Legislative Reports

Alberta | British Columbia | House of Commons | Manitoba | Newfoundland and Labrador | Northwest Territories | Ontario | Prince Edward Island | Quebec | Saskatchewan| Senate | Yukon

Québec

Proceedings of the Assemblée nationale

Composition

On June 19, 2025, Marwah Rizqy, Member for Saint-Laurent, was appointed Leader of the Official Opposition (Quebec Liberal Party), to replace Marc Tanguay, Member for LaFontaine. On June 26, Michelle Setlakwe, Member for Mont-Royal–Outremont, was named Official Opposition House Leader; Frédéric Beauchemin, Member for Marguerite-Bourgeoys, Deputy House Leader; André Fortin, Member for Pontiac, Chief Official Opposition Whip; and Filomena Rotiroti, Member for Jeanne-Mance–Viger, Caucus Chair. These changes follow the election of Pablo Rodriguez – who is not an MNA – as leader of the Quebec Liberal Party.

In addition, the Member for Vaudreuil, Marie-Claude Nichols, returned to the Official Opposition Caucus on June 19. Consequently, the Assemblée nationale is now composed of 124 Members: 86 from the Coalition avenir Québec, 20 from the Quebec Liberal Party, 12 from Québec solidaire and five from the Parti québécois, as well as one independent Member. The seat for Arthabaska is vacant.

Budget process

On April 10, 2025, the Assemblée rejected 27 motions stating a grievance that were moved by Members in opposition over the course of the debate on the budget speech. The Assemblée then carried the Minister of Finance’s motion that the Assemblée approve the Government’s budgetary policy. On May 22, 2025, the budget process was completed with concurrence in the reports from the committees that had examined the budget estimates and then passage of the appropriation bill.

Legislative agenda

Between April 1, 2025, and the end of the sessional period on June 7, 2025, 34 bills were introduced in the Assemblée, including 12 private Members’ bills and six private bills. During the same period, 21 bills were passed, including four private bills and five private Members’ bills to amend the names of their sponsors’ ridings. The following are some of the bills passed:

• • Bill 83, An Act to foster the practice of medicine in the public health and social services network, which in particular requires all new doctors to participate in the public system for five years before they can practice in the private sector;

• Bill 84, An Act respecting integration into the Québec nation, which establishes the Québec model of national integration to ensure the vitality and preservation of Québec culture;

• Bill 89, An Act to give greater consideration to the needs of the population in the event of a strike or a lock-out, which in particular aims to maintain certain services required to ensure the population’s social, economic or environmental security; and

• Bill 91, An Act establishing the Unified Family Tribunal within the Court of Québec, which aims to facilitate the judicial process for Québec families.

Extraordinary sitting

At the request of Premier François Legault, the Assemblée met for an extraordinary sitting on Friday, June 6, 2025, to introduce an exceptional legislative procedure for completion of the consideration of Bill 69, An Act to ensure the responsible governance of energy resources and to amend various legislative provisions. The bill, introduced exactly one year earlier, was then at the committee stage.

The sitting began at 3 p.m. and ended at approximately 5 a.m. the next morning, some 14 hours later. The bill was passed on the following vote: Yeas 67, Nays 32, Abstentions 0.

Statement from the Chair regarding decorum

At the sitting of April 3, 2025, Nathalie Roy, President of the Assemblée nationale, suspended Question Period for some 30 minutes. She met with the parliamentary group leaders and, when the proceedings resumed, made a statement regarding the observance of the Standing Orders and the maintaining of decorum by all MNAs.

Motion to amend the Constitution Act, 1867

On April 22, 2025, Simon Jolin-Barrette, Minister Responsible for Canadian Relations, moved a motion to replace section 98 of the Constitution Act, 1867 so that Québec superior court judges would be selected on the recommendation of the Québec government. According to the wording of the motion, the amendment may be made by proclamation issued by the Governor General under the Great Seal of Canada where so authorized by resolutions of the Assemblée nationale, the Senate and the House of Commons in accordance with section 43 of the Constitution Act, 1982. The motion was carried unanimously.

The privileges of Parliament and the conduct of its Members

Ruling from the Chair

On April 2, 2025, the President ruled on the admissibility of a point of privilege or contempt raised by Monsef Derraji, Official Opposition House Leader, concerning the submission of documents containing erroneous information about the CASA/SAAQclic project to members of the Committee on Public Administration.

In her ruling, the President did not draw any conclusions regarding the role played by the five persons referred to in the Official Opposition House Leader’s notice, all of whom had at various times held important positions at the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ). As the jurisprudence recognizes, in such circumstances, only an inquiry can determine the roles, powers and responsibilities of the many persons involved. However, the facts brought before the Chair were deemed sufficiently serious to constitute prima facie contempt of Parliament concerning the SAAQ itself, which is a state-owned enterprise. According to the facts brought to the President’s attention, not only did the SAAQ provide false information to the Committee on Public Administration, but it appears to have done so intentionally. The point of privilege was ruled admissible.

Due to its length, the ruling is not reproduced in full here, but is available in the Journal des débats de the Assemblée nationale of April 2, 2025, pp. 9111–9115 (French only).

On April 8, 2025, to follow up on the ruling, the Official Opposition House Leader moved two motions: one to recognize the breach of rights and privileges and the other to mandate the Committee on the National Assembly to inquire into the matter and recommend, if applicable, appropriate sanctions. Both motions were defeated, thereby concluding the point of privilege.

Report from the Committee on the National Assembly on a point of contempt

On May 21 and 28, 2025, the Committee on the National Assembly held deliberative meetings within the framework of the inquiry arising from the motion moved by the Official Opposition House Leader on January 30, 2025. The meetings concerned the failure to table, within the prescribed time, the 2023 annual management report of the SAAQ. On May 29, 2025, the President tabled the report of the Committee, of which she is also the Chair.

The report states that there is no reason to conclude that contempt of Parliament occurred. However, the Committee reiterated how important it is for parliamentarians to have timely access to all information concerning government departments and public bodies, which must be provided to them by ministers and chief executive officers of public bodies under Québec law. The report also states that if there is a delay the government departments and public bodies must provide explanations to the minister responsible, before the deadline expires, so that the latter may inform the Assemblée nationale. After debate, the report was adopted on June 5, 2025.

Private ruling from the Chair

On the same day that the above-mentioned report was tabled, the President tabled a private ruling. Since there are very few precedents in which the procedure relating to the privileges of Parliament and the conduct of its Members has been completed, and as the Standing Orders are not very explicit in such matters, the President wanted to explain in concrete terms the steps to be taken following the tabling of the Committee on the National Assembly’s report. The ruling specifies how the consideration of the report is to be carried out and the possible steps to be taken following the adoption of the report. The report is sessional paper number 2614-20250529 (French only) and is available among the documents tabled on May 29, 2025.

Other events

Exhibition entitled Pierre Fortin: mission Saint-Laurent

From April 8 to December 7, 2025, the Assemblée nationale’s reception pavilion will feature an exhibition on a unique former MNA and Speaker (President): Pierre Fortin. He was a visionary physician, schooner commander and politician, as well as a staunch defender of the coastal communities of the Fleuve Saint-Laurent. Through an immersive exhibition designed by the Musée de la Gaspésie in collaboration with the Assemblée nationale du Québec, the Musée de la Mer and the Musée de la Côte-Nord, the exhibition presents Pierre Fortin’s commitment to justice, maritime sovereignty and the protection of natural resources.

Le Parlementaire restaurant recommended in the Michelin Guide

Le Parlementaire, the Assemblée nationale’s restaurant, was recently featured in the prestigious Michelin Guide, in the Selected Restaurants category. The Guide placed a total of 15 restaurants in the Capitale-Nationale region in this category. Le Parlementaire is open to the public, even during periods when the Members are not sitting.

Équilibre: a documentary on balancing political and family life in Québec

To shine a spotlight on the challenges facing parliamentarians who try to balance politics and parenthood, the Assemblée’s studio has produced a unique documentary: Équilibre. It features a number of current and former MNAs who are parents, and is available on the Assemblée nationale du Québec’s YouTube channel and Le Canal television channel.

Committee Proceedings

Bills

The end of the spring 2025 sessional period was especially busy for the parliamentary committees. Between April and June, the committees carried out special consultations on nine bills and clause-by-clause consideration of 19 government bills, for a total of approximately 345 hours of work.

The Committee on Institutions completed clause-by-clause consideration of five bills intended to replace the names of certain ridings. The Acts provide that the changes they establish have the same effect as if they had been made by the Commission de la représentation électorale. The ridings concerned are Arthabaska, Laporte, Matane-Matapédia, Rivière-du-Loup–Témiscouata and Vimont. The proposed changes to the names of the electoral divisions are to take effect on the day the current legislature ends.

The Committee on Institutions also completed clause-by-clause consideration of Bill 98, An Act to amend the Election Act mainly to preserve the integrity of the electoral process. The purpose of the bill is, among other things, to make pre-election expenses, in particular publicity expenses, more transparent, whether they are incurred by political parties or by third parties. It also makes anyone who knowingly disseminates false information to influence the results of an election or to compromise public trust in election proceedings liable to a fine. Lastly, the bill introduces an obligation for political parties to present at least two candidates in every general election, on pain of their authorization being withdrawn.

Examination of the 2025–2026 estimates of expenditure

The committees examined the 2025–2026 budget estimates between April 29 and May 8, 2025. During the two weeks devoted to this mandate, no other business could be considered in parliamentary committee.

Accountability

On May 26, 2025, the Committee on Public Administration (CAP) heard the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux and three integrated health and social services centres on Chapter 2 of the Auditor General’s May 2023 report entitled “Octroi de contrats de gré à gré : en vertu du décret d’urgence sanitaire, ou pour obtenir des places d’hébergement et de la main-d’œuvre indépendante” (Awarding untendered contracts: Under public health emergency orders, or to obtain residential and long term care beds and independent labour). The hearing was held completely virtually, in accordance with Standing Order 117.7.1, which provides that the CAP’s proceedings may take place virtually, by decision of the steering committee.

Select Committee on the Impacts of Screens and Social Media on Young People’s Health and Development

On May 29, 2025, after a year’s work, the Select Committee on the Impacts of Screens and Social Media on Young People’s Health and Development tabled its final report in the Assemblée nationale du Québec. The report contains 56 recommendations on a wide range of subjects, including prevention, awareness-raising, the use of digital tools in the classroom, regulation of social media, ads targeting young people and intergovernmental cooperation.

Key recommendations include establishing a minimum age for creating and using social media accounts. On April 22, 2025, the Committee also tabled an interim report recommending that the Government ban the use of cell phones in all primary and secondary schools from the start of the next school year. Certain exceptions are provided in the report, which also recommends that the Ministère de l’Éducation support schools in implementing this ban. After the tabling of the Committee’s report, the Minister of Education, Bernard Drainville, announced that the proposed ban would apply from the start of the next school year.

In addition, as part of its proceedings, the Committee held two rounds of special consultations, which provided an opportunity to hear 66 individuals and organizations. It also visited 17 elementary and secondary schools in 13 different cities and towns, and carried out an online consultation that allowed 7,075 respondents to express their views, setting a record for participation in an online consultation carried out by the Assemblée nationale.

The Committee, created by a motion carried unanimously on June 6, 2024, was dissolved following the tabling of its final report.

Olivier Champagne

Direction de la séance et de la procédure parlementaire

Roxanne Guévin

Direction des commissions parlementaires

The Senate

Chamber, Procedure and Speaker’s Rulings

The Forty-fifth Parliament began proceedings on May 26, and King Charles III delivered the Speech from the Throne in the Senate Chamber on May 27. Later that day, an address thanking His Majesty the King was adopted. The 12 senators summoned between December 2024 and March 2025 (biographical information provided in earlier issues) were introduced over the course of this week.

On May 29, the Speaker made a statement regarding the process for the election of the Speaker pro tempore. Candidates were announced on June 3 and addressed the Senate, after which senators had the opportunity to vote until one hour after adjournment on June 4. On June 5, the Speaker announced the results of the election, declaring Senator René Cormier the successful candidate.

On June 4, a motion containing several provisions governing business for the session was adopted, the full text of which is found in the Journals of the Senate of that date. The motion contained provisions relating to Wednesday adjournment time and the time at which the Senate sits on Thursdays. It also included provisions regarding Question Period, covering the frequency, selection process and the length of Question Periods with a minister of the Crown, as well as time limits on questions and responses for regular Questions Periods. Various provisions regarding Senate committees were also included, making the Committee of Selection a standing committee for the session, authorizing committees under certain circumstances to meet while the Senate is sitting on Tuesdays at the later of 6:30

p.m. or the end of Government Business, and outlining authorities regarding the membership of certain committees and subcommittees. Finally, the motion contained provisions regarding joint committees and their authority to hold hybrid meetings or meetings entirely by videoconference. Upon the adoption of the motion, a message was sent to the House of Commons to acquaint them of the provisions relating to joint committees.

The Senate adopted a motion on June 12 to appoint Julie Wellington as Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel of the Senate, effective July 17.

On June 12, the Senate adopted a motion to resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole at the start of each sitting on June 16, 17 and 18 to hear from ministers and other witnesses with regard to the subject matter of Bill C-5, An Act to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act. The motion also contained provisions authorizing a process for booking witnesses during the committees and outlining the programming of all legislative stages if the Senate received a message from the House of Commons regarding the bill.

On June 17, a motion was adopted authorizing senators to table documents, notwithstanding rule 14-1 and only until June 25, relating to the subject matter of Bill C-5 when the Speaker called for the Tabling of Documents.

Senator Marilou McPhedran rose on a point of order on June 25 during debate on Bill C-5, with respect to the voting process. She pointed out that the other place had, pursuant to its Standing Orders, split the final vote on the bill into two parts and asked that there be consideration for the same process in the Senate. Later in the sitting Speaker Raymonde Gagné ruled that there are no provisions in the Rules of the Senate dealing with the separation of votes on a bill, either at second or third reading. Although the Senate Speaker has the authority to separate votes on complicated questions (an authority that has, however, only been used once), the questions for readings of a bill are quite simple (“That the bill be read for the second/third time”). If separate votes were allowed, and one were rejected, this would be tantamount to an amendment to the bill, which is not permitted at second reading. The Speaker also reminded senators that, unlike the other place, amendments to the text of the bill could be proposed and voted upon at the third reading stage, providing an opportunity for senators to refine the bill before the final vote. Ultimately, it was ruled that the vote would not be split, either at second or at third reading.

Committees of the Whole

Pursuant to the order of June 12, on June 16, 17 and 18, the Senate resolved into Committees of the Whole to consider the subject matter of Bill C-5. Over the three days Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, Dominic LeBlanc, Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy, and Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations appeared, accompanied by officials. In addition, the Committee of the Whole heard from several other witnesses from Indigenous organizations, business groups, environmental groups and others.

The Senate also resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole on June 17 to consider the subject matter of Bill C-4, An Act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians and another measure, with François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue, accompanied by officials.

Legislation

Four Commons bills were passed by the Senate without amendment this quarter and received Royal Assent by written declaration on June 26: Bill C-202, An Act to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act (supply management); Bill C-5, One Canadian Economy Act; Bill C-6, Appropriation Act No. 1, 2025-26; and Bill C-7, Appropriation Act No. 2, 2025-26.

Committees

On May 29, a motion was adopted naming members of the Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators, as well as establishing meeting provisions.

A motion was adopted on June 11 appointing senators to serve on the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance until the end of day on June 30, 2025, or until the adoption by the Senate of a report of Selection Committee recommending the senators to serve on the committee, whichever occurred first.

A motion was adopted on June 17, which impacts committee membership for the remainder of the session. The motion increased committee membership and authorized the Committee of Selection to make recommendations on issues relating to the duration of membership on committees. The motion also authorized the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration, the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament and the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight to elect three deputy chairs.

On June 18, the first report of the Selection Committee was presented, which recommended the senators to serve on committees and the duration of committee membership. The report was placed on Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting and adopted on June 19.

The first report of the Standing Committee on Audit and Oversight, entitled Nomination of External Members, was presented on June 25. With leave of the Senate, it was considered immediately and adopted.

On June 26, the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance tabled its first report, entitled Main Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, and its second report entitled Supplementary Estimates (A) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026. Both reports were placed on Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting.

Senators

Senator Donald Neil Plett retired from the Senate on May 14. Appointed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper on August 27, 2009, he represented the province of Manitoba and served as Leader of the Opposition from November 2019 until his retirement. Before being appointed to the Senate, Senator Plett was the owner and manager of Landmark Mechanical, a heating and ventilation company in Manitoba. He was an active member of his community, serving on the Board of Governors of Red River College, president of the Chamber of Commerce, chair of the Village Council, and chair of the local Utilities Board. Senator Plett also served as the president of the Conservative Party of Canada. During his tenure in the Senate, he served as chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, the Committee of Selection and the Subcommittee on Long Term Vision and Plan, as well as being a member of, among others, the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples, the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance, the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence and the Standing Joint Committee on Scrutiny of Regulations.

On May 26, Senators Allister W. Surette, Baltej S. Dhillon, Martine Hébert, Danièle Henkel, Duncan Wilson, Katherine Hay, Tony Ince and Sandra Pupatello were sworn in and took their seat in the Senate Chamber.

On May 28, Senators Dawn Arnold, and Farah Mohamed were introduced and took their seats in the Senate Chamber. 

Senator Nancy Uqquujuq Karetak-Lindell and Todd Lewis were introduced on May 29.

Senator Marc Gold retired from the Senate on June 30. He was appointed to the Senate on November 25, 2016, on the recommendation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and represented the Senate division of Stadacona in Quebec. From January 2020, he served as Government Representative in the Senate. Prior to his appointment, Senator Gold was a law professor at McGill University, was Vice-President of Maxwell Cummings and Sons, a family-owned private real estate and investment firm, and served for 10 years as the Chair of ENSEMBLE pour le respect de la diversité. Senator Gold also served on the Board of Directors and was Chair of the Tenure and Promotions Committee of the Université de Montréal and was named director emeritus in recognition of his service to the university upon the end of his mandate. During his time as a senator, he served on the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs and the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, on which he served as deputy chair.

Katy Quinn

Procedural Clerk

House of Commons

Introduction

This account covers key highlights from mid-April 2025 to June 20, 2025. The House adjourned for the summer on June 20, 2025, and is scheduled to resume sitting on September 15, 2025.

End of the 44th Parliament

Dissolution and General Election

The 44th Parliament was dissolved by proclamation of Governor General Mary Simon, on March 23, 2025. The general election was held on April 28, 2025.

The redistribution of electoral districts, proclaimed on September 22, 2023, established a new electoral map of 343 ridings. These changes came into effect with the dissolution of the 44th Parliament launching the 45th general election.

The general election resulted in the Liberal Party of Canada forming a minority government. Neither the New Democratic Party of Canada nor the Green Party of Canada met the threshold of 12 members required for recognized party status in the House of Commons. The results reported by Elections Canada, by party standings in the House, are as follows: the Liberal Party of Canada won 169 seats, the Conservative Party of Canada won 144 seats, the Bloc Québécois won 22 seats, the New Democratic Party of Canada won seven seats, and the Green Party of Canada won one seat.

Prime Minister Mark Carney (Nepean) won his seat and remained Prime Minister. Pierre Poilievre was defeated in the riding of Carleton, in Ontario, by Bruce Fanjoy. While Mr. Poilievre remained Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, he no longer served as Leader of the Opposition as he no longer held a seat in the House. On May 6, 2025, Andrew Scheer (Regina—Qu’Appelle) was designated Leader of the Official Opposition on an interim basis. Mr. Poilievre was expected to seek election in Alberta following the resignation of Damien Kurek (Battle River—Crowfoot), which took place on June 17, 2025.

Jagmeet Singh was defeated in his riding by Wade Chang (Burnaby Central) and has since resigned as Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada. On May 6, 2025, Don Davies (Vancouver Kingsway) was appointed interim leader.

Opening of the 45th Parliament

The New Cabinet

On May 13, 2025, Prime Minister Carney announced the composition of his new Cabinet, consisting of 29 ministers and 10 secretaries of state. The last time secretaries of state were appointed was under Stephen Harper’s government in 2007. Although secretaries of state are not full members of Cabinet, they may attend Cabinet meetings when matters related to their areas of responsibility are on the agenda.

Election of the 40th Speaker of the House of Commons and the Other Chair Occupants

On May 26, 2025, the House proceeded to the election of the new Speaker. Six candidates ran for the position and Francis Scarpaleggia (Lac-Saint-Louis) was elected 40th Speaker of the House of Commons via secret ballot. Speaker Scarpaleggia has been a Member of Parliament since 2004.

On May 28, 2025, Tom Kmiec (Calgary Shepard) was appointed Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees of the Whole. The following day, Alexandra Mendès (Brossard—Saint-Lambert) and John Nater (Perth—Wellington) were appointed Assistant Deputy Speaker and Deputy Chair of Committees of the Whole and Assistant Deputy Speaker and Assistant Deputy Chair of Committees of the Whole respectively.

Opening of the session by the Sovereign

On May 27, 2025, King Charles III visited Canada and delivered the Speech from the Throne to open the First Session of the 45th Parliament. The last time the Sovereign delivered the throne speech was on October 18, 1977 (Third Session of the 30th Parliament). The last opening of the first session of a parliament dates back to October 14, 1957 (23rd Parliament).

Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne

On May 27, 2025, Corey Hogan (Calgary Confederation) moved the main motion in relation to the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne and debate arose. The following day, which was the first of six allotted days for debate, the Leader of the Official Opposition, Andrew Scheer (Regina—Qu’Appelle), moved an amendment to the motion urging the government to include a commitment to present an economic update or a budget before the House adjourned for the summer. The amendment specified that the update or budget would include measures to unleash Canada’s economic potential, along with full accountability for public finances. During the debate, Yves-François Blanchet (Beloeil—Chambly) and Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East) moved subamendments. The House adopted the subamendments on May 29, 2025, and June 2, 2025, respectively.

The motion also provided for report stage and third reading to be completed by June 20, 2025, with limited debate.

The amendment, as amended, was also adopted on June 2, 2025. Then on June 4, 2025, during the sixth and final allotted day, the main motion, as amended, was put to a vote and adopted on division. It is rare for this type of motion on the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne to be adopted with one or more amendments, whether on division or not.

Legislation

Adoption at All Stages – Bill C-202, An Act to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act (supply management)

On May 29, 2025, Mr. Blanchet introduced Bill C-202, An Act to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act (supply management).

On June 5, 2025, with unanimous consent, the bill was deemed adopted at all stages in the House of Commons and sent to the Senate. On June 17, 2025, the House received a message from the Senate indicating that Bill C-202 had been passed without amendment. On June 26, 2025, the bill received royal assent.

Consideration of Bill C-5, An Act to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act

On June 13, 2025, the government moved Government Business No. 1, concerning the consideration of Bill C-5, An Act to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act, to manage the proceedings on the bill.

The programming motion ordered that second reading begin immediately after the adoption of the order, with limited debate, followed by a vote on all questions necessary to dispose of second reading. It set out provisions for committee consideration, including deadlines for clause-by-clause consideration and the submission of amendments, and authorized the committee to report back to the Clerk. The motion also ordered that the report stage and third reading be completed by June 20, 2025, with limited debate.

On June 20, 2025, Ms. Kwan rose on a point of order, noting that Bill C-5 contains two distinct components — interprovincial trade and major infrastructure projects — and argued that, under Standing Order 69.1, these components should be subject to separate votes.

Subsequently, Xavier Barsalou-Duval (Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères) rose on a point of order regarding the Speaker’s earlier decision not to select certain Bloc Québécois motions in amendment at report stage. Mr. Barsalou-Duval argued that the order adopted by the House limited the possibility of voting in committee on certain sections of the bill after midnight, which he intended to do with his amendments submitted for the report stage but that were not selected by the Chair.

Later, Philip Lawrence (Northumberland—Clarke) raised a separate point of order concerning the grouping of Motions Nos. 18 and 19 for voting purposes at report stage. He explained that the two motions dealt with different Acts, the Canada Labour Code and the Species at Risk Act, and engaged a distinct subject matter.

The Speaker ruled on the points of order. In response to Mr. Barsalou-Duval, the Speaker upheld the earlier decision not to select the Bloc Québécois motions at report stage. The Speaker concluded that, notwithstanding the timing of the clause-by-clause consideration, members retained the opportunity to submit amendments in accordance with the deadline set by the House order adopted on June 16, 2025. The Speaker noted that the motions in question were not moved in committee and were therefore inadmissible at report stage. However, the Speaker did revise the voting pattern and directed that Motions Nos. 18 and 19 be voted on separately, recognizing their distinct subject matter and legislative implications.

Last, the Speaker found that Bill C-5 contained two separate legislative initiatives without a unifying principle. Pursuant to Standing Order 69.1, the Speaker directed that the bill be divided for the purposes of voting at third reading. The bill was adopted by the House on June 20, 2025.

Subsequently, on June 26, 2025, the House received a message from the Senate informing it that Bill C-5 was passed without amendment; and on the same day, the bill received royal assent.

Questions of Privilege

Question of privilege concerning Alleged Misleading Minister Testimony in Committee of the Whole

On June 11, 2025, Jean-Denis Garon (Mirabel) raised a question of privilege regarding the conduct of the Minister of Finance and National Revenue, François-Philippe Champagne (Saint-Maurice—Champlain) during the study of the estimates in committee of the whole on June 10, 2025. Mr. Garon argued that the minister deliberately misled the House by denying that the Canada carbon rebate cheques issued during the election were sent before the corresponding carbon tax had been collected.

On June 13, 2025, Shannon Stubbs (Lakeland) raised a question of privilege concerning statements made by the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Tim Hodgson (Markham—Thornhill) also raised during the consideration of the estimates in the committee of the whole, this time on June 11, 2025. Ms. Stubbs argued that the minister deliberately misled the House by claiming that politicians do not select projects deemed to be in the national interest under Bill C-5, An Act to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Champagne and Kevin Lamoureux (Winnipeg North) rose to address the questions of privilege; arguing that no deliberate attempt was made to mislead the House.

On June 19, 2025, the Speaker ruled on both questions of privilege. He explained that while both allegations arose from exchanges in committee of the whole, he noted that such matters must first be raised and reported from the committee itself before the House can consider them. The Speaker concluded that they did not meet the high threshold required to establish a prima facie question of privilege.

Temporary Changes to the House of Commons Standing Orders

Temporary Changes to Standing Order 81

On May 27, 2025, by unanimous consent, the House amended Standing Order 81(4) and 81(5) until June 23, 2025, to expedite the business of supply. Under the temporary changes, all votes on the Main and Supplementary Estimates 2025-26, and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26 were immediately referred to a committee of the whole upon being tabled. Following consultations with other House leaders, the government designated four days for the consideration of the estimates in committee of the whole. On each of those days, the committee began its work at the ordinary hour of daily adjournment and sat for a period not exceeding four hours solely for the purpose of asking questions to the government regarding the estimates. Lastly, the motion provided that at the conclusion of the time provided for debate on the fourth designated day, the estimates were deemed reported back to the House. However, on June 11, 2025, notwithstanding the order of May 27, 2025 the House adopted a new order adding a fifth designated day, June 12, 2025, to debate the estimates.

Other Changes to the Standing Orders

On June 5, 2025, by unanimous consent, the House adopted a special order, for the duration of the 45th Parliament, amending Standing Order 104(2) to specify the number of committee members for each recognized party and suspend various Standing Orders relating to parliamentary secretaries.

Another provision of the special order stipulated that the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (PROC) be appointed by having the whip of each recognized party submit a list of their members with the Clerk of the House no later than June 6, 2025, instead of listing the members’ names in a motion. The special order also gave an instruction to the Clerk of the House to convene a PROC meeting no later than June 10, 2025.

Finally, the special order also included a provision allowing a minister of the Crown to move, after midnight, the suspension of the sitting until 9:00 a.m. later that day when the House has not completed a series of recorded divisions.

Other

Emergency Debate

On June 2, 2025, Leah Gazan (Winnipeg Centre) requested that an emergency debate be held on the wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The Speaker granted the request and the emergency debate was held the following day.

Moments of Silence

Moment of Silence Regarding the Tragedy at the Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver

On May 26, 2025, after speeches congratulating the new Speaker on his election, the House observed a moment of silence regarding the tragic event of April 26, 2025, at the Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Moment of Silence in Memory of Marc Garneau

On June 4, 2025, the House observed a moment of silence in memory of the late Marc Garneau. The following day, the House observed a second moment of silence. Subsequently, it was agreed by unanimous consent that following the moment of silence, tributes would be delivered by a member of each recognized party, as well as by a member of the New Democratic Party (NDP) and the member of the Green Party.

Vicky Sedhya Maurice-Sevigny

Table Research Branch, House of Commons

Yukon

2025 Spring Sitting

On May 1, the 2025 Spring Sitting adjourned. The 32-day Sitting had commenced March 6, 2025. It is expected to be the final Sitting of the 35th Legislative Assembly as an election is required by November 3, 2025, under Yukon’s Elections Act.

Government Bills

Over the course of the 2025 Spring Sitting, each of the eight government bills that had been introduced (and listed in Yukon’s previous legislative report) progressed through all stages, and received assent:

• Bill No. 46, Residential Tenancies Act

• Bill No. 47, Act to amend the Income Tax Act (2025)

• Bill No. 48, Early Learning and Child Care Act

• Bill No. 49, Technical Amendments (Estates, unclaimed bodies and related matters) Act (2025)

• Bill No. 50, Inclusive Yukon Families Act

• Bill No. 216, Third Appropriation Act 2024-25

• Bill No. 217, First Appropriation Act 2025-26

• Bill No. 218, Interim Supply Appropriation Act 2025-26

Three of those bills were amended in Committee of the Whole before passing the House: Bill No. 46, Residential Tenancies Act, Bill No. 48, Early Learning and Child Care Act, and Bill No. 50, Inclusive Yukon Families Act.

Private Members’ Bills

Two Private Members’ bills were introduced during the 2025 Spring Sitting by Kate White, Leader of the Third Party:

• Bill No. 309, Act to Amend the Elections Act, with Respect to Political Contributions

• Bill No. 310, Act Respecting the Yukon Medical Association

Bill No. 309 was called for second reading debate during Opposition Private Members’ Business on March 19, 2025, but debate on the bill was immediately adjourned. The bill did not receive any further consideration.

On April 2, 2025, Bill No. 310 passed second reading with a unanimous vote. Consideration in Committee of the Whole took place on April 2 and 16, 2025, and the bill was reported with amendments. Unanimous consent was granted to proceed with third reading on the same day as the bill was reported with amendments, and the bill was then passed by the House on April 16, 2025. On the final day of the Sitting, May 1, 2025, the bill received assent.

Changes to Scheduling of Sitting Due to Power Outages

On April 9, 2025, during the appearance of witnesses in Committee of the Whole from the Yukon Development Corporation and the Yukon Energy Corporation, a power outage in the Chamber disrupted proceedings. The next sitting day on April 10 was subsequently cancelled when power to the Legislative Assembly had still not been fully restored.

In a statement on April 14, Speaker Jeremy Harper noted “For today and for the rest of the Sitting, we will be reducing our power load” and that “A plan is being worked on for a permanent solution, with work likely taking place during the summer and into the fall.”

To account for the time lost due to the power problems, without extending the overall length of the Sitting, the Assembly adopted sessional orders to sit outside of its normal hours (1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday) from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, April 23, and 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2025. The witnesses whose appearance had been cut short on April 9, appeared before Committee of the Whole again on April 23, 2025.

Appearance of Witnesses From Court-Appointed Receiver for Eagle Gold Mine

During Opposition Private Members’ Business on April 16, 2025, the Legislative Assembly adopted a motion for Michelle Grant and another senior official from PricewaterhouseCoopers to appear as witnesses before Committee of the Whole to answer questions regarding the receivership, operations, and management of the Eagle Gold mine site. The mine was the site of a catastrophic heap leach failure on June 24, 2024.

On April 25, 2025, Scott Kent, Official Opposition House Leader, rose on a Question of Privilege regarding correspondence from Ms. Grant indicating that she did not recognize the power of the Legislative Assembly to call for persons to appear. Following the Speaker’s ruling that there appeared to be a prima facie case of breach of privilege, Mr. Kent moved a motion to find Ms. Grant in contempt of the House. Debate on the motion was adjourned.

Mr. Kent withdrew the contempt motion on April 28, with the unanimous consent of the Assembly, and on April 30, 2025, the witnesses from PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ms. Grant and Graham Page, appeared before Committee of the Whole to answer questions.

Passing of Former Sergeant-at-Arms

The Speaker made a statement on May 1, 2025, in remembrance of Rudy Couture, former Sergeant-at-Arms, who served the Yukon Legislative Assembly from October 2001 to May 26, 2016.

New Premier

On May 7, Ranj Pillai, announced his intention to resign from the role of Premier. The Yukon Liberal Party held a convention to select a new leader on June 19, 2025. On June 27, Mike Pemberton was sworn in as Premier and Minister of the Executive Council Office. The Premier does not currently hold a seat in the Legislative Assembly. Mr. Pillai remains in Cabinet as Minister of Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation.

Allison Lloyd

Deputy Clerk

Prince Edward Island

Second Session, Sixty-seventh General Assembly

The Second Session of the Sixty-seventh General Assembly opened on March 25 and adjourned to the call of the Speaker on May 16, for a total of 30 sitting days. The House is scheduled to meet for the fall sitting on November 4.

The Draft Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne was debated over seven days. Three amendments were moved but not carried, and the Address in Reply passed on April 4.

Minister of Finance Jill Burridge delivered the Budget Address on April 10, and the 2025-2026 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure were tabled the same day. The budget totaled $3.5 billion, with a deficit of just under $184 million. Health continues to be the area of greatest spending, with a budget of just under $1.1 billion for Health PEI and $166 million for the Department of Health and Wellness. Next is education, with $467 million for the Department of Education and Early Years and the two provincial education authorities. The budget included a $32 million Tariff and Trade Contingency Fund to support businesses and workers affected by tariffs, and a $10 million Tariff Working Capital loan program. Decreases in corporate and personal income tax rates, efforts to hire more internationally trained physicians and nurses, and expansion of patient medical homes were also highlighted. The Estimates were considered in Committee of the Whole House over 15 sitting days and ultimately approved.

Government put forward 20 bills during the sitting; 19 received Royal Assent and one has been read a first time and remains on the Order Paper. Bill 15, Interprovincial Trade and Mobility Act, received the most debate. The bill allows goods produced and persons licensed in reciprocating jurisdictions to be treated as though they were produced or licensed in Prince Edward Island, with reciprocating jurisdictions defined as signatories to the Canadian Free Trade Agreement that have similar legislation in force. Regulated and registered health professions and lawyers are not covered under the bill, and additional professions may also be exempted by regulation. The bill was debated over three days in Committee of the Whole House and ultimately recommended and passed, but awaits proclamation as of this writing. Two private members’ bills were passed during the sitting. Bill 100, An Act to Amend the Planning Act, requires various decision makers to give due consideration to the preservation and protection of arable land when evaluating several types of applications under the Act. Bill 101, An Act to Amend the Education Act, requires education authorities to include in their annual reports information on complaints of sexual misconduct and supports provided to students in relation to sexual misconduct, and to establish policies on the prevention of and response to sexual misconduct after seeking public input on such policies.

Speaker’s Ruling

On May 1, Speaker Sidney MacEwen ruled on a point of order raised by Peter Bevan-Baker (District 17: New Haven-Rocky Point) at the conclusion of Oral Question Period on the previous day, in objection to language spoken by Minister of Housing, Land and Communities Steven Myers. The Speaker found that though the member had followed proper procedure in waiting until the end of Question Period to raise the point of order, he did not specify what language he found offensive, and therefore it was difficult to rule upon the matter. Nonetheless, the Speaker indicated that in reviewing the previous day’s proceedings, offensive language was used, and he reminded members that language used in the House should be temperate and worthy of the place in which it is spoken.

Committee Activities

Following the closing of the winter-spring sitting, committees of the Assembly resumed their work during the May-June period. The Standing Committee on Health and Social Development continued its review of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, including by inviting any interested members of the public to present to the committee or submit written input. The provisions of the Act require it to be comprehensively reviewed every six years by a committee of the Legislative Assembly, which shall report to the Assembly within a year of the review and possibly make recommendations for amendments to the Act. The Standing Committee on Education and Economic Growth held meetings on student safety in Island schools, hearing from officials of the Public Schools Branch and the Department of Education and Early Years, as well as former Chief Justice David Jenkins, who has been appointed by government to lead a third-party review of the policies, procedures, and processes of the Department and the English- and French-language school branches following incidents related to student safety. The Standing Committee on Public Accounts reviewed the Auditor General’s Annual Report to the Legislative Assembly 2025 and met with Department of Social Development and Seniors officials regarding the Auditor General’s Grant Funding to Non-Government Organizations report and Department of Finance officials regarding his Long-Term Fiscal Sustainability report. The Standing Committee on Rules, Regulations, Private Bills and Privileges met to consider the Rules of the Legislative Assembly, in particular the rule on extending the hours of the House, the budget process and committee mandates.

Third Party Leadership

On June 7, Matt MacFarlane (District 19: Borden-Kinkora) won the leadership of the provincial Green Party, which also made him Leader of the Third Party in the House. The Green Party had been led by Karla Bernard (District 12: Charlottetown-Victoria Park) on an interim basis since July 2023. Former MLA Hannah Bell also ran for party leader.

Ryan Reddin

Director of Parliamentary Research

Saskatchewan

Adjournment of the Spring Sitting

The spring sitting of the first session of the thirtieth legislature was adjourned on May 15, 2025. Prior to adjournment, the standing committees spent more than 76 hours considering estimates and supplementary estimates, after which the sums were reported, approved, and included in an appropriation bill. On May 13, 2025, Administrator Georgina Jackson, granted Royal Assent to the appropriation bill along with 20 other bills, bringing the total number of bills passed during the session to 24.

A Private Members’ motion recognizing the advocacy efforts of the family of Logan Boulet, whose organs were donated to six people after the Humboldt Broncos bus crash, was also passed by the Assembly on April 10, 2025. It was moved by a member of the government caucus and received unanimous support from both sides of the House.

Member’s Budget Speech and Apology

During her budget speech on March 25, 2025, government MLA Racquel Hilbert stated, “We did not hear the opposition denounce their federal leader as being a terrorist in India, and denounce the collateral trade damage to Western Canada.” The statement began receiving media attention several weeks later and, on April 9, 2025, MLA Hilbert rose before routine proceedings and apologized for making the comment. Consequently, members of the opposition began repeated calls for MLA Hilbert to be removed from the government caucus and her committee duties for the comments towards the Sikh community. MLA Hilbert was removed from several of her duties, including government deputy caucus chair, Treasury Board, Wanuskewin board of directors, and caucus irrigation committee. She remains a member of the government caucus and a member of the Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice.

Expeditious Passage of Bill

Of note during the spring sitting was the swift passage of Bill No. 601, The Sikh Heritage Month Act, a private member’s bill which was introduced on April 1, 2025, by MLA Bhajan Brar. The bill proclaims the month of April each year as Sikh Heritage Month. The bill received second reading on April 17, 2025, was immediately considered in Committee of the Whole on Bills, then read a third time and passed on the same day.

Urgent and Pressing Necessity Motion

On Wednesday, April 30, 2025, the opposition was granted leave to move a motion pursuant to rule 61—an urgent and pressing necessity motion seeking to ban the practice of using virtual doctors during childbirth and life-threatening emergencies. A government amendment was moved to remove a majority of the wording from the original motion and instead commend the Saskatchewan Health Authority for its expansion of virtual health services. Members debated the motion and amendment, and the debate was adjourned. On Monday, May 5, the Assembly resumed the debate on the motion. The amendment was agreed to on a recorded vote of 32-14, and the amended motion was then passed unanimously on recorded division.

Recorded Divisions on Motions to Adjourn

On May 7, 2025, Opposition Leader Carla Beck introduced a private members’ public bill, The Referendum and Plebiscite (Keep Saskatchewan in Canada) Amendment Act, aimed at increasing the threshold of signatures required to trigger a plebiscite on secession.

On May 12, 13, and 14, a member of the opposition requested leave to move a motion to immediately consider second reading of the bill, but leave was not granted. On each day, the Government House Leader Tim McLeod moved to adjourn the Assembly before the bill could be called. As a result, on each day, an opposition member called for a recorded division on the adjournment motion. All these motions passed. On May 15, the final sitting day, leave was again denied for second reading. The Assembly then adjourned the session without the bill being considered further.

Condolence Motions for Former MLAs and Statement of Condolence by the Speaker

On May 14, 2025, the Speaker delivered a statement of condolence for William Goodhand, a former Sergeant-at-Arms and officer of the Assembly. In addition, Premier Scott Moe moved motions of condolence honouring five former MLAs who had recently passed away, which were spoken to by members on both sides of the House. The Assembly subsequently passed a transmittal motion authorizing the Speaker to transmit copies of the official records of the tributes to the bereaved families.

Saskatchewan Teachers’ Institute on Parliamentary Democracy

From April 5 to 9, 2025, Speaker Todd Goudy, with support from the Legislative Assembly Service, hosted 20 teachers from across the province for the 23rd Saskatchewan Teachers’ Institute on Parliamentary Democracy. This non-partisan professional development program immerses educators in Saskatchewan’s parliamentary system, allowing them to deepen their understanding through direct observation and hands-on experience.

Participants met with the Speaker, ministers, and members of caucus—including leaders, whips, and chairs—as well as members of the judiciary, the media, and the Lieutenant Governor. They also attended information sessions and took part in a model parliament facilitated by the Legislative Assembly Service.

Tamikani Nkhata

Procedural Assistant

Alberta

First Session of the 31st Legislature

The First Session of the 31st Legislature resumed on February 25, 2025, marking the beginning of the second spring sitting of the session. Evening sittings began on April 28 and continued until adjournment on May 14.

Government bills receiving Royal Assent included:

• Bill 49, Public Safety and Emergency Services Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 – Enhances disaster response protocols, authorizes the creation of a provincial police force (which municipalities could use), introduces measures to curb illicit scrap metal sales, and provides the flexibility necessary for the Police Review Commission to act as the sole agency for handling complaints involving municipal and First Nations police services.
• Bill 50, Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 – Permits local political parties to share campaign funds with candidates in Edmonton and Calgary, eliminates municipal council codes of conduct and removes the provision for vote tabulators, clarifies intermunicipal collaboration frameworks, and strengthens protections for new-home builders and buyers through a dispute resolution system. It also allows residents displaced by the 2024 Jasper fire to run in the 2025 municipal election.
• Bill 53, Compassionate Intervention Act – Establishes a Compassionate Intervention Commission with authority to order involuntary treatment for individuals with addictions who pose a danger to themselves or others, in either community or secure settings.
• Bill 54, Election Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 – Reintroduces corporate and union political donations, lowers the threshold for citizen initiatives and recall votes to 10 per cent of voters from the previous election, eliminates vouching at polling stations, expands third-party advertising, and bans vote tabulators.
• Bill 55, Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 – Advances the restructuring of Alberta’s health care system by transferring responsibilities from Alberta Health Services to four new entities: Acute Care, Continuing Care, Primary Care, and Recovery Alberta. It also amends the Health Information Act to allow the Ministry of seniors, community and social services to manage data necessary for continuing care delivery in the province.

Cabinet Changes

On May 12, Ric McIver resigned as the Minister of Municipal Affairs.

On May 16, Premier Danielle Smith announced changes to the membership and composition of her cabinet. The new appointees and portfolios include:

• • Myles McDougall, Minister of Advanced Education

• Jason Nixon, Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services

• • Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education and Childcare

• Matt Jones, Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services

• Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Indigenous Relations

• • Joseph Schow, Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration
  • Rick Wilson, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction

• Dan Williams, Minister of Municipal Affairs

• Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services

• Andrew Boitchenko, Minister of Tourism and Sport

In addition, Muhammad Yaseen has been appointed Associate Minister of Multiculturalism, and Grant Hunter has been appointed Associate Minister of Water.

Election of a New Speaker

On May 7, Nathan Cooper announced his resignation as the 14th Speaker of the Legislative Assembly in preparation for his upcoming appointment as Alberta’s senior representative to the United States. He continued to serve as the Member for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills until the end of the day on May 22. Before being sworn in as the 885th Member of the Legislative Assembly in 2015, Mr. Cooper was a municipal councillor for Carstairs, Alberta, and served as chief of staff and director of legislative affairs for the Wildrose caucus. First elected as Speaker in 2019, Mr. Cooper is now the eighth longest serving Speaker in the Assembly’s history.

At 10 a.m. on May 13 the Assembly convened to elect a new Speaker. Mr. McIver, MLA for Calgary-Hays, was elected as the 15th Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. Speaker McIver has served in the Assembly since 2012 and has held several ministerial roles in addition to serving as Deputy Government House Leader.

By-elections

On March 25, Rodrigo Loyola resigned during his third term as the Member for Edmonton-Ellerslie.

On June 23 three by-elections were held in Alberta. Naheed Nenshi, leader of the Alberta New Democrats and former mayor of Calgary, won the by-election in Edmonton-Strathcona. Fellow New Democrat Gurtej Singh Brar was victorious in Edmonton-Ellerslie. The constituency of Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills was won by United Conservative candidate Tara Sawyer.

Composition of the Assembly

On April 16, Peter Guthrie was removed from the United Conservative caucus following his public criticism of government procurement practices. He continues to serve as the Member for Airdrie-Cochrane.

Currently the composition of the Assembly is 47 United Conservatives, 38 New Democrats, and two Independent Members.

Committee Business

On May 13 the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship was deemed a special committee for the purpose of reviewing the Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblower Protection) Act. The Committee met on June 27 to commence its review and receive technical briefings from the Public Interest Commissioner and the Ministry of Justice. The Committee has one year to complete its review and report to the Assembly.

Jody Rempel

Committee Clerk

Manitoba

2nd Session of the 43rd Legislature

The Second Session of the 43rd Legislature resumed on March 5, 2025, and adjourned for the summer officially on June 2, 2025. The term “officially” was intentional as many Bills did not receive Concurrence and Third Reading on that sitting day until well after midnight, but they are still considered to have received it on June 2. The Royal Assent ceremony actually took place at 7:55 a.m. on June 3 as the Assembly sat through the night and did not rise until 8:12 a.m. There were multiple recorded votes, with the division bells ringing for one hour each, on many of the 43 Government Bills that received Royal Assent that day.

The sitting was technically the second longest in modern Assembly history. The following lists the top five extended sittings since the start of the 35th Legislature (1990-91):

• August 8-9, 2002 (3rd Session, 37th Legislature): 8:30 a.m. August 8 until 6:57 a.m. August 9 (22 hrs, 27 mins)
• June 2-3, 2025 (2nd Session, 43rd Legislature): 1:30 p.m. June 2 until 8:12 a.m. June 3 (18 hrs, 42 mins)
• August 17-18, 2000 (1st Session, 37th Legislature): 10:00 a.m. August 17 until 4:37 a.m. August 18 (18 hrs, 37 mins)
• November 9-10, 2017 (2nd Session, 41st Legislature): 10:00 a.m. November 9 until 4:14 a.m. November 10 (18 hrs, 14 mins)
• November 5-6, 2020 (3rd Session, 42nd Legislature): 10:00 a.m. November 5 until 3:50 a.m. November 6 (17 hrs, 50 mins).

The House is set to resume sitting on October 1, 2025. This upcoming sitting period promises to be extremely busy as well, especially for Committees, as the Estimates process in the Committee of Supply still needs to be completed and the Official Opposition designated the following five Bills for delayed consideration in the fall:

• Bill 8 – The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Amendment Act amends previous legislation to prohibit the issuance of new liquor service licences for classes of premises established by regulation in a specified area. Existing liquor service licences are not affected by this amendment.

• Bill 12 – The Housing and Renewal Corporation Amendment Act, states that an owner of a building that receives construction funding to provide social housing is prohibited from selling or demolishing the building or using it for a different purpose without the corporation’s consent. The consent may be given with or without conditions. The corporation must file a caveat in the appropriate land titles office to reflect the prohibition. The caveat does not prevent the sale of the building by a financial institution on a mortgage sale or foreclosure. The prohibition and the caveat apply to current owners under new or existing agreements as well as subsequent owners of the building. An owner cannot sue the corporation or the government for any loss that might arise from the enactment of the prohibition.

• Bill 23 – The Public Interest Expression Defence Act states that a defendant in a proceeding may bring a motion to dismiss the proceeding on the grounds that the proceeding arises from a communication made by the defendant on a matter of public interest. No further steps may be taken by any party in the proceeding or in a proceeding before an administrative tribunal that relates to the same matter of public interest until a decision on the dismissal motion has been made.

• Bill 30 – The Election Financing Amendment and Elections Amendment Act amends The Election Act as follows:

The term of office for the next Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) is set at 10 years and may be renewed. A term may be extended for up to 12 months, if necessary, due to a general election.

To update the register of voters, the CEO may enter into an agreement with any person or body the CEO considers to be a source of reliable information.

Advanced voting at returning offices is extended to include the Sunday and Monday before election day.

On election day, a voter may vote at any returning office in the province.

Offence provisions relating to publishing false statements and impersonation are added, and an administrative penalty scheme is included to enforce compliance with the new provisions.

The maximum penalty for serious offences is increased. Additionally, beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, the compulsory school age is lowered from seven to six. The age at which a child has the right to attend school is lowered from six to five.

Bill 40 – An Act respecting “O Canada” and Other Observances and Land and Treaty Acknowledgements in Schools (Education Administration Act and Public Schools Act Amended) dissolves the Advisory Board and its regulations under The Education Administration Act and amends The Public Schools Act as follows:

Requires school boards to establish and implement a written policy respecting land acknowledgements and treaty acknowledgements;

Removes provisions respecting religious exercises that were found unconstitutional by the court in 1992;

Places obligations in the Act rather than in the regulations to require “O Canada” to be sung and citizenship exercises to be held; and

Requires schools to hold a Remembrance Day observance each year on a school day between November 4 and November 10.

May 8 – History-Making Day

Two significant events occurred in the Assembly on May 8, 2025, one of them made history and the other paid tribute to it.

Simultaneous Interpretation of an Indigenous Language

On May 8, Premier Wab Kinew gave a Ministerial Statement in the Cree language on the topic of Spirit Bear Day (Jordan’s Principle). Before making the statement, Speaker Tom Lindsay noted that this statement marked “the first time in the 154-year history of this Assembly that we will be providing live, simultaneous interpretation of an Indigenous language to Members in the Chamber and those participating virtually during our proceedings. As your Speaker, I believe that this is an important step in advancing the Assembly’s commitment to reconciliation.”

Tribute to Honour World War II Veterans

Also on May 8, Government Member David Pankratz made a Members’ Statement that recognized the 80th anniversary of VE Day and also paid tribute to three World War II veterans that were given special access to the floor of the Chamber. Prior to the statement Speaker Lindsay sought and received leave of the House to allow the three World War II veterans, Len Van Roon, Bob Watkins and Percy Rosamond to be seated at the Bar of the House to hear the Members’ Statements. Leave was also subsequently granted to allow the Official Opposition Leader Obby Khan, and Independent Liberal Member Cindy Lamoureux to respond. The House was then paused for all Members to personally congratulate the veterans.

Manitoba Day

On May 12, 2025, Speaker Lindsay made a statement marking Manitoba Day and the following excerpts were taken from the statement:

Today, Monday, May 12, 2025, marks the 155th anniversary of the day The Manitoba Act received Royal Assent in the Canadian Parliament. This Act created the Province of Manitoba and accordingly May 12 has been designated as Manitoba Day.

In honour of this occasion, Members will notice some treasured artifacts displayed on the Clerk’s Table today:

• The Star Blanket cushion and beaded Mace Runner, gifted to us by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs in 2010;
• A Métis sash, gifted to us in 2023 by the Manitoba Métis Federation; and
• A soapstone polar bear carving, gifted to us by the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut in 2023.

These artifacts are displayed in the Chamber today to recognize and pay tribute to the Indigenous people of Manitoba as we celebrate this Day. They serve as a reminder that this Chamber and our Legislative Building reside on the traditional lands of Indigenous people, as we recognize each day in our land acknowledgement….

In addition to these artifacts, as we have done for many years now in today’s Speaker’s Parade our Sergeant-at-Arms

carried our original Manitoba Mace. This Mace made its first formal appearance on March 15th, 1871, on the first sitting day of the first session of the first Manitoba Legislature, held in the home of A.G.B. Bannatyne in the Red River Settlement. The Bannatyne home was destroyed by fire in December 1873 but thankfully the Mace survived. After 13 years of service, our original Mace was retired in 1884 when our current Mace debuted. The original Mace has a permanent home on display outside of the Speaker’s office, coming out of retirement annually to mark this day and other special events.

This historical artifact sits on the Table today to reference our past, but also to remind all Members that we are part of a very select group of Manitoba citizens. Since that Mace was first placed on the Clerk’s Table in 1871 only 882 Manitobans – including all of us – have served as Members of this Assembly, in this room and the rooms which preceded it…

As we commemorate this event then it is worth remembering that our democracy is a fragile work in progress in need of protection, and this has never been more evident than it is in 2025. In honour of Manitoba Day and with this rich history in mind, I would encourage all Members to reflect on our shared responsibility to serve Manitobans with honour, respect and reverence. I would encourage all of us to remember that our work in this place is part of a very long legacy of service to the people of Manitoba, and we should be thinking of them every time we stand to speak in this House.

Greg Recksiedler

Research Clerk/Clerk Assistant

British Columbia

Spring Sitting Period

The Legislative Assembly concluded its spring sitting period on May 29, 2025. A long adjournment motion was adopted authorizing the Speaker to recall the House should the need arise after consultation with the government. If required due to an emergency or public health measure, 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. The Legislative Assembly is anticipated to resume sitting on October 6, 2025.

On March 12, 2025, the Legislative Assembly adopted a motion to amend Standing Orders 2 (1) and 3, which establish the ordinary daily sitting times, to extend the sitting hours to 9:00 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, effective March 31. The usual times prescribed in the Standing Order state that the House adjourn at 6:30 pm on Mondays and Tuesdays, and 7:00 pm on Wednesdays. Per the motion, the order expired on May 30, 2025.

Additionally, on March 12, 2025, the Legislative Assembly adopted a motion enabling certain proceedings of the House to take place in two concurrent sections—Section A and Section B—for the consideration of Estimates and bills at committee stage. On March 13, 2025, the Legislative Assembly passed a motion for the House to go into Committee of Supply and commenced examination of the Estimates. Subsequently, on April 30, 2025, the Legislative Assembly discharged the March 12 motion and adopted a new motion enabling certain proceedings of the House to take place in three concurrent sections (Sections A, B, and C). All three sections were permitted to consider Estimates and bills at committee stage. In total, 188 hours were dedicated to consideration of the Estimates, compared to 179 hours the previous year.

Legislation

During the sitting period, a total of 14 bills, including two Private Members’ Bills, received Royal Assent. The government’s legislative agenda included several bills focused on responding to the current economic climate, including tariffs. These included Bill 7, Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act, Bill 8, Carbon Tax Amendment Act, 2025, Bill 14, Renewable Energy Projects (Streamlined Permitting) Act, and Bill 15, Infrastructure Projects Act.

Bill 7 allows government to respond to actions taken by foreign jurisdictions and support interprovincial cooperation by reducing trade barriers. The bill was substantively amended to address concerns raised by the opposition. Bill 8 eliminates the consumer carbon tax in British Columbia by cancelling all scheduled rate increases and setting the carbon tax rate to zero dollars per tonne of emissions.

Bill 14 streamlines permitting for renewable energy projects while Bill 15 streamlines and supports different types of infrastructure projects; government designated both bills as matters of confidence. Opposition Members raised concerns about both bills related to striking the balance between streamlining projects and maintaining environmental protections and respecting Indigenous rights. As there was a tie on the motion for third reading for both bills, the Speaker was required to exercise a casting vote. He cast his vote in the affirmative, noting that each bill had passed earlier stages of consideration by the House with a majority of votes.

To complete consideration of six bills, including Bills 7, 14, and 15, the Legislative Assembly adopted a time allocation motion on May 6, 2025, pursuant to Standing Order 81.1 (2), which provides that a Minister may propose a motion for the purpose of allotting a specific number of days or hours for consideration and disposal of proceedings at one or more stages of a public bill, if an agreement cannot be reached with all parties. Ultimately, the time allocation order affected four of the six bills as the House completed consideration of the others prior to the deadlines in the order.

The two Private Members’ Bills (Bill M 204, Perinatal and Postnatal Mental Health Strategy Act, and Bill M 202, Eligibility to Hold Public Office Act), received Royal Assent. They are the first Private Members’ bills passed since changes to the Standing Orders with respect to Private Members’ Business came into effect in fall 2024.

Speaker’s Rulings

On March 31, 2025, Government House Leader Mike Farnworth made an application under Standing Order 81 that Bill 8, Carbon Tax Amendment Act, 2025 be permitted to advance through all stages of legislative debate on the same day. Standing Order 81 provides that on urgent or extraordinary occasions a bill may advance multiple stages in one day. The Government House Leader also indicated that, should the Speaker permit the bill to advance through all stages, he would move a motion to allow the House to sit beyond the typical hour fixed for adjournment until all questions on the remaining stages of the bill are put and decided, and should the bill pass, until the bill is presented for Royal Assent.

In his decision, the Speaker Raj Chouhan, indicated that a request under Standing Order 81 must pass a two-part test: first, that the bill address an urgent or extraordinary matter, and second, that the scope of the bill be limited. Noting that the decision of the federal government to eliminate its consumer carbon tax was made after the Legislative Assembly adjourned on March 13, 2025, that the provincial government introduced the bill at hand at the earliest opportunity upon the Legislative Assembly’s return, and that the scope of the bill was limited to the repeal of the consumer carbon tax, the Speaker found that the bill and circumstances met these tests. The Speaker ruled that the bill be permitted to advance through all stages of consideration on the same day. The Legislative Assembly subsequently considered and adopted a motion to sit beyond the fixed hour for adjournment.

On April 7, 2025, Peter Milobar, MLA for Kamloops Centre, raised a question of privilege regarding whether the Official Opposition could effectively scrutinize the 2025–26 budget and Main Estimates, given that Bill 8, which received Royal Assent after the budget was presented on March 4, 2025, would affect projected tax revenues and expenses. The Speaker noted that the first criterion in considering a question of privilege is whether it was raised at the earliest opportunity. As the bill was introduced on March 31, 2025, the Speaker concluded that Peter Milobar, MLA, had a reasonable opportunity to reserve the right to raise the matter earlier while preparing his full submission. Since this was not done, the Speaker ruled that the first criterion was not met and that a prima facie breach of privilege had not occurred. The Speaker also provided guidance on the matter stating that while fiscal forecasts can change, he accepts that decisions before the House and the Committee of Supply in terms of Main Estimates have not changed and expenditures by government cannot exceed individual Vote totals without additional legislative authority. He further added that he expects government to fulfill its statutory obligations to provide timely updates throughout the fiscal year.

Following the vote on the motion for third reading of Bill 14, Sheldon Clare, MLA for Prince George-North Cariboo, raised a point of order, citing a potential contravention of the Guidance for Members Participating in Proceedings of the Legislative Assembly Remotely, issued by the Speaker under Standing Order 8 (3)(b). The concern involved a Member who participated in the division remotely while using a blurred Zoom background. The Speaker ruled that this did not breach the guidance, which prohibits the use of virtual backgrounds due to concerns about obscuring a Member’s location, clarifying that a blurred background is not the same as a virtual background that sets a Member in an artificial location and is therefore permitted. In addition, the Speaker affirmed the importance of voting as one of the most consequential responsibilities of Members and expressed a willingness to engage with House Leaders prior to the fall sitting period and issue updated guidance if required to clarify expectations for remote participation in parliamentary business.

Ministerial Statements

On April 28, 2025, in response to the Lapu Lapu Day festival tragedy that occurred in Vancouver on April 26, the Speaker opened proceedings with a brief statement. The Legislative Assembly observed a moment of silence before adjourning for the rest of the day.

The next day, Premier David Eby made a statement expressing condolences to those in mourning, gratitude to first responders, and solidarity with the Filipino community in BC. Leader of the Official Opposition John Rustad spoke to the importance of the Lapu Lapu Day festival to the Filipino community and the tragic nature of the incident. Leader of the Third Party Jeremy Valeriote emphasized the importance of not reinforcing stigma around mental illness. Mable Elmore, MLA for Vancouver-Kensington, noted that the Lapu Lapu celebrations, which showcase Filipino strength and culture, took place only steps away from her constituency office. She described the shock and anger experienced by the Filipino community and expressed gratitude for the support from all levels of government and first responders.

On May 5, 2025, Christine Boyle, Minister of Indigenous  Relations  and  Reconciliation,  made a statement to acknowledge the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ People, also known as Red Dress Day. She noted the impact and extent of gender-based violence affecting Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people, as well as changes to legislation, policy, and practice and increased funding that aims to make communities safer. Official Opposition House Leader Á’a:líya Warbus recognized Métis artist Jaime Black-Morsette who created the red dress art installation that led to the use of that symbol, and advocated for increased support for Indigenous communities to address gender-based violence. Third Party House Leader Rob Botterell highlighted 13 of the 231 calls for justice included in the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, which he noted require immediate and continuing action.

Parliamentary Committee Activities

The spring sitting period was the first sitting since changes to the Standing Orders with respect to Private Members’ Business, which included establishing the Select Standing Committee on Private Bills and Private Members’ Bills, came into effect in fall 2024.

During the spring sitting period, the Select Standing Committee on Private Bills and Private Members’ Bills presented four reports. It reported Bill M 202, Eligibility to Hold Public Office Act, complete without amendment, and after the bill was recommitted for the purpose of considering amendments, reported it complete with amendment. The Committee reported Bill M 204, Perinatal and Postnatal Mental Health Strategy Act, complete with amendment. After the sponsor of Bill M 205, Mental Health Amendment Act, 2025, advised that she would be seeking consent of the Assembly to withdraw her bill, the Committee released a report recommending the bill not proceed further. The report was subsequently concurred in by the House and the bill was removed from the Order Paper.

On May 28, 2025, the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services released its report Review of Statutory Offices’ Supplementary Funding Requests for 2025-26, which made recommendations regarding supplementary funding requested by statutory officers for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

Members’ Compensation

On March 28, 2025, the Legislative Assembly Management Committee adopted a motion to withhold the administration of the statutory increase to Members’ basic compensation scheduled to come into effect on April 1, 2025. Per the Members’ Remuneration and Pensions Act, Members’ basic compensation is adjusted by the percentage increase of the consumer price index of the previous year. This motion allows staff to withhold the administration of the increase to Members’ basic compensation until a formal amendment to the Act is brought forward. Bill 10, Attorney General Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 which is currently on the Order Paper for second reading, includes such an amendment.

Changes in the Legislature

On May 1, 2025, the Legislative Assembly adopted motions to appoint permanent officers of the Legislative Assembly, in accordance with section 39 (1) of the provincial Constitution Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c.66). Seunghee Suzie Seo was appointed as a permanent officer in her capacity as Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel. Artour Sogomonian, who had previously served as Clerk Assistant, Parliamentary Services, was appointed as a permanent officer in the new capacity of Deputy Clerk of the Legislative Assembly.

Hanna Kim

Committee Researcher

Mary Heeg

Committee Research Analyst

Newfoundland And Labrador

Spring 2025 Sitting

Following a period of adjournment, the spring sitting resumed on April 9 for the delivery of the budget speech, commencing the annual budgetary process.

The Standing Committees on Government Services, Resource and Social Services proceeded to review the Estimates referred on Budget Day. Concurrence reports of each Committee were presented in the House on May 12, debated and passed that day.

An amendment and sub-amendment to the budget motion were moved but did not pass. Both the budget motion and main supply passed on May 14.

The House passed nine other bills in the spring sitting. The sitting adjourned on May 22 to the call of the Chair.

Swearing-in of Province’s 15th Premier

On February 25, 2025, Andrew Furey, Newfoundland and Labrador’s 14th Premier, announced he would be stepping down when the Liberal Party chose a new Leader, but will remain the Member for Humber – Gros Morne.

Two current MHAs – John Hogan, Member for Windsor Lake; and John Abbott, Member for St. John’s East – Quidi Vidi – entered the leadership race. Both Members held Cabinet positions and Mr. Hogan was the Government House Leader, but each stepped back from their Ministerial and other responsibilities to sit as private Members while the leadership race was ongoing.

Mr. Hogan was announced as the new Leader of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador on May 3 and was sworn-in as the province’s 15th Premier on May 9.

There was also a Cabinet swearing-in ceremony that day which saw several current Ministers changing portfolios and two new Ministers introduced to Cabinet.

Resignation of Members

On May 1, Andrew Parsons, Member for Burgeo-LaPoile resigned. At the time of his resignation, he served as Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology and Attorney General. Mr. Parsons was first elected on October 11, 2011, in the 47th General Assembly and served in various roles both in the Official Opposition and Government. During his tenure, he also served as the Minister of Justice and Public Safety, as well as Government House Leader.

On July 3, Mr. Furey, Member for Humber – Gros Morne, resigned. Mr. Furey served as Newfoundland and Labrador’s 14th Premier from 2020 until May 2025.

Appointment of Clerk of the House of Assembly

Further to a resolution passed by the House on May 15, Kim Hawley George, was appointed permanent Clerk of the House of Assembly further to section 7 of the House of Assembly, Accountability, Integrity and Administration Act.

Ms. Hawley George was appointed in an acting capacity in August 2023 and has served in the role since that time. She previously served as Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel of the House of Assembly from 2017 to 2023 and served concurrently in the role of Clerk Assistant from 2020 to 2023. Prior to joining the Legislature, Ms. Hawley George served as Chief Legislative Counsel and Assistant Deputy Minister for Legal Services and the Office of the Legislative Counsel in the Department of Justice and Public Safety.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Table and entire House of Assembly Service offers its congratulations to Ms. Hawley George on this appointment – we know that she will continue to serve this Legislature and the people of Newfoundland and Labrador with competence, professionalism, integrity and faithful stewardship.

Reappointment of Citizens’ Representative

Bradley Moss was reappointed by resolution of the House of Assembly as the Citizens’ Representative for Newfoundland and Labrador for a second six-year term on May 22, 2025. He was appointed for his first six-year term on May 1, 2019.

Resolution of Controverted Election Applications

On June 11, Travis Wooley, Chief Electoral Officer (A) advised that a resolution was reached between all parties involved in the Controverted Election Applications from the 2021 General Election. A joint statement was issued by all parties to the proceedings on that date and is available here: https://www.gov. nl.ca/releases/2025/elections/0611n05/.

Auditor General Delivers Report to the Public Accounts Committee on Audit of Personal Care Homes

Auditor General, Denise Hanrahan, delivered a performance audit report to the Public Accounts Committee on April 1 on matters related to personal care homes in the province. The audit was initiated at the request of the Committee in December 2023 pursuant to section 22 of the Auditor General Act, 2021, following concerns that previous recommendations of the Auditor General related to personal care homes remained outstanding at that time.

The Public Accounts Committee held a public hearing on these matters on May 20 with officials from the Department of Health and Community Services, and Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services appearing.

The Public Accounts Committee’s request to the Auditor General also included an audit of matters related to long-term facilities in the province, which is currently underway.

Bobbi Russell

Principal Clerk of Committees

Northwest Territories

The first session of the 20th Legislative Assembly reconvened from May 21 to May 29, 2025. During this sitting the Assembly reviewed Capital and Operational Supplementary Estimate and carried the associated supplementary appropriation bills, among other business.

Legislation

The Standing Committee on Government Operations reported to the house that they had concluded consideration of Bill 17 Municipal and Community Affairs Statutes Amendment Act and Bill 18 An Act to Amend the Partnership and Business Names Act and that those bills were ready for further consideration in Committee of the Whole. During this sitting four new bills were introduced, received first and second reading, and were referred to Standing Committees for review:

• Bill 26: An Act to Amend the Public Service Act Act, is a private Member’s bill put forward by Shauna Morgan, the MLA for Yellowknife North, which would allow for a process to authorize and deauthorize a separate bargaining unit for unionized public sector nurses in the NWT registered with the College and Association of Nurses in the NWT and Nunavut. Currently, the Public Service Act establishes bargaining units for teachers, employees of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, and all other employees of the Government of the Northwest Territories. Bill 26 seeks to add nurses to the list of separate bargaining units. Bill 26 received second reading on May 26, 2025.

• Bill 27: An Act to Amend the Protection Against Family Violence Act, amends the current act to improve access to emergency protection orders and to address physical and online harassment. This bill widens the definition of family members who may apply for protection under the Act, adds stalking to the list of actions that constitute family violence, and will establish a new civil recourse related to stalking for victims of family violence. It received second reading on May 28, 2025.
• Bill 28: An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance, No. 2, proposes one change to the current Act: The Schedule is amended by increasing the Student Loan Fund, also known as the Revolving Loan Limit, from $45M to $55M. This change is proposed to allow for an increase of $10M to the maximum cumulative amount that may be loaned to all students. Bill 28 received second reading on May 29, 2025.
• Bill 29: First Responders Workers’ Compensation Amendment Act, a private Member’s bill put forward by Kieron Testart, the MLA for Range Lake, would amend the Workers’ Compensation Act to expand the existing presumptive workers’ compensation coverage, which currently covers

14 cancer types and cardiac arrest within 24 hours of attendance at an emergency response, to presumptive coverage of all cancers and heart disease for firefighters. The Bill would also provide new presumptive coverage of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for all first responders. It received second reading on May 29, 2025.

Motions

During the May 2025 sitting, seven formal motions were moved in the house, all of which were carried. Two motions originated with the Board of Management and related to the establishment of the Electoral Boundaries Commission, and the appointment of a Member to the Human Rights Adjudication Pannel. Two motions originated with Caucus and related to a supplemental recommendation of the Integrity Commissioner on costs in the complaint against the Member for Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh, and the extended adjournment of the house to October 16, 2025. The remaining motions originated with individual Regular Members and related to the recruitment, retention and remuneration of healthcare workers, remuneration of essential staff at the AVENS long-term care facility related to the 2023 wildfire evacuation, and a referral of the Member’s Code of Conduct to the Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges.

Assent

On May 29, 2025, the final day of the sitting, the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, Gerald Kisoun, provided Assent to the following legislation:

• Bill 17: Municipal and Community Affairs Statutes Amendment Act;
• Bill 18: An Act to Amend the Partnership and Business Names Act;
• Bill 30: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization) No. 1, 2025-2026; and
• Bill 31: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2025-2026.

The House is adjourned until October 16, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.

Michael Ball

Manager of House and Journal Services

Nunavut

House Proceedings

The winter 2025 sitting of the 2nd Session of the 6th Legislative Assembly convened on February 20, 2025, and concluded on March 11, 2025. The proceedings of the Committee of the Whole during the winter 2025 sitting were dominated by the consideration of the Government of Nunavut’s proposed 2025-2026 main estimates.

Ten bills received Assent during the winter 2025 sitting:

• Bill 43, An Act to Amend the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation Act;
• Bill 50, Fuel Tax Act;
• Bill 63, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly Retiring Allowances Act and the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act;
• Bill 64, Post-Secondary Student Support Act;
• Bill 67, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act;
• Bill 68, An Act to Amend the Tobacco Tax Act;
• Bill 69, An Act Consequential to the Government Reorganization of 2025;
• Bill 70, Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, 2025-2026;
• Bill 71, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2024-2025; and
• Bill 72, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2025-2026.

The spring 2025 sitting of the 2nd Session of the 6th Legislative Assembly convened on May 22, 2025, and concluded on June 3, 2025.

Five bills received Assent during the spring 2025 sitting:

• Bill 66, Early Learning and Childcare Act;
• Bill 74, Pharmacy Professions Act;
• Bill 75, An Act to Amend the Legislation Act and Other Acts Respecting the Nunavut Gazette;
• Bill 77, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act; and
• Bill 80, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2025-2026.

Acting Table Officer

During the spring 2025 sitting, the Nunavut Table was ably assisted by Northwest Territories Manager of House and Journal Services Michael Ball.

Committee Hearings

From April 24-25, 2025, the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts held a televised hearing on the 2023-2024 annual report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut, Graham Steele.

From April 28-29, 2025, the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts held a televised hearing on the 2023-2024 annual report of Nunavut’s Representative for Children and Youth, Jane Bates.

From April 29-30, 2025, the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts held a televised hearing on the Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut: 2025 Follow-up on Child and Family Services in Nunavut. Deputy Auditor General of Canada Andrew Hayes and officials from the Office of the Auditor

General of Canada appeared as witnesses at the hearing.

On May 1, 2025, the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts held a televised hearing on the 2023-2024 territorial public accounts. Auditor General of Canada Karen Hogan and officials from the Office of the Auditor General of Canada appeared as witnesses at the hearing.

Numerous Government of Nunavut officials also appeared as witnesses at these hearings, which were presided over by Standing Committee Chair and Iqaluit-Tasiluk MLA George Hickes. Mr. Hickes subsequently presented the standing committee’s reports on the hearings to the House during its spring 2025 sitting.

Passing of Former Members

On March 31, 2025, Speaker Tony Akoak released a statement concerning the passing of Kane Tologanak, who represented the constituency of Central Arctic in the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories prior to division in 1999. The community flag of Cambridge Bay was half-masted at the Legislative Assembly Precinct in honour of his passing.

On April 17, 2025, Speaker Akoak released a statement concerning the passing of Steve Mapsalak, who represented the constituencies of Akulliq and Aivilik during the 2nd and 4th Legislative Assemblies. The community flags of Naujaat and Coral Harbour were half-masted at the Legislative Assembly Precinct in honour of his passing.

During the Legislative Assembly’s sitting of June 2, 2025, Speaker Akoak announced the passing of Red Pedersen, who represented the constituency of Kitikmeot West in the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories prior to division in 1999. Mr. Pedersen was a member of the Order of Canada and the Order of Nunavut. The community flag of Kugluktuk was half-masted at the Legislative Assembly Precinct in honour of his passing.

Alex Baldwin

Office of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut

Ontario

Election  of  the  Speaker  and  Appointment  of Presiding Officers

The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario convened the first session of the 44th Parliament on April 14, 2025. The Clerk, Trevor Day, presided over the election of the Speaker where two Members were nominated: MPP Donna Skelly, the Member for Flamborough–Glanbrook, and MPP Jennifer French, the Member for Oshawa. After one ballot, MPP Skelly was elected and took the chair as Ontario’s first female Speaker. Speaker Skelly was first elected as an MPP in 2018 and served as the Deputy Speaker during the 43rd Parliament.

By Order of the House on April 16, 2025, the following presiding officers of the House were appointed:

• Effie Triantafilopoulos, MPP for Oakville North–Burlington, was appointed Deputy Speaker and Chair of the Committee of the Whole House.

• Jennifer French, MPP for Oshawa, was appointed the First Deputy Chair of the Committee of the Whole House.

• Ric Bresee, MPP for Hastings–Lennox and Addington, was appointed the Second Deputy Chair of the Committee of the Whole House.

• Andrea Hazell, MPP for Scarborough–Guildwood, was appointed the Third Deputy Chair of the Committee of the Whole House.

Speech from the Throne

On April 15, 2025, Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor, opened the first session of the 44th Parliament with her delivery of the Speech from the Throne. This marked Her Honour’s first Throne Speech since her installation in November 2023.

Question of Privilege

On April 29, 2025, Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure, raised a question of privilege with respect to a Question Period exchange with the leader of the third party, MPP John Fraser, on the subject of government accountability. Minister Surma indicated that she felt Mr. Fraser had wilfully misled the House in his line of questioning, by misrepresenting the findings of the Auditor General and the Integrity Commissioner.

On May 5, 2025, the Speaker ruled that she did not find evidence of a prima facie case of contempt and no tangible confirmation that the Member misled or intended to mislead the House, rather she felt that this was a case of disagreement between the Members. As this was the first question of privilege raised in the 44th Parliament, Speaker Skelly took the opportunity to provide a general explanation of privilege and contempt to all Members as part of her ruling on the matter.

Notable Legislation

Budget Bill

The Minister of Finance introduced the budget bill on May 15, 2025, following the delivery of the budget speech. This year’s budget day fell after the March 31, 2025, deadline provided by the Fiscal Sustainability, Transparency and Accountability Act, 2019. However, within this same statute an exception is allowed when a general election is conducted within that fiscal year.

Members’ Compensation and Pension

Bill 34, MPP Pension and Compensation Act, 2025, was introduced on May 29, 2025. This bill provides access to a pension for elected Members as well as increases to Members’ salaries, which had been frozen since 2009. With the unanimous consent of the House, the orders for second and third reading of the bill were immediately called, and the questions were put without debate. Second and third reading carried, and the bill received Royal Assent later that day.

Committees

Committee Membership

By order of the House on April 17, 2025, the membership of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs was appointed, and the regular meeting schedule for all eight standing committees was set.

At its meeting on April 29, 2025, the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs set the membership of the other seven standing committees pursuant to its authority under Standing Order 109.1(a). The Committee’s recommendations on committee membership were reported back to the House later that same day and were deemed adopted. This marks the first time this committee has exercised its authority to appoint committee membership at the outset of a new Parliament since this new Standing Order was adopted in April 2024.

First and Second Vice-Chairs

The Liberal Party of Ontario regained recognized party status after winning 14 seats in the most recent general election. With the composition of the Assembly now including three recognized parties, pursuant to standing order 119(e), each Standing Committee is required to have two Vice-Chairs. Following the election of a Chair, each of the standing committees subsequently appointed a First and Second Vice-chair within the parameters regarding party affiliation provided by the Standing Orders.

Bill 5

The Standing Committee on the Interior considered Bill 5, Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025. This bill received substantial criticism from the opposition parties and significant interest from the public. During the Committee’s public hearings on the bill, a large number of people came to watch the proceedings in person, and nearly 500 written submissions were made to the Committee. Many Indigenous leaders, community members and organizations presented to the Committee and expressed their opposition to the bill.

Indigenous Language Spoken in Committee

Sol Mamakwa, MPP for Kiiwetinoong, spoke and asked questions of witnesses in Anishininiimowin (known as Oji-Cree in English) during the Committee’s public hearings on Bill 5, with simultaneous interpretation provided in English and French. Witnesses who spoke in Oji-Cree were also able to present and respond to questions with the support of interpretation services. This marks the first instance of Indigenous language interpretation being provided during a committee proceeding since the amendment to Standing Order 24(a) in April 2024, which permits MPPs to speak in an Indigenous language spoken in Canada.

Filibuster at Clause-by-Clause Consideration

During clause-by-clause consideration of the bill on May 28, 2025, the official opposition and third party Members delayed the progress of the meeting using a variety of procedural methods including requests for 20-minute recesses on votes (an authority provided by Standing Order 131(a)) and lengthy debate on amendments. The filibuster continued until midnight at which time the Chair was required to adjourn the meeting.

As the Committee did not complete clause-by-clause consideration, on May 29, 2025, the government filed notice of a motion to allocate time to the remaining Committee and House proceedings on Bill 5. This motion was adopted by the House on June 3, 2025. The time allocation order set strict parameters for the Committee’s continuation of clause-by-clause consideration of the bill. This included a new deadline for filing amendments to the bill, which was set to be at the time of the adoption of the time allocation motion. The motion also provided that the Committee meet from 1:00 p.m. until midnight on June 3, 2025, that all filed amendments that had not yet been moved would be deemed moved, and that the Chair put every question necessary to dispose of all remaining sections of the bill and any amendments thereto without debate.

Prior to the deadline set by the time allocation motion, a committee member representing the third party filed 4000 amendments to the bill. During the scheduled clause-by-clause meeting on June 3, the third party Members requested recorded votes on each amendment and section of the bill. The Committee again met until midnight and got as far as motion number 1225 in its package of over 4000 amendments before it adjourned.

On June 4, 2025, pursuant to the order of the House, the bill was deemed reported back to the House with some amendments. The bill received third reading the same day. Protests arose in the public galleries, and following the completion of the third reading vote, the Speaker recessed the House for five minutes for grave disorder.

Committee Studies

At the time of dissolution of the 43rd Parliament two committees were in the process of conducting studies which have since been reinstated.

On June 5, 2025, the House granted unanimous consent for the Standing Committee on Justice Policy to resume its study of intimate partner violence at the same stage of progress as at the time of dissolution. The Committee had previously concluded hearing from expert witnesses and victims and was in early stages of preparing to conduct report writing meetings. The Committee will resume its work on this study at a time to be determined by the Committee.

Additionally, on May 27, 2025, the House authorized the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs to resume its work respecting Indigenous representation as part of the rehabilitation of the legislative building. On June 24, 2025, the Committee attended a council meeting of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation to receive feedback about the group’s recent tour of the legislative building and grounds of Queen’s Park.

Summer Adjournment

On June 5, 2025, the final day of the spring meeting period, the House adopted a motion providing that when it adjourns that day, it stands adjourned until 10:15 a.m., on October 20, 2025. This order of the House amends the parliamentary calendar set out by the Standing Orders, providing for a later start to the fall meeting period. The House also authorized the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs and the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy to meet at the call of the Chair during the summer adjournment period.

The Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy plans to travel to six cities in Ontario in July to conduct public hearings on Bill 9, Municipal Accountability Act, 2025.

Tanzima Khan

Committee Clerk