bill 101, An Act to improve certain labour laws;
• Bill 103, An Act to regulate supervised consumption sites in order to promote their harmonious cohabitation with the community (modified title);
• Bill 104, An Act to amend various provisions in particular to follow up on certain requests from the municipal sector;
• Bill 108, An Act to amend the Act respecting the Société de développement des entreprises culturelles to modernize the Société’s financial service offer and to recognize the digital creativity industry;
• Bill 109, An Act to affirm the cultural sovereignty of Québec and to enact the Act respecting the discoverability of French-language cultural content in the digital environment;
• Bill 112, An Act to facilitate the trade of goods and the mobility of labour from the other provinces and the territories of Canada;
• Bill 14, An Act to strengthen the integrity of voting in political parties’ leadership campaigns and nomination contests; and
• Bill 16, An Act to postpone the coming into force of certain provisions of the Act mainly to establish collective responsibility with respect to improvement of access to medical services and to ensure continuity of provision of those services.

A fast-track procedure was used for the passage of Bills 14 and 16.

Other events

Debate on the report from the Commission de la représentation électorale

Pursuant to section 28 of the Election Act, the Assemblée held the debate on the report from the Commission de la représentation électorale, which was tabled on December 2, 2025. It should be noted that the electoral division delimitation process is usually undertaken every two general elections. The Assemblée passed Bill 59, An Act to interrupt the electoral division delimitation process on May 2, 2024, to postpone the process to the 44th Legislature. In a judgment rendered on December 1, 2025, the Court of Appeal of Québec declared the Act unconstitutional, resulting in the resumption of the process. The limited debate, lasting a maximum of five hours, that must take place within five days after the report is tabled was held over two sittings, on December 5 and 9, 2025.

Committee Proceedings

Changes to the composition of committees

Changes were made to the composition of parliamentary committees in November and December 2025, following modifications to the composition of the Assemblée.

Ms. Rotiroti, Member of the Official Opposition and Member for Jeanne-Mance–Viger, was appointed as Chair of the Committee on Culture and Education.

Also from the Official Opposition, Brigitte B. Garceau, Member for Robert-Baldwin, was appointed as Vice-Chair of the Committee on Institutions, and Jennifer Maccarone, Member for Westmount–Saint-Louis, was appointed as Vice-Chair of the Committee on Labour and the Economy.

From the Second Opposition Group, Alexandre Leduc, Member for Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, was appointed as Vice-Chair of the Committee on Public Administration, and Andrés Fontecilla, Member for Laurier-Dorion, was appointed as Vice-Chair of the Committee on Citizen Relations.

Parliamentary committee mandates

Between October and December 2025, the committees held special consultations on seven government bills and within the framework of an order on examining Québec’s target for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. A general consultation on the planning of immigration to Québec for the 2026–2029 period was also held in the fall, and a general consultation on Bill 1, Québec Constitution Act, 2025, was initiated at the beginning of December. Lastly, the committees carried out clause-by-clause consideration of 12 government bills and two private bills.

General consultation on the planning of immigration

A general consultation on the consultation document on the planning of immigration to Québec for the 2026–2029 period, entitled “La planification de l’immigration au Québec pour la période 2026-2029,” was carried out between October 1 and 30, 2025. The Committee on Citizen Relations held 11 meetings and heard 88 witnesses. It received 979 answers within the framework of the online consultation that was carried out between June 6 and October 30, 2025. At the end of the mandate, the Committee published a report containing 25 observations and 15 recommendations.

General consultation on Bill 1, Québec Constitution Act, 2025

Bill 1, Québec Constitution Act, 2025, was introduced in the Assemblée nationale on October 9, 2025, by Simon Jolin-Barrette, Minister of Justice and Minister Responsible for Canadian Relations.

The bill enacts three new Acts: the Constitution of Québec, the Act respecting the constitutional autonomy of Québec and the Act respecting the Conseil constitutionnel. It also amends 21 Acts, including the Constitution Act, 1867, and the Act respecting the National Assembly. It should be noted that the current Coalition Avenir Québec government already amended the Constitution Act, 1867, via the Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec, which was passed in June 2022.

Following this, the Assemblée nationale gave the Committee on Institutions a mandate to hold a general consultation. Public hearings started on December 4, 2025, and will continue until February 18, 2026.

Special consultations and public hearings on Québec’s target for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions

On November 6, 2025, Bernard Drainville, Minister of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks, tabled in the Assemblée a consultation document on Québec’s target for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Under the Environment Quality Act, a parliamentary committee of the Assemblée nationale must hold a special consultation and the Advisory Committee on Climate Change must publish a notice on the target before the target is determined. The Committee on Transportation and the Environment also carried out special consultations and public hearings on the document entitled “Consultation sur la cible de réduction des émissions de gaz à effet de serre du Québec”.

The hearings were held from November 25 to December 3, 2025. In total, the parliamentarians heard 26 individuals and organizations. At the end of the mandate, the Committee held a deliberative meeting and produced a report containing 12 observations and eight recommendations.

Culture at the forefront

During the fall 2025 parliamentary proceedings, the Committee on Culture and Education considered two bills introduced by Mathieu Lacombe, Minister of Culture and Communications and Member for Papineau. Bill 108, An Act to amend the Act respecting the Société de développement des entreprises culturelles to modernize the Société’s financial service offer and to recognize the digital creativity industry broadens the Société’s mission so that it includes digital media creation and establishes the Commission de la créativité numérique. Bill 109, An Act to affirm the cultural sovereignty of Québec and to enact the Act respecting the discoverability of French-language cultural content in the digital environment enshrines the right to discoverability of and access to French-language cultural content in the Charter of human rights and freedoms and enacts the Act respecting the discoverability of French-language cultural content in the digital environment. The Act provides for various obligations for digital platforms that offer a service for viewing audiovisual content online or for listening to music or other audio content online and regulates manufacturers of television sets and connected devices. The interfaces of platforms and devices must be easily configured in French, provide access to viewing platforms offering French-language cultural content and meet the presence and discoverability criteria for French-language content. The Act does not apply to digital platforms whose main purpose is to offer Indigenous content.

Bills 108 and 109 were passed in the Assemblée on December 10 and 11.

Simon Quer

Direction de la séance et de la procédure parlementaire

Marie-Claude Paquette

Direction des commissions parlementaires

Yukon

36th Legislative Assembly Elected

The fixed election date provision in section 50.01 of Yukon’s Elections Act was employed for the first time with a general election held on November 3, 2025.

The 21 members of the 36th wholly elected Yukon Legislative Assembly were sworn in on November 19 and 20, 2025.

The Yukon Party won a majority government with 14 members elected, forming the largest government caucus in Yukon history. The New Democratic Party, lead by Kate White, moved into the position of Official Opposition with six members elected. The previously governing Yukon Liberal Party won a single seat and is now helmed by Debra-Leigh Reti.

A majority of the successful candidates were new to the Assembly, with only eight incumbents re-elected.

This general election saw the largest number of women ever elected to the Assembly: 11. For the first time, women and gender diverse Members of the Legislative Assembly form the majority at 57 per cent of members (12 of 21).

Premier Currie Dixon’s cabinet was sworn in on November 21, 2025. Premier Dixon is Yukon’s first premier to have been born in the territory.

2025 Fall Sitting

The opening of the First Session of the 36th Legislature occurred on December 8, 2025.

Yvonne Clarke was elected Speaker. Speaker Clarke is the first Filipino Speaker of a Canadian Legislative Assembly. First elected to the Legislative Assembly on April 12, 2021, she is Yukon’s 27th Speaker and the second woman to hold the position.

Following the election of the Speaker, Commissioner Adeline Webber delivered the Speech from the Throne.

Over the course of the shortened eight-day Fall Sitting, one government bill was introduced and passed: Bill No. 200, Second Appropriation Act 2025-26. During debate on the bill, the Premier noted that his government felt that it was important to bring this spending to the floor of the Legislative Assembly as it was primarily money that had already been spent by the previous government.

2026 Spring Sitting

The 2026 Spring Sitting will commence on March 19, 2026. The Assembly adopted a Sessional Order on December 15, 2025, to delay the start of the Spring Sitting as Yukon will be hosting the Arctic Winter Games from March 8 to 15, 2026.

Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel

Bhreagh Dabbs joined the Yukon Legislative Assembly’s Table Officers in the new position of Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel. As Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel, she provides legal advice to the Speaker, other presiding officers, members, legislative committees and the Clerk, as well as legislative drafting services for the preparation of private members’ bills and amendments

Allison Lloyd

Deputy Clerk

The Senate

Bills

After being read a third time and passed, a message was sent to inform the House of Commons and to seek its concurrence with regard to each of the following Senate public bills:

• S-210, An Act respecting Ukrainian Heritage Month, on October 1;
• S-228, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (sterilization procedures), on October 2;
• S-227, An Act respecting Arab Heritage Month, on October 8;
• S-211, An Act respecting a national framework on sports betting advertising, on October 21;
• S-233, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (assault against persons who provide health services and first responders), on October 22; and
• S-201, An Act respecting a national framework on sickle cell disease, on November 18.

On October 2, Bill S-1001, An Act to authorize Gore Mutual Insurance Company to apply to be continued as a body corporate under the laws of the Province of Quebec, a Senate private bill, was read a third time and passed. Accordingly, a message was sent to the House of Commons, which passed the bill without amendment on October 22.

On November 19, Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (2025), was read a third time and passed by the Senate without amendment. The latter and Bill S-1001 received Royal Assent by written declaration on November 20.

Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Indian Act (new registration entitlements), as amended by the first report of the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples, was read a third time and passed on December 4. A message was sent to inform the House of Commons accordingly and to seek its concurrence.

On December 10, following its adoption at second reading, with leave of the Senate, Bill C-17, An Act for granting to His Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, was read a third time and passed without amendment. It received Royal Assent by written declaration later that day.

Chamber, Procedure and Speaker’s Rulings

Senator Pamela Wallin raised a point of order relating to personal, sharp and taxing speeches on October 7. The Speaker pro tempore René Cormier delivered a ruling and asked all senators to consider and take into account, during debate, the provisions of rule 6-13 that “[a]ll personal, sharp, or taxing speeches are unparliamentary and are out of order.”

On November 6, the Senate adopted a motion governing all stages of proceedings on Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (2025), which were set to conclude by November 19.

A motion was adopted on November 18 to amend the Rules of the Senate to include provisions for observing a minute of silence, adjourning a sitting of the Senate and cancelling or adjourning Senate committee meetings on the day of the death of a senator. It had been the usual practice for some time.

Committees

The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications presented its first report, on Bill S-211, National Framework on Sports Betting Advertising Act, without amendment, on October 8. The bill was placed on the Orders of the Day for third reading at the next sitting.

On October 23, the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology presented its first report, on Bill S-201, National Framework on Sickle Cell Disease Act, without amendment, and the bill was placed on the Orders of the Day for third reading at the next sitting.

On November 6, upon receipt of a message from the House of Commons with Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (2025), pursuant to an order adopted earlier that day, the bill was adopted at second reading and referred to the Social Affairs, Science and Technology Committee. On November 18, the committee presented its second report on the bill, without amendment but with observations, and the bill was placed on the Orders of the Day for third reading at the next sitting.

The Social Affairs, Science and Technology Committee presented its third report, on Bill S-202, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (warning label on alcoholic beverages), without amendment but with certain observations, on November 20. The bill was placed on the Orders of the Day for third reading at the next sitting.

On November 25, the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament presented its first report recommending amendments to the Rules of the Senate to include provisions for Question Period with a minister. If adopted, a practice initiated in December 2015 by way of a sessional order would be formalized in the Rules. However, the procedural and logistical details, such as the frequency of Question Period with a minister and the time permitted for questions and answers, would continue to be determined by a sessional order supported by the leaders and facilitators of all recognized parties and parliamentary groups.

The Committee on Indigenous Peoples presented its first report, on Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Indian Act (new registration entitlements), with four amendments and certain observations, on November 25. The report was adopted on December 2 and the bill, as amended, was placed on the Orders of the Day for third reading at the next sitting.

Senators

Senator David Richards retired from the Senate on October 17. He was appointed to the Senate on August 30, 2017, on the recommendation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, to represent New Brunswick. Senator Richards is an acclaimed Canadian novelist, essayist, screenwriter and poet, whose commitment to the Miramichi River valley, his province, and the country is reflected in his body of work. He has been a writer-in-residence at several universities and colleges across Canada and has received honorary doctorates from three New Brunswick universities and the Atlantic School of Theology and is a member of the Order of New Brunswick and the Order of Canada. Senator Richards was a member of several standing Senate committees, including National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture and Forestry, Legal and Constitutional Affairs, and National Finance.

Senator Gwen Boniface resigned from the Senate on November 15. She was appointed to the Senate on November 10, 2016, on the recommendation of Prime Minister Trudeau, to represent Ontario. Prior to her appointment to the Upper Chamber, Senator Boniface was the first woman to serve as the Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police and is a past President of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. She served internationally for 10 years, including as Deputy Chief Inspector of Ireland’s Garda Síochána Inspectorate tasked with reforming Ireland’s national police service, and as a Transnational Organized Crime Expert with the United Nations Police Division. Her work in the Senate included membership on the Senate Standing Committees on Indigenous Peoples, Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament. In addition, she chaired the National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs Committee for several years and was the Joint Chair of the Special Joint Committee on the Declaration of Emergency during the 44th Parliament.

Max Hollins

Procedural Clerk

House of Commons

Introduction

This account covers key procedural highlights from late October 2025 to mid-December 2025. The House adjourned on December 11, 2025, and is scheduled to resume sitting on January 26, 2026.

Committees

Creation of the Special Joint Committee on the Exercise of Powers Under the Building Canada Act

On November 20, 2025, by unanimous consent, the House adopted a motion to create the Special Joint Committee on the Exercise of Powers Under the Building Canada Act.

The order set out the committee’s composition. It also provided that the committee would have joint chairs, with the Senate joint chair to be determined by the Senate and the House of Commons’ joint chair being a member representing the official opposition. The motion further detailed the procedures for electing vice-chairs; the rules governing the designation and replacement of committee members; the quorum required for votes and meetings; and the committee’s powers, including the power to summon witnesses, require the production of documents, create subcommittees, and make its proceedings public. All documents previously tabled pursuant to the Act were deemed referred to the committee.

On November 27, 2025, the list of the committee’s House of Commons members was tabled with the Clerk of the House, and on December 2, 2025, the House received a message from the Senate that it had adopted a similar motion, formally designating its members to the committee.

Legislation

Admissibility of amendments to Bill C-4, An Act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians and another measure adopted in committee

On October 29, 2025, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Kevin Lamoureux (Winnipeg North), raised a point of order concerning the admissibility of amendments adopted by the Standing Committee on Finance during its clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-4, An Act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians and another measure. He noted that the committee chair had initially ruled the amendments out of order, but that the committee had overturned this decision before reporting the bill back to the House with the amendments. Mr. Lamoureux submitted that the 11 amendments were inadmissible because they required a royal recommendation, as they would impose a charge on the public treasury and therefore engage the Crown’s financial prerogative. Accordingly, he argued that the amendments should be ruled out of order and removed from the bill as reported.

On October 30, 2025, Yves Perron (Berthier—Maskinongé) noted that amendments lowering or eliminating a tax are admissible in committee. He stated that the amendments to Bill C-4 would reduce revenue associated with the Goods and Services Tax but would not authorize a charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund. On this basis, he argued that the amendments did not require a royal recommendation and were admissible.

On November 3, 2025, the Speaker ruled that the 11 amendments adopted by the committee did not require a royal recommendation, as the rebating of a tax already collected does not constitute a government expenditure. He concluded that the committee’s report and the reprinted bill were therefore properly before the House.

Admissibility of amendments to Bill C-12, An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada’s borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures, adopted in committee

On November 28, 2025, Arielle Kayabaga (London West) raised a point of order concerning the admissibility of amendments adopted by the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security during its clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-12, An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada’s borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures. Ms. Kayabaga noted that the committee chair had initially ruled the amendments out of order, but that the committee had subsequently overturned this decision before reporting the bill back to the House with the amendments. She submitted that the amendments were inadmissible because they violated the parent act rule, which requires that an amendment relate to the subject matter of the bill or clause under consideration.

On December 2, 2025, the Speaker delivered his ruling, explaining that eight of the amendments contravened the parent act rule and were not relevant to the bill’s legislative objectives. He affirmed that the committee chair had correctly ruled these amendments inadmissible since they were beyond the scope of the bill. In contrast, the amendment adding new clause 24.1 was found to fall within the scope of the bill as adopted at second reading. The Speaker therefore ordered that clause 24.1 be maintained, while the eight amendments adding clauses 39.1 to 39.4, 75.1 and 75.2 be declared null and void and removed from the bill. He also directed that Bill C-12 be reprinted without the inadmissible amendments.

Questions of privilege

Approval process for forms relating to the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons

On October 24, 2025, Michael Barrett (Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes) raised a question of privilege alleging that the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner had exceeded his authority by publishing and using forms that had not been approved by the House, contrary to section 30 of the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons. He submitted that this constituted a contempt of Parliament.

On October 28, 2025, Christine Normandin (Saint-Jean) noted that section 30 requires all proposed forms and guidelines to be submitted to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs and approved by the House before taking effect. Although she indicated that she had been unable to locate the forms in question online, she emphasized the importance of maintaining parliamentary oversight of officers of Parliament.

The following day, Ms. Kayabaga argued that the matter was not a question of privilege. She noted that the committee had already decided to study the matter. She submitted that it would be premature for the Speaker to intervene while the committee’s study was ongoing and confirmed that the committee had invited the commissioner to appear as part of its review of the forms and related procedural and interpretative guidelines.

On November 6, 2025, the Speaker delivered his ruling. He noted that the commissioner had acknowledged the error in a letter dated October 28, 2025, explaining that he had falsely assumed committee approval was not required for what he considered minor changes. The forms had since been removed from the website and resubmitted to the committee for review. In light of these corrective steps and the committee’s ongoing study, the Speaker concluded he considered the matter closed.

Budget documents distributed to Members

On November 5, 2025, Gabriel Ste-Marie (Joliette—Manawan) raised a question of privilege concerning the versions of the budget documents provided during the budget lock-up. He noted that Members were given access only to a paper version that was 111 pages shorter than the electronic version. On November 7, 2025, Alex Ruff (Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound) and Claude DeBellefeuille (Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon) noted that certain annexes had been available only in the electronic version of the documents. On November 17, 2025, Ms. Kayabaga explained that the version of the budget tabled in the House on November 4, 2025, was complete. She added that providing budget documents to members during the lock-up is a courtesy and does not alter the status of the tabled version.

On November 20, 2025, the Speaker ruled that the matter did not constitute a prima facie question of privilege. The Speaker noted that the version of the budget tabled in the House is the authoritative version, not the version published on the department’s website.

Information requested by the Parliamentary Budget Officer

On November 17, 2025, Kelly McCauley (Edmonton West) raised a question of privilege following a notice issued by the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO). The notice stated that the PBO had been unable to obtain information from certain federal departments and parent Crown corporations that the PBO considered necessary to fulfill its mandate under subsection 79.4(1) of the Parliament of Canada Act. Mr. McCauley requested that the Chair examine the matter.

On November 18, 2025, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Mr. Lamoureux, responded that the government had complied in good faith with the PBO’s request and that the documents in question would be provided in early December.

On November 20, 2025, Ms. Normandin expressed concern about the reported lack of access to documents required for the PBO’s work. She asked the Chair to take the matter under consideration and stated her view that a prima facie case of privilege existed.

On November 25, 2025, the Speaker delivered his ruling. He confirmed that the PBO had followed the appropriate procedure by informing the Speaker of the government’s refusal but emphasized that the authority to order the production of documents rests with the House of Commons, not with the PBO or the Chair. Since the House had not yet considered the matter or exercised its powers, the Speaker concluded that it was premature to find a prima facie case of privilege.

Financial procedure

Budgetary Policy

On November 4, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., the House proceeded to the consideration of ways and means motion No. 2 for the budget presentation. The timing of this presentation is unusual, as the budgetary policy is typically tabled in the spring. The Minister of Finance and National Revenue, François-Philippe Champagne (Saint-Maurice—Champlain) has previously announced that the government intends to table the budget in the fall from now on.

On that day, the minister tabled the Budget 2025 and delivered the budget speech. The following day marked the first appointed day for the budget debate. The Leader of the Opposition, Pierre Poilievre (Battle River—Crowfoot), did not move an amendment during his remarks. As a result, an amendment to reject the government’s budget was instead moved by Yves-François Blanchet (Beloeil—Chambly), an uncommon occurrence, since the amendment is typically moved by the official opposition.

On November 6, 2025, the second appointed day, Jasraj Singh Hallan (Calgary East) moved a subamendment to replace the list of reasons for rejecting the budget. The question was put on the subamendment and it was negatived.

On November 7, 2025, the third appointed day, debate continued on the amendment, which was also negatived. On November 17, 2025, the fourth and final appointed day, the main motion approving the budgetary policy of the government was agreed to.

Parliamentary Publications

Launch of the new written questions website

In October 2025, the House of Commons launched a new website for written questions, consolidating members’ questions and the government’s responses on a single public platform. As of October 29, 2025, government responses made into orders for return have been linked from the electronic version of the Journals to the corresponding questions’ webpage on the new website.

Tabling of the fourth edition of House of Commons Procedure and Practice

On December 2, 2025, the Speaker tabled, in both official languages, the fourth edition of House of Commons Procedure and Practice. He noted that previous editions published in 2000, 2009 and 2017 had become essential references for those on and off Parliament Hill. He expressed confidence that this new edition would likewise serve as the most authoritative procedural guide. The Speaker stated that the volume, edited by the Clerk of the House, Eric Janse, and the Deputy Clerk, Procedure, Jeffrey LeBlanc, reflects practices as recent as spring 2025. He highlighted its scope, with more than 1,300 pages and 5,500 footnotes. The fourth edition is also available in electronic format on the House of Commons website (OurCommons.ca).

Take-note debates

Softwood lumber industry

On November 21, 2025, by unanimous consent, the House agreed to hold a take-note debate on the softwood lumber industry on November 25, 2025, pursuant to Standing Order 53.1. The motion also specified the terms of the debate. This take-note debate, held in committee of the whole, was the first of the 45th Parliament.

Canada’s auto industry

On December 2, 2025, by unanimous consent, the House agreed to hold a take-note debate on the auto industry on December 3, 2025, pursuant to Standing Order 53.1. The motion also set out the terms of the debate. The debate proceeded on December 3, as scheduled, in committee of the whole.

Moments of silence, tributes and ministerial statements

Veterans’ Week

On November 3, 2025, the House observed a moment of silence to commemorate war veterans. It was followed by a ministerial statement by the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, Jill McKnight (Delta) for Veterans’ Week.

Tribute for Louis Plamondon, the member with the longest uninterrupted service in the House of Commons

On November 26, 2025, members made statements to mark Louis Plamondon (Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel—Alnôbak) becoming the member with the longest uninterrupted service in the House of Commons. Mr. Plamondon has been elected consecutively in his riding since 1984 and had recently surpassed the previous record of 15,059 days, held by Wilfrid Laurier.

École Polytechnique de Montréal

On December 4, 2025, the Minister of Women and Gender Equality, and Secretary of State of Small Business and Tourism, Rechie Valdez (Mississauga—Streetsville) made a ministerial statement about the gender-based shooting at l’École Polytechnique in Montreal on December 6, 1989, and to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

Vicky Sedhya Maurice-Sevigny

Table Research Branch, House of Commons